Kira is 4 months old

Weight 14 lb 3 oz (50-75%)

Height 27" (>97%)

Head 16 " (25-50%)

Immunizations: Pentacel (DTaP #2, IPV#2, HIB#2), Prevnar #2, Rotateq#2

Oh, my sweet little pea, Kira, where do I even begin talking about you? There has been so much change in you in the past month that I almost want to say that you're such a big girl now, but you're not. You're the same tiny sweet baby girl that I brought home from the hospital 4 months ago and you always will be. You polished your rolling skills and now that's all you want to do the moment I put you down. Speaking of putting you down, most of the time you don't mind sitting in the pumpkin seat when I am cooking in the kitchen and watching me (I bet you're going to be a good helper some day) or eating a meal but the moment I spread my arms towards you, you are wiggling and smiling with excitement and anticipation of being picked up. Mommy's arms are your favorite place to spend time. You most definitely know who I am by now and if there is a major tragedy in your life like you're getting tired, or just feel lonely, or anything else, I am the only person who can make things right. Your crying turns into smiles when I hold and kiss you. You're getting better and better at using your hands and fingers, reaching for toys... and dragging them into your mouth. I wonder if you're teething or it's just the stage. You love your pacifier, that's probably your second best friend now. You're very vocal, you make all sorts of noises. Sometimes it almost feels like you want to take part in a conversation. You're fascinated by small prints, bright colors, dolls, and your big brother. Though he's giving you a hard time at times you still greet him with a big smile when he storms into the room and jumps on the bed where you've been sleeping. You're a very smiley girl. I dare to say there is no bigger joy than waking up to my face being touched by a your soft tiny hand and seeing your smile the first thing in the morning, or falling asleep with your little hand in mine. ~Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up...~

March 2011

Life has been the busiest ever with my mother being gone, Aaron quitting his naps, and Kira not sleeping for more than 40 minutes at a time. It's been busy, but good. And yet I can't fathom how in the world my mother did it without a washer/dryer, quick frozen meals, disposable diapers, in one bedroom, with little money, etc...I think I never appreciated her more than I do now, having two little ones of my own. Parenthood is not easy, and it's not supposed to be easy. But it's rewarding, it's supposed to be so. Every night I go down and I thank the Lord for these two precious children that He has given us. And I thank Him for an amazing husband. My and my children's world would be a different place without Cliff in it. My heart rejoices when I see our little Aaron diving for the door when he hears the keys turning at around 6 pm, or when I hear him say how much he loves Cliff, or when he doesn't want Cliff to leave for work. Kira is still too little to understand all this, but I am sure when the time comes, the seed of love that Cliff is sowing into her right now, will grow 10 times more, just like it did with Aaron.
Aaron is still very interested in human body anatomy and physiology. He's learning to read in both languages, do simple math, and he loves to sing:)For some reason, he feels inspired to sing right when I am upstairs putting Kira down. He found a way to overcome his fears of mannequins by making one with a towel and his small clothes and goggles,and befriending it. Quite clever but creepy. I don't know why I haven't taken a picture of this new friend yet. Nonetheless he got into a habit of walking into our bedroom in the middle of the night, without making a sound climbing into our bed and falling asleep there like it's nobody's business. And since I am up with Kira anyways, I let him do so, and then gently carry him back to his bed.
The night when Cliff was gone driving my mother to NY, I had to put both of them down for the night (how do single mothers survive???). As I was giving Aaron a bath, he put his arms around my neck, squeezed hard and said: "Mama, I love you so very much" Before he falls asleep he likes me to read "ABC God Loves Me" book given him by our friend Katya, have me rub his back with a rhyme, and sing two Russian songs (Pesenka mamontenka, God's Design) I can't skip any of the elements of this routine, he knows it by heart:)

I discovered Play-Doh website with project ideas for beginners and today Aaron and I made a couple from there. He really enjoyed making things though I was helping him quite a bit.

Also, thanks to Serg and Jules we now have some good pre-school workbooks from School Zone. Pretty good stuff, I'd recommend to those who have pre-schoolers. I could use some ideas as far as craft projects or art.

Kira is almost 4 months, and I'll post about her after her Dr.'s visit. She's a beautiful child, inside out.

Fears

A couple of nights ago Aaron ran out of his room screaming and calling for mama. In the morning I asked him, why he was screaming, and he said: "Because mannequins wanted to take me and throw me in a trash can" He saw a nightmare. Every now and then when we put him down he says that there are mannequins in the room and he's scared. On another occasion, we told him we'd be going to Indianapolis to see Grandmommy and Granddaddy, and then Cliff and I were discussing the sleeping arrangements. Aaron overheard us and said: "I am not going to sleep there!" I asked why and he said: "Because there is Spumony (a doll that sits on a chair in the corner outside Cliff's room)" And I remembered that he was afraid of it in the past too, he still remembers it!

I wonder how long my headbandmania will go on (and Cliff probably wonders too:)) but meanwhile here is another one on my sweetest Rolly Pearly that is Kira:

Rolly Pearly on etsy

Etsy RollyPearly

Kira is starring in my etsy ad for my newly opened shop Rolly Pearly. She is the best model:)

Spring 2011

[Why didn't I buy Ergo for Aaron when he was a baby? Nonetheless, he likes it now:)]

[Kira in her new springy outfit from Grandmommy and a matching hairpiece from mama]

I started a new album for the kids-Spring 2011. And though the weather hasn't been that springy yet, we've enjoyed a few warm days, and are so looking forward to our upcoming trip to Indianapolis for Easter. I am hoping, Jamie the photographer (my nursing school classmate) will be able to take some family shots while we're there, but meanwhile...it's me chasing the kiddos with the camera.

Life has been the busiest ever with Kira getting into some sort of routine, and that everexploring mind of Aaron. Kira is by most part an easy going sweet baby (though, you don't want to make her mad:)) She falls asleep easily in my arms, but doesn't stay asleep for longer than 40 minutes, unless I pick her up as she's waking up and rock her back to sleep. She is very observant and likes to look at small prints and bright colors. She likes her fabric dolls, a Sassy mirror, rattles, and her crib mobile. And she's all smiles, which is the first thing I see in the morning as she opens her eyes. She's also inspirational to me. I've enjoyed making her outfits and hairpieces (a couple more of those and I might as well open an etsy shop:)) which has also been a great way to relax for me in the evening when the kids are tuckered in their beds.


Aaron continues to like books and be interested in medicine. He likes watching a CPR video and then practice it on me or Cliff. Every day he says or does something that makes us laugh. Such a blessing to have him!


House hunting is still going on.

Kira is 3 months old

Our little princess is 3 months old today. As I look at her sleeping in my arms I can't help but wonder how I ever lived without this beautiful smile, this cute-as-a-button nose, these blue eyes, this soft hair, these chubby cheeks. She brings mountains of joy and happiness into our lives every day.
Kira and Aaron have been enjoying their babushka's visit for the past couple weeks. This morning babushka left for Pittsburgh to spend some time with her other grandsons. And though we already miss her a lot, we hope they all have fun time and we're looking forward to the cousins' visit in about 2 weeks.
Kira's biometrics are a rough estimate as I weighed and measured her myself. She will see her pediatrician at 4 months for a routine check up.

Weight 13.5 lb
Height 25"
Head circum. 16 " (65%)

Last month she started turning both directions (at 2 month from tummy to back, and 2.5 months from back to tummy). She tracks well with her eyes and she recognizes me as her mother. It surely makes me feel special when she stops crying the moment I take her in my arms and she hears my voice.

Aaron's prayer

As I was putting Aaron down tonight I asked him to say a prayer. He was holding his Hand Skeleton book in his hands and said: "I am praying that Nikolai doesn't get sick, that Vitaliy doesn't get sick...that my hand grows as big as this one (he pointed at the cover of his book). Also, I want a ball...and thank you for the bed. Amen."