Sneak Peak

We had a photoshoot yesterday afternoon. I can't wait to see more pictures.

Love this teethless smile.

Indianapolis

Just a few pics of the kids. More when we come back. The road was long and tiring. But we made it safely. The kids were the troopers.

A bit of everything

It's a quiet time in the house right now. Kira is napping, Aaron's watching "Curious George". I just uploaded some pictures of the kids and realized how much Kira has changed. Wow...

Last week we enjoyed a visit from Great Aunt Susie. And though it was short we're glad that Susie got to meet Kira.

There are lots of changes coming up in the Cislaks household. We're getting ready to head to Indianapolis (through Pittsburgh), spend a week there. And then as soon as we come back we need to start packing to move to our new home! I am not sure how we're going to do it with the kids, packing and all...but it will work out somehow. It always does.

So, yes, we finally found a house that we liked. It needs some minor work to make it "our" home. It appears to have everything we've been looking for: a grocery, a big playground, a swim pool (all within a walking distance) It is the end unit townhouse that backs into a big lawn with some trees where I can see Cliff and Aaron running a kite, or kicking a ball, or riding a tractor. The neighborhood has lots of kids so hopefully Aaron and Kira will make some good friends there. The lower level is a rec. room with half bath. We'll use this space for a guest bedroom and Cliff's den. The second level is a big open space with a breakfast room, kitchen, half bath, dining area and living room. There is also a good size deck (looking over the big lawn) with the stairs that take you to the first level. The third level has 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. The master bathroom has a jacuzzi, a shower, two sinks and even a good size window which makes the bathroom VERY bright.

Anyways, I only saw it once:) Can't wait to get my hands on cleaning and making it nice. And of course, friends and family are welcome any time.

But the biggest news of all, Mary and Andy Tresize had a baby boy today-Thomas Carter Tresize! Congratulations!

Aaron's brain physiology

Иногда Кира хватает Аарона за волосы или ударяет его ручкой или ножкой. Мы объясняем ему, что она делает это неспециально. Просто она еще маленькая и ее мозг не может еще контролировать ее движения.

Сегодня положила Киру в кроватку, пока сама чистила зубы. Смотрю, Аарон лезеть к ней туда. Я сказала, чтоб слез. Не послушал. Я опять:

-Аарон, я что сказала? Слезь, говорю, с кроватки.

-Мама, я не могу. Мой мозг еще плохо контролирует мои движения.

Sometimes when Aaron plays with Kira, she grabs his hair, or hits him with her hand or foot. We explain to Aaron that she doesn't do it to hurt him but because she's little, her brain is still developing and she can't control her movements well yet.

Today I put Kira in her crib while brushing my teeth. I see Aaron trying to climb in there with her. So I told him to get off the crib. Aaron keeps climbing in.

-Aaron, what did I just say? Get off the crib.

-Mama, I can't. My brain can't control my movements very well yet.

Aaron & Kira

Аарон сидит за столом, ест свой обед. Я на кухне, рядом. Кира на полу в сиденье. Кира начинает капризничать. Устала, хочет спать. Аарон, погрозив ей пальцем: "Кира, не кентовать! Еще один звук и вы встанешь из-за стола" И где он только научился?:)

Aaron is sitting at the table eating his lunch. Kira is beside on the floor in her seat. Kira is fussing. Aaron waives his pointer and says: "Kira! You've got to stop acting out. One more sound and you get out of the table!"

It took Aaron about 4 months to realize that Kira is here to stay. So now occasionally I hear: "Mama, let's take Kira back to the hospital". "Mama, put her back in your stomach". "Mama, kiss me (when I kiss Kira)"

Today I was folding laundry away in Aaron's room. I put Kira on Aaron's bed. Kira starting fussing. Aaron jumped up on the bed with his new Cheryl cookies catalog: "Kira, don't cry. I am here. I am not going to leave you. Let me read you something".

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.