Saturday, October 25, 2014

Keep Back 200 Feet

The morning bus stop is one interesting place.

All the school age children and their guardians emerge from their houses at the same time each morning to join the micro-community that is the bus stop. At the corner:
  • the children circle each other for small talk or to see if someone has something 'new'
  • there is one other parent and I who have a hot beverage in hand
  • babies are in tow - always
  • younger siblings run up and down the grassy hill to the neighbors tree. every. day.
  • they are giddy with excitement to go to school
  • there are crazy hugs and kisses when we hear the buses very loud brakes around the bend
  • the children have to line up at 'the crack' (in the road) so they wait until the bus comes to a stop.
  • lots of pictures are taken
  • and Friday is Flamingo Friday, but maybe that's for a different blog post.

Why are lots of pictures taken? I guess because we have anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes together!
First Day of School at the Bus Stop

Circling Up 

Mr. R just so happened to have extra hair mascara in his pocket 

Crazy Hair Day 
Cillian's Ride in the Rain

Posing on Picture Day

"Really Mom?" I guess the paparazzi of these cuties gets

to be a bit much.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Cast of Characters


Halloween come early? No. We're just always monkey-ing around. Or, should I gorilla-ing around! It's often that we have to tell Rowan to 'turn the sillies off' when he's much more interested in being the jokester than knowing when enough is enough. But, one of the best things about Rowan and Evangeline is their willingness to play, pretend, and most definitely to entertain.

So, in order of cast appearance here is our dear Evangeline playing Tigger. And here is our goof Rowan playing the bare-bottomed gorilla.
Rowan, Age 6 and 5/6th
Eva, Age 5 and 1/6th

Not to leave the crew out .... there is also Mommy and Daddy (not picture) and this adorable babe, Cillian, in charge of special effects!

Cillian, Age 5 and 1/2 months (24 weeks)

Monday, September 15, 2014

The Boyz of Summer

The summer is coming to a close fast...like it kinda just slammed its door on us. I peer around this slamming door getting one last glimpse of what summer was and I can smile at having spent it with family and friends. I especially loved the time I had with my children.  

These two. I mean you guys, really? It's gotta be the glasses. Or maybe it's just how the Rudnick boyz roll!





Friday, July 18, 2014

Happy 5th Birthday Evangeline!

Evangeline Christine Rudnick
Born July 18, 2009
At 1 Year
At 2 Years
At 3 Years
At 4 Years
At Almost 5

Monday, June 23, 2014

Seeing Rainbows

 
Cillian was gifted a Rainbow Maker.  How sweet and lovely is this?! Even though I received it at a shower in March it wasn't until Cillian occupied his room that I opened the box.  And how we've ALL enjoyed it since!  My friend Kate spoiled us with this beauty!  The Rainbow Maker is solar powered. So, at just about 8 A.M. every morning when the sun rises over our neighbors house and hits Cillian's east facing window the solar panel is charged and the prism starts to turn. Then, the rainbows begin to dance, yes dance, all around the nursery.  It is beautiful. And, as it turns out, very hard to capture on camera!  The walls and armoir are white and the rainbows are beautifully red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple against them. Rowan and Evangeline come in in the morning to capture their arrival. Evangeline twirls as they land on her and Rowan tries to catch them. Cillian gazes as they come and go out of his sight.  I am in awe of their crisp colored spectrum.  These rainbows are a beautiful reminder each and every morning of God's many promises and abundant blessings for His children. Thank you Kate for this gift!

Rainbows dancing around the nursery

Friday, June 20, 2014

75+



9 1/2 Weeks
Ht: 24" (78th %)
Wt: 13lbs 3oz. (76th%)
HdCir: 16.25 (75th%)

That a boy!


Friday, June 06, 2014

These Two


Evangeline and Cillian:
  • Precious
  • Cute
  • Darling
  • Adorable
  • Sweet
  • Loving
  • ...
I could go on for hours...these two are too much!
7 Weeks

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Deja Vu


Those who didn't know Rowan as an infant ask if Cillian resembles Rowan. Some people who knew us in the fall of 2007 say that they think Rowan and Cillian look alike. What do you think? Which of the photos below are Rowan?  Which ones are Cillian? Do you think they resemble each other?






Wednesday, May 14, 2014

A (grand)Parent's Love

Mother's Day was extra special this year now that I am a mother to three of God's beautiful children. Each day with Cillian continues to be a blessing. Each day watching Rowan and Evangeline marvel in Cillian's life continues to be a joy too. 
Just as Alan and I rejoice in our family of creation we rejoice that our family of origin surrounds us still. As we celebrated Mother's Day this past weekend we also celebrated the nurture and support we received from our families. How wonderful to have received our parents nurture and care and now to be able to watch our parents share their love again with our children. Even after multiple grandchildren there is plenty of love to go around again...Cillian has received love that will never end.
My mother...with us through it all
#myfirstselfie ~ Cillian

Cillian, at 24 hours old, sits with Grandpa

Memme meets Cillian
Cillian, at two weeks,
already listening to Pop's stories

Sunday, May 04, 2014

April Showers Bring...

April showers bring May flowers…and May brings more rain.

The rainy season in Ballston Spa has hit its stride just in time for the beginning of the town rec sports season. Rowan and Evangeline don’t mind playing in the weather and would much rather play than have practices canceled. But Mama is praying for drier days to come.

Evangeline is pumped for outdoor soccer as a Kinder Kicker.  Rowan is finding his stride in his Little Dribblers soccer division. And, Rowan (and Alan) couldn't be happier to be running drills and taking shots on goal in the Ballston Spa Lacrosse Learn to Play division. 

Rainy spring sports practices aren't much of a spectator sport. But we are making the best of it!
"Mommy, can I sleep?" said Eva waiting out a lacrosse practice in the pouring rain.

"This is how I roll!" - Cillian

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Cillian Holt Rudnick


Cillian Holt Rudnick arrived at 8:05 P.M. on Monday April 14, 2014.

Alan and I started that day attending an Obstetricians appointment. Being 40 weeks 5 days I received a fluid and growth ultrasound and a non-stress test along with my checkup. This ensures that baby was still growing and developing well. Check!

My physician ensured me that I was already laboring and that I would not be making to my next appointment.  We had heard that before and I personally did not put much stock in it.  I've learned not to 'get my hopes up' with expecting babies on a timeline. 

After lunch and a delightful conversation with my sister I grew very tired and laid down to rest.  I tried to sleep but began to feel uncomfortable and noticed some new contractions. I have had hours of contractions within the two weeks of my pregnancy and they were nothing new.  It wasn't until 1:30 that I decided to track the contractions to see if there was a pattern.  From 1:30 until 4:30 I think I remember watching TV, putting away laundry, and watching the children play outside. But mostly, I remember wandering around. I was doubtful that I would be delivering that day even through the gaining contractions of the afternoon. My Mom, who had been with us the final two weeks of my pregnancy, smiled that 'we were going to be having a baby today'! I was unsure and preparing myself for the contractions to stop or for a very long labor in which this baby was not going to be arriving today. But he did!

I called Alan for him to come home at 4:30. I packed and bathed. At 6:00 we left for The Saratoga Hospital. I interacted with the nurses for a short period of time, managed to answer a few questions and settle into laboring in my room. My mother arrived after getting the children settled with our dear friend.  Then, it was a fast progression through dilation, my water breaking, and knowing it was time to push. I try to remember what a blessing natural labor and delivery is while I'm in the moment. During the work of labor I pull from the strength God has blessed me with and the prayers I knew I was surrounded by.  They are enough to sustain me.  At 8:00, and with two pushes, I birthed my second son. Cillian Holt was born. He was perfectly knit by God. 

It was then, once he was placed on my chest, that I was able to open my eyes, come out of my laboring work, and awaken to the miracle.  I saw and felt such joy. You can imagine the joy in the room.  Alan's elation was overflowing! Lolly's love exuding! My Dr.'s face was beaming! 

Cillian weighed in at 7 lbs. 13.7 oz. and measures 22 in. in length.  He has long fingers and toes and we love every inch of him. Welcome to the family little one!

My First Day

Going Home

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Loads of Laundry

The children do their own laundry. Yes. It’s true. And they have for close to 8 months now.

I believe that responsibility is taught. I also believe that having responsibility in the family shows each person’s importance and worth in the family system. We are all important in the Rudnick household. We each are instrumental in our family and its function.

Appropriate chores at an appropriate age mean different things to different people. For us, Rowan and Evangeline can be responsible and success with their laundry.  What does this look like in our home? Enter the laundry steps.

Step 1.  Bring your laundry basket to the laundry room.
  • Sometimes they carry it by themselves and other times they help each other carry their baskets. It’s always loud and often giggly.
  • Parental guidance suggested – ensure the washer machine is empty and ready for a kid load.

Step 2.  Place all your clothes in the washer machine.
  • This usually turns out to be a very interesting game of basketball, especially when Rowan’s doing his laundry.
  • Parental guidance suggested – remove any items at this time that are hand wash. Personally, I don’t keep the children in clothes that are hand wash only but the exception may be a holiday dress or tie.

Step 3.  Add detergent.
  • Because detergent should handled with care by children (and under supervision) I choose to purchase detergent pods for the children’s laundry. The children are able to throw one pod in for their load. It sets them up for success. I know it’s measured appropriately and that it’s no mess (read: dangerous).
  • Parental guidance suggested – take one pod out and place on the washer machine.

Step 4.  Start the wash.
  • …and stand in awe of the water and clothes swishing around J
  • Parental guidance suggested – choose the appropriate temperature and wash size setting.

Step 5.  Turn over the wash to the dryer.
  • I call the children to the laundry room when I know the wash cycle is finished. I remove the clothes from the washer machine and they move them to the dryer. Another game of basketball ensues at this point too especially to add the dryer sheet or dryer ball.
  • Parental guidance suggested – put aside line-dry items as you are removing the items from the washer. Hang separately.

Step 6.  Fold the clothes.
  • Each of the children is very able to fold their tops, bottoms, and pajamas. They are capable of sorting their undergarments and matching their socks. Who doesn’t love a game of matching!
  • Parental guidance suggested – Let go of perfection in light of progress. Folding, with teaching, gets better with each load.

Step 7.  Put the clothes away.
  • They each can reach their drawers for each type of clothing and this makes putting their clothes away super easy.
  • Parental guidance suggested – Fold and hang the ‘nice’ items to cut down on finding them in the bottom of a drawer and having to iron them.


Is it perfect every time? No. There isn’t much we do that is perfect every time. Is it awesome to see Rowan and Evangeline active in the family, learning life lessons, and taking pride in their work? Yes. And, it’s the opportunity early in life to learn that you’ll have less laundry if you dirty less! Rowan just put that together last week J