Swim

When Stella crawls - looks like she is swimming on the wood floor.
She says "uh huh" and "oooh" and something that sunds like "wow" and "mmmmama" when she is crying (which is almost never)

Best part of parent teacher conferences

was learning how much Daron loves his baby sister when we heard about it from his teacher- Mrs. - totally forgot her name right now.

Both boys had stellar reports, and Ian's shining moment was an E- in self control - he and Uri G apparently cut it up a bit during class, which made his teacher proud.

Both had reports of being very bright, great students, well behaved and good with their peers. WHat could be better.

This shabbos, Ian had Yoni Zirman over. Big boy, 5"2 0 really nice - great house guest, sweet, smart, kind, funny. Yoni Ginsberg (who still can't say "r" and Isaac Zaken came over in the afternoon. Dorothy was confused when GInsberg asked for "wataw"

Stella is fantastic- Stell Bells is a new version - and Ian calls her "Smella" - they are all so funny with her and she adores each one. SHe is still army crawling but also up on all fours and taking crawl steps. Had to lower her crib mattress. She is still sweet, super sweet - loves eating enjoys watching her brothers play sports (both hockey and basketball championships) and still nursing.

Dorothy is a panic. I dont use that word but she just is - she is amazing, interesting, full of energy and adorable at the same time.

Slept

Stella slept through the night- granted it was the first time in ages i let her try. She went to bed around 8 and woke up around 6 nd then 7:30 - and ate at 7:30. Amazing how non torturous she was.

It is going too fast!

Scorpie-

Mike brought "scorpie" back from Reno a few years ago. Rory still affectionately carries and cares for it - set in a glass dome on pink sparkles. Brought her to schol the other day - love that she still has it.

Stella is up on her hands and knees -rocking and army crawling. We were at Grannie Annie's this shabbos. Daron and Ian bth have great senses of humor - keep us laughing.

The other day I came home and as usual had pumped while driving. Daron said "shouldnt that be illegal" delivering it with perfect timimng as always.

Iand and his friends made up a P language - eveyr word starts with P.

Do you need a subway sandwich?

"Cause I think your button came off" said Daron to me just now.

Dorothy got in trouble at school the other day for saying "What's wrong with you people?" to her teachers.

Stella is sitting up, spitting, and loving her siblings. With help she gets on all fours and rocks.

Ian is a star. His group leader told me today he is the best davener. Mikey comes for shabbos a lot and is sweet and they are all funny. He and Daron dont eat much. Today- Ian was still eating after 4 minutes and Mikey wanted to go play so he looked at Ian who was making a second moo shoo beef wrap and said "Ian's a good eater"

Woodloch was great. Although Dorothy had a ITU (we went to urgent care) and Mike fell 3/4 of the way into a skiing lesson and twiested his knee. Grannie Annie and Saba Josh came up with us from Tues- Thus and then went to CHicago cause Caleb had an exibit of Dead people - Mr. and Mrs. Bones.

I had taught dorothy to wipe from front to back. At the lunc table she was touching my hair. I told her it was not polite manners to touch hari at the table. "oops" she said, embarrased. Not a beat later she said - "when girls wipe they have to wipe from front to back" - daron said "ugh- dont ruin my appetite" and she was insulted- having no idea why he would say that.

I bought a red woodloch sweatshirt. Stella ate a meatball today, some chicken, enjoys most of what we give her to eat, loves challah. Still exclusivly nursing.

What's Wrong with you People

Ian had a really amaazingly interesting assignment with school. They called it the Living Museum and each kid had to bring in sometihng that was handed down through generations. We gave him a few options and he selected my grandfather from Chicago's army knife which we learned at the event has symbols of the free masons.

WE could not ask for better big brothers and sister for Baby Stella who weighed 15.3 at her 6 mo check up. She continues to be of incredible demeanor, queit, calm. From about 6 weeks till 5 months she slept like a champ. We would feed her around 10 or 11 and she would sleep till the morning. It has been a little rougher since that time but even middle of the night she smiles and kicks her feet after a few calls to get you in the room. She is teething. Adores her siblings, can sit up well but still not a pro at rolling from front to back. Time is speeding by- it is so hard to soak up every moment. Which is why i have turned to photography as my latest obsession. Trying to freeze the clock periodically.


Daron is a mench. Funny. Adorable Has been patient with his siblings and while he is a little on the slow side when it comes to getting ready, he is speedy and talented on the bball court which is started recently. He has some great friends this year on the country club side.

Dorothy is still a spitfire. Yesterday she told me she got in time out becaseu when the teachers were late to bring her her snack- she said "What's wrong with you people?" and wasnt sure why that was a bad a thing to say. She was a bit distraught today when she said something else and realized she doesnt know which things are ok to say or not. I promised to help.

I got into bed early last night and mike got Stella at 5am when she woke up and so i feel like a million bucks.

Pasta Ears

Dorothy touched Stella's ears the other day and said they felt like pasta. Soft. She's not wrong.

It is Chanukah.

Boys are still focused on Lego but now we are into thousands of peices. Dorothy is getting dolls and projects. Stella is thrilled with stacking cups.

Stella is sitting up - almost by herself. Such a sweet, sweet and happy baby. Ian finished hockey season and is doing really well in school. He is enjoying the independence of junior congregation.

Daron is starting basketball and has a new and nice group of friends in the country club section this year.

Dorothy is dancing and singing and talking and reminding me of me. She is a great big sister and today we all played mouse trap when Mike went to Maariv.

Still nursing Stella exclusively and happy about it.

Mike and I are watching It's a Wonderful Life.