First Snow!

We had our first winter storm of the season last night and into this morning. We were forecast to get 4-6 inches of snow, but got just about an inch. It was a heavy, wet snow that was perfect for making a snowman. Caleb was so excited to get out and play in the snow, as was Lina...although she had to wear a skirt and tights and therefore didn't last that long. Levi was very curious as to what was going on outside!

 Caleb and I had the most fun building dams and canals with the snow and the stream of water from the rapidly melting snow.

Spooky Sprint

Saturday was the big event that we've been waiting for...Caleb's first 5K race, the Melrose YMCA Spooky Sprint. It was a cold morning, but Caleb was pumped up and ready to go. 

He and Randy jogged around to warm up while Lina, Levi, and I watched on.

Lina was so excited to cheer for her big brother. We anxiously awaited his arrival at the finish line.

Here comes the mayor of Melrose , with Caleb hot on his heels.

Caleb finished the race with the great time of 34:23! It was so neat to watch him cross the finish line with a big smile on his face. Most people around us were shocked that such a little guy could have run such a great race. Randy said that all along the course, people were cheering him on and talking to him. One women told me that the only reason that she finished the race was that Caleb inspired her to keep running. We are just so proud of him and were very warmed by the responses he got. After the race, we went to a fun Halloween post-race party at the YMCA.

Halloween: Part 2

Our second Halloween event was the downtown Melrose trick-or-treat. It was a pretty cold day, so we didn't last as long as previous years. The kids still got lots of candy and lots of admiration for their costumes. As was the case with Lina and Caleb, Levi was a crowd favorite as the turtle. Caleb and Lina were thrilled to have their faces painted. We decided to do Caleb's as outspace....black sky with white stars. 

Halloween: Part 1

Halloween is not just a single day event around here. We seem to celebrate it multiple times over a couple of weeks....gotta get good use out of the costumes! We were delighted to attend a Halloween party at our friend Brenda's house with some of our favorite Stroller Strides mamas. The kids had a blast playing games, bobbing for apples, and eating yummy food. 

This is a really funny video of Lina bobbing for apples...she gives up and just grabs the apple and starts to eat. The girl knows what she wants!

For the Aunts

When we were in West Virginia, Levi started doing a "fake-cry" face, much to the delight of all the Aunts. He quickly learned that if he made the face, we'd all say "Awww". He now makes this face quite often, especially when meeting strangers. Here he is in action. 

End of An Era?

Without going into the details, this week marks a real paradigm shift in our household: actual family planning. Randy and I have talked a lot about the size of our family and we are feeling like five is the number we want to stay at. Our family dynamic is stable, our house is full, and our lives are happy and busy. With this knowledge in hand, I've been feeling a bit weighted by the numerous boxes of baby and toddler clothing in our attic. I've been motivated, both by the end of the tax year and by thoughts of children who go without, to go through the clothing and donate most of it. I had started this undertaking a couple of weeks ago, but at the start of this weekend there were still boxes and piles of clothes taking up most of the guest room. Sorting through baby clothes is not an easy task. It's emotional and it almost feels like part of a grieving process. As happy as I was to shed of my maternity clothes and return to pants with a button, it is extremely sad to no longer be in possession of them. It's not the clothes that I'm sad about, but the knowledge that I'll never experience that phase of life again. I'll never be overcome with persistent nausea and fatigue (not that I'm really complaining), hear that rapid heart-beat along with mine, feel those first faint kicks, sit in awe of that little person moving vigorously inside of me. I won't get to experience the challenge and exhilaration of labor and childbirth and the wonder of meeting your child for the first time. I look at those tiny little clothes and it just amazes me how much our children have grown and am humbled by how much more we have to look forward to. I imagine our little babies wearing those clothes and remember the sleepless nights and the crying and the wonderful feel of that bundle of joy finally relaxing and falling to sleep. I remember the sounds of them nursing, me stroking their hair, and breathing in their smells. And all the milestones we've watched them accomplish. Each piece of clothing has a story...when they first rolled over, their first laugh, first taste of food, first steps, first day of school. As I've sorted through Caleb's clothes and made decisions about which articles to keep and which to get rid of, I think not only of our time with Caleb, but also wonder what Levi will be doing as he grows into his big brother's old shirts and pants. I always smile when I find something that has been worn by all three children--those are often the pieces that make it into my sentimental favorites box (along with Lina's first pair of red shoes, shirts made by Grammy, blankets knitted by friends).
I joke that I don't want to be the Brett Farve of motherhood. We've had a great run....three wonderful pregnancies, three beautiful births, and three healthy, amazing children. I should know when we've reached the end of making babies and the start of (or really the continuation of) nurturing our family. And I do feel with most of my soul that now is that time. Randy keeps telling me to focus on all that we have to look forward to, that we are entering a new phase of parenthood. To his point, Caleb will be turning 5 before we know it and over the next several weeks we will be touring kindergartens. But I guess I need this time to reflect, to fold those tiny precious clothes one last time, to shed a few (or more) tears, and to remind myself that each moment with our children is precious.

Wiggins Women Reunion Day 4: Final Photos

After an amazing weekend, it was time to begin our journey home. I had taken a couple of pics of the boys sleeping on Saturday night and Sunday morning. So cute!

 The boys enjoying a sugar-filled breakfast around the dining room table.

 Grammy and Lina at it again with Asher and Levi.

 Family photos on the front steps

 Spending a few minutes with Grandpa before heading to the airport.

This weekend will long be in my heart. I'm grateful for the amazing women in my life and I'm hopeful that Caleb and Caleb and Ethan continue developing their special friendship.

Wiggins Women Reunion: Day 3- Mana's House

Saturday morning came very early since all the Wiggins women stayed up until about 1:30 am talking the night before. Caleb and Ethan K were the first ones awake (besides me and Levi), so I got some good cuddle and chatting time in with the boys. Soon everyone was awake and the house was filled with talking and laughter. Here's Caleb K drawing at an old school desk...all three boys spent a lot of time here. 

 Aunt Linda had bought Playdough for the boys to use and it was a big hit. Both Calebs had fun decorating their fingers with playdough.

 Ethan, Caleb, and Caleb busy sculpting playdough

 Levi and Asher

 Nothing cuter than two babies exploring each other

 Around mid-morning, we decided to take the big boys to the park down the street. Caleb B and Caleb K had fun running outside of Mana's house before we left.

 I absolutely love this picture: Caleb K, Caleb B, and Ethan K

 Having fun at the park

 After the park and some lunch, we declared it quiet time while the babies napped. Caleb and Aunt Peggy spent some time chatting about the months of the year.

 This isn't quiet time, but the boys had fun playing this game.

 Here are the boys working a puzzle. They knocked it out in no time.

 Levi was cracking us up with this face he kept making. We all laughed at him and then he would do it again.

 Finally it was time to visit the capital building in Charleston. The boys were so thrilled to be there and had the best time running around the courtyard.

 Everyone enjoyed looking up at the rotunda. 

 Caleb B was curious about how high the ceilings were, so I dug around the information desk looking for a booklet of some kind. I found a book with facts about the capital and some maps of West Virginia. This moment was so cool. Caleb B opened up the map and put it on the floor....Caleb K and Ethan K immediately came over and looked at the map with him.

 The boys were getting so tired of all the photo taking. Priceless.

 On our way to dinner, we stopped by the house that I lived in until I was 4. I felt like we were breaking the law, but we ran up and got a picture of Caleb in front of the house.

 Grammy and Aunt Linda enjoying Levi and Asher at dinner.