MJ on the Move & Other News

Heaven help us but Mary Jeanne is crawling - it started a week ago and she's already gaining speed. This is WAY earlier than the boys and I can hardly say that I blame her (probably best she learn how to get in on the action ASAP) but it seems like it is impossibly soon.

She is such a pleasure (although she likes to cuddle at night - but I haven't done anything to curtail it yet...). She smiles all the time like Finn did - she's her own kind of muppet - maybe Ralph to Finn's Fozzy. Finn is loving being the big kid and he often relocates his play to where ever she is or like today he quietly moved his plate to sit next to the highchair. He has changed so much since she was born - he's more patient, a better listener and more independent.

Seamus is so much fun too - he is still all about Harry Potter. The boys spend all their outdoor time playing quiddich (the game Harry plays). The boys play has transformed from 24/7 wrestling to more imaginative and a bit less terrifying activities. They each have their things - Seamus spends 85% of the day pretending to be on an adventure which includes speaking "parsel tongue" to the snakes living in our walls (another HP reference), "dueling" with Finn (they take turns performing spells on each other - one yells something that sounds like Latin and the other falls to the ground with a dramatic flourish - it is hysterical to watch).




I was telling James last night that Finn has really surprised me in the last few months. He really acts as a bridge between Seamus and MJ. He splits his time between the two - sometimes he likes to lay down next to her and play with his pirates or lions or cars. She'll put an arm on his back or try and get at his toys and he just seems to love being near her (as does she to him). I worried a little about him as a middle child - but his place in the family seems to really suit him so far.

Seamus is the"uber"helper these days - he can check if MJ is still sleeping or bring me a diaper and I've found it so helpful - it is amazing the difference a year makes. I find myself having real conversations with Seamus about what he likes or worries about - and he is so intuitive to my feelings - it's odd to have a four year old ask if you're tired - especially when he's right.






I've got some more pictures and stories from our trip...more later today.

Well, Well, Well

I know it's been awhile since I've had a substantial update - I'm not exactly sure why - but I've had a challenging few weeks and I've missed the little outlet that blogging provides for me. The kids are changing so fast that I sometimes feel anxious that I'm not enjoying or absorbing or something all of these fleeting moments. I am also realizing that my birthday (wow-32) kind of threw me for a loop this year. I thought a lot about my birthday - which is pretty unlike me - over the last few weeks.

Maybe because I remember when I found out I was pregnant with Seamus, in my head I did that "life scheduling" routine. "We want three kids. Baby at 27 means hopefully, baby at 29 and baby at 31." I remember having that thought. And now, here we are 4 years later and it's all already happened and it went by in a blink. And I now appreciate the ease with which my life has met, but I'm also much more aware of the luck we've had. I understand so clearly now that our plans are only plans, the future becomes the past while we're planning, decorating, cleaning, sleeping etc. So I'm trying so hard to live in the moment in every aspect of life but it ain't always easy - I tend to be a planner. Tom died shortly after his 32 birthday, when so many of his dreams had come true, and I take that as his reminder to me - to know that every day, every breath, every person who you love is a gift. I'm resolving to waste less time and to focus on the gifts, the joys, the moments.

The picture is from my birthday - we're on a walk with Andie, Connor, Grandma, Grandpa and cousin Jason. I have been so blessed with loved ones. Especially these.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Tom!

When it comes to people who are admired and loved, it's hard to beat Tom. James and I had a much needed date on Saturday and we went to Punch where we'd been with his parents right before MJ was born. And I felt like James and I were able to have a conversation for the first time in ages - I've been having a hard time completing continuous thought these days (3 kids under 4 is finally getting to me).

We we talking about how we want our kids to have a work ethic - how hard it is to be disciplined enough to make sure your kids do something the first time we ask them. And James was talking about how much he feels like he's learned from his dad - how much he feels like he learned about knowing and doing the right thing, doing your job no matter how you feel or what you want and not complaining. He said, "if I could be half the father that my dad is, I think the kids will be alright." We're grateful for Tom because of his guidance, his continuous support, his unconditional love and his great example.

Happy Birthday, Tom. We love you.

Link to last year's birthday posting: http://doughertyclan.blogspot.com/2006/11/happy-birthday-grandpa.html

Dressing Up for Aunt Helen

MJ in one of Kelly Reagan's old velvet dresses...

Carving Time

Pumpkin Kids

Harry Potter Times Two

I have some more great pictures and some funny stories, but no time until later...here's some quick pictures...