thoughts about a book

I've been reading a book called The Book Thief. It takes place in Nazi Germany and it is about a girl, foster parents, a jew and the narrator is death. It is a fascinating read-- written very differently. Anyway, I'm about done with it and the last couple of days I have been thinking about a few things... why are people so cruel? Why are we so lazy? Why do we try to blame everyone else for things that happen in our lives? When are we going to realize that life is just too short? I guess after spending time reading and pondering about this book (which is a work of fiction-- not a true story-- but compelling none the less) I just can't believe that people in Germany in the 1930's and 1940's really existed and lived through that whole Nazi era. What a strange time. Even living in Germany and Austria hasn't totally helped me understand those times of fear, self-preservation, disregard, hate etc. But, one thing I have learned is that there is strength in numbers. Especially when there is a good cause-- I am actually trying to make a point even though it is taking a while-- I think that generally people want to do the right thing and given the choice, we will. Sometimes we make mistakes, but when there is a real choice we want to help, we want to see people smile and we will put our best efforts forth to do it. Sometimes I forget how important it is to be given a choice and a chance to prove ourselves-- sometimes I forget to give my children a choice...hmmm maybe tomorrow.

backyard fun

Carver and Madalyn just had to get the bounce house out and blow up the swim pool and have a party-- yesterday all the neighbors were invited (Carver's idea) and today just the fam-- because mom didn't get dressed until the late afternoon. Anyway, they moved the pool right under the slide for added fun and to up the chances of getting hurt and giving me a heart attack! But boy oh boy is it fun!

first bath

so when we gave Nicalee her first bath it was a big family event.  Carver and Madalyn had their parts like soap and towel.  She used the baby tub in the kitchen sink.  Then we had a memory lane activity where we talked about Carver's first bath and our house in taylorsville, then Maddie's first bath and pull out the photo albums etc.  I couldn't believe how interested they were.  It made it very special.

first pics

Nicalee is such a fun and mellow baby.  We took her to Kiddie Kandids to get some pictures of her and boy was Carver irritated that he could not be in them.  He told me, "they won't be as cute without me and Maddie"-- I told him at her 2 month mark and when we get Blessing pictures I will get all 3 of them together.  That wasn't good enough.  And the funny thing is, he really doesn't like his picture taken.  Interesting.

imagination

I have such fond memories of my childhood days when me and a few friends would transform one of our houses into huts and tunnels and secret hideouts using every chair, blanket and pillow we could find and move.  Well, that day has come with my own children and we had a great time today creating some cool houses in the tv room.  It looks like they will stay there a few days.  Maddie needed to take a pic of the interior as well.

stats

And here are the stats for the few people who were wondering.  Nicalee was 8 lbs. 7 oz. and 21.5 inches long.  She was a planned c-section and it was so much easier than Madalyn.  She has about the same amount of hair as the other 2 had and it is about the same color (lt.brown).  The whole thing took about 25 min.  I feel like I have healed faster or at least I feel better than I remember feeling before.  Anyway, thanks for all the congratulations and all that-- we are doing great and just loving this new baby.

Almost 2 weeks

It has been almost 2 weeks since Nicalee joined us and I can't believe how quickly time flies.  She is so easy and content it sort of surprizes me daily.  We went to the movies the other day and saw- Night at the Museum 2-very funny.  And yesterday the kids wanted to go swimming (again) Carver finally decided to go on the waterslide and loved it so much he spent about 45 min. just on that.  Madalyn, of course, thinks that she is a fish and swims all over and little Nicalee just slept peacefully by me the whole time.  

Madalyn is my little helper with Nicalee-- even when she wakes up in the middle of the night-- here comes maddie to make sure everything is ok.  Then she stays by me until Nicalee is asleep again.  Very cute!