The Eve of Something Big

I am completely astounded that Max starts pre-school tomorrow and Ben starts kindergarten on Wednesday.

I clearly remember my kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Land made us color zig-zag "Indian Borders" around every picture we drew. First, they could never get away with calling them "Indian Borders" today. Second, I hated drawing them. I was not a careful draw-er. I was a fast paced, get the job done, move onto the next center kind of kindergartner. The kind who sometimes was so excited to answer a question, that she forgot to raise her hand. This is probably why I love and adore Ramona Quimby.

I remember when I FINALLY got to push the milk cart to the cafeteria with two classmates and on our trip back to the classroom, the fire alarm went off. A fourth grade teacher led us out to the big kids' playground and kept a close eye on us, until it was safe to return to the building.

I clearly remember my pre-school class. I remember running out to the playground and into the arms of my best friend, Jilly. We would hug and shout with glee and dive into the sandbox. One day Billy Jonas threw sand in my eyes. Another day we went to the pet store and bought an iguana for our class.

But enough about me and my memories.

The point I'm trying to make is that my kids, my precious, hilarious, delicious boys, will remember these days, for their lifetime.

So, I'm feeling the pressure. The pressure to make sure the memories are wonderful. The pressure to step back and let them make their own memories. And the pressure to remember it all for my own memories.

This Pollara Family has come a long way in the past 5 1/2 years. It's been quite a ride.

I can't wait for the adventures to continue.

And now that the sentimental portion of the blog post has been completed. I'd like to now share with you Max's favorite joke:

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Butt

Butt Who

Butt Crack!

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Almost a year has passed

So, I promised myself that I would not let a whole year pass with out a posting. And, whew, I've made it just under the wire. It's astounding that almost a year has passed.

It's just so hard to believe that 5 years ago I was on bedrest, worrying about preemie babies and carseats. Now we're onto worrying about kindergarten in the Fall and how to get an almost three year old off of the pacifier and onto the potty.

In five years, some things haven't changed: same house, same job (can you say longest.job.ever), same amazing husband.

But yet, everything has changed. 2 kids. I still shake my head in disbelief. But yet, I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Ben still loves trains. But, thankfully, really enjoys other activities as well. Building things. Seeing how things work. Playing games that involve building things and seeing how things work. He is, in many ways, his father the engineer's son. He's practically reading and already doing math in his head that I can't manage without a calculator. Numbers and words delight him.

On New Years Day I brought home the complete Railway Series, which the whole Thomas the Train world is based on. It's a huge book, 504 pages to be exact. Ben and I have spent the evenings curled up in his bed, reading each story. It is pure delight to have him snuggled up to me, completely enraptured in the stories. (And, on a side note, the stories are wonderful. Completely well done and can't at all be compared to the horrible-ness of the Thomas stories we all know, and uh, dislike intensely.)

Max is very much like his dear mother. Passionate. Emotional. Very clear about his likes and dislikes. Very attached to his pacifier (I might have had one until, oh, er, the age of four). Max is a charmer and knows how to work a crowd like a champ. His imagination amazes us. He goes through elaborate pantomimes when he makes you some coffee, or feeds his pet dinosaur named Friday. He also has a pet dog named Friday and a baby named Friday. He has a squirrel named CoCo. Oh, and a bunny named Coco. And I think it's his T-rex that's named Friday. His Stegasourus is named CoCo. He loves animals, super heroes, and Diego. Most of all he loves his brother. Or " My Brudder" as he says. Sometimes, he loves him to death, with lots of tackles and death grip hugs. But, boy is he sweet and delicious.

In the past year I've discovered the Brazilian Blowout which has changed my life. We got a new Subaru Outback. We've fallen deeper in love with this town of ours. We've been working our asses off at work.

And, we've been loving and loving being a family.

Entering the Birthday Season 2010

We just celebrated Daddy's birthday yesterday. It was quite a day with homemade glitter cards in the morning and cupcakes after dinner.

But more than anything, Daddy P's birthday reminds me that the boys' birthdays are just around the corner. Then that sends me on a trip down memory lane, through the past four years to the days of bedrest and NICU. Once I make it through memories of Ben's first year, I shake my head in amazement that Max arrived when Ben was only 2. And, in a blink of an eye, Max is turning 2.

The boys are just wonderful. Max wakes up in the morning and shouts from his crib "Ben, where are you?" And, on a recent Sunday morning, Ben insisted that Max come to the bakery with us. "Special Mommy and Ben time" is no longer as exciting as spending time with his little brother. So I guess Nick and I are doing something right, that these boys are loving each other to pieces (and, well, sometimes tearing each other to pieces).

It's been months since my last post, and I am feeling completely inarticulate. You've heard it here before, but these boys are so sweet and delicious.

I cannot wait to see what the next year brings.

Summer Fun

Impossible that it's been over 3 months since the last post. As you can see, we're spending lazy days hanging out by, er, in the pool. The aforementioned pool does contains Ben, Max, and our dear friend E (future prom date and wife of Ben - but no pressure there) but, alas no water.

Ben graduated from the preemie follow up clinic in June. Max gets ear tubes tomorrow.

Everyone still loves trains.

The boys continue to grow like weeds.

Their sweetness knows no bounds.

Our days and hearts are full.

Two and Through

I'm not quite sure when it became appropriate workplace conversation to ask someone if they were going to have a third baby. But I must have a sign pinned to my back that says "Ask Susan if she's trying for a third." Over the past few weeks, at least four different people at work have asked me when I'll be trying for three. "Gonna go for that girl?" people ask with a grin. "Come on, three isn't much more than two" they say.

It shocks me into hysterical, stunned laughter everytime someone asks me this.

I feel as though I have just emerged (with my brain slightly less intact) from the cacoon of having a new baby. We are still learning to be a family of four. I am still falling in love, over and over again with Baby Max. I am still so very shocked that we've made it this far with two, and just how very complete our family feels, that having a third just doesn't even enter into the equation.

And for me, whose pregnancies and early deliveries were full of fear and worry, the delight and joy I feel for these delicious boys is so much more fulfilling than the thought of 9 months (or 7 or 8) of deep seeded panic.

So, folks, we're going to chug along as we have been. Momma P and her house o' boys. Celebrating big occasions like birthdays and small moments of love like hearing Ben say "Baby Max is my best friend."

And feeling pretty darned lucky about how it's turning out.

Max Turns One

Really, is this possible, Baby Max is turning one tomorrow? I'm sitting here shaking my head, wondering how 365 days could have gone by so quickly.

From the beginning Max surprised and charmed us. From his early-ish arrival, to his easy as could be nursing, to his dear-God-colic, to his praise-God-the-colic's-over ... Max has shown his true spirit all along. He is quite the easy going little guy, until something doesn't quite go his way, like his attempts to ignore the laws of gravity, or his desire for Ben's prized train tracks. And then, when stopped by forces of nature, or the force that is his big brother, WOW, do we hear about it. But, thankfully, Max is resilient. He bounces back quickly after a set back, especially if a few hugs and kisses are administered.

He moved early and moves often. He seems to be saying "Uh-Oh" consistently and "banana" occasionally. If you say "Yeay" he claps. He knows that he is "So Big" and how to be found during a rousing game of peekaboo.

Mostly, though, he knows how to capture our hearts. He's truly an expert at that.

Max, we heart you. You are an amazing gift to our family.

These Boys are So Delicious!

These boys are getting sweeter by the second.

For Poppy Stan

oh my goodness that was so cool, I have to post another one

Now that I know the video posting works... keep checking back for more!!

A little treat for our faraway friends...

Well, here's a treat for those of you who haven't heard the boys in a while...

Falling off the Blog-o-sphere

I know, I know ... it's been awhile. Family and faraway friends have been encouraging me (read putting on the guilt) to post some new pictures of the boys.

Since my last post, a few things have happened. Let's see... I went back to work; Max started daycare; we switched daycares because the infant room at Ben's old school, well, sucked; we went to see REAL LIVE THOMAS in Lancaster, PA with Cousins Will, Lainey, and Lucas; I organized another Harvest Fair; we all got sick; we all got better; we all got sick (gotta love daycare); we celebrated Halloween; we watched in amazement as Max learned to pull himself up (we think it's a bit too early, thank you very much, not quite ready for Max to be mobile); Max started eating babyfood; Ben somehow learned all his letters; Ben got a big bed; Max stopped nursing and started sleeping in his own room; Ben and Max started taking baths together; Ben has started using the potty; I got a hair cut; and Nick fixed things.

Really, we're just chugging along - enjoying each other's company, praying everyone learns to sleep through the night, gearing up for Thanksgiving.

xoxo,

The Pollaras

Happy 5 Months Max!!

Nick took Max to a family gathering this afternoon while I stay at home with one feverish Ben. It is, I think, the first time that Max has left the house for more than a stroll around the block without me. Ben is upstairs sleeping because, as I am sure you all know, the rule in our house is "After lunch, everybody takes a rest."

So here I am, a mother of a 5 month old and a 2year 5month old. Some days I still can't imagine how this all happened. Well I clearly understand how it happened, but I guess I mean I am still astounded that it happened at all. 2 kids. 2 beautiful, amazing kids.

Max, all of a sudden, has become a real baby. I know, he's always been real, especially real when screaming his head off in a fit of colic. But now he's like a cute-baby-on-a-long-distance-phone-call-comercial baby. He smiles on cue, drools with perfection, and squeals with delight at the sight of his big brother and his favorite blue elphant toy. Ironically, of course, that just as he's getting way more fun, I have to go back to work and he has to start "school". But, as I continually rationalize, it's only for three days a week.

It's hard to believe that Fall is just around the corner and that Max has been with us for almost half a year. My mother always says about time with little babies "sometimes the days go by slowly, but somehow, the months fly by." How true, how true.

I must confess, to those who haven't heard me blather on about this, that the first few months TOTALLY kicked my ass. I mean, I couldn't believe how hard it was. But then, I realized that I could handle it. Handle the one child screaming while trying to feed the other, handle the both children screaming while trying to feed one, handle EVERYBODY screaming for no apparent reason.

And, once I conquered the fear, I remembered how absolutely delicious this is. This family of boys who snuggle and coo and giggle and smile at their Momma with such love in their eyes that it fills your heart and makes you shake your head in disbelief and wonder "how on earth did I get so lucky?"

Happy 5 months Max.

A few more pictures

Ben in Boston (thanks Goodsells)

Ben and Max trying out the super cool new double stroller from Aunt June and Uncle Egg

Thanks Aunties Amanda and Allison for taking this one in Boston

Where has the time gone? Or, how on earth do other mothers do it?

Ben showing Max the ins and outs of "Baby Crack" gymini

Ben on his new bike in clothes he picked out himself.

Max a few weeks ago, pondering something...

Max last week, at 15 pounds

Baby Max, Nick and Susan at Amy Cooper's wedding

Well, it's been 3 months and 2 days since my last post. Crazy how time is flying.


Max is adorable. Even more adorable now that his colic-y period has ended. He's super smiley now and quite alert for such a little guy. And quite a trooper. We dragged him off to Amy Cooper's beautiful wedding and he was a champ... allowing strangers to twirl him around on the dance floor and old friends to snuggle him close while mommy and daddy caught up with pals.





Ben is now super in love with Thomas the Tank engine, is speaking in full sentences, and sometimes seems old enough to drive and other times, well, he's still a two year old. So sweet it breaks your heart. And, sometimes, so stubbon and independent, that drives you crazy.





I can't say I promise to post more often because there doesn't seem to be a lot of spare times these days. But keep checking and hopefully, once in a blue moon, there will be some new pictures up.



I am learning not to compare myself to those other moms who have more than one kid. The ones whose house is clean, who are wearing unwrinkled clothes, and whose children do not ever seem to melt down. I am learning to do what I do best, which is love these kids with all my heart and soul and know that somehow, someday, the rest will fall into place.

Updates

It's been a busy 19 days since Max's arrival.

Ben turned 2.

Auntie Jane came for a week to help.

We had Max's bris.

Aunt Amy from Arizona came for a week.

Momma P nursed Max. Momma P nursed Max. Momma P nursed Max.

Did I mention I'm nursing Max on demand?

All that nursing seems to be working. When Max was born he weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces. Then he went down to 6 pounds 6 ounces. Yesterday, at his doctors appointment, he was 7 pounds 8 ounces. We are very proud of his ability to gain weight.

Now we're just hoping he gets the sleep through the night talent soon.

Love,

A very tired, but VERY VERY VERY happy

Momma P

Not that I'm biased - but we've some some cute kids!

Ben sports his Elmo sunglasses from Auntie Jane.

Max shows off his Ducky pacifer and his head full of hair,

Daddy and his boys watch some TV (Elmo, of course)

Ben helps himself to his soy milk and, to our amazement, knows how to unscrew the cap and drink straight from the carton. (I wonder who he learned that from?)

Max is Here

Max arrived one day before his big brother's 2nd birthday. Not to be outdone by Ben, Max had to spend some time in the Special Care Nursery, on the same CPAP breathing machine that Ben used (see the very first post of this blog). However, Max was almost double the weight of Ben - 6 pounds 13 ounces and only 4 weeks early. Max got to come home after only 6 days and is fantastic - nursing like a champ and occaisionally sleeping. Ben is showing signs of being an extremely compassionate and generous older brother.

We are lucky, lucky, lucky and TIRED TIRED TIRED.

Will post more later.

xoxo,
S

If you've been on Mars for the past 35 weeks ...

... you might have missed the news that we're expecting another little guy on April 16th.

While I've been busy percolating this baby Nick has been busy on home renovations. He replaced the ceiling in Max's room (the former guest room); stripped off 1700 layers of paint on the window sills; and added new outlets in our bedroom.

Ben has been busy too. He's in school 4 days a week and LOVES it. It is definitely more exciting than hanging out at our boring house. He's talking up a storm (putting 2 words together) and starting to "pretend". He makes us all pretend we're sleeping. It's very cute. He's even starting to make jokes. I joke and ask him if he wants monkeys or kangaroos for dinner. Then we laugh and shake our heads and say "Nooooo". Then, he'll say "elephant" and laugh and shake his head and say "Noooo".

He's also pretty strong willed (what a surprise, given his parents). When he's in the tub, I'll say "OK Ben, we'll count to 27 and then it's time to get out of the tub". We'll start counting I'll say "one", he'll say "two", we'll get to seven and then he'll go back to "two" so he can stay in the tub longer. It's hilarious.

Ben will be 2 on March 22. Hard to believe.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Max arrives after the 22nd. Crossed even harder that he does not arrive on the 22nd. I think everyone in the family should have their own special day.

Just so you're aware of the plan. Max will be a quick (well, quick once we make it to the hospital), painless delivery. He will nurse perfectly, and sleep through the night immediately. Ben will welcome him with open arms and we will transition to a four person family without any issues.

Don't you love my realistic expectations?

xoxo,

S

Catching up for lost time

Here are some more highlights from Fall.


Ben LOVES this box. And he loves this stripey hat (which was a gift to Ben from A&A in 2006, and he still loves it, pulls it on all of the time). I was especially impressed with his total stripey outfit.A Thanksgiving Family picture:

Eating at the table, like a big boy:

Slacker Momma P Finally Posts Some New Pics

We've been so busy enjoying the holiday season, learning all of our colors (even orange and brown), and having a grand old time in general - that we've been neglecting our blog.

So, here are some from the series of pictures we took that had the winning holiday card shot.