The elder Wieleckis and sprightly Silvestris today returned to their wintry climes after a full week in the land of eternal sweat.
To be sure, the focal event of these holidays was the twins' baptism last Sunday, at St. John Vianney C.C. Noelle and Lucas behaved admirably during the ceremony, maintaining composure during the triple head-douse* and, even more incredibly, the "Our Father..." part. Curiously enough, however, neither extended peace towards their co-pewers. One would presume that devoting a quarter of a Sunday mass to their honor would've instilled some feelings of humility and gratitude. Oh, well. Jesus forgives.
Following this most excellent ceremony, in which Father Paul requested the blessing of Saints Luke, Noel, James, and Catherine (Saints Lucas and Noelle were either unavailable or as of yet uncanonized), the group (us, not the saints) made off for lunch at Benihana within the Hilton made famous by our wedding. The scallops were hot, the chopsticks straight, and the wait staffs' bows executed precisely.
The next night we gathered at Santa's retreat in Fashion Square mall. NL hopped onto Santa's lap, who gave a nice solo smile for the camera. Ethan was then placed in the scene and Santa again smiled alone.
Christmas Eve was at Vista Cay, my family's rented townhouse near Seaworld. Dinner consisted of assorted fish interspersed with assorted cries. Then, back to church for an 8PM service. Kel and I hosted Christmas day lunch. Ham was on the menu, as was a shortage of chairs. Yesterday saw us lunching at Royal Thai and grilling in Oviedo. Neither meal was in the spirit of the holidays; they were more in the spirit of hunger.
I conclude from this week that it is next to impossible to coordinate schedules with those equally tied to the eating and sleeping routines of younger children. Though we met daily, much time was spent in the car, or waiting for one or the other fledgling to finish napping. If the twins were due for a feeding, Ethan had just finished stretching and was ready to party. If NL were bouncy and their diapers clean, Ethan was at that moment sudsing up with his rubber Elmo (or what have you). Perhaps when all discover the wonders of a toilet and skip their siestas, we'll squeeze more from these rare rendezvous.
*Unlike precious cousin Ethan, who entertained all by a tearful plea for mama.
Photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/MidDecember2008#
~and~
http://picasaweb.google.com/gros.islet/ChristeningChristmas2008#
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Family Scribe
Another afternoon nap = another opportunity to catalogue the life of NL. Not monumental milestones; mainly those minute daily events that unless duly and assiduously recorded wouldn't remain in anyone's memory. I've resigned to appreciate this blog is not vying for top billing on a Google'd list of far-out splendid head-turning blogs. And no longer do I feel an urgency to gather an ever widening audience. Sure, it's nice to have an audience and, no doubt, far-off relatives benefit from a window into WT's world. Now, however, my main goal is for this blog to serve as an indelible chronicle of those seemingly trifle memories whose existence will reward us in days distant.
That out of the way, I should utilize some of my remaining free minutes to actually write something of substance and record some of those events. Two in particular:
That out of the way, I should utilize some of my remaining free minutes to actually write something of substance and record some of those events. Two in particular:
- On December 8th, I celebrated James Thurber's birthday with the brief reading of a passage from "The Dog That Bit People" during an afternoon dual feeding. Poor choice. Noelle's frustrated writhing and back arching three minutes into the audition suggested that I should focus more on holding the bottles straight and not the book.
- A few days ago, Kel squeezed in a late afternoon jog before NL's last daily feeding. As predicted, NL vocalized their displeasure immediatley after her departure with a streaming chorus of shrieks of alternating volume, pitch, and facial redness. To calm their nerves and mine, I sat us down to a video of "Hey Jude" on YouTube. Not ten seconds into the broadcast both babies clamped shut, fixated on the screen and, with my considerable accompaniment, swayed to the marvelous rhythm.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
...and Sundays at the Park
No need to recap this morning's jaunt to the dog park though for the sake of this blog's title I am obliged to at least make mention of that activity. Moving on.
For Noelle and Lucas, Christmas comes not only on their 6-month birthiversary, but on just about any given day, particularly one which Toys- or BabiesRUs has selected for a promotion. Last week was such an occasion,* resulting in a gleaming new walker. Lucas has taken to it readily though to date only rolls himself backwards. Noelle is generally having none of it. (Just this minute I happened upon a Wikipedia article telling me that baby walkers have been banned in Canada due to safety concerns. Perhaps our brand new toy should be a clearance item at our next garage sale).
The kids are scheduled to become honest Christians a week from today. We've had a wonderful beige gown for Noelle, courtesy of cousin Patty, but only yesterday did we find a handsome baptism outfit for tiny L'. Made in Colombia, it is appropriately the color of driven blow.
Completely off-topic, other than the baby connexion, I'm documenting that by the first of February Kel intends to either be a full-time mom or a part-time HR employee, and not the other way around. Nearly two months ago she's been promised a reduction in office hours as of ______ (your call). As a firm date is not yet in sight, we've decided to draw the line one month into 2009. There's entirely too much stress involved with full-time employment interspersed by a rushed morning and lunchtime feeding, followed by five hours of non-stop baby duties after work. Something's gotta give--in this case, it'll be one salary.
*I've been specially requested to inform the blog world that Noelle rode in the cart's designated child compartment, with a half-dozen blankets behind her back and on both sides to remain upright. Still in his carseat, Lucas was deposited into the shopping cart and could only dream of the view from Noelle's vantage.
For Noelle and Lucas, Christmas comes not only on their 6-month birthiversary, but on just about any given day, particularly one which Toys- or BabiesRUs has selected for a promotion. Last week was such an occasion,* resulting in a gleaming new walker. Lucas has taken to it readily though to date only rolls himself backwards. Noelle is generally having none of it. (Just this minute I happened upon a Wikipedia article telling me that baby walkers have been banned in Canada due to safety concerns. Perhaps our brand new toy should be a clearance item at our next garage sale).
The kids are scheduled to become honest Christians a week from today. We've had a wonderful beige gown for Noelle, courtesy of cousin Patty, but only yesterday did we find a handsome baptism outfit for tiny L'. Made in Colombia, it is appropriately the color of driven blow.
Completely off-topic, other than the baby connexion, I'm documenting that by the first of February Kel intends to either be a full-time mom or a part-time HR employee, and not the other way around. Nearly two months ago she's been promised a reduction in office hours as of ______ (your call). As a firm date is not yet in sight, we've decided to draw the line one month into 2009. There's entirely too much stress involved with full-time employment interspersed by a rushed morning and lunchtime feeding, followed by five hours of non-stop baby duties after work. Something's gotta give--in this case, it'll be one salary.
*I've been specially requested to inform the blog world that Noelle rode in the cart's designated child compartment, with a half-dozen blankets behind her back and on both sides to remain upright. Still in his carseat, Lucas was deposited into the shopping cart and could only dream of the view from Noelle's vantage.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Saturdays at the Park...
It would seem I'm mysteriously on track to surpass July's entry tally and deliver the most since the month NL arrived. Though, the holidays are sneaking around the corner and have a habit of re-arranging my priorities and reducing my time to contemplate the laptop screen. Next Saturday, my side of the familia is again descending on O-town and a round of merry commotion is on tap. On the topic of Christmas, Kel is now diligently scribbling and stuffing our holiday cards for a Monday mailing. This year's version is sure to please; MarMa worked her magic yet again and coaxed NL into both festive red outfits and jolly grins for the camera.
For the second weekend in a row we've modified our morning walk routine. No longer do the mornings find us strolling our local streets, as we've discovered a nearby dog park. Sure, we still struggle to find matching socks, wrestle screaming infants into the car seats, and discover one infant's messy time has coincided with the last snap of the car seat buckle--requiring a feverish unbuckling, undressing, and dash to the kitchen sink. Now, though, we also round up the pets, throw them and stroller into the back of the 'Blazer, and off we go to Barber Park's dog park. While I chase Hana amongst the droppings (sometimes Hana even chases me, or, rarer still, another dog), Kel, with unsociable Roxie in tow, wheels the twins around the paths in the park's designated human zone. The kids soak up fresh air, Kel and the pets soak up sunshine, and my shoes soak up whatever wasn't picked up in a small green baggie.
For the second weekend in a row we've modified our morning walk routine. No longer do the mornings find us strolling our local streets, as we've discovered a nearby dog park. Sure, we still struggle to find matching socks, wrestle screaming infants into the car seats, and discover one infant's messy time has coincided with the last snap of the car seat buckle--requiring a feverish unbuckling, undressing, and dash to the kitchen sink. Now, though, we also round up the pets, throw them and stroller into the back of the 'Blazer, and off we go to Barber Park's dog park. While I chase Hana amongst the droppings (sometimes Hana even chases me, or, rarer still, another dog), Kel, with unsociable Roxie in tow, wheels the twins around the paths in the park's designated human zone. The kids soak up fresh air, Kel and the pets soak up sunshine, and my shoes soak up whatever wasn't picked up in a small green baggie.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tall Doors for Short Toes
In the past, our daily stroller rides were the twins' opportunities for peaceful contemplation of celestial bodies or a refreshing nap. No longer is this the case. Lucas in particular has taken to extending his crying from 67% of waking hours to nearly 72% by engaging in an unbroken half hour of voiced opposition during his fresh air time. Both kids complain irritably while being strapped in to the car seats ahead of the stroll. However, Noelle typically quiets once she hears the white noise of stroller on sidewalk. Lucas, though, continues his tirade for a considerable portion of the walk. Eventually and gratefully, he conks. But--should the stroller stop rolling for more than two minutes, as upon the return home, both kids again perk up and let us have it.
Noelle has just followed Lucas for some hard time in the Bumper Jumper--a bouncy bumpered jumper suspended from a doorway. Trouble is, the BJ was designed for homes with sane doors; as ours are eight feet tall, the kids' toes miss the carpet by a good two inches, even when jumper and toes are fully extended. A bit of a dilemma.
On to the latest accomplishments: a week or so ago, NL had their first taste of "solid" food--if watery rice meal can aspire to that adjective. Noelle has taken to it admirably, Lucas slightly less so. Where he does trump his sister is in his enthusiasm for walking. Surely, they're only baby steps fully supported by a handy parent, but it is clear that LJ prefers point B to point A and will not be dissuaded in his journey. (Unless that parent simply picks him up and moves him to point C). More than steps, Lucas' initial offerings resemble military marching maneuvers, with high leg lifts, precise knee bends, and determined placement of one foot rhythmically repeated by the other. Invariably, he finishes this endeavor minus a sock--or two, as it is likely he'd lost one already.
Noelle has just followed Lucas for some hard time in the Bumper Jumper--a bouncy bumpered jumper suspended from a doorway. Trouble is, the BJ was designed for homes with sane doors; as ours are eight feet tall, the kids' toes miss the carpet by a good two inches, even when jumper and toes are fully extended. A bit of a dilemma.
On to the latest accomplishments: a week or so ago, NL had their first taste of "solid" food--if watery rice meal can aspire to that adjective. Noelle has taken to it admirably, Lucas slightly less so. Where he does trump his sister is in his enthusiasm for walking. Surely, they're only baby steps fully supported by a handy parent, but it is clear that LJ prefers point B to point A and will not be dissuaded in his journey. (Unless that parent simply picks him up and moves him to point C). More than steps, Lucas' initial offerings resemble military marching maneuvers, with high leg lifts, precise knee bends, and determined placement of one foot rhythmically repeated by the other. Invariably, he finishes this endeavor minus a sock--or two, as it is likely he'd lost one already.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Remorseful Redaction
Correction: My November 22 entry may have left readers with the absurd impression that NL's weekday routine begins with Kel and I hastily departing our starving munchkins. Nothing, save for El Jefe's excuse for invading Iraq, could be further from the truth. I am proud to relate that Kel dons her SuperKel cape at a quarter 'til seven, snatches both infants from the claws of hunger, rushes downstairs and drops onto the couch bearing both flesh flasks for the twins' enjoyment. Same goes for lunchtime. Rarely does she eat lunch during her break, instead cobbling together one part leftovers, one part triple-stacked lunch meat sammich, one part avocado*, to go. She deserves some accolade from the Mothers' Guild, or at least a sincere round of applause. Seriously.
*While supplies last.
*While supplies last.
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