I didn't think I've been taking that many pictures of Agnes lately, yet, here we are. These are from the first week or two of February. I really think she looks a lot like Catherine as a baby, but I guess we'll see. She definitely still has the blue eyes! I will be sad when hat season is over.
These brothers love her so much.
My view when she is sleeping wrapped up on me and flops her head back. Don't worry, I snuggled it back in so she was comfortable, after I took a picture.
A hat, a sunshine square, and Dema snuggles make for a cozy nap on any day.
I am not going to miss winter, but I really am going to miss this hat.
We've almost gotten used to St. Louis winters, where we have a foot of snow and the next day are playing in the melting piles in shorts, or we go on a hike in shorts and by bedtime it's below freezing and snowing. We had one of the snow-then-warm days recently so we visited Dema and Grampy T's apartment downtown and then walked through City Garden down to the Arch park. Actually, I walked while the kids zigged and zagged and jumped up and down walls and steps and curbs and hopped cracks and climbed things. It was a good day to be out! Agnes, as usual, was snuggled up in a sling for the walk. She loves looking around, but isn't ready to join the climbing just yet.
Later at home Michael Jr tried to pout-guilt me into a walk to a playground when I told him we didn't have time before dinner. It was a good effort, but he couldn't hold it for long.
We've had a few cold snaps alternated with melting snow (read: mud) so our outside time hasn't been what it needs to be. This is why the trampoline is still upstairs, blogging has been slow, and we all have a bit of frenetic energy bursting out with mixed results... "I didn't know whacking it with the end of the broom handle would break it!" "She was having fun the last time I stepped on her head!" "I'm taking Gussie to urgent care with a dislocated thumb!" That last one was not fun, but he's fine now. Anyway, here are some clumped together January pictures and happenings.
Anytime the heater is actually caught up and it's warm enough in the house, Agnes loves having her legs free. And she's actually accumulating some rolls!
I picked up this little chair to have a safe place to put Agnes down for a minute because putting her on a blanket on the floor is not nearly noticeable enough for her not to get run over. She likes sitting in it, but so do a few (or all) of her siblings, so sometimes she has to share.
Mary: "This is what I do when it's cold! I craft!"
Woodland elf ears look good on you darling.
She also sewed and decorated this bag recently, and I can't remember if I posted a picture of it or not. If I did, you'll be ok seeing another picture of an awesome unicorn purse.
Gussie has begun altar serving at church along with Michael and he *loves* it. I honestly didn't know the kid was capable of making it through Mass without rolling around on the floor at some point, but give him a job, and he's good to go. [Side note: yes, I believe they could use haircuts. No, they are not interested in haircuts.]
This is something else they do when it's cold: finger-knit yards upon yards upon yards of "spiderweb," tape it up all over the room, and engineer flying pigs and remotely controlled doors.
We did burn some energy at the City Museum one of the cold days. Dema was able to join us so she got the privilege of following the big kids up all the stairs and down all the slides and through all the tunnels that I can't get through while carrying Agnes. I don't carry my camera through the City Museum, but I found a couple phone pictures. The kids love these topsy turvy chairs, except Edie who is scared of them. She prefers the tractor.
I asked them if I could get a picture of all of them towards the end of the day, but Edie was mad that the museum was closing soon. Nothing worked to cheer her up, so I guess I'll try to get a picture at the beginning next time.
At about 3.5 months old, Agnes got in the habit of laughing. She has never laughed at me, but she'll laugh at all of her big siblings. Her first laugh (I'm pretty sure) was a result of watching kids jump on the trampoline, and she'll often laugh if any of the kids are laughing. It's a little hard to hear her in this video because Mary is right in front of her jumping on a squeaky trampoline and making loud noises, and all the other kids are laughing, and she also has hiccups and spits up while she's laughing, but... I promise she's laughing in there.
And here's another of a few little giggles she gave Mary when we were changing her outfit. She's always happier with her legs free of clothing.
I haven't caught her rolling on video but she's done it a few times from tummy to back and is very close to being able to roll from back to tummy. I never get less surprised by how much they grow in strength and ability over the first year!
Catherine had a few ideas for things she wanted to do for her 12th birthday, but our schedule was not meshing well with friends' schedules so we decided on a low-key birthday at home with some activities on hold for down the road when it's possible. The kids are slightly addicted to the idea of the Amazon wish list, so other than Mary who cross stitched a hilarious emoji pin for Catherine, the rest of the kids wanted to get things from Catherine's wish list. We pretty much cleared it out, so she has lots and lots to read and new journals and pencils for writing. You can see how excited the kids were to give her the gifts; Gussie tends to get out his energy with ridiculous trampoline jumping at the moment.
Agnes clearly did not just turn 12, but I'm starting to think she might look a lot like Catherine when she does.
I love these two.
Then we had cupcakes and ice cream, and since there isn't a lot of room for 12 candles on a cupcake, we made a candle teepee. It was glowing and large and refused to be blown out.
I have to remind myself occasionally that "twelve" doesn't actually equal "grown adult" because Catherine has so many adult qualities and skills already. Luckily, we still have quite a few years with her around the house. Catherine still loves reading and can easily go through one or two average length novels a week. She has also been journaling and writing a ton, and seems to enjoy most school subjects about the same (except for math, which isn't her favorite). She could take care of Agnes on her own any time, flip Edie from mad to happy with boundless creativity and energy, and is very skilled at negotiating peace settlements between squabbling siblings (although she does know every single "annoy" button that Mary possesses and can push them at will if she's in the right mood; they are tween sisters after all). Apparently Catherine has the resources to overcome all of the "first time parent" mistakes we must have made with her, because it's simply a joy to share the days with her. Happy Birthday Catherine!
