Good morning.

Dear Blog-

I just sort of miss you. That's all.

What's happened:

-I am almost in my third trimester and I am feeling Large Marge-ish, but I don't ever remember feeling this non-sick with my other two. Ps. This is our last baby. It seems that with each child my sickness gets more and more concentrated to the first trimester and if I had another I would probably just die at about 14 weeks.

-Miles is awesome. He is seriously the smartest kid I know. Sometimes it worries me. His teacher in pre-school said this about him, "Miles is just a little man. A little silly man."

-Faye is incredibly adorable. She is super smart too. She just turned three and can count to 30, knows about 10 Christmas songs, looks like Little Cindy Lou Who, and is sort of nasally when she talks. I like it.

My kids are growing up. Coming this Sunday- they will both be in primary. It makes me want to cry.

This baby is due in April and I am planning to cut her/him/it out of my belly. That means I will have had 1 induced baby, 1 natural baby, and 1 C-sectioned baby. I feel like I should write a book. The babe is super active and prefers to spend it's time on the right side of my body. I think it wants to snuggle me.

-I found a lump in my boob in October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and although the tumor doesn't look cancerous- they don't know what it is and would like to take it out. Only, I'm pregnant. So... We are waiting until probably 1 year post baby before we cut into it. Fingers crossed, eh?

-Dave becomes a doctor in about 5 months. I can't believe it. Have I told you how much I love him? Cause I seriously do. I will follow him anywhere- even to Lubbock, Texas if necessary. Residency starts this summer and we have a few options... I'm hoping for Cleveland myself, but Iowa and Columbus are high on my list as well. But as I said, I would do anything for love. -Meatloaf.

-Christmas week was awesome. Our anniversary was the 20th, Faye's birthday was the 22nd, Christmas was spent opening presesents and playing all day, then the 26th was spent cleaning the house (another Christmas present) to host my parents and Celeste's entrance to Cleveland. We still have some of Faye's birthday presents to open and the house seems literally filled with toys. It's wonderful.

-The fish died this week. All of them. I'm trying to figure out if this is a Christmas Miracle or if it is a Christmas disaster, but the kids dont' seem to mind. So... I'm good.

-I love our friends, schools, and ward here. I am grateful everyday for all that we have. And I'm grateful for you Blog, even though I neglect you.

-All in all, I love what is happening here in the Cain home.

Loves.
-Cicely

100 Things to Do in Cleveland and Beyond: Activity 25

Activity 25: Country Lights at Lake Metroparks Farmpark

Ok. This is seriously one of my favorite things we have done since we moved here. Lake Farm Park transforms into Santa's Workshop and the kids LOVED it. Here, let me show you.

Here we are waiting to enter Santa's Workshop. Often Faye gets compared to Little Cindy Lou Who. So it was really exciting to see the two of them together. At least it was exciting for me- not so much Faye.





Once inside, the kids got to pick out the toy they wanted to make in the workshop. Miles picked a jet plane and Faye picked a rocking horse. They got to sand, hammer and glue their projects. It was so fun for them.





And right in the middle of working on the toys- Miles' elf excused herself, put on a microphone, climbed some scaffolding and lead everyone in the shop in a funky fresh dance. Watching Miles' confused, but enjoyable dancing in this video is worth your time.



Then it was time to paint. Both of the kids went to work. They felt so good about their toys after they built and painted them all by themselves. We were pretty proud of them too.





Once the toys were completed, we got to take a horse drawn sleigh(ish) to see millions of twinkling lights in all shapes and colors. So fun. I couldn't waste my time taking pictures, so i just captured Miles as we were going through a rainbow tunnel.



And last (and probably least) we met Santa. Faye wasn't into it. I'm amazed that Miles sat next to him. Santas that aren't cartoons creep me out. But, alas, here we are.



I had to put this in. Even with all the other amazing things we did- this was truly one of the highlights of the evening for Dave and I.



Loves for Christmas in May.
-Cicely

I like....

I like...

Miles' face in this picture.


And this dude's face in this one.


I like easy Halloween. Miles and Faye getting ready to trick or treat. Faye wasn't feeling well so she went as an adorable 1 year old.


I like Henry and Faye playing robots. Don't call CPS, I took the plastic bag off Faye's head just after taking this photo.


See. I told you.


I like it when Miles takes pitures.


I like it when Faye does too.


And I especially like when Faye dresses herself.


And I like you.

Peter Parver Pumpkin Carver.

Pumpkin carving at our house is an annual event full of magic and wonder. Okay, it's not that awesome, but we do look forward to it every year. And this year- the whole family got involved. Well, at least for a few minutes.







Dave, if you didn't know, is quite the artist and his pumpkin carvings are always amazing. I am always a few years behind him in technique. This year he did something totally different...


This is what he carved. I know. It's amazing.





And this is mine. I know it's not as cool as Sir Pumpkin Master Cain, but I was pretty proud of it.

Happy Halloween!
(I just wanted to be the first to say it for 2011)

Christmas blues.

Every year around Christmas time I get super sad. I know it is a happy and magical time of year, but for some reason all the happy emotions catch up with me and I go into a Christmas funk.

Miles' fish, Sharpie, died today and watching Miles try to cope with his little friend's death was really hard for me. How can I make sure that he never has to be sad like that again?

Faye didn't understand that Sharpie died. She did, however, understand the sadness of it all. As I was holding Miles and trying to console him- I, too, was tearing up and when Faye came over and saw us at first she was confused and after a few seconds, she realized that she needed to be sad too. It was awful. I will never forget her face.

I love my kids. They are good kids and they both have such tender hearts. I am blessed to have them.

Also, note to my future self: don't ever get a dog- unless it is the kind that will outlive you and your babies.

Easter!

We are having so much fun for Easter!

Easter egg hunt we did with some of our friends from Erie!


Faye loves her new stroller. Thanks Gram Gram!


Miles gets paid in candy for finding plastic eggs. I guess that makes him a professional.




I think Faye will make for a fantastic hula-hooper.

Have a happy day today.

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown

It is Christmas Eve. Miles is asleep and Faye's eye lid's are getting heavy. I love Christmas Eve. I loved it as a kid when there was a little magic in the air and I love it as a mom- there is still magic in the air, but it is just a different brand of pixie dust.

We are spending the night at my parents house in SLC and although I do love my home in Erie- I am not missing it at all. I love being around my family and David's family: playing games (including but not limited to the Wii), eating fattening treats, reading Christmas stories and talking all about Santa and and his reindeer with the kids. Miles is learning about baby Jesus and Mary. His favorite Christmas song is Away in a Manger and my heart grows three sizes every time I hear him singing it.

It isn't Christmas yet, but I feel like I have already been showered with gifts and not in the tangible sense. Being here in Utah I have been learning so much about myself and my kids and life in general. I feel like we are all growing up a little bit. It makes me kind of sad and kind of happy at the same time.

It was Faye's birthday on Dec 22. She is one year old. I'm sure I will post a big birthday love for her soon. I can't believe it has been a year. Pretty soon she will be walking and toddling and she won't be my little baby anymore. I already miss her babyness, but I can't wait for her to start talking and skipping and playing with Miles...

Miles starts primary in a week and a half. It hurts me to think that he is old enough to be so independent. He is in preschool and soon he will be in primary. My heart just shrunk a little bit.

I am excited about life right now and the stages that my kids are in right now. I understand that pretty soon I will be blogging about Miles' first loose tooth or Faye's first bike ride or driver's licenses or graduation. I am certain I will be sad and happy again every year at this time and throughout the rest of the months that aren't December.

So Merry Christmas, Cicely from the future. Remember when Miles got his train set for Christmas and was so excited he didn't want to open any other presents? Remember when we brought Faye home from the hospital on Christmas Eve and she was only 2 days old? Remember when David was in med school and we got by on student loans and love? Those were the good ol' days, eh?

Merry Christmas and Love for the New Year.
-Cicely Suite Cain

Today.

Earth Day is Everyday.

Remember to give the world a hug by, cutting down on water usage, unplugging phone/computer chargers when not in use, picking up litter and, as always, reduce, reuse, recycle.

It's the little things that can change the world.

Loves!

The Easter Bunny Lives.

The Easter Bunny lives... in my backyard. Well, I'm not actually sure if it is the real Easter Bunny or not, but a bunny is living in my backyard- infact, I think a whoel family of bunnies is living in my backyard.

Also, I saw a squirrel running across my driveway this morning. Oh, and about 50 chipmunks climb in and out of holes that they have dug in our backyard. I think if I go out and start singing- they will bring their other woodland friends out and we could dance and play together.

Or, maybe they just want the trash that we stash next to the garage before garbage day.

I guess we'll never know.

The Best Christmas Present Ever.

I've decided to write our experience in verse. Here goes:

Twas the night of the sabbath, December 21st
I was having contractions, but I've had much worse.
We ate supper at the Dickinsons which was made from the heart
And the cramps that I had were about 7 minutes apart.

We watched a poor movie and when it got through
They were five minutes apart for more than an hour or two.
It was midnight that I convinced Dave that the time was near
I made a quick call and Bam! the Blatters were here.

We rushed to the hospital. The winds were a blowin'
I was worried we wouldn't make it the way the blizzard was goin'.
I was nervous and anxious and it may have been said
That visions of car birthing snuck in my head.

Alas, we made it and we were both still alive
when the nurse came to check me she said, "I'd say you're a five."
So we walked and we walked and we walked some more
And the contractions got harder than they felt before.

45 minutes of walking was heaven
"Good work team Cain! You are now at a seven."
The time was getting closer- so my water she broke
And the cramps hurt so bad I thought I would croak.

About 30 minutes of those horrible things
And I was about to give the anesthesiologist a ring.
When in came the midwife and checked me again-
"You can do it, Cicely. You're nearing a ten."

"I can do it," I thought, if Dave is beside me,
He can talk me through it, he can help me and guide me.
And away went my emotions, my sanity, my voice
I wanted to stop crying and shaking, but I had no choice.

The pain was so bad that I thought I'd pass out
And the crazy grunting noises I made- I could do without.
But looking into my perfect husband's eye
Was the only way I could make it if I didn't want to die.

It took a few pushes, and the worst possible pain
To get the most beautiful present- little baby girl Cain.

She came and she laid on my chest and I knew
That all of the pain that pregnancy put me through
Was nothing at all. None of it real.
This little precious person in seconds made me feel
That though pain and discomfort is no fun at all
I could do it forever to touch this little doll.

She was 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 21 inches long
Her little squeaks in her voice is like listening to a song.
She is the most beautiful miracle. I can never complain
And I will love her forever- my daughter, Faye Suite Cain.



Some pictures of my baby.

The First Day of Chirstmas

I love Christmas time. The only word I can think to describe it is- magical.

Everyone is a little sweeter. We try and focus on things that are truly important to us. We remember the savior at times that we normally might not. We spend real time together as families.

I love hot chocolate and popcorn. I love listening to children's Christmas music. I love putting lights up on the tree and the smell of pine. I love cuddling on the couch to watch cheesy holiday movies and crying uncontrollably. I love candles and cookies and wreaths and snow and I especially love mistletoe.

I love that I put up my nativity set and that Miles knows who Baby Jesus is. I love that I am going to have a little Christmas baby girl who I can teach and love and who will always remind me of the most beautiful time of the year.

Merry Christmas everyone. Lets focus on the good this season.