Author: Jocelyn Rau

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Life-changing

NO, I’M NOT PREGNANT AGAIN! I just wanted to shout that out there, because I know that’s where many of your minds jumped as soon as you saw that title. Have no fear. And yes, all babies are miracles, but we’ve had plenty. No, this is something far, far better for our family right now.

THE BIG KIDS FINALLY MOVED UPSTAIRS!!!!!

Yes, that deserves to be shouted in all caps, because if you know me at all, you know how long I’ve been waiting for this. Oh, you don’t? Well here, let me explain…

On December, 31, 2013, Ryan stood in the kitchen and promised me that 1 year from that date, we would have a finished room upstairs (we turned our attic into a giant bedroom for the kids). At the time, we only had Della and Lana, so it was going to be the girls’ bedroom, and the second downstairs bedroom would become a guest room/playroom. I even painted on the wall leading up the stairs to the attic “Della + Lana’s Room ETA: 12.31.14”

Total cosmic jinx.

Fast forward to December 31, 2014, and there was no room up there. Not even close. Ryan had knocked down the only walls that needed to come down up there, but I think that was about it. I honestly can’t remember. This was supposed to be the easiest project of the entire house, since it was simply building a room that already had a full skeleton. We didn’t need to rip into any existing walls, replace any old wiring, nothing. Simply start from scratch and go. Ha.

Morrison came along the following spring, still no room up there. The twins came along after that, still no room up there. It was getting a little cramped in here, but nothing crazy. Many more people have lived in houses much smaller than ours and survived splendidly. We’re all healthy and happy, just cozy.

But lo and behold, some of the stars finally aligned in some miraculous pattern, and on October 27, 2021, IT BECAME THEIR FUCKING BEDROOM!! (see, i told you i’m behind on this blog…)

Sorry for the swear. We’ve just been waiting a REALLY long time for this, and my heart almost exploded with joy that afternoon. The kids had a half day of school, and I spent every minute I wasn’t walking to/from school rearranging, moving furniture, carrying furniture upstairs. It was exhausting, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I got them up there! Ryan did all the dirty work, I did the minor lifting. Teamwork makes the dream work.

So the big 3 now have a gigantic bedroom upstairs (the bathroom will come much later), the twins have their own bedroom that is also a playroom, and there are no more cribs in our bedroom! All toys are out of the living room, and the house finally feels like our home again instead of a nursery/daycare/insane asylum. It was touch and go there for a bit. 😉

The Christmas tree is finally back in its right spot!

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Nine!

I am SO far behind on this blog, but no better way to catch up than to start catching up, eh?

Lana turned 9 in October, and I continue to be amazed daily by this wondrous creature.

ETA: We had her 9-year well check on February 24, 2022, and here are her official stats:

Height: 4′ 7.75″ (86%)
Weight: 68 lbs. 12.8 oz. (56%)
Blood pressure: 106/64
BMI: 15.56 (32%)

She still hates putting away her laundry, leaves her dirty clothes and pajamas all over the floor, and despises brushing her hair, but the creativity that exudes from her constantly is almost a force of nature.

She loves to bake, enjoys playing with the twins and teaching them games, tucks Nigh-Night into a comfy spot each morning before we go to school, gets into some of the most ridiculous arguments I’ve ever heard with Morrison, and often acts as crazy as a loon with Della.

I have, however, seen a level of maturity emerge from her this school year that I’ve never seen before. They were given an assignment notebook by her teacher at the beginning of the year, and since day 1, she has taken complete ownership of that task. She writes down her daily assignments and to-dos in it, checks each one off as she finishes them, and dog-ears each page as the week is completed. The pride and responsibility I saw from her when this little task began was incredible. I didn’t want to jinx it either, so I very nonchalantly told her how proud I was that she was taking her schoolwork and assignments so seriously this year a couple days in. No big deal, you’re just actually becoming a big kid.

She started taking piano lessons with Della this summer and will complain until the end of time about having to practice and do them, but she’s getting good. She also mastered diving during their swim lessons this summer, and she is now always called on to be the diving example in their weekly lessons. Della is still trying to catch up, much to her chagrin. And the year of schooling at home had nothing on this kid. Lana’s standardized test scores from the beginning of this school year in both reading and math were her highest yet at the top of the charts, and her percentile rankings were the highest of all the big 3. I was blown away. Especially because she always says how much she hates math.

This one. My little Lana Marie. My sweet baby girl. My fairy spirit. I will never be able to put into words how much I love you, but I hope you always know. Even when my body is dead and gone, my spirit will come out and bug you forever. Happy 9th birthday, Lana Marie! Our last year of having a daughter in the single digits! We could not be prouder of the wonderful big kid you’re becoming, with just enough goofiness of your little-kid self still fully intact. You are the beautiful definition of one of a kind, and we love you so very, very much. We are so lucky you’re ours!

Here are her annual birthday posts:

And here are the pictures. I just love this one!

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Back at it

We are back in school, we are in person, we are masked, we are 5 days a week, and we are at 2 different schools now. Whew!

Della had her first day of school a week before the other two started.

As you’re well aware, it was heartbreaking for me when Della left our Cumberland gang. However, it’s actually working out pretty well. The middle school is awesome, I met all of her teachers at “Meet the Teachers” night last week and every single one is incredible, she gets to see at least some of her good friends from Cumberland every day, she’s continuing with band and has the same teacher as last year, and she still walks halfway to/from school with us. She even has her first cross country meet today! I’m so proud of how she’s handling this new independence, and I’m so relieved that I’m surviving, too. 😉

Lana’s “Roaring Start” day, where she went for about an hour and a half to meet her teacher and do some testing
Morrison’s Roaring Start

I could tell the first couple days without her were weird for the other 4, so I didn’t make a big deal about anything that was happening, but they’ve gotten into our new groove, too. Morrison has some of his very best friends in his class again this year, and his teacher seems wonderful. Lana has an amazing group of girls in her class that I’m so happy she’s become friends with; she was thrilled to get a mirror and pen caddy for her locker this year, too; and her teacher is absolutely fantastic. This month Della does have cross country practice right after school, so she walks home from that on her own. I can’t even tell you how weird it is seeing her just strolling in the door by herself at about 4:45! But she has most Fridays off of practice and it’s only a month-long season, so she’ll get to meet back up with us on the walks home soon.

I’m not sure if it’s the third-grade daily processes at school, being closer to 9 now than 8, her specific teacher, or just the stars and all the cosmic juju finally aligning, but Lana has shown a new level of maturity these past couple weeks that I have never seen from her. They got an assignment notebook from school on the first day, and they are tasked with writing down all of their nightly “to-do’s,” checking off everything as they finish it, then dog-earing the pages as they complete them. She puts her nightly reading in there, she puts her piano practice in there (the girls started those lessons a few weeks ago and they are going great, too!), she puts emptying all her lunch containers in there, she puts any extra assignments they get in there, she puts any school project needs in there…it’s great. I can also tell that she’s taking pride in this, which is another thing you don’t often see manifesting from her. I can’t possibly begin to describe how proud I am of her. I’m not outwardly making a big deal out of this either, because I don’t want to hype it up so much that she shys away from this great work and routine she’s gotten in, but I did very nonchalantly let her know the other evening how happy I was watching her do her notebook and enjoying being in charge of herself like this. She has started wanting to push the stroller to and from school, too, which I just love.

The twins are still turds on the daily, but even they get in some awesome bouts of calm play time together, too. So there may be hope yet! I just can’t believe those little squirts will be following Lana and Morrison through the Cumberland doors next year, even if only for half the day. Watch out!

So here we are. My days seem just as busy as when all 5 were home for some reason, but I’m loving every one. I’m so happy they’re all safely back at school, and I just hope everyone stays healthy. The social distancing aspect is obvioulsy decreased this year with no virtual option and a full week schedule, but masks are still mandatory, drinking fountains are still off (bottle fillers are definitely on, though, so kids just need to bring thier own water bottles), and hand washing and sanitizing is constant. So fingers crossed that we avoid any quarantines or shut downs this year.

Happy back-to-school, my loves! This feels like it’s going to be a great year, and I just can’t wait to see where it takes each of you. I love you all so, so much!

All 5 were in bed at 7 p.m. after that first full day for the big 3. Cheers to that!

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#summervacation2021

I know – summer vacation has been over for a couple weeks now. But you know how things roll around this blog by now. Posting only a *couple* weeks late isn’t bad! 😉

I have so many pictures to dump here from our summer break this year, I’m just going to break it up into a few different galleries. Not much explanation is needed, either – we were planning to go back to Canada finally but the border didn’t open in time for our trip so we did a couple smaller trips around here, soaked up the warm weather (thank goodness for air conditioning this year!), and enjoyed as much time together as we could. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the slideshows!

The start of summer vacation back in June and a trip to Palos and Peoria to spend time with family:

Door County and 4th of July:

A long-overdue trip to Eau Claire:

More summer fun around here, our third trip to Palos of the summer, our first trip to the zoo in about 2 years, and our first Brewers game in a long time:

We are now fully back into the swing of a new school year, so more about that will be coming up next. Stay tuned!

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Eleven!

Della just turned 11, and I truly don’t think I know a better human being.

ETA to add her official 11-year well check stats from August 31:

  • Height: 60.75″ (90%) – she’s over 5 feet tall!
  • Weight: 85.3 lbs. (55%)
  • BMI: 16.2 kg/m2 (28%)
  • Blood pressure: 120/80

She’s beautiful inside and out, smart, creative, caring, and has always had a heart of gold. She just babysat a couple of her siblings for the first time the other day, and I could tell how seriously she took it and how proud she was.

Last night of 10!
Last sleep as a 10 year old

She is definitely the leader of the Rau kids clan, and they would all follow her to the ends of the earth and back. Thankfully, they could not have asked for a better role model in their oldest sister.

She loves reading, stickers, playing with the friends on the block (she and a couple of the neighbor girls her age just started a jewelry-making operation, and she is having so much fun organizing, designing, and creating little rings and stuff for the younger kids. she even gets paid from the profits!), doing their crafting and building game on their tablets with Lana and Morrison, dogs and babies, and just being a kid. She’s excited for middle school next year even though it’s giving me anxiety ;), and she did great getting back into swim lessons this summer. She and Lana both passed level 4 after just 1 session.

A toast to the birthday girl and the farmers market flowers she chose
Fruit pizza by request again for the girl who doesn’t like cake!

We got a beautiful sunny day for her birthday this year – Mother Nature definitely matched the day to Della.

I will never forget the day she was born – it changed my entire being forever. I had never been a girl who dreamed of being a mom, and I actually never thought I’d be a good one because I didn’t particularly like kids. But as soon as the pain and adrenaline and fear of the unknown of that first delivery, completely unmedicated and almost immediate (she was born 20 minutes after we got to the hospital!), was over and I was holding her in my arms back in the mom and baby recovery room, the only thing I wanted from that moment forward was to stay home and take care of her forever. And have like 8 or 9 more babies! That second part was obviously due to the post-delivery hormones coursing through my brain, but the overwhelming love and instant attachment I felt to that tiny baby girl was undeniable. And that is something I know will never change.

Too many fingers old to hold up now!

Happy 11th birthday, our amazing Della Jolee! The universe gave us one of the greatest gifts possible the day you were born, and every day just continues to prove that more and more. You are a gorgeous creature through and through, and I know you’re going to do great things. We all love you so much, my little peanut sweet pea!!

For those who like to read, here are her yearly posts:

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The first one bites the dust

I don’t know how many times I’ve said it, and I know I can’t stop saying it, but I STILL can’t believe that Della is finished with elementary school. Our school year ended in June, and the notion that she’ll never be walking back to that school with us again just keeps boggling my mind.

As you know, we went back to in-person school for the fourth and final quarter of this school year. It was, by far, the best decision for us. I was perfectly happy with all 3 staying virtual and at home for the first 3 quarters, but by the time that last spring quarter rolled around and the school week switched to 4 days in person with 1 asynchronous day and the COVID-19 cases didn’t skyrocket and the nice weather started to arrive and the cabin fever started to set in, I was ready to send them back. They were ready to go back, too. And we were SO fortunate that Della and Morrison got to keep their teachers, whom we all loved, because they both went back in person, too. Lana’s virtual teacher ended up not even having her own classroom for fourth quarter so Lana couldn’t have kept her anyway, but she did start helping out with reading groups in Morrison’s class! Plus Lana loved the new teacher she got for that quarter, so win-win-win.

Last time wearing her last-day-of-school dress
Last walk home from school all together 🙁
One last pass by the dinosaur and purple giraffe house with all of them

I absolutely love our elementary school. Della has had nothing but wonderful days and experiences there, and I’m so sad it’s over for her. Our middle school seems pretty amazing, though, and I know she’s looking forward to her days ahead there. I just can’t wrap my heart around the fact that we’re splitting up. We won’t all be together anymore. She’ll be going there while the rest of us still go the other way. It’s just a fact of life, I’m fully aware, but it still tugs at me. The first piece of my heart is growing up and walking right away from me before my eyes.

Last walk to school together…

Thankfully the school calendar for next year is going to allow us to take Della the first couple of days before Lana and Morrison start. I already promised I wouldn’t get too close if she doesn’t want me to, wheeling the stroller with the twins right up to the 6th-grade waiting area. 😀 Once I have just those first couple dropoffs with her under my belt, I think I’ll be ok. My heart will get those few little moments to keep it full. The start and end timing of the different school days is just close enough that I wouldn’t be able to drop her off first and get over to the elementary school in time walking with everyone. I think if we drove we’d make it, but the walks to/from school are important to me. Believe it or not, I learn a lot in those short times together with all my kids.

Through those doors for the last time…

I’m going to miss her terribly. I know she’s not actually going anywhere and will be home right after us each day, but still. She’s mine, and I miss her when she’s not with me. I think it’ll be weird for the other kids, too, not having their leader with us. I told Lana she has an important role now as the biggest Rau kid at the elementary school. She’ll be in charge of getting Morrison at his door on those winter days when I drive to pick them up and they have to come meet me at the car. And she’ll have to help him get to his door on those same mornings. I hope she’s up to the task!

Oh, my sweet little peanut. I canNOT believe you’re a big middle schooler now, and I hate the fact that our school-days gang is breaking up. But, being the amazingly beautiful person you are, I can’t wait to see where this life takes you. Dream big, my love – you’ll do incredible things. ❤

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He’s six!

Morrison turned 6 a few months ago, and, for some reason, I cannot get it out of my head that he isn’t 5 anymore. I even titled this post “He’s five!” not 10 seconds ago.

We had his 6-year well check on July 27, so here are his official 6-year-old stats:

  • Height: 49.25″ (96%)
  • Weight: 53.9 lbs. (84%)
  • BMI: 15.6 kg/m2 (56%)
  • Blood pressure: 103/57

He is still the absolute sweetest boy I’ve ever known, and I feel so lucky and proud that he’s our firstborn son. His heart is pure gold, he loves his siblings like nothing I’ve ever seen and would follow them to the ends of the earth, and he would do anything for his friends. These past 2 years his teachers have all told me about his genuine care and concern for and kindness toward all the friends in his classes, and it makes my heart just about explode with pride. They tell me to keep doing such a good job raising him, but that’s all him and his beautiful little soul.

He is truly one of the smartest kids I’ve met, too. His sisters have always been smart cookies, but Morrison’s brain completely amazes me. He easily learned how to read early on this year in K5, even through fully virtual school. His math skills are insane, and the different ways and speed with which he solves problems puts my old brain to utter shame. I can’t wait to see where those smarts take him in life.

One of my uncles taught him to play chess this summer, and he took to it instantly. He loved it so much and got so into it, that my uncle even gave him the travel chess board he brought to that family gathering. Morrison was thrilled! He and the girls played it for the rest of that trip and all the way home in the car.

He is very athletic, always running, nay, sprinting, everywhere! I don’t think I’ve ever stood up and felt the need to literally sprint to my next destination, but he does. Constantly. I keep saying he needs to be a runner of some sort for his sport. He loves anything with a ball, too, and Ryan just got him a pair of sticky catching gloves that he immediately fell in love with. He’s also gotten really good at this track ball catching set Ryan got the kids, as well as lacrosse. He certainly didn’t get those genes from me. However, he did just move up to level 2 of swim lessons after only 1 round in level 1, so I’ll claim that one, ha! He was so proud of himself after leveling up, though, which made me so happy to see.

His current loves include Super Mario everything, Crafting and Building (the Android version of Minecraft we let them play), the color green, the Packers, riding his scooter, swimming, making movies and projects with his sisters, showing the twins how to do pretty much anything, and sushi.

This post has so many more pictures than words, because that’s just Morrison. His adorable, goofy little smile just sums him up. One of my friends calls him a gentle giant because he’s so much bigger than her son who’s only a few months younger, and that description couldn’t be any more true. Happy 6th birthday, my incredible Morrison John!! We love you so very, very much; we are prouder of you than you could even imagine; and we can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you’re going to do with this lifetime. As you and your siblings love to sing… and many moooooorrre!!!