What do you want to be when you grow up?

We were talking about astronauts today, and both Karina and Jadyn thought it would be cool to be astronauts when they grow up. They've always been pretty dead-set on what they want to be when they grow up - Jadyn (doctor) and Karina (firefighter), but now...

Jadyn would like to be "a doctor, a firefighter, a pilot, and an astronaut."

and

Karina would also like to be "a fighter-fighter, a doctor, a pilot, and a pants-tro-naut."

Fun Fire Photo

I ran across this photo of a fire I was at a few years ago in West Seattle. The new construction building was set on fire around midnight (arson), and I was working in West Seattle that day and we were first-in to the fire. We had been on scene for about two minutes at the time this photo was taken, so you can see that it was very well involved by the time the fire was reported.

The fire took around an hour to bring under control, and four hours later we finished cleaning up and headed back home to the station. If you look closely at the pickup truck in the center of the photo, you can see a hose line heading off toward the right of the image out of sight. That was my hose line at the corner of the building, protecting the rest of our crew as we worked to rescue some residents trapped in the building next door.

It was a great night of firefighting!

3 weeks old

Makenzie's been spending more time alert and awake. Her eyes are still a beautiful baby blue as you may or may not be able to see in these pictures.

We're busy: I (Mark) am back working and getting ready to do some teaching with the department, so things only seem to be getting busier. Julie is healing well, but definitely longs for the mobility that only a full recovery will bring. Unfortunately, Karina was under the weather with a cold this week, and Jadyn woke up in the middle of the night last night with a fever herself, so we're again battling the elements. Ahh..., such is life.

More to come when we can. Thanks again to all of you who have been so generous and gracious in bringing us meals. We appreciate you so much!

Things we say

We had just gotten home from the park, and I left the garage door open as we came in to the house. Karina noticed, and the following short conversation ensued:

Karina: Daddy, you forgot to close the garage door.

Daddy: You're right. I left it open because Gramda is going to head right back out and run down to the store real quick.

Karina: Wow, Gramda! Are you really going to run all the way to the store? Are you not going to drive at all?

Busy Week: The Quick Recap...

What do you know... it only takes a mere 7 lbs, 15 oz (actually less now...) to busy up a house and throw us off our routines! So... sorry for the lull in updates, but after long last here's a brief summary.

Makenzie is doing great:

• We had her first checkup Friday, and as of then her weight was back up to 7 lbs, 11 oz and she was 20 inches tall - good news that she's gaining her weight back on track.
• She's still sleeping much of the day, though she is taking longer periods of being awake and pretty content.
• All babies have their moments of stomach pain that make them uncomfortable, and last night was one of those long nights. But most of her nights have still been very easy for us - usually only waking once for a period to feed after midnight.
• We took her first "bear picture:"

Gramda (Julie's mom) flew out of town last night to the sad, longing looks of Jadyn and Karina. We loved having her here, enjoyed playing flashlight tag and reading books, and Julie and I really appreciated the extra hands with house, kids, and baby more than anything. Thanks so much for giving up your last two weeks to come stay and play!



Jadyn and Karina are both doing well. Their weeks were busy...

• Playing with Gramda
• Performing - Jadyn is in a musical/play at our church - she had 3 performances last week, with 2 more this coming weekend


• Sleepovers with Gramda
• Holding Makenzie
• Reading with Gramda
• Learning - Karina had "Firefighter week" at school, and Daddy got to come to class


• and a little Playing with Gramda

Julie and I are doing well and sleeping when we can. We've been blessed with lots of people bringing us over meals - it's actually been a daily challenge to see if we can eat all the food and make room in the fridge before the next meal arrives. Thank you so much for the help with meals - it's been such a time freeing gift to us! The girls especially loved the cookies...

Photo Answers

#1) Makenzie
#2) Karina
#3) Jadyn

Who's who?

We were looking down memory lane a bit this evening and comparing the girls at/near birth. Pretty neat to see them all in those first few days and remember what it was like with each.

Are these the same girls or different? If different, can you tell who is who?

Another quickie...

All is going well in the estrogen-rich Foree household. Makenzie continues to be easy-going and sleeps well at night (we actually had to wake her up last night to feed her, not the other way around!). We're all enjoying taking turns holding her, burping her, and just loving on her.

Julie is healing well, trying to take it as easy as a mother of a newborn can, and enjoying being able to rest in her own home instead of a hospital bed. Gramda is soaking up lots of time with baby, too, and wishing she could stay longer.

We're beginning to understand what it's like to have an "easy baby," and wow - what a difference! Thank you, Lord! She has the cutest little sneezes, make the most adorable little coos and cries, and is taking in the new world around her with ease.