One of my (Aunt Holly – On the left w/ John) first memories of Jamie was when she was a baby and would squeal with joy as her daddy spun her around up in the air. She showed no fear even then, a hint of her adventurous spirit.
When we visited in PA over many Thanksgivings when she was a little girl she always greeted us with a huge smile and hugs, so happy to see us and so welcoming. I remember all the cousins playing football together each year too. Jamie was quick and competitive and they shared lots of laughs trying to best each other.
She had such a big infectious laugh. She laughed often and was so fun to be with.
Even when she was hugely pregnant with the twins she kept her sense of humor. I remember her at her baby shower, and at Kiersten’s baby shower shortly thereafter, not complaining, even though we knew she had to be very uncomfortable, but instead joking, laughing and sharing her infectious joy. And at the first “baby
picnic”, a designated time to get the big and littlest cousins together, pregnant with Reagan, taking turns with Paul getting up and down being mom to the twins, we knew she was tired but even so she was lovely and graceful. She was always a joy to be around.
– Holly FitzGerald
Most of this month’s entry will be focused on John, Larkin, and Reagan and what they have been up to. All three are growing up so quickly and it’s simply amazing to see.
John’s favorite activities are running and sliding to a stop with his big yellow truck, looking at family photos, saying “what is that?” to just about everything, counting the number of school buses he sees and guessing if the fire station’s doors are open or closed on his way to school. John always wants to be outside (even on a really cold day), and enjoys playing with friends in the backyard or cul-de-sac, and going to playgrounds. He is quite the character and constantly makes many silly faces and funny noises. John has his mother’s infectious smile and a one of a kind belly laugh. Daycare attempted to transition John from diapers to big boy underwear on the 1st, but he proved to not be quite ready as he went through pants after pants. Daddy is actually more than okay with this set back because diapers are so much easier and easy is good right now.
Picture of the eight Kindem Grandchildren (Lindsay, Reagan, Alex, Ben, Brooklyn, Anna Katherine, Larkin, John)
Christmas brought many family members in to town this year, with Great Grandma Kindem making the trek all the way from Seattle, Washington, and others coming from D.C. and Pennsylvania. John and Larkin thoroughly enjoyed opening presents this year, which was fun for all of the family to see, and the eight Kindem grandchildren had fun playing together.
The Annual Christmas Eve Party was scaled down with only immediate family members attending, but that didn’t stop us from continuing the tradition of having beef stew, grilled oysters, many heavy hors d’oeuvres, and plenty of booze. A “new” oyster shooter was invented where some combined their oysters with red wine, which made for an interesting combo – who knows what type of shooter we’ll come up with next year (jager shooter, anyone?)
Some of the family made it up to the lake house over New Year’s for a long weekend, which was a welcome change of scenery for the O’Brien-Kindem families. John, Larkin, and Reagan enjoyed the cold weather and family time, but the highlight of the trip was Paul & Kathryn jumping in the lake on New Year’s Eve. The lake was freezing cold and the snow on the banks of the lake made it even more intimidating. This tradition was started one-year ago when Kathryn made a late-night bet with her brother Doug that she would jump in the lake the next day, and she did. Kat’s still waiting for her $40 payment, don’t hold your breath.
The families are ready for a new year to begin…
– J. Paul Kindem
At the start of the month, John and Larkin have now been in the new day care for about 2 weeks. Going into it, we knew this month would be difficult for all of us, each in our own way. But, there is nothing we can do besides to take it day by day, and so we do.
John and Larkin have adjusted well to the new daycare. It’s been difficult for them, without question. They ask for their former teacher Latonya often, and their other friends at their old school. Even though they are getting comfortable with their new school, almost every morning, they still ask about Latonya, their other teachers, and their friends, as if they will be headed to see them after breakfast. We all know that they’ll be OK and make the adjustment, but it’s difficult to see them going through yet another unexpected life change. Paul alone has dropped off and picked them up each day, and this will continue for a while. He wants things to stay consistent until they really feel totally comfortable there. Like the amazing, resilient kids that they are, we can tell they’re trying to adjust to this new atmosphere, and all we can do is encourage that.
One Saturday, Kat and Paul took John and Larkin to their friend Eva’s birthday party in Raleigh. It was a great party and John and Larkin had a very good time. They were quite apprehensive at first, but after a little while they really opened up and enjoyed playing with their old friends and seeing Latonya again. Later on in the month they went to another friend, Wyatt’s birthday party with Paul and had a great time there as well.
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The Days of Pumpkins and Roses in Their Cheeks
The beautiful autumn days of the Piedmont are now transcendent in their warmth and color. Why does the weather help? Sometimes it just does.
Reagan has by now had two early intervention assessments that herald her progress meeting and going beyond the target norms for her age. Plus she totally enchants the evaluators. Our expectations are high and we are very hopeful.
Her well-baby checkups have gone, well…very well. She has steadily gained weight and grown longer and is in the 75th percentile. We like to joke that Reagan definitely does not cotton to missing a meal. No way.
When this three-month old moppet wakes up, she is all smiles, every single time. Whether it’s a 12-hour night of sleeping (yes!) or a short nap, she beams at the person who has come to fetch her (generally one of six star performers, with a few talented understudies on tap.) We feel relieved that a therapist friend has assured us that attachment theory says many loving caregivers are fine; it’s when they’re there and then disappear that there is a potential problem.
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