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Sunday, November 20, 2022

Finn's First Movie

He kept clarifying that it's his first time going to a movie. Gabe & Miles went to the shack & Campbell went to stay the weekend with Grammy. Blake still didn't have much energy from being sick all week so we stayed home. Went and tried the just opened Vitta Pizza & Blake said it's the best he's ever had.

Monday, November 7, 2022

Finnisms

Nana & Papa have been gone for 6 weeks to help Ry & Elizabeth with baby Leo so Finn was excited to go stay with them for a night when they got home. 

Finn trying to scam them. Although all the kids have grown alot....

Blake is 5'7-7/8". He grew almost 7/8" in 2.5 months

Campbell is 5'7" and she grew 5/8 inch in 2.5 months.

Miles is 4'7-5/8" and he grew 1/4" in 3 months.

Finn is 45" and he grew 1/4" in 2 months

And some amazing Finnisms...


From: Deb Monacelli <debmona@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, November 7, 2022, 11:33 AM
To: Livia Monacelli <livia_monacelli@hotmail.com>
Subject: Finnisms

Here are some fun things that Finn said. I wrote each one down immediately so I would get them right.

-Paul was telling Finn about having seen his artwork at his house recently. Paul said we need some of your artwork. Finn said, "That must be why you invited me here".

-"Papa you're forgetting a lot of things cuz you're getting really old".

-Paul said he wished he were young again. Finn said, "But then you'd have to do kindergarten and high school again. You should be happy with your past."

-"The cool thing about old people is that they can't get a job cuz they're too old."

-"Being a YouTuber is actually a job. It's tricky to put your videos on TV. That's my dream of being a YouTuber."

-"Here's the bad thing about me, I'm a prankster."

Some fun, some sage...
Deb

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Baby Finn

When first went in to be induced (due to chleostasis), I was dilated a 2 & 50% effaced. Baby -1 station. Long, long labor. Pushed for 6 hours. Let me rest which not supposed to do. All of a sudden everyone suiting up for a C section. Shift changed and doctor I knew came on. She said baby probably turned wrong so she wanted 1 try to turn baby. She did vacuum and pulled and with one push he was born. He was sunny side up and suction on side of head so he was really jammed wrong in birth canal. 

Had my 6 week checkup today been so long since been at the doctor was there 3 times a week so often before. So relieved everything turned out okay & so glad to not have a C-section. Finn slept through the whole appointment and blood work which was awesome.

Took his first trip to the cabin Memorial Day weekend. I was worried he would cry in the car, but we propped his car seat up a little bit & he liked it much better Blake took such good care of him in the backseat. Campbell had fun on the front seat of the truck. Had Luke's grad party Friday night and everyone love meeting Finn.

Finn loved his life jacket even though it looked like it was choking him. Felt so good to take a hot tub after 7 months of being away. It was a very rainy weekend & nice to relax.  Ginia mom, Nana and Papa helped us get set up on the way to the cabin. 

6.3.17 - 7 weeks 1 day.  Smiled several times at Gabe. 1st time real smile not just when sleepy

6.4.17 met Rachel for 1st time and she said hi and he smiled right away at her. Then when said goodbye he raised 1 eyebrow

Fell off curve at 1 mo appt, 2% at 2mo and 15% at 3 month. 

7.2.17 He's not a newborn all of a sudden. Awake so much more, more aware, smiley. Notices ceiling fans. Loves Blake. I was out shopping and screaming for Daddy. Blake came and held him, plopped him in the Bumbo and he was all happy as long as Blake with him. Loves to poop in the Bumbo. 

8.14.17 4 months old. Holding head up good. Likes to sit in Bumbo and just started loving exersauser. Sleeps awesome at night...up once at 3ish then right back down. 

8.20.17 at Alana's birthday party. Velura how many different ways can you clone Gabe?

8.20.17  Miles fell at Cloquet playground on way home. He woke up in the middle of night crying so took him to Tria in the morning. Buckle fracture, they just change policy so no cast only splint. Good news no surgery & no problem with growth plate. Leaving Tria, Miles said he thought they were gonna put a splinter in. Seemed relieved it was only a splint - poor buddy!

Then Finn pooped and it was running down my leg. Then power went out for the whole afternoon. Gabe out of town. I'm exhausted.

8.25.17 Miles getting into the boat after Tower. It was nice being there!

10.6.17 Finn sitting all of a sudden.  2 days before family pics

10.15.17 Rolling both ways 

6 months: Did CIO a couple nites now goes down easy at nite and only up once a night. Getting better about tongue and eats oatmeal. Prunes next. Grabs spoon and is a spazy eatter. 

11.3.17 Left to go to the Dads dinner at preschool with Campbell & came back and Finn had pulled himself across the living room.  Nana & Papa there. Gabe had just gotten back from New York.

11.7.17 Finn was playing in his room & I ran downstairs quick and he was already in the middle of the hallway! Pulls himself along like a little inchworm

11.14.17 7 months old. Seems to have turned a corner where he's much happier during the day. He likes to play on the floor. About to grow out of napping in the swing. Think getting some teeth because he's chewing on his fingers. Still nursing. But eating 3 meals a day of solid food: rice, vegetables, fruit. And a bottle or two a day. So takes the pressure off of nursing. Nursing only at night and morning. Sleeps through the night sometimes. Still screams going down to bed & fights sleep so hard. Super smiley during the day though. Gabe asked the other day if he was made of smiles. Loves to look in your face and always smile at you when you smile at him

11.14.17 Miles: Did u hear the cold joined up with the wind? When talking about playing outside at preschool

11.26.17 Finn baptism We are at drive thru at Gordys by playground. Miles says: I love this place! 

When Miles first saw Finn in gown, Miles asked why he was dressed like an angel

11.28.17 Finn popped 1st tooth. Hope will sleep better. Been waking up several times a nite and screams going to sleep even with IB

12.1.17 started pulling self up onto step. 

12.3.17 gate installed...climbed onto 1st step. 2nd tooth popped a week later. Now hopefully get some sleep???? 

Christ Eve Miles: Grammy I really like your bed. It's like a princess bed.

1.21.18 Parents Night Out at All Saints. Miles was running in circles with another girl at pickup. He said he was going to marry her. He did not know her name. I said what do you like about her: she's wild! They did not talk. He liked that she chased him

2.7.18 Finn said "Dada" to Gabe after he got home from work and put his hand on his cheek so sweetly. 

2.7.18 Trying to stand up from squatting. He does downward dog first. And then goes down into a squat and stands up from that

2.19.18 1st weekend away. 2 nites at Nana and Papas. Said "uh oh" clearly. 

2.23.18 Walking 9 steps!

2.24.18 Miles says "just to know" alot as in, just so u know. Also said about swimming, "I'm not going to wait" instead of "can't wait to go"

2.28.18 Finn clapped after Campbell was done playing cello. Once he copied me, then kept doing it after each of her  songs

4.1.18 Teacher conferences at Groveland.  All good things from everyone. C's writing teacher wants to use her writing for samples for next year. Kind, caring, smart. Heartwarming especially from Mrs. Cutshall (WINGS teacher) had such kind words for C and B (4th & 2nd grade). Could tell she was moved that she is well and how far she had come from 3rd grade. What a success story she is she said. Blake so confident, funny and belongs in WINGS, she said he walks around like owns the place. 

4.10.18 Jill taught Finn to shake his head no while we are at Campbell's play. Popped top 3 teeth at same time last week

4.14.18 11 months. Tricks: Walks everywhere, says uh- oh (when drops something), shakes head no and patty cake (taught by Jill),  waves bye-bye, claps after Campbell plays his favorite song Dragon Hunter on cello

4.14.18 1 yr old. Got in night before from Key West. Deb & Paul had kids for eight nights Finn slept great for them thank goodness. But first night back he was up from 2:30 to 6. Having no interest in sleeping. The first time I went away and Gabe tried to put him down, Finn was so angry at Gabe and hitting him he wanted me. Missed his Mama 

6.9.18 Miles got a Time Out from Nana at the cabin. So when they left I was asking him why he got in trouble. He said "well we hugged to forget." (Hugged and made up is what Nana said.)

10.5.18 About cookie butter. Miles: Whoever made this should be famous!

10.19.18 Finn puked and Gabe had him in bath. Blaked asked if he was ok. Finn said the sweetest "OK"

10.21.18 Gabe pulling ribs off the grill. Finn goes and gets a plate, holds it up to Gabe and says MEEEE!

10.22.18 Baby up starting at 3:00 last night, blowout diaper trying to get out door to drop Miles off at school, then had epic blowout in chiro office, then to allergist appt in Edina, then to Ped to get blood draw in EP, drop off stool sample at Children's Mpls,  drop off bday present for Alex at St Thomas,  home for 1 hr then to Campbell's tennis in Wayzata. Finn's urine collectuon bag fell off.  There was a lot of temper tantrums and hysterical screaming in car by Finn. One for the books! 😕😥😭💩

10.23.18 Finn peed in cup so didn't have to go get new bag. Then peed again standing in bath before nap. 

10.28.18 Finn: d-u-c-k. Very clearly 4 syllables, woke up early wet so in bath held a duck up and said it. 

10.30.18 At chiropractor, grabs a piece of paper puts it on the head rest, lays his gead down and slaps the table. Like time to get adjusted Mom! 

10.31.19 Halloween, Finn wanted out of stroller, matched right up to house, held out chubby little hand for a piece of candy,  then blew a kiss bye

7.17.19 finn:  Cold me (when eating popsicle)
Knows all animal sounds, moo, baa, sssss for snake, oohh aahh for monkey, swiper from Dora (ch-ch)

Oct 2019 Fall conferences in Hermantown: Miles teacher says doing great. Sturdy, nothing phases him. So so glad we waited. C and B straight A's. All good things from all teachers. Such a relief!

11.2.19 When sees Nana at Natalie's wedding, points to his goo-goo (what he calls boo-boos). Like look what happened to me! For his cut on head that was glued together from when he pulled high chair on top of himself 

11.3.19 Told him to go to bed. "But Mama!" Playing in room with Blake and Miles. Says "hall" to me and points for me to get out. 

11.4.19 Finn said 'pooped daddy'...I said you pooped? Yeah. Put him on changing table and he's smiling. No poop in diaper I said you didn't poop, he said 'trick you!'

11.21.19 Finn: "bottle me" when wants a bottle. In bath: "more bubbles pop" & "big bug ba" for big big school bus.

11.27.19 Miles: you know what I noticed in Kindergarten? 3 3's is 9. Was telling us when he woke up at 4:30 of a snow day blizzard and was in bed with us before he fell asleep again. 

4.18.19 Dry diaper and gone pee on the potty twice now this morning. Previously gone occasionally on potty but lately starting to want to go potty before bedtime..... April goes pee on potty several times day. Really tries. Claps very excitedly afterwards

April 2019 Loves driving the van. Will spend forever pressing buttons. Swings his arms and says: let's go! 

Kids are talking with Gabe in the truck and they were talking about how YouTubers aren't cool, they just play video games. And Miles said seriously: you take that back!

5.8.19 Gabe touched Finn with cold hands: He made like an 'oh' sound and said that cold daddy

5.9.19 Miles just asked where you went and I said that you went to work. Finn said ....Daddy gotta go work why? Kinda mumbled together but said it.

12.12.19 Miles being so sweet this am. Asking me to play Candyland saying he will pick the most beautiful player like I'm beautiful.  Asked me how old I am, said that's the perfect age for u. Said I'm the best mom ever.

12.12.19 Mom shuttle service. Gabe working in VA and Nana and Papa had Finn for day. Left home at 2:45 to go to school to pick up Campbell dropped her off and Proctor at ski practice drove to school to pick up Miles got home at 4. Made dinner for miles and Blake left at 5 to bring Blake to basketball on way to pick up Campbell from practice. Picked up Campbell brought her home. Was home for 15 minutes then left to pick up Blake at basketball at 6:30. Got home at 6:50. 

6.23.20 Finn: u (get me a) bottle yea or no? Me no baby, me big boi! Crawls in bed with me every am. Likes to cuddle and put his arm around my face. Doesn't want to get up to go potty.  But has been dry many nights in a row now. Will go potty during day if prompted. Calls Campbell (Bo), Blake (B). Blake plays with him ALOT, during online school, would play hide and seek forever with him. Come find me Mama! 

AMI 2019

We have alot of fun memories from the trip but...

Baby drank 3rd of a bottle Blake's allergy drops ($100 worth). Then threw up 1st night in ATL. 

Miles went straight from car & got naked as running to the pool. Finn had blowout diarrhea in pool within 30 minutes of us getting to rental as I was putting on my swim suit. Had swim diaper and special swim trunks had bought that were supposed to help, which basically made it worse. Shut down pool for 3 days to shock it.

On way home...hotel that we had reservation for was over booked. It was on the Tram from airport so we wouldn’t have had to return car before early flight. Traffic was horrible so 9 hour drive took 12 hours. We were all exhausted then had to drive another 30 minutes to find hotel. Very late night then Campbell threw up in middle of night from anxiety. Got up so early to return car and made flight.

First Day Off

Finn's first day of Kindergarten is here. I've been sad and sentimental about it for weeks leading up to it, but feel like we are both ready for it today. Really glad that Miles is there for him on the bus. He said he's nervous, but also when we went to meet his tracker yesterday he seemed excited when he realized school was tomorrow and said: I'm going to be the nicest kid at school!".  15 years of having a baby attached or little by my side, will be an adjustment for sure. Funny how I got Jury Duty in October. Finn is so proud of me for getting a job. Gabe took day off and we went and hiked Fifth Falls at Gooseberry Falls. Awesome weather for this time of year - 81°!

Miles Quotes



  • 2.14.17 I weally, weally like u Mommy. So much I can't explain.

  • 2.16.17 I hear Miles falling down stairs....r u ok?!? Miles: I was just tumbling down the stairs. I was fine while I was tumbling

  • 2.20.17 We totally made a fruit bowl!

  • 2.20.17 I love that music it makes me want to dance!

  • 2.19.17 Campbell was talking about book of John and explaining prophecy, she said disciples didn't realize donkey was prophecy until after. Then was trying to explain how Jesus didn't speak clearly like people did back then. I said like He would say I'm the light for example. She said, yea it's called parables. How does she know so much?

  • 4.13.17 Hugged Miles in am. Me: I just remembered. Today is the day the baby is coming out. What do u think about that? Miles: Kinda gross and kinda weird.

  • 3.5.17 Miles: Mommy, what if u owned me back....at the people store? (Like returned him)

  • 4.14.17 Miles: Mommy u did a great job making a baby 

  • 4.14.17 Me to Miles: want to sit with me? Miles: Ah, What if I get a baby?

  • 4.21.17 Miles at breakfast randomly. Boys have penises, girls have twinkle toes. Laughs.

  • 4.27.17 Miles was so proud to show Finn to friends and teachers and random people walking down hall at preschool

  • 4.27.17 I parked car in middle of garage so told Miles to sit on steps as I moved it over. He waves, I love u mommy! You'll always be a part of our family!

  • Blake on Mothers day 4.14.17/Finn 1 mo. Blkae: Finn is little but he's a big part of our lives.

  • 5.22.17 Miles talking to Finn and said "milk is a prophecy for babies" How does he know that word??

  • 6.22.17 Blake asked me if I was done milking Finn.

  • 7.3.17 Miles was running around with Olyvia after the graveside memorial for Denny. He stops, says he has to pee and does it in the wide open with about 30 people watching. Everyone whips out their phones. At least it wasn't on a grave for goodness sakes.

  • 7.4.17 We went to get ice cream on the lake yesterday. Very busy there and had to wait a long time for parking spot. We finished tying up boat and pontoon asked us to move up so they could back up and not hit us. Miles yells over to them: You should have parked some where else!

  • 7.21.17 Miles to Deb: So out of the blue just now Miles goes "you already know my retirement plans". I said what? and he repeated it. He said "to just play". I said what is retirement. He says "when you're old".

  • 10.7.17 I'm listening to Tom Petty.......Miles: did he sing this before he died? Me: yes. Miles: offdah!!!! (relieved)

  • Moms nite at preschool. This is my favorite nite. U my favorite mom and dad my favorite dad!

  • 6.2.18 On first family bike ride of six. Miles: do you guys like the wind in your face?

  • 6.29.18 Miles: I have an idea! Buy a school bus. Get a big container. Get some lemonade. Then give to it to people who don't have money! Then we will get rich!

  • 7.31.18 Miles: After camping at new Vermilion State Park with Nana and Papa. "How is Papa gonna expain that to u?" That he got a hatchet cut when Papa asked him to get it for him. Also said "Missed you the first night then I kind of forgot about Mommy and Daddy"

  • 8.1.18 Gabe Blake and Miles cleaning up behind the shed. Miles cut some weeds are growing along the shed. Then he told Gabe he owed him $6. Gabe asked him why he would do that. Well he said "you pay a man who does you good."

  • 8.2.18 Miles saw Gabe's pickaxe and said "Wow! I didn't know you were a miner until today!"

  • 8.26.18 "Hey big guy pedal faster." Gabe says you're pretty bossy for a birthday boy. Miles said well I want to get home for the lemon meringue pie!

  • 9.2.18 Stop for cake and ice cream presents for Miles's birthday at Nana & Papa's. Nana said she was sad that Miles is leaving. Miles said don't feel bad. I wish you would have had more things  planned for my birthday

  • Oct when I was in pain with gallbladder.  Miles: it's ok, we r all here for u. Thinks for a minute/looks around, "except Campbell, where is she?"

  • Miles: you do all for us so I want to do all for u.

  • When got back from surgery Miles asked how I was. He said, "You gonna D. O., die?" Like he was spelling die

  • 12.24.18 Xmas Eve. Blake was embarrassed at 1st to wear baby blue polar bear pj's from Mariah. Then when I was tucking him in Blake going to bed...."I'm like a cozy polar bear hiberating" 🤣

  • 12.24.18 Finn having trouble going to sleep. Crying. Went to see him, snot running down nose. Says so sad: b(l)ow. Like blow my nose. Now says yesss in sweetest little voice. Got him to say "ow" when he was fake falling down tonight. Love to hear his sweet voice

  • 4.6.19 Finn's first three word sentence. I need ball. Went to the park for the first time since winter and he saw the basketball hoop.

  • 6.24.19 putting Miles to bed. He has been getting worried thinking a lot about death at bedtime. Cries about Papa Stan. Tonight he said: I just want to spend as much time with you as I can now so that I'm not lonely when you die.