July 2005 Article
Hi! My name is Victoria Anne Schenk (Daddy is going to call me Tori). I've been assigned this writing project by my parents due to the lack of writing from my brother - Adam.
Let me start from the beginning. I haven't officially been "born" yet. I'm still in Mommy's belly sleeping, eating, and kicking. I've been told that I have about 22 weeks to go before I show my beautiful face to the rest of the world. Mommy is 18 weeks along and I am now 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and weigh almost 8 ounces. My mom & dad went to something called an ultrasound (see photos) a few days ago. Apparently, the nurse that kept pushing me around told my parents that she was very certain that I was female. It made me wonder if this total lack of privacy was part of the Patriot Act. I don't remember signing any consent forms that anyone could take photos AND video of my naked body. I plan on discussing this with my parents at length once I get out of here, learn to talk, and develop a vocabulary.
My ears have recently formed, and I am learning lots about what is going on in life outside. Let me try to bring you up-to-date with the happenings at the Schenk household.
I haven't seen my brothers yet, but I already know lots about them. Noah is 3 1/2 and is convinced he gets bigger EVERY day. He still eats oatmeal every morning and LOVES to play tennis in the driveway. He likes to talk a lot and tell stories. Some people have a little trouble understanding every word however. He says the "P" sound for most words that have the "C" sound. Mommy and Daddy snicker a little bit when he says he would like some more corn. He is currently setting a personal record of 14 days in a row with dry pull-ups at night.
Adam is 21 months, but he thinks he is 3 1/2 just like his older brother. He emulates him all the time. A charming characteristic of Adam is that he opens and closes his mouth when he tries to communicate "yes". He understands nearly everything one says. He is even saying a few words like: Ma, Da, Noah, Nonna, ball, and various animal noises. Both Adam and Noah still love to dance to music. Adam's favorite song is Hakuna Matata from the Lion King. He sings along.
Daddy still goes to work a lot, but he always eats breakfast and reads the comics with Noah and Adam. Then, they push him over with big hugs before he heads to work. It sure seems like he loves them lots. Apparently, both Mom & Dad thought for sure that I was going to be male. They better get used to surprises because I'm going to behave a little differently that my two brothers. Dad keeps telling Noah & Adam little secrets of how to survive with a little sister. They had better have their "game face" on because I don't plan on taking the backseat to them.
Mommy has been a huge influence in my life thus far. She does a good job of eating good food and getting some rest so I can grow. She does spend quite a bit of time (100 times a day) gently reminding Noah and/or Adam to... "stop running in the house"; "no throwing balls in the house"; "please eat up your dinner"; "please stop hitting your brother". Sometimes, I think maybe my older brothers ears aren't fully developed yet. I am finally busting out enough that she has to wear maternity clothes to show me off.
Besides my immediate family, I visit a lot with our friends Delaney, Alex, Fred, and Jody. I think Delaney is going to like braiding my hair and teaching me "girl things". My grandparents are looking forward to seeing me as well. Nonna and Grandpa visit me a little more since Nonna is off from teaching for a few weeks.
Word on the street is that there is going to be quite a bit of shuffling going to happen regarding sleeping quarters at the Schenk household. I am going to move into Adam's room. Adam is going to move into Noah's room. Noah is going to move into the guest bedroom. Then, when guests come, Noah will move into Adam's or Mom and Dad's room. Phew! Sounds confusing.
Some updates on the some of the rest of my family...
Nonna & Grandpa Bovitz: Nonna is taking it easy this summer after teaching 1st graders all year. Grandpa is learning more about real estate and still consults in the financial services industry. They also volunteer a lot at the church in Powell, OH. Mommy & Daddy like beating them in Euchre when they visit. :-) Pip (GGs dog) takes care of them.
Aunt Katie: She is still living and working in Venice Beach in L.A. She has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will be heading to another country for a couple of years this spring. I will miss her, but rumor is that she is going to come live with us for a couple of months this fall. I can't wait!
Uncle Bryan: He is in his last year in school to earn his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Washington State University. He studies a LOT!
Uncle J.J. & Aunt Sara: J.J. is still working on his Ph.D. at Washington State University in Biological Chemistry. He has had no sign of his brain tumor since it first showed its ugly head in Feb. 2004. After surgery, radiation, and chemotherepy, MRIs continue to come back clean. Thank you God. Sara is finished with medical school and is now a doctor doing her residency at hospitals in Spokane, WA.
Grammy & Grandpa Schenk: Grammy still loves hanging out with Justin and Isabelle everyday while their mommy and daddy are at work. Grandpa likes his job driving a BIG forklift at Brake Supply in Evansville, IN. They too volunteer lots of hours for their church.
Aunt Amy & Uncle Tom: Aunt Amy is still an Executive Vice President at Integra Bank in Evansville. Uncle Tom travels a lot in his work at the Shoe Carnival. Uncle Tom's Dad is sick, so they make lots of trips to Bloomington, IN to visit with Uncle Tom's parents.
If all goes to plan, I should see my first ray of sunshine around Thanksgiving. Needless to say, Thanksgiving will be at our house this year. If anyone sees any clothes for girls at yard sales or something, please pick them up for me. Dad keeps saying that I will have to wear Colts and Pacers jerseys just like my brothers. I'm thinking a little more estrogen in the house will be good for him.
I'll try to write more once my hand is bigger than one millimeter.
Tori