Baby #4

We had our ultrasound today and things look great. Apparently, according to the doctor, "I am a joy to scan." Time to get out all those girl clothes I've been hanging on to.

Mia's First Day of First Grade

Mia and I were so excited for the first day of school. She didn't get the teacher she initially wanted but she got the teacher that I wanted. I would have been happy with either. We have butted heads for the past few weeks and were both in need for school to begin. I just can't get over how cute she is and how much she has grown. That short and sassy haircut suits her personality just right. It was a HOT morning and I had Jackson and Cole with me. They just wanted to go play on the playground. I think she wanted to be nervous and have me go in with her but she was too excited. I love her independence. It has been pretty darn quiet here the past few days and I am loving it! Now if the weather would cool back down. We had 70 degree weather last week and even though it felt chilly in the mornings it was so welcome. There is not A/C at school and I have no idea how kids can learn in humid 90 degree weather. I love you Mia and am so proud of you! I am sure you will have a great year!

Jackson's First Day of Pre-K

Jackson was aksing to go to school at least a week before it started. This was a great surprise for us because last year I think every school day he said he didn't want to go. This year he is with friends from church and his class is all boys. The other day he said, "There are no girls allowed at my school. It's just for boys." I think it is just like a two hour play-date for him. He loves his friends and his teacher. I am so happy that he is happy there. One of the best parts for me is that it is not more than 5 minutes away. I take Jackson to school, make the loop back towards home and drop Mia off at her school. It probably takes me 15-20 minutes. It's great! He brings home homework and is so anxious to get it done. He is learning fine motor skills and is eager to color. When we bought Mia's school supplies it was BOGO so Jackson got his own box of crayons, scissors, markers and a notebook. He really felt special and a bit more grown-up, I think. He's just growing up so fast.

Cannonball!

Here's more on Jack's new favorite thing to do at the pool. They would do this all day if we let them.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Happy birthday. We love you very much. We all rely on you so much and are so grateful for you. You are always there to help us out, snuggle with us, break up our fights, play with us, or take us to the pool. You are the best.
We don't always tell you so, but you mean everything to us. We hope you have a good day and that we all have fun together at the beach.
We love you,
Mia, Jack, and Cole

A great day with Cole

I have to blog this day. I may eat my words tomorrow but for now I am going to revel in my hard work as a parent. Cole has been crazy lately, driving me crazy from the moment he gets up. He usually cries and whines until I feed him a massive breakfast. We are talking at least two bowls of cereal equal to my one, milk or juice and a few bites of my breakfast and probably a Go-gurt. The kid loves his breakfast. Mostly because he refuses to eat dinner. After breakfast he was still whining and I thought I was in for a fun day with the little dude. I decided to organize toys, I think the nesting is kicking in, it's about time, and I dumped the bucket of toys out. Why this is magic for my kids I just don't know. They go crazy with the thought of toys they haven't seen in a few weeks. Cole loved it! He played and played so well with Jack, Mia and by himself. We were upstairs and in the basement for a few hours. It was great. Cole ate lunch and went down without a fuss. He slept until almost 4pm. We went to get some school supplies and he always wants to walk. He hates the cart. I told him that he had to stay by Mommy and if he walked off he would have to get in the shopping cart. I had some serious doubts because we were in Toys R Us. He proved me wrong over and over again! It was so great!!! He followed me around the store and never ran off! I had to coax him away from a few things but it was really was impressive. I guess I have followed through enough times he knew I was serious. He was the same great listening child in Target. We came home, had dinner, which he ate, we all colored then up to bed. No fighting me or crying. I just felt so blessed or lucky or fortunate. I guess all three. Thanks for a great day my Bubba! We are making progress. Let's keep it up, okay?

Kamikaze!

Jack is one determined boy. He can't jump off the diving board until he passes the deep water test, which means he has to swim the entire length of the pool in the deep end on his own. Tonight he really wanted to jump off the diving board. So I had him try it when we got there but forgot to tell the lifeguard, so it didn't count. The second time the lifeguard was watching but he inhaled some water half way there and started coughing. A while later he tried it one more time and passed.

Of course that means DIVING BOARD! Jack, Mia, and I spent the rest of the time doing tricks. Mia's favorite is the cannonball. Jack's last jump he told me he was going to do a karate chop. I thought he just meant jumping off and karate chopping the air, but he had a different idea. He jumped off and dove straight off the diving board and karate chopped the water, belly flop and all.

Way to go Jackie boy!

Side note - while we are saying prayers with the kids before bed, Jack is so tired. He hadn't said a word in about 5 minutes. Bailey was standing next to Jack, and right at the end of the prayer Jack says, "nip, nip, nipple" and squeezes one of them. Never a dull moment with that kid.

Cole's 2nd year Dr.s appointment

Cole went into the doctor for his yearly check-up today.
He doesn't even make 25 pounds.
He's in the 10%. He doesn't like to eat very many things.
Thankfully, his height makes up for his lack of weight.
He is in the 75%.

One year older!

Happy Birthday Colin! It's always fun to be the same age as you for 8 days. Too bad next week I will only be 32. How did you get to be older than me? I love you! Hope you had a great day.

Two years old

Well, I have made it to Cole's second birthday. The last six months have proven to be quite challenging for me. I guess I can officially say he has hit the terrible twos. Please, pray for me.

Cole is fearless and the loudest of my three. I didn't know such a loud, ear piercing noise could come out of such a little boy. My little boy who doesn't like to eat any veggies but corn and carrots, if they are dipped in dressing. He is relentless in his ability to make mess after mess. He can be the biggest helper of my three too. If he is in the mood he will pull weeds, push the little wheel barrow, rake and make dirt angels in the loose dirt of the garden. If he drips on the table he will ask for a napkin and wipe it up. He hates band-aids and stickers. He can hold a pencil the correct way. Every word he says has three parts. Dog - Da, da,da, water - Wa, wa, wa. He loves riding on Colin's bike and hates the sound of the vacuum. He loves tractors and has been entertained by the heavy equipment working on our street for the last few months. If he can get his shorts off he does. He will come and find me to show me his shorts around his ankles. He likes to tickle your neck, snuggle before bed and is overly in love with his binkies. He prefers to have two.

Mia is Cole's second biggest fan. She can get him to give her hugs just by faking she is sad. Jackson still doesn't care to be touched by Cole but loves to make him laugh. Unfortunately, it is because he is doing something like making a farting noise. It's always exciting here.

Cole, Mommy and Daddy love you so much. You are an exciting part of our family that we could never do without. Have a Happy Birthday big boy.