Go Gamecocks!

We're ready for kickoff!!

15 Months

Big boy had his 15 month well visit today and everything went well. He's right on track with everything, except possibly speech (go figure). I'm super picky about what I count as "real" words, so he's really not getting credit for anything other than the usual "mama," "dada," (both of which he uses intentionally, at times) and "bye." I think he says "back" (as in "Back away from my high chair, Hank, because I'm not ready to share my food yet!") because he hears us say it a good bit, but I'm not quite ready to give him credit just yet. Our pediatrician is very supportive of early intervention and probably wanted to go ahead and refer him, but I told him I'm not worried and we can reevaluate at 18 months. Jack didn't really start talking until 16 months, so we will see what happens.

He measured in at short and fat:
25 lbs (>50th percentile)
30 inches (25th percentile)

Nothing major has happened since his 14 month post, except that he is even more determined to do things than ever before. He's very into stools, and if he can't reach something he wants, he goes to another room to get a stool or chair and then climbs up to the counter, drawer, etc. to get whatever he had his eye on. He does this even when he knows he's not supposed to and is very persistent!

He's a mess and we love him to pieces!

Picasso

Apparently Anna had a few crayons in her room yesterday and chose to do a bit of light coloring before she took a nap. That's pretty much all I have to say about it, except that Picasso has lost all crayon/marker privileges for the rest of her life!

Anna's First Day of School

This year Anna is going to Child's Day Out two days a week. I love it because Jack learned so much from this class when he was in it and she loves it because they "play with puzzles and sing!" She had a great first day, but was absolutely exhausted when she got home. I found her rolling around on her bed snuggling with her blankets right after lunch.

This is outfit #2 of the morning - my girl sure does have some strong opinions about what she wears!

Another futile attempt at getting a group picture of my school kids. He's stepping on her shoes and she is not thrilled about it!

Jack's First Day of School

Today was Jack's first day of 4K. He's going to the same church program he's been attending for the past two years, but will go M-Th until 12:00. We met his teacher last week and toured the classroom and I think that really got him ready. He was super excited this morning and when we pulled up in the car line, he jumped right out like an old pro! When I picked him up he told me there were beans there - "not for eating, just to play with," along with cups and spoons and "it's ok if they fall on the floor." Guess that was the highlight of the day!

I've learned not to bombard him with questions when he gets in the car, so I told him what I did while he was at school first. Then Anna told him everything she did, and before I could ask him a question about his day, the following conversation happened:

Anna: "Jack, did you have fun at your class?"
Jack: "I had LOTS of fun at my class, Anna!"
Anna: "Was Hayden there today?"
Jack: "Hayden was there, and Gracie, and Sophia, and a girl from church, but I can't remember her name."

It was the sweetest conversation and Anna got more information out of him than I usually get!

Fun at the Gardens

A few weeks back, I decided on a whim to take the kids to our local garden spot and try to get some pictures. That's the day my camera batter finally died, only about 30 pictures into my photo shoot, so I didn't really get any of the "good" pictures I was hoping for. My friend, Amy and her son, Jonas met us there and she was a lifesaver! She brought balloons for the kids to play with, snacks, and her camera! Here are some cute pictures she took while the kids were playing around and climbing trees.

I think they were checking out a bug.

Shoes

Last Spring, Marshall bought the kids several pairs of shoes to wear in the fall because they were amazing deals. We guessed on their sizes based on how they grew in years past. Big mistake! We now have some really cute shoes in sizes 7 & 11; however, our two oldest children appear to wear sizes 8 & 12! Here's a picture of everyone trying on their "new" shoes. Sam's shoes actually do fit (well, they are slightly large), but they are the only ones not purchased many months ago.

Hungry Sam

We finished breakfast this morning and headed upstairs to get dressed. I had just snapped the last snap on Sam's diaper when he flipped over on his tummy and scooted off the changing table. He looked at me, grinned, and took off out the door and down the stairs. I was curious to see what he was so determined to do, so I let him go. When I got downstairs I found that he grabbed the bowl off his high chair, scattering cereal everywhere. Then he snatched his toast off the floor and took off again. I guess he was still hungry!

Oh the Cuteness!

I went in to wake Sam from his morning nap and I just couldn't resist taking this picture!

Thanks to Granny and Grandy, I can re-enter the world of blogging!

My camera battery died back on August 4th. Our charger is nowhere to be found. Therefore, no new pictures on the blog recently. My parents came to visit this weekend and brought their charger for us to use. Watch out world - I have my camera back and I plan to use it!

Happy Anniversary

So 14 years ago this fall, I went to a cross country meet to watch some long-haired, skinny guy run a race. Later that evening he took me out to dinner and then we went to an activity at my church. Seven years later I married that guy. Add seven more years, five moves, four kids (almost), and one neurotic dog and here we are today!

I love my husband and appreciate so many of the little things he does, but I don't always thank him out loud, so I'm taking this opportunity write a few things down for him - one for every year we've been together.

1. I love how you make our kids light up every day when you walk in the door from work.
2. I love how you always kill the bugs, even if I'm closer.
3. I love how you take a kid (or two) with you to Home Depot or Lowe's or wherever you're going, just to give me a break.
4. I love how you always have patience when I'm at the very end of mine.
5. I love how you empty the dishwasher when you come home for lunch so you can put your dirty dishes away.
6. I love watching you wrestle with the kids and how it makes them squeal with delight.
7. I love how you take the time to answer all my sports related questions (usually about baseball) when I don't understand what's happening.
8. I love how you never complain about the laundry not being put away, even when I've been home all day.
9. I love how you order a movie for me on Netflix when I mention that I would like to see it sometime, even when it's the last thing you want to watch.
10. I love how you can always make me laugh, exactly when I need it.
11. I love how you read stories and pray with our children every night.
12. I love how you support my crazy house renovation ideas, even when it means you will end up doing most of the work - on your one day off.
12. I love how you work hard to provide for our family and make certain sacrifices, without complaining, so that I can stay at home with our children.
13. I love how you take the trash out to the curb for trash night every week.
14. I love that we're still going strong after 14 years and I love you!

Happy Anniversary to us!

And since I'm not a fan of posts without pictures, here's a little flashback fun . . .

1997

2003

2010

14+ Months

I missed a 14 month post for Sam so here are
the recent highlights . . .

- He now has 3 molars and continues to drool so I imagine the 4th is in there somewhere.
- He has become a bit of a picky eater, but still loves green beans, thank goodness!
- If you tell him something is hot, he blows on it, even if it's not food.
- He gets so excited to wave bye when Marshall leaves for work in the mornings. He says (shouts) "bye" but it really sounds more like "ahhh!"
- He loves balls, with a passion. When he goes to throw it he gets a serious look on his face, crouches down, and then grunts when he throws.
- He also loves playing with cars, trucks, and trains. He pushes them around and even makes the "brrr" noise (I have no idea how to write that!) when rolling them.
- Sometimes he gets in a jumping mood where he crouches down and grunts as he stands up tall. He does it over and over again and his feet never leave the ground but it's the cutest thing ever!
- When we're in a public restroom and someone in the stall next to us flushes, he claps and cheers. Every time.
- He's recently become obsessed with a stuffed cow that moos "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" when you push the button on his foot. He used to carry it around and sign "more" for us to push the button but has now learned how to do it himself.
- My boy loves to dance and he and Anna can really break it down together when they are in the right mood.
- He walks/runs everywhere and can finally stand up by himself without pulling up on something first.
- He has officially transitioned into cloth diapers (with the occasional disposable when I need to wash) and though his pants are a little tighter, it hasn't bothered him in the least.
- He loves to wrestle with his Daddy and siblings and he thinks he's just as big as they are.
- He continues to have no fear and climbs on and gets into everything!

My Babes

I sure do love these three little people!

First Sleepover

Friday was a jam packed, but really fun day for us. In the morning, I kept a friend's kiddos and had six kids in my care for several hours. We had kids ages 5, 4, 3, 2, 18 mos, and 14 mos! They all had a blast playing together (no pics, though - I was too busy).

Friday afternoon started our very first sleepover for the kids. We kept our good buddy Jonas so his mommy and daddy could have a night out. I think all three of them were giddy about the idea of a sleepover! They played and played and played and once Marshall got home, we had a surprise for them . . . we went to a very special place for dinner - McDonald's!

The kids got to sit at their own table and they thought it was wonderful!

Eventually it was time for bed and this is how we left them - the first time. After several in and outs, and "he's in my face," and "she's touching my blanket" we eventually moved our kids to their respective beds and Jonas got to camp on the floor in his sleeping bag! Pretty much how I thought the whole thing would pan out, but they fell asleep and woke up ready to go in the morning!

We had another special surprise in the morning - chocolate chip pancakes (for Jonas and me - plain for my weird children who don't like chocolate). I promise I gave them all forks but I don't think any of them used one!

She's freaking out because I put butter on her pancakes and she didn't want butter!

This guy finished his breakfast early and just cruised around pants-less while the rest of us ate.

Our next surprise was swimming (at 9:15 in the morning - sorry neighbors).

It's a climbing race!

One more surprise of popsicles before heading inside to dry off and watch a special video before Jonas' mommy and daddy picked him up.

The kids LOVED having Jonas over for their very first sleepover and are already asking when we can do it again!