memorial day weekend

There's not much we love more than a good patriotic holiday.  The kids were excited to go to a parade on Saturday wearing their red, white and blue!

The only problem was that it wasn't on Saturday.  doh.  The website had the wrong day listed so when Drew got there with the big kids (it was way too hot for Noel) there was nothing going on.  A side trip to the Farmer's Market for corn on the cob and cookies to the rescue!

On Sunday we got dressed in our other red, white and blue outfits and headed to church.  Noel went to the nursery for the first time and did great!

Church really wears us out.  :-)

Monday was the actual holiday, so Drew found an alternate parade for the kiddos to enjoy.  It was SO HOT, but they powered through for awhile.

Having a day off from school and work to spend as a family was just what we needed.  It was a very low key weekend, but we liked it!

may happenings: week four

This week we took our first trip to the zoo for the season.  The kids were excited to pose with every statue along the way!

Noel was there too and snoozed in the Solly for the most part.  He did eat on the go like a champ and enjoyed smiling at all of the animals.

Asher received these pajamas from our friends in Cleveland before he was born and now Noel can wear them.  I love getting Asher's old clothes out and remembering where we were and what life was the like the last time those outfits were on a baby.

While the big kids are at school Noel and I run errands.  Target really needs to clean their mirrors.  And mint is apparently my new favorite color.

The artist of the month in Kindergarten is Jackson Polluck.  Asher's teacher sent us photos of the kids doing messy art day and I had to laugh at how every other kid is loving it while Asher is standing back, holding a wet paper towel.  We don't always do messy well.  ha!

Miss Hadley has found a new love of mermaids - or as she says, "lermaids" - so when I saw this Kitty Lermaid outfit with a ballet skirt I knew it would be a home run.  She's so easy to please.  :-)

Asher went to a birthday party for a school friend at Sky Zone.  This was his first time there and he LOVED it!  We need to go back asap.  Ash is aces at being a 6 year old boy these days.  Goof ball!

may happenings: week three

This sweet guy never fails to brighten my day!  We've been rolling along with a pretty normal schedule of school, church, friends, and fun.  Not much to report and we are ok with that!

Arm naps are on their way out around here so I'm enjoying every one I get.

This little firecracker keeps life exciting, even when nothing else is going on!

If you have your princess heels, what else can you need?  Oh, Hadley.

lost teeth!

We've had a pretty exciting milestone reached for big brother this week - he lost his first tooth!  It happened at school during lunch, which made it extra thrilling.  From what I hear there were some pretty jealous classmates that day.  haha - lucky Asher!

We explained what the tooth fairy does and A was excited to see what would happen.  The TF took his tooth and left him a sweet note and $5!  She explained that the first tooth is worth more than subsequent teeth ;-)  Drew took Asher shopping to spend his tooth fairy money and they came home with a giant dino egg than you hatch under water.  It takes a few days and was all we could talk about.  There was lots of egg watching - ha!

The very next week Asher lost another tooth!  This one at home.  Of course the tooth fairy came again, but only brought a couple dollars this time.  Asher didn't mind and is still thrilled by the whole experience.  I love kids.

This boy is getting so big with his new ADULT teeth!  Ahhh - I remember when he got those little teeth!

noel august {three months}

Noel August, you are THREE months!

Well, Noel it's been 3 months since you made your big debut.  At 3 months old they say that you're no longer a newborn and I believe it.  More and more you are putting the newborn ways behind you and are acting more like a big little baby.  You are wearing big boy clothes now and everything.  :-)

You are still eating every 2 hours, but I'm trying to stretch that to 3 when we can.  Your sleep is still good at night, but I have a feeling when we hit 4 months and you go to bed earlier you'll hit some bumps in that road.  Regardless, that big smile melts my heart any time day or night.

I'm so grateful that you've been really healthy so far, despite having 2 big sibs who like to love on you.  You're in size 3-6 month clothes (especially PJs since they are getting too short on your long legs!) and wear a size 1 diaper.

Noel, you love to swing like none of the other kids did.  You sleep in the mamaRoo at night and are happy to nap in your swing downstairs with me.  This will have to change soon since you're starting to be more aware and can't sleep around commotion very well anymore.  Pretty soon we'll transition to the crib - eek, hoping it goes well!

You love your big siblings!  Whenever either of them comes into the room they get your immediate attention and a big smile!

Watch Noel grow:

birth:  6 lb, 9 oz :: 19.75"

leaving the hospital:  6 lb, 5 oz

1 week:  6 lb, 9 oz

2 weeks:  7 lb, 5 oz :: 20.5"

3 months:  13 lb, 3 oz :: 24.25"

At 3 months, Noel...

* weighs 13 lbs 3 oz and is 24.25" long

* wears size 0-3 and 3-6 month clothes, depending on what it is

* wears size 1 diapers, but will be moving to size 2 when these are gone!

* loves to get baths and swing

* loves the paci, but only when sleeping

* rides in the car like a champ - we do a lot of this running A & H around

* is exclusively breastfed and eats every 2-3 hours

* will take a bottle no problem!

* smiles so much and makes great eye contact

* loves to play with the toys on his play mat

Noel August, we love you so much!  You make it pretty easy with that big smile and happy go lucky personality.  It's so fun to see how you are changing as the months go by.  We're all excited to see who you become!

may happenings: week two

Noel has decided that being more than an arm's length away from me isn't his favorite.  Needless to say we've been attached at the hip this week.

Look at this cutie pie soccer ball!  ha!

We love spring and are so excited for the nicer weather that has set in.  Hadley still needs some practice on her scooter but we're getting there.  Up next is Asher's bike sans training wheels!

Oh man, that lip.  loooove him!

Drew's brother bought this Yankees outfit for our nephews when they were born in 2007.  Since then every little boy in the family has worn it.  Noel did his part and wore it well.

Hadley found these bunny ears in her dress-up box and wanted to wear them during breakfast.  Why not.  

I haven't been in the craft room much at all since Noel was born, but I did find time to personalize this baseball tote for my sister.  She's a full time baseball mom and needed a way to drag all of her stuff to, like, 53953285 games a summer.  Go Jenn!

mother's day

This weekend I celebrated my first Mother's Day as a mom to 3 kiddos.  Three!  I'm so lucky!

We spent the weekend in Pennsylvania celebrating a cute little boy's first birthday so we were able to celebrate a few things at once.  The kids made Grammy a little craft - what was I thinking trying to get a baby handprint??  That was tough - ha!

I'm so glad we got to see Mom/Grammy for Mother's Day this year!  We love her so much!

Asher brought me home this little interview all about me from school.  Is there anything better than these??  Love him and it so much!  This will go in my forever save box for sure.  :-)

My Mom always says "I Love You"

My Mom loves to "take care of Noel"

My Mom cooks the best "spaghetti" - Asher doesn't like spaghetti

My Mom likes to wear "cozy robe"

My Mom and I like to "snuggle"

My Mom is funny when she "tells jokes" - when else? ha!

And don't get me started on this girl.  She's my little partner in crime and the biggest helper!  Hadley is always good for a laugh and keeps me on my toes for sure.  I'm so grateful for her!

Being a mother is the hardest job.  It really is.  It challenges me and I often feel like I'm doing a terrible job.  But then a little chubby hand will take mine and say "I lub you mommy" and I know I'm doing ok.  I'm so thankful to have been entrusted to raise these little people.

may happenings: week one

Our week started out terrific when this guy rolled over in bed (??) and whacked his head to create a giant bedtime goose egg.  Never a dull moment.

These 2 snuggle bugs kill me.  They fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but a lot of the rest of the time you can find them here.

And you can find me looking at this sweet face!  ahhh!!

On Saturday we took a little road trip to Pennsylvania to celebrate Penn's 1st birthday!  My whole family was able to be there - so fun to see them at a time that's not a major holiday!

Look at these lucky kids - they are so loved by Grammy and PopPop!

We didn't take many pictures, which is usually a sign of a good weekend!  Happy birthday Penn (and Keaton!)