my whole heart

june happenings: week four

I went in to get Noel this morning and found his little hand peaking out of the swaddle.  Look at that smirk - so proud of himself!  

Noel tried the Bumbo seat for the first time and loved it!  I think he's much too small to be doing such big boy things, but he clearly disagrees.

Everyone always says how much Noel looks like Drew, so I thought a little baby sitting up comparison was in order.  I see similarities for sure, but they aren't twins.  Not like Drew and Hadley were!

Here's Asher and Noel at the same age in the Bumbo.  They aren't twins either but I see some similarities between these boys of mine.  Both of these pictures were taken with the phone I had at the time - can we all just take a minute to appreciate how much phone cameras have improved in the last 6 years!  Whoa.

I've had this fabric cut out to try a new sewing pattern for Hadley for months now and finally got around to sewing the top together.  I love it!  So many possibilities and options!!

Speaking of the craft room, I spent a lot of time in their this week!  I was able to make this "Family Birthdays" sign for my mother-in-law's birthday gift.  Now I just need to make one for me!

june happenings: week three

Now that Hadley is done with school, we've had more time to do things just the two of us (plus Noel).  Today we checked out a splash pad that I'd heard about and she really loved it!  I always wish these parks had more or any shade - it was hard for me to keep Noel was overheating so we couldn't stay long.

"Look mommy, I have my smart glasses on." 

Minnie mouse - check.

Mr. Potato head "smart glasses" - check.

Hello Kitty lunchbox - check.

She keeps me on my toes and I love it!

Look at this BIG boy sitting up on my hip!  He's growing too fast.

These crazy kids had their 12th wedding anniversary today!  Wow, we were young.  And thin.  And well-rested.  ha!  Love you Drew!

I'm hoping to keep some order and learning going on this summer so I made these chore charts for the kids.  They earn a checkmark for every day that they do all of their jobs and a prize once they earn 10 checkmarks.

Asher's jobs:                                        Hadley's jobs:

make his bed                                       make her bed

get dressed                                          get dressed

brush teeth                                          brush teeth

reading                                               brush hair

homework                                          homework

Bible devotions                                  Bible devotions

help with the dishes                           eat all of her food

clean up toys                                     clean up toys

I was going through my photos and found this gem of Hadley and Noel on the day we brought him home.  Love, love, love.

Hadley with her "getting married flowers" - this girl :-)

All three kids on the swing set = fun!

asher's last day of kindergarten

We have a kindergarten graduate!  Didn't he just start Kindergarten, like yesterday?  And preschool the day before??  Wahhh - time really does fly with these kiddos.  

Just for sentimentalities sake, here's 2 year old Asher heading to his first day of preschool in 2012.

Being new to the area this year we weren't sure what the best choice was for kindergarten.  After looking at a few options and praying about it Drew and I took a chance and enrolled Asher at his school.  I'm so grateful we ended up there!  His class was very small - only 10 kids - which was wonderful for a kid like Asher.  He never had anything bad to say about anyone and genuinely seemed to get along with all of the other kids.

Those little caps and gowns though.  

I can't handle how old he looks here.  I'm grateful for the apple around his neck to remind us that he's still only 6.  It's a tradition here for the high school graduates to wear their Kindergarten apples so it's my job to keep track of that apple for the next 12 years.  

His class did a presentation for all of the parents and grandparents - they recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang a couple songs.

After that Asher's teacher, Mrs. Hahn, said a few words about each child and presented them with their certificate.  She had the sweetest things to say about Asher - "he is loyal and a true friend" - we couldn't wish for more for our guy.

Asher had such a great first year of "real" school and a lot of it is due to his teacher.  We are so grateful to have been placed in her class!

Asher Thomas, Daddy and I are so proud of you.  This year was full of changes for you - we moved, added a baby brother to our family, and you started Kindergarten.  Through it all you rolled with each new thing and did an amazing job.  We know this is just the start of a wonderful school career for you - we're excited to see what happens for you and through you in the coming years!  We love you!

june happenings: week two

"Take my picture with Noel, mommy" Ok!  Morning snuggles with my boys is good by me.

Oh man, this guy has had a hard few days.  Not sure what's going on - maybe just baby changes that don't agree with him?  At any rate, we're doing our best. 

Ahh, that's better.  :-)

The big kids had an amazing week because THIS arrived!!  Grandma Linda and Papa Gene gifted a swing set to them for Christmas and we waited until spring was underway to order and get it delivered.  Asher and Hadley are thrilled and haven't stopped playing on it!

We took the family to a volunteer event at church on Friday night.  Asher and Hadley went to their first ever church potluck - it was time.  Hadley kept leaving us to walk around and talk to people by herself.  She's the politician of our family.  :-)

noel august {four months}

Noel August, you are FOUR months old!

It's almost hard to appreciate all of the ways you've changed until I look at the pictures side by side.  In just 4 short months you've gone from a tiny little baby who mostly slept and ate, to a super smiley guy who interacts with the whole world!

At 4 months old you are eating every 3 hours, finally!  You held tight to that every 2 hour schedule but we eventually got that time stretched out.  It's amazing how much easier it feels to do things with just an extra hour in between feedings!  You're still exclusively breastfed - we won't start solids until about 6 months old.

You transitioned to sleeping in your crib this month.  After sleeping only in the mamaRoo or swing since you were born this was a big deal.  I was a little nervous about how the transition would go, but you made it easy.  You slept in a non-moving mamaRoo for few days, then I laid you in the crib and it was no big deal.  In fact, I think you liked stretching out a bit more.  :-) 

This month you started going to bed earlier and now have a 7pm bedtime.  As predicted that means your long stretch is mostly when I'm still up, so I am getting less sleep now than I did when you were 2 months old.  Gah.  Hopefully you start sleeping longer stretches soon - then I'll be in business too!

You went in the swing outside for the first time and l-o-v-e-d it!  With the first swing you let our a huge belly laugh - it was so sweet and everyone had to laugh along with you.

At 4 months, Noel...

* weighs 14.8 lbs

* wears size 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers

* now sleeps in the crib for nighttime and naps

* is still swaddled and loves the paci while sleeping

* is exclusively breastfed, eating every 3 hours during the day and 2x at night

* loves to grab his toys hanging on the play mat

* makes great eye contact and smiles at everyone who smiles at him

Noel, you are such a joy to our family.  You have an infectious smile that brings happiness to your family and strangers alike.  God is already using you to share His love and bring people together.  You are a bridge builder and peacemaker.  We love you Noel!

happy father's day!

Happy Father's Day!

These kids are so lucky because they have the best daddy!  Drew has endless patience with their shenanigans and is willing to do pretty much anything with them.  Across the board, when asked what their favorite thing is to do with daddy they replied "wrestle!".  A dad who's willing to get down on the floor and wrestle is a treasure.

It was Noel's first Father's Day and he was pretty excited to celebrate his favorite dad.  :-)

After our day of celebrating Daddy needed a {small} margarita.  I was happy to drink the other half, we are partners after all.

We love you Drew!  Thanks for being a SUPER DADDY!

june happenings: week one

All spring this brown teddy {Mr. Ted E Bear} has gone home with a different student in Hadley's class for the weekend.  Being "W" she was last on the alphabetical list and we got Mr. Bear during the last weekend of the school year.  She was so excited!

Ted met Pink Bear

Got a tour of our house

And read stories with Asher.  I'm sure he never wanted to leave.

On Sunday Asher was having a hard day.  He was talking back and being disagreeable and just not himself.  Drew and I decided that instead of a punishment, he needed some one-on-one time.  This guy values personal attention so much and a day date with Mom was exactly what he needed!  We had a great time and he came home with a totally different attitude.   

This little Lermaid was SO excited when we opened the mail and found this beautiful swimsuit inside!  She insisted on wearing it around the house for 2 days - ha!  

The weather has stayed warm and sunny, but not too hot so we've been going to the park and meeting up with friends as often as possible!  This guy is usually pretty happy to lay in the stroller and take in the sights.  He's not napping as soon as we walk around anymore (he's getting so big!) which is good and bad.  Good while he's happy, but bad once he's DONE.

Tire swing for the win!  My dare devils just want to go faster and faster!

We may still be in school for another 3 weeks, but summer has (un)officially started here!