Better Late Than Never

Well, so much for keeping up with my blog during the lazy days of summer, huh?  I'm not really sure what happened to July, seems like I just looked up one day and it was over!  Then, because school starts crazy early here, it was back to the grind before we knew what hit us.

And yet, while we were greatly enjoying our fun summer days, I have to say, this time of year I am always ready for the heat to move on, and cool refreshing fall weather to set in, and for us to get back into a routine.  So that's exactly what we've been doing.  I am teaching part time this year, so the kids and I are up, fed, dressed and out the door at 8 am.  I drop them off at pre-school and then I head upstairs to teach.  I am only teaching two classes (and they are all seniors), so it is really a fantastic schedule.  I am done at 10:45, wrap things up, get ready for the next day and then go back downstairs to pick up my sweet babies.

And believe me, although they aren't there long, they LOVE going to pre-school!  And I love that they get time with friends, have a routine that they can count on, and are learning SO much.  Including scripture.  First thing Wednesday morning, they go to chapel, where they sing songs and then a speaker teaches something about the Bible.  Then they go back to class and do a craft related to the lesson and discuss it more.  And then we discuss it at home!  They also have music class, Spanish class, visits to the library, and everyday get to go outside for recess.

So all in all, I'd say it's been a successful few weeks!  Now, I know we're a little past the "first day of school" photos, considering we have been back at school for, oh, three weeks now, but better late than never, right??

So here they are, all ready for the BIG day!!

Fun In The Sun!

I am loving this summer weather!  After being in Texas and New Mexico for so long, with 100+ degree days being the norm, upper 80s feels great!  I mean, it's still stinkin' hot, but it's actually really nice under the shade of a large tree.  There was no such thing as trees or shade at our house in Texas or New Mexico, so for three long months, we didn't even think about going outside.

Here, however, we go outside almost every single day.  Plus, it is hot enough to go to the pool or play with water guns and feel incredibly refreshed!  :)

So here are a few things we've been enjoying so far this summer...

I hope you are enjoying summer as much as we are!

Being Silly

I'm hoping to write a more elaborate post soon, like with actual thoughts and updates.  But for tonight, all I can muster is a few pictures of my precious love bugs just being their silly, goofy selves.

But I thought that might be ok with you, because they are just SO cute! ;)

Well, that's all for tonight.  Have a great weekend!!

On This Day...

Two years ago, our beautiful, amazingly strong baby boy was born, and our lives were forever changed.  I can hardly believe two years have already gone by.  After his birth, it felt like our time in the neonatal intensive care unit would never end; time seeming to move in slow motion.  And yet now, it is merely a distant memory.  

I am so proud of the boy he is becoming.  He acts and talks and runs and jumps [and screams and cries] just like any normal, healthy two year old does.  

To see him interact with other children, or to watch as he thoughtfully cleans up his toys, or to hear his excitement about the plane in the sky or the train driving by, you would never know the difficulties he faced in his first 97 days on earth. 

He loves to follow his big sisters lead, and he loves to dote on his sweet baby doll.  One day, they will know just how blessed they are to have a brother like him.

I am so blessed to be his momma, and we are so very proud of his endurance and strength!!

This is How We Play

So because my babies are still pretty young, they don't really play "together" much.  Or really at all.  Mostly they just play near each other.  Pumpkin and Bubba play some, and sometimes they talk to Baby Doll or make faces at her, but in general, they do their own thing.  So as far as all THREE of them sitting and playing together goes, this is as close as we get.  It's still incredibly cute though!

Considering they already have some much fun with each other, I know they are going to LOVE playing together as they get older!  I'm looking forward to watching how their interaction and "play" changes as they continue to grow.  :)

6 Months and 18 Months

My baby doll is now 6 months old (and a few days...) and handsome Bubba is 18 months old (and then some...).  I'm a little late in updating, as it has been a CRAZY few weeks.  But finally, I am getting around to a brief update and some sweet pictures.  :)

One of the great things about these two being 12 months apart is that their wellness check-ups fall at the same time.  And anytime we can work out one less visit to the doctor is a plus for me!  So this week we loaded everybody up and headed to the doctor at 8 in the morning.  Whew!  That made for some very tired kids (and Momma), but it was nice to be done and back by 9:30 am!

This sweet little girl is now 14.5 pounds, and 24 3/4 inches long.  She's growing steadily along the growth curve exactly the way she's supposed to.

And although she's not that big, as far as 6 month olds go, she is one pound bigger than her sister at 6 months, and two pounds bigger than her brother at 6 months.  So to us, she's preciously chunky!

She's rolling pretty well, and loves to play.  She reaches out for toys, brings anything and everything to her mouth, and babbles and squeals whenever anyone talks to her.

She's working on sitting up (but not quite there), and is seriously the happiest baby I have ever, EVER seen.  :)

Her brother's check-up was not quite as good.  His blood pressure was high, so we are continuing to watch it.  We don't want to have to up his medication, but we'll see.  We now have to find a nephrologist who can monitor it and make some decisions about his meds.

My husband took him recently to a cardiologist (4.5 hours away), who told us that he should see a nephrologist.  This was frustrating news, but we'll get it straight eventually.

He is also having trouble gaining weight still, and only weighs 19 pounds.  Considering he eats well, and consumes plenty of calories, we now have to see a specialist for this too.

The doctor is concerned that perhaps he is having absorption problems, so we need to have his kidneys checked out, and whatever else that might entail.

But other than that, he is perfectly healthy, and developing well.  He sees a developmental specialist twice a month to help monitor his fine motor and speech development (this is where he struggles the most).  He tries very hard to communicate though.  He signs 3 or 4 words, and can say probably 6-8 words, but he still mostly points and grunts.  His favorite word is "uh-oh," and sometimes it simply means he dropped his toy, while other times it means, "Oops, I poured your coke on the floor!"

And he is so sweet.  He will still cuddle on my shoulder when he's tired, and he has the sweetest melt-your-heart smile I have EVER seen!  He's definitely mommy's little boy!!

Oh The Joy

Now that my son is walking (and running, and climbing...) EVERYWHERE, he has discovered a new joy, dancing and spinning in circles.  It is so cute to see him dance whenever music starts to play, and he especially loves spinning in circles, and will just laugh and laugh.

Recently, we were playing some Casting Crowns, and he started dancing in the middle of the kitchen.  He is just so stinkin' cute, I had to share the video with you.  You're welcome!  :)


(At one point, his sister joined him, and they looked like a couple of oompa loompas, but I don't have that in the video...I was laughing too hard!)

Oh, the joy of spinning in circles.  Gotta love that kid!

Little Explorer

Playing outside, with my handsome boy (who is now officially walking everywhere, and very much in need of walking shoes):