3.5 Years Old

1,460 days ago my life forever changed with one simple word, "Pregnant." I can't believe it was four years ago today that our prayers were answered and it was finally confirmed that we were pregnant. Even more unbelievable is that you sweet boys have been in our lives for three and a half years now! It has been a wild ride, but I wouldn't change it for the world!

So, as it goes...here is your update:

Wiley

• You now weigh 33 pounds and are 39 inches tall.
• You are such a little thinker. We can stop and watch you for any amount of time and practically see the wheels turning in your head. You are constantly asking, "Why?" When we have to say, "I don't know," your response is always the same, "No say, 'I don't know, Mom.' You say why!" You need to know and need to make sense of the workings of the world around you. I absolutely love this trait about you...even if I don't always have all the answers! I can't wait to see what you grow up to be because I'm sure this characteristic will play a role in that!
• Over the past couple of months, your love for music has really taken off. It used to be that music was just a Ryan thing, but you are giving him a run for his money with your new found appreciation of music. Your dance moves are out of this world and you sing all day. Your current favorite songs are: (Jesus) Something About That Name, Jesus Loves Me, Shout Hosana, So Long - Farewell, Heigh-Ho (Snow White), and anything from Moana. 
• You are our Chatty Cathy and don't seem to really ever stop talking! Whether it's playing make believe (which I could listen to all day - it's adorable!); talking to your brother, Daddy, or me; or just talking to yourself about anything at all, you are always talking!
• You are very strong-willed and opinionated - another trait that will serve you well in the future, but can be trying in the toddler years. You know what you want and if you don't get it, meltdowns can definitely happen. As you continue to grow though the meltdowns are lessening, especially as you're learning to communicate what you want better. We can say, "Wiley, talk to us like a big boy," and most of the time you can turn the meltdown off and talk to us calmly (not always the case when exhaustion is a factor in the equation!). 
• The level of empathy you already have at such a young age is astounding to me. You are so thoughtful, caring, and aware of others. We joked when you were an infant that you were such a sensitive, old soul and that has stayed true. When a teacher would be out at school or a friend absent, you would remember and the next time they returned, always asked if they were better. When you see someone is hurt - even if you don't know them - you are one of the first to check to see if they are okay. 
• You keep us on our toes, Mr. Wiley and we absolutely adore your high-energy, curious little spirit!

Ryan

• You now weigh 29 pounds and are 36 inches tall.
• You still have such a love for music. A good beat comes on and you can't help but to start dancing and singing along. You adore the Moana soundtrack and are always singing your songs from preschool. 
• You are our Cuddle Bug. While you have more than enough energy to keep you going throughout the day, it's as if every now and then you need to stop and snuggle up just for a moment to refuel. Thumb in your mouth, you 'll sit down with one of us, grab our thumb too to tickle it and then off you go ready to play again. My favorite is when, out of nowhere, you'll come get me and ask, "Mom? You want to snuggle up wit me?" How can anyone turn that down?! I know the days are probably starting to wind down when you're the one initiating the snuggling, so as long as you're asking, I will always have time to snuggle up with you, no matter what I was doing! 
• You have turned into a bit of a sass-a-frass in the last few months. We used to call you our rule follower, but lately you are beginning to test the limits and establish your own independence. And while your daddy and I are well aware that this is an important part of your development, it still tests our patience. 
• We used to joke, even back in the NICU days, that you had a flare for the dramatics and were going to be on the stage one day. Well, sure enough, you still seem to fit that profile. You are our comedian and entertainer. You know how to get a laugh out of us and you play it up to get those giggles. The silly voices you do, the make believe, and your hysterical facial expressions - you still might have a place on the stage one day, Ry!
• You are quick to share and are always thinking about others. I can't give you anything (toy, snack, drink, etc.) without you saying, "What about Wy?" or "Wy get one too?" If Wiley wants something you have, you are usually quick to give in and share with him. 
• You keep us giggling, little guy, and we adore the constant cuddles and thumb tickles!

I still can't believe my babies are three and a half already. "The days may be long, but the years are short," is something I tell myself on a daily basis. I have loved the three year old stage, but with any stage there are challenges and you boys can wear me out sometimes. But...in a blink I know I am going to wake up and you all will be off and living on your own. So, we will soak up these challenging days, we will soak up these fabulous days, and we will celebrate each new stage life brings us! Happy half birthday, Munchkins! 

Family Vacay: Day 5

Today we headed back home, but not before one last dip in the pool and a quick stop at the park. Our nearly ten hour drive turned into a twelve hour drive with a few meltdowns along the way, but we made it! 

What a great, spontaneous vacation we had. As to be expected, a few small bumps along the way, but all in all, it was such a sweet week for our family. It was so nice to spend time with Uncle Daniel, Aunt Liz, Grace, and Emmie, as well as some time just the four of us. I went into this week hesitantly, nervous to take three kids to the beach, but it was well worth it! 

Family Vacay: Day 4

Wiley, you are a trooper! Minus a froggy voice, you never would've known you were sick. You woke up happy and ready to go today. Uncle Daniel and the family were headed home today, so we decided to go out for breakfast - a yummy donut truck and cute coffee shop, one beach down from us. 

Once home, we hung out while they packed up. After our goodbyes, the five of us headed to the pool for a quick swim before naptime. After naps, we went back to the pool where we had the place nearly to ourselves. You boys enjoyed lots of jumping in and holding your breath contests. Charleigh you got back in too - you were so comfortable in the pool, you caught a catnap on Daddy. 

We then hurried home for a quick dinner so that we could walk the beach on sunset one more time. This was probably my favorite hour of the trip. To watch you three boys running and giggling down the beach, while wearing you, Charleigh, on my chest, with the sunsetting in front of us, it was just such a peaceful moment. I'm still so amazed that you three are mine and this is our life!

Family Vacay: Day 3

I woke up this morning, hoping you boys would want to head back out for our morning bike ride. Instead, we woke up to you, Wiley, with a fever of 102.5. You were simply pathetic, crying nonstop, almost unconsolable, and wanting to just be carried around. We got you to take some Tylenol, drink some Gatorade, and munch on some popsicles before snuggling back in bed together. You asked to do some puzzles on my iPad....only to realize you didn't even have energy to do the puzzles yourself - you just wanted to watch me do puzzles. That didn't last long though and probably five minutes later, you were snoozing on me. 

Wanting to play it safe, we decided to take you to an immediate care center and I'm glad we did....you had been hit with strep! 

You were in high spirits though and after lunch, we headed to the pool for just an hour or so before going back home for a family snooze. After naps, we all headed out for a walk around the town center, a yummy dinner, and tasty ice cream. 

Family Vacay: Day 2

Thank you, Lord! All three of you (yep, that includes you Charleigh!!) slept over nine hours last night. And while this isn't abnormal for you boys, we were nervous if you'd sleep in a new environment, sharing a bed. 

Our family tends to be early risers, especially with the time change. So, while we waited for Grace and family to wake up, the three of us went off for an early morning bike ride. It was a much different feel riding through town this morning than last night when families filled the sidewalks. There was a peaceful quietness, with the sounds of the ocean to our side and little boys singing along to Moana behind me. 

We returned home to find Charleigh enjoying her morning snuggles with Grace and Emmie, while Uncle Daniel cooked us a tasty breakfast!

We spent the first part of the day at a second pool - more private than yesterday's with a park right outside the pool fence. Charleigh, you even got your first dip in the pool today too....and you loved it! You boys were so excited to swim with your sister, but also very protective of her since she can't wear a life jacket like you do. 

After lunch, we headed back home for long naps, an early spaghetti dinner, and a sunset walk on the beach. We ended our night with family story time and lots of cuddles. We sure could get used to this beach living!

Family Vacay Day 1: Mother's Day

A few weeks ago, Uncle Daniel and Aunt Liz invited us to join them for a week in Florida. Unlike us, Daddy and I both said, "Sure!" So on a whim, we are off on our first family vacation of five. 

After your preschool celebration on Friday, Daddy took off for Kye's bachelor party in Gaitlinburg for a day of zip lining and white water rafting, while we held down the fort. He was supposed to be home by 10 PM, Saturday night, but surprised me by returning by 7:30 - helping me with bedtime and packing up the car - so that we could get to sleep fairly early. 

Our 2 AM wake-up call came much too quickly, but we were all up and out the door by 2:45. I took the first shift of driving, knowing kiddos wouldn't be needing me since you'd all be sleeping. Ry, you were so excited, you didn't fall asleep until over an hour into our drive. Around 3:30, when we were sure you were sleeping, we suddenly heard you squeal, "Woohoo!! I so excited we on a trip!" We had kept it a secret from you all, until we woke you at 2:30 and loaded you into the car! And at this point, you didn't even know we were headed to the beach. In fact, you were pumped just to be driving - which is what you thought a long trip was!

Everyone slept until about 6:30 and by 7:30, we were ready to stop for breakfast. It worked out perfectly that Uncle David and Aunt Trish, who were returning home from the first half of the week at Aunt Liz's beach house, were pacing through the same place we were right at breakfast time. So we stopped to have breakfast before hopping back on the road. 

You all did great on the road, but around the seven hour mark, just two hours to go, you had had enough Charleigh. But who could blame you - you had been in your chair for seven hours with not much time at all out and stretching. We had to make a quick stop to nurse (the bottles weren't cutting it anymore and I think you mainly needed some cuddling), but you toughed out the homestretch. 

 

When we finally arrived, around 1:30, it was straight to the pool! Grace was still napping, so Uncle Daniel took us down, where we could wait for her, Aunt Liz, and Emmie to join us. It was one of your first times back in a big pool this year, but that didn't slow you down - you were jumping, going under, and swimming "all by myself." Hopefully, we can really work with you boys and get you out of those life jackets and swimming on your own. 

After a few hours of swimming, we headed back "home" for a quick change & then back out for dinner. A short walk for the mommies and babies and bike ride for the daddys and toddlers, had us down in a cute little city with food trucks and dinner choices galore. We had a quick dinner and a little playtime, before, by Wiley's request (...and mommy's too....I may have pulled the Mother's Day card!), heading off of to the beach!

We were just in time to catch the gorgeous sunset and splash in the water! Finally, after a day that began at 2 AM, we were off to bed. You boys were in rare form today - melting over the smallest of things, not listening to anything, and just plain nuts - so we were grateful to see you crash so quickly. We're giving you the benefit of the doubt - long day, plus new (and very exciting) territory to explore is always a deadly combination. Hopefully you wake up, refreshed and back to your sweet selves! All-in-all, I'd say spending your Mother's Day on the beach isn't too shabby!

End of the Year Celebrations

How is it that you, my little boys, have already completed your first year of preschool?! We were so hesitant to send you in the beginning, wondering if you were too young for school already, but I'm so glad we did! You have had such a wonderful year. You have learned so much and both matured incredibly.

We enjoyed celebrating your school year with field day / a bike-a-thon on Monday, your final two days of school, and then your end of the year celebration on Friday. You boys may have stolen the show too -- dancing and singing your little hearts out! Already, you are so excited to start Ms. Penny's 3-year old class.