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.

 

Two Months

• Slow down baby girl, you are growing so fast! You now weigh 12 pounds and 3 ounces and are 22.75 inches long. You are comfortably wearing 0-3 months and 3 months sized clothing. 
• You continue to be an incredible baby - still both a great eater and sleeper. This past month, we have really begun to settle into a nice routine. On an average day, you eat every three to four hours, but occasionally will need to eat more frequently. Your first feed of the day is typically anywhere between 4 and 5:30 AM (depending on when bedtime was / how long you decide to sleep at night). After that feed, you get another three to four hours of sleep, usually eating again around 9 AM. Your brothers anxiously await this time, so excited to sing to you when you wake up. You go down for another two hour nap, somewhere around 10-12, and then it's up for lunch. Together, we usually put your brothers down for their nap next and then your next nap around one o'clock. After a snack and some playtime with your brothers, you usually get one more nap around three or four o'clock. Dinner is around 6 or 7, depending on how the day played out. You have some special one-on-one time with Mommy and Daddy after 7:30, when your big brothers are asleep and precious snuggles on our chest. Bedtime is anywhere between 9 and 11 - depending on how tired Mommy and Daddy are, as well as when you need to eat again. On average, you sleep no fewer than five hours at a time at night, but every couple days will give me anywhere from six to eight hours at a time! During the day, I let you fall asleep on me and then you'll go down in your bed. At nighttime, it just takes a good swaddle and you easily go down on your own. 
• You are still a very easy-going, happy baby. You are now smiling all the time. My favorite time of day, is when you first wake up around 9...while you should be starving, you wake up smiling and happy as can be! 
• You are coo-ing a lot more now, "talking" to us all the time. It seems like a giggle is right on the tip of your tongue.
• You are definitely recognizing more familiar, family faces and especially light up for them.
• This week, your hands found your mouth. If I don't get to you when you first start crying, we will now hear you pacifying yourself for a few minutes, sucking on your hands. 
• You are a tummy time champ, holding your head up high and for longer stretches of time too. You rolled over for the first time just three days ago too!

I knew time would move fast with you, but already it's going too fast! I'm amazed at the milestones you are already hitting, how big you are and how quickly you are changing and growing. You have this family completely smitten by you, Squish; we are so grateful to have you in our lives.