Campout

As a child, I went to every single church campout, missing only one up until I was married. Since getting married, I have sadly only made it to two campouts - when pregnant with you boys and the following year, for your first campout. This year, was the 50th anniversary of our church camps and I was determined to go!

With Daddy already taking two weeks off for our first two vacations, I knew it was highly unlikely that he'd be able to come with us. That being said, I was still determined to load up the car with three littles and get you kids to another campout!

As they say, it takes a village! Thank goodness for Zsu Zsu who rode with me (and Paka for graciously giving her up and driving on his own, so I would have another set of hands while driving). I knew campout would be hard, but I knew I wanted you boys to start building these church relationships and friendships that I know will last the rest of your lives. Thank goodness for Zsu Zsu, Paka, Tse Tse, and so many others. There was always someone there to help me get you kids ready, hold your tray while getting meals, or help me keep you quiet during the evening services.


It has been two months since campout and I will still hear you up in your playroom, "Come on guys, time to pack our suitcases, we going to church camp!" I hear you pretending to talk to our friends from church. And at least once a week I hear, "Mommy, can we 'pwretty pwease' go to campout again today?!"

It was exhausting. It was difficult. But man, oh man, it was so worth it!! I pray you have many more campouts to attend, many more relationships to grow, and a long life walking with Christ as your guide!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Day of 3 Year Old Preschool

Thanks to a March maternity leave, summer vacation felt like it was extra long this year. That being said, all three of you babies got extra attached to me, especially you, Wiley-bug. When I went back to work, you had a hard time saying goodbye and getting into our new routine. A week before preschool was to start, we started a paper chain countdown to help you out. Each morning, you warned, "Ok, but I gonna cry a whittle bit when you 'weave,' Mommy."

Monday night, we prepped by setting out backpacks, picking our first day outfits, and reading (listening to them on the ipad) books about the first day of school. You were both excited and ready for a new school year.

You woke up, Tuesday morning to find balloons and streamers hanging from your door. Your [sleepy] eyes sparkled with excitement when we asked why everything was decorated, "It my first day of school!" There weren't any nerves in the air...yet.

 

Once downstairs, you boys were thrilled to see more balloons in streamers decorating the kitchen and your breakfast chairs, along with special pancakes: 3 P R and 3 P W (3 year old Preschool for Ryan and Wiley).

Backpacks and shoes were on by 8:00...thirty minutes early! You were pumped and ready to go.

Once buckled in and on our way, the mood in the car slowly shifted. Wiley, I could watch as your body language changed and you got more and more quiet. Nerves were finally kicking in. Sensing the same shift, Ryan, you asked, "You okay, Wy? You gonna cry when Mommy 'weaves?' You no need to cry." As we neared the school, we prayed that you boys would have the courage to face your first day of school together. Ryan, you suggested that you  boys could sing "Jesus Loves Me," if you got nervous and God and Jesus would hug your hearts (what we tell you at bedtime so you can be brave!). Between that and our prayer, I was barely keeping it together myself. The love you two have for each other is just so beautiful to witness.

We arrived at school and all headed in, hand-in-hand. Daddy took you, Wiley to wash your hands, while I took you Ryan. While washing hands, you casually let me know, "I no want you to 'weave' now, Mommy. I scared you 'weave' me." Your eyes began to water and I knew we were doomed! We were gonna have two crying kids and probably a crying Mommy with this drop-off. Mustering all the bravery I had in myself, I whispered to you, "Buddy, Mommy has to leave. I have to go to my school for a few hours too. But today, I need you to be brave for me, okay. Wiley is a little scared too and he needs his best buddy to help him be brave. Can you do that for me, please; can you be brave for Wiley?" With a hug and a kiss you said, "Sure!"

Out in the hallway, we teamed up with Daddy and Wiley (who was hanging onto the classroom door jam, refusing to go in). We gave our quick kisses as you headed for the room, Ryan. Head held high, and courage oozing, you grabbed Wiley's hand, pulled him away from the door, and led him into the classroom. We watched as you tried so hard to stay brave, Wiley. No tears fell, but you could see the apprehension in each step. How lucky you boys are to have one another to go through each new stage! I watched (through my own watery eyes) as you two headed to hang up your backpacks, ready to conquer the day. I pray you continue to stand-up for each other and lead one another throughout the rest of your lives. I pray your relationship just grows stronger and stronger. I am so excited for you boys and another year of preschool. You both have such wonderful qualities; I can't wait to see what you do not just this year, but with your lives. Continue to shine little boys! We sure do love you!

Camp Fires and Campouts

After a busy morning and afternoon, on a whim, Daddy and I decided we should do a family cookout, camp fire, and sleep out in the tent! The weather has been unusually cool and we wanted to take advantage of it.

After a lot of prep work (with lots of  "help" from you two) of setting up and several trips to the backyard, we were finally settled in. Yummy smores, a warm fire, and scary ghost stories told by Daddy. Before we knew it, it was time to get tucked in to our sleeping bags. Luckily Unfortunately for us, Charleigh, your pack-n-play didn't fit in the tent. So once the boys were all tucked in, we headed back up to the house to go to sleep too.

It was a long, but fun night making memories, just the five of us.

 

 

FIve Months

We have had such an incredible summer, jam packed with three different vacations (one planned trip to the beach, one sporadic trip to the beach, and your first church camp). In your five months of life you have already been through seven different states, and stayed in three of those states! We have spent the fifth month of your life soaking up the final month of summer and just enjoying life we you. We finally braved the zoo - just me and you three bambinos, we have been soaking up the sun and swimming, and we have simply enjoyed just being together. Your brothers absolutely adore you. They are constantly showing off ("Watch this, Char!"), entertaining you, and trying to teach you new things (just last week, they were trying to teach you how to do puzzles). The love shared between the three of you already is just beautiful to watch grow. It's been a wonderful fifth month, my dear.

• While we don't have an official weight from the doctor's office this month, you are about 16 pounds now. You can still wear some 3 month sized clothing, but are more comfortably fit in 6 months. 
• You are still sleeping through the night, occasionally stirring between 2 and 4 AM. Most nights, after a little babbling, you put yourself back to sleep, sometimes you need a little snack and snuggles. Your schedule is still fairly consistent: feeds every three hours, beginning your naps an hour and a half / two hours after each meal. You are a pretty much a pro-napper now. We can just lay you down, give you your binky to chomp on (if you choose - most of the time you spit it out, but will put it back in if needed), and you do the rest. When you're ready to sleep, you flip to your tummy, cry a little, but quickly put yourself down. The only time you sometimes have trouble is going to bed for the night. I no longer have the magic touch to rock you to sleep (you just want to eat when you're with me), but your Daddy does! I like to think you have a hard time going to bed at night because you miss him all day and need one final cuddle session with him before the night's over (...and he doesn't seem to mind the snuggles either!).
• You have always amazed us (since birth really) with how strong you were. You've had incredible head and neck control from very young. And that hasn't changed! You are pushing your self up to the plank position like crazy and up to your knees, rocking and ready to crawl any day now. You are also getting pretty good at sitting up in the tripod position. I feel like we are just days away from having a crawler and little one that can sit up! I'm not sure I'm ready for all these big girl steps!
• Still no teeth (and I'm not complaining), but plenty of chewing and drooling to support the fact that they are soon coming.
• You have such sweet coos and giggles. You really come to life around 7:30, just talking and giggling away. You love to be kissed and giggle like crazy when you are.

You are just such a sweet, lovable ball of squish and we can't get enough of your happy disposition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

We so enjoyed a long weekend to celebrate Daddy and his birthday. We spent his birthday relaxing at home, just the five us....there was birthday breakfast from Mommy, playtime at the park from the boys, and then Char took him out for dinner. We are beyond blessed to have such a hands-on, loving, hard-working Daddy. You are an incredible role model for the boys and are exactly who I hope and pray they grow up to be like. You are so loving with Char and are already setting an example for her of how she should always be treated by a man. Thank you for loving all four of us. Happy birthday!

 

 

We spend much of our spring and fall days at the zoo, but haven't been much this summer. Today, on a whim, I finally decided to brave a trip to the zoo with you three by myself. The thought of packing snack bags, diaper bags, loading up carseats, all before we even get to the zoo seemed just to overwhelming. But today, I was feeling brave. So off we went! The biggest stress was to push a double stroller and wear you, Char or push you and have you boys walk the zoo. I decided to go with the latter, praying you boys would listen and stick by my side.

It was a great day and a good confidence booster for me as mommy to three. We all stuck together, you guys listened great, and we had a blast! (By the end of the day, you were both plopping down in the middle of the sidewalks though, too pooped to keep walking!)

 

 

 

20 Weeks Old

 Twenty weeks old, side-by-side comparison, of all three of you bambinos...