and now I'm sentimental

Several posts ago, I said I was super glad this was my last pregnancy. I was and I am. I'm so sad this is my last baby and wish that for a little while I could stop time. Or at least slow it down a bit. Drew is over two weeks old now and I feel like time is flying by too quickly. We had his newborn photos taken this weekend and I was extremely nervous because the kid does not like to be naked. This girl does not like to be peed and pooped on and that always happens when a diaper is removed. (I am happy to report, I escaped but Jason did not :) Before the session Christy asked me what shots were most important to me because babies do get tired of having their pictures taken. I requested shots of all of the kids together. This is an impossible task for me to accomplish on my own. As soon as I pull out my camera they strike their usual "mom pose" chin back and the biggest cheese grin you can imagine. They cooperate for Christy and she always manages to get an image that captures all of them perfectly. Of course I also wanted Andrew by himself. I love the newborn stage. I feel like I blink and it's over and most of the time I am so exhausted there are parts of it I can't even remember. Right now Andrew is so peaceful and quiet and there is nothing I would rather do than snuggle with my sleeping baby. I wanted images that capture that peacefulness. A year from now when he is climbing all over everything and eating out of my trash can, I want to be able to look back and remember he really was this little once, he really was this calm.

Thank you Christy for always doing such an amazing job.
http://simplicitybychristy.blogspot.com/2009/07/4th-one-is-charm.html

wildlife excursion

We do not have a zoo and decided to take the kids to the next best thing..the outdoor animal park on Thursday. You drive through the reserve in your own vehicle and the animals walk directly up to your vehicle and in front of it. You can purchase feed at the beginning but we decided with 3 children in the vehicle we would skip that option this time around. I was a little afraid of Will rolling the windows down too far or one of the kids forgetting and sticking their hand out the window and getting bit by something. Most of the animals were pretty calm and just followed you around the entire time you were inside. The ostriches kept fighting in front of our car and I was a little leery of them by the end of the trip. The kids loved it and couldn't get enough of the animals.

the welcome committee




the crazy ostriches..I could not get a picture of them actually fighting.

the gate guards.

outside the reptile house

summer dance

Another summer session of dance is complete. Bella was in a creative movement class this summer and really enjoyed herself. I've said it before and I'll say it again..Bella loves to dance and would do it every single night if she could. This summer was no exception. She loved having the freedom to dance the way she wanted and learning new things. She told me she is ready to get back to tap and ballet soon though.
Bella does this move at home all the time, without the barre.



Amelia asked me all last year when she could take dance class. Before summer session started, I asked her again if she was sure she wanted to dance. I have no doubt she can dance but I wondered if she would be a fan once she realized "dance" required attending a class without her big sister and without her mom. The first two classes she cried and then she settled down. Every week I asked Miss Melissa if she was okay or cried the entire class, apparently once the doors closed, she loves dance and does all the activities. (I refuse to send a "crier" into class that disrupts and distracts the other dancers.) Of course during parent week all she did was tear up and wouldn't do anything unless Bella stood right by her. A huge thanks to Miss Melissa for having the patience to deal with my Cowardly Lion and for allowing Bella to dance with her.


hopefully she finds her courage soon.

with their teacher Miss Melissa. The girls adore her!

swimming lessons

Isabella and Amelia have been taking swimming lessons all summer. Bella was a bit skeptical of the water last summer and couldn't stand to get her face wet. I was a little leery when classes started and hoped I wouldn't have to fight her to go each week. She is doing great, looks forward to class and now puts her entire head completely under water. For her this is huge and she is so proud of herself! She asks to go to the big pool every day and doesn't complain at all when people splash her (another big bonus).


Amelia is also doing fantastic. She usually demonstrates with the teacher in class and loves to practice kicking. Her teacher told Jason she is ready to move from the parent/child class to the preschool class. I have no doubt she has the skills to advance but I'm not sure if she would be a fan of swimming without Jason beside her. We have to keep reminding ourselves she is only 2.5 and not as old as she sometimes acts.


I am so proud of the girls for all they have accomplished in swimming lessons. I hope after the next session is complete I will have two little fish.

one week old

Drew is now a week old. Our first week was pretty normal. Lots of eating, diaper changing and not sleeping. The week has flown by and I can hardly believe he has been with us for seven days already. All day I kept thinking...This time last week we were driving to the hospital. This time last week I was sitting in a hospital bed, feeling him kicking inside of me. I was counting the minutes, then seconds until he would make his grand entrance. This time last week I heard Andrew cry for the first time. This time last week I held him for the first time. And on and on it went. It amazes me that this little baby just entered the world a week ago and is such a huge part of my heart already. Time goes by so quickly and I am really trying to stop and enjoy every moment with him.

Grami

the professional Big Sister...she would hold him all day if she could.

Poppy