Swim Lessons

Emily was old enough this year to complete a swim lesson class through the parks department. This class was MUCH better than the one we took at the YMCA sometime ago. She learned so much more and was able to go in the pool by herself. Zachary and I hung out on the lounge chairs while she took classes.

She had a blast and learned a lot. She was so proud of herself when she would put her head under water or blow bubbles. She would run out of the pool and tell me what she had accomplished. Emily is such a little fish that I had no problem getting her into the pool. It was the getting out part that gave me fits! Some day I’ll be able to get her to the pool so she can play! It’s a lot harder with having Zachary. The kid sleeps all the time!

It was pretty rainy the entire two weeks of class. Surprisingly there was only one class that was rescheduled. Unfortunately, it was the last class. We were almost to the pool when the sky started to get dark again and they decided to call off classes. Of course, the class was to be made up the next day. Of course, I had my final orthopaedic appointment. Of course, I got out of the office at the same time her class was to start. So she missed it. Luckily, she was a really good sport about it. She was just excited that mommy had two feet again and was scheming all the things we could do now.

The good thing is that I took a few pictures on the first day of class. The bad thing is that I was going to take more and better ones on the last day of class. Go figure!

A secret project….

The kids and I had a secret project for Father’s Day. I try to do something neat for Stephen each year. One year I did a photo book, one year I did paperweights and a frame. This year I thought it would be neat to do pictures. I borrowed this idea from one of my friends. I am such a copycat! Actually, I am not very creative and I have to steal ideas from others.

I cut out the letters D-A-D from poster board and Emily painted them different colors. I then, in my aircast, lugged the kids outside to get some photos. That was the challenging part. Emily was easy but Zachary wasn’t sitting up yet so he proved to be more of a challenge. I do think the shoot turned out well though. Emily and Zachary both held a “D” and then there was a shot of both of them holding the “A”. I then got a 3 opening frame for the photos.

I think it turned out pretty cute. I don’t have a picture of the finished product so here are the pictures in the frame.

Similarities…..

You can definitely tell these two are brother and sister……

This face is so similar. The crunched up nose, puckered lips and heavy nose breathing. I laugh every time!

Sweet Freedom!!

I can’t believe how behind I am in blogging. Unfortunately cleaning, laundry and such takes priority. This week has been pretty busy and I am beat. Today was the first time I actually sat down during nap time! It was about time!

Big news that’s over a week old. The air cast is GONE!!! Sayonara sucka! No more stinky boot. No more hobbling along. No more only wearing one shoe. I am FREE!!!!!

April 8. That was the day that I broke my foot. June 18. The day that I was able to ditch the aircast. Over 2 months. 2 months that I cannot get back. It’s hard to believe that Zachary wasn’t even 3 months when I broke my foot! April and May were such a blur spent in the confines of my home. I am so grateful for all the people who brought me food, sent goodies for Emily and for everyone who prayed for me. I truly believe those prayers allowed me to heal quickly and with minimal pain.

It’s great to be mobile again!

Tissue Paper Bowl

Papa Dan’s birthday was on the 18th. I was trying to think of a good project for Emily to do as a present. I found it while flipping through the current issue of Family Fun magazine. We decided to make a tissue paper bowl. It was really easy and she really enjoyed it. Easy clean up if you cover the floor and table with newspaper as well.
Here are the directions.

The addition of another

Someone sent this to me and I love it. It is how I felt when I was pregnant with Zachary. You never know how your relationship with your first born will change when the new baby enters the picture. I was truly blessed in the fact that Emily loved Zachary immediately. We didn’t deal with a lot of jealousy or anger. My two love each other so much already. I hope they stay close as they grow up. I love watching them interact with each other now.

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then she is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you’ve never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, “Please love only me”. And I hear myself telling you in mine, “I can’t”, knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I’m afraid to let you see me enjoying him, as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two. There are new times – only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how she adores you – as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I haven’t taken something from you, I’ve given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.

I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you – only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you’ll never share my love. There’s enough of that for both of you – you each have your own supply.

I love you – both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.

Father’s Day 2010

Stephen,

Today you are celebrating your fourth Father’s Day. Amazing, isn’t it? We started out as fumbling parents, learned a bit, forgot a lot and are starting new. So much has changed over the past four years. One thing has remained constant though. The love for your children. That never falters.
You are a very involved Daddy and it shows. Emily and Zachary love you so very much. Emily is up at the crack of dawn on weekdays so she doesn’t miss having breakfast with her daddy. Zachary squeals with delight when he sees you enter a room. It just doesn’t get much better than that.
Being a parent, a father, is very hard work. There are time that you want to pull your hair out and there are times you want to pull their hair out. The littlest loves of our lives find the buttons to push and know how to test out patience. Ever frustration is worth it when you see their smiling face and know that you have to be doing at least one thing right.

You are a wonderful daddy. A daddy that Emily and Zachary love with all their heart. As do I.

Happy Father’s Day! I love you with all my heart and am happy to be taking this journey with you.

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Month 5

 Dearest Zachary,

It has been five months since you graced us with your presence. I seriously don’t know how our lives would be if you weren’t in it. It was such a natural change. You are such a happy little guy and loved by all.

One of the best parts, for me, is your smile. When I enter your bedroom to get you after a slumber, your smile lights up the room. It’s as if you haven’t seen me for ages and you have been waiting all day to see me. You smile at everyone and everything. It brings joy to my heart to see you as such a happy baby. I hardly remember when you were in pain with the reflux after you were born. To look at you  now, you would never know.

This month we celebrated mommy’s birthday and you took your first trip to Main Street. You also experienced a couple of firsts: first bowl of cereal, first bite of green beans and your first x-ray. You devour the cereal while the green beans you only tolerate. It’s always makes me laugh when you have a mouth full of green beans and I see you shudder at the taste. And yet you keep eating them.

The x-ray wasn’t a first I was hoping to have this early on in your life but it was better to be safe than sorry. Mommy and Daddy wanted to makes sure everything was on the up and up with your hips. You have a wonderful pediatrician that is very thorough and didn’t want us to worry unnecessarily. You did wonderful during the x-ray and smiled the entire time. You didn’t even pee on the tech when she had to remove your diaper!

You are such a sweet and loving boy. You love your sister so much. She can get you to stop crying by singing to you. And she can always get a smile out of you. Remember how much you adore her when you get older. You already get a little jealous when you see her getting snuggles from Mommy, Daddy or Grandma. The green-eyed monster is already starting to show his face. Just remember that there is enough snuggles and love to go around.

Zachary, even in the five short months you have been here, you have brightened the world. Looking forward to many more months with you.

Love,
Mommy

Zach’s stats: (Based on a dr’s visit in June)

15 lbs 1 oz
26 1/2 inches long

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Llamas, camels and puppies. Oh my!

And I am not talking about the zoo!

Emily was invited to her friend Kara’s birthday party last weekend. They had a petting zoo at the park. There were some pretty cool animals there! Roosters, a turtle, goats, a camel, a miniature calf, a pony, a puppy and a llama, among other animals. Emily was pretty much terrified of the goats and the camel at first. She like the turtle and was trying to feed it. For the most part, you could find her out in the field picking flowers, aka weeds, so I could make a crown for the birthday girl. She just wasn’t into the animals 100% which is odd because she does love the zoo.

She really enjoyed the animals more when her friends Chase and Slade got there. She couldn’t get enough of the sweet puppy that was there. She even petted the bunnies! Despite her initial apprehension of the animals, she really enjoyed them.

It was a great party and we got to meet Kara’s new baby brother so that was even better!

Happy 6th birthday Kara!

Big girl

Emily is getting to be such a big girl! She got a new bike recently. A big girl bike with training wheels. A princess bike with training wheels of course!

The first time around the block she ate the concrete a few times and scratched up her knee. Now she is really hesitant to give it another try until we get her some knee pads. So off to the store we go!