prekindergarten graduation

Today was a big day. Graduation day. Tent, white chairs, the long isle, cap, Pomp and Circumstance, diploma and all. Yep, there were tears in my eyes. Believe it or not, my outgoing, super friendly, kinda wild boy was NERVOUS! I must say I'm quite impressed with the park district preschool - the curriculum, the coordinator, everything Carter's teacher put together as far as his portfolio, projects, photographs of the year, and the graduation ceremony. Natalie joined Charlie, Carter, Logan, Ava and I at Fox Bend Golf Course for Carter's class performance of "If You're Happy and You Know It" and a Kindergarten-is-the-Place-to-Be song, commencement, refreshments, and celebration lunch at Red Robin (Carter's choice!). I'm so proud of Carter and really cannot believe he's off to Kindergarten in just a few months. He'll be gone for a full day and I can't imagine how much he'll grow during the next school year.

Congratulations, Carter!

four weeks old

Ava is four weeks old and she's doing pretty well. Not a lot of anything new. Of course she has a couple consistently fussy times of day - dinnertime and bedtime. Dinnertime, well obviously I'm throwing something together to eat and as soon as I start cooking or take a bite she wants to be held. Then there's bedtime. Bedtime's always been one of my favorites - but not lately. I guess when you're a working mom it's the best time of the day - giving baths, pjs on, bedtime stories, talking about the day, "I love you", "See you when the sun comes up"...When you work all day it's a special time to spend with them since you've been away from them all day long. Well Ava's a little challenging some days to get down to sleep during our bedtime routine. Within 5 minutes from when she is put down into her bassinett she's crying. But, good news! Last night she had her feeding at 7:00 p.m. and I got her to sleep at 9:00 after just a fussy hour or so, then before I knew it it was 1:45...still sleeping...and then 2:30...still sleeping...and then 4:45! Up for a feeding. What a stretch! I'd hate to speak too soon, but maybe we're on to something! Here's to more nights like last night in our near future!

our sleeping beauty napping this afternoon

rock-a-baby

Logan was singing to Ava today. It's his version of Rock-A-Bye-Baby. He was singing "rock-a-baby" over and over and over again. Of course once the camera's rollin' it's not the same!

"Love you Va-Va"

my happy mother's day

I hope all Mommies out there had a wonderful Mother's Day! I know I did! Charlie got me flowers, a spa day and a couple cute cards from him and the kids. I got to spend the morning sleeping in a bit and then Charlie and (...I almost said "the boys") Carter, Logan AND Ava took me out to breakfast. Carter wanted to take me to IHOP. One just opened up by us and he heard from his friend Jack that they have chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream. He loved my Mother's Day breakfast, he was in heaven! Before we left I got to open my gift from Carter. At school he made a card and present and he even made the wrapping paper. It was adorable - I got a frame he made with a picture of him on the school playground, a card that says "I love my mommy because she lets me watch cartoons and ride my bike" and he cut out a picture of a gorgeous vase and pearl earrings from Tiffany's. His teacher put together a book of photos with him from a bunch of different activities from his year at school.





A bit after noon we headed out to my Mom's house to celebrate and we got to visit with my Grandma who took the long trip up for the first time in a very long time. It was so great for me to see her and the boys too. She held Ava and it was so nice to be with her, my Mom, the Aunties, and the cousins for the day. We took some pictures of the kids with Great Grandma Gridley, but not with my camera...Charlie got a pizza and we had a late dinner that was somewhat interrupted and stretched out as we took turns trying to get Ava relaxed and asleep not in someone's arms. Around 8:45, after all the kids were tucked in we stayed up to catch up on a few episodes of Celebrity Apprentice. I'm the luckiest Mom in the world!


I even got a special song from Carter...


P.S. Carter: L-O-V-E spells love!

my how we've grown

Ava is now two weeks old - where did the time go? Next thing you know she'll be sixteen! She continues to eat really well and sleep too! I think we've only had one night of a challenge from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. of a fussy baby. Apparently though, around two weeks colic and fussiness tends to commonly creep up on you. No, not with my baby (knock on wood!)! Tuesday night she lost her umbilical cord and her belly button is healing nicely. The boys were thrilled! Carter explained the whole concept of the umbilical cord to his 3rd grade neighbor friend, he was so excited to share the news. It won't be long until her first submersible bath! I took Ava to see Dr. Law today and found out she's a whopping 9 pounds 1 ounce! She's gained 13 ounces in two weeks. She's in the 76th percentile for length - America's Next Top Model! Here we come Tyra! And just like the boys she's got a little head circumference, 34th percentile. Everything went well with immunizations. I got mine (DTaP) and she got hers (HepB). I didn't flinch, she did. It's amazing how the instant I picked her up she was comforted and stopped crying. Now we'll see if it's that easy in two months when she gets 4 shots...

ava paige april 21

may 6

Well, you've seen how Ava's grown, now for Carter and Logan's babies! The boys planted some seeds (Target Dollar Spot) of their own. They are just one week old and the boys are loving watching them sprout up out of the dirt!

planting zinnias & marigolds

may 6