We are just itching for spring still, and the weather has been lovely! Got out yesterday for a gorgeous picnic playdate with Joe and Ruby. We met half way between here and Charlotte. I found an awesome park online that was so much fun. They had all kinds of fun stuff for the kids, we spent about three hours together. The girls both got their first carousel ride, Annarose was in her carseat next to my feet.

Swim Lessons

In case you were wondering, that was Sam's artistic impression of a blowfish.

Started swim lessons at the beginning of the month. He needed a bit of brushing up on his skills from last summer, plus he needs all the physical outlets he can get. We go ever Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. He loves it!

He can swim under water without a floatation device, but with 3 other children in his class the teacher makes him wear the belt. He hates that!

Sam is also the only child that will jump off the block. He is such a show off! He is pretty cute trying to convince the other boys that it is indeed way fun and way safe.

Is it spring yet?

February has been shaping up to be not so bad this year... we have had a string of 60 degree days and coming our way here in NC a lovely 72 on Friday. I simply can't wait and like all those experiencing real winter I am so completely ready for spring! We got out for a bit of fresh air this weekend, and you would have thought we were experiencing a heat wave, people were out in the park sunbathing... very funny.

A few pics of the kiddos!

A Valentine for YOU!

Annarose at 5 months

As you can see, little lady is still bald as a cue ball! I could not decide between the pictures because she is smiling so nice in both and it is so hard to get her to smile for the camera. So one of her up on her tummy and one of her practicing sitting. Her torso is still not very strong, but she can kind of tri-pod herself for about 30 seconds before face planting.
Worlds of difference between last month and this month, she is well on her way to a great schedule. She is sleeping super these days, just goes to show how important a routine is to these little nuggets. Since getting home from PA last month, I have really made myself focus on Annarose and her need for some good old fashioned predictability.

She is going to bed between 6:00 and 6:30 at the latest! I never would have thought she needed such an early bedtime, but by 5:30 she is just exhausted and starting to get cranky. We bathe, eat and off to dream land she goes. She is up again at 10:30-11:30pm, 3-4am and 6am, then most morning she stays down till about 8:30. I had that 10:30 feeding cut out, but she got sick last week with a virus and she needed all the fluids she could get. Poor thing is still really congested.

The battle of the bottle was finally won, and she has been successfully slurping it down for a little over a week. Cody has put her to bed nearly ever night this week, and we even had a sitter put her to bed too! I can't tell you how relieved this has me. I am just praying we don't regress.

She weighed in at 11lbs 9oz last week when we visited the doctors. She is petite, but really filled out. She may even move up a size by her 6 month birthday! She nurses good about 6, sometimes 7 times a day. She loves her milk time, but is easily distracted by noises and talking. I have to just sit and adore her for her to focus and eat well. If I try to multitask she won't eat and will stop and stare at me until I am done interrupting her meal. It is comical!

She loves her toys, and playing in the exersaucer! She is getting very dextrous. Sam is an ultimate source of entertainment. And, he has been reveling in making her laugh.

What is little man up to these days...

Well for one, he has a busier social calender than Cody or I that is for sure! Every weekend seems to be a new birthday party to attend. Here he is at the local firehouse with his buddy Hutton celebrating in style as well as learning fire safety. His Uncle Larry would be proud to know that Sam is quite proficient at his Stop-Drop-Roll technique.Sam loves to dress up, and is currently working the Iron Man. If is "super" and a "hero" he is down with it. At breakfast the other morning he told me he wanted a Underdog costume. He has lots of imagination games he likes to act out, he sometimes refers to me as Batgirl and we make up stories of what that mean old Joker is up to and how we plan to "get him".Sam did his first real stick drawing of himself! I thought it was quite good. He took it for show and share at school this past week. He was very proud of it. He has kind of gotten into playing school these days and will sit and work in these little phonics workbooks. It is fun to see him be so energetic about learning his letters. He wants to know how everything is spelled, and is very excited to learn reading. He talks about kindergarden a lot! He can't wait to go. I signed him up for real pre-school next year. He will be at our church, and he will be attending 5 days a week from 8:30 to 1:30! It is such a long day, I am gonna miss him. It seems kind of intense I know, but with him being so young in his class I believe it will really help him cope with an even longer day of kindergarten the next year. I don't want to hold him back because cognitively I know he can handle it, but I do worry about his focus and maturity. He is a bit of a crazy kid, lots and lots of energy.
Loving on his sister! He likes to play "This little piggy..." and delights that he can make her happy when she needs to be entertained.
Being silly with his sister! I think she had some spit up on her chin, which he finds kind of repulsive.
And, as always my little buddy. Not the best angle of me, but it is cute when he works out with me.Sam is changing and growing into such a BOY! No too much baby left in him anymore. He can ride his tricycle around the whole block, up hills and all now. He can get himself water and a snack by himself. He can dress himself. He is getting so tall, he is growing out of all his 3T stuff and we still have a few more months of chilly weather!

Before I know it, he will be pushing me in a wheel chair. Uggg, time just goes to fast.

The Locket

Since my first Mother's Day, I have worn a locket that Sam gave me. It has a tiny picture of him, and a blank side also.

At dinner last night, Sam was sitting next to me examining my locket while I shoveled the remainder of his sweet potato and chicken into his mouth. He asked all about the "baby in my heart" and, who would go on the other side? He knows all this already, but he likes to do this conversation over and over from time to time.

Sam then told me that he wanted to have a locket too.

I told him that boys don't usually wear lockets, it is more of a girl thing.

He persisted, and I said okay... well who would you put in your necklace?

He said without pause or hesitation "Pop-Pop". He then went on to tell me that he didn't want a heart shaped one, he would like to have one in the shape of a diamond. In his mind, I suppose he has it all picked out. I wonder if they make a "kid friendly" type locket?

Of course, this made me fill up with tears and took my breath away. Sam then gave me a big hug and curled into my chest with a sigh. It is so funny how life will hit you with heart stopping moments when you need them most. This week has been a tough one for me. I have been living in my head, missing my Dad. Grieving. Hurting. Questioning. Grief is a very lonely feeling. It is most interesting to watch the process of grieving that my 3 year old is experiencing. He asks about my Dad almost every single day. He asks hard questions too. The ones that are difficult to answer. Where is heaven? Why did God take Pop-Pop? Is God mean? How come we can't see Pop-Pop if God is nice? Was Pop-Pop sick? I know the questions will someday stop, and then start again. And be harder to answer. The funny thing is, I sometimes ask the same questions myself.

Sam is a guys guy. He has always been all about his Dad, his Uncles, and his Grandfathers. The women in his life are okay, but the real fun happens around the guys. I know how much he misses my Dad. He can feel the big hole too. I find it amazing.

I am praying my soul will find peace. Every time I think I am close to some closure, some peace, my grief comes crashing down on my head.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

Stuck

Annarose has been a rolling all over the place. Sometimes she gets herself into interesting places!