Prayers

Every night before bed Max says his prayers.   We also thank God for our day and ask him to watch over all of our family.  Last night he added an extra prayer.  He wanted God to help the sick little boy feel better.  When I asked who was sick, he told me a little boy at Sam's but he didn't know his name. 

After tucking Max in I called Nonna because Max had gone to Sam's with her earlier in the day.  Sure enough there was a little boy in line behind them coughing and he told Max he was sick.  I just love the way Max thinks of others.  He is growing into such a caring individual with a huge heart.  I'm so proud of the person he is becoming.

Congratulations to Aunt Anna

Last weekend - or actually it may have been two weekends ago - we had the honor of celebrating 'Aunt' Anna's college graduation.  We are so incredibly proud of her!  She graduated from Mizzou with the highest of honors with a degree in communications disorders.  Her three little tigers were super excited to help her celebrate, although by the time this picture was take Will was about to crash he was so tired.  In fact he plopped his cute little butt on the sidewalk halfway to the car and refused to go any farther. 

She just started graduate school last week, and we can't wait until she is out there helping kiddos like Max.  Max's speech therapists have been total godsends.  They helped to give our little boy a voice and it has made all the difference in the world.  He is growing into a confident, kind, and vocal little boy and I know that they played a huge hand in that.  I know that Anna will make that same difference in the lives of many little boys and girls down the line. 

Kindergarten Jump Start

On Monday morning I dropped Max off at his elementary school for Kindergarten jump start.  It is a three week program designed to get the kids comfortable with school routines and other kids - I bet it also gives the teachers a bit of help as they make their class lists for the fall.  Brian and I were thrilled to send Max.  We have no reservations about his academic skills, but we do want to give him every opportunity to meet kids before school starts in August.  He can be pretty shy, so having some familiar faces come August 13th will really help him with the Kindergarten transition.

It is day three and it has been a huge success!  He was super excited to ride the bus - in fact he told me that was the best part of his day.  I'm so glad we signed him up!  It also gives me a bit of a break so that I just have the two little boys.  This way Will gets a bit of fun mommy time - not to mention baby Jack time.  He was so excited to hold his baby brother.  I even think they look a bit alike in this picture.  Sweet boys.

The Big Truck Show

Grandma and Grandpa had a great idea for an outing with the boys this past Sunday - the Big Truck Show at Kemp Auto Museum.  I think a better name would have been Little Boy Heaven.  That is exactly what it was for Max and Will.  

 The boys just couldn't get enough.  We went from on vehicle to the next and there was not a single car that we missed. 

 From fire engines, to diggers, to a DeLorean on big tires these boys saw and sat in them all.

 Jack just kinda hung out in his stroller enjoying a nap.  I think the smiles on the boys faces let you know just how much fun they had!

I had to throw in this last picture of Jack.  I feel like it is a much better representation of his cuteness than the two I put in his one month post.  I love this little guy! Oh, and his big brothers too :)

So long. . .

To pre-school and Ms. Cheryl that is. 

Wednesday was Max's last day at pre-school.  They celebrated by wearing their swimsuits and enjoying some water play.  Max had a great time - even if he wasn't willing to smile for me when he left the house in the morning.  To celebrate Max's last day of pre-school we went out for ice cream as a family.  Thank goodness for drive through ice cream.  I still don't really want to take Jack out in public, so this was a great option.  I'm not sure who enjoyed the special treat more Max or Will.

 

Will also had a big day this week.  His last day at Ms. Cheryl's!  You can see by the smile on his face here that he enjoys his time at Ms. Cheryl's, although he has been giving her a run for her money lately.  She is an amazing in home care provider and I'm sad that after five years of working with her, our time is coming to an end.  She did such a great job with both of my biggest boys, it almost makes me sad that I won't be returning to school next year so she can watch Jack - almost.

I would be telling a bit of a lie if I said I wasn't terrified of next week when I have all three boys all day by myself.  Will is a typical two year old and into almost everything, so I know I will have my hands full.  I'm sure little by little we will find a rhythm that works for everyone, but I'm also sure that there will be some bumps along the road.  I'm thrilled to be staying at home for a while and I know it is going to be great for our family.  It will be great, not perfect I'm sure, but great!

One Month Old

I feel like I've blinked and a month has gone by.  My littlest boy is growing so quickly!  He seems to be a bit longer and a big chunkier every day and sometimes I look at him and can't believe how much he has changed in a month.  Some of the three month clothes are almost too small for him. It is amazing to watch. 

We had his one month check up with Dr. Joe yesterday.  Max was with me and he was all concerned that Jack would need to get a shot - "because Mommy, shots hurt"  I love the way he looks out for his brothers.  I know that will serve them all well as they grow.  As they wheeled in the scale I felt my typical sense of apprehension.  I thought Jack had been growing well, but was he really?  Is he getting what he needs from me?  Well sure enough he is. He weighed in at 10lbs 9oz and measured 22 1/2 in - nearly three pounds and two inches over his birthday stats.  Crazy.  Dr. Joe did notice that Jack still seemed a bit yellow, so he sent us to get a bilirubin check.  Turns out it is a bit high and we will have to have it rechecked in about a week.

This picture cracks me up.  I thought it would be nice to take monthly pictures in the same place with Jack's little lovey -you know like pinterest says?  This is what I got.  Maybe the two month shot will go better.

So what else has Jack been up to?  Not too much actually.  I have been savoring every moment of our Mommy and Jack time before the big brothers finish school/daycare for the summer.  Come next Monday I will have my hands really full!  Jack is giving me more 'open eye' time each day.  He is typically pretty content and he loves hanging out on his newborn lounger and listening to me talk to him.  He is becoming more aware of what is going on around him and he seems to be responding to sounds.  He doesn't quite have the coordination to turn to sounds yet, but his eyes seem to look around.  I can't wait for the social smiles that I know are coming in the next few weeks.  So much fun!

Mother's Day

What could be better than these three little miracles on Mother's Day?  They are just too much fun!