9 Months as a Lewman 3.0

My doll baby.

9 Months ~ seems like just yesterday, although it was actually 3 weeks ago because I am really late getting this blog out.  Delaney has been out of the womb for just as long as she was in...went by much faster this time!  She is just the sweetest little butterball.  Although, I am discovering that she's a VERY small butterball for her age.  She matches the 4/5 month olds at her daycare.  She's the first petite Lewman lady to join this gang though she's definitely a chowhound.  I thought for sure I'd be done nursing her by now {Emmy was 8 months when we stopped and I just went off her cues} but Delaney is very much still into it.  All the time.  Day or night.  Mostly night.  When I am trying to sleep.  She has shown a lot of interest in our food but any time we cut it up real small or mash it, she's over it.  She just likes the chase!  She will literally put anything in her mouth but the second you give her food, she has no idea what to do with it and smears it on the table. I can't wait to see her finally enjoy food!

I know, she looks like a swimmer in the 50s.

She is a healthy 19.9 lbs and 28" in height.  I am lucky enough to weigh and measure her every couple weeks with our routine doctor visits because we're still going bout after bout of colds with the girls.  I cannot express how happy I will be when spring hits and all we have to deal with is allergies and sunburns.  Coughs and fevers and runny noses and fussiness is so 2015 - ready for this to pass.  But other than that, she is developing personality traits that I can't wait to watch evolve.  When she wants something, she watches it for a bit, then darts.  When she does not want something, she darts.  Mostly a lot of darting skills but she's also such a snuggler.  Big time snuggler - and is experiencing what we all have been through in the family, a daddy stage.  Now that she will take a bottle from him, they are certainly bonding which takes about 10% of the pressure off of me. Emmy has really transitioned to a mommy stage, mostly during the night while I am nursing D off an on - Emmy calls out for me and only me.  Doesn't want Daddy - only Mommy.  Double duty to prevent midnight tantrums is worth it but really looking for some 
R&R during the Christmas break.

Family photo 2015 - Michael Byers :)

We have been a new kind of busy lately.  The kind I am unfamiliar with.  It's chaotic and unorganized and just the hold-on kind of crazy.  Oh yeah and our house flooded - which has forced a lot of upstairs activity.  There's a lot of people in this house!  The life with 3 kids has certainly altered our evenings and weekends.  It's about 70% preparation and 30% clean up. Don't get me wrong - not one day goes by where I wish it were different but that's not going to stop me from daydreaming about them being old enough to not fall off the bed, not step on their baby-sisters hand, not spill milk all over the table and wipe it into the wood, refuse to put their shoes on or scream when they only have on one headband. I am totally out of my element with them - they are teaching me things I thought I knew.  I thought I knew how to control my frustration and keep my shit together.  Turns out, I don't.  I am learning that I really don't care if the table isn't set when you come over for dinner, but I still care if the living room isn't vacuumed.  I am picking my battles with myself and learning all kinds of things.  I want to reiterate that I love this life I have chosen, and I am not complaining, just more or less sharing my observations but bullshit aside, it's hard.  And just when you've hit your max, you hear your daughter say she calls her little sister her "big sweetheart" and you're reset.  Back to winding up.


The video I have selected is about 5 minutes long.  It's real and I just love it.  This is what our car rides are like, this is what our life is like.  In the end, when I look back on this blog, it's stuff like this that I want to remember - hope you enjoy the goat noises.

GO 'ZERS!! (that looks really bad on me)

Emmy had two school music performances since I last wrote. The Thanksgiving one was very tearful, and the Christmas one was very statue-esque, but she's getting more comfortable being in front of people and that's all I care about.  She is singing ALL THE TIME - making up songs just like her Mom when she was her age (you may remember her as Ms. LaRue with such hits as Rippling River and I Love You [video will not be provided]. 
We went to a Blazer game, flag football, the Nutcracker, had Thanksgiving and let's not forget the birthday boys.  Tye turned 35 and Hayden turned 12.  Both are shocking my system right now - I can't believe how old they are! We had so many opportunities for quality time this past month. Tye has moved on from a softball league to a basketball league.  I finally got to watch one of his games and it's kind of like being in high school again.  I love watching him play and maybe, just maybe try to show-off in front of me even though now it may result in a sprained ankle or other injury.  Gotta be careful out there babe, those hips aren't what they used to be!

I know this year has been incredible for some and difficult for others - it's been quite a mix of both for us.   We are really looking forward to a HEALTHY Christmas with magic and laughter. That's all I want, is that too much to ask? From the bottom of my heart, to everyone we know, from our family to yours, Merry Christmas.

Thank you for reading and see you in 2016!

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8 Months as a Lewman 2.0

On last month's episode we were falling into a new school year and football had begun...so had cold and flu season.  We were lucky enough to experience all of those things ten fold.  Let's start with Delaney since that's why we're all here.

This face.  I love this face.

My sweet D.  Remember those months I was talking about how she never cried?  Those days are long gone.  She is a regular baby now with all the fixings.  She is still the sweetest gal on the block but she's a girl who knows what she wants.  Actually, she knows more of what she doesn't want.  Like getting in her car seat.  It is as if I am trying to stuff her into a suitcase made of thorns - she squeals and really causes a scene while I look around hoping people don't think I am breaking limbs to get her buckled up.  And then moments later she is just fine, looking around to see what the fuss was all about.  I finally got her a mirror for the car, mostly so she can see herself, and everything else around her although I love to shoot a few smiles her way!  Her sister loves to shove her face through the shade on her car seat to either scare her or make her laugh - somehow she manages to do both.  Emmy is a lot like me in that way! Here's a video of Emmy trying to make Delaney laugh...

We spent a good amount of time at the doctor's office this past month.  3 Doctor visits and 1 emergency room visit.  We had flu shots and croup and possibly strep and oh yeah...Hayden broke his leg and needed surgery! It was a wild ride.  And by wild ride I mean emotionally, physically and financially taxing for everyone.  Which Lewman was seeing which doctor and which Lewman was the reason we needed to stay home from work? It was exhausting to watch these little people struggle.  I know it's cold and flu season but we'd like it to be "it's cold outside and open the flu for the fire" season instead.  Too many germs are circling this home!  We appear to be healthy now but I recently heard that a baby will be sick for approximately 2 weeks out of the month...that is A LOT!

And she does yoga.

Probably the biggest accomplishment for Delaney this past month has been her increased ability in mobility!  She's crawling and standing and pulling herself up and then just letting go.  Her daycare seems to think that she's going to be running before she's walking!  She has so much to see and so many friends at daycare that she's got to get moving!  One of her friends continues to bite on Delaney's back which has been a concern but I say it's because she's so delicious.  The little Hannibal has been fixed and no longer bothers D.  The school started talking to me today about when she goes into the toddler room at 12 months and blah blah blah (I zoned out because I realized THAT IS IN 3.5 MONTHS).  How did this happen? My last baby is almost my last toddler?  Insane how long the days are short the years become.  Silver lining there is cost goes down about....$50 a month!  A win is a win.

1st day home from hospital

Speaking of winning.  As I mentioned before, Hayden broke his leg.  He was playing in a football game and was in motion with the ball - then the biggest kid on the other team TOOK.HIM.DOWN.  And snap - compound femur fracture on his right leg.  Jenny hopped in the ambulance with him and we all met at Legacy Randall Childrens Hospital. Surgery the next morning and on crutches two days later.  That was 5 weeks ago and he may possibly be off crutches Friday at his appointment.  So basically, that means no sports until he's recovered (around baseball time).  As much as I would love to have him still playing football and NOT broken his leg, I am really enjoying this period of time where we have no sports on the weekends!  No practice during the weeknights!  Soon the girls will be in their events and life will be in full swing.  But right now...we chill.  Thank you for all of the gifts and support on behalf of Hayden, Jenny, Tye and I.  He's doing great!

Over protective much?!

My Emmaline...boy, is she something.  She has been to a play with Papa and Grandma Lew, Frozen on Ice with Grandma GG, Judi and Mama.  She had an incredible Halloween where she managed to be Anna & Elsa.  Hayden was an injured football player (he managed to walk about 45 minutes on his crutches from house to house - trooper!) Emmy was Frozen and Sweet D was a cabbage patch kid.  She was the cutest in a handmade hair/hat by our friend Bree.  It was absolutely pouring that night so she stayed in and we braved the rain.  Loved how excited Emmy was to go house to house and how she kept hoping the next one would be "the scary one".  Amazing what this year to last year was like!

This right here.  

I am SO, SO, SO looking forward to all the fun things we have ahead.  Holidays, birthdays, football, parties and baby snuggles.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I won't go on to list all the things I am grateful for because I'll save that for it's own blog post, but the one that I will mention is my husband.  THANK YOU for going through all of this with me.  Sometimes it's a breeze, sometimes it's muddy and sometimes it's hard to see where we're going but you are my teammate and I am so grateful for our life.
Love.

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7 Months as a Lewman 2.0

All my favorite heads in one place.

Well this little gal has gracefully transitioned from a sweet baby to a mature baby.  I swear I can see the wheels turning when we place toys in front of her. Either there is no interest or it goes in her mouth and she will determine if that was a good decision.  Delaney is still nursing and sleeping like a dream baby.  Oh and sleeping with us.  I have TRIED many times to put her in her crib but we both hate it so for now she'll just always stay with me forever.  I know she needs to be in her own room - I'll get there.  If this really, truly is my last baby - I am just trying to hold on as long as I can. Besides, I have a feeling she'll be the one leaving me ready to go to her crib.  She's pretty determined (yes even at 7 months). She already knows what she likes and doesn’t…

Not a fan of…

Applesauce

Getting in her car seat

Getting out of her car seat

Looking at her car seat

Facing people when they are holding her

Getting her nails clipped

Sun in her eyes

Teething

Socks

Big fan of…

Bottles of any kind (plastic)

Eating anything but applesauce

Music – 90’s club mix

Her brother and sister

Her right foot

And her left foot

And her sister’s foot

Any foot will do

Sleeping with Mom

Walks outside

Crawling

Not growing hair

This past month has been VERY eventful.  Delaney had her 6 month check up and weighed 16.14 lbs. and 26 ¾” in height.  She is really strong.  Sitting up 90% of the time without falling over and using her hands to support her.  She stands on her own for a solid 20 seconds before her little giraffe legs give out.  She is scoot-crawling everywhere.  Long gone are the days we could leave her on the center of the bed and run to the other room for something.  She is mobile and ain’t got time to sit around.  She’s so so so curious about everyone and sounds and sights.  She moves her head so fast around fearing she is going to miss something.  Delaney is a tough crowd in our house.  There is a lot of comedy generated within these walls and she laughs at about 1/10 of our material.  We’ll find her weakness and soon have her in stitches.  Still waiting for that can’t-breathe-bend-over-slap-your-knee type of laugh...but she will grace us with a few pity chuckles here and there. Here's a little vid of her version of spin cycle and a little leg work out with said chuckle...

She had her first (two) colds, and her first fever.  If you would have told me 10 years ago that sucking snot out of my baby girl's nose with a weird tube would be the highlight of my day…I would have raised my beer and said “cheers”! Boy do times change.

4 eyes and 2 smiles - pretty rare!

Her verbal communication is really taking off.  I think her first words were “Deb, Deb, Deb” or “Mama”…or “gah”.  But now that she has her two first little sprouted teeth, I bet all kinds of words will be headed our way.  I am always encouraging Emmy to talk/sing/laugh with Delaney.  Emmy is much smarter than I give her credit for – I will say “Emmy, did you ask Delaney how her doctor’s appointment went?” and she replies “did she see Dr. DeVoe? She doesn’t know how to talk so I didn’t ask her” and then I feel like the fool for even suggesting such a thing.  Emmy is doing great with Delaney as long as it doesn’t have to do with her toys, blankets, books, or anything else.  She has realized now that D is hitting milestones and we celebrate them, she wants to be celebrated too for those same things.  So, we indulge her and think of other things that she can do that Delaney can’t yet.  It’s a delicate balance of letting her take the attention and sharing it. 

He walks to/from school now...CRAZY!

September was the beginning of football, 6^th grade, Hayden playing the saxophone and he is about to head to outdoor school.  I have been pushing camp on Tye and Jenny for about…9 years now and I think I might have my chance to really prove how awesome it is if he really enjoys this.  Hayden, don’t mess this up for me!!! Such independence and anxiety and just FUN.  I wonder if it’s too late for me to be an outdoor school counselor?!  Either way – super excited for all the fun events he has coming up this year. 

Tye has finished another round of one-pitch softball  - which he of course, excelled at.  The diamond can’t hold him…THPRID has some deep fences and I think he’s hit 3 or 4 over the fence and had an incredible Tye Lewman catch out in center field.  It’s so fun watching him play – if only I didn’t have two little people to keep track of during his games I would probably volunteer to be water boy.  Makes me want to play!!!

Coming up…HALLOWEEN!  So ready for the temps to cool down and the house to warm up.  Fall in the NW doesn’t get any better.  See you in November!

Emmy and Delaney have the same outfit with the same pose at the same age...and look identical.  

6 Months as a Lewman 2.0

This blog is particularly difficult for me...half of Delaney's first year has flown by.  And as I look at Emmy, I see how fast this time goes.  How quickly they learn and develop a thirst for knowledge of all things.  I keep looking at Delaney as if she were 4 weeks old, refusing to believe she's getting older.  When Emmy was born I was so excited for the next milestone and how she was advancing through this world.  Now, I feel a twinge of sadness as Delaney learns to sit up, try baby food,develop sounds.  I just want her to stay this way forever.  But who am I kidding, I would love to watch her become best friends with Emmy and Hadyen as they grow into little people.  Watch her make decisions and see how similar and opposite her and her sister are.  As the only child from my Mom and Dad, a sibling is so foreign to me.  I can't wait to see how this works and what it will be like for them.  And then throw a brother in the mix and I am totally out of my element.  I have to be honest when I say, I am truly blessed to live the life I do with the people I live it with.  Watching three children at different stages is so fascinating and fulfilling.  I love them and am so proud of each of them.  Okay, enough of that - let's get talking about chumba-wumba Delaney.

A typical scenario with these three.

6 Months of smiling

She is 6 months old today!  I would guess she's about 17 lbs based on the soreness of my left arm.  She has her next check up in two weeks so we'll see!  She's already in size 3 diapers although I am pretty sure her and I have the same size tush (that's not a good sign for her).  She's already dipping into her 9 month clothes which is fine by me because for some reason I always want to dress her warmer than necessary.  Similar to Randy in A Christmas Story.  Not to mention getting to use Emmy's clothes again is fun for me! We tried giving her some applesauce and peaches...I'll let you decide if she liked them...

Ladies and gentleman, she has found her voice.  She LOVES to cackle and inhale real deep and squeal while exhaling.  She just chats with herself, with her friends at daycare and is still the most jolly person we know.  She is teething pretty hardcore right now so there is another side of her voice that I am unfamiliar with - crying?  It's weird.  The girl doesn't cry and when she does, she's pretty easily consolable.  I've recently been introducing her to her room, one day at a time spending more time in her crib, looking at her walls, etc.  I think she thinks she's going to sleep in our room forever and I will tell you one thing - we will not be sharing our bed with her during her high school years!  No promises on any time before that. :)

Delaney has been very busy meeting people this summer.  Aunt Tiffany, Aunt Traci, Uncle Mark, Uncle Jim, her cousins Taylor, Morgan and Michael ~ she's been to 3 birthday parties, 2 weddings, 8 softball games, pools, parks, beaches and BBQs.  She's never met anyone she doesn't like and will pretty much let anyone hold her and enjoy her company.  Speaking of softball - we went undefeated in regular season, made it to the playoffs and then beat ourselves in the championship game.  Tye was the home-run leader and even in his old age can get around those bases like in the cartoons with dirt behind him.  Proud of how we played - and looking forward to next season with the Skull Crushers for the 6th year.

It's been one whirlwind of a summer and the closer we get to the end, the busier it gets.  Squeezing in those last beach trips, camping, fun activities is keeping us pretty consumed. Plus Hayden started football and it's amazing what one year will do.  He's thicker, taller, stronger and looks like a football player!  Here's a video of him throwing his first touchdown pass on Saturday!  As you can hear, super proud Dad!

Hayden starts 6th grade next week - and I am so excited to participate in his school activities.  This is such a crucial age for kids and Tye won't let me be involved in any more of the serious talks because I divulge too much information so I will leave that up to him and Jenny :) but I'm always here if they need me to be share worst case scenarios!  I think most people remember me as a teenager so I think I have some guidance on how to NOT be.  The girls are still at the Montessori which I really love.  I don't want to jinx anything but either Emmy is phasing out of the "threenager" stage or we are just getting better at the signs and symptoms of a freakout.  We're all working together pretty well right now! SO looking forward to football season, Delaney's first Halloween, and Cinderella to come out on DVD.  Yeah, I said it.  Hope everyone had a fantastic summer and see you in October!

4/5 Months as a Lewman 2.0

The 3 best friends that anyone could have.

So, believe it or not- 4 months is absolutely the same as 3 months, however 5 months is a lot different than 4 months!  Delaney is still the easiest baby in the world although we have heard a few cries by now.  She just coos and smiles and I'm pretty sure she said "Thank You" yesterday.  She sits and watches basketball, chills on the couch with us, listens to music as if she's critiquing talent and those smiles will just melt in your mouth. She's just the best! For a moment (very brief) I thought maybe this wouldn't be our last...but then realized any baby after this would just be a nightmare :)

Delaney had her 4 month check up and it turns out she's taller than normal, thinner than average and has a considerably small pinhead.  We met our new doctor thanks to our friend Siobhan, Dr. Hilary DeVoe at Sunset Pediatrics - absolutely love her.  D weighed in at 14.2 lbs (three weeks ago) and because of her turtle like strength in lifting her head I was able to make a visual of her neck!  She is seconds away from laughing with short little bursts of chubby chuckles but not a full blown Belding laugh like her Mom.  We really can't wait to get that girl in stitches. She's already hitting her 6 month milestones by pushing up on her arms, scooting on her tummy and rolling over.  She loves every second of her bouncer, and so do I...

My beautiful girl.

I have been so busy I haven't been able to write, so here's the last two months in a nutshell.  Since Delaney has been born all our lives have changed but I think the one most impacted has been Emmy.  She is still so adorable with her little sis but she requires A LOT of our attention.  Thank God I have the easiest baby in the world because I don't know how I would be able to do it.  She has had a few setbacks with potty training and throws some pretty impressive car tantrums.  In those situations you can go one of two ways, punish or love.  We have chosen love.  Pretty much only after realizing punishment doesn't work because she's just a little emotional ball of CHILD.  Don't get me wrong, I have lost my shit multiple times, sometimes I have cried harder than she has during one of her episodes.  But in the end we know that she is still adjusting to a new family member, a new school, new rules and we're going to help her, along with Hayden.  He has been so amazing with her.  I know he's only 11 but I know he's going to make an incredible father one day - especially with the role model he has. Hayden has sat in between the two car seats while both girls needed attention and his eyes may have been crossed but he didn't complain.  His only frustration is that he couldn't help them both at the same time.  He's a phenomenal big brother!  We will celebrate him on Saturday for our family holiday "Brother's Day" - 8/8 of every year since "8" is his favorite number.  We're going to a Hops game - which should be interesting with the girls plus maybe a campout in the backyard!

Hayden explaining that the Howlin' Tornado is scary.

Delaney is officially not the youngest baby in the baby room anymore.  She's 5 months and considered one of the old broads now...although, still the favorite (even though they're not supposed to have one, I've been told she is).  It's gotten to where I walk in and she is smiley to hear/see me which is like a double rainbow because then I grab Emmy and she is all smiles too!  At least until we get in the car and there is usually some type of disagreement on whether her Alex or my Alex (I don't have an Alex) is coming to her birthday party (which is in February) to which I say, "no, he invited you to his birthday party" and then she says "I don't WANT to invite him".  That's a pretty typical conversation with us.  While Delaney just stares on wondering when her older sister will start crying again.  The one thing that saves us every time - is making a joke about Delaney driving, or running or eating ice cream because Emmy thinks that is hilarious since she's a baby.  So, I've got one trick that works...

Baseball has officially ended.  Tye and hayden are back at home during the week, and I am loving it.  Hayden has had several camps this summer; swimming, zombie parkour (yes, zombie anything is a thing), rock climbing, football and even code camp where he gets to build his own software/video game.  I am still pushing for outdoor camp but I think next summer might be perfect going into 7TH GRADE!  Which means he starts school next month - 6th grade/middle school.  So excited to see how he adjusts to growing up and this crazy time for kids.  Football starts in two weeks and we are thrilled to see how he's improved from last year.  

"Mama, can we go to the pool yet?"

This summer has been a hot whirlwind that is literally killing my grass and flowers.  Along with the massive 50 ft tree that fell into our backyard.  It was the most surreal thing to stand on my back porch and be eye level with a tree on it's side.  We have exceptional neighbors that cleaned it up right away and rebuilt the fence within 48 hours!  It was located in in their yard and unfortunately an arborist had to come out and remove 4 beautiful trees from their yard which also opened up a lot of sun to our backyard.  Just glad no one was hurt or the house was damaged.  And most importantly, the plastic kiddy pool was not harmed.  We went to San Fransisco for an adult only weekend to watch our friends get married in a stunning ceremony.  We went up to Great Wolf Lodge where I am pretty sure Emmy discovered for the first time why we are awesome parents.  She absolutely loved it.  This is a picture of her sitting in bed, waiting to get up to go to the pool at 6:30am the next morning.  

 We are experiencing higher than normal actiivity so please be patient - I will get the next blog out as soon as I can.  Give or take a month :)Next up is camping (without the kids) thanks to both Jay/Carol and my mom for taking them and then a Labor Day beach trip with Chris & Laura who will just be celebrating their 1st year of marriage!  And since Laura is 30 now, we'll probably just play scrabble and go to bed a little after 7pm.  :)

Have a great summer and see you in September....do you remembah...

3 Months as a Lewman 2.0

This butterball of lovin.

 My, my, my how this little girl has grown.  Literally she is busting out of her onsies. I cannot contain her thigh rolls any longer in newborn clothes.  She’s now wearing 3-6 month outfits.  Delaney, or “D” as I call her has never met a bottle she didn’t like.  Her teacher Ms. Cassi says she is downing 6 oz per feeding and then likes to take a little siesta.  Her cheeks are like mini mountains of baby sugar!  She is standing on her own and holding her head up like a tipsy college girl.  She is pretty strong with her neck, although I still haven’t actually seen it yet.  I’m sure it’s there but I am not in any rush to locate it under those rolls.  I have no idea how much she weighs but if I were a betting man, I would say 15 lbs., which is giving my arms quite a nice workout.  Here’s what’s been going on in Lewman Land.

Emmy adores Delaney, Delaney is meh.

Delaney is STILL not crying.  I cannot express how grateful I am for this.  She isn’t a mute but she really only fusses if she is cold or hungry.  This morning she was babbling and squealing away in her car seat.  Just learning what kind of singer she’ll be.  She has the most adorable smiles and I absolutely love getting her to snort from pre-giggles (because she’s not quite giggling yet).  She sports what I would call a “bitter-beer-face” about 90% of the time but the rest of it is just happy baby smiles.  It never gets old to anyone in the family.  Someone is constantly tickling her or “tss-tss-tss-tsst’ing” her face.  This is when the magic of having a baby really starts for me.

A little rouge & lipstick.  BIG treat.

Emmy and Delaney are doing SO well at their new school/daycare.  I am really happy that they are acclimating so well.  Emmy is going through a phase where she wants to play by herself.  Friends will ask if she wants to play but she declines and just watches everyone.  Her teacher told me she is not part of the rowdy crowd (she got that from her Dad) but more of the quiet and reserved crowd.  That of course is hard for me to understand so I am trying to ignore my urge to just throw her into a crowd of kids and yell “play or you can’t have cookies ever again!” because that’s not appropriate I’ve heard.  She has one friend that she talks about all the time Shawni and I am so curious to meet her but every time I go to pick-up she has already been picked up.  Maybe this summer she will come around to getting to know everyone at her own pace without any pressure. Since Emmy has been at her new school (4 weeks) she has learned The National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, God Bless America, the days of the week, the months and the planets.  I am in awe of how smart she is and how she has grown so much just since Delaney has joined us.  Emmy loves to dress up and wear Mama's shoes, makeup, dresses, scarves, chapstick and especially jewelry. She's got A LOT of personality and equal bossiness. 

Blando & Lemon

Since the first week of March (when Delaney was born) Hayden and Tye have been consumed with baseball.  As much as I love watching them during the season, I am very ready for this season to end and enjoy our summer together.  Hayden has completed his last year of elementary school, which was a lot harder for me to cope with than I thought.  I am definitely a crier but I was even shocked at how emotional I got on his last day.  Jenny, Tye, Mike and I all joined forces and watched him walk through the halls one last time at Cooper Mountain Elementary.  Here’s his final walk as a 5^th grader with his best friend Ayden and classmates (and teacher Mr. Lewis):

Aside from that, Tye and I start softball on Sundays at Gabriel Park.  Looking forward to spending time with our friends and family for the games. I have spent a lot of time getting the backyard ready and the hours upon hours of watering flowers/grass.  Sometimes I fantasize about what it would be like to have a sprinkler system….one day!  My Grandma turned 86 years old last week and we celebrated by making her favorite foods; meatloaf,

GG and her wish <3

mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and tiramisu.  Next up is my mom, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law’s birthdays this summer!  Tye and I are taking a little vacation next week WITHOUT THE KIDS to Petaluma, CA to celebrate our friend Garrett & Kristen’s wedding.  I am really, really excited to spend some time with just with him but I know that I will miss them terribly and look at all the thousands of photos I have taken of them.  Too bad it just happens to be Emmy’s first recital at school that she has been working so hard for.  Thanks to our amazing family, everyone will be there to record for us. 

A busy summer is upon us (aside from baseball) we have a few family trips coming up with camping and birthdays and weddings and there will be LOTS OF SWIMMING.  Here’s a look at the last month to Emmy’s new favorite song.  Thank you so much for reading.  I can’t wait to show this to the girls when they are older.