Festival Season

Happy fall everyone! The weather change, the rain, and the endless fun events around town (and out) keep this family in high spirits.

All three kids are loving school...

Alex, in the last week, has even stopped crying as I drop him off and diving for me as I pick him up. Must say, this is a little disappointing! I could handle him no longer crying as I leave in the mornings because what child crying doesn't break a momma's heart just a wee bit. But I loved the way he would reach for me in the afternoons. My baby is gradually becoming a little man and this mommy is ever so slightly sad. He is walking every where now with ease and climbing on everything he can like a little spider; even trying to climb over the couch.

Bella is doing awesome interacting with her classmates. It has helped tremendously to be back around kids her own age. She talks about her friends all the time and even draws pictures of them and their adventures. She has artist genes from both sides of her family so I am curious to see where this goes. We give her a sketch pad along with colored pencils all the time and let her go to work. I'm fairly impressed by what her imagination comes up with and the details she creates. This makes my heart happy given that her dexterity and fine motor skills have always drug a little behind. Now she seems to be catching up centimeter by centimeter. Which is fabulous!!!

Zach, as always, is our loving, energetic, rascal! He has gotten in trouble a few times at school for hitting. We are doing our best to discipline him in a way that encourages him not to be so aggressive. I always get a kick out of observing his artwork compared to his classmates when it is posted on the wall outside his classroom. My boy always tends to "draw a little outside the lines", going in his own direction and thought pattern, and it is reflected in this work. As much of a handful as he is, I LOVE this about him. He is all about dinosaurs right now and building his imagination around them. I thoroughly enjoy watching him talk to his dinosaur family and have each one play together. We made it over to the Sugarland branch of the Natural History Museum a few weeks ago and he was ecstatic. They had T-Rex and Triceratops...his 2 favorites.

On a medical note, please keep Bella in your prayers if possible. Her hernia along her incision from her bowel surgery while in the NICU appears to be bothering her. We will see the pediatric surgeon this week to confirm what is going on in that area. Based on preliminary review by her pediatrician, it looks like the surgery might be necessary sooner rather than later. We always take her for annual check-ups and in the past the thought was to delay the surgery as long as possible, preferably until she is closer to 8. But like so many other things with our preemie miracle, you constantly have to monitor health/behaviors and take action when required.

Peace be with you, enjoy the pictures!