On Deck

This is Zachary's analogy for the moment! And it happens to be two-fold.

Our little slugger just started baseball a couple of weeks ago and is headed into his third game this weekend. Baseball has long been my favorite sport. I grew up watching my brother play and had my own 7 year run with softball. There is something about the game to me that is so relaxing, nostalgic, strategic, and patriotic. I know part of my love has to do with the time of year, SPRING and all its wonderful glory...fresh cut grass, new flowers, warmer weather, the urge to be outside, the team camaraderie while being with friends. Needless to say, Zach has had a baseball tee for a few years now. And lucky for this mama, he has always loved to use it. Zach doesn't have a very extensive attention span at 4.5 (who would expect much different), but I was very impressed with his attention on the field at his first game. His second game was a little different. He and the other kids are now friends and are cutting up more, which in itself is great. Here's hoping this next game he is still as enthused and attentive!

 

LOOK WHO REGISTERED FOR KINDERGARTEN! Technically, Zachary can start kindergarten this year given that he turns 5 before September 1st. Having an August baby is hard in making the right decision about starting school. Having an August baby that is a boy is even harder.  Chris and I have gone back and forth extensively about our choice whether or not to start him in school. We've decided to take the plunge and see where it takes us. My hesitation as a mother are his maturity issues, his need of one on one guidance while doing work, and not wanting him to get pushed around by bigger kids. With a child of his enthusiasm and charisma also comes the opposite spectrum of easily having his feelings hurt and being sensitive emotionally (also clearly a middle child trait). I'm hoping that after a couple of months into kindergarten we will have a good perspective on his development. Luckily I've been able to have a good relationship with the teachers and staff while volunteering for Bella in her first year of school. I know that grants me more knowledge and insight to what lies ahead for Zach's first year. Within those first two months, if I see him struggling or not progressing accordingly, I will have a sit down with the counselor and decide how to move forward. But right now, I need to give my little man the chance to prove himself for all that he is capable of accomplishing.

 

So here is to Zachary and all that the future holds! He has incredible potential and I cannot wait to see where everything he learns (and absorbs) takes him. Five minutes in a conversation with this kid and he would probably have you on the floor laughing. He is very matter-of-fact and insightful bringing an amplified meaning to "kids say the darnedest things"!

Peace be with you!

BELLA DAY #7

Daughter, the strides you have made in your short few years

Shock and awe me, only to show me all God hears.

You are a gleaming example of fervid prayers
Graced by loving hands of medical carers.
Without their abounding knowledge and passion
You may not be here to fill my life with devotion.
The world is blessed by your very presence.
Your wit and humor give a precious essence
To all the good in life and all there is to love.
Your many daily gifts are endured from God above.
To the little Gymnast, whipping yourself around,
To the creative Inventor, with toys scattered upon the ground,
To the inspiring Pianist, who's fingers move across keys,
To the Literary Master, reading me chapter books with ease,
And correcting any word I might say wrong.
You will not be my amazing LITTLE girl for long.
You went from itty-bitty, teensy-weeny 
To a shining star exuding beauty.
I know in all due time you will be a young woman
Ready to take on the world, continuing to shine.

Here is to our NICU Graduate, where on this day we always remember being able to take our precious girl home after 99 days in the UVa Children's Hospital. We do our best everyday to teach you how you started and where you came from. You have an amazing beginning and I pray each day that you continue to have an amazing life with a fighting spirit!!!

Peace be with you all.

Crazy but Happy

Hello blog-o-sphere friends! From our family to yours...we hope you are doing fantastic and enjoying all life has to give!!!

All of the kids are doing great! Their love and battle relationship is deeper than ever. They miss each other all day while at school but quickly after the precious hugs and kisses are dispersed go on to a "that's mine, don't touch me" routine.

Isabella is loving kindergarten. It took most of the fall for her to get acclimated to the routine and expectations but she is flying with beautiful colors now. We've started back to gymnastics after a break with getting settled into the new house and area. Her body movement still has some catching-up to do. She was doing very well in the old gymnastics class, however with 7 months off it will take her some time to get back into the swing of things. It still amazes (and concerns) me at how stiff her body can be even after 6 years. Fortunately she is fearless and loves the challenge of gymnastics allowing her muscles to adapt over time.

Zachary is our funny monkey. He is hilarious with his coy attitude and quick wit. He has definitely mellowed down in the past few months, but still has his temper and flare-ups. The kids common sense and logic are astonishig to us. He has always been great with physical puzzles and now he has started to show how capable he is at problem solving. And boy am I happy to see this kid back in gymnastics, not only is he limber and great at it, but it burns off some of his intense energy. He has become obsessed (at the moment) with Ninja Turtles and will run around the house flipping his body with a pretend bo staff. Which is all too ironic because he declares himself Leonardo (the turtles leader per se) and uses the weapon of Donatello (the inventor/engineer)...both are so fitting for his personality. He runs the show amongst the three of them and creates everything that they play with.

Alexander is unbelievably precious with his loving and energetic demeanor. He does everything Zachary does, from repeating his every word to imitating his every action. He insists on tackling Zachary and Cooder Bear every chance he gets. Then he will come curl up and want to snuggle with mommy. I read a great article recently about taking the time to lay with or have a conversation with your children instead of putting it off. Before we know it they will all be grown, have their own lives and not make that kind of time for us. As I watch my baby growing up, all I can think is that I need to savor the baby he is and I tend to cave to his demands. There's no doubt he is a tad more spoiled than the others, a dilemma I'm sure many mommy's out there face.

We  getting used to our new environment. The area is very nice and super family friendly. We have amazing neighbors, have had several get togethers and love being able to spend time with them randomly. It reminds me of how I grew up and that is something I have always wanted for my children, neighbors that almost feel like family.

Now onto the best part...a few pictures of how the kids have changed since the last time I posted.

Peace be with you all!

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July 2014                                                 January 2015

June 2014                                               January 2015

June 2014

December 2014