Happy 1st Birthday Andy!

Dear Andy,

Happy Birthday, little man! You are officially one year old today. As I sit down to write this post, I cannot believe that an entire year has gone by already.

I can remember the events preceding your arrival like it was yesterday. The lovely man in line for Santastic who told me to lose some weight. (I can still recall the horrified look on his wife's face when I said "I'm not fat. I'm pregnant.") My wonderful 2nd grade class throwing a surprise baby shower and presenting me with your precious baby book. Chris and I shopping for take-home outfits; at this point, we did not know if we would be welcoming Emelia Anne or Andrew Scott into the world. Daddy and I purchasing 2 car seats (due to my OCD) - pink for a girl, blue for a boy. Bobby and Katie insisting repeatedly that they both wanted a baby brudder...although they had been reminded repeatedly that we get what God gives us.

Katie practicing for when "her baby" arrives.

We dropped off your brother and sister as we headed off the hospital early on the morning of April 29th. You were being induced, just like your brother and sister. I got hooked up to an IV and the nurse started the pitocin. The day began to tick by. Nana, Granny, and Nini hung out with us for most of the day. Auntie Missa joined the party after school got out. I checked in regularly with Apryl so that she could give my 2nd graders updates. You were taking your time, so much to the disappointment of my class you did not arrive before 2:05 p.m. (Ally told Apryl to tell me I just needed to push harder.)

Around 4:00, it was time. Everyone who had spent the day with us at the hospital stayed in the room for the delivery. Dr. Chen arrived in the delivery room, a few pushes, and then we heard the news "It's a boy!". You were finally here...

After being introduced to all of the adults, your brother and sister arrived to meet you. Bobby and Katie fell in love with you at first sight too. You have a fierce protector and lifelong playmate in your older brother, Bobby. Your sister, Katie, will be your voice until you can talk and a mommy when I'm not around...she is constantly checking up on you to make sure that you are okay and that you have everything you need. Your cousin Peyton was there to join in on the fun as well. We had to spend the evening in the hospital, but we were allowed to go home the next afternoon after you had been checked out by the pediatrician.

Taking Andy home from the hospital

Bringing Andy home for the first time

You have had an eventful first year. You met Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny for the first time. You participated in your first annual outing to Apple Annie's. You visited Disneyland for the first time and rode your first ride. You made new friends and attended your very first birthday party. You said good-bye to Auntie Missa. You got your first tooth as your big brother lost his first tooth. (You have added 4 more teeth in the past few months, bringing your grand total to 5 pearly whites!)

You have brought a completeness to our family that we didn't know we were missing until you arrived. Your unconditional love, contagious laughter, and adventurous demeanor are a blessing to all who know and love you. I love our morning "mommy and me" time; you greet me with a smile when I open your door, we cuddle and talk until your brother wakes up, and you are all loves in the morning.

I cannot wait to see what the next year will bring. You are destined for great things, little man! Always remember the we love you, until the end of time.

Love,

Mommy

Wordless Wednesday: A Pirate's Life for Me

We are the pirates...

who don't do anything...

we just stay at home and lie around...

And if you ask us to do anything, we'll just tell you. We don't do anything!

You Know You're a Mom When-sDaze...

I'm stealing this idea from several of my fellow bloggers. I thought it was cute, so here is my first try at When-sDaze.

You know your a mom when...

*you remember to pack snacks for 3 hungry children but forget to feed yourself.

*you would give anything for a hot meal, a bubble bath, and 10 minutes of alone time.

*you watch your children sleep and your thoughts bring tears to your eyes.

*the attempts at his first word come out as "ma-ma" and you fall in love all over again.

Have a great Wednesday!

Savvy Shopper

Andy will soon be one. One of the things that he enjoys doing these days is going shopping at the grocery store and sitting all by himself in the front of the cart. After he gets strapped in, he grabs the bar like he is getting ready to race and rocks back and forth. It is too cute!

Andy also likes playing grocery store at home in his big sister's kitchen. He loves pushing the shopping cart around and finding treasures inside. It is so much fun to watch him explore and revel in how unique his personality is.

Hmm...what do I need today?

I think I need some sprinkles! That's the stuff!!!

Welcome to Andy's Place! Giggles and kisses are free!

Put Your Hands Up

This is going to be a short post, however it is one of those precious moments that I want to remember forever...

Yesterday - (after rushing home from work to get homework done, 3 little ones bathed and dressed, and Bobby ready for soccer pictures) - I managed to get all of the kids in the car and ready to go to Peter Piper Pizza for pictures on time. We are driving up Houghton towards Old Spanish Trail when Katie, 3, puts her hands up in the air and says "Here we go, mommy!". I peek at her to see the following scene unfold in the rearview mirror.

As we go up the hill, she holds her breathe with a brilliant smile on her face. At the top of the hill, she closes her eyes for a moment. Then she opens her eyes and says "Weee!!!" As we approach another (much smaller) hill she repeats the process. The sparkle in her eyes was amazing. I can't wait to take her on her very first roller coaster ride!

Oh how I love this girl of mine! At times like these, my heart just melts and I want to hold on to these moments forever because I know she won't be little much longer.

Soccer 101

I realized as I was reading some of my friend's recent posts that it has been a while since I've posted. Once again, I'm left to ponder the question "Where does the time go?". One week blurs into the next and before I know it it has been 3 WEEKS since I last updated my blog.

So as I sit in the car with the baby waiting for Bobby to finish his soccer practice I figure there is no time like the present...

Let me rewind for a moment. When Bobby was 3, we enrolled him in T-ball with the hopes that it would give him a chance to be a part of a team and learn the basics of baseball. Great thought, right? NOT! Bobby hated it!!! He was still very hesitant at that age about "exploring" on his own; so when game time came, he naturally wanted me to run the bases with him. His father was less than thrilled by this development. We decided at the end of the season it would be best to give it another year or so before trying again.

Notice the look on his face...

This fall, we asked Bobby what sport he wanted to play and he chose baseball. He was much more excited about the whole process this time around. He couldn't wait to buy his equipment, go to practice, and play the games. He had so much fun this season! Bobby played all of the positions, got a few really nice hits (even though you can only run 1 base per hit), and caught a few balls. At the end of the season he was already asking when he could play again.

We decided to wait until spring to let him play again for a variety of reasons (weather, money, time, etc...). When registration time rolled around, Bobby decided that he would rather play soccer than baseball this season. He has a few kindergarten friends that play soccer and wanted to be on the same team as them. With that thought in mind, we registered him for soccer and listed his kinder friends name on the registration form. After being assured that most requests were honored, team meeting day arrived and Bobby was assigned to a team. (We would learn in the next few weeks that it was not the same team as his kindergarten buddy. Oh well, maybe next season. Right?)

Bobby is thoroughly enjoying his season! He has a fantastic coach, loves kicking the ball, and is getting plenty of exercise by chasing after the ball. He had his first game on March 27th and dove right in. It was so fun to stand on the side line and cheer him on. These are the days I am able to sit back and just be a mom. The joy on his face as he played the game with his team makes all of the days of juggling work, school, practice, homework, dinner, laundry, bath and bedtime worth it. I can't wait till next week! Go Tigers!!!