Emma at eight-and-a-half

Emma is officially eight-and-a-half!  I seriously wish time would tick by a lot slower with this one.  She is quickly turning into such a wonderful little lady!  She is incredibly easy going, constantly keeps busy and is so much fun to be around.  She now weighs 80 pounds and stands 4 '5" tall.  She wears size 10-12 clothes and size 3 shoes. 

She enjoys playing Barbies, school with her dolls, riding her bike, playing board/card games, writing stories and reading.  She is very independent, considerate, clever, creative and is the best big sister! 

This was her final season for 8U coach pitch softball.  She played on the Yellow Jackets and enjoyed every minute!  Several practices and games were cancelled with so much rain this season.  One Saturday she was able to play in four games!  This season she played mostly pitcher and third base.

 

She represented her homeroom class in the annual spelling bee again this year and placed fifth.  She was required to spell lots of challenging words and we practiced more than she wanted :)  I was so impressed and thought she did a great job! 

 

She has a very busy summer ahead filled with an assortment of activities and camps!  She participated in UYP {University for Young People} at Baylor last week.  The kids created their own city which they named 'City of Paradise'.  Emma worked very hard on her campaign {with Lita' help, of course!} and was voted as co-mayor. 

     
Promise me you'll always remember...
You're braver than you believe,
stronger than you seem,
smarter than you think
and loved more than you know.
-Christopher Robin to Pooh

Hudson at 3 months

Hudson is 3 months old!  He wears size 1 diapers and is almost wearing size 3 month outfits.  He weighs 10 lbs 11 oz and measures 21.5 inches long.  It was definitely a little sad packing up preemie and newborn outfits once and for all.

He has just started to focus and briefly track objects/toys when encouraged.  He dislikes tummy time but our goal is three times each day for a total of 45+ minutes.  He has finally started to enjoy bath time and is usally quiet and calm.  He prefers a warm washcloth on his chest and a gentle stream of water trickling on his head and shoulders.  When cold water is poured directly on his legs they immediately move out to the side.

 

Hudson would eat all day long if allowed to do so!!  Feedings don't come quick enough for our growing boy!  I've started giving him more formula to keep up with his hearty appetite but he still nurses frequently.  He now eats approximately 28 ounces per day.  He is a great little sleeper but now stays awake for longer stretches of time.  He usually sleep through the night and cat naps throughout the day.   Noise doesn't seem to bother his sleep. 

Although it seems a bit early, his PT {Jenna} suggested we try him in the Bumbo seat.  He usually seems to like it but tires pretty quickly.  His neck muscles are getting stronger!

This month Hudson had has first MRI {out of utero} and did great.  Up until the very last minute the plan was to sedate him.  Fortunately the nurse suggested we swaddle him and he napped beautifully through the entire process without sedation!  This month he also underwent his second surgery.  He had an inguinal hernia repaired as well as a couple of other urological issues addressed.  We are so thankful for Dr Gargollo and the medical advancements TCH offers. 

He does better for long stretches of time in the pouch rather than the stroller.  Super sweet little napper :)

Little man has just recently started to smile.  He has also discovered his voice and coos. 



Owen's Pre K Graduation

We are so proud of our 2015 Pre K graduate! 

 

When he walked across the stage Mrs Anitra presented him with a diploma and an award for the "Most Imaginative"!

BFFs, Keaton and Owen {these two won't know what to do apart in Kinder this Fall!}

 

The ceremony included a sweet video.  Mrs Anitra alsocreated a memorable book that we will cherish forever and ever.



So bittersweet for a mama!

 

We enjoyed the last three years at Discovery Days.  Owen loved his favorite little friends and fun filled school days.  Mrs Anitra was wonderful and treated the kiddos like her own.  She did such a fabulous job preparing him for next year.  

 

 

Yay Owen!  You did it!  Officially Kindergarten bound :)

 

 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future.  -Jeremiah 29:11



Emma's award ceremony

Emma's award ceremony was at the exact same time as Owen's Pre K graduation.  I was disappointed to miss but especially thankful for technology!  Jarrod and I were able to Facetime parts of both kids' events to one another.  Lita also attended Emma's awards and took lots of photos!

 

Emma was the top reader out of second grade and accumulated the most 'reading counts' points for the year (330+).  She read books and successfully passed computer tests on them.  She hit the ground running last August and it certainly paid off!!  There is definitely some friendly competition among her classmates :)  Additionally, Emma was recognized for her reading assessment score, for placing in district UIL for creative writing and for making the all A honor roll all year.  She was also chosen by her teacher to receive the classroom citizenship award. 

 

We are so proud of our girl and can't believe she is headed to THIRD grade!!!

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. -Ecclesiastes 9:10

Hudson at 2 months

Sweet Hudson is two months old!  He is developing such a cute personality.  He now weighs 8 lbs 15.5 oz and has now completely outgrown preemie outfits.  He consumes 2-3 ounces every 2-3 hours but would eat all day long if allowed to do so!  He only wakes up twice during the night.

 

 

He has physical therapy twice a week at home.  Jenna, his PT, is great!  Hudson is not a fan of tummy time but must do it as often as possible.  He doesn't seem to have much feeling below his belly button.  Jenna explained the importance of stretching out his legs daily.  We are also trying to get him used to the idea of stretching his arm across his body in order to roll over when he is ready.

 

 

Although he still snoozes the majority of the day he is starting to stay awake and alert for longer stretches of time.  He sleeps especially well in noisy places and enjoys the music player in his crib.  He has recently decided that his favorite place to nap is on daddy.

 

He is more content in the carrier pouch than in the stroller when we are out and about.  He is such a good baby :)

A day at the Fairgrounds

 

 This Spring Owen's class took part in Pre K day at the Walker county fairgrounds.   

 

First, the park rangers read a story and let the kiddos touch an assortment of animal hides.

Next, they were entertained by a juggling/tight rope act.  

The face painting and pop corn stop might have been Owen's favorite :)

 

 

These boys loved climbing through the sheriff's vehicle and he was nice enough to pose for a photo. 

Near the end of the day the class enjoyed a hay ride and fire truck rides around the parking lot.



 

The last activity was a tour of the show animals.  The kiddos loved being so close to rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs and cows! 

 





 

What a fun day with a great group of kids :)

Owen at five-and-a-half

Owen is five and-a-half!  He is growing fast and is such a fun little guy.  He currently weighs 44 pounds and seems taller every day.  He wears size 5 clothes and size 12 shoes. 

Over the past few months he has really come out of his shell.  He isn't near as shy as he once was and is a chatter box to those he knows well.  He enjoys being outside, playing games on the Ipad and playing basketball and tee ball.  He can now ride his bike sans training wheels!

 

Although it is often a challenge to get him motivated and out the door on school days he seems to enjoy his days.  He doesn't enjoy naptime and often begs me to pick him up beforehand. There is definitely a difference in his temperament the days he rests versus the days he does not.  His school and teacher have been such huge blessings and I can't believe there are only a few weeks left!

 

He recites the entire alphabet and counts to 100 mostly unassisted.  We are working on rhyming words.  He doesn't seem interested in reading yet but recognizes a few familiar words.  He enjoys all things number related including time.  He constantly asks "how many days/minutes/seconds until...?".

 

 

He calls himself an Aggie and loves to give me a hard time about Baylor.  He has a few recorded Aggie football games and loves to rewind, fast forward, pause, analyze and ask his daddy questions.  His sleep habits haven't changed much.  He recently got a new big boy bed but still ends up with us most nights.  He looks forward to sleeping on the couch on weekends.

He is a great big brother!  He is very helpful and is even willing to change diapers!  He certainly seems to much bigger now that Hudson is here.

His eating habits are also pretty consistent.  We encourage him to try a bite of everything but his taste buds just won't budge!  We do our best to include at least one food item that we know he will eat with every meal.  The boy could gladly survive on Ramen noodles or white rice alone.

 

He enjoys Wii sports - especially bowling, football and golf.  His hand/eye coordination has progressed and he is actually very good!  If you beat him he will not invite you to play again :) 

 

We are soaking up the last few months before he starts Kindergarten.  We love our Owen!