Andrew's Pasttime

I finally caught Andrew rolling over on video today!!! So excited over the little things, can ya tell? I did get to SEE him roll over for the first time on Thursday and now that he's rolling over more and more often, I thought I should film it for the fam to see. (Please don't mind me and my high pitched mama voice cheering and encouraging him from the sidelines!) Anyways. I am so excited that he has gotten the hang of rolling over and scooting all over the place. I'm sure I won't be saying that when he's pulling things left and right off of shelves, but then again, our stuff isn't within toddler reach so he can have at it with his sister's toys. Just not sure SHE'LL be too thrilled. :) Oh well.


Andrew - Rolling Over 5/24/09

End Of The Week Surprise

This week was Aubrey's first time experiencing the SOL tests in school (can be quite stressful for 3rd grade on up) and I thought it would be fun to surprise her at the end of the week with a treat. Now that Carl's is back up and running for the past few months, I thought it was the perfect place to go. I also talked earlier in the week with Aubrey's friend C's mom that I also happen to be friends with and we decided to plan this little surprise together. Ice cream and then a trip to the nearby park. The weather was perfect. A little too perfect. Not only was the ice cream melting, but so were the kids by the end of the trip! You should have seen Aubrey's face when she figured out that we were up to something. Especially when we pulled into Carl's.

{Me and my girls}

{Aubrey and her friend C}

{Jocelyn enjoying her yummy ice cream. Her shirt enjoyed it too.}

{Jocelyn's first time on the merry-go-round. She LOVED it!}

{Round and round they went!}

{They all loved playing on the merry-go-round so much that this is really all they wanted to do.}

{Couldn't escape the park without a ride on the swing first! Of course, right?}

{A little fuzzy, but you get the picture. She's LOVING every minute of being on the swing!}

{Aubrey and C playing at the park}

{"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"}

{Aubrey saved the day and slid down the slide with Jocelyn who stood frozen up at the top! She's such a great sister.}

{And where were the guys you wonder? At home chilling out together. Doing bonding things I'm sure. Like watching a basketball game or dreaming up the next house project. :)}

We all had so much fun. I can't wait to scheme up another fun surprise for her last day of school!

I Spoke Too Soon!

HE DID IT! Andrew rolled over today!! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see this exciting event occur. I'm kind of bummed about that but I'm sure I'll see it happen in the days to come. I had just gotten done helping him to roll over (we've been practicing) and when he looked tired, I covered him up with his blanket and gave him his pacifier while he layed on his tummy. I came over to the desk to tidy some things up when I heard him crying. A moment later when I walked over to see what he was crying about, he was on his back. I actually had to think for a second, "didn't I lay him on his tummy?" I honestly couldn't remember. But he was in fact on his tummy so he rolled over all on his own - just when I started to wonder when that was ever going to happen! The day after turning 5 months, he finally did it! I took a picture of him as soon as I found out that he had rolled over for the first time. I think he was a little scared by the look on his face. (Don't worry, I picked him up right after I took this shot and snuggled him and congratulated him on his newest achievement!) Yeah Andrew! :)

5 Months

{Andrew at 5 months - 5-19-09}

Andrew turned 5 months old today if you can believe it! I enjoy each of my children's milestones and growing up phases but I also really love the baby stage too. I love watching them grow and learn. Andrew is such a good baby and we're so blessed to have him in our lives and part of our family.

Here are some things at his current age that I'd like to document:

* likes to giggle and laugh

* can stand on our laps while we support his upper body

* holds his head up really well while on tummy and being held

* rarely likes to be on his back except to fall asleep at night

* keeps his mama very busy (and everyone else for that matter!)

* sucks and chews on just about anything he can get his hands on - including his hands!

* adores his sisters and loves the attention

* enjoys story time

* loves it when we sing "if you're happy and you know it" and "down by the station"

* enjoys going on walks

* doesn't enjoy tummy time all that much

* can partially roll over (if only that arm would get out of the way!)

* scoots while on his back - and tummy for that matter!

* likes to flap his arms all over the place

* starting to reach and grab toes

* lifts legs high into the air

* loves his 1st teddy bear (does sucking on the bear's nose count as kisses?)

* started eating rice cereal a few weeks ago. doesn't love it yet but doesn't refuse it much either.

* LOVES bath time!

* ticklish on feet, sides, and lower back toward his buns

* still has a small bald spot on the back of his head where he rubs it while sleeping at night

* enjoys when he gets swing time

* tries to sneak in some basketball watching with Dad

* hardly fusses on car rides. either "sings" or falls asleep

* sleeps about 10 hours a night with a nap following most feedings for an hour or two at a time

* eats 5 times a day (every 3 hours or so) with rice cereal at the start of last meal

* likes to grab hair and pinch/twist skin. OUCH!

* smiles ALL the time!

* gets warm really easily

* prefers to not wear socks

* already wearing #3 diapers and 6-9 month clothing

* sometimes falls asleep with his hand on his head

* doesn't have a favorite blanket yet - loves them all

* takes his pacifier out and tries to put it back in - not always successful but sometimes it does happen

* likes being held and snuggled

* rarely cries - usually only when he's hungry and impatient and when he's tired

* enjoys when we sing him nursery rhymes or primary songs

{Hanging out with his daddy}

Here's to more fun times and many more milestones to count and enjoy! :) "We love you cutie pie!"

Marine Corps Historic Half

John ran the Marine Corps Historic Half (13.1 miles) today! This was his first time running in a marathon race and came in at 2 hours 3 minutes and 50 seconds. He did awesome and we were so proud of him. It happened to be pouring down rain (which he was grateful for - us, NOT so much) so we didn't see him at the finish line due to the race beginning at 7am with a whopping 7,000 participants (CROWDED) and church started at 9am. So this picture is of him at home after the race looking tired. Can you blame him? :) I know I would have been passed out for sure if I was the one running 13.1 miles. While he HAS been running regularly with his farthest stretch being 8 miles, this race happened to spring up on him last minute. His buddy from work was the one that initially signed up for this race but illness unfortunately got in the way so he stepped in to take his place. He is signed up however to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October so this was probably a helpful step to get him geared up and ready for it. (And the kids and I will finally be there at the finish line!) "Good job honey! We're so proud of you!"

Italian Date Night

John and I finally had a date night. The activities committee from church pulled off a wonderful evening: an Italian Date Night for all the couples. Nursery was provided and everything. How could we say no to such a fun event? :) For dinner, we had Parmesan chicken, lasagna, salad, bread sticks, and jello poke cake. The whole cultural hall/gym was staged like an Italian restaurant. White table cloths on round tables, menu board as you walked in, lights dimmed, and Italian music playing in the background. After we were done with dinner, they had a few people go up and sing and/or play songs (very talented people) and then we participated in a fun Italian question game to see who knew the most answers to win. They also had a really nice area to the side of the room that was staged with an awesome Italian backdrop with a bench in front of it. Really cute! We're so glad we went. We had such a fun night and I think we finally realized when we were heading back home that we've been neglecting date nights lately and need to go on more!

Last Game Of The Season

Aubrey's team did AWESOME today! And they played really well considering all the humidity we had at noon. This game was their second of the playoffs - and whatever team won this game would take them to the very last game for the final winner of the season. However, this game wasn't theirs to win in the end. They were tied for a while and then in the last quarter, the other team scored a goal. Final score 2-1. Aubrey felt partly responsible for the loss of the game as the ball hit her smack in the chest and knocked the wind out of her and John had to carry her off the field for the rest of the second half as another teammate took her place. We explained to her that she did her best and that's all we ask or expect of her. They win as a team or lose as a team. No one does it all on their own. After the final whistle was blown, they ran off the field, huddled together, and cried. All of the girls were pretty sad they didn't win but they really did great this season and all of us parents are very proud of them. And in our books, they're ALL winners! *Here's to the next season!!*

{GO #42!}