Siesta Key 2015

We went to Siesta Key, Florida at the end of February for 8 days!  The kids were so excited and had been looking forward to the trip for weeks….while we were just trying to figure out how we'd get all 5 of us plus luggage through the airport!  We flew out on Friday afternoon and Emery of course hated the flight!  Of all the flights we've been on with our kids, we were finally 'those people with the baby.'  Although she didn't cry the entire flight, she definitely did her share of crying and I couldn't wait to get us all off the plane!

We spent the week playing at the beach and swimming in the pool!  We went out to dinner a few evenings, St. Armands Circle, the drum ceremony, and Scott and I even got away one evening to go out to dinner.

First time at the beach for Emery!  She loved playing in the sand!!!!

Elli and I found matching shoes…..we just had to get them!!

We made a last minute decision to go to Disney on Thursday!  This was definitely a different experience taking a 6 month old and someone who was feeling slightly under the weather (ahem…Dad).  But….we were able to meet up the Georges' and ride some of our favorite rides!  We rode the new Snow White ride, Barnstormer, Thunder Mountain, It's A Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Race Cars, carousel and Jungle Boat Cruise.  We also saw Mickey's Philharmonic, met Ariel and watched the parade. (we didn't all do each of those things)  We were done by 8:00 and exhausted.

Riding Dumbo

 Thunder Mountain

 First time at Disney

 It's a Small World

 Emery and Papa were friends for a bit on this ride….

 Carousal

 Well….at least 3 of us are looking….

 Meeting Ariel

 Riding his car

 


 The kids took a nap the first day in Florida, but didn't take one the rest of the week!  They were both so exhausted by the end of the week!  Our flight home went much better than the flight there!

We had a great week and like every vacation, it went entirely too fast!  We came home to lots of snow and cold!  We were happy to sleep in our own beds, but missed the sun and beach!

Disney on Ice

We went to the annual Disney on Ice show in mid-February!  We were looking forward to the show and got the kids tickets for their Valentine's Day gift.  What we hadn't planned on was having Connor be sick!  Prior to this show, we had taken Connor to the dr. and ended up with 2 inhalers, meds for his nebulizer, a steroid, and an antibiotic.  His dr. is fairly certain that he will have an asthma diagnosis in the future.  Anyways, steroids make him go unbelievably slightly crazy.  It really is like nothing you've ever seen.  We go from a crazy meltdown to extreme happiness.  Disney on Ice proved to be a difficult show for Connor to sit through.  

Everyone else had a good time, though….   

Emery even stayed up late to watch it….

We'll try again next year :)

Connor is 3.5

Connor,

You are now 3.5 years old!  You are growing so quickly and I can't believe what a fun, little boy you are!  You were so excited when I told you last month that you were going to be 3.5!  You were expecting a huge birthday bash with lots of cake and balloons.  Unfortunately we didn't do all that, but we did sing to you :)  

You are so silly these days and are always running around talking/yelling in the loudest voice.  You are shy to people you don't know (and even to some people you do know), but at home….wow….you are loud!!  When you get excited, you talk in your 'Connor language.'  You say tons of words that no one can understand and have made up your own language.  You still LOVE playing with all your toys!  Trains, trucks, cars, tractors, planes, ninja turtles….they are all your favorite!  You can keep yourself occupied for the longest time with your toys!  However, you still struggle with cleaning them up :)  

Bedtime for you is 8 or 8:30; however, you are a night owl!  You stay up late in your room, not making a sound and eventually fall asleep….but you always like to sleep in.  You tend to skip your nap at least once or twice a week….on those nights, you fall asleep relatively quick.  We have many mornings where we have to wake you up for school or church.  

Three years of age hasn't been your easiest stage; however, we are still enjoying each and every day!  You are still sensitive and don't like it when you get in trouble.  You have really started to notice girls….you still like Stella from school, but have also found some other girls you like (oh brother!!).  You and Daddy have had to have a talk or two and we've sought out some advice from other parents with boys.  You have become more picky, but we still manage to get whatever dinner/lunch we give you down. When you get embarrassed or you do something you know is wrong, you give us the face above (part smile with mouth open and tongue over to the side).

You are a GREAT big brother.  You weren't so sure about Emery at first, but you two have a sweet, special relationship.  She loves you and out of all of us, you are the one that makes her laugh.  But when she wakes up, your eyes light up.  You are always quick to go over to her and greet her!  You tend to stick right beside Elli when we're out and about.  At soccer the other day, someone got in between you guys in line….you quickly moved to where you were standing right behind Elli….you put your arms around her from behind and said "This is MY sissy."  At home, you guys play pretty well….lately it seems you guys always end up in a 'fun' wrestling match!

You have tolerated school this year, but are ready for it to be over.  It has been good for you, though.  You've learned so much.  I'm hoping that something will click next year and you'll learn to love it!

 You love to pray!  You are always asking to pray at home and at church.  I picked you up today from church and your teacher said "He is going to be a great leader someday.  His prayers are the best that we've heard in here.  He's such a special boy."  We couldn't agree more!

 Connor, you have started to like writing/coloring.  You are doing great writing your name…you picked that up at school!  We are STILL working on your alphabet….you almost have them down!

 You are sweet, silly, funny and so so handsome!  You are so much fun!!  Happy half birthday, Bubs!!

Valentine's Day

We had a great Valentine's weekend.  Scott had the idea that we should each take the kids out on a one on one date for Valentine's Day.  Scott took Elli out as soon as he got home from work on Friday!  Surprisingly, she was a little hesitant to go, as she wanted us to all go as a family!

 Scott took her to the store and bought her a flower.  They went to Max and Erma's for dinner and he said she giggled the whole time at dinner.  At one point she said, "This is way more fun than I thought it would be.  We should do this more."  And when Connor and I were on our date she said, "This is great…..it's just us, so no one will be able to bother us."  (they were playing uno)

 After Elli and Scott got home, Connor and I went out!  Connor gave me a rose and said "Will you be my Balentine?"  It was so sweet….I heard him coming back to see me, so I thought fast and turned on my camera and was able to tape him (I had a feeling what was coming, as I heard Scott in the kitchen coaching him on what to say).

 I kept asking him where he wanted to go for dinner and he kept telling me he wanted to go to the mall. He is definitely in an "I want….I want…." stage!  He thought for sure we'd be able to go pick out a toy….um...nope!  Eventually, he said 'panpakes' sounded good, so we went to Bob Evans.

We had a great time!  He kept looking at these girls the whole night.  I finally asked him why he kept looking at them and he said "because they're hubba bubba."  Um….yeah.  

We had Emery's 6 month pictures taken the morning of Valentine's Day and then dropped Elli off at a birthday party while we went and ate lunch with some friends.  We found a babysitter at the last minute, so Scott and I went out after we put Emery to bed!  It is very hard to find reservations for Valentine's Day when you wait until the last minute!  We ended up finding a new-to-us restaurant downtown that was a really good!  Happy (very belated) Valentine's Day!!

Valentine's Day Pictures

Valentine's Day Photo Shoot

 Emery's first Valentine's Day….

 Typically, Connor is the hardest person to get to sit and smile in our photo shoots these days…..

6 Month Birthday

I can't believe Emery is already a half of a year old!  That was truly the quickest 6 months yet!  She is really starting to laugh a lot and is so smiley!  She loves when we clap and always loves to be held!

Emery is going to bed around 6:45 to 7:00 each night and will sleep anywhere between 6:15 and 7:30.  She typically takes an 8 ounce bottle in the morning, will eat solids for lunch, 6 ounce bottle before her nap, 4 ounces after her nap, dinner, and a 6 ounce bottle before bed.  She takes an hour to 1.5 hour nap in the morning and usually a 2 to 2.5 hour nap in the afternoon!  Emery sleeps with about 6 pacifiers in her bed…..1 in her mouth….a couple in each hand….and the others scattered around in case she loses one.  The thought of taking away her pacifiers when she is old enough terrifies me!

Emery officially has her first tooth!  She is sitting up well and rolling from back to belly (as of last Tuesday).  She is moving around some on the floor and it won't be long before she is all over the place.  She is into anything she can get her hands on….she is constantly grabbing anything in her reach!  She enjoys fruits, sweet potatoes and carrots.  

Emery is still not much of a people person, but she has spent a few times in the church nursery and she's done great!  Emery is happiest and most comfortable at home with us!  She loves her siblings, especially Connor.  Out of all of us, he can get her to laugh the most!  She loves watching him and he loves her!  Emery squeals when she laughs and she breathes quick, short breaths when she gets excited!

Emery still has her hernia and they are always quick to tell me what things to look for at her dr. appointments in the event that this could become detrimental to her health.  Like Connor's VSD, I will be happy when we no longer have to think about her hernia!  Any extra spitting up or fussiness, I'm always quick to make sure her hernia didn't twist.  In addition to her hernia, Emery also has eczema.  It is worse on her back and hands…..Her hand will occasionally become swollen from it.  I've spent $65 so far and I feel like we've finally got it under control.  Emery has also dealt with thrush a few times.  After the 3rd time we considered possibly switching her to formula; however, she's not much of a fan of formula, so that didn't work.

Either her 6 month sticker got lost or the company forgot to put it in the package….I looked ALL over for it!  Luckily, I save everything, so I pulled out Elli's from when she was a baby!  Here's our sweet, sweet 6 month old!!

A few more pictures from the day….

Happy half birthday, sweet girl!  You keep us busy!!!!  But you are a constant reminder that His plan is better than our own!  We're so glad you are here with us and that you are our daughter!