It was just a little over a year ago that I was requesting prayer requests for my mom as she underwent radiation and a lumpectomy to fight against breast cancer. I'm so thrilled to share that today when she had a follow up mammogram and appointment with the surgeon, she received a clean bill of health. All things look well and mom doesn't have to return for another year. Nothing makes me happier than a healthy family and especially a cancer-free Gigi! We're all so happy for her!!!
MJ reads I Love You Through and Through to me-April 2012
One of the sweetest things MJ does is gather up lots of books and sit in his bed and just read to himself after nap times or when he wakes up in the morning. He often does this quitely until we come into the room to get him. On this particular day it was after nap time and he was reading one of our favorite books.
Charlotte rolls at 3 months-April 2012
Charlee rolled from belly to back a handful of times between 2 and 3 weeks old and then stopped doing it. She began doing this again at 3 months and Mat was able to catch it on video the second time. Not the best quality, but watch her roll. She then starts crying immediately. :(
MJ learned his address, although Chestnut St. sounds a lot more like "Doughnut Street".
Our sweet little boy is now playing soccer. We'll use that term loosely, as I'm not so sure how much a just-turned-3 year old can grasp soccer, but I must tell you that it's stinkin' adorable!!!
First off, I can.not.believe. that I am the stage in my life that I am standing along the sidelines watching my son play a sport. Ummm, wasn't I just standing along the sidelines for my big brother's soccer games, or going to watch Mat's little cousins play in a league? Surely, I'm not old enough to have my own son be playing! Ahhh, where does time go?! Surreal!
We found out about this developmental league through a friend. It's perfect, and we were so excited to be able to join in. It's just for 6 Saturdays in a row-1 hour total. A 25 minute practice, a little break, and then 25 min. game. It's coached by parents (Yup, Mat's a coach) and supported by one of the local universities. So, some college soccer players come out and lead the practice while the coaches just help out, and then the coaches are on the field encouraging and helping throughout the game. It's 3 year olds only and only 5-6 kiddos per team. During practice every kid has a ball, so they all get a chance to practice the skills at the same time. Then, during the game all kids play so no one is left out.
A couple weeks ago, I went to pick up MJ's soccer shirt. It comes down to his knees! Bought his first pair of shin guards and soccer socks, too. Cuuuute! No cleats for this kid yet. I refuse to spend that much money on shoes that he'll outgrow before next season. We'll see if he even likes it first.
In true MJ fashion, he took awhile to warm up to the idea. He was all pepped up on the way to his first practice/game, and then as soon as it was time to actually start he wanted nothing to do with it. He spent the first 10 or so minutes either crying or being held on the sidelines by me while Mat was trying to help the other kids out. Also, one of his little buddies was playing on the field right next to us and he surely didn't understand why he couldn't just go play on that field! After being a spectator for a little bit though and seeing how fun it looked he was ready to give it a try, and from then on had an absolute blast! He mostly just loved running all over the place I think. :) Watching a swarm of three year olds follow a ball around is quite entertaining. There were one or two kids on each team that actually semi-cared about kicking the ball into the goal, but for the most part it was just silly run around time following a ball. MJ told me he scored 5 goals. Hey, at least he's confident in his abilities! ;)
Those were MJ's words on Easter morning, and really, what's more precious than that?! Something I'll always remember. Some Easter highlights to share...
Mat was out of town the weekend before Easter, but there was a local Easter egg hunt and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Totally free, so how could I pass that up?! Anytime I have to get the kids ready completely by myself and out the door feels like quite a feat! I'm not sure if other mamas feel this way or I just make things way too complicated, but I stress big time. I hate that I do that because I feel like it takes away from my joy or "being in the moment", so it's something I'm working on! Anyways, I digress... I got the kiddos up and ready that Saturday morning and headed to Ace Hardware. Yup, who would think the hardware store is the Easter spot?! Seriously, it's one amazingly nice family-friendly hardware store! They had a cute Easter egg hunt that was perfectly designed for little ones and free pics with the bunny. Luckily MJ was all smiles as he met the Easter bunny and little Charlotte was too naive to have a clue who I was handing her over to. I must admit, I didn't think a thing of this bunny when I saw him. I was probably too focused on keeping track of MJ, waiting in line, and then snapping a picture to give it much though, but once I really looked at this photo and then got all the feedback on FB, I'm even more impressed that MJ didn't cry! This is one freaky looking bunny!! Doesn't it look like something out of a horror flick?! Ha! Well, it will always be something to remember. My kid's first pic ever with the Easter Bunny-
MJ with his loot at the Dubuque Easter Egg hunt...proud boy! We text this picture to Mat, who was in Iowa City for the weekend. We missed him, but created some wonderful memories that morning!
The week of Easter we headed to St. Louis, which was Charlotte's first road trip. I'd really been looking forward to the trip. Last year when we were home for Easter was when I found out I was pregnant with Charlotte, so it seemed so fitting that we were now traveling back with her for the very first time. Couldn't wait to show off my new baby girl and have her meet many family members for the first time, and I couldn't wait to see MJ experience Easter at an age when I felt like he'd really begin to enjoy it. The trip didn't disappoint. I think it was one of our best road trips yet, actually. Everyone was fairly healthy, traveled pretty well, and slept pretty well. Yes, it was still a little too rushed and busy for my liking, but overall a great time spent with family and happy kiddos which makes for a happy mama!
One of the things I was most looking forward to was meeting my friend Stephanie's little baby boy, Bennett. Stephanie and I have been friends for a long time, and she had her baby just four days after Charlotte was born. So special to think our little ones are so close in age. I wish we lived closer so that they could grow up playing together, but it will be fun to get them together at least a couple times a year when we visit.
We were also able to get together with Mat's two step sisters and Grandma and Grandpa Immekus at Creve Couer park. It was their first time to meet Charlotte, and our first time to meet Jessica's newest addition, our niece Molly. MJ enjoyed playing with his little cousins, Brian Jr. and Joseph. It's fun seeing them reach an age where they can play together now!
I celebrated my 33rd birthday while in St. Louis as well. I think both Mat and my mom had thought maybe I'd want to go out, get together with people, have a date, etc. but when my mom asked what I wanted to do, I said what sounded the best really was to do nothing! :) Just staying in, not have to go anywhere, and spending time with my family sounded the best. So, mom made a wonderful meal and tried so hard to find a dairy-free dessert to make for my birthday! I was spoiled with flowers, balloons, sweet gifts and cards, and the company of my parents, grandpa and Elzena, my brother, husband, and children. What more could I ask for? It has been years since I've celebrated my birthday at home! Now that I have children and know how much I treasure their birthdays, I can imagine one day I'll be sad to be apart from them on that day, so trying to see it from my parent's perspective, I imagine it felt special to be together on that day.
That Saturday we celebrated Easter with my family by going to my parent's church and then out to dinner....Chick Fila, baby!! Hey, it's yummy, kid friendly, and quick. Poor MJ was so tired and had a bit of a meltdown before he got in much good playtime and Charlotte slept through the whole thing, but the rest of us enjoyed ourselves. :) Church service was wonderful too! I spent the majority of it in the nursing mother's room, but it was so quiet and peaceful that I honestly enjoyed that quite a bit! MJ played in the nursery and enjoyed himself which was wonderful as well. He must have learned some pretty valuable lessons while in the nursery because the next morning is when he told us "Jesus is my best friend," and when asked where he learned that he said at "GiGi and PopPop's church.
Charlotte Noelle in her Easter dress and ready for church
Our first Easter as a family of 4-Yes, I even color coordinated us :)
Here we were in the exact same spot just one year earlier. We'd found out we were pregnant just 2 days earlier, on Good Friday. Who knew what God had in store for us. Blessed!!!
One happy mother
Uncle Jeff with his little buddy
Everyone ready for church!
Of course that evening the Easter Bunny made a visit. I absolutely LOVE this stage of preparing little goodies for the kiddos. Of course Charlotte doesn't get it, but MJ is at such a great stage where he now gets excited about it, doesn't question any of it, and just purely enjoys it!
Baskets all made up for Charlotte and MJ
Here's MJ waking up on Easter morning and coming downstairs to find eggs and his basket. Then, he was happy to help find Charlee's basket, too...
After Easter goodies, we got ready to spend Easter Day with Mat's family. First, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Keyes' house. We got there earlier than everyone else so we could have a little special time with them and they could meet Charlotte before everyone else arrived. Then, we enjoyed another one of grandma's well cooked meals (she works hard!!) and some good ole crazy family time! MJ was eating crazy amounts of candy. Every time I saw that boy he had chocolate in his hand....even a can of orange soda at one point. I kinda just had to give into the fact that his diet that day would be 99% sugar! :)
Grandma Keyes' newest great grandchild
Our niece, Lily, with MJ and "Uncle Mat"
Mema getting some much needed cuddles from Charlotte
Checking out the loot from the Keyes Easter Egg hunt
After that it was one more stop-time to visit the Immekus Easter over at Aunt Lorrie's house. We arrived just in time for their Easter egg hunt. It was funny because it was about a 15-20 minute drive from one place to another and MJ crashed almost as soon as the car started moving. As soon as we pulled into Lorrie's driveway though we woke right up and said, "I need to see more people!" Boy, how things have changed in a matter of a year. Easter last year for this little guy?...Disaster! Easter this year? Pure fun!
Yep, he was all changed into a grass-stain and orange soda free outfit and ready for another egg hunt!
One tired baby by this point!
We headed back to my parent's house that evening and put both kiddos straight in the bath! Needless to say they both knocked out and slept hard. Mat and I, too! :)
Before leaving town, I wanted to get one special pic of my Dad with Charlotte. I've gotta find the copy of this picture of my dad and me as a baby, but when I was just a small baby my dad held me (Father's day maybe?) on the front porch of our house as my mom took a picture. I was wearing this green and yellow hat and poncho that Grandma Dorsie had crocheted. My mom kept that outfit all these years and when I found out I was having a baby girl, I knew I'd be putting her in it at some point this spring! How special to now have my dad holding my daughter in this outfit. I hope that Grandma was looking down with love.
Then, the car was packed and there was one last stop out at Mark and Bobi's house. Unfortunately, Mark had to work, but Bobi had taken the day off and was quite glad to spend a good chunk of it with her grandbabies, I think. We were able to play for awhile with cousin Lily and Mema prepared a yummy lunch for us before we hit the road and headed home. She looks like one happy Mema, doesn't she?
About an hour into the ride, MJ started whining a bit that he wanted to be hommmme! I think we're embarking on the "Are we there yet?" stage. Fun times! Let's just say he let him eat an ice cream dinner on the way home just to make him happy and keep ourselves sane. Both kiddos were happy to be back home and out of the car!
I feel like the last few weeks I've been treading water. If you've seen Finding Nemo (I've seen it quite a bit over the last few months ;) ), then you know the singy-songy voice that Dory says "Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming!" I feel like that's my mantra day by day. I feel like I can NOT keep up with everything. I keep thinking of things I want to blog about, but yet each day seems to come to an end with no time for the computer. The good news is that I guess that's a sign that we're living life and having fun! Two wonderful things to update-MJ is a sweet, ornery, and energetic little 3 year old and Charlotte is a smiling, cuddly, and developing her own little personality 3 month old.
My "little guy", as he refers to himself on his 3rd birthday
MJ began his birthday celebration on March 8th, at school. He was able to choose a special healthy snack to bring to school a long with a present for the class. He chose to bring Goldfish to share with his class and picked out a truck book and playground ball for the class present. On his birthday he was excited to wake up and come downstairs to see his presents. Mat had to go to Iowa City late that morning for a conference, so we were sure to recognize the special day first thing while we were both home.
After opening presents, we just spent the morning at home playing, Skypeing, and enjoying some down time while Mat was at his conference. After nap time, MJ knew we'd be heading to Jumpin Janes for a birthday celebration with his friends. It was very low key but just perfect for a 3 year old! We invited two of MJ's little buddies from preschool, JP and Adam. They met us there for a couple hours of non-stop playing! They were adorable. MJ was all smiles the entire time, only stopping long enough for a little pizza, juice, and cupcakes. He had an absolute blast! He was so happy the whole way home and slept like a champ. The next morning when we woke up he asked, "More birthday today?" Bless his heart!
Celebrating at Jumpin Janes with his friends
Just the other day I was trying to get grass stains out of MJ's jeans for the first time and I realized he's officially a "little guy" and not a baby. It's amazing to me how much he's grown and changed just over the last year. I remember last year he was still quite cautious at the playgrounds. I followed him all around helping him and keeping a close eye on him, and now look at him...so independent, brave, agile, and proud of himself...
Little Miss Charlee just turned 3 months old. She's smiling a lot lately-anytime we walk into her room after bed time or nap time, and most anytime you talk to her. She still loves to smile for her brother anytime he talks to her, and he continues to love showering her with attention! She's an awesome little sleeper at night. She usually goes down for the night around 7:30, typically wakes once to eat around 4 or 5, and then sleeps until 7:30 or 8. She pretty consistently takes a solid morning nap after being awake for only an hour or so, and then takes shorter naps throughout the day. Each day is a little different though and we pretty just much go with the flow rather than have a regimented schedule quite yet. She stills nurses about every 3 hours or so during the day. As you can tell, she's growing very well! She's our little chunky monkey, no wearing 6 months clothes, which are starting to get quite tight. We've had amazing weather almost all month, so I've really enjoyed putting her in cute dresses!
All smiles-March 23, 2012
3 months
There are moments I wonder how I'll make it through the day, like when MJ decided to start tearing his very expensive Cars mural off his wall or Charlotte cries non stop while in her carseat, but then there are the moments when I read my sweet boy his bedtime stories and he tells me "I love you so much," or when Charlotte looks up at me with a huge smile on her face, and I remember just how lucky I am to have these two little angels! Loving my 3 year old and 3 month old!
I've started a birthday tradition (thank you Pinterest). Beginning at 3 years old, every year on my children's birthday I'm going to have a little "birthday interview"....basically just the same list of questions each year. I think this will be a wonderful memory to document for my children to look back on one day, us enjoy throughout the years, and of course provide some great humor! So, here it goes....MJ's first birthday interview at 3 years old.
My answers are exactly as he said them to me. My thoughts are in parentheses.
Recite your name: M and J (He's NEVER said his name this way before, go figure)
How old are you? 3! ("tee")
What's your favorite color? red
Who is your best friend? Allison (this is a little girl in his class at school; I've yet to meet her or her parents though)
What's your favorite animal? a pig (reallly?? maybe mommy rubbed off on you)
What do you want to be when you grow up? a dog (LOL!!!)
What's your favorite movie? Choo-Choo Movie (a tad obsessed with Thomas the Train movies)
What is your favorite book? car book
What makes you happy? Choo-choos (as he says "Hmmmm," and puts his finger on his chin as if in deep thought)
What makes you sad? cars (Mommy's thinking uh-oh, there goes that great new room we made for you)
What's your favorite food to eat? waffles
What's your favorite toy to play with? cars (phew!)
What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Cuddle Bear and car blanket
Mommy's Sidenotes:
MJ has really developed from a baby to a little boy this year. I was thinking back how the last two years I would go into his room and around the time he was born (midnight) and pick him up and rock him. Not this year. He's his own little person now and would probably wake up and look at me like I am crazy. Kinda hard on a mommy's heart, but I'm so thankful for all that he is! March 8th always feels like quite an emotional day for me as I think back to what was happening three years ago and how naive I was at what was about to take place. I thought once I had a positive birth experience, those memories would fade, but they didn't...not yet anyways. And that's okay, I think. There must be a reason for that. I'm learning to focus on what is rather than what was, but to always keep that memory with me in my heart to remind me how thankful to be of his precious little life as well as to use that experience to provide sympathy and support for others.
And trust me, some days I need to think back to that moment to remember how thankful to be for him! ha! I'm not sure if 3 is worse than 2 as I seem to hear many parents say, but MJ has been on a roll for the last week. Time out has been used more times than I care to count, patience has been tested, and tears have been shed from both him and I. It's all part of learning, testing the limits, and developing though, and when it comes down to it I wouldn't have it any other way. He is my miracle, my sunshine, and now my little boy (although he'll always be my baby).
Yes, while I was doing this, Mat was lounging in Jupiter, FL. How's that for a little guilt trip, honey? :) One thing I learned is that I have been pampered in not having to shovel a single time since we moved to Iowa. This was only a small snow by Dubuque standards, probably 4 or 5 inches tops, but it still felt like it took a long time! The fun part though was having MJ out with me and getting to play in the snow with him. I've looked forward to doing this all winter, but have never had the chance because Charlotte's too little to take out in it. But, this time the opportunity was perfect, because guess who was inside to watch little Charlotte....
GIGI!!!
Yep, Gigi was nice enough to drive to Dubuque to help out while Mat was out of town. It was my first overnight time on my own without Mat since having two kiddos, so it was wonderful to have her help. Getting two little ones to bed at the same time and then getting them both up in the morning is no easy task and having two sets of hands is a huge blessing! She was able to get lots of quality time with her grand kids, catch up on Charlee's growth over the last month, and help me out all at the same time. It was wonderful for me too just to have some face to face time with her. Since becoming a mommy of two, I feel like there is very little time to talk on the phone lately and when I get the chance to talk to her it's usually rather short and to the point, so just having some time for a little girl chat and catching up was wonderful!
To back up a bit, Mat went down to Jupiter, FL to meet my brother for a little spring training Cardinals style and relaxation time. He was due a little break and had been looking forward to a long weekend of guy time and baseball. It was his spring weekend at school, so he had to travel on certain dates and unfortunately it didn't line up with any games, but he was looking forward just to watching practices, hanging out with Jeff, enjoying the warmth, etc. Baseball didn't cooperate too well and due to scheduling and weather, they got to see very little. They still enjoyed eating out, a movie, and just hanging out, and he came back refreshed and very much looking forward to seeing the kiddos. My little break will be coming up next, once Charlotte doesn't need me quite so much. ;)
While Mat was away, Gigi got to jump right into our normal routine. She took MJ to school on Thursday, spent lots of time trying to get Charlotte to sleep, did some laundry, and made time for plenty of fun too! On Saturday, we visited the aquarium, where MJ had a blast looking at fish and playing with boats, and Charlotte took a nice nap in her stroller. :)
We're glad Daddy had a restful little break, and we had so much fun with Gigi, but Daddy, please don't leave again anytime soon. It might make us sad...
.jpg)
