My 3 Year-Old Wonder!

Well, almost a month has passed since my last post, so you know what that means!?  Try to play catch-up and document lots of memories! :)

 

 I've taken so many pics of MJ over the last couple months that I've wanted to be sure to share, so I'll let the pics do the talking...

 

 

 

 

Earlier this fall, MJ made his 3rd trip to the dentist.  I'm so thankful for a great dental practice that is so wonderful with kids! I've been through enough un-fun dental procedures to be nervous myself, so it's great to be surrounded by gentle, loving, and patient providers when we go.  The first two visits were not especially productive. They'd show him all the instruments, let him do some exploring of all the tools, really try to hype it up, and he'd talk a good game, but then when it came time to sit back in the chair and actually open his mouth, it was a no-go.  I was mostly expecting the same outcome this time; however, MJ pleasantly surprised us all.  The night before, we really hyped it up and read a story about visiting the dentist.  The next day, he was such a big boy!  He played in the room and watched while I went first and got my teeth cleaned.  They were showing him lots of short animated dental videos up on the screen in the meantime.  I seriously think this might have been the game changer!  This kid loves his cartoons and seeing all the characters getting their teeth cleaned was way more motivating than just me encouraging him.  When it was his turn, he climbed up in the chair.  Don't get me wrong, he's looking a little apprehensive here, and he was, but he was so trusting and such a great listener!

 

 

 He sat still for the whole nine yards-teeth polishing, flossing, and all!  I was beyond proud of him and was sure to let him know it.  This certainly made him seem like a "little boy" to me and no longer baby-ish in any way.  I hate to break it to ya kid, but this is just the first of MANY dental cleanings in your future. 

 When we bought our new house, one of the huge motivators was knowing that it was going to have more space, including room for a play room.  I snapped this picture one day while downstairs playing trains with MJ.  It makes me so happy to see him have room to spread out and play with his toys.  He's not a huge fan of going down and playing by himself yet, but I'm sure that will come with time and age. 

I tried to set up some of my old teaching materials in order to have some good educational space for MJ as well.  Hey, they're just going to waste in boxes right now, so I figured I could definitely start making use out of them with my own little student.  He loves to practice counting his numbers! 

MJ continues to absolutely adore school.  As much as we debated over the decision, I'm so glad we chose to send him each afternoon.  He's really growing and blossoming, and I think his school is partly to thank for that!  This picture was taken on the morning of his first-ever field trip.  They rode the trolley down to the river walk and viewed all the sculptures on display.  MJ loves the riverwalk and has been there many times with us, but he was especially excited about riding the trolley.  When he came home that day and I asked all about his field trip, all he could seem to tell me was that they rode the trolley on the highway!  This made quite the memory apparently.  It was a little bittersweet, as part of me really wanted to be there holding his hand and watching his every reaction during this milestone.  It's strange for him to have a big new experience and not be a part of it, but I know this is just part of him growing and gaining some independence. 

A couple weeks later, I was able to go to MJ's school for Mother's Night.  This was MJ showing me one of his items of "work"-a bird watching station.  There was a little book with bird pictures and info along with a pair of binoculars to look at the window with.  He was excited to show me all the areas of his room.  We read a few books together before leaving for the night.  It has been a very chaotic day here at home with the renovations, so I was really thankful for this time spent just with him. 

Crazy kid loves his haircuts!  It's special time just with daddy usually.  I don't think I'd been to one of his haircuts since he was one.  I tagged along this time though to see how big and independent he'd gotten with the whole thing.  No more lap sitting.  He climbs up in the chair and sits on a booster, lets them use the clippers, and is quiet and patient. He'll do about anything for a sucker! He was even treated to some special red spiky gel that night, and was sure to show off his best punk-rock look! 

 

Our fall has been so consumed with the house renovations, that we haven't gotten to do quite as many fun fall activities as I'd normally like.  It's one of my favorite times of year-I love the pumpkin patches, hayrides, animal feeding, etc. etc.  We hadn't had time to get to one of the local pumpkin patches here, but while we were in St. Louis, we made it to Thies Pumpkinland.  It was so much fun!  More pics to come later, but the first picture is of MJ doing the kid's zip-line.  I couldn't believe he was up for trying this, but once again I've underestimated his bravery and independence.  Love the pure joy on his face in that picture!

 

The second picture was taken just across the street at an elementary school's pumpkin patch.  MJ thought he was so big pulling around a wagon and trying to load the big pumpkins into the wagon all by himself.  He was bound and determined he could lift this huge pumpkin.  This pumpkin however, did not make it into the wagon.  Maybe next year little man.  Keep workin' on those muscles! 

 



MJ had the opportunity to go bowling a couple weeks ago with Mat and a group of Mat's students. I was home with Charlotte, and Mat sent me a video.  I couldn't believe how MJ could throw the ball down the lane.  It was so cute, so I insisted we had to go again, soon, and that we did-the very next week!  The casino has a really neat bowling alley in it, and so we made a little trip of it while my brother was in town last week.  And, can I just say that the little toddler sized bowling shoes are adorable? I only bowl with an 8 lb. ball, so I'm pretty impressed how he can throw a 6 pound ball!  He takes his sport very seriously.  He waits his turn behind the line and is sure to tell the person after him when it's their turn.  Oh, and he also eats a little snack each time he's waiting for his ball to be returned.  TOO CUTE!

 We recently just had Uncle Jeff and Gigi here for Halloween week (more to come on that one), and MJ was a little bummed to take Uncle Jeff to the airport to fly home.  Uncle Jeff is like his own personal playmate, in his eyes, and he is quite fond of him!  Before we left the house to go to the airport, MJ expressed his sentiments by saying "Thanks for coming to visit me, Uncle Jeff."  This was completely unprompted and brought us all a bit to tears.  We sure miss living so close to Jeff and are thankful for such a long visit! 

Being 3 is tough work, guys!  MJ has given up naps for the most part, although I think his body still needs one.  He goes and goes and goes,and then sometimes in the car, he just finally crashes!  So sweet!

On Facebook this month, in spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, I've been listing something I'm thankful for each day.  This was my post yesterday and sums up my thoughts and feelings on this little boy of mine quite well:

"Today I remember to give thanks for my little three year-old wonder. Oh, how I longed and prayed for this child. Often in the day to day life of an energetic, playful, inquisitive, and determined preschooler, it's easy to be exhausted by the stubbornness, but yet during the calmness, I always remind myself what a blessing that trait is! For it is his stubbornness, strength, and determination...

that made him be our one embryo, out of five, to make it. Those same qualities saw him through his first few days of life when words like "ECMO" and "critical" were thrown our way. I believe God has big plans for this little boy of mine, and this morning when we woke up early and he was in my bed snuggling with me, I gave thanks to God for blessing me with this beautiful, precious life. May I never take it for granted! ♥"

9 Months in the Big World!

Charlotte Noelle turned 9 months old on September 23, 2012.  The 9 month mark seems like such a special one to me.  It means my sweet baby has been outside the womb equally as long as she was inside.  I've been sharing her with the big world for 9 whole months now.  I remember when 9 months of being pregnant seemed like quite a while.  I was the only one to feel all those movements, bond with her, and await her arrival with such anticipation.  The 9 months she's been out seem to have gone by MUCH faster, but my love for her has only grown, she's been able to bond with so many more people now of course including her daddy and brother, and she's grown into a little person with such a beautiful personality.  The picture above completely captured her personality! That's her favorite little smile that she gives to us with a wrinkled up nose and squinted eyes.  She blows out her nose making a little snorting sound at the same time. Love it! 

 

Waiting for Dr. Scott

 

Miss Charlee had her 9 month check up just last week.  Her stats are:  weight- 19lbs., 14oz. (64th%), height-28.75in. (82nd %), and head circumference 45cm (75%). She checked out wonderfully and was very cooperative.  She received one shot, the flu vaccine, and of course was not such a fan of that one.  She still has four teeth-two on bottom and two on top.  She's wearing size 12 and 18 mos. clothing now.  She's still nursing about 4 times a day and eating three meals as well.  The only way she'll eat any baby food is if you're not eating food of your own otherwise she definitely wants what everyone else is eating and is adamant about feeding herself.  She loooooooves bread!  Last night I put blueberries and avocados on her plate (both things that we were eating), and she grunted and fussed for awhile.  As soon as some bread went on, she gobbled it all up.  The girl can not get enough carbs-rolls, biscuits, toast, bread sticks, you name it-bring it on!  She also seems to really like apples, applesauce, pears and pasta. 

Yum, carrots are great for teething!

 She's wearing 12 month clothes and even beginning to wear a few size 18 month things too. She seems to only need 1 nap most days, which seems crazy to me, but just a two hour nap seems to be about all she requires.  Her night time sleep is still very inconsistent.  Some nights she sleeps throughout the night, and other nights she's awake anytime between 3 and 5AM and then back down usually until 7:30 or 8AM.

She began to crawl right before turning 9 months.  She still prefers to army crawl to get where she wants to go most quickly, but she'll crawl around pretty easily now, too. 

 

This was one of my favorite little moments caught thanks to my iPhone cam-seriously, what did I do before that thing?  This mirror, which is from our bathroom,  is propped up in our bedroom currently as we're remodeling the bathroom.  Charlotte was hanging out in my room while I was getting ready and suddenly discovered this cute little baby in the mirror.  She was so funny!  Notice her diaper hanging out, too?  Hehe!  Time for some bigger pants, mommy!

Charlee loves her bath time!  She likes to splash around and play with her boats.  MJ and her take baths together most times, but on this occasion she had the bath all to herself and was just happily playing away! 

MJ loves to come creeping into our room when he wakes up in the morning.  It's become his new thing since we've moved into this house.  Usually he'll ask to watch a show, and typically we oblige as we try to wake up ourselves (yup, we're clearly not morning people).  Sometimes Charlotte even joins in, and on this morning I thought it was sooo cute.  They were both propped up on their elbows holding their loveys, Cuddle Bear and Cuddle Bunny, in the exact same way.   These are the little moments when I just want to freeze time!

The first weekend of October, we went to Czipar's Apple Fest.  Great little family-fun event for kiddos, not to mention wonderful goodies all things apple related!  This seemed very special to me because last year I took MJ to this apple orchard one afternoon by myself.  I remember feeling very pregnant, loving the fall weather, and so in love with my little boy.  We went home and made applesauce and apple cake that day, and he was so proud!  This year, we all attended, and it seemed quite special having little Charlotte there, this time enjoying along with her brother. 

Charlotte seems to agree that fall time equals fun time! 

 

And, my absolute favorite thing about 9 months so far?  Charlotte is clearly saying mama with understanding and direction.  She says it A LOT right now, and I couldn't be happier!  Happy 9 months Charlee girl!

 

Tractors, Trucks, and Busses, Oh My!

Parents as Teachers puts on a Truck Night each year.  Last year we were sad that we were unable to attend, due to another commitment, because we knew MJ would just love it, so this year we were definitely looking forward to going!  MJ loves all things truck related!  He constantly asks to drive on the highway to look for macs, runs to the window to look out anytime he hears sirens (our new house is just a block away from the fire house), and is great at spotting any kind of tractor, dump truck, trash truck, school bus, etc.  Clearly, Truck Night was sure to be a huge hit!  It did not disappoint.  :)

 

I just loooooove these couple pictures I took while getting my two little ones ready for Truck Night.  It was a cool night, and I was excited to dress the kids in some new duds (well, new to them at least) that I'd been holding onto.  This outfit Charlee is in is a hand me down from my friend, Meg.  It's gotta be my favorite outfit, and I've been hoping I could squeeze Charlee into it before she'd grown past this size.  Lucky for me the weather cooperated!  :) 

 

I kept trying to get both kids to look at me and smile, but they just kept giggling at each other instead.  I'm so glad though, because this is my favorite picture of them, and one that I know I'll treasure forever.  I love how Charlotte's hand is on MJ's leg and how they're not just smiling at each other but in pure giggle mode!

 

 

 

 Finally managed to get one of them both looking at me...they can be serious, even if only for a second.  ;)

MJ was so excited to check out a real school bus at the Truck Night.  He got a school bus magnet when get got off.  Given that we live right across the street from the elementary school, he won't be riding a school bus anytime soon, but he will be riding on a trolley in just a couple weeks for his first ever field trip.  I think he'll be in heaven!!

My little John Deere boy in control of the levers!  He fits in well in Iowa, huh?

 Feeling might big and important sitting up in the fire truck.  He's hot stuff!

 Such a fun night with my little ones at PAT's Truck Night!

MJ's last car to check out was the police car.  He even got to turn on the flashing lights and sit in the driver's seat.  Let's just hope we never see him in the back of a police car again!

 

From the Mouth of MJ...

I wish I could capture each funny, innocent thing MJ says lately.  It's a daily occurrence, and I already value these sweet moments.  I just had to share a few, but mostly selfishly so I could document for my own treasure...

In Charlotte's room there is an ultrasound picture of her in a frame.  MJ is always very curious about it and asks if that's when Charlotte was in mommy's tummy.  Of course this leads to him commenting about also being in mommy's tummy at one time.  The other night as we were doing our bedtime routine, we were all in Charlotte's room together.  MJ proceeded to tell Mat and I a very elaborate and serious story about how when he was in mommy's tummy he was scared because there was a dinosaur in there!  Yikes!  :)

Again, at bedtime, a few nights ago we were saying our normal prayer that we say each night..."Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  Guard me Jesus through the night, and wake me with the morning light."  MJ continued to pray out loud when we finished saying "I pray for Jesus."  Then, he asked me where Jesus was.  Hmmm....tough one, kid.  I should have been prepared for a great answer I suppose, but on the fly did my best to explain that Jesus is not someone that we can see right now, but He watches over us and lives in our heart.  Not so sure that was the best route though because then MJ lifted his shirt and looked at his chest and with his most serious face replied with, "I no see Jesus in my heart." 

Today we pulled out all the Halloween and fall decorations.  We also went yesterday to the first Halloween themed event of the year, we've tried on his Halloween costume, and talked a bit about reminding him what trick-or-treating is.  Needless to say, Halloween must be on the brain after today.  Tonight after putting him to bed, I was in the bathroom washing my face.  I hear his door creak open and him come tip toeing in the bathroom.  "Mommy, is it Halloween yet?" he says. "No, baby Halloween's still a month away."  "One more sleep?"  "No, lots more sleeps."  "One more quiet time?"  No, lots more quiet times."  "Go to bed, I'll tell you when it's Halloween."  Off he went back to his room, closed his door, and back to bed.  Somehow I have a feeling, we'll be getting the "Is it Halloween yet" question a lot in the month to come!

Preschool Boy!

 

MJ was all ready for his first day of preschool on August 21st.  He returned to Dubuque Montessori School again this year, but moved upstairs to one of the 3-5 age rooms.  It's a mixed age class that he attends each afternoon for 2 1/2 hours.  He is just crazy about his teachers, and he has the only male teacher in the school.  I love anytime I see men working in the early education field and was thrilled that MJ got him as his teacher.  It has been a great fit!  MJ did not shed a single tear on his first day.  We all drove him to school that afternoon, and then I walked him into his classroom.  After a quick hug and kiss, I was off, and he was all smiles.  It's such a wonderful feeling to see your child so excited about school.  He's happy when we drop him off and happy when we pick him up, and that means A LOT!  It was a really tough decision for me deciding whether to send him mornings or afternoons and how many days per week.  It's really hard to give up some of that time with him, yet I know my own limitations due to my work schedule, and I know how much he loves the time to play and learn, so after lots of thought we gave this schedule a try.  So far, so good!  It's been a bit tough as he no longer naps much, but we've been having "quiet time" in his room when he gets home from school, and most days that works pretty well. 

 

As I look at these pictures that I took right before we left for school, I am amazed at this energetic, sweet, mischievous, curious, and loving little boy.  It seems like only days ago that he was lying in that little bassinet in the NICU looking so helpless, and now he's so strong and full of life.  He challenges us daily, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I love you, sweet preschooler! 

 

Oh, and don't ya love his Target sticker he insisted on keeping on his shirt for school?!  :)  

Little Moments

MJ singing "Jesus Loves Me'' to Charlotte.  She was sick here, but he loves walking around with this singing Christmas dog, that he received from Aunt Brenda his first Xmas, and singing this song to her. 

 

 

Out to lunch with my Charlee girl-just us girls

Going to the Chapel...

...to see our babysitter get married!

The kids got to attend their very first wedding at the beginning of September.  Kelly began babysitting for us last fall.  She watched MJ during nearly all our OB appointments while I was pregnant with Charlotte, and was Charlotte's very first babysitter.  She was a student of Mat's previously, and I only wish we'd begun using her sooner.  She was great!! 

Fortunate for her, but unfortunate for us, just like our last amazing babysitter, she had to graduate and move on.  It was so sweet of her to invite us to her wedding!  I wasn't so sure how the kids were going to do at a wedding, but if there was ever a time it seemed appropriate to take them, to their babysitter's wedding was definitely the occasion.

We prepped MJ over and over and about how he'd be seeing Kelly in a very pretty dress, and how he'd get to wear a tie, just like daddy, for the first time, and how he had to be very quiet at the wedding. For the most part he did great! We lost the battle on the dress shoes though, and he ended up wearing none other than his beloved Cars Crocs. Oh well, it seemed so in character for him that it was almost cute!

 MJ and Daddy, in their ties, at Miss Kelly's wedding

 How else do you entertain a 3 year old while waiting for the receiving line but let them stand on the air vent and watch their tie fly up!  Great entertainment!

 A whole lot of snack on hand to munch on in the very back row to keep kiddos quiet during the ceremony. 

 This skinny little boy ate a Nutri Grain bar, fruit snacks, rice puffs, and crackers...no joke!

 My sweet babies ready to celebrate their babysitter.  MJ was all smiles when Miss Kelly came down the aisle!

 Waiting at the reception with my Charlee girl! She sat in her high chair for almost 2 hours without ever fussing a bit.  Such a good baby! 

 MJ did really well being patient at the reception, too!  Of course we brought some cars along to help with that, and he also got to spend lots of time playing outside.  Brilliant idea of the bride and groom...serving a kids meal (chicken fingers, applesauce, and fries) for the little ones that came out before the adults were served.  How thoughtful!

Kiddos were pooped, but gave Kelly lots of loving before heading home for the evening.  Charlotte slept the entire way home...a 2 hour drive, while MJ watched a movie.  We all slept well that night!