September 29, 2015

I can't believe time is going so fast!

Francis had his first test yesterday. He said it went "ok", whatever that means. If you don't read about the results when we receive them, I'm sure he did wonderfully!

This week has been a whirlwind. Wednesday we ran out of size 4 diapers. I promised myself when we ran out, I would start up potty training with Robert again. I wasn't expecting it, but Wednesday afternoon, I realized we were out. I sucked it up and we started (we had taken a break after robert was sick a while back and then with Hannah coming and moving, we decided to wait). I am happy to report, Robert is doing great! He has no accidents on Saturday or Yesterday (He had some diarrhea Sunday afternoon) and has had no accidents today. He wakes up wet in the mornings, but other than that, he goes on the potty. This is one happy momma!! I feel like I say this all the time, but Robert is talking more and more. Last night William and Robert both picked up play phones and talked back and forth forever. It was so cute! Robert is gaining more words all the time, answering questions and generally making his desires known. So big!

Speaking of big, Hannah had her 2 month checkup on Friday after turning 2 months on Thursday. She was 11 lbs 14 oz (she's now over 12 lbs.), 24in and has a big head like the rest of our clan (smartie!). So, she's a little above average weight, but super long. She got her immunizations and the doctor was particularly impressed by her head control and calmness. Francis and I both agree that Hannah is the most mellow baby we've had. Don't get me wrong, all our babies have been happy, but she's just generally chill. I have been taking her into Bible study, Sunday School and MOMs group, and she just sits and watches or sleeps. Everyone says how relaxed she is. She doesn't realize what a gift she is giving her momma right now. She balances m 2 high energy boys. I love my family!

I am settling into College Station faster than expected. I know I'm different than the last 2 times I moved. I am more confident and friendly, and forgive people's perceived coldness because it likely isn't personal. Overall people have been more than friendly though, they have been downright welcoming. God has divinely placed these people in my life, and I am truly grateful. The kids are making friends and love their classes at church. Some days are rough, but I don't feel completely isolated as I have when newly moving in the past. I loved Austin, and I am loving College Station. God is helping me be content wherever he puts me, and I am thankful that he cultivating that quality in me.

William just came in to have a chat (he didn't nap). Guess I should go! Looking forward to all his little mind has conjured up while "resting". Till next time!

September 22, 2015

Over the past 8 weeks, I have had to cook only twice. I am so overwhelmingly thankful for the food that had been brought to us, the cooking my mother has done and all the eating out we were treated to while I've been adjusting. But...now I have to go back to cooking. Cooking is not my gift or love language, so I know the next few weeks will be hard getting back into the swing of things with my menu choices and time management. Thing may get interesting.

Francis is still enjoying school though he has not had his first test. He says he is anxious about getting the first one out of the way. I know he will do great when the time comes!

Robert had his 2 year check up on Friday. He has gained 5 lbs 2 oz and 4 inches in the past year. He's getting so big. He has more than 50 words (I stopped counting after about an hour), he can jump, communicate, plays cooperatively with others, and met all the requirements for his age group. I'm so proud of him! Funny thing happened in the doctor office. The flu shots for this year are in and they have the ones that you squirt up the nose for kids. William did not want any shots after his traumatic experience with them the week before, so he started to wail and cry as soon as they were even mentioned. We finally calmed him down after saying Robert would go fist (telling him it wasn't actually a shot didn't help). Robert got mad that we wanted him to be still so we could give him the vaccination so he started yelling and crying at us before he even got it. William, who had finally calmed, redoubled his efforts with a loud, "THIS IS WHAT I WAS AFRAID OF!", not realizing Robert hadn't had anything yet. So the nurse and I held down both boys quickly, squirted the stuff up their nose and released them. Robert got off the table, indignant but calm. William cried for about 30 seconds longer and then stopped suddenly. He said, "Mom, that didn't hurt!" I said, "so you were crying for nothing." He smiled big as day and responded with a chipper, "Yep!" and then spent the next few seconds laughing. That kid!!! Oh, and best part? Hannah slept through it all.

Hannah will be 2 months on Thursday. She has a lot of head control, cand lift her head while on her tummy, social smiles, coos and makes noises, grabs objects handed to her and LOVES her momma. I don't want the newborn phase to end, but she is definitely more of a baby now. I love her!

We finally have no boxes out in our house. I would say that makes us officially unpacked! We still have work to do, but this particular item is a source of satifaction and relief. yay!

William is loving his school work. He is already half way through one of his books and nearly half way through the other 2. At this rate we will be done in late october/early November with his entire year's worth of work. He never wants to stop. Robert also wants to do school work now. He sees William pull out his stuff and then goes and grabs crayons and paper and brings them to his seat so they can both work at the same time. I've been finding little activities for Robert to do, and he loves being a big boy with "schoo" to do too! My kids love learning. 

We had some wonderful visitors yesterday. Angel drove up with Ranger and Asher to visit us. William, Ranger, and Robert spent the morning playing and laughing, while the babies and mommies chatted up a storm. Asher and Hannah got along just great. They are both pretty easy going, and seeing them notice each other for the first time was just too cute. Seeing Angel made my heart so happy. She's one of those people with whom my time is always well spent. If only I could do it more often! When it was nearly time for them to leave, I heard rushing water in my bathroom. I ran in there to find Robert in the bathtub splashing in water with poop all around him and two Big boys who were laughing their heads off as they turned the water on and off. "Robert needed a bath" they said. We cleaned up the mess, changed Robert's soaked, dirty diaper, and the boys were told what they did wrong. The whole thing was funny in the long run. Oh boys! What will they come up with next? 

I actually managed to get all three kids down for a nap today, which is one more reason I am liking Tuesday Bible Study: it tired them out. But seriously, I love that I am getting to spend time with ladies of all ages and background and learn about what living like and for Christ means.

I suppose that's it for now!

September 16, 2015

Midway through September. We've been in our house about a month now. The 6 pesky boxes are still creeping around (I will try to deal with them this weekend) and not all of the pictures are hung, though we have made great progress on that front. I suppose you could call this our home now.

The boys rooming together has been a mixed bag. They are loving it. It's the boys' room and they like it that way. It has made bed time and nap time difficult though. To be fair, they were already hard to begin with. We are going on day 2 of no nap after fighting for 2 hours on Monday to get an over tired Robert to lay down long enough to pass out. Not sure where to go from here on that front. Today they have to play quietly in their room, but that's not working out either. I need some wisdom! I also have mixed feelings about being in a 1 story house. Everything is closer, whichis good for laundry and transporting stuff and people, but it also means that sound that would previously not have been an issue (like us watching TV at night) can cause a disturbance if we aren't careful. It's not bad, jsut different.

Last Thursday we had our first MOMS (aka MOPS) meeting for the year after the ladies' get to know you tea party that Tuesday night. I like my group and the meeting went well. Because Hannah was a new baby to the group, she got a gift (a onesie with a strawberry on the bum). I think it's going to be a great year.

Robert's 2nd birthday was Thursday. He had a great time at MOMS and particularly enjoyed opening his presents (a lightning McQueen remote control car) and eating his cake (red velvet). He's growing up before my eyes, and I love that I get to enjoy it full-time. I feel like he is understanding so much more everyday. He's a smart one, that kid!

William finally had his 4 year check up on Friday. I like their new doctor (Dr. Tomlin). She is nice and seems very knowledgeable. William is 41 1/2 inches tall, 39.8 lbs and passed his hearing and vision tests. He's got a healthy BMI and everything checked out developmentally (I wasn't worried). Robert's 2 year check up is this Friday as they only take one new patient at a time.

Friday night was Parent's night out at church. After dropping off the boys (we kept Hannah), Francis took me to dinner at Lugui's to finally celebrate our 7th anniversary. Afterward we headed over to the mall. We didn't stay long though as we received a phone call that Robert had choked and thrown up. We headed over and apart from being tired (it was past his bedtime), Robert was fine. Even with the interruption, it was a good night. Thanks Francis!

Sunday William and Francis had their first AWANA meeting at Central BC. Francis is William's group leader. They both had a great time. I'm looking forward to seeing what they both learn this year in cubbies.

Tuesday I had my first Bible Study meeting at Central (we spend a lot of time up there it seems). I am looking forward to the study about goodness and grace. It finally feels like fall as everything has kicked into gear. I'm excited!

Hannah girl is almost 8 weeks already! She may or may not have rolled over the other day (I didn't see it and the boys were nearby) during tummy time, so I am on the look out to see it for myself. She still wakes up at all hours of the night, but is content to be with me and doesn't scream. She's a good baby. so glad she's mine!

The boys are in their room screaming a  the top of their lungs (they are happy but not quiet), so I will cut this short. Till next time!

September 8, 2015

On Thursday I will officially have a 2 year old Robert! He's gotten so big, even these last few weeks. he's talking more, communicating his opinions more and interacting with his family and friends so much more cooperatively. He loves life, his family, and all things boy (read: dirt, super heroes, trains, trucks, rough housing, etc.). Robert is independent when he wants to be. I need to put a lock on the pantry and fridge because he helps himself when he sees fit and I've had to modify dinner plans because he's eaten part of it. His smile will light a room and get him most anything. I can't wait to see what the next year holds!

Hannah is growing like crazy. I may have already mentioned she has outgrown newborn clothes, and many of the 0-3 month clothes are getting snug. She is awake more, getting control of her head and hands and is starting to interact with us more intentionally. When she thinks I'm going to put her down, she grabs my hair or shirt and makes noises to tell me she is not pleased with my decision. She coos at the boys and her daddy, The most exciting thing for me is, Hannah is starting to social smile! It started Friday night (she turned 6 weeks Friday). I looked at baby girl and she smiled at me with a cheesy grin. Now she smiles occasionally but not like this. I thought maybe it was a fluke. I waited and smiled at her a bit later and got the same toothless grin. I got super excited and called Francis over. She did it again when he smiled at her. Eeee! It was so cute!!! She's been doing it since then, but I have yet to get a picture. It'll happen one of these days.

Lest you think I have forgotten William, He started Phillips PreK yesterday. He helped select his math curriculum this year and chose Star Wars. After our trip to Toys R Us on "Force Friday" a few days ago, it's been Star Wars talk almost non stop. Anyway, we got three books this year (math, reading an gt enrichment) to go along with the science stuff we already have. William exceeded my expectations and did at least a couple pages in each book in less than 20 minutes. Last year it took 30 minutes to just do 2 pages. I'm excited for this year and so is he!

Francis parents came in on Saturday and we spent the morning and afternoon with them hanging out, shopping and completing various tasks (Francis now has a couple storage units in the back yard). Cyndy, Chris, and Abby spontaneously joined us Saturday evening for Robert's Birthday dinner. Robert chose Texas Roadhouse. He got to sit on the sawhorse while the restaurant wished him a happy birthday. Then back to the house we all went to play, chat and have cake. Such a fun day!

We are settling in here. Starting Thursday, things really kick in for the fall.  I miss Austin still, but everyone here has been wonderful. It has truly made the transition easier. Other than closets, we only have 6 boxes out (all in our bedroom) left to be unpacked. We still have to hang a lot of things. Francis did a wall collage of all the kids photos at different ages, and that has done wonders for my morale. He's awesome, that Francis. He said his first week went well and he likes what he's doing. I can see the light coming back into his eyes and it makes my heart so happy to see him so animated. This journey is hard, but he's totally worth it.

Till next time!