Chase'n Our Dreams

2017-03-10T14:36:00.001-05:00

Head over to Instagram to keep up with our family!

Instagram: @lchase

Instagram: @wooded_homestead

Happy 7th Birthday Big C!

2014-12-27T22:33:00.001-05:00

Our oldest turned 7 today. He is the most kind hearted, caring little boy. Clayton loves all sports and the stats of all games. His memory is amazing. What I love the most about him is that he truly appreciates the littlest things.

He asked to go to the indoor water park and to have a football theme. He has enjoyed every second of his birthday. We were walking back to the hotel room right after an evening of going down water slides and he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, this is the best birthday I've ever had in my whole entire life". This newly 7 year old is priceless.

Merry Christmas!

2014-12-24T21:44:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas from our crew to yours!

Elf on the Shelf Update

2014-12-23T07:22:00.001-05:00

An update on our Elf on the Shelf, Joe, antics:

He learned how to play Purdue's World's Largest Drum one night.

He brought us Christmas jammies one night and declared it family fun night. We had to go get hot chocolate (STARBUCKS!!) and drive around listening to Christmas music while we looked for Christmas lights. That's was followed by a nice relaxing movie night to kick off our winter break from school.

Joe covered the kids' doors in order for them to break out..

CJ thinks they're all crazy and he is making a run for it!

What do you do when there is no snow but you want to build a snowman? Use toilet paper rolls of course! At least, that's what Joe did!

He went fishing one day...but we aren't sure what he was fishing for...

He is not liking this weather...wishes it was a little more like the North Pole weather so he went looking for some place colder...and found it!

...and then decided to turn our milk green while he was in there!

There were a few days that he relaxed from his antics to lay around...once was a hammock

Another was when he decided to have a movie night of his own.

We only have 2 more nights with Joe this Christmas season. It sure has been fun and has definitely made this a:

Our Tiny Dancer

2014-12-18T21:15:00.001-05:00

Our little girl tried dance class for the first time this week.

Needless to say....

She loved it!

Welcome Back Joe the Elf

2014-12-01T21:13:00.001-05:00

The night after Thanksgiving, our Elf Joe returned from the North Pole. Here are a few pictures of what he's been up to so far.

The night he returned he wrote the kids a letter...one was happy to see him, one didn't care, and one was nervous because now she had to be on her best behavior...any guesses as to who felt which way?

Night 2: Guys Night playing Apples to Apples

Night 3: No-Snow Snow Angels...not Mom's favorite...

Night 4: Relaxing by floating in a sea of marshmallows

Night 5: Joe got a group of friends together to have a sack race...he of course won!

Whew...less than a week back and Joe has been super busy!!

They See Me Rollin'

2014-10-28T05:30:00.000-04:00

CJ loves being in his walker. Over fall break, we replaced the carpet in our formal areas with wood laminate which allows CJ mobility in his walker in the entire downstairs. He will run from one end of the house to the other with his arms flailing, creaming at the top of his lungs, and giggling the whole time. When he gets going, we all stay out of his way, watch, and laugh with him. Enjoy these pictures of our wild man! (Hopefully this isn't a look into his future when he gets his driver's license!)

Pumpkin Carvin' Time!

2014-10-26T21:31:00.003-04:00

We utilized this BEEE-A-UTIFUL fall day to carve some pumpkins. While CJ took his nap, the 2 oldest and I started...one of these two was not too thrilled to be pulled away from "football Sunday" to get gross carving pumpkins. Can you guess which one?

Yep...it was him. His face says it all!

Lacey on the other hand LOVED getting dirty in the pumpkin "guts." "Mama look! I'm not scared, I'm BRAVE!"

Oh these two couldn't be more different from one another....

Lacey concentrated so hard on tracing around her pumpkin in order for me to carve it. She loves drawing, painting, cutting...she is such the artist!

Once CJ woke up, it was his turn to get dirty with cleaning out his pumpkin....and he dove right in! I had to hurry to keep him from not eating what he pulled out. He is fast!

CJ's final result!

Oh my...the looks on their faces....I just love them so! haha

Pictorial Update

2014-10-11T13:00:00.001-04:00

Here is what we've been up to lately...as depicted from the pictures on my phone.

Lacey got some new boots...makes her look so much older!

CJ is learning to use utensils when he eats and he is only wanting to eat table food.

Sometimes, big brother needs a power nap in Daddy's office after school...first grade is hard core!

Curt and I went on a date night to try a new restaurant which we fell in love with!

CJ and I are perfecting our selfies...

We are loving our trio and spending time as a family!

Brothers

2014-10-08T16:30:00.001-04:00

'Tis the Season...It's Pumpkin Time!

2014-10-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

I love this time of year! I love the colors of the leaves changing, the feel of the slightly colder weather, cuddling up with a hooded sweatshirt and hot chocolate, watching football while eating chili and of course...visiting pumpkin patches! A good friend of mine invited our family over to her house to take some pictures and hunt for some pumpkins. We were thrilled and beyond excited! Visiting pumpkin patches is a family tradition that we started when Clayton was just a baby and have continued it each year. Last year visiting pumpkin patches was bittersweet due to CJ being in the NICU. This year, it is extra special...all our 'pumpkins' are healthy and ready to find the most perfect!

Costumes of course are a must....this year we have two football players and a princess...Belle.

Lacey, October 2013 Lacey, October 2014

Clayton, October 2013 Clayton, October 2014

This year, Clayton and Lacey are "passing the pumpkin" and are thrilled to include their little brother in our family tradition.

CJ, October 2013 CJ, October 2014

Now that we have our pumpkins...our princess is just waiting for the 'ball'....

The Halloween Ball!

Indianapolis Zoo

2014-09-20T17:31:00.002-04:00

Today, my mom treated my crew of three and I to a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo!

This was Clayton's 4th time, Lacey's 2nd (but first time she remembers), and this was CJ's first time! The day started out a little chilly, which was perfect, but by 12:00 it warmed up. We stopped by the ocean exhibits first to pet the sharks, see the sting rays, and of course watch the playful penguins!

CJ loved watching them...he was so curious!

I feel like every time I go to the zoo, the walrus exhibit is always one of the highlights for me! The walrus is always so active and comes right up to the glass. Today, we saw her playing with her food and blowing bubbles.

Clayton's favorite animal to see was the TIGER of course, such beautiful and powerful creatures.

I thoroughly enjoyed the White-Handed Gibbons. This one, Elliot, was definitely showing off...cooing and swinging all around the enclosure, then coming to pose and wait for his picture to be taken.

The bats...well, they were creepy at best, but we enjoyed seeing how we measured up to them!

The brown grizzly bears look so deceiving! The kids love watching the movie Open Season, so reminding them that these bears are actually dangerous when they look so friendly was very hard.

CJ's favorite by far was the dolphin show. He loved the splashes of water and Clayton loved the dolphin named Jett who loved football. He could catch the football in the air and swim backwards with it.

My favorite was their new exhibit, the orangutans. These animals were so beautiful and kind looking. However, when one male saw a guide dog, it became aggressive in its cage and you were quickly reminded that these animals are wild and just how powerful they truly are.

We were able to get so close to them...such a neat experience!

Oh, and this was the coolest! While eating lunch outside, we watched them climb on these high wires protruding above the park...no cages around them...AMAZING!

The flamingos were fun...seeing how they could contort their bodies and their backwards bending legs. They came very close to us as well.

CJ wasn't impressed....

Their eyes and beaks....breathtaking!

Oh how I love these kids and sharing the zoo with them! I think I was just as excited at they were! We went on a train ride around the Plains area.

Highlight of the Zoo trip for CJ!

The giraffes were another favorite for us.

I had never seen them bend down to eat grass before.

They came within arms length, that if I reached out I could touch them...such long lushes eyelashes and those tongues!

One of these three is not like the others....

Oh, the rhinos...lazy big creatures today!

I caught a wildebeest getting a drink...

then went straight back to the rhinos!

The cheetahs were sunbathing today.

These little elephants were just too cute for words!

The size of these elephants and their feet!

Oh we had such fun today! We can't wait to go back again!

CJ's First Birthday Party

2014-09-14T15:26:00.001-04:00

On Saturday, we celebrated CJ's first birthday with some of our family and friends. I love having birthday parties for our kids at home and making their day extra special for them. Of course, anyone who knows me knows that there MUST be a theme and that theme is carried through out the party...even down to how we dress! The theme for CJ's first birthday party was mustaches with a red and teal-blue color scheme. The theme greeted you even before you entered!

During the first month of his life, I took pictures to capture how he had grown and changed. Seeing all of those pictures on display to compare how he had changed in such a short period of time was overwhelming. Looking back at those pictures makes celebrating this day even sweeter.

Oh boy is this baby spoiled! We have some pretty wonderful family and friends! Thank you all for making CJ's birthday so extra special!

Yes...the theme continued throughout our house....

I caught myself staring at this display constantly. The picture is the first time I touched CJ. He was only a few hours old and I only got to touch him for a brief second. That second I held close to my heart until I was able to hold him again a week later. Every time I see this picture, I am reminded of just how fragile life is and how each and every soul is precious. The display of diapers shows again how much he has grown in just a year. The first diaper was too big on him at birth. He is truly amazing.

We had a taco bar set up for all of our friends and family for dinner, buffet style. Our guests could make burritos, tacos, nachos, taco salad...what ever they prefer! To satisfy their sweet tooth, everyone could indulge in a RED chocolate fountain (I wasn't kidding about the theme EVERY WHERE!). After dipping the pretzel rods in chocolate, you could choose a topping of your preference...coconut, nuts, mini-marshmallows, or sprinkles.

Oh, and of course there were cupcakes...red or blue velvet...again with the theme!

CJ's "smash cake" was in the shape of a mustache.

Another extra-special display...Mommy and Daddy's first pictures with our miracle baby.

CJ's seat of honor....

Before eating, we all sang "Happy Birthday" to CJ.

He got a little shy from all of the attention.

Never fear...Mommy and Daddy were there to help reassure him.

After dinner, CJ had plenty of help opening hid gifts.

Finally, it was time for his smash cake.

Which he dove in to without hesitation!

When Mommy wanted a bite...

CJ didn't like that idea!

He thought they cake was hand clapping good!!

Thank you all so much for helping us celebrate the miracle and blessing that is CJ!

Now.....time to start planning the next birthday!!

CJ is ONE YEAR OLD!

2014-09-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

When my water broke at 21 weeks pregnant, our world was turned upside down, inside out. We were told it was ok to have an abortion. We were told that I would most likely go into labor within 48 hours and our baby would not live more than an hour.

Seven weeks later, our baby was born. He was born with only a 70% chance of survival. If he was to survive, he would mostly have serious medical and mental complications.

Today, that same baby turns 1 year old. He was perfect the day he was born and he is perfect 1 year later.

We lovingly refer to CJ as our miracle baby, but in truth all babies are miracles. We have been very blessed to receive 3 miracles from God.

We've spent the last year surrounded by numbers and statics about CJ. How many days I would reaming pregnant, how many days I was in the hospital without my family, frightened by the samll chance of his survival, obsessing over his weight gains, how much milk he would take, counting the many days...then weeks...then months he remained in the NICU, counting down the minutes that I could hold him when he was so critical and wishing those minutes could last days,..

Today on his birthday, I'm not concerned with any of those typical statics. I don't really care today how much he weighs, or how long he is....those numbers mean nothing to me today.

Today, I'm not sad at how big he has gotten or how quickly this past year has flown by...

Today, I feel nothing but joy and peace. Our family would not be the same without this little miracle baby who has forever changed our lives for the better.

I know at one point, I'll be concerned with all those numbers again, but today...

Today I enjoy this precious blessing from God.

We will spend our day with snuggles and cuddles...laughing and tickling...playing with his brother and sister...

And counting our blessing that is this little miracle, CJ.

We love you!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

2014-08-18T18:51:00.001-04:00

This is how little CJ bathes in a BIG bath tub!

CJ at 11 Months

2014-08-17T09:50:00.001-04:00

Hey CJ....Guess what?!

You were born 11 months ago! You are almost 1 year old!

I know! I can't believe it either! Our miracle baby is 11 months old and healthy and happy. We couldn't be more over the top in love with him!

At 11 months old CJ, who came home on a feeding tube, is eating EVERYTHING that he can get his hands on! The majority of his diet consists of baby food, but he does eat "real people food." I am hesitant to give him too much of this food since he really only has 2 bottom teeth and I'm still conscious of his possible milk protein allergy. He has eaten mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, all different kinds of bread, different types of rice, and anything else that I have to eat that he can easily mash with his little gums. He drinks from his sippy cup and still nurses 3 times a day.

CJ is full time at the babysitter with his sister while I am teaching during the day. He has made the transition to go to the babysitter rather seamlessly and I couldn't be more relieved. He loves that attention he gets there and getting to interact with different people.
CJ is working on getting his top middle teeth, which have finally broken through, but have not yet came all the way in.

Oh this teething business is rough...but necessary.

As for mobility, CJ is not yet crawling but he gets where he needs to be by rolling and "inch-worming" to his toys. He also scoots himself all around in this walker. He will definitely walk before he crawls, but this is the exact same with his brother and sister. He has started to pull up on objects. He will "dance" when he is sang to or hears music. It is the cutest thing...we do this often with him. If you know our family personally or read this blog regularly, you know that often break out into spontaneous dance parties...which may not be so spontaneous if we do it so often...hmmm...

Getting "tummy time" is hit or miss now since he knows he can roll out of it....

Oh those feet...always straight up in the air...just like the little monkey he is...

CJ is wearing size 3 diapers and wearing 9-12 month clothing. He sits in his high chair by Clayton and Lacey when eating and loves that he can be right next to them. They don't like it too much when he reaches over and tries to take food off of their plate...but Mom and Dad think it's hilarious!

These frames Lacey found and were wearing them. Luckily, CJ's eyes have always been healthy, but he sure is cute in these frames!

He still prefers to sleep with his hands and arms up by his head, but he has started to sleep on his side or flip to his stomach when sleeping.

He still loves his muslin blankets, loves cuddling with them and chewing on them for teething. He has become more vocal with his squealing and "talking".

I love on the weekends that he gets up a little bit earlier than his brother and sister so that we get some one-on-one time. He is just the most precious little miracle and the sweetest little love.

First Days of School

2014-08-03T11:23:00.001-04:00

School is back in session for all 5 of us starting Monday. Curt is starting his 3rd year as a principal (10th year in education) and I'm starting my 9th year as a teacher after being off all last year with CJ.

Our first born will be starting his first day of first grade. He is beyond ready and super excited!

Lacey will start her last year in pre-school at the babysitters.

Our miracle baby will start his first time ever at the babysitters.

No one is nervous...everyone is excited and we couldn't be more proud of our wonderful crew!

CJ is 10 Months Old!

2014-07-10T11:27:00.000-04:00

CJ has officially turned 10 months old. He is even more of a joy and blessing.

CJ has blossomed over the past month. He enjoys playing with is toys and loves to be standing up. His Exersaucer is one of his favorite toys and he can now move in circles around it.

His walker is quickly becoming his second favorite toy as he is learning to scoot it around the house. It's a good thing we put in new hardwood flooring to make it easier for him to scoot around. Oh, this face! He makes this face when I am doing something he thinks is slightly funny. It is equivalent to saying, "Oh, Mom...you so crazy!"

CJ is developing as a normal 7 month old....his adjusted age. He is able to sit up independently, but is a little wobbly when looking around or reaching for toys. Standing up is still his preferred position...he must be able to look around and see what is going on.

Everything in his reaching distance and that he can get his hands on goes in his mouth. He has one tooth on the bottom that is poking through...sharp little tooth too!

CJ is wearing 6-9 month clothing and is in size 3 diapers. We have been doctor visit free for over a month so as for his weight and height I'm not really sure. I am assuming he is around 20 pounds.

He continues to be the happiest baby. He is quick to smile and laugh. He loves people...loves to interact with people. He is rarely fussy, only when he needs a diaper change, hungry, or is tired.

As for food, his little boy can EAT! It's hard to believe that he came home from the NICU with a feeding tube. Below is a picture of the food he can eat at one time. A hand full of puffs, a couple of rice husks, 2-3 containers of food, and drinks from his sippy cup. He still eats every 3-4 hours and has around 4 bowel movements a day. He nurses 4-5 times a day. CJ has never taken a bottle very well, but it hasn't effected his eating one bit!

Growing he is! On the left is the diaper he currently wears. On the right is the diaper he wore when he was first born and it was too big on him.

CJ has loved swimming this summer! He splashes and kicks his legs like a little fish!

CJ attended his first MLB baseball game at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. We were there to cheer on the Cubs as the played the Reds. The game started at 7:00pm and didn't get over until 10:30pm. I was nervous that CJ would be fussy with it being way past his bedtime, but I couldn't have been more wrong! He smiled the whole entire game, loved looking at the people, the lights, and EVERYTHING. As soon as we got back into the car, he was out like a light. He didn't need to be walked around, he ate his puffs and rice husks, drank from his sippy cup...such a happy baby! Even though Anthony Rizzo hit a homeroom, Cubs couldn't pull out a win. We all felt like winners with this crew of Cubs cousins! I like to think of them as Cubs Fans...the next generation!

CJ is learning to feed himself. He can easily hold the rice husks and eat them. He is working on being able to "pinch" the puffs with his fingers to put them in his mouth. Of course, he loves to gather a hand full of them and shove them all in his mouth...good thing that they dissolve! I tried to get a video of him doing this, but he decided to tell me a "story" instead. He is quite the character this one! Please excuse the messy face and food on his onesie. Learning to feed yourself can be messy business!

With CJ's 1st birthday only 2 months away, I've already been planning and scheming. Here is a little teaser into what his theme will be....

Happy 4th of July

2014-07-09T05:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Independence Day America! We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate those heroes who fought and continue to fight for the freedom of Americans.

The kids and I took full advantage of beautiful weather to take some pictures...which we then decided it was just a little too sunny and quickly moved out photo shoot indoors. Ironic?

The 3 little loves of my life...so blessed am I! Lacey, age 4, CJ 9 months, Clayton age 6.

CJ's expression cracked me up...I can just hear him..."Oh brother..."

This Momma and her three babies...well, 2 aren't so much babies anymore..

We spent the 4th of July in Greensburg at my parents' house, other wise known as the Tree City due to the tree growing out of the courthouse on the square.

It really is the quintessential small town...middle America...town in all the Mellancamp songs.

We made our way to the town square to watch the parade.

After the parade it was back to my parents' house for some horsing around and some swimming.

Later that evening was some sky lanterns and some fireworks.

Happy Birthday America! We salute you!

Pictorial Update

2014-07-07T11:13:00.001-04:00

We've been super busy having super amounts of summer fun!

Clayton's been busy with swimming.....and losing teeth! Clayton has learned how to swim across the pool underwater and jump off of the diving board and swim to the side.

CJ has been experiencing the "outside" for the first time. He got to swim for his first time and loved it!

Although, all of the stimulus sure does tire him out quickly.

Lacey won't get out of the pool...even when she is shivering and her lips are turning blue! She has learned to hold her breath longer underwater is learning to swim underwater as well. She loves wearing the goggles and looking at everything underwater.

The kids have been hanging out with friends and family and LOVING every minute of it!

We've been working on our tan...some parts of our bodies more than others...

We celebrated Lacey's one year post-op surgery from having her PDA fixed. She is healthy and usually happy...God sure is amazing and GREAT!

I've been so spoiled having all day with all THREE of my children. CJ has been blossoming over the summer...and eating everything in sight!

We ripped out the carpet in our family room and put down wood flooring...we LOVE the new floor, the dogs not so much.

I've been stocking up on my snuggles with CJ since I'll be returning to teaching at the end of this month. I'm sure going to miss being able to snuggle him whenever I want, but I'm so thankful to have had the year off with him and to return to such an amazing staff!

The kids got to experience their first horse races. Clayton got to blow the trumpet to announce the horses on the track. I think I was more excited that he got to do this than he was...but boy did Clayton love the betting of the races!

CJ loved the people watching...

Next up, a post from our super fun 4th of July!

CJ at 9 Months Old

2014-06-10T15:27:00.001-04:00

Time is moving so fast! Our little miracle baby is now 9 months old!

This handsome little guy has gained about 16 pounds in just 9 months...he is weighing in at about 18 pounds. He is wearing 6-9 month clothes and size 3 diapers.

He LOVES to eat! He is still nursing about 4-5 times a day, but he is eating baby food multiple times as well. CJ is also trying different real foods...pancakes with syrup, cinnamon rolls with icing, bananas, breads, and his absolute favorite...NUETELLA! He will literally scream when it is taken away. We did discover that CJ is highly sensitive to baby wipes. His poor little chin is broken out from an allergic reacting to wipes. We can only use the Pampers sensitive wipes. I had bout the regular Pampers wipes, but it completely broke his chin in little blisters. Luckily, they have scabbed over and remain clean. It looks worse than it is, but I still feel horrible for him.

CJ is still a super happy baby...as long as he is fed...which, I'm the same way! haha He is sleeping about 10-11 hours at night...SOLID! He will also take a mid-morning nap for about 30-45 minutes, a 3 hour nap after lunch, and sometimes an after dinner nap.

Developmentally, he is such an inquisitive baby! His eyebrows are constantly moving up and down as he studies everything and anything in his eyesight. He prefers to be outside and will get bored very quickly inside. He loves to look at books and watch his brother and sister play. CJ loves to be talked to, he studies the way your mouth moves and tries to mimic.

CJ is not yet sitting up on his own independently. He can do it...but he sways and will fall over. We are working on it though...he does not approve.

CJ would rather stand...it is much easier for him to look around.

His other favorite thing to do is "bounce" when you old him. He does this non-stop..it's a great arm workout!

Tball is still taking over our life...but we couldn't be having more fun! CJ loves watching the games...He loves to be in the baby carrier where he is rocked and is at a higher vantage point to see.

Although when Mom is being taking pictures, the stroller is a nice place to watch as well...

And then there are times that he just can't wait for dinner...this kids loves to eat!

The biggest accomplishment CJ has had this month is finally being discharged from his Pulminologist at Riley Hospital. Since being home from the NICU, CJ has had monthly visits at Riley for the development of his lungs. After 9 months of being weaned off of the oxygen, a sleep study, and 9 months of being hooked up to an Apnea and heart monitor he was deemed, "too healthy to come see" his pulminologist. She did ask if we could send her a picture of CJ so she could have it on her bulletin board...he really is such a miracle!

I have to admit, after pulling out of the parking garage, I did have to pull over on the side of the road. I was so overcome with relief that the tears started flowing. While Riley has given us the most amazing care and support, it is not a place a parent ever wants to have to take their child. After 9 months at Riley with CJ's lungs and Lacey's heart surgery almost a year ago, being able to leave Riley and not have to go back is quite an accomplishment. Thank you Riley! It's been way too real, you've been super nice, but it's REAL NICE to be officially discharged!

That night I took CJ's monitor stickers off for the very last time...

There will be no more ripping these off to give him a bath, no more having to stick them back on...just a normal baby! No more beeping in the middle of the night for a malfunctioning monitor, no more worrying if he is going to get tangled in the monitor cords at night since he now wiggles about in his crib...such a relief!

Our next goal is to get him officially discharged from speech. He has an appointment later this week with his speech therapist. Since he came home from the NICU with a feeding tube, the speech therapist was part of his feeding team in order to help him be able to eat on his own. As long as she doesn't see any hidden obstacles, I am hopeful that he will soon be discharged from that as well. We now have no looming doctors' appointments. He will go back to his regular doctor at a year old for a routine well-baby check...but we are to treat him as a normal baby. A normal baby?!?! I just can't believe how incredibly blessed we are to have him in such wonderful health.

Clayton's Kindergarten Graduation

2014-06-02T22:10:00.000-04:00

Our oldest son, Clayton, graduated from Kindergarten today. Today was bittersweet. I am beyond proud of him.... to the point of BURSTING with pride with joy...but I also mourn the days of him as a baby, a toddler. Clayton has had to mature a little more quickly than most this year with me being practically MIA for the first semester of his school year since I was in the hospital with CJ and then at the hospital when CJ was in the NICU. He has surpassed any expectation or dreams I had for him and I couldn't be more proud to be his mother. Today I as I took his last day of school picture, holding CJ who was trying to eat the camera, I couldn't believe how far we have come in the 180 days since I took his beginning of school picture...when CJ was still in my stomach. Clayton's first day of school I begged Curt to let me take his pictures, which meant I had to get out of bed from my strict bed rest to try and remain pregnant. I'm so glad I was able to take his pictures...he has changed so much!

First Day of Kindergarten Last Day of Kindergarten

Kindergarten: Day 1 Kindergarten Day 180

Lacey, CJ, and I went to school for Clayton's award ceremonies. Curt was able to briefly come to watch Clayton get an award in front of the whole Kindergarten thru third graders. Clayton was the only Kindergarten student to achieve perfect attendance for the entire year. Our school's principal gave a small insight into just how big of an accomplishment this was for Clayton with so much of our personal life in disarray. Clayton came to school every day, never late, always with a positive attitude. Sure there were times when he broke down in tears, needing a little reassurance that everything was ok, or just a quick hug because he was missing his mom who had been in the hospital for almost 2 months...but he was there. Curt and I consider this a huge accomplishment for Clayton, but also for us. It wasn't easy to get him to school, but it was important to us that Clayton how important going to school to learn was for him and his future. Both Curt and I got emotional during this award because an attendance award, especially at a young age, is a whole family commitment. WE are a family that is committed to each other.

We then went back in Clayton's classroom for class awards.

Clayton had two special ladies who made his Kindergarten experience so wonderful.

Clayton loved Mrs. Tobias, the Kindergarten aide.

Mrs. Joseph was Clayton's Kindergarten teacher. She was PERFECT for Clayton. She gave Clayton the right amount of affection that he needed to get him through the tough times. Mrs. Joseph taught him more than just academics, she showed him how learning is fun and rewarding. She has helped to instill in him motivation to always do his best. Clayton simply adores her!

I am beyond excited to spend the next few months with my 3 little loves...wish summer could last forever!

CJ at 8 Months Old

2014-05-31T09:30:00.000-04:00

Yes, this post is long over due...but at least it is posted before he turns 9 months old...in 9 days! CJ turned 8 months old on May 9th and if this face doesn't describe it all...

Our happy happy happy baby has been fussy, fussy, fussy!

Of course, you would be too if your gums looked like raw hamburger meat and you had not 1...not 2...not 3...but FOUR teeth trying to come in all at the same time!

Anything near his little mouth is up for grabs...literally, he grabs at everything....to be chewed on.

Notice what happened to my camera strap when it hung a little too close to him...yep, straight in his mouth!

No teeth have popped in yet, but both of his I-teeth have popped up. Soon...hopefully soon!

CJ is a total of 16.4 pounds and 27 1/2 inches long....tall and lean as his pediatrician calls him. He is cooing and talking more and more which is the cutest thing ever! Sometimes, when he is really having a good time he lets out squeals and then laughs at himself.

He can balance for a few seconds on his own to sit up, but quickly tumbles to the side. He has started bouncing in his exersaucer and will bounce on command when we cheer for him. CJ's loves his feet. You can usually find him with his feet straight up in the air...or like this...

CJ's diet consists of baby food, breast milk, dissolvable rice husks, and some "real people" food. He is eating about 16 ounces of baby food a day, nursing 4-5 times a day, and trying different soft real food. So far he has eaten bread, cinnamon rolls, and pancakes. The pancakes were by far his favorite, especially with a little syrup on them.

CJ still sleeps hooked up to an apnea/ heart rate monitor at night. He has been alarm free since January 8th. Sometimes I think that the monitor is more for me now than him. He sleeps in his crib, in his own room. CJ usually goes to sleep around 8:30 pm and wakes between 6:00-6:30am. He is down to only two naps during the day, a brief mid morning nap and a longer afternoon nap.

Now that RSV season is over, he has been able to go more places than just home and the doctors' offices. He is a regular at the baseball diamonds watching his siblings play Tball, he has been to a couple of restaurants, a few stores, and visited his Daddy and brother at their schools. CJ LOVES to be outdoors. He is such a good baby to take out in public, sometimes I forget just how little he is because he is so well behaved. We are planning one VERY important trip coming up...to visit our dear friends, CJ's NICU Mommies.

This little baby boy has been melteing my heart from the first time I felt him move in my belly....

It is truly an honor to be his Mom.

Tball has TAKEN OVER OUR LIVES!

2014-05-30T17:06:00.002-04:00

Once May started, Tball started. Both Clayton and Lacey are playing this year. That means that Monday -Thursday you can find us at the ball diamonds.

Lacey is playing Tball for the first time this year. She is on the Royals with 7 other 3-4 year olds.

Our little princess is bringing her personality to the game... complete with pink...

...and a little bit of dancing around the bases...

No one can say that our girl doesn't have any fun...and hits a few balls every now and then...

We sure are proud of her!

Clayton is our Tball pro...third and last season playing Tball.

Next year, he'll join the older kids for a more competitive baseball season.

While he has had fun this season getting to know his teammates...

He is definitely ready for the challenge.

We are super proud of him!

As for CJ...well...

He is Clayton and Lacey's BIGGEST...littlest...fan.

He watches them intently, tracking their every move...

We are so proud of him!

Teacher Appreciation Week

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This week is Teacher Appreciation week. Clayton has been so blessed to have the most wonderful Kindergarten teacher and assistant! There is no way we could ever thank them enough for all that they have taught Clayton. This week, we plan on spoiling them a little each day to show our thanks...starting with a few of their favorite sweet treats!

Thank you to all teachers! You do more than just teach academics...you change lives.