First Day of Preschool

I did it.  We did it.  Carson completed his first day of preschool, and I couldn't be more proud of our little Wee Lad.

Carson's personality isn't the most open to change, so I was very nervous for this morning.  Nervous for him, and me.  Thoughts were continuously running through my head....some positive, but most were scared, anxious, and nervous thoughts.

We started the morning very early.  That was my first nervous feeling I had for the day.  But he was in a good mood all morning, so my mind was slowly being put at ease.  He had two waffles, instead of his typical one waffle.  He said he needed an extra waffle because he was a big boy and was going to school.  I smiled, because he couldn't be more right.  Weston sat right beside him in the big boy chair, and did his typical morning breakfast routine.  Eat one bite, throw one bite across the kitchen.  His waffles had a little syrup on them this morning, which made for quite the rat race around the kitchen to find all of the thrown pieces, and wipe up after them.  Because nothing bothers me more than a sticky floor.  So as the waffle throwing was going down, I was doing my Motherly roll as the boys were giggling at the food being thrown.  I was explaining how we can't throw food, and today is a big day, Carson is going to school, and he has to be very brave, and Wes is going to Deb's for the morning by himself, and Mom will pick Carson up from school, and then we are going on a special lunch date, and then Carson gets to go to Deb's after school, and he has to behave and listen at school, and we have to take a picture before school.  Carson nodded his head and agreed to everything except the picture before school.  He is totally anti-pictures.  But, I did manage to get a cute one!  Oh, and he didn't let me do his hair.  I am a little bitter about that, but maybe on a different day he will.  ha.

After all of the talking I did that morning, and after I am convinced they only heard maybe a few words, Carson grabbed his backpack, and away we went.  We dropped Weston off at Deb's, and we were school bound.

Carson is very attached to his Puppy Pillow these days, and it was included in his pictures because he was convinced that he needed to take it to school with him.  I am sure that was his sense of comfort that he felt he needed on this particular morning.  I am happy to report that I convinced him that Puppy would take a nap in the car until after he was done with school.  He bought it, and didn't object to that statement.  Phew!

We got there and all of the kids were playing outside.  Carson stood back and watched, and didn't leave my side.  I had so many butterflies in my stomach, and I was so nervous for him.  This is the real deal, and this was scary stuff.  I mean, he is 3!  The bell rang, and Mrs. Koenen instructed that all of her students line up against the building wall.  Carson listened, and followed directions.  (He LISTENED, and he followed DIRECTIONS! He knows how to do both! Phew.  Haha.) He lined up against the wall, and walked into the building when she said it was time to go in.  I followed him in, and stood back, and observed.  I stepped in and helped him find his locker, but that was the extent of help he wanted.  He hung his bag up by himself, and got in line to wash his hands behind the other kids.  Carson then turned, waved, and said "Bye, Mom!"  That's when I turned and walked away.  I lost it, and I really felt like I was going to be able to hold it all together.  I called my Mom, and told her how the drop off went, and let her know I wasn't ready for this.  I could hear through her voice that she was smiling, and was very relieved herself.  As was I, really.

To see him smile, instead of crying like I had prepared myself for, makes me so extremely happy.  We have been raising him for 3-1/2 years, and this day has come.  The day that I dreamed that he would take the things we taught him, and use them on his own in this great big world.  The day that he has to be independent, and brave, and walk into his big classroom with all strangers and have a giant amount of courage.  And he did all of those, with such poise that it blew me away.  I didn't doubt him one bit, because I have great confidence in this shy little boy, but I was prepared for the worst.  He proved me wrong, and I am so very, very proud.

I was able to pick him up from pre-school today, and I was so excited to see him, and hear all about his first day.  I felt like the morning hours drug, because I did not want to be at work---I wanted to be a fly on that classroom wall instead.  He spotted me after his teacher dismissed the class, and he ran towards me with a great big smile on his face.  Carson gave me a great big hug, and said he had so much fun.  I told Daddy how his day went, he had to call Frannie and tell her about his day, and I got an ear full at lunch about his new friends.  I was on cloud 9, and couldn't stop smiling at him.  You could hear through his voice that he had a blast, and was so excited to go back.

I am convinced that he grew up in those few short hours at preschool.  I am so anxious to see what this school year brings for him, and I am eager to see him grow as a person.

Carson is so special to us, and it is amazing to see him take on such a scary thing with so much courage and bravery. A proud parent moment smacked us right in the face this morning, and it feels so good!  My heart is smiling extra big today.

15 Months(ish)

I have been horrible about doing monthly updates with the little Wes man, and it makes me sad/mad that I haven't taken the time to do so.  I am going to miss the fact that I don't have this information on file.  So, I am going to try my best to jump back into things.  If nothing else----at least try every other month.

Weston had his 15 month check-up (about a month late) last week, and we got the fun facts.  He is weighing in at 22 pounds, and is 31 inches long.  He is heavier, and taller than his brother at this age, but that doesn't surprise me one bit.  Not every child is 10% (or less) on the charts.  Ha. 

Weston is growing up so quickly, and is learning so many new things.  He is constantly trying to keep up with his brother, and will do anything and everything to make that happen.  If Carson goes up 25 steps to go down a big slide, Weston will put his fear aside and follow his tracks.  He is also right there to take the toy away from Carson that he was playing with so contently.  He is so sneaky when it comes to this, and knows when his brother is going to let go, or turn his back for .2 seconds.

He is also a fighter.  And a biter.  He doesn't back down (especially with his brother) and has a very strong-willed personality.  He knows what he wants, and will put up a huge fight until he gets it.  Even if it takes a hard bite.  I am not even kidding.  Oh, and you know where that goes---he gets bit back.  So before we know it, we have a biting war on our hands, with loud screams and big crocodile tears.  Boys are fun! 

Wes is still so busy.  He never slows down, and is very exhausting.  I obviously wouldn't have it any other way, but by the end of the day, I am ready to crash.  He is very curious, energetic, and will get into everything he shouldn't.  But he has these killer big blue eyes that can get him anything he wants ;) 

Weston has started to say a few words lately, but they aren't very clear quite yet.  I do want to document one thing that I want to never forget, and that is what he calls his blanket----"Deeda."  Don't ask me why he calls it that, as it sounds nothing like "blanket" but it is so darn cute.  I love these little attributes that make each child so different.




Weston is such a blankey lover.  He doesn't go anywhere without a blanket---no matter the circumstances.  90+ degree weather?  Walking around in the garage?  Outside in the mud after it rains?  He always has a blanket dragging behind him.  He has his favorite, no doubt----but really, any will do.  We have about 10 that we rotate, and he can spot them anywhere.  Just the other day he stood in front of the dryer, and cried because he could see his Deedas in the dryer.  He was holding a blanket in his hand while he was crying, and we had to laugh.  If he could have it his way, he would have all 10 of them at once!

.......Wears size 4 diapers, and is into 18 month clothing. 

He is a lover through and through.  When he is ready to run, he will run.  But when he is ready to cuddle, he will wrap his arms and legs around you like no other.  That is my favorite part of the day----snuggling with him after a long day. 

.....is bottle free as of 2 weeks ago!  I think we both miss it, but we are getting through it.  The boys spent the night with Frannie at the River, and She brought them back saying that Weston had been bottle free for over 24 hours.  I felt as if I needed to follow suit, although I wasn't quite ready for that jump yet :)  I feel like he will always be my baby---and yet I know the longer we wait, the harder it will be.  It is a very nice milestone to have behind us, but I am still hesitant and procrastinating with taking them out of the cupboard and packing them away.  Call me crazy, it's ok----my husband does too!  Ha.

Weston is still labeled as a "Mama's boy" and that makes me so happy.  Only because Carson is such a Daddy's boy that I feel like I deserve at least one of the boys :)

W is a rough and tough kind of boy.  He is constantly all over the place, is labeled as the "crazy child" and is probably sportin' numerous bruises.  And more than likely, on his head----forehead to be more specific.  I swear everytime a bruise heals on his forehead, he does something else to cause another one.  Like running into the wall, at full speed.  Carl jokes that we should get his vision checked.  I blame it on him being absolutely nuts.  Active is good description for the Wes Man. 

Bruised Forehead. Always. 

With his 15 month check-up came 3 shots.  He wasn't a fan, as I am sure you can imagine.  Pair that with him getting some tough teeth in, and we snuggled the rest of the day.  I had no complaints!  

Weston is so funny, and has the best giggle.  I could listen to him laugh and play all day long.  He also has some crazy funny faces, and constantly makes me smile. 

Carl says he looks like a little old man. :)

I want to bawl like a baby when I see pictures of him growing up.  He looks more like a toddler than a baby everyday, and this Mama is most certainly not ready for that.  If I could, I would bottle him up right now, and keep him little forever.  And since I can't do that, I will continue to try my best to cherish every moment.  

We love you so much, little Wes Man! 

Our New Backyard Oasis

With few words, and many pictures, I bring you the love we have for our new gorgeous backyard.......

With moving comes a lot of stress.  I mean, you are picking up your entire house--two kids---all of their toys---and crap......and moving it.  All of it.  That is stressful.  

We have finally made it over that hump.  For the most part, everything has found a home.  Please note the words for the most part.  

One of our favorite places at our new house is the outdoor space, and we call it our own little oasis.  The backyard is beautiful, and the kids have so much fun playing outside.  Our driveway and the sidewalk in front of our house are flat, and that is heavenly to a little boy who thoroughly enjoys pedaling his bike, and loves bike rides.  

We had so much fun playing in the water table one hot and humid July evening.  The boys are drawn to water.  In any shape or form, the water will be found.  Even if it is just a bird bath.....they will find it, and play in it.  

These crazy boys will play outside for hours.  Even if it consists of playing on this small slide---they both get such a thrill.  I love that characteristic about them.  They just love to play.

The new trend in our house is to only wear one shoe.  Both of them only have one shoe on pretty much all the time.  Try and keep track of the missing shoe---I dare you to.  You are bound to fail, I almost guarantee you.  ha!

And we wrestle.  A lot.  And get very rough.  I swear sometimes I should be called referee instead of Mom. 

The wooden log swing under the Willow Tree has proven itself to be absolutely amazing.  A lot of memories have been made here, and millions more are waiting to be had.  

More wrestling.  Because that is what brothers do, right?  Right. 

We have a small stream that is located in our backyard, and Carson loves to go and see if he can find any fish or frogs in the water.

Fishies!  Carson was so excited when he spotted them in the water.

The view to the North.  So beautiful!  

Weston refuses to be left out.  Of anything and everything.  He will run as fast as his little legs will move to catch up with his brother.  

The famous Willow Tree.  Carl and I have contemplated naming it.  Because that is what we do, apparently. 

A lot of miles have been put on the tractor since we have moved.  Carson loves to make laps around the house. 

Father-son.  Two peas in a pod.  They are inseparable.  

My boys.  My heart explodes with thankfulness when I think of these boys.  I am so blessed.  Even in the midst of a mess. 

Happy Monday!