Saying Yes...

Mondays around here are pretty busy. However, since Christmas break ended and school started back up, our Mondays seem to be busier than ever! I don't know if it is just the nature of things starting back up or what but goodness! It's been a lot.

Here is how yesterday morning went:
5:30 wake up and have my quiet time
6:15 get ready
6:45 unload dishwasher, start laundry, wake the boys

Then all of the busy, crazy chaos of getting them ready and Hudson off on the bus. As his bus leaves, our speech pathologist is arriving for speech therapy with Gabe. Gabe wraps up speech at 8:40 and I get the boys loaded in the van to take Beau to preschool.

Run back home, switch laundry, pick up from the morning, take Gabe to a well-child check and leave with enough time (barely) to spare to get to preschool pick up on time.

We had to swing by the post office before going home and then I knew it would be a quick rush of lunch and clean up because I had a meeting with our EI case worker about Gabe transferring to the school district for speech.

When days are like this, I like order. I like to keep as much in my control as possible because, well...there isn't a lot of room for error. I don't want to be that person constantly running behind. I want my kids to understand the preciousness of other people's time and respect that. I like to cross as much as I can off my to do list in a day because the list is always getting more items added to it.

So as we pulled into the garage from our post office errand and were unloading and Beau was telling me about his day, my mind was a bit focused on what was coming up next. The boys were unbuckling their carseats and Beau asked, "Mom, how 'bout we play outside while you make lunch? How 'bout that?"

It wasn't super warm and it was a tad windy. But the sun was shining. I weighed my options and realized, saying no really wasn't going to make that much of a difference. So what if the boys were eating when I had a meeting with our EI worker? So what? My hectic day shouldn't always dictate my response to their requests.

As the boys ran around back to play for a bit before lunch (which they finished before my meeting and actually got to go back outside to play during my meeting), I realized I need to be more intentional about saying yes. So often I say no to things that really don't matter. But the yes, they do.

The boys were so excited and happy to be out. They played well and so needed that sunshine and fresh air. After nap and snack when Hudson got home, we went out again to play. It was amazing in all the busyness of the day how that one answer affected not only the boys, but my attitude.

This year I am going to work on saying yes more than no. Working to pause and soak up the little moments of the day with my boys and husband instead of rushing to cross just one more thing off my list of to dos.

Gabe Update

At the beginning of this year I started to have some concerns surrounding Gabe and his speech, or his lack of speech to be more exact. I remembered both Hudson and Beau beginning to talk, the time frame, the progression. I wasn't seeing the same pattern in Gabe. I knew from all my child development classes that children reach certain milestones at different times. I knew that is where there is a range versus an exact date for children to do things. And I knew that, with Gabe, he was one to do things in his own time.

This summer though, without seeing progress, with still have this sweet boy quiet more often than not, my mom intuition was desperate to seek out some answers. I didn't want to wait for his two year well visit. I didn't want to prolong getting him help if he was showing a delay. I wanted to make sure I was his advocate.

Fortunately there are services that help determine if there is an actual delay or if your child is just progressing on his own timeline. With Gabe not being able to talk for himself, there were certain aspects of the testing that I had to answer for him. What I had observed. I knew even before we got the results, just from answering the questions, that Gabe was going to show a pretty severe deficit in his area of communication.

Where all other areas were normal or above average, Gabe's expressive language was showing a 40% deficit. He was understanding and comprehending language, he just wasn't talking.

We began services at the beginning of August. Speech therapy once a week with support from a developmental therapist once a week as well to encourage what was happening in speech therapy.

If I'm honest, I wanted to see progress right away. I wanted to see that gap close. I wanted to hear my child talk and express himself. Gabe's sweet personality, silliness, and joyful disposition (most of the time....he is still a typical two year old), I wanted expressed in words!

Two months in, some progress has been made. His attention has gotten better as he focuses on the tasks in front of him. He is using his known, strong words more frequently with more clarity. He is imitating vowels better and making syllables with "repeating" back a word.

But there are still missing pieces. Although he is making a great effort, he still is missing a lot of the sounds.

This week we are diving into two possible scenarios that could be slowing Gabe's progress: a tongue tie or a possible apraxia diagnosis.

We've read up some on both, on how they can effect speech. Our prayer is for God to give us answers. For God to show us how to best help Gabe. For God to give us patience as we wait to see what he needs or if it is just waiting on Gabe.

I'm thankful for early intervention, for knowledge of speech-pathologists and the patience of ours in particular who is so caring and loving with Gabe, even when he is in a salty mood.

I'm also thankful that God already knows what awaits us and is more than capable of taking us on this journey.

Life Lately

Around here, it has been a heck of a week. No easing us back into the school and work routine.  Andrew has spent the last three evenings away working late which has made some long(er) days for this mama!

Honestly, when Andrew really dove into his job at this time last year, he traveled WAY more and it was WAY harder because everyone was a year younger.  Trying to really focus  more on the joy in each stage of life (you can read more about some of my goals here), I decided to actively try to thank God throughout out the day.

"Thank you God that Gabe can get a snack out of the snack drawer while I cook dinner so he doesn't just stand at my feet and whine..."

"Thank you God that two are out of diapers and can wipe their own sweet cheeks.."

"Thank you God for these little hands to help me put this laundry into the dryer..."

"Thank you God for friends that live close by to play with (to ensure really good naps at nap time today)..."

I know some of those are silly but keeping a thankful heart really helped me with perspective.  Motherhood is hard. And days without my partner are long but I am so thankful for the responsibility of this task and a Heavenly Father who is always with me to help me through.

I've been making weekly lists lately. Each day I delegate a few tasks to get done. It has helped me be really productive not only in the housework, but in my business, while also making sure I get to spend time with the boys. I used to have things pile up and then spend a whole couple of days trying to get everything done and that wasn't good for anybody. This system is working out nicely!

Gabe got a haircut this week. I just can't bring myself to take him to get his haircut yet. He seems to little for the chair.  And it seriously doesn't take but 10 minutes so way not save myself the hassle.  Isn't he darling??

The boys have also been OBSESSED with games since getting some new ones for Christmas.  I am thrilled we have graduated from Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders (the games that never end, amen?!!?). Headbandz, Guess Who, Pie Face, Minion Memory- all some of our favorites.  It is really fun to watch Hudson and Beau get so animated as we play. And to see their little minds search for the right word, question, or guess.

I'm not sure how much longer we can bathe all three together because, well space and age, but I sure do love their conversations as they get clean and ready for bed each night.

I am halfway through week 3 of my new workout program, Hammer and Chisel, and am loving it!!! It has hands down my new favorite program (and I have done a lot of different at home workouts). Even more than that, I am seeing some awesome results. I am down 7 pounds and several inches in just 2.5 weeks. And my current accountability group are all seeing results too! It is so exciting to be a part of helping other women find inner strength and a path to better health!

That's about it around here! Today was FINALLY a warm day; temperatures in the 50s. The boys and I got some outdoor playtime in after lunch. Two on one soccer, scooter riding, and swinging!

Gabe turns ONE!

It happened. Saturday our sweet baby turned one. The first birthday is always really hard for me. I reflect on how fast the first year goes. I feel as though the stage of being a baby is over. All things baby seem to end (in our house): bottles, pacis. They seem to sprint into those next stages of learning and grow up over night.

Typically, the first birthday was eased because we were planning our next member of our family. But this time, although the door isn't closed on another baby, Andrew and I are both shelving adding to our family right now. We love being a family of five and the stages of our boys so want to focus on that for the time being. Which made Gabe turning one, just a little bit harder.

Friday night I snuck into his room to take a photo of him on the last night as a baby. He looked so big and sweet. I walked out of the room with tear-blurred eyes.

We had planned to have an outdoor party. Being that it is August in the Midwest, my husband was immediately concerned that the weather would be sweltering as it typically is in August.  Luckily, and surprisingly, the weather has been beautiful. Sunny skies, cool, mild temperatures, and less than average humidity.  The day called for clear skies and the same beautiful weather. 

We choose a carnival theme for Gabe's first birthday. It was whimsy and fun, bright colors. It was one of my favorite parties to plan. 

We rented a bounce house for the bigger kids and had a face painter come. There were also a couple of carnival-esque games; a giant ring toss and bucket toss. 

I wanted the food to match the theme. I also wanted to serve foods that people could walk around and eat while they watch their kids play and converse easily. We did corn dogs, giant pretzels, fruit cones, veggie cups, popcorn and peanuts.  I served cupcakes for dessert too. 

We kept the decorations simple. The backdrop for the food table, balloons, a carnival sign, tissue poofs above the cupcake table. Really simple and easy but the bright colors were eye-catching. I also drew up a little stat and fact sign about Gabe and his first year favorites. 

I loved sharing this day with some of our closest friends and family! The kids all played so well. Their sweet faces were so cute painted. Our face painter was a doll and did faces, their arms, legs; seriously whatever.  They looked so cute. 

Hud and his sweet friend

Gabe was such a great sport. He is the most lovable, easy going baby. He rolls with it all. which makes him perfect to be the third guy in our line-up, since our family seems to be on the go often with all of our schedules. He was loved on by everyone, passed around from arms to arms. 

Not sure if it was all the excitement, or if he takes after his daddy who also doesn't like to be sang to, he wasn't a fan of being sung too!

Is that not the sweetest sad face though??

Singing?? Not a fan. The cupcake? HUGE FAN! He scarfed the entire thing down. Icing in his nose style scarfing!

Although the weather called for clear skies and no rain, it was overcast the entire afternoon leading up to the party. With about half an hour left to go, the skies opened up!! So we moved inside to open presents.  Gabe had no interest after about five minutes but my sweet niece, Paisley, was all about helping! She was a hoot!! Loved hearing her commentary as we opened gifts! Gabe did love playing with all his toys as they came out, however!

It was such a sweet time celebrating our Gabers. I can't believe the day has come and gone. 

Here is to another year as a family of five! 

8 Months

I started this blog when Beau was a baby.  Our family was going to be moving and I wanted a way to share with friends and family more of what we were doing (or so that was my plan).  I also wanted a place that documented our family as we grew. A virtual scrapbook.

One of my very first posts was Beau's 8 month update (you can check it out here).

Well, my intentions were to do a monthly update for Gabe each month.  But we all know what they say about intentions. Everyone's got one and-- wait, that's opinions.  ;) I kind of feel like intentions and opinions are similar in that sense!

So here we are. Eight months has passed since we met Gabe face to face.  I can't believe how fast the time has gone.  Life with three is definitely hectic and sometimes I feel guilty for not having as much one on one time with Gabe. But I also know that he came at just the right time. God knew our family was missing our next piece and I am blessed every day being his mama!

Sleep: You are great sleeper Gabe.  You take a morning nap and afternoon nap each day.  You typically sleep an hour and a half or more each nap.  You also sleep through the night (typically). As you are learning new things and getting more teeth, you wake and need some soothing but honestly you've always been the best about going right back to sleep even after waking! You go down for the night between 7:15-7:30 (sometimes later if we are having fun) and you wake for the day around 7:00 the next morning. You love your crib and your lovey.  You don't mind being held for your  naps if we are out and about.  It still amazes me that you can put yourself to sleep without a paci or sucking your thumb.

Food: You took to food like a champ.  At six months we introduced it all to you; oatmeal, veggies and fruits.  You love mixes the most it seems like; whether it's a variety of veggies, fruits, or the two combined.  The only foods you don't seem to favor are peas (by themselves), carrots, or pumpkin. You eat a TON. You typically have a jar of fruit with oatmeal for breakfast, a big jar of fruit/veggie mix or one of each for lunch, and two jars with a little oatmeal for dinner.  You also have 4 bottles a day; upon waking, before nap, after lunch, and before bed.  Sometimes you have a snack bottle after your nap before dinner.  I don't think it will be long before we start to give you table foods so you can begin to feed yourself some.  You seem very intrigued.

Social: You are the happiest guy.  You are always content and in a good mood.  If you are tired or hungry, you get cranky but you really go with the flow.  I don't know if that is just your disposition or because you don't have much of a choice with two big brothers.  You are quick to offer a smile.  You love to crawl (army scoot) to things that interest you.  You are hard to keep contained.  Being outdoors is one of your favorites.  You love long walks where you can watch the world around you.  You also love playing with your brothers and they sure love to make you laugh!

Milestones: You started scooting this month. You get up on your hands and knees and rock but no traditional crawling.  You also finally got both top teeth to come in making the total 4.  I think you are working on some more.  (The teething never ends!) You also seem to get really sad if you are in a room by yourself (like if I walk to the kitchen out of your view for a moment).

We love you so much Gabe! Couldn't imagine our family without you!

Gabe: Two Months

It doesn't even seem possible that our sweet guy is two months old today.  How did two months already come and go? {Although Andrew said it seems like it should be longer because being in the hospital feels like it was years ago with all that has been going on these past few months. #true}

Gabe, you are such a good baby. You have a really great temperament. You have changed so much from the tiny peanut you were on your birth day.  I love being your mama so much! I am so grateful for you, sweet boy!

This Month:
You are so strong. You lift your head and can hold it up so well.  You've started smiling lots this month.  I love your sweet smile.  You are wearing 3 month clothes and they fit great most of the time.  Sometimes a 3-6 month outfit seems to fit better.

Eating:
You eat all the time.  You are quite the little chunk.  You typically eat every 2.5-3 hours.  This includes nighttime.  You may have one stretch that is about 4-5 but lately you seem to want to eat as often as possible. You eat typically 3-4 ounces during your feedings. You take your feedings from a bottle so you can control how quickly it comes out. You have been much happier since we made that adjustment.

Sleeping:
You have gotten into a nice little routine (or so it seems). You take two long naps each day {morning and afternoon} and smaller catnap around dinner time.  You are usually asleep for the night by 8.  Sometimes you stretch out until your next feeding, sometimes not.  You typically wake for the day around 6:30 or 7 the next morning.  You fall asleep easily and love to be swaddled.  You don't take a paci {we've tried}.

Likes:
-to stretch out.
-to watch your brothers play.
-when mommy or daddy talk to you.
-listen to stories with your brothers.
-walks in your Baby Bjorn.
-to eat.
-bath time.

Dislikes:
-tummy time
-getting out of the bath
-car seat {you may be out growing this though}

Five on Friday: Oct 17

I love every time Friday comes around because, well, it's Friday. But it is also just that much closer to being our last Friday before we move.  Just two more Fridays after this week and we are moving! I can't believe it's coming up so quickly.

I'm linking up with the usual today.  So grateful for these link-ups and the blogs they have opened me up to. Truly love this blogger world!

Liz/Darci/Natasha/Christina

Erika/Narci/Andrea

Karli/Amy

{O N E}
Our sweet Gabe is 8 weeks old today.  I can't believe it has been that long since we brought our sweet boy home.  I can't believe we have been a family of five for 8 weeks. I hate how quickly it is going but at the same time I love how alert he is.  I love his smiles when he wakes up and sees me.  I love the way he stretches.  He loves to eat.  Gabe loves to be swaddled.  He is a good sleeper, finally.  He takes a good long stretch from around 8 pm to midnight or 1.  Then he goes every three hours between feedings until he gets up at 6:30 or 7.

{T W O}
The boys have decided on their Halloween costumes.  It is going to be a SUPER fun time trick-or-treating with them this year. {Hint, hint}

{T H R E E}
I've been planning Beau's birthday party.  I love that his birthday is in the fall.  We are doing a pumpkin theme this year at our new house.  I've picked out the menu and the games we will be playing.  And the cupcakes y'all--they are going to be divine! The flavors are s'more, caramel apple, and pumpkin pie! Delicious!

That's all I have this week! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  We will be packing, packing, packing! ;)

Our family of {FIVE}

Trying to play catch up.  My sweet, talented friend who took my maternity photos also took our first family of five photos just a week after Gabe was born.  I love, love, love them.  Just so  many sweet moments captured.  I look at these now and can't believe how much Gabe has grown and changed.  They don't stay little long. 

So blessed to be these boys mommy.  So thankful that God entrusted them to my care.  May I always parent in wisdom and grace and with His guidance. 

A little photo dump.