Schools out for Summer

We survived our first year of school!! We are so very proud of Elise and her accomplishments this year, she has done amazing! It's bittersweet as we enter the summer months for she will miss her teacher immensely. Here's is her first day and last day photos!!

Recap

I just realized I haven't updated or written in almost 8 months! I must be busy:) things have been great! The girls are chugging to the end of yet another school year and have both done exceptional in school. I can't believe that next year I'll have 2 kiddos in elementary school! Kellan is ever changing and making his mark on this family. He captures everyone's heart with the bat of an eye. He turned one in march and everyday since has been surprising me with his wit, charm and love for exploration. He is very busy, into everything. The girls were retry active but he is by far the busiest. I'm wondering if it's a "boy" thing?! The end of march also marked a very sad time for our family. We had to say good bye to our beloved Ozzy. He was 10 and barreling stage 4 kidney disease. Watching him suffer on a day to day basis really took its toll on me emotionally and finally Wes and I together had to make the horrible decision. I know in the end we gave him the greatest gift and that was eternal happiness and a life without pain. It certainly doesn't make me miss him any less. I really never realized what a integral part of this family he was until he was gone. Gracie his counterpart has been in a funk and his departure has changed her as well. It's sad to see her look for him every time the front door opens:(
We have been steadily making more improvements to the house. Flowers are planted, garden is growing. We are also getting ready to do a complete kitchen makeover. Lots going on. This summer is already filling up with swim lessons, camps, vbs, bbqs and visits from the grandparents! I look forward to a nice packed break with the kids! Leaving y'all with a few pics!

Weight

I know as a woman weight is such a personal and touchy subject. For most of my life I have maintained an active lifestyle that keeps me pretty fit and happy with my weight. After having Elise I gained about 10 extra lbs and carried that over to my pregnancy with Ava. After her birth I began working out and eating very healthy. I sustained a size 10 until I got pregnant with Kellan. I was so terribly sick with him that I lost weight in the beginning of the pregnancy and ultimately only gained a total of 7lbs. YES, I ate, I actually ate a lot! Wes kept saying, " next appt I bet you've gained 10 lbs...". This lasted the entiiire pregnancy. Once Kell was out I began breastfeeding, the weight just melted off like butter, and NO, I am in no way complaining. Since I only gained 7 lbs while pregnant I have proceeded to lose an extra 22lbs. I am so happy with my new body and have even ventured out and replaced most of my clothes. This is where it gets tricky...Since i am breastfeeding I eat like a horse. I get these crazy insatiable hunger pangs that don't leave unless I literally stuff my face like it's my last meal. We are going on 8months and I know once a year hits weaning him will be on the agenda. Im not only sad about that bond ending but also about the fear of the weight returning. I know everyone says "eat healthy" and "work out", and I will, but it's not easy with 3 kids. I also don't want to have to live my life constantly monitoring my caloric intake and exercise routines. This just kinda sucks. Wow Im whiny. I've had to battle baby weight after my other pregnancies and lost the weight the good ole fashioned way, but even with a 5 day gym work out routine I never got down to where I am at. Im just nervous that the moment I quit it will all come back.

Halloween

We only made it to a few houses this year due to sickness that struck the kids. They still made out like bandits and did so looking adorable!!

7 month update

Kellan is growing so fast, too fast. He cut his two bottom teeth this past week and also is starting to scoot. He has also realized (to my dismay) that he has boy parts... I guess it really doesn't matter the age of a man, they are all the same. ha. We have been enjoying some Indian summer days and also got to try out our new coat and hat when we got hit with 30 degree temps. He has been introduced now to sweet potatoes and green peas. Loves the potatoes, hates the peas. I blame my preparation, or lack there of, with the peas. I just couldn't get them smooth and silky. If anyone has a tip on how to do this, please tell me. We are also beginning to the first stages of separation anxiety. This is rough, I can't leave the room without him getting all worked up, I did find that if I continue to speak to him while roaming he is ok. I just can't believe we are now in the upward climb to turning 1. Unreal.

Fall 2011

This is by far my favorite season. I love crisp days and brightly colored leaves. We have been unseasonably warm so far but this week is supposed to bring that to an end! Hopefully the UGGs will be able to be thrown back into my everyday fashion routine!! Kellan is doing great. Still by far the most jubilant and pleasant baby to be around. He is changing every single day. He just cut his first tooth and unfortunately I found this out while nursing:( Little vampire drew blood. It took two days for me to feel relaxed while feeding him and then the little booger did it again. He is starting to scoot around and just learned how to scream. It's awesome (that was sarcasm)!
The girls are both doing great in school. We have our first Big school conference next week for Elise. I'm excited but nervous over it. Hoping she is right on par but hesitant to hear things that she needs to work on. No parent likes to hear about your child not doing well and for some reason I'm so concerned about this.
We all had a rough week of sickness last week and I think (fingers crossed) we are out of the woods. I had strep throat, Ava had a raging ear infection and Kellan ending up getting Impetigo which is a strain of my strep. Needless to say it was a long long week.
We are all excited for Halloween and the upcoming holiday's. We will once again be headed to the East coast to be with my family!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! I just hate waiting and waiting for it to get here and then it's over in a flash. Oh, well. Ill still count down!

Some pic's of Fall thus far...

Right place at the Right time.

I am a true believer in fate. Today just reconfirmed my beliefs. I was in line at Starbucks this morning and I overheard this lady googling over Kellan. I turned around and made small talk and she turned to her friend and said, "You have got to come and look at this little boy." The other woman looked at him and immediately burst into tears. She looked up at me with her tear stained cheeks and said, "this is just what I needed today, thank you, thank you!!" I was a little baffled and I said, "Oh my God, are you ok?" She looked down at Kellan as he was smiling and said... "I buried my granddaughter today...!" OMG! My heart dropped to my knees, and I just ran over and hugged her as she sobbed in my arms. I of course began crying and she kept appologizing. She proceeded to explain that her Granddaughter died this week in a huge duplex fire, she was just 8. I looked at her as she was trying to catch her breathe and just told her I will be praying for her and family and to never appologize for showing this kind of emotion. She thanked me and said, "thank you for being here today, I needed to see that baby's smiling face, it's the first time I have smiled since Saturday!" I walked away shaken but felt an amazing sense of love. Kellan and I were brought here today for this woman.
My coffee maker was acting up this morning and as I was driving to the grocery store I last mintue turned into starbucks. I have'nt had starbucks in over a year!! Split second decision. God brought me there for that woman today. Amazing