Still cannot believe it!

I just hit the eight week mark. With previous miscarriages I never reached 8 weeks so I'm feeling quite optimistic that this little one is staying in place! 

On Monday we had an ultrasound! The first thing I saw was a tiny but strong heartbeat. It never gets old - hearing that heartbeat! I'm overwhelmed feeling so incredibly blessed with this pregnancy. I did not feel as though I was done but wasn't sure with my "old" age diagnosis if it would happen. We are so anxious to find out the sex. This time around we WILL find out the sex! Then will come the difficulty of determining a name. 

Big differences this time around are how fast my stomach is growing! I'm losing weight almost daily yet my pants are getting tighter and tighter. As Collin says, "you're pregnant, that's going to happen". Another major difference is the aversion to foods - just about all foods sound disgusting! And the nausea - it can go when ever it feels like it! Luckily it rarely ends up in full sickness just a yucky feeling alllllllll day! 

This morning I'm on my way to the TSFL convention in Austin. Flying adds a whole new dimension to morning sickness. Now I not only feel nauseated but also shaky. This could be from lack of sleep, nerves or baby related who knows anymore. 

So eight weeks - I'm nausea all day, tired and so beyond excited and feeling overwhelming lucky, blessed and just so very thankful for this baby, this pregnancy and most of all my wonderful Collin who's so in tune to this pregnancy and just as excited as I am. 

And another one...

So yesterday I didn't get my period like I expected. When the boys were down for a nap I decided to take a pregnancy test. This is, after all, my month but each of my ovulation tests came back negative. All but one that I thought might be positive but Collin was certain it wasn't. So I sat to take the test. I never intended to see a line. So much so that I stopped and had to check the instructions again. Yup, two lines means pregnant. What??? Impossible. My eyes were playing tricks on me. For four years I've only seen negative results so I never ever expected to see a positive result. 

Last night I wrapped up a little box and told Collin that one more Father's Day present had arrived. He opened it and just about fainted. 

The rest of the night was a blur. We talk about how is it possible? Are we really ready? What are we doing? Three? Are we nuys? Will this baby stay? We are both a bundle of nerves, excitement, nerves, nerves and nerves. But yes, as of right now it's in the plans for our family to soon be a family of 5! 

I cannot wait to meet this little one and to watch the bond form between these boys and their new little one! 

Last day of first grade

So today was the last day of first grade. What a year it has been!!! Tyler has gone from an emerging reader to a fully fluent reader this year. He's able to add and subtract in his head and has a concrete understanding of new math concepts - way more than his daddy or me! 

He's learning self-control and working in a group setting. He's learned so much and matured so much. Yet he's still my sweet, kind-hearted and wonderful 7 year old! I mean, just look at the difference 10 months made!!!!

To celebrate today I took both Tyler and Dylan to the movies to see The Angry Bird movie. Tyler never liked movies once we leave the theater. Today was completely different! His comment as we left " this is my second favorite movie of all time, right behind The Nut Job!" Can't ask for a better reaction than that! 

The only way today could have been better was for Daddy to be home! 

After the movie it was a quick dinner and both boys wiped out and asleep by 7

After they hit the sack I went to baking! Cherry hand pies!!! Yummy! 

It's going to be a perfect summer!!!

First Day of First Grade

Oh it's been so long since I've had a chance to blog - a big regret that I didn't keep it up. But today is a new day, the beginning of a new school year so maybe, just maybe this restart will stick!

Today, my not-so-little-boy started First Grade! We've been talking for a week or two now about the transition back to school, about his teacher and he has appeared to be ready. This morning he was doing very well until I told him to come out front for pictures. He asked why we had to take pictures and I just explained that mommy is demanding and you just have to put up with it! He was a champ - taking pictures for me and then we came back in. The nerves finally hit. After some loves from dad, a green heart on his hand and some kisses from Pickle, we were ready to attack the day!

We all drove to school together and walked him onto the playground. We ran into old friends from last year and Keaton, his friend from birth. Then his teacher Mrs. Bilek came out and he lined up. All was great until they started walking to the classroom. Mrs. Bilek immediately noticed his anxiety and gave him the job of carrying the class sign.

 We got to go into the classroom, take a few pictures, give some hugs and off we went.

I think in the long run, the one who is struggling the most is Pickle. He keeps looking and asking for Tyler. They are so cute together and one day they'll both be at school and what will this mommy do then?

Later, I did a drive-by of the school and almost got caught! They were just leaving their classroom for lunch when I drove by. He didn't see but had the biggest smile on my face! We just know this is going to be a wonderful year. He has an amazing class, an amazing teacher and first grade is my first love as a teacher. So much to look forward to this year! Here's to new beginnings!

Back To School Night

Tonight was Tyler's Back To School night for his Pre-K year. He just loves going to school and had so much fun sharing all of the artwork he's completed in these first few weeks at school.

Above his cubby, the class created art work to go along with the story The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

In the Library, the students worked together to make an alphabet picture board. Each student made five or six pictures to go with the different letters. They also all wrote their own letters to match their artwork. Tyler had Ff, Gg, Hh, Ii, and Jj.

 

In the Dramatic Play room we got to see Tyler's Matisse inspired collage art.

There was also a great collage of the students dressing up in Dramatic Play. I love that Tyler is Elmo. It's always been one of his favorite characters. 

In Math and Science, there was a collage of the students measuring with the scale. This class seems to be infatuated with the scale according to Ms. Cathi. One day Tyler and Jack decided they wanted to see if the color of something made a difference in it's weight. So the two boys counted out ten blue and ten green dinosaurs and determined that they weighed the same. (Top right picture) Fun to see them come up with their own ideas and then follow through with the measuring.

 

 The students also created a number line in the Math and Science room. Tyler did the numbers 7, 8, 15 and 16.

In the Art Room, there was Tyler's easel painting along with a picture of him actually completing the project. Isn't it amazing how much they have accomplished in about 7 days of class!

 In the cafeteria, Tyler had made a 3-dimensional red and juicy apple to go along with the story The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall.

Finally, in the music room there were a few pictures of Tyler with this year's music teacher - Ms. Monica. He loves to play the drums too! The pictures didn't turn out great but it's fun to see him so engaged in class!

We are so blessed to be able to send Tyler to this amazing school. He just loves it and has a great time with his friends. Only having a few kids in class is amazing as well! While I miss Ms. Sandi, I know he is flourishing under Ms. Cathi too!

Soccer Star

Tyler has been participating in Little Kicker's soccer classes for a few months now. This fall he was able to join an AYSO team. He missed the first game because we were on a waiting list and now is an official member of the Fire Running Dinosaurs!

They practice once a week. Here he is ready for his very first practice. When did he get sooo big?

 

Learning to do jumping jacks. The cutest thing EVER!

Now learning to stretch their arms. Tyler doesn't quite get it but they sure are cute trying.

There are five wonderful little boys all under 5 years old on his team. They practice once a week and then have a twenty minute game on Saturday mornings. His first game was great! They do not keep score but the Fire Running Dinosaurs did score more goals than the Monster Sharks. Tyler was a little overwhelmed with it all but for his first game, it was super fun!

A little warm-up and drills with the coaches from England. This is something AYSO provides a couple of times a season to our little ones. These ten boys listened SO well to these coaches. We decided it had to be their accents! Coach Bob and Coach Steve are currently working on their English accents!

Ready for Kickoff!

Water break

Tyler is #2!

Getting congratulations from Coach Bob!

End of the game cheer

We were SO lucky...my dad sponsored the team this year!

 

Only one was missing for the picture

We are really looking forward to watching Tyler's progress this season. His next game is Saturday! Maybe this week he'll actually touch the ball more than once?