Up close & personal

Leaf piling

Macaroni Monday at Angela's got really good once we got outside.
Hill rolling and leaf piling were my personal favorites.
One after another they piled leaves on me. I couldn't get them from a distance, but snapped them as they got close to make their drop.Danijela was precious with the leaves. Once Ms. Jessica shared her iPhone, however, the more introverted gal took over. She was focused!

Hide and Seek

A bike ride

Today after nap, Reece and I enjoyed the warm afternoon with a bike ride around the hood, which always includes a stop at the creek.

He's getting so fast on his Strider, I'm going to need to either start jogging or ride a bike myself. Either way, it's well worth the time with my little guy...

3 in 1

Danijela and Kiley's 4th birthday party was much different than last year, for me at least.
First of all, I got to be there this time, rather than dropping Reece off and heading to a doctor appointment. Secondly, I got to be there with this little bump in my belly, instead of being in a place of trying and praying for another. Sorry to be so inwardly focused, but what a difference a year makes.

The party was small and intimate, and we were grateful to be included.Not only were there 2 birthdays to celebrate, there was 3. We celebrated Cole's 1st. (It seems like the second, as I remember so well that evening Cole made his debut.)Happy Valentine's Day, everybody.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Danijela.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Kiley.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Cole.While we celebrated together, each of you is so special to us.
You are our friends, family, and loved ones...3 in 1.

B

We didn't actually do the letter B today, as some suggested. And I plan to add sign language as well (thanks, Tyra).

But, today B was especially relevant.
B is for...butterfly
babyThe finger looks a little Red Raider-ish, but just before this pose it was sucking its thumb. So, I'd like to think the thumb was still wrapping around, and the baby was really pointing upward as so many paths leading to this day have.Everything looked great including the heartbeat, which we got to hear again (153 bpm). Reece isn't a fan of the heartbeat sound, but did like seeing that little baby move.

We hunted around checking all sides and all the body parts, and learned something else...It seems that B may also be for

BOY.
Dr. H doesn't usually call it this early, but once he told us where the two thigh bones were, we all agreed that we saw something.
So, while it's not official just yet, today B is for boy.

some dirt and a couple of cars

Some dirt and a couple of cars...
Isn't that all any boy needs?

Hans(ome) Solo

Reece's 4th official and first solo haircut was today.
He's still not a huge fan of the clippers, but kept it together with a mild frown during that part. At one point, Wes stopped and looked at the back of Reece's head in surprise. I assured him the whack was not anything he did, but Reece's self haircut from a couple of weeks ago. Whew!

A

Reece does not yet recognize every letter of the alphabet.
So today we started more intentionally.
A is the letter of the day today.For a while now, I wanted to do an alphabet animal book for Reece with my photos. But, once I finally compiled them, I realized I didn't have something for every letter. Plus, if I waited until I did, I might never do it. So instead, I printed some out flashcard style. I've hung them in his room, but plan to find a better way to display and interact with them than we are now.

I put the alligator in his treasure box, along with 2 magnetic A's (and his Leap Frog Fridge Phonics), and an apple.
He opened it first thing this morning.
We also put an 'a' sticker on his hand before we left to have breakfast with Amanda, who incredibly has 3 A's in her name!
We spent the morning picking out A's from everywhere we saw letters and read the "A" book today at naptime.

It seems to be going really well, as he's identified A's everywhere.
Now, should I stick with A for a few days or go ahead and start with B tomorrow? I welcome your thoughts.
Hmmm...I'm not one for waiting, so I may jump right in with B while he's having fun with this.
Plus, tomorrow is a baby appointment and we're all looking forward to that. What could be a better B word than that?

1st Saturday

The 1st Saturday of the month is Home Depot day. Traditionally, that has been Daddy and Reece time. Today, I came too.

Fun-spirited Dan, took Danijela, Kiley and Luka all by himself.
Knowing him, he may have actually been able to handle 3 projects and 3 kids if it weren't for the unexpected presence of Radio Disney blaring through the store. Luka wasn't a fan...and frankly, nor was I. It was loud.

So I helped the girls build their boxes. It was nice to have a little time with them.The only disappointing thing about today's project is that it was all glue, no nails. Reece wasn't quite as focused on today's challenge as he usually is when he's swinging a hammer. But, the free juice and popcorn didn't fail him. ; )

And the facepainting was an adorable treat for the girls.Outside, the kids gave it their all in the football toss...After all the Home Depot excitement, I took Reece to lunch with the neighbors at The Ole Monk. After he ate, he made a 'race track' out of coasters. Pretty cool, Reece.