Equine Therapy

Sumner always has a rough day on Monday. Is it because of trying to get back into the school routine? Horse therapy has been a Godsend. Today when he got home from riding he initiated play with Truman and they went out in the backyard to swing. I can't ever remember him doing that before and I stood at the kitchen window and cried.

Potty time!

Someone used the potty for the second time tonight!!! He used it for the first time Monday, February 17! I worried at first it might have been a fluke, but he did it again tonight and has been sitting 3 or more times a day!!! 

To Jackson, on your seventh birthday

To Jackson, on your seventh birthday,

I cannot believe that you are seven years old today. It seems like just yesterday you were a tiny baby waving his arms like a conductor in that incubator. This birthday was a hard one for me as last night daddy got out all of your things from the NICU and showed them to you. You wanted to hear about what it was like when you were born.

It was so scary when you were born, but I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that my life would be forever different. You are so stubborn and when you get it in your mind that you are doing something, you WANT to do it! Sometimes it is hard knowing how to calm you and boost you up when you are feeling like you cannot do something. Learning these things has been a great challenge for me as a parent but seeing you succeed is a huge reward.

This year you lost your first tooth jumping on the bed at Disney! When Sumner was scared at Disney, you held his hand and helped him through every step of the rides he practiced in OT. You graduated from kindergarten and started first grade. You love to read and you told me your favorite subject is "read to self" from the daily 5. You love to invent things and check out lots of books about scientists and inventors so you can learn about how they created their famous inventions. You have a beautiful singing voice and you are so musical. You played t-ball and football. You had a speaking part in the kindergarten musical. You care for stuffed animals and people like a little mother hen and you are always wanting to cuddle and hug.

I love you for your caring and kindness and your huge heart. You love things so openly and wholly that sometimes your heart gets broken. You are such a good big brother to Truman and he loves to play with you. You make him laugh and you watch out and care for him. You know just what to say when someone needs a kind word or is feeling sad. You have such a way with people. You are a smart, funny, caring, sweet and thoughtful boy. I am beyond lucky to have you.

I love you Jackson. Happy birthday!

Love, Mommy

To Sumner, on your seventh birthday

To Sumner, on your seventh birthday,

I cannot believe that you are seven years old today. It seems like just yesterday your head fit in the palm of my hand. This birthday was a hard one for me as last night daddy got out all of your things from the NICU and showed them to you. You wanted to hear about what it was like when you were born.

Our life changed. It changed a lot. I changed for the better when I had you. I sometimes do not know what to make of you. You are stubborn and strong-willed and sometimes your anxiety makes you do things you don't mean to. You make me a better mom because you challenge me each day to think of ways to better parent you. I love you for it and I want you to know I will always love you, no matter what.

This year you lost your first tooth. We went to Disney and you rode rides you were way too afraid to before. You graduated from kindergarten and started first grade. You love to read and you told me your favorite subject is P.E. You love science and study rocks and minerals all the time. You love non-fiction books the most and can spend hours reading facts about animals, rocks, or weather. You have a beautiful singing voice and you are so musical. You played t-ball and football. You had a speaking part in the kindergarten musical. You started writing us little notes and sticking them up all over the house. You are constantly saying and writing things that make us laugh so much!

I love you for your intelligence and the literal way you look at the world. You have a heart of gold and you love animals so much. Your face lights up when you pick up and pet Bode or one of the other cats. You love Truman and are such a good big brother to him. You love to tell jokes and you love Minecraft. You have such a thirst for knowledge and you are like a sponge, sucking in every bit of information you can get. You still want to be a scientist and police officer. You are smart, funny, caring, sweet and a great boy. I am beyond lucky to have you.

I love you Sumner. Happy birthday!

Love, Mommy

Family pictures, 2013

I held off on posting these until our Christmas cards went out. The irony is that it took two sessions and literally there were two good pictures from that session. In the rest, our kids were angry, throwing rocks, kicking each other, pulling hair, or freaking out. Thankfully we got two good ones!

Santa visit 2013

We had an awesome visit with Santa this year. Normally visiting with Santa can be a real struggle because the boys get overwhelmed and have a hard time. Historically visiting Santa hasn't been a ton of fun but we have always wanted to have the picture so we "made it work." One year everything was good until the woman behind the camera shook a long strand of jingle bells and freaked Summy out.

This year we had breakfast with Santa as a part of my twin mom's group. It was a lovely time and the kids made ornaments, ate, and then visited with Santa. I cannot tell you how much of a relief it is to see them enjoy visiting with him and to have no tears!

To Truman, on your second birthday

Truman,

I cannot believe you are two today. this year was a big one for you: walking, talking, and becoming a little person. You are such a happy guy, always smiling and talking...the first thing you do when you come in the door is hug and greet each person one by one. Tonight when we were taking a picture, you said to me "wuv you mama."

You love cars, trucks, (especially firetrucks) and your daddy's beloved Volkswagen Bus. You almost always have a car in your hand. You love to play with "wee bobbles" and you are a goldfish addict just like Jack and I.

This year you have changed so much and become a little person. You look up to your brothers so much and want to do everything they do. You have been working on jumping, coloring, and love to sing. (Twinkle Twinkle is your favorite.) I am amazed sometimes by what you say. You also LOVE to read books and we have to make you stop reading to go to bed.

You love the cats (meows) and toady. You charm everyone who meets you. You love to cuddle. Your heart is so sweet and you make everyone around you smile. We are so happy to have you as a part of our family. You are no longer a baby, sweet Truey! Happy birthday to my loving, funny, smart and charming little man!

Love,

Mommy

"Hewo Wosie!"

This is our first year being visited by Rosie, our shelf elf. The boys are thrilled with her and Jack expressed how sad he will be when she goes back to the North Pole. They talk about her all the time and today Jack made this at indoor recess:

Nothing is better than hearing Truman say "Wosie! Where aaaaare you?" Every morning!