3.

Our sweet boy is officially 3 years old today.  I took the day off from work and we played and enjoyed every single second of his birthday together.  I guess he decided that since it was his day, he could sleep in if he wanted to.  I finally reached my breaking point at 8:30 and had to run in his room to wake him up and start the celebration.  He sluggishly opened his eyes and gave me a sweet, sleepy smile.  As soon as he heard me say happy birthday, he excitedly began demanding to know where his birthday was and that he wanted to have it right now.  I guess he doesn't quite understand that birthdays aren't something we actually see and touch.  But, I'm sure he was really wanting to know where his presents were!  We started off the morning with a plate of birthday pancakes, complete with 3 little candles on top.  In fact, every meal we've eaten today was coupled with the request for candles on top.  I figured that's one of the many birthday highlights, so I happily obliged.  After running some errands and cleaning in the morning to get ready for tomorrow's festivities, we took a break in the backyard for a corn dog picnic and some swim time.  I think it's about time for a pool upgrade as this one is really starting to look pretty tiny.  A big boy needs a big pool, right? 

As usual, I can't end a Nicholas birthday without writing down some of my motherly sentiments.  I just want him to be able to read these blogs someday and truly understand the enormity of my love for him and what this day means to his mama.  I'm so thankful for where we've been and the things we've done over the last 3 years and I'm even more excited about where we're going.  Nicholas has given me so much joy that it's hard to put it down in words.  I can say that there's not a day that passes without me thinking of how lucky I am to have this boy with me forever.  Not only do I spend his birthday celebrating the wonderful boy that he is, but  I spend much of the time thinking back to the day he came into my life.  The best day of my life.  I pray I never become desensitized to the memories of this day  because I never want it to become just another birthday.  It's anything but that.  Happy birthday, Nicholas!  Your Daddy and I love you so much!

Going to bed last night as a 2 year old boy for the very last time...

 And the morning arrives!

I call this one the 14:14 shot.  I took this today at exactly

2:14pm which was the time he was born 3 years ago. What a difference!

And Papa brought over his first present this afternoon.  A framed picture for

his bedroom of the very helicopter he flies.  He loved it! 

And as we close this birthday out, let's see it one more time... 

Coming Soon

It's just around the corner now!  The excitement is palpable...

Memorial Day Highlights

We're back from our weekend at the lake and other than trying to recover from some pretty awful sunburns, we're feeling very replenished after a relaxing getaway.  The weather was absolutely phenomenal and just right for cruising the lake in the new boat.  Unfortunately, the dock wasn't done just yet so we could only get out on the water for a few hours, but it was definitely worth the extra effort.  We found a nice, calm spot to sit awhile and take in the sun and sights of all the people celebrating the holiday.  The water was still pretty cold, okay very cold, but we hung our feet off the back deck and Greg and Papa were brave enough to do a little swimming.  Nicholas is totally in love with the boat and wants to sit in it every single minute.  Whether that be actually in the water or just sitting on the trailer in the driveway, he's not picky.  Lately, he's been getting a little upset when he has a lot of strong wind in his face and complains that he can't breath.  But with the Cobalt, that's not really much of a concern.  He can sit in the big Captain's chair and have the windshield block the force of it, which makes him feel a lot better.  After we had all reduced our skin to near ashes (must remember more sunscreen!) and were beginning to feel sunbeat, we decided to head back to the house to get cleaned up and eat a little dinner.  When he had launched the boat, we noticed one of the trailer tires looked a little low so we dropped Greg off at the dock to take it to a gas station to get some air.  When he returned we got the sad news that we had picked up a nail somewhere and the tire was finito.  Given it was Saturday evening, on a holiday weekend, we realized our weekend on the new boat had come to a close.  It was disappointing to watch all the boats cruising by Sunday afternoon, but we still made the best of it and enjoyed the day anyway.  We'll get her all fixed up and the dock will hopefully be complete by our next visit, so no worries.  As the message on the boat says:  Life is Good.  No complaints here!

 Kings of the world!

 Getting tired now...

 And Daddy managed to keep us entertained on Sunday with a little kite action.

Happy Memorial Day!  

Memorial Day Preview

Mimi & Papa just picked up their new baby.  I know one very excited little boy......and mommy.......and daddy.  I'm pretty sure this is going to be an amazing Memorial Day weekend.  Check back next week for the full report!  Have a wonderful holiday weekend and be safe!

Fun With Nicholas

Nicholas had some fun this afternoon goofing around with Jessica's iPhone.  Made me giggle...

Last Day of School

Well, Nicholas' first year of school has officially come to a close.  As I look back over the last nine months and note exactly how much our boy has grown and changed throughout this experience, I can't help but feel enormously proud.  We went from this baby:

To this happy-go-lucky little boy:

Okay, okay.  I realize that the difference might not be all that grand to the naked eye, but to me it's beyond description.  He went through so many changes this year.  From a long and difficult period of adjustment to his new routine, to finally adapting to school and flourishing in such an amazing way.  He has made so many friends and loves to talk about all the fun things he's gotten to do in class.  And he's bonded with the teachers and staff at St. Mark, which is such a comfort to Greg and I.  And the biggest accomplishment of all - he's now potty trained!!  Today, I see a very sweet, intelligent, thriving little boy who's just getting started in this great, big, wonderful world.  So yes, I'm enormously proud.

Nicholas' teacher, Miss Stephanie.  They're great pals and he loves her a whole, big bunch.

And lucky for us, he gets to go back for summer school in a few weeks. So all those wonderful things he's gotten to do won't be stopping and all those wonderful people who have molded his little life won't be forgotten. So stick around 'cause we're gonna keep right on truckin'!

Oh and don't forget, we've got a very important 3rd birthday coming up!  Party invitations will be hitting the mail very soon....

Happy Mother's Day

My feelings about being a mother are very simple and easily defined - I am lucky.  I am grateful.  I am happy.  This is the most amazing, precious, fulfilling, terrifying, hilarious, fascinating, and entertaining role that I have ever had the pleasure of filling and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.  I love you, Nicholas.  You are an incredible little boy who has stolen your Mommy and Daddy's hearts. You're everything we could have ever dreamed of and so much more. 

We had to replace our Crepe Myrtle this weekend so Nicholas got to have some fun playing in the hole and digging for worms.  It pains me to report that a few of them may have been dismembered. 

It was very hot outside this weekend so Daddy suited him up and turned on

the sprinklers for a little cooling down.  He was not too happy here because he

forgot to close his eyes as his ran through the water.  Ouch!

My gorgeous petunias that Nicholas potted for me at school last week.  I love them!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!!