Brody Turns 4!!

This year has been the first year that Brody helped plan his birthday party.  He told us he wanted a party and Chuck E Cheese and he informed us on who we should invite.  It was fun to see him get excited about his party and count down the days.  He actually got three parties; which he often reminded you of. One party with Grandma and the Groh family because they were going to miss his Chuck E Cheese party, his Chuck E Cheese party with his friends and his party at school. 

Grandmas party was great!  Brody got to spend the night with the Groh kids and he was showered with gifts, attention and a homemade red cake.  He loved it and his smile in his pictures showed it.  His Chuck E Cheese party turned out to be kind of small.  Most people were traveling for the holidays so they were unable to make it.  The final attendants were Cole, Graham, Knox, Andrea, Brett, Nana, Clark, Holly, Aaron, Jamie and Sydney.  Luckily for us Chuck E Cheese was kind of dead and the kids were able to run all over and had the place to themselves. 

Brody at first was super excited about his school Party but the night before he panicked.  He was so frightened and begged me not to take him to school the next morning.  He said he didn't want to turn 4 and he just wanted to be three.  He cried so hard and was truly frightened.  It really broke our hearts.  Dave and I laid with him that night and tried to calm his fears but neither one of us really could pinpoint why he was so scared.  Luckily he finally fell asleep and slept well all night.  That morning I woke him up before I left so I could wish him Happy Birthday and console him one last time if he still was scared.  Boy that was a mistake.  He immediately started to cry and begged me not to go to work.  He even ran after me outside.  He has NEVER acted this way before, and I was broken hearted to leave him that day.  Once I left him and Sara continued to talk and she told him he was already 4.  Brody apparently ran to the bathroom and was touching and pinching his face.  He kept saying, "It already happened? I'm 4? But I am still Brody! I'm not a daddy yet!"  So I guess this was the source of his anxiety he thought he was going to change into a daddy overnight.  Poor guy!  Sara walked him into school that day to give his teacher Ms. Anne a heads up incase Brody had another meltdown.  Ms. Anne couldn't believe he was scared of turning 4.  Brody ended up having an great time at his school party and told all of his friends that they didn't need to be scared when they turn 4 because nothing happens.  I'm so glad his special day ended up going well for him! 

Hilton Head Island

This year I decided to finally take advantage of the education money I get from work and I attended a conference in Hilton Head.  Peggy was in between jobs so it was perfect timing for her and I and the boys to take a little vacation.  We rented a 2 bedroom condo near the hotel where the conference was being held and just had a blast. 

Outside of the time I was at lectures we spent our days playing at parks, playing on the beach and eating seafood.  It was the off season so we never had to wait to eat and there were no crowds.  The boys just loved the beach and playing in the sand.  We all also enjoyed spending some vacation time away with Grandma.  It was great to get away, have a break from home life, and enjoy a little sunshine before winter hits. 

Baby # 3!!!

A few weeks ago Dave and I found out that I was pregnant with Kaiser baby #3.  This will be our last child and I couldn't be happier about it.  I honestly think I'm happier about this third baby than I was with the other two.  With Brody I was thrilled but nervous and with Jett I was so worried about how Brody was going to do without all of our attention.  All those fears are gone now and I can't wait to welcome this baby that will complete our family.  Of course I am still nervous about being outnumbered, but we will manage.  I just hope that this baby will be as easy as Brody was as a baby.  Jett, I love you buddy but you were hard. 
So far for symptoms I am really nauseated and it is like that almost everyday, all day.  I feel like it is worse this time but I'm not sure if that is because it is here and now and not in the past.  I am also exhausted.  No amount of sleep helps, and in fact when my annoying internal alarm goes of at 5:15 I wake feeling just as tired as I did when I went to bed the night before.  I am anxiously awaiting these symptoms to subside.  My due date is approximately July 9th so I will try and keep posting regarding Baby #3's progress.

Brody & Jett

Let me start with you, Jett.   You are really coming into your own.  You have such a fiery personality.  In an instant you can go from the cutest, cuddliest kid to a screaming banshee.   You are so smart and are really starting to talk a lot more.  You say words like, "dree" for drink, "more" for anything you want, "dank u" for thank you, you sing your abc's, you pretend you know your letters by pointing to them and usually saying, "A", and you recently started saying, "yeah, yeah, yeah" when we point to what you want.  Your starting to throw obvious tantrums and you even stopped your feet at me the other day when I wouldn't let you go outside.  Brody is your hero and you mimic everything he does even if it doesn't make sense to you why he does it. You are starting to fight back and I bet you and Brody will soon start wrestling each other when your mad. 

Brody.... you are loving school and you look forward to going.  You are learning so much and you have also learned a few things that I wish you hadn't.  You have started back talking and really challenging us sometimes.  It is hard to find your currency and to know how to get you to listen and or obey.  You have really started to take an interest in playing with your brother which warms my heart.  I love to see how much you love him, even though you do love to push his buttons.  At night you have started wanting to snuggle him on the couch and it is so precious.  I love the bond you two are forming. 

Jett's 1st Hair Cut

Today Jett got his very first haircut, at just a few days shy of 20 months old.  He did so good, and loved the one on one attention.