The Beginning and The End

It is official.....the boys first year of preschool is over. I can't believe how fast it went by and how much they've changed over the past year. I was so worried about leaving Logan at the beginning of the year. He was so shy and quiet and clung to my leg for the first 2 weeks. Fast forward 8 months and he doesn't even turn around to say goodbye. He is always so excited to go to school and see all his little friends. He even found his first love, Natalie :) I was also surprised that Ethan turned out to be a little shy himself. It took him about half the year to really warm up to the other kids and start really interacting with them. I think having a brother so close to his age as almost made it like having a twin. They have been so used to playing together all day every day that they hadn't learned how to play apart with other children. School really gave them a chance to make their own friends. It was also so much fun to hear them talk to each other about their day on the way home from school. We are all sad that school is over for the year (especially me), but they are excited to go back again next year!!!

                Saying goodbye on the first day of school

         Getting ready to go in for the last day of school

                           Logan with his teacher, Mrs. Hale

 Logan with his class helper, Mrs. Dalton or "Mrs. Dolphin" as he calls her :) 

                        Ethan with his teacher, Mrs. Tamez

They had an end of the year program where they sang a few songs and showed a slide show of the kids. The theme was You Are My "Sonshine" so they all had to wear yellow.

We decided to dress everyone in yellow for the occasion

Obstacle Outting

We decided to take the boys back to the ropes course at the Central Florida Zoo since they had so much fun the last time we went. We had a good time, but it was about 20 degrees hotter this time so I think it had some effect of the boys energy. Ethan made it through the whole course and had a great time, but Logan got tired and decided to quit about half way through. We will definitely go back again, but I think we'll wait until the weather cools off again.

                    Madelyn hanging out with daddy 

  Kaden came along, but decided to nap instead of climb :)

And Then There Were 6!!!

He's here! And tomorrow he'll be a week old :( I can't believe how fast time goes. Kaden arrived on April 23, 2010 at 8:21PM weighing 6lbs 3oz and was 20in long. He came into the world as pink as could be and kicking and screaming. Our birth plans changed so many times that I could hardly keep up it. At first of course we planned to have him at home and then when we found out about his lip the doctor tried to scare us into having him at the hospital. He told us how he might not breath and could have other serious health issues. After we visited the surgeon he reassured us that he didn't believe any of this was the case for Kaden as they hadn't seen anything in the ultrasounds to make him think Kaden was at any increased risk. After thinking about it for a while and talking it over with the midwife we decided to have him at a birth center that was a bit closer to the hospital than our house. After a few weeks of talking about that, our midwife spoke to another midwife who had delivered a couple babies with clefts and again told her that we had nothing to worry about and should plan our birth for where we felt most comfortable. So.....Kaden was born at home. Thank God we made that decision because I honestly don't think I would have even known when to go to the birth center. While my contractions did last all day, they were completely painless. The only discomfort I felt was the last 45 minutes before he was born after she had broken my water. During that time I decided to take a warm bath and relax as much as I could. After getting out of the bath I had one contraction and he was born! He is healthy and is eating great from his special bottle. The pediatrician said he looked wonderful and she didn't see anything that indicates he has any other problems. We will see his surgeon on May 12th and are excited to hear what he has to say.
I haven't taken as many pictures as I would like just because I've been so tired and busy. I will post some that I have taken as soon as I find a second to do it =O

Arrrrre cake we made for daddy......

The boys decided that we should make a cake for daddy this year instead of buying one. I asked them what kind of cake we should make thinking they would say chocolate, vanilla, etc. Nope! What did they want to make?? A pirate ship cake. "Daddy really likes pirates" Ethan said. OK, a pirate cake it is! We definitely won't be appearing on Cake Boss anytime soon, but the kids had tons of fun making it and I think Buck appreciated their effort and thoughtfulness. And hey, it doesn't really matter how it looks.....as long as it tastes good :)

Warmer Weather and Water Play

Over the past couple weeks we have gone from highs in the 60's to highs in the 80's. UGH! I have always said that I live in the wrong state because I LOVE the cold weather. I think the boys have really enjoyed the cold weather as well, but have been excited that its been warm enough to get out the water toys again. This past week the kids took a couple opportunities to break out  their swimsuits and get wet. We got out the baby pool with the slide and everyone had a great time going round and round. Even Madelyn quickly figured out how do it and had no fear whatsoever. Last Saturday we even ventured over to the neighborhood pool and let the boys get in for a few minutes. It was much too cold for me, but the boys didn't seem to care and got right in. Ethan acted as if he had never stopped swimming and looked like a fish. Logan was a little more hesitant, but got into it pretty quickly. Madelyn was on antibiotics for a double ear infection so we didn't want her to get her head wet, but she did get to splash around on the first couple stairs. She shows no fear and I think if we let her she would jump right in. I definitely see swim lessons for her in our very near future! So.....much to my dislike.....I guess I have to admit to myself that Winter is over and the warm/hot weather is here to stay! Only 8 more months until I can be cool again!!!!!

Easter 2010

Despite being sick with colds and fevers this year all the kids had a great time on Easter morning. We didn't get to go to Church due to the fevers, but we did talk about why we celebrate Easter so hopefully the boys realized it wasn't just about bunnies and eggs :) The Easter bunny did visit our house while the kids were sleeping and dropped off 3 baskets and hid lots of colorful eggs in our yard :) Mr.Bunny had heard that we were trying to take care of our teeth though so he was kind enough to bring things like math workbooks and puzzles and a bath baby for Madelyn. He did bring the boys each a chocolate bunny though so that made them quite happy! Mr. Bunny also got creative this year and brought index cards showing exactly which eggs everyone was allowed to "hunt" for outside. It was lots of fun and allowed for Madelyns eggs to be a little easier to locate than the big boys :)  We didn't think she would have any idea what to do, but she totally got it and even INSISTED on carrying her own basket even though it was almost as big as she is. It was so much fun watching them all run around and get excited every time they found another egg. I was looking back at pictures from last Easter and realizing how quickly time is passing. It really makes you appreciate every day you have with your kids :)

The final ultrasound

Last Thursday I had my final ultrasound with the perinatologist. Kaden was measuring around 5lbs 14oz and in the 63% for his age. He is swallowing great, growing great, and should be here in the next few weeks (if not sooner). It is a great relief to know he has done so well and that they aren't expecting any problems after he arrives. We have started talking to the boys about his arrival, but haven't yet discussed how he will look different that other babies they may have seen. I have ordered a book called Lippy The Lion about a little lion born with a cleft lip. I am hoping that it will arrive soon and will help us discuss Kadens lip. I also managed to wash his clothes and car seat this week. I realized that when I was pregnant with Ethan I had his room and all his stuff ready by 25 weeks. Its funny how different things are when you already have a house full of little ones :) I think I'm "ready" for his arrival now so we will be looking forward to meeting him....whenever that may be!!