"Bye Mom!"

Well, we have officially survived Avery's first day of kindergarten and I have to say that I couldn't have asked for things to go any better.

I woke her up at 6:30 am, got her fed, dressed, took her picture, and sent her out the door with Jeff with the promise that I would be there to pick her up after school, and then proceeded to have a meltdown. After all, the way I see it, this is the beginning of the end. Before now, she has been with me more than she has ever been away from me and now the tables are turning.

Its all down hill from here I tell you. Next thing I know, she will be darting from one after-school activity to the next, having sleep-overs, going to the mall with friends, and generally trying to avoid being seen with me. And I just know that it all starts with 35 hours a week at kindergarten...

Of course, Avery didn't even bat an eye through it all. She skipped off to school and had the first of what I'm sure will be many great days. She loved her teacher, made a new friend named Courtney and even ate all of her lunch. After school I waited in a ridiculously long carpool line, brought her home and fed her milk and cookies.

Darn that kindergarten! : )

Happy Birthday Paw Paw!

Happy Birthday Paw Paw! We had fun helping you celebrate!

The kindness of strangers

Anyone who has ever been out in public with a baby knows that babies attract a lot of attention. Sweet little old ladies stop you at the grocery store to admire your baby and passers-by turn their necks to peek inside the stroller at the mall. Its really kind of fun.

Yesterday I took the kids to the mall to pick out a new outfit for Avery's first day of kindergarten and as we were walking through the Gap, a saleslady came over to admire the kids. She stood there for a couple of minutes chatting with Avery and listening to her explain how now that she was 5, she would be starting kindergarten in just 5 days. The saleslady even pretended to be impressed when Avery spelled her last name. Then she turned her attention to Ethan, asking how old he was, etc, etc. Then she asked me, "Did you plan to have him?" Excuse me???

"Yes," was my immediate response coupled with a quizzical look on my face.

"Mmmm," she said and smiled.

I looked down at my beautiful boy and wondered if there was something about him, or me for that matter, to suggest that he might have been a mistake. There most certainly was not. Jeff and I absolutely planned to have 3 children and are grateful for each one of them. Granted, we have also planned for Ethan to be our last, but then we have to stop somewhere...

"Come on Avery, let's go to the dressing room," I said as I pushed my double stroller away from the salesday. If this is the reaction I get when I go out with my 3 children, I can't help but wonder what sort of rude remarks must those who have 4 or more children hear???

"Baby E"

Who doesn't love babies? They are just so amazing! Everything in miniature, such soft skin and so helpless. I could just sit for hours and watch Ethan's expressions on his little face while I memorize every inch of him and try to comprehend how it is that this tiny creature came from me. It all makes for such an irresistible combination. And in case you were wondering, the third baby is no less irresistible than the first.

Yesterday Ethan's 3 Mommies (Avery, Hannah and I) took him in for his 2 month check-up. He is perfectly healthy, weighs 11 lbs 3 oz and is 24 in long. The doctor was a little concerned that Ethan was a bit on the skinny side. My nickname for him is "Stringbean." Anyway, I've been instructed to supplement some of his feedings with formula. Sounds great in theory, but the last 2 times I've tried, he has either refused it ir spit it all back out at me. Fun. I'll give it a week and see how it goes...