Here I am. It has been 2 whole years since my last post. I think that alone provides insight into the joy and mayhem that is our life. Full of AWESOME!!!
Cade is in 6th grade now. He is officially a middle schooler. And with that comes many changes. In May, Cade surpassed me in both height and weight. Not that that's saying a whole lot, as I'm only 5'2", but there's something about the milestone of a child growing bigger than his mama that seems poignant. He still loves math, football and his friends. He's a very good friend to his buddies too. He keeps their ever-important 6th grade secrets like who has a crush on who. He tells me, "Mom, if I tell you, and they find out I told you, they'll never confide in me again." What a guy!
Last week was Cade's last flag football game with Keith as his coach. Next year, he will move on to tackle football. It has been 7 years of the Bills flag football team, playing a total of 14 seasons together. I think I'm going to have to write a separate post on the impact of the Bills flag football team on Cade, on Keith and on our family as a whole. For now, suffice it to say that we couldn't be more grateful for our time with that team, those kids and their families.
Carter is now a 5th grader. He is responsible, kind, sports-loving. He just earned his G by 4 award from all of his hard work in Kumon. This means that he got through level G by 4th grade. He earned a personally engraved gold star paper weight as a memento of his achievement. This kid is going to be a CFO someday. His gift in all areas of mathematics is truly astounding. His smile lights up a room. His laugh is absolutely contagious. He's funny. His sense of humor is sophisticated and witty. He can dance. Well. Really, really well. I love when he busts a move when he's excited.
Cooper is in half day Kindergarten. He is the top reader in his class, reading at a 2nd grade level. He is also in the 1st grade math class. School is very easy for him and for that, I'm beyond grateful. He started Kumon in January and I believe that Kumon has given him the confidence boost to be so happy and successful in school. I pray that this continues through the years. He loves The Price is Right. He asks me to watch it nearly every morning. He loves football. He just finished his 2nd season with the Billies flag football team, coached by none other than the ever-amazing Daddy. Cooper gets a lot of practice playing football with his brothers and it shows on the field. He's a pretty good little player. Cooper still loves going everywhere with me. He's my buddy. My pal. He has an emotional awareness that can be nothing other than a gift from his Nanny. It's as if he can see inside people's hearts and feel how they're feeling. Then, with that understanding, he uses his words and actions to support others. When I think of little Cooper, I just think...Wow.
Oh, Cora. Our littlest, bookend baby. She's small, but MIGHTY. Her personality is simply enormous and I can't begin to conceive of what she will do and be when she grows up. God has great plans for her (and for all of us). I know that for sure. She's in 3 year old preschool this year. Her teacher, Miss Kimmie, just told me yesterday that Cora is a great learner, listener and friend. I couldn't ask for anything more than that. Cora is a snuggler. She often climbs in bed with me in the morning and snuggles with me for an extra half an hour. I cherish those morning snuggles. I hope I never forget how small she feels in my arms, how warm she feels snuggled up with me under the covers, how her chest and back move in and out with every breath, the smell of her sleepy hair. Oh, how I love those morning snuggles. And I can't forget to share how Cora spontaneously says "I Love you." She says it multiple times each day. Randomly. It's precious. She's precious.
I sit here on our couch, typing, flanked by Cooper and Cora. They have their arms around me. Life is so, so good. <3
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Monday, October 26, 2015
The Whirlwind of Life
I've often heard from other mothers about how life flies by so quickly with a newborn. After having our fourth little one this Spring, our sweet baby girl, I would have to agree that somehow life got away from me. Where exactly have the past nearly 8 months gone? I guess they have been lost in the whirlwind of nursing and changing diapers and snuggling and cleaning spit up and taking care of our three older boys and cooking and saying goodbye to Keith's parents who moved back to Buffalo and homework and sports and...and...and...and.
Now, though, as life seems to be leveling out to a more manageable pace, I have a moment to reflect on how beautiful this journey really is. I'm grateful for my husband who works tirelessly to provide for our brood and does everything in his power to really be there for each and every one of us. I'm grateful for our home, as it holds many precious memories and provides us with a safe, warm, comfortable place to live together. I'm grateful for our parents, our children's grandparents, for showing us such unconditional love and support during our times of transition. I'm grateful for the nearly three years that we had with Keith's parents living in Denver, seeing them several times each week, having Sunday dinners together, watching them love their grand children. I'm grateful for our health. I am so very grateful for our health. I'm grateful for my body, as it carried 4 healthy babies to full term and fed them for months afterward. I'm grateful that I am still able to breast feed Cora and that I have enough milk to sustain her. What a miracle breast feeding is. What a miracle life is.
Funny enough, I come back to this post which has been held in my Drafts folder for almost exactly one year feeling exactly same way as I detailed above. Where has this last year gone? Why haven't I found time to write? Well, let's keep it real. I feel lucky to find time to shower and dry my hair...with a round brush. That's what life with 4 Littles does to a mom. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm blessed beyond measure.
Cora is just over 18 months old now and life really is a whirlwind. A beautiful, messy, hold onto your hats or else you're going to get swept away kind of whirlwind. Cora walks now. She runs too. She started while we were in Buffalo this summer. Her first steps were actually on July 4 in my parents' living room. She then continued to show off her new walking skills at a Kaminski family party the following week. And, as you can imagine, she hasn't stopped since. She has no fear. Really. NO FEAR. Our baby girl in recent weeks has made it down to the park riding the plasma car with her little helmet on, all while I had maybe a 60 second conversation with a neighbor. God forbid I chat with a neighbor for 60 seconds. Last week, a series of unfortunate events led to Cora's big escape from the house and subsequent joy ride on the same plasma car from the previous story. Huh, maybe this is my not so subtle hint from God to get rid of that stinking plasma car. Well, I'll sit with that thought for a bit before making a rash decision that could take away the look of sheer joy on our sweet Cora's face when she zooms down the driveway and totally sticks the turn onto the sidewalk like a pro. That look never disappoints. It's the love of life and adventure in a little girl's eyes. It's bliss.
Cade is now in 4th grade. He'll be 10 in a few short weeks (I really don't know how that can be). He loves math and flag football and Pokeman cards. He's a huge helper. He somehow just knows what I need and he does it without asking. He's going to make the most amazing husband one day. Makes a mama proud!
Carter is in 3rd grade this year. He loves math, like his big brother, along with pretty much any sport that exists on this earth. Truly, he can watch any sport he finds on TV. One of my favorite things to do with him is to sit together and watch sports. He lights up. He's focused. He's on fire! The other day we watched the last part of a Manchester United vs. Manchester City soccer match. We both picked "our" teams and we cheered. I really really love those moments with Carter. He has braces now too. Round 1 of 2, as the ortho tells me. He has so much metal in his mouth, I don't understand how he can speak or eat. But, his teeth are looking great. A designer boy. That's what we have in Carter.
Cooper is 4 and he's in his first year of Pre-K (Our intention is to hold him back because he has such a late summer birthday). The funniest quote from Cooper recently is "I'm 4 and I poop in my pants!" Yes, folks, Cooper is not yet potty trained...and he doesn't care one bit. What a hoot this kid is! The life of the party, really. Cooper is our Charmer. He is personality PLUS. He's cooperative, sweet, patient, fun, easy going, and much much more. Since Cooper was a baby, he has always seemed to enjoy going anywhere and everywhere with me. He loves errands. Weird, right? Well, a few weeks ago I think I understood why for the first time. I was heading out the door for a quick run to King Soopers (our local grocery store) and he said, "Mom, wait. I want to come with you." I told him that I'd be really quick. I just had to grab a few things for dinner. And then he said it- the sentence that explains Cooper's entire 4 years of life. He said, "Mommy, if I come with you then I don't have to miss you." Are you kidding me? He's 4. So, that's our sweet Cooper Dooper. The Charmer in the most sincere way imaginable.
And with that, I sign off for tonight. It's past my bedtime and this mama will be on again in less than 8 hours. Love and gratitude are oozing from my heart. <3
Now, though, as life seems to be leveling out to a more manageable pace, I have a moment to reflect on how beautiful this journey really is. I'm grateful for my husband who works tirelessly to provide for our brood and does everything in his power to really be there for each and every one of us. I'm grateful for our home, as it holds many precious memories and provides us with a safe, warm, comfortable place to live together. I'm grateful for our parents, our children's grandparents, for showing us such unconditional love and support during our times of transition. I'm grateful for the nearly three years that we had with Keith's parents living in Denver, seeing them several times each week, having Sunday dinners together, watching them love their grand children. I'm grateful for our health. I am so very grateful for our health. I'm grateful for my body, as it carried 4 healthy babies to full term and fed them for months afterward. I'm grateful that I am still able to breast feed Cora and that I have enough milk to sustain her. What a miracle breast feeding is. What a miracle life is.
Funny enough, I come back to this post which has been held in my Drafts folder for almost exactly one year feeling exactly same way as I detailed above. Where has this last year gone? Why haven't I found time to write? Well, let's keep it real. I feel lucky to find time to shower and dry my hair...with a round brush. That's what life with 4 Littles does to a mom. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm blessed beyond measure.
Cora is just over 18 months old now and life really is a whirlwind. A beautiful, messy, hold onto your hats or else you're going to get swept away kind of whirlwind. Cora walks now. She runs too. She started while we were in Buffalo this summer. Her first steps were actually on July 4 in my parents' living room. She then continued to show off her new walking skills at a Kaminski family party the following week. And, as you can imagine, she hasn't stopped since. She has no fear. Really. NO FEAR. Our baby girl in recent weeks has made it down to the park riding the plasma car with her little helmet on, all while I had maybe a 60 second conversation with a neighbor. God forbid I chat with a neighbor for 60 seconds. Last week, a series of unfortunate events led to Cora's big escape from the house and subsequent joy ride on the same plasma car from the previous story. Huh, maybe this is my not so subtle hint from God to get rid of that stinking plasma car. Well, I'll sit with that thought for a bit before making a rash decision that could take away the look of sheer joy on our sweet Cora's face when she zooms down the driveway and totally sticks the turn onto the sidewalk like a pro. That look never disappoints. It's the love of life and adventure in a little girl's eyes. It's bliss.
Cade is now in 4th grade. He'll be 10 in a few short weeks (I really don't know how that can be). He loves math and flag football and Pokeman cards. He's a huge helper. He somehow just knows what I need and he does it without asking. He's going to make the most amazing husband one day. Makes a mama proud!
Carter is in 3rd grade this year. He loves math, like his big brother, along with pretty much any sport that exists on this earth. Truly, he can watch any sport he finds on TV. One of my favorite things to do with him is to sit together and watch sports. He lights up. He's focused. He's on fire! The other day we watched the last part of a Manchester United vs. Manchester City soccer match. We both picked "our" teams and we cheered. I really really love those moments with Carter. He has braces now too. Round 1 of 2, as the ortho tells me. He has so much metal in his mouth, I don't understand how he can speak or eat. But, his teeth are looking great. A designer boy. That's what we have in Carter.
Cooper is 4 and he's in his first year of Pre-K (Our intention is to hold him back because he has such a late summer birthday). The funniest quote from Cooper recently is "I'm 4 and I poop in my pants!" Yes, folks, Cooper is not yet potty trained...and he doesn't care one bit. What a hoot this kid is! The life of the party, really. Cooper is our Charmer. He is personality PLUS. He's cooperative, sweet, patient, fun, easy going, and much much more. Since Cooper was a baby, he has always seemed to enjoy going anywhere and everywhere with me. He loves errands. Weird, right? Well, a few weeks ago I think I understood why for the first time. I was heading out the door for a quick run to King Soopers (our local grocery store) and he said, "Mom, wait. I want to come with you." I told him that I'd be really quick. I just had to grab a few things for dinner. And then he said it- the sentence that explains Cooper's entire 4 years of life. He said, "Mommy, if I come with you then I don't have to miss you." Are you kidding me? He's 4. So, that's our sweet Cooper Dooper. The Charmer in the most sincere way imaginable.
And with that, I sign off for tonight. It's past my bedtime and this mama will be on again in less than 8 hours. Love and gratitude are oozing from my heart. <3
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Cora's ONE!!!
It's really hard to believe that Cora's first year has come and gone. In some ways, it feels like this year has been a blur. So many diaper changes. So much nursing. In other ways, this year has been full of amazing, fun, crazy times as a family. The boys are such loving and gentle big brothers to their little sister. It's truly the most beautiful thing to watch love blossom and grow between siblings.
At one year old, Cora is in the 3rd percentile for weight, the 5th percentile for height, and has one sweet little tooth on the bottom. She crawls like a champ (her creeping phase lasted until she was 11 months old when she decided that crawling is easier). She's pulling up and walking with her little shopping cart. She eats like she has a hollow leg! Her favorite foods include Noosa yogurt, banana circles, mashed potatoes, rice cereal, applesauce, cheese, squash, and spinach. She has figured out how to climb up the stairs within the past few days, so now we're in full "hawk mode." We can't let her out of our sight for one second. Hopefully we'll be able to teach her how to safely descend as quickly as she learned to ascend.
Cora sleeps beautifully. She always has. My favorite time of day with her is before I go to sleep when I bring her into our bed and nurse her one final time before a full night's sleep. We snuggle, she drinks Mommy's milk, and we often fall asleep for a bit together. I didn't have this experience with the boys, as I never had enough milk for them, so I'm cherishing this time with Cora. It's a closeness that I longed always for, but never knew until now. I'm so grateful for being able to nurse her.
Here are a few pictures to commemorate Cora's first trip around the sun.
At one year old, Cora is in the 3rd percentile for weight, the 5th percentile for height, and has one sweet little tooth on the bottom. She crawls like a champ (her creeping phase lasted until she was 11 months old when she decided that crawling is easier). She's pulling up and walking with her little shopping cart. She eats like she has a hollow leg! Her favorite foods include Noosa yogurt, banana circles, mashed potatoes, rice cereal, applesauce, cheese, squash, and spinach. She has figured out how to climb up the stairs within the past few days, so now we're in full "hawk mode." We can't let her out of our sight for one second. Hopefully we'll be able to teach her how to safely descend as quickly as she learned to ascend.
Cora sleeps beautifully. She always has. My favorite time of day with her is before I go to sleep when I bring her into our bed and nurse her one final time before a full night's sleep. We snuggle, she drinks Mommy's milk, and we often fall asleep for a bit together. I didn't have this experience with the boys, as I never had enough milk for them, so I'm cherishing this time with Cora. It's a closeness that I longed always for, but never knew until now. I'm so grateful for being able to nurse her.
Here are a few pictures to commemorate Cora's first trip around the sun.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Summer and Fall 2014 Memories
At the end of July, we took Nanny to Vail for a weekend trip.
Look who's 8 years old!
She has Daddy wrapped around her little finger already. This is love.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Fun in the B-lo
This summer, we were able to spend over 2 weeks in Buffalo with Meemaw and Peepaw. We made some great memories. Here are a few of the highlights.
Cora was baptized at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Williamsville, NY on Sunday, July 6, 2014. Aunt Ashley is her God Mother, but as she wasn't able to attend the christening, Meemaw stepped in. The Deacon pictured performed the ceremony, attended by Great Grandma, Peepaw and Meemaw, and brothers, Cade, Carter and Cooper.
Cora had her 3 month birthday while in Buffalo this summer.
Peepaw took Cade and Carter on the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls for the first time.
Cade and Carter on the Maid of the Mist.
Meemaw and Cora
Great Grandma Herr with 4 of her great grandchildren.
Great Grandma Herr and Cora
Cade and Carter fishing behind Great Grandma's house
Cora all dressed up for her baptism
Our new favorite Buffalo restaurant
Enjoying a ride on Peepaw's boat
Captain Cade
Captain Carter
Captain Cooper
Peepaw and Cora
Handsome sailors
Cora's first boat ride
Putt Putt
Watching cartoons on the iPad
Cora in the pack and play
Lunch
Picnic in the driveway
Chuck E Cheese
Buffalo Zoo
Cooper loves his sister!
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