Catching Up

Okay so it has been TOO LONG since I updated my blog. I have been reading other people's blogs and keeping up with all of you because I love and miss all of you very much, but I have not kept anyone updated on what is going on with us.

First, Gabi is 3! I mean how is this possible. There are too many things to love about Gabi to possibly list out here, but suffice it to say she is still sassy and sweet and we love her so very much. Last night we were saying things that make us happy and Gabi said, so sweetly, "I am happy when daddy is home!" I guess that tells you how much we see Brad! He is working hard for our family, during the week at his residency and then on Saturdays at another pediatric dental clinic so our kids are missing their time with daddy! It was so sweet.

Gabi has started preschool and the 1st week she liked it, but then she was over it. She cries and cries when I leave her and she actually almost ripped my hair from my head yesterday when I dropped her off. I am seriously considering not taking her next semester if this keeps up, because it is breaking my heart. She says/screams "I want to stay home with you and Sam!" Its not like I am doing anything...so she could be home with me, we just thought for socialization it would be good, but 2 days a week for 2 hours is proving difficult. She is happy when I pick her up so I will keep this under evaluation.

Gabi is also in gymnastics again and she likes it. It is a small class of kids and she has a hard time walking away from me, it takes a minute, but then when she is sure I am going to stay and watch she does better. I think it is really strange that my children have no problems leaving me to go with their dad or go play at Mrs. Welsh's but if I leave them anywhere, that is a completely different story. Gabi really struggles with this. I feel bad for her.

Brad is in a 5 day pre-k program at a really good program called Footsteps. He is doing so good and making alot of friends. His teacher seems pretty great and he comes home with tons of stories about his day! This is a first for me to have Brad so talkative about school. He tells me what they did and what they made and he will even get upset if he doesn't have any crafts or worksheet in his bag to show me. The school is very big on positive reinforcement and Brad is really thriving with all the positivity he is getting! I think he is such a pleaser, he loves to help me around the house or to hear that he is doing a good job. He does get upset if Gabi gets praise for something she does, and immediately will try and either do the same thing or do something different to try and get it equal praise.

Brad is really a good big brother. He and Gabi do fight, but if anyone else had the nerve to mess with her, he would be all over them. Even us...if she gets in trouble for something he just looks at us as if he is going to pounce on us at any moment.

Sam is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO stinking cute! I mean seriously, I can't believe he is 6 months old and in so many respects I wish you could have your 3rd kid first. I look back on the things that stressed me out with Brad and think how ridiculous I was. I stressed and worried and was tired about everything with Brad...and it wasn't Brad after all....IT WAS ME! Poor Brad...he will always be the trial and error kid I guess...but we do love him so, and I pray we do somethings right!

Sam is starting to get on all 4's and rock back and forth...I don't know how I feel about this. I don't know what 3 kids will be like once he can walk/run from me. Right now it has not been bad. It is more work, sure, but I don't know how to describe him other than just yummy and sweet and we are soaking up every minute of his yumminess! He has a smile that will literally just make your heart smile wide and big!

I have noticed more with Sam how for the most part, people love babies and can't stop smiling when they see them. When I take the kids to the store, normally Sam is in the bjorn and people just make over him, or will give me a smile and tell me how sweet my family is. Of course, there is the occasional 'you are crazy look' or 'your kids are too loud' look, but I normally just ignore those! He really is such a sweet baby and it makes me sad that our family doesn't get to experience our kids moments because I can tell you they are the funniest people I have ever met in my life hands down. Being their mother is pretty wonderful. Although as any mother knows, having children can feel like a contradiction, because while you love them to pieces there are moments/days when you can't seem to get away from crying/fighting/screaming/fits and the bliss of motherhood is harder to feel! As you can probably tell it is quite in my house right now so I can really relish in how happy my kids make me, the trick is trying to remember that when they are screaming! :-)

All in all we are doing well. We are liking our new townhouse and the area. It is getting colder and I do not look forward to the winter in the next couple of months, but nothing beats the Fall. I would live in the North forever just for the Falls if I could transplant our family up here with us.

So there is our update! Much love to you and your families!