First day of preschool

This morning was a big day at the Erbele house. The boys started school and I got some time to get some things done. It was a win-win situation. :) I was super sad to see them go to school because it is just more proof that they are growing up too fast. On the other hand, I was looking forward to running some errands and getting my house cleaned without two little helpers.


Garrett went into work late this morning so he could go with us for this big day. I was really worried about how the boys were going to behave. Since we are still going through some moving transitions (which have gotten better), I didn't want them to get in trouble at school. I was also worried about Blake because he cried last week at 'Meet the Teacher'. I was very thankful for Garrett to be going with us.


**Be prepared for lots of pictures, I couldn't narrow them down.


My handsome, BIG boys! When asked if they were excited about school, they kept telling me, "yes!" I was just keeping my fingers crossed that this attitude continued.


Jack


Blake


I am a very proud Momma!


Garrett is also so proud of his boys.


Ready to go with all of their gear.


Oh how I love them!!!


Garrett and I were cracking up once I attached their lunch kits to their backpacks because it made them so heavy. You can see Jack trying to get his balance. He kept falling backwards and falling down. As you can see, Blake is propped up against the door. We were rolling on the floor laughing. I then decided that they could carry their lunch kits and I would carry their nap mats. There is a ton of stuff to carry in with two kids when dropping them off all by myself, so they have to help me out.


Jack loved wearing his backpack and insisted on carrying everything at all times. All the other parents at school probably thought it was child abuse that this tiny, little boy was carrying all his stuff and I was walking next to him empty handed.


Blake was so over the heavy backpack.


My boys headed into the church/school.


Waiting to get into their classroom.


The boys are getting a pep talk from their Daddy on how much fun they were going to have and how they weren't going to cry.


"Enough with the pictures Mommy!!"


"Save me Mommy!!"


Blake's eyes started welling up but he never actually cried. After we left Garrett asked me if I had seen the tears rolling down his cheeks which I promptly responded with "NO!!!" I had just seen him tear up. Garrett kept telling him not to cry, and so he didn't. What a big boy!! However, I really wish Garrett hadn't told me that the tears were actually rolling down his cheeks.

Right after this, the boys ran into the room and started playing. All my fears were over nothing!! They did so great and got an excellent report from their teacher. I am grateful this day is over and that we made it through. Now we get to do it all over again on Thursday!

Sweet conversation

We have moved into our new house and are finally feeling settled. Pictures to come, I promise!!

Along with the many transitions we are all experiencing, we decided to go ahead and move the boys into their big boy beds in their own rooms. This has been the easiest transition of them all. I still can't believe how easy it has been. We are very blessed.

**Warning: I am posting this for my own memory. It was a sweet moment between brothers that I don't want to forget. So sorry to be the sappy mom here. I observed all of this over the video monitor.**

Yesterday morning Jack woke up and went into Blake's room. Blake was also awake but still lying down. Jack walked into the room and immediately handed Blake his stuffed Mickey Mouse that had fallen on the floor and said, "Here's Mickey, Blake." Blake then said, "thank you, thank you, thank you Jack." (So sweet!!) Jack then proceeded to get a book and climb into Blake's bed with him. It was a large book and after getting under the covers he grabbed the book and hit himself in the nose. Jack started crying. Blake was just sitting there next to him looking like he didn't know what to do. Blake then kissed his hand and then touched Jack's nose. Jack immediately stopped crying and said, "all better!" Both boys then fell back onto the pillows with their knees up and books in hands. They each opened their books and at the exact same time looked at their pictures and said,'Whoooo!" They then proceeded to have their own little conversation and showed each other the books that they were 'reading'. It was the cutest and sweetest thing ever. I wish I had my cell phone handy so I could have recorded the video monitor. I just pray that they continue to always be this close and love being with each other.

On a not-so-sweet note, I was on the phone with Garrett yesterday afternoon thinking that the boys were upstairs playing. After getting off the phone I heard the pitter patter of little feet coming up behind me and I saw this.

That is Jack covered in lotion. They were in my room and found my lotion, climbed on the bed and started spreading all over themselves. Luckily I was washing sheets yesterday, so they didn't get it on my bedspread. I immediately walked into my room and found this.

Blake is completely covered with lotion, along with my alarm clock and bottle of water. ARGH!!! So, guess who got a bath at noon yesterday? Their hair still smelled like my lotion late this afternoon.

Today, the boys were a little off (which they have been ever since the move) and got super hyper this afternoon. I don't know what got into them but they were crazy. I walked out of my bedroom to find Blake looking like this

I just started cracking up and grabbed the camera. I don't know what made him do this. Jack felt like he needed to get in on the act as well...

I hope to get some pictures of the new house taken over the next couple of days and get them posted. We love our new home and are so happy to finally feel settled. There are so many things we want to do still but it will definitely take some time.

20 weeks

Well, a week ago I was 20 weeks pregnant. This poor little girl is already getting the third child treatment. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we currently own two homes and are crazy busy. I promise to get better with my baby updates and just updating the blog altogether.

I went for my 20 week appointment last Thursday and I was super nervous. I have been very disciplined with not lifting anything heavy but I was just nervous about my cervical length. Thankfully it was perfect and even longer than my last ultrasound at 15 weeks!

We were also given the exciting confirmation that our baby girl is in fact a baby GIRL!!! I know that we found this news out at 15 weeks, but having the definitive confirmation makes me feel so much better. Now I don't have to return all her new clothes and I have already ordered her bedding. Can you tell I'm a little antsy to get a baby girl in my arms?!

We got to see all 10 fingers and 10 toes. She has very long legs, a skinny little waist and those fingers and toes are quite long. Hopefully this means she didn't get the Blankenship booty. :) It also means that she got her namesake's fingers and toes, just like her Mama. I am feeling her kick quite a bit now and Garrett was so excited to finally feel her kick as well.

I love this little girl so much and can't wait to meet her in December. I know that her two big brothers will love and protect her so much. They are such sweet and caring little boys and already adore babies. Hopefully they won't be too helpful. :)

Here is a great profile shot with her right hand above her head. That is the umbilical cord next to her hand, she kept grabbing onto it.


In this shot she looks a lot like Jack. We have another shot where she looks like Blake, so I think she will be a perfect mixture of the two.

Garrett and I totally forgot to take a 20 picture of me, but let me assure you there is no doubting that I am pregnant.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 21 weeks, 5 days (I know, I'm a little behind)

Size of baby: 13 ounces

Total weight gain: 10 pounds

Maternity clothes: definitely in shorts and some shirts

Gender: it's a girl!!! Kathryn Kaye Erbele

Movement: lots, especially after meals and at night

What I miss: wine, margaritas, beer, sleeping on my stomach, picking up my boys

Cravings: anything sweet and queso (weird, I know)

Symptoms: I got swollen for the first time on Sunday. I was on my feet all day cleaning the new house though.

Best moment of the week: confirmation that we are having a girl, my princess!!!