Amelia Rolling Over

Some BIG Firsts!

Amelia turns 5 months ~ 8/21/11

Amelia rolls over for the first time on 8/18/11

See it here! http://youtu.be/RCYyMyLpN3Q

Maggie fed Amelia her first solids (cereal) on 8/19/11

Sam picks out his first backpack for school. A green Jansport! He is so proud.

First day of school 8/23/11 ~ Maggie is in 4th grade & Sam 1st

Back To School They Go

During the last few weeks of summer I usually hear more than once from fellow mothers about how happy they are that school will be starting soon and that they'll soon be able to reclaim their mornings again.  I understand what they mean and agree that the idea of smoother mornings sound nice but I'm going to miss them. It's always bittersweet sending them back. This is our 2nd year at JME and we are optimistic about it. Maggie ended up getting Mrs. Hussey for 4th grade and Sam, Mrs. Kitchens for 1st grade. Our friend who was PTA president at our school told us that both teachers are excellent. Good news to our ears. The school year begins though with some disappointment. Maggie's best friend Morgan got Mr. Williams for her teacher and the girls are separated and pretty upset about this. Explaining to Maggie that this unfortunately happens  but that she will still be able to play with Morgan at school and after, just isn't working so well. Life lessons can be hard sometimes. Sam on the other hand shows no real concern for anything and is looking forward to 1st grade but I'm already having a hard time with fact that he won't be getting out at 11:30 anymore but now 2:45. I'll be missing my time with my little buddy but Amelia will no doubt keep me busy and at almost 5 months old, the fun begins.

 I often find them like this holding hands. School registration 8/17/11

Sam's Sunflower

We have been planting sunflowers for the last few summers. Sam had the largest sunflower in his raised bed this year and he was SO proud of it. Unfortunately we missed it blooming while away in Morro Bay but it was still very exciting for the kids to see it's beautiful face. Even though it had fallen over. Our 90 year old neighbor, Mrs. Bray however enjoyed watching it open up. She loves to look out her bedroom window every morning and see all the sunflowers. They bring her much joy. For this reason alone, they will always have a home in our garden.

Mrs. Bray, Maggie & Sam

Just a few of the lovely notes from Mrs. Bray

Morro Bay 8/1 ~ 8/7/2011

Just got home yesterday from a wonderful week with family in Morro Bay. It was Amelia's first long distance car ride, first time on a beach and first time meeting her aunts, Vanessa & Monica. This was the 2nd time Grammie & Grandpa Terry have seen Amelia. Ralph & Sue Le Master were there as well and it's always so special to spend time with them. We had a great time visiting Pismo Beach, Morro Rock and the beaches around it. We also enjoyed an afternoon shopping and walking the main street by the water. The evenings were filled with cooking and great company.

Sam loved this area on the beach by Morro Rock. He named it "Island Beach" he crossed this area of water and played on his private little beach for sometime. He loved every minute and couldn't wait to share it with Maggie.

Amelia did fantastic on the 5 hour drive there. She did have one meltdown on the way home and we experienced a much longer trip home due to a big grass fire. The kids all traveled great!

Amelia's first time on a beach. 8/2/11. She really enjoyed watching the waves, people & birds.

Our last day there. We spent about 2 hours at this amazing beach that Ralph & Sue turned us on to. The kids LOVED every second of playing in the water, climbing on the rocks and collecting hermit crabs for a hermit crab race. Amelia slept in her bouncer the whole time. Perfect day.

Until next time, farewell Morro Bay

Our 3springbeans

 Maggie ~
 
It all started with our dear Maggie. She was born April 23rd, 2002. The pregnancy was excellent and as a matter of fact, so excellent, the Dr. referred to it as being a "text book pregnancy" She was due April 24th but I was induced April 23rd and she was born very healthy weighing 7lbs 13oz and a surprise to us, a girl. We named her Margaret Ann Barnard. Maggie is an amazing child. She is no wall flower. She is 100% girl and loves to look and dress pretty and really enjoys shopping but will play  hard with the boys any day and probably would even prefer that. Born to be a leader, eager to please and extremely smart. Maggie enjoys being the older sister and is a little mother hen. She enjoys music and dancing and loves to cook like her father.

Sam ~

We were pregnant again in 2004 and to our excitement, found out we were having a boy! I had to take hormones to keep my HCG levels up for the first 13 weeks and had placenta previa for sometime, which eventually corrected itself. Other than that I felt great and Sam was due in April 2005. I was induced again and he was delivered on April 19, 2005.  He weighed a whopping 8lbs 5oz and seemed huge compared to Miss Maggie but just as beautiful. How lucky were we? A girl and a boy almost to the day, 3 years apart. Sam is an emotional creature and has a heart the size of the ocean. He adores his sisters, has a sweet disposition and is a friend to all. He is very cautious and very curious. He inquires about all things and especially things that are far beyond his age. He is wise. Sam was born knowing there is something larger than us out there and questions it all.

Amelia ~

Patiently waiting for number 3 ( and our last baby) We found out we were pregnant again in July 2010. Another pregnancy with low hormones, I took hormones again for the first 13 weeks. The pregnancy was amazing. I've never felt so good. I embraced every second knowing it was our last. I enjoyed watching Maggie & Sam experience it all. We all were having a baby and we were all eager to meet our little girl, Amelia. Due April 4th (yes, April) but she came on her own, March 21, 2011, weighing 7lbs.4oz. It was an amazing birth. Not having it scheduled and knowing it was our last, we loved every moment of it. Our family now complete, meet Miss Amelia.

1 Day old. 3/22/2011

3/22 Maggie and Sam meeting Amelia

 

7/4/2011