Birth of a Baby Girl

Mikayla's hospital picture - I would love to have known what she was thinking! I love the face she is making!

A couple of years ago, on his birthday, I posted Drew's birth story. At that time, I said I would be posting about Mikayla's birth story soon. Unfortunately, soon turned into a couple of years later. Her birth has been on my mind a lot lately as I think of her as a seven year old, who thinks she is going on 16. A lot of times I find myself wondering where the time has gone. Since we found out that we were expecting her, she has been our little peanut. It is hard for me to believe that our sweet baby girl has grown into a sweet, sassy, smart, independent seven year old.

Craig and I always knew that we wanted to have at least 2 children, maybe 3. We also had talked about our first two children being 2 - 3 years apart. So, when Drew turned a year old, we started discussing the possibility of adding to our family. On New Years Day in 2003, a home pregnancy test showed that we would be, in fact, adding to our family. Craig and I were ecstatic, and Drew was happy about it, but at 17 months old I'm sure he didn't understand how his world was about the change. He was first grandchild on both sides of the family and had been king for the last year and a half. Craig and I went to my first doctor's appointment at the end of January, where they did an ultrasound to help determine my due date. The first time we saw our second baby on the screen, she was no bigger than a peanut, so that's what I called "her" until we knew for sure that we were having a baby girl. From the ultrasound and other information, it was determined that my due date would be September 4, 2003 - we were looking forward to having two precious gifts in our lives 26 months apart.

The pregnancy progressed very similar to my pregnancy with Drew. We were overjoyed when we found out that we would be adding a little girl to our family at our second ultrasound. Then, we were facing our biggest fears when my triple screen test came back showing a 1% positive for Spinabifida (sp). When I got the call from Dr. Toler at school, I knew something was not right. I got so upset that Craig didn't even know who I was when I called him to tell him. Dr. Toler scheduled us for another ultrasound the following week to check for sure, but he felt pretty sure that this result was a "false positive" due to the fact that we had just had our ultrasound the Friday before and the tech did not notice anything abnormal. When we went for our next ultrasound, we were again assured by the tech that all looked normal and that our baby girl was okay. The doctor then offered reasons why these tests sometimes come back with a "false positive" result and told us that we would be having an ultrasound each month for the remainder of the pregnancy to ensure that Mikayla was on track for growth, and that her kidneys and other organs were developing normally. It wouldn't have changed a thing had things been different - we would have loved (already did love) our girl anyway. Thankfully, though, everything was fine and our baby girl is perfect!

In my third trimester, as in my third trimester while pregnant with Drew, my blood pressure began to rise. For some reason, I have a history of pregnancy induced moderately high blood pressure in my third trimester of pregnancy. For that reason, I was scheduled for an induction with Mikayla one week before her due date. Craig and I were scheduled to arrive at the hospital the night before, on August 27. Cervidyll (sp) was used to soften my cervix to prepare my body for what was to come. The next morning, August 28, 2003, at 7:00, I was started on a Pitocin drip. The morning of my labor progressed very similar to Drew's. Craig and I had already spoken extensively with my nurses, as had Dr. Toler, to let them know that I didn't labor very long with my son and that the delivery was even quicker. Dr. Toler had given them strict instructions to call him as soon as I had dilated to 5. (With Drew, only 30 minutes passed between the time that I had dilated to a 5 and he was born.) Dr. White did not make it for Drew's delivery, and Dr. Toler was hoping to make it for our sweet girl's.

There were many people at the hospital that morning with us. Drew was at daycare because we didn't want him to see mommy in pain, but we knew he would be at the hospital as soon after delivery as possible - Aunt Jennie was going to pick him up after her eye appointment that afternoon. Daddy, of course, was there, along with Poppi (my daddy), Mimi (my mommy), Grandpa (Craig's daddy), Grandma Cheryle (Craig's step-mom), Uncle Chris (Craig's brother), Aunt Jennie (my sister), Uncle Jonathan (my brother), Aunt Laura (my mom's sister), and Grandma were all there to help us welcome our new little bundle of joy. Throughout the morning, they were all allowed in the room and we were laughing and talking. After my water was broken, however, the pain got more intense and I asked for my epidural. We had also already talked with the nurses about how my epidural did not work for the entire time during Drew's labor and delivery. Because of all of this information we provided my nurses, they stayed in our room a good part of the day. They would leave for minutes only to go check other patients, and then they would return to check on me. I was very grateful for this!!

As with Drew, the epidural provided me with about 30 minutes of relief from the pain. After 30 minutes, the pain returned and it was more intense than before I received the epidural. After talking with the nurse about this, she proceeded with the "wipe test". She wiped a moist towelette on my forehead and asked if I could feel that, to which I replied "yes". She then wiped a towelette on my stomach and asked if I could feel it, to which I replied "yes". She then wiped a towelette on my right thigh and asked if I could feel it. When I replied "yes" to that, as well, she said "you aren't supposed to feel that". So much for the epidural, huh? But I had already told them that - remember that I delivered Drew basically having nothing for pain.

Once my nurses discovered that the epidural was not working, they did give me Demoral in my iv, which helped tremendously. I labored longer with Mikayla because she was "sunny side up" - in other words she was laying on her back, instead of on her belly. I was having extensive labor pains/contractions, but showing no progress due to this.

However, during one of my intense contractions, the situation got very scary for all of us. I begin to hear a heartbeat on the monitor (they had been monitoring Mikayla's heart rate the whole morning) that was way to slow to be a baby's heartbeat. When I asked the nurse whose heartbeat it was - I was sure it was mine, she said "no it's the baby's". I then went into panic mode - asking over and over again what was wrong because I knew her heartbeat wasn't supposed to be that slow. The nurse told me that it wasn't, but that everything was going to be okay, she just needed me to calm down. She kicked everyone out of the room except Craig and my Aunt (who is also a nurse) - we had already been told that only 2 people would be able to be in the room and our plan was for Craig and my sister to be in there. I didn't want my sister to see anything go wrong, so instead I asked my aunt to stay in there with us. My sister had to leave for her eye appointment shortly after that and would be bringing our boy up to the hospital for us soon. She asked me to take deep breaths and calm down - that would help my baby the most. They were rolling me from side to side, shaking my belly, and I even had an oxygen mask put over my mouth and nose and was instructed to breath deeply. They massaged the baby's head, and were getting ready to prep me for an emergency c-section (had called for the doctors and all) when Mikayla's heart rate picked back up. All of this happened in a matter of seconds or a couple of minutes at the most, but it sure felt like hours. During the next contraction, Mikayla's head crowned, and one nurse said "I don't know what it is, but it has a head full of hair". I just remember saying "my baby?" because Drew was bald until he was almost 2. Less than a minute later, at 3:33 pm, Mikayla Alysee was born with one push. She weighed 7 lbs 5 ounces, was 20.5 inches long, and was absolutely, beautifully perfect. When she was first born, I didn't hear her cry immediately, and again felt terror. But my aunt reassured me that she was fine - that they were suctioning her nose and mouth. A second later, I heard the most beautiful cry I've ever heard in my life and my eyes filled with tears. I just kept saying, over and over, "that's my baby, that's my beautiful baby girl". And she was! Dr. Toler did not make it to deliver our sweet girl, and instead our two nurses delivered her, with the help from the operating room doctors who had come just a few seconds before thinking that I would need a c-section. The nurses told us afterward that what probably happened (to cause her heart rate to drop) was that when I had the last big contraction, Mikayla flipped over onto her belly. She was squeezed so much that her heart rate dropped a few seconds. Because of this, the NICU team was also in my room during delivery, ready to take her there if needed. We were so fortunate that our baby girl was perfect in every way when she was born, and she didn't have to go to NICU at all!! Craig and I were very emotional after all of this, and he stepped out in the hall and began to cry. We didn't know that our family had gone down to the cafeteria to get some lunch. When they walked back up the hall, the first thing they saw was Craig leaning again our door, crying. They didn't know that we had a healthy baby girl, so of course their first words were "what happened?". He reassured them that she was here, and that all was fine now. They all got to come into our room, then, and they got to meet our sweet little baby girl! We were all talking at once - about how our lives were changed forever. A few minutes later, Aunt Jennie came into the room with Drew so he could meet his new baby sister. He loved her from the first moment he saw her! He kissed her and talked to her (and all of us) for a couple of minutes, and then daddy took him out in the hall to press the button to play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to announce that another star had been born. Drew doesn't remember it, but we always tell him how he got to be the one to announce that his baby sister had been born.

Mommy gets to hold her baby girl right after she is born!Grandpa gets to hold his first granddaughter right after she was born. I couldn't get this picture to turn right side up for anything. We sure miss Grandpa!!Mimi and Poppi hold their granddaughter right after she was born. I love the adoring look my daddy is giving her!!Uncle Jonathan holds his niece right after she was born. She had him wrapped the first moment he saw her!
Daddy holds Mikayla while big brother, Drew, loves on them both. This was the day she was born, and Drew didn't want to leave the hopsital. The only reason he did was because he was spending the night with Mimi and Poppi.

This is one of my favorite pictures of all time - I even have it as a black and white. Mikayla sleeps on daddy's belly the night she was born.

It was a stressful day for all of us, but a joyous day as well, because we got the best gift of all on August 28, 2003 - a new baby girl to hold, love, and raise. Thank you, God for giving us Mikayla. Our lives would surely not be the same without her.

Aunt Jennie holds Mikayla the day we came home from the hospital. She has adored her since the first time she laid eyes on our girl!

Drew has always been such a sweet big brother - well, most of the time. He loved trying to give her her paci when she had lost it.

Another one of my favorites - our two angels napping side by side. Drew had just turned 2 in July and Mikayla was almost a month old in this picture.

Mikayla's first Christmas - 2003. Poppi was holding her and Drew, but they sure were focused on something else!

Grandma and Grandpa hold Drew and Mikayla that first Christmas in 2003.

Mikayla looked so cute in this "Santa Girl" outifit. Nana was holding her at our get together at Uncle Chris and Aunt Julie's house.Mikayla's first snow! January 2004 - we didn't keep her out there long at all, but we at least were able to get this picture of her on the sled with big brother, Drew. Mikayla turned 1 on August 28, 2004! She has been lighting up our lives ever since!! We love you baby girl!

10 Years - Wow!

On Wednesday, December 29th, 2010, Craig and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary! I have been married to my best friend for a whole decade - and even more surprising - I have spent over 1/3 of my life with him. I remember the day we were married as if it were yesterday - my mom fixed my hair so that half of it was pulled back away from my face, but then it spiraled down in pretty ringlets. She even added a touch of Baby's Breath, which I loved! Then we headed to the Spartanburg County Magistrates Office, where we were joined by my mom and dad, Craig's dad, my sister, Craig's brother and his wife. At 12:00 pm on Friday, December 29th, 2000, I became the wife of Craig and our lives became one.

We have had so many wonderful experiences in the past 10 years - the birth of our son, Drew, and then the birth of our daughter, Mikayla, top the list!! We found a church to call home, and Craig and my children were even there when I was baptized. We survived on one salary while I completed my student teaching, and Craig was the first one I called to tell I had my first teaching job!! He was the one that I called when I was selected as our school's Teacher of the Year, and then again when it was announced that I was our district's Teacher of the Year. He attended the Teacher of the Year banquet for our district where I had to give a speech. I will never forget the words of my principal after his observations that night - "I was watching your husband as you gave your speech and his face was so full of love." "I could tell that he is so proud of you!" I will also never forget my husband's words when the State Teacher of the Year was announced - "You will always be our teacher of the year. God knew what He was doing - He knew that the kids and I couldn't survive without you for a year." You see, the SC Teacher of the Year takes a 1 year hiatus from the classroom and travels the state. Those very words have brought such joyous tears to my eyes, even as I recall them now. We experienced all of the "firsts" of our two precious angels - first bath, first smile, first time rolling over, first tooth, first haircut, first steps, and all of the other firsts along the way - together as husband and wife.

We have watched as Craig's brother, Jason, graduated from the Highway Patrol Academy and began his job serving our great state. We have loved getting to know our sweet nephew, Haston, and our sweet nieces, Belle and Ella! We have watched as my daddy bought his very first brand new truck. We have watched my brother purchase his first home, and we watched my baby sister grow up right in front of our eyes - from the shy 13 year old hiding behind me when Craig and I first met, to the beautiful, confident 24 year old that she is today. We have enjoyed 10 years full of birthdays, family gatherings, Christmases, Vacations, and memories that we will hold dear forever.

I won't say that the past 10 years have always been easy, and I won't say that we have been without our share of trials, but He never promised it would be! What I will say - and what I believe with my whole heart - is that everything happens for a reason according to the Will of God. Craig and I believe we are right where we are meant to be, and we are looking forward to spending the rest of our lives making many more memories together as husband and wife. Happy Anniversary to my best friend, my soul mate, and the love of my life! I thank God every day for you!!

Craig surprised me with these beautiful roses on Wednesday - I was all smiles when I saw them!!My daddy agreed to keep Drew and Mikayla (Craig called and arranged this for the first time, and it made me such a happy girl - it's the little things that mean the most!!) so that Craig and I could go out to dinner! They always like when we go out on dates because they LOVE staying with their Poppi!
Daddy and Poppi talk to each other after we got back from dinner.

Another picture of my beautiful roses - this was such a thoughtful gift!! There is one rose for each year we have been married, for a total of 10!

10 years of marriage is such a big milestone, and I can't wait to celebrate many, many more with my sweet husband!

Meeting Marcus!!

Lattimore, that is!! On Saturday, December 11th, between the Christmas Parade and looking at lights at Roper Mountain, our family had the honor of meeting Marcus Lattimore!! He is an SEC running back and he just so happens to play for my favorite team - University of South Carolina Gamecocks!! He attended high school about 20 minutes from where we live and I was thrilled to find out he would be attending USC - my Alma mater this year!! He has since been named Freshman of the year for his accomplishments this year as a Gamecock!!

Lattimore is a super nice guy - even Craig said so, and that's a lot coming from a Clemson fan. He happened to be at a church here in our community as he was attending a youth basketball camp. One of my friends called (while Drew was napping) to tell me that he was there - she knew he was my favorite and she said her son and husband had just come from there and got his autograph. As soon as we got there, we asked some friends if he would mind if we walked over, and their response was "no - he's been doing it all day"! As soon as we walked up to him, he stood up, shook our hands and hugged us. Craig said he acted as if he had known us our whole lives. He was very mannerly, and went out of his way to talk with us. I also found out during the time that we spent with him that he had been shooting hoops with the boys on the court a little, too! He took time to talk with our family, take some photographs, and he even signed a football for Drew! Craig told him that I had been wanting to put him in our Christmas card, and I told him I tell people I want him to be our "Michael Oher" - he said that would be okay to both of those. We all just laughed!!

The football that he signed for our boy!! A lady tried to buy it from Drew on the way out, saying "you wouldn't want to sale that would you?" Drew said "no ma'am"! Then we heard another guy talking as we were walking out the door that they were going for 800 dollars on the Internet. The Internet will never see this football - for sale that is! This is one that our son will treasure for his whole life!!

This was an incredible experience for our family, and it was so nice meeting a "local sporting celebrity" to find out that he is the awesome person we knew he was all along!!

Mikayla Lost a Tooth!!

I picked Mikayla and Drew up from Extra Edition on Tuesday, April 7th, and knew right away Mikayla had something to tell me. She came walking over to where I was standing with a huge smile on her face. A smile big enough showing a hole in her mouth where a tooth once had been. Then, she proudly held up a bag holding her tooth. She was very excited, and I don't know who was more excited for her, Craig, Drew, or myself! It had been wiggling for awhile, but she wouldn't let anyone pull it. She said it just fell out at Extra Edition. She couldn't wait to put her tooth under her pillow that night for the Tooth Fairy to visit - well, after she asked us what seemed like a thousand questions about her. Would she hurt her, what did she look like, etc. She is our cautious child for sure. She was thrilled when she woke up the next morning and found five dollars under her pillow!! Since April, she has lost another tooth on the bottom and received another five dollars from the Tooth Fairy and now has her third "wiggly tooth". We think she looks so cute. What do you think?

Decision 2008

I stood in line today for 2 hours to cast my vote (I'm not complaining, it could have been much worse! My sister waited for more than 4 hours at the same voting place.)! 1 of those hours I had my two precious angels with me. I was thinking "oh, it will be great for them to witness a part of history". By the end of the first hour, and about the time the batteries in Drew's GameBoy died, I was thinking differently! Thankfully I had previously talked to my mom and she had planned for them to stay with her. She came up to the school where we were in line to pick them up. I'm sure they had much more fun playing at Mimi and Poppi's house while mommy stood in line another hour!

I was supporting McCain and Palin, and I am a little sad to hear (just a moment ago) that they will not be leading our country over the next four years. I am not sure what these next four years hold for any of us. I am sure of one thing, though. My God is in control! He knows exactly what is in store for us over the next four years, just as He knows everything. This is all part of His plan! I am thankful that I have that assurance, and I lean only on Him!

One year, already

Meeting Dr. Rex, our State Superintendent of Education in February at the State Teacher Forum in Myrtle Beach!

One year ago in April, I was selected Teacher of the Year for my school. I anxiously waited all summer for our annual District-wide breakfast and convocation where I was being recognized and awarded along with 12 other Teachers of the Year, one from every other school in our district. I was quite shocked when, after we had each been recognized, my name was announced as District Teacher of the Year for 2007 - 2008. I couldn't believe that I was being given this amazing honor after only 6 years in the classroom. All along I had doubted myself because of the amount of experience I had.

Now, as I sit here on the eve of this year's District-wide breakfast and convocation, I have mixed emotions. I am nervous about sitting on the stage with District administrators during the convocation in front of 1,000+ District employees. I am excited about the opportunity to award the Teachers of the Year from each school for this year, and to help "crown" our new District Teacher of the Year. I am also a little sad that my year as Teacher of the Year has come to an end. It has been an amazing experience - one that I will never forget. The friends I have made while on this journey have become life-long friends, and the help that I have received along the way has been incredible!

Ouch!!

If you ever had any doubt, let me assure you - hermit crabs will pinch. Drew and Mikayla have gotten them every year when we go on vacation to the beach and they have never been pinched before. Now, Mikayla will not hold them, but Drew loves "playing" with them. We did not get hermit crabs at the beach this year, but instead bought one last week from a friend who got one at the beach and was tired of it already. This crab is huge - well compared to any that we have gotten at the beach. The people we bought it from said it has doubled in size in the three weeks that they have had it. I'm a little afraid to think about how big this "creature" will get.

This crab is very active - again, more so than any we have ever gotten. My plan is to transfer him/her (I can't tell) to a 10 gallon aquarium (and maybe get a few friends) and take it to my classroom. We have taken care of the hermit crabs in a fourth grade classroom every year while they go on their annual trip to Charleston and my students always love that. Since school is not in session yet, Drew and Mikayla are enjoying it at home (we are going to have to name it soon). After this episode, Craig said we should name it P.P. (purple pincher).

Mikayla enjoys watching it, and Drew (as usual) has enjoyed playing with it. That is, until later on the night we got it. Drew was playing with it, when all of a sudden he came running up to me screaming "she pinched me". Well, I'm thinking Mikayla has pinched him and I'm trying to calm him down and find out where. That's when Craig cries from across the room "the crab is pinching him" (He had his fist closed and then moved it down and I couldn't see it, but Craig who was behind us could). When I realized what it was that was pinching him, I sent him over to his daddy. I don't touch them, and I'm so thankful that Craig was home when it happened - I would have had to handle it myself had he not been I guess. The crab would not let go, and Drew would not let his dad pull the crab off, nor did Craig want to do that for fear of breaking the skin (then you worry more about infections and such). If you know how to get a crab to let go, we would love to know (although I'm pretty certain we don't have to worry about that around here anymore). Craig finally got the crab off by running water over it in the kitchen sink and then flicked it off of Drew's hand when he saw it loosen its grip. If anyone is out there saying "the poor crab", I'm sorry but I was thinking about my poor kid - just to let you know the crab is alive and well. He just stays in his cage a little more now.

In the crab's defense, I completely understand that pinching is one of the only ways they can protect themselves - that and their shell. I also understand that my son closing his hand around the crab is more than likely what caused this crab to pinch. That knowledge does not make me feel any better about my son (or anyone else) holding this crab again without thick, thick gloves. I will never forget the look on my son's face, nor the sound of him screaming during this ordeal and although it seems like it took forever to get the crab off of his hand, it was more like a couple of minutes. I'm sure it was painful for him, but it did not break the skin and I am grateful. I think he was screaming more from terror than from actual pain. We have still had him wash it good with soap and water many times a day, put peroxide on it, and a dab of Neosporin, just in case!!

I Love You, too!

Summer is for a lot of things with sleeping late being one of them, and we have been doing a lot of that (well until this week - more on that later). On one of these said mornings Mikayla was still asleep on the couch even though Drew and I had been up for awhile. After a little while, Mikayla raises up and says "I love you, mommy!" to which I reply "I love you, too baby girl". Then she laid her sweet head back down and went right back to sleep. She couldn't sleep another wink until my sweet girl had told her mommy she loves her!! Precious, I tell you!

A Song to Call My Own!

As you may remember, Drew got a guitar for his birthday. Last night, he comes into the living room where I was working to finish a grant for my classroom. He was supposed to be sleeping or getting to sleep anyway, but I surely couldn't be angry when I heard him begin to serenade me. He began strumming his guitar while singing words from a piece of paper - a song he had written just for his mommy! A simple song indeed, but this mommy couldn't have been more proud or teary eyed at the sound of my boy singing his love for me from a piece of paper where he had written the words himself!! My heart swells just thinking about it!

Welcome Baby Ella!

Our second niece, Ella, was born this morning to Craig's brother Jason and his wife Angel. She weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces and was 20 inches long. Congratulations to Jason and Angel and big sister Belle, and welcome Baby Ella! We are so happy to have another sweet niece!! Angel holding Ella! Thank you Nana for sharing these pictures -I think this one is great!
Big sister Belle looks on as Ella sleeps. Belle turned 3 in April, and I'm sure she will be such a great big sister!
That's a proud daddy right there - Craig's brother Jason holds his second daughter! I think she looks just like him! Drew and Mikayla can't wait to meet their new baby cousin, and Craig and I can't wait either!

Hair Cuts!

Tonight, Drew, Mikayla, and I went to my mom (Mimi's) shop to get hair cuts. Drew and I needed a shape-up, but Mikayla wanted hers cut short. Her friend Breanna just had her long hair cut into a "bob", and Mikayla wanted her hair to look like Bre Bre's. I kept reminding Mikayla that her hair would not look just like Breanna's hair because she has naturally curly hair like me and Breanna has straight hair. She replied "my Mimi can make it straight". So my mom cut Mikayla's hair - not as short as Breanna's - but it is definitely shorter than it was. She also straightened it for her tonight. I think Mikayla thinks it will always be straight now. I can't wait to see how it looks curly!

Happy Birthday Tyler!

We were back at the skating rink on Saturday to celebrate Tyler's birthday party! Tyler is turning 7 just like Drew and they have been friends since they were infants. Tyler was in my kindergarten class as well! Going to the skating rink again made the third Saturday in a row! Tyler seemed to have a wonderful time - Drew and Mikayla sure did! The batteries in my camera were running low, but I did manage to get this picture of Mikayla first. This is the first time she has skated on "big girl skates". At Drew's party 2 weeks before she wore the plastic skates, then at Adam's birthday last week, she didn't skate at all because Mr. Gerald gave her "big girl skates". This week, she didn't want to skate again because of the "big girl skates" until she saw that her friend Breanna was wearing them. That's all it took - Mikayla was on the floor by herself in those big girl skates. She didn't let go of the wall much, but I couldn't have been more proud!! Go Girl!! Happy Birthday Tyler - we wish you many more!!

?? Dry Drowning ??

I had just finished my post about swimming last night when I thought I would check my school email. A friend had sent me an email about "dry drowning". I was shocked that this could actually happen and scared at the same time. Apparently "dry drowning" is where even a small amount of water gets in a person's lungs while swimming (or even in the bath tub for small children), and it can cause the person to "drown" after they get out of water. A 10 year old boy died last week in South Carolina because of this "little known phenomenon". I am including the link that my friend included in the email hoping that all of my friends and family members will read this story which also includes 3 warning signs to look for. You can also find more information when you Google "dry drowning".

DRY DROWNING

You will notice that the warning signs might be hard to spot since, in my opinion, 2 of the 3 can be seem normal after young children spend time in a pool. It sure changed my way of thinking - not only will I be vigilant in or around water, but I will be watching for these signs afterwards too!

Student of the Month!

Mikayla is the May Student of the Month in her class at daycare. She came home with a note in April asking us to send in pictures to be displayed on their "wall of fame" in the classroom. I was so excited, but those of you who know me know that it took quite awhile for me to decide which pictures to send because I take so many. I wanted to make sure that I had some from different age groups, that I had some with her favorite people, and some of her participating in her activities. Craig asked me several times during this process "what are you doing?". Or he would answer "it's up to you" when I asked him what he thought. As I looked back at pictures of "our baby girl", it reminded me that she's not really a baby anymore. I can't believe my "baby" will be in kindergarten next year. Exciting and sad all at the same time. It seems like just yesterday she was walking in with daddy and I as we took Drew for his first day of kindergarten. Here is our "baby girl" as student of the month - that's right, you guessed it - more pictures!!

Friday Fun

Well, last Friday, daddy called after he got off work to see what we were doing for supper. When I told him we were thinking about the fish camp, I asked if he wanted to go. He say "nahh I'll get a five dollar pizza and let Drew and Mikayla come spend the night with me". My daddy is sooooo sweet!!! He is such an awesome Poppi, and he does everything he can for my kiddos!! I didn't tell the kids and instead let him tell them. Drew was listening on one phone and Mikayla was on the other. Even though I didn't have a phone to my ear, I knew the exact moment daddy asked them about spending the night with him. Drew started screaming "yeaaaahhhhh!!" "we are goin' to spend the night with Poppi, we are going to spend the night with Poppi!!". Afterwards, he told Poppi he had to go so he could pack his bags. Mikayla started screaming too. She said "I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm going to spend the night with my Poppi!!". So, after getting their bags packed, Craig and I took them over there and he and I went to Outback for dinner. We had a nice time enjoying dinner without the babies, but honestly we wouldn't know what to do without them. They are with us always - if they can't go we usually don't go!!

Drew pulled his seventh tooth Friday night at Mimi and Poppi's house. We weren't sure if the Tooth Fairy would visit over there but she did. He received five more dollars from the Fairy and he couldn't wait to tell us all about it!! I can't believe he's already lost 7 teeth. Pretty soon, he won't have any baby teeth left!

This Friday, has been no less busy as we are preparing for our day tomorrow. Mikayla had a two hour dance class to practice for her first competition of the year tomorrow. Drew's first baseball game is also tomorrow. Unfortunately they are at the same time so I won't be able to see Drew's game. I'm heartbroken about this, but I know he will tell me all about it. Also, Poppi is going to watch him play so I'm sure I'll get the play by play!

Good Luck Drew and Mikayla - We know you will both do well tomorrow! Mommy is proud of you no matter what!!! Look for updates soon!

Limo Ridin'

Drew and Mikayla take a picture with the other students before they load into the limo.

Our school's spring fundraiser was selling World's Finest Chocolate bars. Our PTA always does a wonderful job offering huge incentives for children who sale. The incentives for this fundraiser were no different. The incentive I was trying to get for Drew and Mikayla was four boxes of chocolate so they could each go on a limo ride in a Hummer limo. Drew has ridden in a limo (car) before after another fundraiser at our school when he was four. I really wanted Mikayla to be able to experience this. Today, she got the chance. Both Drew and Mikayla were able to ride in a Hummer limo along with many other students from our school to Beef O' Brady's for lunch. Mikayla was a little unsure of this at first asking me "will it go fast", "does it have belts (seat belts)". I assured her she would be okay as many of our PTA volunteers were chaperoning this trip and our principal followed along in his car. I told her it would be just like riding in our car, only better. They both had a wonderful time and wanted to tell me all about it after school. Drew said he had to cover Mikayla's ears at first because the music was loud inside, but then she got used to it. So sweet of that big brother. Everyone at school always comments about what a great big brother Drew is. He truly is, and for that I'm grateful. I wish they didn't like to aggravate each other so much at home though. Oh well, it's hard to be good all the time!

This picture isn't that great of the kids, but I was trying to get all of the vehicle in the photo.

First Drew climbs in, and then below Mikayla gets ready to sit beside him. Look at the roof of this thing. I wish I had gotten to go!!

I tried to talk Mikayla into staying and watching my class, and letting me go (after she got used to the idea of going), and she replied "I can't, I'm not a teacher". I'm so glad both of our children were able to experience this!

Awards Day!

Today was awards day at our school for the 3rd nine weeks. Drew made Honor Roll this nine weeks with one B in reading and the rest A's. The B was a high B (91), so even though Drew did not make straight A's as he has the rest of the year we are still very proud of him! We just told him to take his time and concentrate more when taking his reading tests. He still can get straight A's on his yearly average if he gets an A in reading the 4th nine weeks and Drew is extremely capable of that. Way to go Drew!!! I can't believe my baby boy is almost a second grader - where does the time go?

Drew receives his certificate from Mrs. Garner, one of our Assistant Principals.

Drew sits in his Mimi's lap after receiving his award!

Drew smiles from the stage!

Molly!!! Finally...

I was so excited when, as we were heading out the door to Chuck E. Cheese (see above post) on Wednesday morning, Molly sat between Drew and Mikayla and even stayed there for a picture. You may remember from an earlier post that Molly is camera shy. In this picture, you can still tell it's more like camera scared. I'm not sure if it's the flash that scares her or what, but I sure am glad I was able to get this picture.

Molly has made a wonderful adjustment into our family. She is a beautiful dog, and she is so sweet with my children. They absolutely adore her, and she seems pretty stuck on them as well! She's our pretty little puppy!!

Spring Break!!

We are on Spring Break (beginning now) this week!! The kids and I are so excited, Craig on the other hand is not so much! I woke up this morning and really did not want to go to school, but it made it so much easier knowing that I had 7 days to sleep late!! The big question this week for all of my students has been "what will you do over the break?" Many of them (and parents too) begin asking me the same question. Here's our list of things we are doing over the break (more fun things will be added spontaneously I'm sure):

• sleeping (as late as Drew and Mikayla will allow)
• staying in pajamas (at least part of the time)
• cleaning house (I mean the get down and dirty kind - we need to have a yard sale while I'm out)
• playing outside (as much as the weather allows)
• going to the park
• swimming (well not really, it's still a little early - but Drew did mention to Poppi that he needs to open the pool)
• playing dress-up, babies, make-up
• playing with moon sand/trains/cars
• relaxing

So, just because we don't have a trip/vacation planned we will still have plenty of fun. You can count on that!! :)

My Sweet Man...

Drew is so much like his daddy - in every way! He's silly (when at times I want him to be serious), funny (always trying to make people laugh), and he LOVES TV (so much so that he would do nothing but watch TV all day if we let him)! Another way that he is so much like his daddy (and my favorite) is that he is thoughtful!!

Some of you may remember an earlier post about Drew putting a rose on my pillow (he brings tears to my eyes at times). This happens to be another thoughtful "Drew" story. At times, our little rambunctious "all boy" son gets in so much trouble that I really, really, - did I mention really want to remember these sweet, precious things he does. Not just remember them - but share them too!

With the last tooth Drew lost, the Tooth Fairy left him FIVE DOLLARS!?! I'm beginning to wonder where this generous fairy was when I was a kid. My sweet, sweet, six year old says to me and Craig as he finds the five dollar bill under his pillow "I'm going to give this to Mikayla!" "I've already gotten a lot of five dollars and she hasn't gotten any." Craig and I told Drew how proud we were of him that he wanted to share with his sister and that he was thinking of her, but we also reminded him that she would get money from the Tooth Fairy as soon as she starts losing her baby teeth. To which he replied "Oh, ok then, Mikayla you will get some when you pull your teeth!"