November 2008 . . .

Has it really been this long??? I've been so busy with life that I forgot to update my blog!

Here's Kelton, cute as can be. He's 15 months now. He's pointing at objects and saying "that". He can point to his nose, ears, mouth, and he'll give sweet eyes (blink his eyes).

His personality is just beautiful. He smiles and laughs at most anything and he loves following his 2 brothers around trying to play with them.

Here's Levi! He's enjoying preschool and the independence he receives from being there without his brothers. He amazes me with the questions he asks and the statements he makes. He's super smart and such a great big brother.

He's a ham, as you can see from his photo.

And Ziek, who definately asserts HIS independence! When he's upset with us, he'll say "I'll tell your dad on you". OHHHHHH, I'm scared . . . . .

Thanks for stopping by!

Cara

Kelton's noise

I've been trying to catch the sound Kelton makes on video for months! He used to make this noise randomly . . . you'd say hi and he'd make it . . . you'd be smiling at him, and he'd make it. . . you get the picture? NEVER on cue!
Well, I've finally captured the essence of Kelton. This sound makes me laugh. It makes others laugh. It's towards the end of the video that he makes the noise by himself (the other ones are me and Ziek trying to coax him, along with Stuart Little playing in the background, oh and a dog barking outside too).
So, it may make you laugh, it may not. It's just a sample little laugh that my baby makes every so often, for no reason, for some reason, for me, for us, for him. It makes him happy. It makes me happy too.
Enjoy!

Levi's first day of pre-school

Levi is starting a new adventure this year. He isn't going to kindergarten, however he is going to start a really cool new school. He is one of 4 kids who are integrated into a classroom of kids with special needs. He's more like a role model and leader for the special needs kids. He goes half a day, but they do really cool things with all the kids. They cook foods, they do science experiments, and they learn while they are playing.

I'm really proud of Levi. He's grown up so fast! He'll definately benefit from this year of preschool and will be ready for kindergarten next year!

Kelton turns 1 and other extraordinary feats

Yes, it's true. My baby is ONE! I can't believe it! Where did the time go? How is it that I could be a mommy of 3 kids?? I'm not sure, but I am very Happy and very blessed to have such 3 beautiful boys.
We held Kelton's birthday bash on the 2nd of August in conjunction with 3 other family birthdays. It was easier to do that than gather everyone 'round for 2 kid birthdays within weeks of each other.
Here's Kelton's cake and cupcake that he got at his party. He ate the cupcake and made a bit of a mess. We removed his shirt so as to not have too much to clean up.

This is Kelton's actual birthday photo. It seems that I only take photos of him in the tub. I guess since I have him contained . . . it's easier.

However, on the day of his birthday he learned several ASL signs, such as milk, please, and thank you. He had already mastered the sign for more. View the video to see all of his tricks. (you'll have to stop the music from the blog to hear this one)

Rub a dub dub

Three men in a tub . . .

Sorry it's a little "graphic" . . .

Just a cute photo of my boys!!!

Levi's Graduation

Recently, Levi graduated from preschool. I'm not really sure how I feel about this. I'm happy and excited that he has successfully made it through a year of somewhat structured schooling, but I'm also sad that my first born is growing up!

He's going to turn 5 in July, but he won't be starting kindergarten until the fall of 2009. Brett & I think this will benefit him in the long run.

So now school is over for the summer and I, Cara, will be starting a new position with the Sedalia School District as a Parent Educator. I will stay home with my boys during the days, schedule my home visits around MY family's schedule and be a part of the my boys' lives! Yes, there may be days that I grow tired or have a short temper with Levi, Ziek, and Kelton, but I will love them the same and cherish the time that I get to spend with them. Hopefully I can provide them with the right amount of time that they deserve! I am excited about our new adventure together.

Ziek's hair cut

Before

The cut

After

What happens when you leave lip gloss out.

What do you think of his new do?

Kelton in the hospital

Here he is, my little guy in his hospital gown and attached to an IV. Kelton was admitted to the hospital Thursday, May 1st because he was dehydrated and had a urinary tract infection. Tests were done and it was confirmed that he also had rotavirus- a GI virus that makes you throw up and have the runs. Poor guy. We came home on Saturday, May 3rd and he's on a clear liquid and light food diet until he has a solid bowel movement. We're still waiting on that to happen. He was so good in the hospital, hardly ever crying and making googly eyes at the nurses. We were the only family in the unit so we got excellent care and lots of attention!

Now, Kelton is in great spirits and has a smile on his face. Thanks for all the prayers from everyone!!! God is GOOD!

An Infectious Laugh

Kelton has such a sweet laugh . . . I bet you can't help from laughing along too.

6 syllable words . . .

Listen to Levi & Ziek share their knowledge. . .
They are so smart! :)

Go KU

This is about a week late, but . . .

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, GO KU!

Easter 2008

We hosted Easter at our home this year. It was chilly, but the sun came out in the afternoon.

We had all the nephews here and boy, it's enough to wear you out!

The Easter bunny came and we gathered eggs outside after naptime. I think everyone had fun, I know I did.

Ziek's 2nd birthday party

We had Ziek's 2nd birthday party on Saturday. The theme for it was CARS. me. We had a GREAT turn out and an AWESOME time!

My friend Mandy made a race track birthday cake for us, it was very cool!

Ziek got lots of great presents and toys, many of which make noises (we'll be bringing those toys to your house to play with).

Lots of fun was had by all, and I for one am sure glad it's over!

:)

I got in trouble . . .

My mom says "Where's my picture with the boys?"

Here ya go, mom.

love you too!!

"Toofers"

It's March!!!
And so far (knock on wood) we've all been "healthy."

The big news is that Kelton has 2 teeth popping through his bottom gums. He's six and a half months old now and growing like a weed!

We weighed him a few weeks ago and he was around 19.5 pounds. He's sitting (with a little help) and rocking back and forth. When he sits on your lap he loves to throw his body forwards and then back to create this rocking motion. He is so strong!

He can also hold himself up with his arms while his tummy and legs stay on the ground, almost like he's doing yoga position.

He likes to be near us, and if we leave the room he lets us know we are MISSED!
He smiles all the time and is such a happy baby.

However, we have this little problem with his burping . . . he still spits up and some times it's projectile! So, I've scheduled an appointment in Columbia to have him tested for acid reflux. I'm afraid he's inherited this from Brett. He's gaining weight- no problems there- it's just that he coats us with spit up EVERY time he eats.

Speaking of eating, he's eating baby foods now. We're in the first foods- carrots, green beans, peaches, pears, applesauce, bananas, prunes, and sweet potatoes. He likes them all!

The photo is of my dad, my boys & my nephews taken the last weekend of February. Dad is holding Connor (3 months) and Kelton (6 months). Chandler (4) is standing next to him.
So cute! Levi (4) is on the left side with Kole (3) on the right side. Ziek (2 & not smiling) and Trey (1) are sitting.

It's been awhile

It's been almost a MONTH since I blogged last. I have so much to say, but don't know where to start.

I guess I'll start with Courtwarming on February 1st. Ziek was asked to be our "cupid" for the Senior class mini- float. Here he is in all his glory.









































The next day we had family photos for the church directory. 2 out of the 3 kids had been to the doctor's office that morning where Kelton was diagnosed with bronchitis and Ziek with having some viral infection. Needless to say, we weren't at our 'best' for the photo, but here it is.
At least all 3 boys are smiling!

So the illness that Kelton and Ziek had spread through the whole house. I ended up having bronchitis and was on the Z-pack while Ziek was re-diagnosed with having both Type A and Type B influenza. Levi and Kelton ended up having influenza as well but there's no meds to give them after they've shown signs of it.

Brett was prescribed Tamiflu to prevent him from getting the flu. The boys were sick for about 10 days and my mom came to stay with the boys while Brett and I attended the Boys & Girls Club Annual Auction. The club raised over $50,000!!! Woo-hoo!!!

The boys were well for a few days, so that Brett and I could celebrate my 32nd birthday in Kansas City at the Elms.

Then reality set in and Ziek had the stomach flu and of course Levi got it too, although a milder form of it.

All in all I have to say that we are lucky to be on the mend! It has been hard the ENTIRE month with all of the runny noses, coughing, sneezing, throwing up, etc . . .

The best gift that I was given was today (21st) and tomorrow (22nd) off from school! Yes, 2 snow days so that I can take care of my pukey boys and get laundry done.

You see, the reason that these 2 days are gifts are because I have no sick days left to take off.

Next year . . . will be different . . .

We are hoping that I will be able to stay home from school next year! (big smile)

Finally, Kelton turned 6 months old! My goodness how time has FLOWN since August.

He's smiling a lot, babbling a bunch and he loves to sit on your lap and rock back and forth. He throws all of his body weight into rocking himself back and forth. He is eating cereal and we're waiting for teeth so we can start him on baby food. He's a cutie. He has very dark blue eyes with beautiful black eyelashes that girls will just melt over. Like the other boys, he's going to break hearts. I'll add a photo of just him soon.

So this month, February of 2008, has been VERY LONG! I'm hoping that March proves to be much better!

I love you, Nanna

My Nanna passed away yesterday, Wednesday, January 23, 2008.

I remember when Nanna came to stay with us while my mom was at the hospital having my youngest sister, Leah. When we received the phone call that we had a new sister, I was upset that it wasn't a brother and my Nanna said, "well, shall we send her back?"

My Nanna used to sing us songs and teach us little poems. One of the songs I've remembered all these years and I sing them to my boys now. "If by chance you see a frown, do not let it stay. Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away"

When I was 3 years old, I woke up and asked my Nanna "Did you fleep good?" From then on, it was a running joke that she would ask me when I woke up while she stayed with us.

I remember when we lived in Maysville and my Nanna came to stay with us for awhile. She was very depressed and did not really want to take care of herself, so she moved in with us so that we could help her. I didn't realize it at the time, but that was an awesome blessing- for her and for us. We got to see her every day, spend time playing and talking to her, and she got to be around us kids who were just "being kids". I think it was a healing time for all of us.

After she moved out, she got a dog. It was a teacup poodle. It was the smallest dog in the world! She came to visit us in Savannah and we had a cocker spaniel puppy around the same age. Well, needless to say, our dog toppled over her dog and broke her dog's leg! That poor little 3 pound puppy was in a leg cast for about 2 months!

She loved Skipper. He loved her too. She loved that dog so much that she would put cheese over his food and warm it up in the microwave! Skipper had his own seat/pillow in the front seat of her car. He was her companion, her friend, and best of all he didn't talk back. :)

The photo of Nanna above was the last time I saw her. It was taken in October 2007. She was introduced to Kelton for the first time. She was so proud of her great grand kids (and her grand kids too). She sat in her chair and listened to us talk and laugh and play. Her eyes were closed most of the time but she was awake. It was sad for me to see her in the wheelchair but she was so weak she couldn't lift herself up. Her balance was gone and they didn't trust her to use a walker. I don't know how happy she was. I hope she found some happiness in life there. She never let on that she was unhappy. I don't think I ever heard Nanna complain, or say a mean thing about anyone-ever.

She was a wonderful woman.

She experienced many things in her life.

She was beautiful.

I love you Nanna.

I'll miss you.

Kelton turns 5 months

My baby boy turned 5 months old on the 17th of January. I can't believe it! He has grown and changed so much since birth.

In fact, Kelton is now eating soupy cereal from a spoon! Wow. Life flies by so fast.