Hayes is Four Months Old!

I took Hayes to the doctor recently for his 4-month visit, and he is doing really well! Weighing in at 14 lbs. 13 oz. and measuring 24 inches in height, he is in the 50th percentile for his weight and in the 75th percentile for his height. In addition, all of his motor skills are right on track, so you would never know that he was a preemie!

Voicing my concerns that he was STILL having trouble with sleeping through the night, the doctor told me that he should not need to havea a middle-of-the-night feeding anymore and that I needed to let him cry it out. You'd think that being a mother of three, that would not be a problem; however, as I told the doctor, it gets HARDER not EASIER with each child! With Xander, I went by the book and had him sleeping through the night by 6 weeks. Then with Cade, I became a little "softer" and got up once a night with him for...oh...well, he's STILL getting up at least once a night! So, I did not want a repeat of this; but it just seems that I get softer and more indulgent with each child! He assured me that this was indeed "normal" and that I shouldn't beat myself up over it. I appreciated that...whether it was true or not! :) The funny thing was that I think Hayes heard what the doctor said, because he began sleeping through the night after that! Yay!

Anyway, in a happy mood, Hayes laughed and "talked" to the doctor...well, right up until he got his 3 shots! After that, it was all downhill... However, we were pleased with the good report and are thrilled that our little guy with a rough start is doing so well!

Swimming Lessons

During the month of July, Xander and Cade took swimming lessons at Viquest. This was a birthday gift from Uncle Josh, Aunt Sara, Uncle Vincent and Aunt Char. I had several things I wanted the boys to accomplish during this month of lessons. Cade has literally been petrified of the water since he was very little. Most times, he hovers on the steps of the pool and clings to whoever can pry him away from the side and into the water. I wanted him to become more comfortable with the water, and to be able to wear a float and maneuver himself across the pool. Xander was comfortable in the water; however, I hoped that he would be able to learn how to swim well enough to go into the deep end by himself and to learn the proper technique for swimming.

The first two lessons for them both did not show much improvement; in fact, Cade had a complete meltdown during the second! Frustrated with the lack of success so far (I know, I had some unrealistic expectations), I sat down and talked with them both, encouraging them...okay, I bribed them. Don't judge me. It worked. I told them that if Cade didn't scream and Xander listened better (instead of thinking he knows it all), we would stop at McDonald's for a milkshake. BINGO! Jackpot! They took off; and from that point on, it was smoothe sailing! Cade was swimming with the "noodle" all over the pool, and Xander was swimming like a fish! Every mother there has said that they were the most amazing transformation from the first lesson until now!

This is their last week of lessons, and I must say that I am completely satisfied with all that they accomplished!

Swimming Lessons

Cade with the "noodle."

Xander LOVES swimming!
Cade doing his "bubbles."
Xander floating on his back.

Summer School...

Well, the summer officially ended for me the Monday after July 4th. I began my yearly four-week Summer School "adventure." And I really do mean "adventure." It never fails to be an eventful, not to mention memorable, experience. This year has been no different. I am teaching 9 students ranging from 7th grade to upcoming seniors. At our school, the English students must make a 77% to pass and go into the next level of English; therefore, if they do not make a 77%, then they must take a 3-week remedial summer school course. If the student happens to actually fail with less than a 70%, then they must pass a 4-week summer school course. This year, I have quite the "interesting" student (who will remain nameless, just in case one of my students stumbles upon this web page). I've heard stories about this particular boy, but I did not believe that he could really be as..."odd"...as I had been told. Well, I've learned that the stories have been mild compared to the reality. Let's just say that bodily functions are not a private matter for this young individual...and leave it at that. Anyway, it's been a quick 3 weeks already, and I am definitely looking forward to finishing up next week! After that, I will have a few weeks until school starts up again...where did the summer go?!

Slideshow dilemmas...

You will probably notice that in the two slideshows with music (Gage's and Cade's birthday parties), the same music was selected. This is because photobucket only offers "independent" music (in other words, weird music by "nobodies"). I did not realize this until I had already created the slideshows, and then I wasn't ABOUT to throw away all of that time and effort! Therefore, I picked the only song that was remotely appropriate for both. I usually use Slide for my slideshows, but then the music continues to play even when not watching the slideshow. This is all good and well unless you want to make ANOTHER slideshow with different music! If anyone knows of another Slideshow site that is better or knows a way around these obstacles, please let me know. Until then, I will probably continue to use photobucket for slideshows without music, and Slide for ones with music.

Cade's 4th Birthday...

To celebrate Cade's 4th Birthday, we invited a few of his little buddies (Lowell, Sawyer, & Gavin) to join us at the "Jumpin' Monkey" (place with inflatibles) and then to our house for pizza and cupcakes. Cade was very specific as to what he wanted at his party, so we tried to fulfill those wishes. He wanted cupcakes (NOT cake), "blowie things" (whatever they are actually called), and hats. The kids had a great time, and Cade was in his element! Being the middle child, he was thoroughly eating up the extra attention! Back at our house, we ate and opened presents. Only a few casualties occurred, none of which occurred at the Jumpin' Monkey!! All occurred on our bunk beds! We had one child take a nose dive off of it, and then one of my OWN children (Xander, of course) forgot the ceiling fan was on and tried to climb up to the top bunk...and well, you get the picture. Therefore, the bunk beds were strictly off limits the rest of the night. All in all, it was a great birthday party; and Cade is still asking us daily, "Did you like my birthday party?!?"

Cade's 4th Birthday...

July 4, 2008

After a relaxing day at home with the boys, Shane and I joined his parents as well as Josh, Sara, and Gage for the fireworks display in Washington, NC. Because of the small-town atmosphere and location near the water, we love coming here for the fireworks each year. Uncertain as to whether Hayes and Gage would enjoy their first experience with the event, we were pleasantly surprised to find that they were thoroughly captivated by the show and were not a bit frightened by the loud explosions! Uncharacteristically cool weather for July made the evening absolutely perfect!

Fourth of July 2008

Gage's First Birthday...

On July 3rd, the day after Gage's first birthday, Josh and Sara threw a birthday bash to celebrate such a milestone here at our house. Although he started the party out with a nap :), he woke up ready to go and was able to keep up with older kids all the way to the fireworks! It was a lot of fun and will make a fond memory in the years to come!

Gage's First Birthday Party