Happy Early Birthday to Me!

I am turning 31 this Friday, but Chris gave me my gifts early this year. Thought I'd show off what he got me...loved everything! I have been wanting one of the cupcake makers forever and can't wait to put it to use. Also, I just recently pointed the watch out to him and was thrilled that he remembered and bought it for me. And I can never have enough Philosophy bubble bath!

In other news, I am now 17 weeks pregnant! It is just flying by this time around, and I know I will be wondering where the last 9 months went come this December. I am definitely feeling the baby move now, which is just the best feeling ever! I can't wait to schedule my next ultrasound so we can finally find out whether we are going to be blessed with another boy or another girl!

Party of Five

So as everyone probably now knows, we are expecting baby #3!! I am due December 11th, but will have another scheduled caesarian section sometime during the week before that. We are so excited! This is absolutely our last baby (I will be getting a tubal ligation during my c-section) and I intend to do my best to enjoy this pregnancy and everything that is to come. I've already had my first ultrasound and it was so amazing to see our little baby and its heartbeat flickering away. I was surprisingly emotional at the sight...it is just such a miracle and I know not to take it for granted. Many updates to come!

Eve's 5 Year Checkup

Somehow my sweet baby girl is suddenly 5 years old...how did this happen!? Its frightening to think the next 5 years may go by as fast and before I know it, she'll be 10. Can't even think about it! We had a quiet birthday party here at home. Eve was thrilled with her presents, especially her new walkie-talkies! Not sure why, but she has been wanting them forever. Now she makes Chris take one of them to work so that when he is within a few miles of getting home in the evenings, she can chat with him. A few days after her birthday, she had her 5 year checkup! Here are her current stats:

Height: 44 inches (75th percentile)
Weight: 42 lbs. (50th percentile)

She also had to get 3 shots at the end of her appointment. I think this always worries and scares me more than it does her. Eve barely flinched and didn't cry at all! She is tough like her dad. I still can't believe my baby girl will be going to school in less than 6 months. I'm sad for me, but excited for her...she can't wait!

Embracing Being Different

It has been a few months now since we've gotten Cole's autism diagnosis, and I think it is safe to say that I've went through the entire emotional process of coming to accept it. I had another one of many turning points yesterday afternoon.

I was pushing Cole in a shopping cart at Target and just walking around browsing when he started what I like to call his "frenzy". This is what happens when I give him a new toy or something to hold while we are walking around, and he gets super excited. His eyes squeeze shut tight, a big smile appears on his face, he starts yelling a bunch of loud gibberish, and his arms and head start flailing around. It is quite a sight! People stare and laugh, and I used to get so, so embarrassed while trying to settle him down. But yesterday was different. All I did was hand him a bottle of shampoo...yes, shampoo. Something about the shampoo bottle must have made him a very happy boy because he started his frenzy. But this time, instead of getting embarrassed, I looked at my son and saw his pure and unfiltered joy. And I started to laugh with him. Which got him going even more! I'm sure people thought we were both nuts, but it felt so good to just not care anymore. To accept my baby boy exactly how he is at this moment.

Cole doesn't know that he is different, and I'm certainly not going to treat him like he is. I've been giving lots of thanks and praise to God lately for blessing us with a special needs child. Not only for entrusing us with the job of guiding him in this world and raising him, but also for all that it has changed us for the better. Everything has always come so easy for my beautiful girl, Eve, that I think I took so much for granted. She hit every milestone so early and so easily that I just assumed thats how it always worked. Boy was I wrong! But the beauty in Cole hitting milestones at his own pace is that each new word is a cause for celebration and another reason to be so thankful for what we have. Today his occupational therapist told me that she thought there was a great chance that Cole could possibly lose his autism diagnosis by the time he started school. While that would be the most amazing thing ever, I also realize that it truly doesn't matter if he doesn't. He is so perfect the way he is.

Chris

Want to take a moment to brag on Chris, since he is so modest about this kind of stuff. He found out yesterday that he was awarded the best account representative (his position)in the midwest division of his company! He gets a $2000 award! I am so happy for him and proud of him as he is truly the hardest worker I've ever known.

Happy New Year!

We are just a few hours away from 2012...wow this year has flown by!! Christmas was wonderful and the kids have more toys than they know what to do with. But as much as I loved the holidays, I'm so looking forward to what this fresh new year is going to bring. We are so blessed to be getting a new niece this spring from my sister and another sweet baby (gender to be determined!) this summer from my sister-in-law. I have a feeling this will be a big year of changes within our little family too. We will be putting our house up for sale this July. Eve will be starting kindergarten in August. And I know Cole will continue to thrive in his preschool and with his therapies. We have so much to look forward to, and for that, I am so thankful and in awe of what God has blessed us with and continues to bless us with. Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday!!

Today is Chris' 28th birthday!! I've said it once and I'll say it over and over again...I am sooooooo extremely blessed to have such an amazing person to walk through this life with. I love you baby!

School

Last week was Cole's first week of school, and he is doing great!! The first day, I think he was more stunned than anything and his teachers said he cried for a few minutes when he first got to the classroom. The second day was a little better. And when I dropped him off yesterday, he screamed with excitement when he saw a classmate and basically ran into the school without looking back!! I cried like a baby the first day I dropped him off until Eve kindly told me to suck it up and get over it...LOL. He is actually in class during the hours that he used to be napping here at home so not much is different other than where he is at. Eve and I have been coming home, eating lunch, and then playing on the kinect (Dance Central is a blast BTW!) until its time to go pick my baby boy up.

Cole's 3 Year Checkup

For the first time ever, we were actually early this year with one of the kid's checkups instead of weeks late as usual. The reason being that we needed Cole to have a physical on file with the school he will soon be attending. Anyways, he was not a happy camper AT ALL for his appointment even though he didn't need any shots. I ended up leaving the office sweaty and embarrassed after having to literally pin down my boy on the table so his pediatrician could check him out. Fun times!! Here are his current stats:

Height: 38.5 inches (75th percentile)
Weight: 39 lbs (95th percentile)

I'm not really sure those numbers are accurate given all the thrashing around Cole was doing!! I just thank God that he doesn't have to go back until his 4 year checkup in a year! :) It was all good though because my baby boy is healthy as can be and thats what matters.

My Loves