Evan - 18mths

This sweet, handsome little baby is 18mths

 so much personality in this little body!

 He's waving hi to me :)

Crazy how quickly this year and half has gone by. Evan is just the sweetest, silliest, funnest little guy. His personality is really coming out now and its fun to watch him develop. He watches us like a hawk and tries to do everything we do. He's also very helpful - empties the dishwasher, puts everything in the thrash (whether its thrash or not!), takes his stuff to his room and even cleans up his toys. he adores his big brother and sister and enjoys being with daddy, but mama has his heart! Seriously. He is 100% a mama's boy. He's my shadow and also has to know where I am at all times.

18mth well visit

While still a little peanut, he is moving up on the growth charts and that makes me happy!
Weight: 20lbs / 9kg (15%)
Height:  32in / 81cm (35%)

He eats well, drinks lots of water, is still nursing (about 2 sometimes 3 times a day), plays hard and is very social, and is meeting all his milestones. Sleep has improved - he usually goes down around 9:30, wakes between 4 and 5am, nurses and back to sleep til about 8:30. He absolutely LOVES bath time (has climbed into the tub fully clothed!), loves playing outside, going to the gym and he repeats everything we say.

Some new words/phrases:
Beeya (that's what he calls Ria)
Jay-in (for Javan)
Ebin (for Evan - he cant say his V's!)
appy saw (apple sauce), Up, open, ha go (here you go), sowee (sorry), wa-wa (water), bah ti (bath time)

He's cut two bottom teeth and one more top tooth and he cut his two bottom molars.

This past year and half has been so much sweeter and loads more fun with this little guy in our life!

~V

Schools Out ... Hello Summer Break!

We are extremely proud of how hard Javan and Ria have worked and all they have accomplished this school year. Javan finished out the year with all A's and Ria met all her requirements for kindergarten (and is reading 3rd grade words!). This year has FLOWN by.

 and for comparison sake ....

 she's definitely lost her baby face *sniff sniff*

 last car rider pick up for the school year!

 after school we met up with Steph, Luke and Nathan for our annual 'schools out lets celebrate' treat!

And just like that we it's a wrap for 3rd grade and kindergarten! Unbelievable!

~V

Ria's Kindergarten Commencement

I can't believe Ria's kindergarten year is complete! It has been a wonderful experience for her and we are so proud of how much our baby girl has learned this year. She works hard and she loves to learn. She is reading almost fluently and has beautiful penmanship. This morning was her Kindergarten Commencement services. It was so sweet! And definitely emotional for me. I had a hard time holding back tears. Our baby girl got to lead everyone with the Pledge of Allegiance and she did great. Here are some pics from the morning

 her biggest fans are her brothers!

 Evan was very much part of this kindergarten year ... I guess you could call him the class mascot! He was in her class every week with me :)

 Ready to march in

 Leading the Pledge

 walking the stage!

 Kindergarten choir

 Principal Akiona

 Her music teacher, Mrs. Donegan

 PE teacher, Coach Doan

 Kindergarten teacher, Mrs O' Boyle

 Assistant teacher, Mrs Collins

We were definitely blessed to have such great teachers to help our daughter through her first year at North Lee.

Stephanie, Eleanor and Kadyn joined us for the morning's festivities. Javan and Nathan were excused from their classes to come too! We loved cheering on our little girl.

The school made a video with the kids and showed it at the commencement. This was Ria's little snippet:

When I grow up I am going to be a teacher and a mum

We have no doubt that whatever she decides to do she is going to be excellent at it and I already know she's going to be great mother one day!
~V

Mothers Day 2015

Mothers Day was lots of fun this year. It kicked off on Thursday morning with a Mothers Day Tea hosted by the kindergarten teachers at school. They made it so special. The gifts were so thoughtful and I loved being with my baby girl to celebrate.

 My fave gift - a silhouette of my sweet girl

 she was pretty excited to give me this rose!

 and these books were just precious

Saturday afternoon Ria and I went to a Princess Tea Party hosted by our library. We had a great time drinking tea, eating yummy treats and making jewelery and meeting new people.

Sunday was a fun family day .... here's the three reasons I get to celebrate today

 We ate lunch at Blue Plate in Chattanooga and went to the Art District and snapped these pics

I just love my sweet kiddos and I am so honoured that I get to be their mum. It goes without saying that they are my pride and joy.

A rare pic of me without the kids in it :)

 Later that evening they wanted to take me to Orange Leaf for a treat ... I will never turn that down :)

 and just for fun ...

I had a wonderful day being celebrated and celebrating with my fave people! Thankful for how blessed I am.
~V