Our 2018 Highlight Reel

No Christmas cards were mailed out from the Seely home this year. I usually send out over 100 cards with our smiling faces on them, but it just didn’t happen. And truthfully, I have no regrets. But sorry if you missed getting one.

Our Family at the Spina Bifida Assoc. Christmas Party

Instead, I’ll spend a few minutes spewing out some thoughts about our year, if you care to know how 2018 panned out in this house.

We started off the year with the girls trying something new and both taking a gymnastics class, which they really enjoyed. This fall Johanna went back to gymnastics, but Adria really wanted to take a martial arts class so she’s trying that out…and looks totally adorable in her white uniform.

Adria turned 10 in September! And just like that, we are officially parents to a child in the double digits. She continues to amaze us with her hard work, determination and spirit. She is a straight A student in her 4^th grade class, and this year was accepted into the Gifted and Talented Program at her school. And let me tell you, they have some seriously challenging assignments in that class, but it’s given her the opportunity to stretch herself and I see a budding writer in her. #proudmama

Adria in her martial arts outfit

Just a couple weeks ago, we had the opportunity to become part of the Spina Bifida Association of the Eastern Shore (Maryland) and participate in their annual Christmas party. What a wonderful experience for Adria to meet so many others, including several girls her age, who were also born with Spina Bifida. They enjoyed crafts, food and gifts from Santa while the parents feasted on a delicious meal. Adria keeps asking when we can get together with them again J

Johanna recently celebrated her 7^th birthday with a few of her “Besties”. Our spunky, fun and sensitive little girl makes friends wherever she goes with her bubbly personality. We’ve enjoyed watching her grow and learn to read in first grade, where she also earned straight A’s the first marking period. So thankful for wonderful teachers at the local public school! The girls are both riding the bus to and from school for the first time this year, so that’s been helpful in getting them to school on time (cough) and mommy getting to work early more often.

Judah is ready for Christmas!

Judah is growing fast and this 3 year old spends much of his time playing with trains, trucks, dirt, water, and balls. Total boy and Daddy loves it. They continue to have a special bond, spending their days together while the girls are away. Judah does go to preschool in Milford two days a week in a class with six boys and a girl. He loves his big sisters, especially messing with them while they're playing or coloring.

Adrian celebrated a milestone birthday, turning 40 in November. His birthday wish was to have all his siblings in town together, and it came true! They came from British Columbia, Texas, Ohio and locally so the 7 of them ate dinner together at his parent’s table for the first time in 11 years. So special!

In November, Adrian turned 40 and we
celebrated 15 years of marriage.

Another big milestone came on Thanksgiving Day, which was also our 15^th Wedding Anniversary. We actually celebrated it in October when we took a week-long trip to Maui, Hawaii (without the Kids)! It was a long flight, but a beautiful place where we experienced many exciting things. My first helicopter ride over the island of Molokai literally took my breath away, and a couple’s zip-lining adventure had us laughing through the air in the rain and posing with rainbows. With this trip, Adrian has now officially been to all 50 of the United States of America!!!

I completed my third full marathon while in Maui. And those were the most difficult 26.2 miles I’ve run/walked yet… Though I had trained for months, I was not prepared for the trifecta of Heat, Hills, and Humidity along the lovely Pacific coast. It took me an hour longer to complete than my other 2 marathons, but I crossed that finish line on my own two feet and came in 250 out of 552 runners! I continue to run 5K races and just posted my best time ever of 26:15.

Getting ready to run in Maui

It’s been an interesting year for me in new home sales with lots of activity some months and very little others, but it looks like I’ll finish 2018 with a strong December. I recently sold my largest home in 11 years of doing this and am excited to see it built with great views of a Delaware bay!

One other major event happened earlier this year; on February 20 my amazing Dad went into cardiac arrest and we briefly lost him. It was a frightening time, but our community came together in prayer and support and Dad miraculously recovered. We are thankful beyond words.  Then in July, Dad and Mom were able to celebrate their 40^th Anniversary.

It was another year full of life, love, struggle, laughter and tears. And we are thankful for it. And for YOU sharing with us in it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A beautiful sunset on the Pacific that we experienced in Maui

Helicopter ride over Molokai island

Feeling the Love for my Daughter

Adria's 3rd Grade picture - Spring 2018

Truth is, I don't usually think of myself as a parent of a special needs child. Adria is nine years old. She is growing into a beautiful, independent young lady who is so determined and capable.

But there are times when I become keenly aware of her differences. On several occasions this year, these times are precious moments when individuals display an extra special level of care and concern for her well-being.

Let me explain.

Adria is a third grader in a typical classroom setting at our local public school and does not require any special academic assistance. WooHoo!!! She excels in her classes, getting straight A's on her report card, except for a B in Reading the second marking period.

She does receive specialized physical therapy services at school due to her orthopedic impairment (low muscle tone in her legs and need for leg braces), which is very typical in spina bifida children. Adria also goes to the nurse's office every day after lunch to care for her bathroom needs. It's incredible to see how much she's progressed over the last year or so, because now she can catheterize herself without any assistance. Again...WooHoo!!!

The point is, in most ways she functions as many other students but there are still those areas of uniqueness.

The Scooter

Early in the school year, Adria's teachers noticed that she was lagging behind on the walk from her classroom to the playground. It's a decent distance and she was getting fatigued. She has a wheelchair, but we keep that at home and want to encourage her walking as much as possible.

Her gym teacher at the school came up with a great idea to help Adria. She suggested this scooter that she thought Adria might be able to use as a fun and faster way to get to the playground. Of course I was on board with trying it.

Adria's gym teacher got her this scooter to use getting from her classroom to the playground faster. She loves it!

Next thing I know, they ordered the scooter and Adria was coming home from school telling us how much she loved it! Then they took it to another level, so that Adria would not be alone. They bought a second scooter that a friend can use to ride along with her to the playground. Both scooters stay in her classroom and when it's time to go to recess, Adria draws names to see who will help her and ride with her that day.

I just think that's so great and thoughtful. All this initiated by people around her who care. Thank you!

The Cheer Shoes

Outside of school, I was moved by the care of someone who had just met Adria. At the beginning of January, I decided to try something new with the girls, especially since Johanna had been asking about it for a long time, and I signed them up for Gymnastics.

Honestly, I was kind of concerned about how it would go for Adria and how she'd respond. To my delight, she absolutely loved the first class and tried her best with gusto! In fact, Johanna was the one standing in the corner frustrated that she could not do a cartwheel and not even trying for a while. Oh, such different personalities those girls have!

The challenge was that Adria does not have the ankle and foot strength to run around and do activities barefoot like the other children. However, regular sneakers could damage the soft mats and gym equipment. The instructor, known as Mr. Pickle, at The Little Gym was impressed by Adria's desire to try gymnastics and took it upon himself to research and make several phone calls to determine the best option for her to be able to participate. He found that cheer shoes are a type of sneaker with rounded edges that she could where with her braces in the Gym. We went to Shoe Show and found a good pair for her!

Adria tries out the balance beam with assistance at The Little Gym. Her cheer shoes make this activity possible!

For the last few months, she has been enjoying her Gymnastics class every Monday night and Johanna has come to love it too. They are still figuring out how to do a cartwheel, but they've both shown great improvement and confidence to try new things.

So Thankful

I am just so thankful for these caring individuals along with so many others who show love to our daughters and family. This past week was Teacher and Nurse Appreciation Week. Both Adria and Johanna have had wonderful teachers and nurses again this year at school.

THANK YOU ALL FOR PROVIDING GREAT CARE AND LEARNING FOR OUR CHILDREN!!!

Johanna's Kindergarten school picture - Spring 2018

5 Going on 15

Her energy and spunk is unmatched. She is a vibrant free spirit, daring you to cross her path. She has a sensitive heart, easily touched by loss or sadness. She is a princess and a fashion diva. She is a dark-haired, blue eyed beauty. She is 5 going on 15.

That's our little Johanna Belle!

Johanna on the right with her cousin Sophie, who also has a December birthday and will be 9.

CELEBRATIONS

Yesterday we celebrated her fifth birthday. She shared cupcakes and snacks with her friends in afternoon pre-school, that's in the same public school where her big sister Adria attends second grade. And in the evening, Mommy rushed home from work to pack up the girls, helium balloons, and decorations and grab the cake and fruit tray. Then drive south to the Stratosphere Trampoline Park, where we barely made it in time for her 6:30 party. But we did!

Johanna and a few friends spent the next hour and a half jumping and running around a building full of trampolines. Pretty fun once you got past the overwhelming stench of stinky feet and sweat. Ha! I was thankful the party came together successfully after a day, where I had "dropped the ball" on so many other things that I may as well have been swimming in giant ball pit...

Trampoline Park = perfect place for Johanna to let her energetic side be free!

And there were LOTS of trampolines and some good friends

Party Time

Last Saturday, we enjoyed a little celebration that my mom planned for Johanna and her cousin Sophie, who turns 9 in December. It was a special day for my sister and I, along with our three daughters to spend together with my mom at the American Girl store in Tyson's Corner. They have a very pink Cafe with a birthday luncheon menu that also includes a personal cake, ice cream and fun goody bag for the dolls, who sat in their booster seats with us.

Three cousins enjoying a special birthday lunch at the American Girl Cafe and store last weekend!

When the day first started our birthday girl, Johanna, was in a grump-tastic mood...Irritating...but thankfully, she calmed down and we were all able to enjoy this unique experience.

SENSITIVE FASHIONISTA

I say that Johanna is 5 going on 15, not because I want to rush her growing up in any way, but because this girl is always surprising me with the mature nature of what she wants.

In her perfect world, she wears a dress with tights and high heels every day. But that's not always appropriate, so we often have the "what to wear" battle. She loves to try on big sister's play make-up. She wants to dye her hair, paint her nails, and she regularly wears about 10 bracelets on her wrist. She has even asked me how soon she can start shaving her legs!! Spare me...

At school, her teachers say she is their little fashionista. Her style is bold, colorful and nearly always involves a dress or skirt. Jeans are an absolute NO. Only leggings are acceptable.

Johanna loves to sing and dance, and she's provided great entertainment for her little brother Judah for the full 19 months of his life. He's laughed at her more than anyone else and is generally patient with her extra strong hugs and forceful kisses.

This year we've seen Johanna begin to excel in her learning. She's taken longer than her sister to conquer ABCs and 123s but is making great progress. She'll spend time looking at books and magazines, though the iPad is definitely preferred.

I love her adventurous spirit. When we brought the kids to Hershey Park this summer, she wanted to ride all the FAST rides that her big sister was afraid of. And she was deeply disappointed that she was too short for the roller coasters, except for the smaller one.

Yet behind this wild, fashionista exterior lies a soft heart full of Love. She often randomly says, "I love our family! I love everyone!"  She's become the first to volunteer to say prayers at the dinner table, even if it's a big family dinner with many gathered. She remembers her great-grandma (my maternal grandmother) who died two years ago and who she only saw a few times.

Just recently Johanna said, "I really miss Great-Grandma. I don't remember what she looks like. I really love her a lot." Then tears fell down her sweet cheeks. There are moments when she cries easily because her heart is touched. Even a child's story I read the other night about a boy and his mother growing up had her crying. Ok, ok, I shed a few tears too. It's a sensitivity she carries that is not always obvious.

And tonight, as is the case every night, she has her two favorite blankets with her in bed, the pink bear and green fuzzy froggy blankets (that were passed down from when Adria was a baby). They provide her comfort as she sleeps. Because sometimes she is afraid of Monsters.

But it was a conversation about fear and monsters with Daddy, that ultimately resulted in her praying to ask Jesus in her heart a few months ago. She used to wake up yelling in the night, but it's very rare since she asked Jesus to be with her.

Yes, she is just now 5. I see a powerhouse in the making in Johanna. The future is hers to embrace. She walks her own unique path and goes after what she wants with a vengeance.

I try to remember this will serve her well in life, when it's driving me crazy at home :)  Thank you, Lord, for this precious, healthy little girl.

8 is Great...mostly

I remember being 8 years old. I loved it. Sitting in my third grade class, I drew and retraced the infinite 8 shape again and again, believing that 8 was such a fabulous age that we should be able to take a break from school for that year. Seriously, I thought this. I was an A student and fairly social but awkward.

Now, I have an 8 year old daughter. It's still hard for me to wrap my head around this. Adria turned 8 on September 8, being born in 2008. (Almost as cool as her Aunt Lil who turned 8 on 8/8/88).

A friend told her it was her golden birthday - your birthday when you turn the age of your birth date. Adria loved that and frequently announced it.

Adria blows out 8 candles on the Poop Emoji cake that Daddy made, at her request. Haha!

She realized this year, after having it happen in kindergarten and first grade too, that she might always be the first one in her class to celebrate a birthday, since it falls just after the start of the school year. This also makes her possibly the oldest child in her second grade class.

Short and Sweet

Of course you wouldn't know it from her height. She is one of the shortest in her class. Her petite stature still causes people who don't know her ask if she is in Kindergarten. She gets exasperated by this. But still there are times she stands in front of the mirror at home, making sure she looks good for school, and complains that she looks like a Kindergartener.

At 3' 9" tall, she's only got an inch or so on her 4 year old little sister. Let me tell you, this makes clothes shopping a challenge - especially for pants. Plus, at close to 58 lbs. with a soft belly on her, we struggle. She really needs a size 8-10 around the waist, but then the legs on those... are sooo long. We have my mom hem pants up for her, but it's easier just to buy skirts and dresses for school. Adria doesn't like pants much anyway, she thinks they look boyish.

8 year old Adria kisses her 4 year old sister Johanna after school

From a spina bifida parents group online, I know that it's super common for our special kiddos to be shorter than average. It's mostly due to the low muscle tone in their legs and how that inhibits bone growth. Adria's feet are also the same size as her little sister's.

Adria's Birthday

We made sure our girl felt special on her 8th birthday. As I drove her to school that Thursday, her Grandpa (my Dad) met us and gave her a Rose. Her class sang her Happy Birthday to start the day. My mom surprised her at lunch, enduring the noise and heat of the school cafeteria that doesn't have AC. Adria's school nurse, that she visits everyday, gave her a special TY plush toy. Then her Granny Seely met me at the school in the afternoon to hand out Emoji cupcakes and snacks to her class.

Adria and mommy had fun making these Emoji cupcakes to share with her class on her birthday.

That evening I treated Adria out to a special mommy-daughter date night. She said, "Man, it's like today has been all about ME!"  Oh, she loved it.

I brought her to dinner at Red Lobster, where she ordered her own personal snow crab legs. She could not believe she got them all to herself. And of course the wait staff sang to her, as we shared her special dessert. She was in heaven.

Birthday dinner with mommy at Red Lobster. She loved her Snow Crab and dessert!

We finished her big day with a big event. Getting her ears pierced! She had been interested for a while but was always afraid of the pain. A few weeks before she told me she wanted her ears pierced for her birthday, so I surprised her. She was still nervous, but it was the cutest thing listening to her talk herself into being brave. And barely a flinch when the lady at Piercing Pagoda inserted her pretty pink stars.

The look just before getting her ears pierced...

During ear piercing... She did not make a sound

And after...She loves her pink stars!

Adria is quite pleased with her new look and very diligent about getting me to clean them every night, so they are healing great!

Not Feeling Well

After the high of her fabulous birthday, something happened the following week. Every day before school Adria was fussy and complaining of being tired. She lost her appetite. One day her school nurse called, and she was sent home with a fever over 101. She had pain in stomach and side. We thought it was strep throat or a UTI, but a trip to the pediatrician ruled out both of those. In the end, it must have been a viral thing or a cold. We're not sure.

She's feeling better, but my girl has been struggling emotionally. At school, her teacher says she does great and is the most social one in class, even to the point of being too chatty and laughy. She comes home with math and writing papers that have an A at the top.

But at home, we are having to work hard to encourage her nightly 15 minutes of reading. Many mornings she says she wants to stay home. She is more sensitive about her differences, not appreciating that people always ask why she wears legs braces. Her reply is simply, "Because I need them to help me walk."

Adria's braces (AFOs) through the years. She gets a new pair every year, sized specifically for her. Each of these features a unique design that she chose and represents precious steps and milestones in her journey with spina bifida.

Being a "Spina Bifida Person"

She has also been complaining more than ever about her necessary potty routines. Earlier this year, Adria achieved a huge step in independence. She learned to catheterize herself! This was BIG. We and the school nurse still provide some assistance, but she can sit on the potty and do this on her own now. It's wonderful! However, Adria dislikes having to do it. She's starting to be frustrated that this is part of her life. Four to five times a day...every day...this is how Adria must empty her bladder.

Even worse is the bowel routine we have to do every other night. It's a great system, called Peristeen, that made all the difference in reducing bowel issues. She is accident free most days, though she did have a bad stinky incident at school last week.

Peristeen requires an enema and sitting on the potting for at least 30 minutes while her bowels empty. Yeah, it's kind of gross and uncomfortable. And we don't like having to do this either, but at this point it is the best solution for enabling her to live as "normal" as possible.

It can be heart-breaking though. When she'll sit there and cry. And with a twinge of anger say, "I wish I wasn't a Spina Bifida person!"

She says this often. Ugh...what is a mother to say? It's tough to know, but I try to be understanding and encouraging.

We love our Adria so much. We are so proud of how independent and confident she is. We knew the "age of awareness" would be a tough time for us all. We pray that she can stay strong and positive and continue to defy the odds and be the amazing girl we've cherished since the day we found out she was going to be a "spina bifida person."

Here's to hoping 8 is great for her too.

First Week of First Grade

Adria made it through her first week of First Grade. I say "made it" because it's been a bit of an emotional week for her. At times she's been dancing with excitement and other times teary-eyed and fussy. There are many changes with First Grade, and our routine oriented little girl can struggle to adjust.

A couple weeks ago she kept saying how she missed Kindergarten and wasn't ready for First Grade. She was mostly concerned that she would miss all her friends and not know anyone. I reassured her that she would see many familiar faces, and in fact she's sitting beside one of her best buddies since pre-school in her class.

Adria at her desk during Wednesday's 1st and 2nd grade open house

It was easier for me this year because I knew more what to expect and that we had a plan for Adria's unique spina bifida related needs that would work. Last year, we really had to plan ahead with her teachers and the nurse to Prepare for Kindergarten.

First Day Drama

Despite her earlier fears, when it came time for her first day of school on Monday, August 31 this girl was ready! In fact, she did not even want Mommy to walk into school with her. She said, "I'm in first grade, so I know everything!"

First day of first grade

Well excuse me for trying to be a helpful mother on your first day :)  We got this little attitude in check, and I followed her to the cafeteria where we met up with her class and all the other first graders before walking back to her classroom.

Cafeteria full of first graders

She smiled happily and waved goodbye, ready for her new adventure. I knew she would be fine.

Adria waves goodbye with her classmates on Monday

That is, until we got a surprise call in the afternoon from the school nurse saying that Adria had 3 stinky accidents on her first day of school! She had to change her panties twice and then her entire outfit. I was so surprised and upset to hear this! Adria has not had bad accidents like that since we started her on the Peristeen program in December. I felt so bad she had to deal with that on her First Day of First Grade :(

In talking with the nurse, we determined looser bowels can be a side effect from the antibiotic (amoxicillin) that she is currently taking. Last week, Adria was diagnosed with strep throat (ugh!) before school started and has to take the medicine for 10 days.

That said, Adria did not seem bothered by the accidents and later just said she couldn't believe she had to change 3 times that day. Her biggest complaint is that I sent her to school in pull-ups the rest of the week to avoid this happening again while she's on the antibiotic. Wearing panties is a big deal for her...check out Panties are Priceless.

First Grade is Different

Adria does like school and has mostly enjoyed going back. But the "demands" of First Grade have been taxing on her this week, though I think she only shows it at home.

It's just different from her glorious Kindergarten days :)

• New Classroom - One of the biggest differences is that Adria's new classroom is pretty much in the furthest corner of the school building. On one hand this provides her with great exercise to help build up her walking stamina, on the other hand the longer distances to the cafeteria, gym, etc. can be very tiring for her.
• Later Lunchtime - The school food program is great and provides free breakfast and lunch for students. However, her lunch time is 40 minutes later than it was last year and our food-loving girl complains that it's such a "long time to wait for lunch." But really, lunch is at 12:10 p.m. and her teachers try to give them a mid-morning snack. She'll be fine.
• New Teachers - Once again this year, Adria is in a classroom with two teachers. We requested that since we loved how well it worked last year. Her teachers are great and have been teaching at the school many years, and they already seem very impressed by Adria's abilities and confidence. Our girlie really bonded with her teachers last year, and I'm sure she will again this year.
• More Reading and Writing - This will be the case every year, and she'll have to get used to it. We tried to keep her reading and writing over the summer, but I could have invested more time into encouraging her to write. She complains that her hand hurts from all the "coloring and writing." Haha! It's good for her.
• New Friends - There are some familiar faces in her class and many new faces. I have no doubt that she'll be happily hugging all her classmates before too long. She's still a very social gal and when I walk through the school halls with her, many people say, "Hi Adria!"
• New Potty Routine - This year, she is still going to the nurse's office before lunch every day to empty her bladder with a catheter. However, last year she laid on a bed while the nurse took care of everything. Now, she sits on the potty and is more involved in helping with the process, which is great! We've been doing this all summer, but still she wanted to go back to how it was done last year at school. 

One more difference, is that her little sister Johanna will get dropped off at school with her 4 days a week for morning pre-school. Both the girls are very excited about this! 

Mommy and her girls in uniform.
Johanna doesn't have to wear one but she wanted to be like sissy.

Johanna's first day was on Wednesday and apparently just her first two days wore her out good. She was asleep by the time I got home from work last night around 7:20 (it was a late night for me...), only waking up briefly to go potty then sleep all night. 

Don't be fooled by the shy face, she was super excited!

Johanna posing by her cubby at the pre-school open house Tuesday night.

It was a very busy week for us with first days of school and school open houses on different nights for the girls. We're all pretty exhausted and thankful that it was a short school week. Now, the girls have four days off, but I'll be working all weekend. At least I'll have off Monday for Labor Day!

There will be lots of changes and adjustments for us all this school year, and many of them good. Daddy is really enjoying more one-on-one time with his baby boy while the girls are at school. We are also appreciating the great support from both of our Moms, who are scheduled to pick up and help care for the girls several days a week. Grandparents close by is great!

Daddy and his little man

Here's to wishing you and your family a great 2015-2016 school year!

The End is Here...of Kindergarten

Today was our little girl's last day of Kindergarten. Adria sobbed on her way home from school yesterday. She is deeply perplexed that the school year is over.

She's had a fantastic year of learning, making new friends, and improving her mobility.

From what I see and hear during my visits to her school, she is loved by her classmates and teachers and is known for her out-going, witty personality!

This morning we watched Adria perform, along with about 150+ other kindergarten students in her school, for their end-of-year program. In spite of the roasting hot auditorium, it was cute to watch her get so enthusiastic with her singing and dancing.

We have been pleased with our decision to send her to the local public school, even though her Daddy and I never attended public school. She was in a classroom with two fantastic teachers, who were great at encouraging their students while pushing them to do their best. Adria thrived in this environment and often assisted other students with their work (so I was told).

Adria poses with her fantastic teachers just before leaving her kindergarten class for the last time!

When I told Adria's teachers that she cried because this school year is over, they said, "She has such a love for learning. We are sad for her to leave us, but we know she will do great in first grade!! She has really touched our hearts this year!"

It is exciting to see all the educational skills that Adria has mastered this year, including:

• Counting to 100 and beyond easily
• Reading and writing over 60 memorized sight words
• Adding and subtracting numbers up to 10
• Sounding out words and reading small children's books
• Understanding more about different areas of science
• Typing on a computer and using the internet

In addition to increasing her mental abilities, Adria also improved her mobility through weekly physical therapy appointments and was able to achieve the following:

• Walking up steps - at first holding the rail with one hand, now she can walk up and down 3 steps without holding onto the rail! She continues to work on alternating her feet and doing more steps without requiring a rail.
• Balancing as she walks along a 4-5 inch wide beam.
• Jumping on one foot! She came home a couple weeks ago and showed us this impressive skill with her left foot; she's still trying to do it on her right foot.
• Playing on the majority of play ground equipment independently.

Her physical therapist said, "I lover her independence and willingness to try everything!"

At some point during the year, she became the permanent line leader for her class whenever they walked through the halls. Her teachers gave her this opportunity so that she could set the pace, since she tends to walk more slowly, but they noticed when she had the responsibility to lead, she was more confident and kept her pace faster. I thought this was so great of them to do!

One of the best parts for me has been so many fun class trips and activities at the end of the year, and I have gotten to experience them ALL with her since I am still on maternity leave! It's been sooo great! Here are some of Adria's end-of-year activities that Daddy, Judah and I were able to experience with her.

Kindergarten All-Stars Trip to Funland in Rehoboth Beach

Riding the Fire Engine - Funland was open ONLY for her school's kindergarten class that morning!

Adria totally impressed me by going through a huge obstacle course that was really tough!

Lunch on the boardwalk with her class.

Our family on the beach afterwards

School trip exploring Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes

Scavenger hunt on the beach

Mommy wearing baby Judah while enjoying the class trip

Adria and friends playing in the sand and water

Greeting the horseshoe crab in the Nature center with her teacher

Walk to the Library in Greenwood

Daddy joined her on this hot day as her class walked to the library.
Adria used her wheelchair for the first time at school, since it was a longer distance.

Field Day at her School

Judah joined me on Monday to cheer on Adria at field day.

They had many relay races and running games...Adria participated in every one.
She later said there were too many sweaty games :)

I loved her style of doing the sack race. Instead of stepping inside, she held the sack in front of her or behind her like a cape and then did her best to "hop" with her braces.

This bouncy ball relay was one of the last morning events. She had a hard time with it and got frustrated, but she was determined to do it. Her teacher even bounced along with her to help her finish.

In all of these activities and many times throughout the year, our little Adria would sometimes trip and fall, but it never seemed to phase her. Falling is just part of her life. She barely acknowledges it before she's picking herself up again and experiencing all that she can!

We are so proud of our little Kindergarten All-Star!

To read more about her school journey, check out these posts:

• Welcome Class of 2027!
• Her First Graduation
• Her First Day of School
• Free Breakfast and Lunch
• When the School Nurse Called

Big Sisters

These two little girls are so in love with Baby Brother... usually.

Sometimes they literally smother him with kisses and other times the videos and games on the iPad are much more interesting.

But they are clearly disappointed by one thing. He's growing too fast!

Yesterday, 6-year-old Adria said, "Mom, he's so 'uncute' compared to when he first came out of your belly. He's getting so big!" And then she let out a few rather pitiful sobs. Another night she saw me holding him and remarked, "He was so precious and little when he was born. He's growing too fast!"

When Judah was first born, just over five weeks ago, 3-year-old Johanna would often say, "Ah, he's so precious, Mom. Awww, he's so cute!"  Now, she says he has a big belly ;)

The "Smother Brother" kisses

It is true, our little man has grown and changed so much over the past two weeks. The Newborn size clothes that were a perfect fit early on, are now packed away, and Judah is filling out the 0-3 months clothes quite nicely...for now.

I knew it would happen this fast. I've seen it twice before. And still, I wish we had just a little more time in that adorable newborn phase when babies are so tiny. Yet, I'm thankful for a happy, healthy growing baby. Who is still super cute, I might add.

Daddy's photo shoot of Judah, just over a month old

Judah's big sisters have had much to say about him and babies, since his arrival. Here are a few sayings I thought were especially cute:

• "Mom, do all baby Men have such hairy ears?" Adria noticing Judah's fuzzy ears.
• "He has the cutest little but ever!" Adria exclaimed after watching me change Judah when he first came home. This was followed by a shriek and, "Baby boy pee-pees are gross!!!" (waahahahahaahaa!)
• "Mama, did you hold Jo-Jo lots and lots when I was baby?" Johanna says as she sees me rocking baby brother.
• "I'm going to have twins when I grow up!" Adria said. My reply, "Haha! That's up to God."
• Her response, "I'm so glad He gave us a little brother like we wanted. Thank you!" Then she blew a kiss toward heaven.
• "Ahhh, baby brother is getting all your lovins'. I wish I got more." Adria said after she saw me give Judah dozens of kisses on his cheeks. Of course, then I had to give her a kiss attack! There may be a wee bit of baby jealousy.
• "Mom, is his belly button all better?" Johanna asked after his umbilical cord came out around 2 weeks. The still attached cord clearly bothered them.
• "This baby makes our family even cuter!" Adria said. 

It's pretty fun and entertaining to have two little "mamas" around to "help" with their brother. They are usually good, but they both seem convinced that they can pick him up...which this mama does not allow! And their affections can get rather overbearing.  But I know they just want to show their love.

I do hope they enjoy it, because he's just going to keep growing and changing faster than they want! Faster than I want too, but it's all part of the parenthood adventure.

Mommy and her precious babies

Speaking of growing, Judah is sleeping in his nursery crib for the first time tonight instead of the cradle in our bedroom. Here's to hoping it goes well, and that I'll just be up the normal 2 to 3 times a night to feed him and not more!