3 Week Progress Report

Nathan came home with his 3 week progress report on Tuesday.  It was really good, the lowest grade he had was an 80 in reading/phonics, unforunately I think he is going to be like me in school.  Always great at math but average in reading.  I guess it could be worse.

Another football game this weekend.  It is going to be a really good game FSU vs OK.  I am really hoping FSU can pull it off, but with the past few ears we have had there is always doubt in my mind.

The boys have there first swim meet of the season on the 30th.  Both their team suits came in, Liam insisted on the little speedos so that is what I ordered him.  The smallest size the had was a 22 and it was still a little big on him.  Nathan wanted the jammers but when they came in he complained that he wanted the same ones as Liam.

Braxton woke up with a cold this morning.  I am hoping by Saturday he will be fine.  I came straight home today so that he could get some rest in.  I hate when you can just see how sick they are by looking at there little red watery eyes.

Start of a new week

It was a great long weekend, on Saturday we went to the first FSU game of the season.  All three boys did great and Braxton actually feel asleep for a short time.  We got there a few hours early so we were able to go to the bookstore and buy Nathan a new jersey, since his one from last year is now too small.  Then we had a picnic lunch.

On Monday, Matt's Mom and Ralph came up for a visit.  The boys really enjoyed spending time with Nana, we all went to the mall and she took them to the play area and on the train while Matt and I did a little shopping.  I found Liam's halloween costume, a Frankenstein from The Children's Place.  We also bought a freezer chest in preparation for our 1/4 cow we bought.  It is nice to be able to have tons of freezer room.

Then last night Nathan woke up in the middle of the night with a stomach bug.  He spent most of his night in the bathroom.  Then this morning Liam woke up saying his tummy hurt.  Both boys are home from school today.  I am hoping that it is just something they ate so the rest of us doesn't come down with it.

It's been a busy 2 weeks

Been a while since I have updated you all, it has just been so hectic with back to school and getting into a routine again.

Nathan's First Day of 1st Grade



Nathan started first grade last Monday.  He totally loves it and reminds me everyday that he gets to go outside two times a day.  I guess that is what is important to a 6 year old.  His behavior has been great and I am very happy about that.  One top on starting school he also turned 6 last Friday.  We had a birthday party for him on Saturday and he had a few friends over in addition to our family.



Then Liam started school this Tuesday, is the 3 year old class and goes twice a week for half the day.  He was so upset that he had to wait an additional week to start school.  So far he really enjoys it.  This week he also started back up speech with the school district.  He goes twice a week for 30 minutes in addition to the twice a week he goes to through Wolfson's.  His speech continues to improve, which I am grateful for.



Liam's First Day of School



Braxton turned 9 months this past week, three more months until he is one.  It is kind of depressing.  He had his 9 month well visit and was 21lbs 11oz and 28.5 inches long.  I was finally able to talk to his dr about his MRI results.  She explained that sometimes small cysts are just found on the pituitary gland and at this point in time there is no need for concern.  In a few years she might have them take another look or if he shows any signs of growth or thyriod problems.



Matt has started up swimming at least 3 mornings a week.  It is a little weird nor having him home when the boys and I wake up to get ready for school.  He seems to be enjoying it.

I am back to my workout routine, once the cool weather sets in I would really like to run a 5K.  I am not the best runner but hope to be able to do it before the end of the year.  I just want to get back in shape now that we are done having kids.



The boys swimming is going good, Liam has improved greatly since the beginning of the month.  He can now swim 25M without touching the lane rope.  They have there first meet on the new team at the end of September.



9 Months



Other than college football starting this Saturday not much else happening here.  We are just excited to take the boys and for Braxton to experience his first FSU game.  I will post pictures this weekend. 

Big Achievements Today...

Well today my two youngest had some big achievements.  As most of you know Nathan and Liam have been on a swim team since May, last week we switch to a team closer to home.  They practice almost everyday of the week.  Since May Liam has gone from not being able to swim at all to being able to swim for very short distances.  Well today he surprise be BIG time, he swam 50M doing breast stroke without stopping.  He has never even swam 25M freestyle so he shock the heck out of me.  I just couldn't stop smiling.  He was so proud too.

Now Braxton has really been growing this past month, I think he is going to be our earliest walker.  Nathan was 12 months and Liam 14 months when they started walking.  This evening we were sitting in the living room and Braxton pulls up on the couch.  My baby is growing up, can't believe he will be 1 in just a few more months.

Tomorrow is meet the teacher for Nathan, he is excited to see who she is and who is in his class.  Then school starts Monday.

Goodbye Tally

I have never really experienced the death of a pet, when I was a kid we always got rid our pet before that time came.  It definitely hurts.

I brought her home to Matt one afternoon my freshman year in college.  I went to Walmart and as I was getting in my car there was a man giving away puppies.  I went to look and grabbed the last female of the bunch.  She was so cute.  When I got back to Matt's apartment I told him I had something to tell him, he thought I had wrecked his car.  No just a puppy.

She really was the best dog a person could ask for, hardly ever barked, was really friendly, and great with the boys.  It was funny the day we brought Braxton home this past November, we were sitting in the living room and down the hall she came.  Took one look at Braxton and turned around and went right back down the hall.  All Matt and I could do was laugh, it was like she was saying not this again.

About three years ago we brought her in to get two tumors removed from her leg, the dr didn't think it was anything.  They did her pre-op bloodwork and it came back bad, her liver enzymes were too low to operate.  The vet was afraid if she put her under she would never wake up.  We did a x-ray to see what was wrong and it should some damage to the liver but without more test she couldn't tell us for sure what it was.  We decided not to do additional testing.

In the past year things have slowly gone down hill.  From the outside she was a lively dog, for 12.5 years, but on the inside things weren't right.  Over the past couple months she had become withdrawal from us.  She hated being away from us but when we were home she didn't really want to be with us. 

After Matt brought her the the vet last week to discuss the problems she had been having we decided it was the time.  He brought her home so we could have a couple more days with her.  Then this evening he brought her in to be put down.  I didn't think I would be so sad but I am.  You get very close to your pet after spending 12.5 years with her.  It make me sad to think Braxton will never remember, I hope that both Nathan and Liam do.  She was there first pet and a great one.  Goodbye Tally.

We have a new tooth

To my surprise they other day I looked at Braxton's two bottom teeth and there was a third one poking out.  That seemed totally weird to me since both Nathan and Liam cut their top four after their bottom two.  I guess Braxton has decided he is going to be different.

Nathan and Liam both started on their new swim team this week.  It has been so nice not having to drive across town every morning.  Next week practice will change to the fall schedule which means we will have evening practices.  I lasts through October and then at that point we will see if they want to continue through the winter or wait until the spring.  They both enjoy swimming and have improved so much since May, I can't even imagine if they continue through the year how good they will be by next summer.

Next Thursday is Nathan's orientation, he will get to meet his teacher and see who is in his class.  He is really excited about starting back.  I am sure that will only last a week.  Then Liam starts the following week.

Nathan's 6th birhtday is just around the corner.  Can't believe my little boy has grown up so fast.  Just in the past year his look has changed now when I look at him he a kid not my little boy.  Just waiting for the day when he is embaressed to kiss me in public.

Visiting family

Been a few weeks since I last updated, was in Ormond for a week visiting with family.  The boys really enjoyed spending time with their cousins.

Nathan had asked a couple of weeks ago about going skating so we decided to take Nathan and Liam and Valerie, Christopher and Jonathon joined too.  The boys were actually pretty good, after falling a handful of times.  Nathan could even go around the rink without falling. 

We also spent one day at Wet n Wild with my Mom, Darin, Anthony, Dena, Christopher, and Jonathon.  The boys loved it, there was only a few rides they couldn't do because of height restrictions.

Of course we spent a afternoon at the beach, Braxton really enjoyed eating the sand. Everytime I turned my head for a second there was Braxton with a handful of sand going straight for his mouth.  Nathan loved boogie boarding, we really need to go more often it just is so "far" from our house.

In addition we went to the Orlando Science Center and the movies.  Matt and I actually was able to get a true date night, usually Braxton has to tag along because he is too young for KidsPark.  So we went to Bonefish for dinner and went to go see the finally Harry Potter. 

While away Braxton learned a new trick, he sits up in the crib now.  It was so weird the first time I walked in to get him up from his nap and he was sitting up sucking his thumb.  I almost cried, he is growing up too fast.  We also had to go buy him a new carseat today because his infant seat is just about too small.

Just wrapping up the last couple weeks of summer.  We start swimming again on Monday, going to try it for a week and then decide if we are going to join the new team.  I am hoping that both Nathan and Liam can do it but I am not sure if Liam is advanced enough to.