This makes me smile

Paul told me to have high expectations for Gabe. This is why.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120820/COL03/308200093

I want to go to school too!

Playing hookie

The kids have been sick lately.  Last Monday, Gabe woke up in the middle of the night gasping.  Took him to the emergency room and it was croup....again.  They gave him a steroid.  He started draining the next day.  He also started having intermitent diarrhea the next day.  Over the weekend, it turned to full force.  The smell of poo is just now clearing from my house.  Luckily I was able to keep him hydrated.  Alyssa has had some drainage going on, but she's okay.  I hate when the kids are sick.  Unfortunately due to the sickness, Gabe has not been at Redwood school for a week.  He was also suppose to start preschool at River Ridge yesterday and I had to call him in sick for his first day.  I felt confident he was over it today, so I took him to Redwood in the morning.  I stayed for breakfast.  I then watched him board the bus to go to River Ridge.  After lunch, he'll be bused back to Redwood for the afternoon and to see his therapists.  It's going to be a long day for him.  He wasn't having it today.  He has spent the past week at home and his schedule was off.  His backpack made him off balance some and he fell walking this morning.  He caught himself and was fine, but he was very fussy after that.  He was coughing some in his sleep last night, so I think he was still kind of tired as well.  When the bus pulled up he cried when I passed him off to the monitor.  I hurried inside b/c I knew if I lingered it would make it worse.  I wanted to go to the public preschool to make sure he was okay, but I didn't.  I know he'll be fine and if he saw me, it would start the whole process over again.  It's going to be an adjustment, but I keep telling myself this will be good for him.  Looking at the big picture, I am so thankful this moment is here...Gabe healthy and in an inclusive preschool. 

Mmmmm......spaghetti

Alyssa is starting to eat solid foods. She's a little unsure about it, but Gabe showed her how it's done.

NOLA

Justin had a work convention in New Orleans last week.  I tagged on for the last 3 days for a mini 5 year wedding anniversary vacation.  We had a great time.  We ate alot of food.  We missed the kids terribly, but it was good for us.  Much thanks to the Grandparents for watching the kids.

3 years old

Gabe turned 3 years old this past Sunday.  He's acting so old lately. 
At 3 years old, Gabe can:
Walk!  (if motivated)
speak in 4 word sentences
eat everything (even some fruit lately)
have books memorized
sing songs
dance
drink from a tip cup (we're getting there)
sit on his little potty
scribble with a crayon
blow bubbles
and soooo much more!

Now that Gabe is 3, he has graduated from the First Steps Program.  This means that all his therapy (Occupational, Speech, Physical, and Developmental) will no longer be at our home.  He will now receive all this therapy through the Kenton County school system, Redwood's afterschool program, or maybe Children's Hospital later down the line.  I will greatly miss the 4 therapists and caseworker who have worked with us during these early years.  Gabe and I made them flower pots as a thank you.
3 years old video

Happy Anniversary

Justin and I got married 5 years ago today. 
 I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life
I'd do it all over again in a heart beat.