The Powells: 2009

Saturday, November 21, 2009

September 2009

Is he big or what??? Yes, this is John William, immediately following his favorite time of day - bath time!

This post is so overdue I am incredibly embarrassed! Since I turned another year older this month, I realized so much is happening, I just do not want to forget anything! Some of this stuff may not seem so important to you guys, but in a way this is my virtual baby book for my crew.

1. Tom and Elizabeth's first conversation between the two of them, it goes like this:

Elizabeth: Tom, hey Tom. What color is my shirt?

Tom: Green

Elizabeth: No Tom, it's pink!

Tom: Pink

Elizabeth: Tom, what color is your shirt? Tom, what color is your shirt?

Tom: Green!

Elizabeth: That's right Tom, very good! For warning, this one may be TMI

2. We waited six months to see our neurologist; I have all three kids with me. Suddenly, Elizabeth says, "Mommy, I need to go potty...right, now." Great, we just moved into a room and to maneuver my crew to the tiny restroom is not possible in the immediate future (not to mention, I would hate to have the doctor wait on us). So have no fear, I am prepared for this I am whip out the 'special' potty for Elizabeth and she uses it with no complaint. I should have been an eagle scout!

3. Tom is walking. This is the something we have been practicing for so long and I could not be more proud of my little guy! His walking is improving and we look forward to his little shuffle turning into a full out sprint and even jumping!

4. Elizabeth is talking in full sentences and it is just hysterical. I am not sure where she comes up with half the things she says. At night in her squeaky, high pitched voice she looks at me and says tomorrow, we will have pancakes for breakfast...right? With syrup! This morning, while she was sitting on the potty she leans over and tells me "Shhhh!" I whisper, why do we need to be quite? She replies, "My pee-pee is still sleeping, quite". then after a few minutes "Wake up Pee-Pee"s she does her business and we can start our day. 5. We love our pediatrician - Dr. Balcarek. We actually made an appointment for all three on the same day. Thankfully Tom was able to come, since the twins would get their two year old shots and John William would get his six month shots. Overall everyone did really well! John William, oh John William - he is just huge. Or at least so much larger than the twins were I am just taken aback! JW at his 6 month appointment:

For the twins' two year old appointment:

Elizabeth on the scale - no one wanted to stand on the other scale, so we will just go with he 'baby'scale.

Tom was not happy, but he weighs 19 lbs. 5 oz. and 34 inches. Tom is little and only gained a few ounces from his previous appointment, so we are off to see a Pediatric Gastrointestinal Doctor - oh, boy!

6. Goodbye 20s! I spent the entire day with the kids and it was wonderful; I wish I could say we played at the park or went to the zoo, but after two doctors appointments with the four of us, I realized this is my life in the 30s and I am grateful for every moment with the kids, regardless if we are sitting in a doctors' waiting room...this is our "special time".

7. For the third time, I donated my hair to charity. It is such a great feeling to know that my hair is going towards a little child that is suffering and this simple act will hopefully help easy some of their pain. These are amazing children and you would be surprised to know that Locks of Love has started to accept hair that is colored, grey or even shorter than the 10 inches. All of their information is on their website, but if they are unable to use the donated hair, they will sell it in order to offset, some of their costs; they are a certified non-for-profit organization.

Probably the worst angle in the world, I swear I am not that short and dumpy...here is before

....and two hours later, yes, John William was with me and slept / ate most of the time!

8. The twins are in Mother Day Out! Crazy, I know - it really happened in a matter five days. After a rough appointment we were highly encouraged to have Tom in school for three days a week as soon as possible. Well, hello!?!?! We received this information the last week of August and what decent school ITP (inside the perimeter) would have an opening for TWO kids? Let's just say after nearly two years on a waiting list, we finally were accept to our first choice! We found out the news on a Thursday, brought Tom to meet the teachers and director on Friday and we started school on Tuesday, which was the first day for all the students. First day pictures:

On the way in, no one has a clue what is happening

pitiful...

happy guy and has no clue what is about to happen...

9. John William gets baptized! We love his God Parents - Aunt Gin-Gin and Uncle VJ

Gosh, what a cutie!!!! He is wearing the same gown that Tom wore in 2007

The best family picture of the Powells and Father Bob

Trying to get a family picture...

10. Our next door neighbors tore down their house and are get ready to start building a mansion. This was huge - all of the children in the neighborhood came out for the 45 minutes it took to tear down the house. Can you guess what is Elizabeth's favorite color and item of clothing?

11. Tom's Great Aunt (his fraternal grandfather's sister) came into town with some family and we all gathered at Grandmother Powells for dinner!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Elizabeth and Tom's Second Birthday Party

So many updates to write about, but more importantly, here is the birthday recap, finally!

For those of you with three young children, you know obtaining a great family photo is nearly impossible, so this is as close as we got.

Check out the great flowers we had at the party; Jo Ann arranged the middle vase. The pink flowers are for Elizabeth and the blue are for Tom.

Did I mention the colored flowers are fake?

and they were the BIRTHDAY Cakes???

Oh, yes I made dirt cakes with bright worms on top! So easy to make and very yummy!

Of course we had healthy apples (with worms) for snack

Since the dirt cakes were made of ice cream and it was about 90 degrees by 11 am, I had individual, mini birthday cakes

We sung happy birthday twice

And all the cakes were a hit!

The jump castle was also a hit

All the children played very hard, can you see the sweat dripping off everyone? The cool watermelon was perfect!

Unfortunately this little guy did not get to bounce around in the jump castle, maybe next year

The "craft" also served as the party favor. Everyone poured pre-measured dirt into a clay pot using their cute shovel sets and they they planted corn or pea seeds. Then as the final touch you would put the place card in the pot. It had a picture of your vegetable and instructions on the back. I am not sure anyone actual grew and ear of corn, but most parents called and said green stems grew, which was really neat.

How cute are the Matching Snail outfits?? This was my inspiration for the party

Family photo on the new "kiddie" table set - thanks to JoJo and Topy

Nicole and Marley Rose - how cute is she? She is going to be a great Big Sister

JW also received a baby gift - how precious is this hat? Thanks Gus and Mack!

Check out the new wheels!!!

Mia and her two little boys

Tom's favorite gifts were books and his race car plate set

My first Barbie - I am not ready for this!

Thanks to everyone for coming and helping us celebrate two years with us! I wish I would have done a better job of taking pictures of all of our special guests. It is amazing to see the changes within Elizabeth and Tom, this birthday was truly a time to celebrate their life and how far we have come as a family. We still have a long road ahead of us, but we embrace each day with a open mind and the support of our loved ones.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Happy Birthday VJ!!!

Happy Birthday Uncle VJ!!!

Please notice the b'day sign and the candle in my toes. Are you surprised that I was the only child that could pull this off - my older brother and sister did not want to cooperate during this photo shoot.