Swimming Lessons

Prince K and Prince L have started swimming lessons again.  It is one of our annual traditions now to get their skills back up before summer arrives, and we love it. 

Prince K is such a strong swimmer, and absolutely loves it.  It is so fun to watch him paddle through the pool seemingly effortlessly with a bright smile on his face.  He much prefers to swim underwater during free time, but for his lessons he works very hard on improving his above water swimming skills.  I look forward to seeing what he learns this time around and watching him practice all summer long.

Prince L is finally tall enough to touch the bottom of the pool while keeping his head above water.  With his new height difference also comes a new confidence in the water.  He can put his full face in the water and blow bubbles.  He will paddle around happily with the help of a grown-up, kick board, or noodle.  Last year Prince L would only swim unassisted if he had his life jacket on, so seeing him try to learn his swimming skills without it is so exciting.  I love to see his expression when he realizes he's doing something new... pure pride in his own accomplishments.  Keep up the good work, buddy boy, you'll be swimming around on your own like crazy before we know it!

Prince M and I usually accompany the bigger boys in the pool during lesson time, taking the opportunity to splash and teach him new skills as well.  Prince M loves to jump from the side of the pool into my arms (although sometimes he jumps before I'm ready!), and will kick like crazy as he tries to propel himself through the water.  He wants so badly to keep up with his big brothers but still needs a little help.  He hates wearing a life jacket, so I just help hold him up or give him a noodle to lean on while he swims about.  I will have to keep an extra close eye on this boy in the pool this summer because he has no fear!

Daddy was able to watch our lesson this week, which thrilled the boys.  It also meant they were able to take a short dip in the hot tub (a big no-no for Momma right now), which really made their day!

And on a separate note, we went for a follow-up ultrasound for baby #4 yesterday and were finally able to catch a glimpse of his face!  The technician took a 3D snapshot for us so we can show him off a little bit.  He really looks a lot like Prince M, and certainly is going to have his Daddy's mouth and nose!  Apparently he weighs 3lbs now, which is a lot more than I expected... but at the same time, it makes me wonder why I've gained all the rest of this weight so far!  Ha!

We can't wait to meet you little guy, just keep up the good growin' a little while longer. 

Prince M at Bedtime

I don't want to forget what it's like to tuck in Prince M for bedtime, but I know unless I write it down I WILL forget, and our routine will change soon as it always does.  Right now, we tuck in his big brothers, then Daddy has to take him potty one more time (yes, it has to be Daddy).  Then he runs out into the living room looking for me, and I will always jump out and say "boo!" which throws him into fits of laughter.  We then walk down the hall to his room where he waits for his brothers to jump out and say "boo!" too.  After everyone is sufficiently scared, we tuck Prince M into bed with kisses and turn on his Ocean.  He always has to have one animal tucked under his arm while I sing him songs (this is so funny to me, because only a month or 2 ago he'd scream anytime I started singing and tell me no - so now that he loves my singing I feel the need to soak it all up).  I have to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" then "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" then "Baa, Baa Black Sheep" and finally sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" again before he can settle in.  Then he'll usually request his lady bug nightlight and snuggle down to sleep.  After I close his door he'll usually beg me to come back for one reason or another, but since I never give in he'll give up after 30 seconds or so and quite down.  It still takes him a long time to fall asleep, sometimes up to an hour and a half, but he's very good in his room and very quite.  We only know he's awake because we hear him turning his ocean on over and over.  :-)  I'm gonna miss that when it's gone!  Prince K used to do the same thing, but clearly he's not into that anymore.

Tonight was especially cute because I saw Prince M make his animals "talk" to each other for the first time.  Tigger was talking or singing to his new Puppy stuffed animal, in such a low voice I couldn't hear quite what.  Prince M put their faces really close together and even had them nodding in recognition to each other.  It was so cute that I had to hold back a few giggles.  He really is growing up before ours eyes!  I feel blessed to be home each and every day with him (and his big brothers, of course!!) to witness every moment.  It really is priceless!

Playing at Home

There is nothing our boys seem to like more than free time at home.  Now that the weather is warmer and the mud has dried up, it makes Momma happy too!  Prince K plays more grown up things, like the trampoline, and less swinging or dirt-digging.  He has been experimenting with tricks on the trampoline that crack me up.  Today he was bouncing over the balls and insisted he'd make a good ninja. 

Prince L plays like he never has enough time, as if he has to rush from thing to thing.  He loves to swing, the higher the better, especially if he can share the 2-seater with Prince M.  Prince L loves to climb, and dig, and run.  Lots of running, actually.  He could play outside for hours as long as someone is there to listen to his stories as he bounces around.

Prince M prefers mostly to dig in the sand and drive around matchbox cars.  He loves the sandpit (which we will greatly miss when we move next month!), and his sandbox with the special blue sand.  I love his expression in the photo above because it shows his great concentration.  Life is good!

OMK Kids Day

There are many benefits to being a military child in our State including lots and lots of fun events!  Today we went to a "game day" where the kiddos were able to play games and do fun activities with other military children from our area.  They also got some good food, fun prizes, t-shirts, and "hero packs."  Prince K is big enough to join in the fun with confidence, even if I can't participate because I'm chasing his brothers.  :-)  He is so brave and grown up, and I love it!

Prince M spent most of the time running around, making a mess, and throwing balls.  He wasn't able to participate in any of the activities because he was much younger than the other kids there, but he still had fun!  Prince M gets a lot of attention from the other grown-ups who comment on his wild hair and his beautiful smile.  It was easily mid-60's today for temperature, but he insisted on wearing his coat all day, completely zipped - I'm guess it's a comfort thing, but it may just be because he's 2. 

Prince L falls right in between his brothers right now as far as participation.  He loves to play the big-kid games, but is still a little timid and distractable.  He loved throwing balls around with Prince M for a while, and then playing kickball with Prince K and some of the grown-ups.  He also started a mini rock collection!

I am so proud of my beautiful, amazing, resilient boys.  I love watching them grow, explore, and play.  I hope Hubby won't be deployed for years to come, but I know whenever he eventually does, our boys will be just fine with their Momma.  They love being military kids!

Angry Birds at Preschool

Looking at the preschool blog, I found this:

"One of our friends brought his stuffed Angry Bird toy to school. He and his buddies built some really clever Angry Bird structures at choice time with blocks and Kid K’nex and threw the toy to knock down the structure. There were peels of laughter and lots of rebuilding."

So cute to see what happens during the day while Prince L is at school!  He wanted to bring in all our Angry Bird stuffed animals, but settled for that one red bird the other day.  Apparently it was a big hit with all his buddies! 

Easter 2012

HAPPY EASTER, MY BOYS!

On our annual Easter egg hunt, Prince M was happier sitting and munching the eggs as he found them, one b one, than he was actually looking for any.  I guess I can't blame him for that!  I love this age because he's content with a small handful of chocolate goodies.  In another year or so he'll be more interested in the quantity!

Prince L is learning about the strategy of the hunt and raced off as soon as the horn sounded to grab the big chocolate bunnies first.  Once he safely scored a couple he happily went back to gathering the small, hidden chocolate eggs.  And he was so proud of the contents in his basket at the end! 

We were able to sneak in one family picture this Easter - I'm sad to say this is as good as it gets right now!  Ha!  I sure do love our little family though, we are so incredibly blessed.  It's hard to believe next year's egg hunt will involve one more baby boy. 

Here we are at nearly 28 weeks.  I can barely zip my coat at this point, so it's a good thing warmer weather is in our near future!

Yet again, I was only able to get a few pictures of Prince K as he scampered through the woods in search of eggs and prizes.  He managed to fill his basket up but couldn't find any of the bigger prize eggs this year.  Maybe next time!  Prince K had a few friends at the egg hunt too, so they happily ran around together.  I still have a hard time believing he is old enough already to be more in to doing things with his friends than his Momma - but I suppose it's a good sign!  It sure it fun to watch him grow and change - such a good little boy!

All in all, the kiddos had 4 egg hunts over the course of a week, and we have chocolate coming out our ears.  Fortunately, this pregnant Momma can pack it away in no time!  Ha!  Thankfully, Easter wasn't all candy this year.  Our boys each got new Angry Bird stuffed animals, Lego's, stickers, tattoos, and a few other odds and ends.  Toys always last longer than the candy, even though we need a little of both! 

Preschool Days

My sweet Prince L.  You are in your 2nd year of preschool and and more than ready to start kindergarten, but having a birthday in late fall seems to prevent that.  You are so eager to learn, love sharing new information, and are enjoying the bit of independence that school has to offer.  You ride the bus to preschool with Prince K, and I love watching your little green backpack wiggle on your back as you scurry after your big brother, climbing those huge school bus stairs.  You are certainly a leader in your classroom, are serious about all the rules, and have a smile on your face each day when I come to pick you up.  You are learning all your letters and writing notes to your friends each day.  You love to count and experiment with your math skills.  You are an artist at heart, and an architect who feverishly constructs buildings and jails with Lego's and blocks.  I can't wait to see you flourish in the school years to come.  I hope you always keep that brightness in your eyes, and the willingness to learn new things.  I love you, Prince L!

3D/4D Ultrasound @ 27 Weeks

Here is our little peanut at 27 weeks - he kept turning away so all we could see was the back of his head and his cute, perfect little ear.  Every now and then we'd see his arm cover his face, or see him swat at his umbilical cord, but for the most part he just kicked and twisted away from the ultrasound waves.  I guess babies are particular even before they are born!

Gram and Bop came to the ultrasound with us, as well as all 3 boys.  Prince M was pretty worried about the gel on Momma's tummy but sat patiently almost the entire appointment.  Prince K knew what to expect and just sat quietly, observing from a distance.  Poor Prince L thought we were actually going to take the baby out today and was disappointed that all he could see were blobs on the screen.  When the first 3D image popped up he said "Mom, there's fire in your belly!" because everything was all red and flame-looking.  He quickly tired of the blobs on the screen and went in the next room to play with his brothers instead. 

I can't wait to meet this shy, mysterious little baby - he is a blessing in our lives, even before his birth!