Oct- Feb updates

Since my last update in OCTOBER, a lot has changed. A lot. On Phee Phee's birthday we found out we are pregnant with our 5th baby!! We are so excited.




In November we celebrated Thanksgiving with Ell's family at Becky and Jason's house. The kids had a blast. They always love to see their cousins. A few days later we got a new cousin. Camren Rolle was born!




December was a month filled with both joy and sadness. My cousin Meaghan and her husband Sam both welcomed and said goodbye to their sweet baby girl Charlotte.


My heart was so broken for them. The weekend before Christmas we celebrated with our Rodriguez family in Palmdale.
We announced that we were expecting and surprised everyone. The kids got new bikes and Uncle Abraham made them the coolest Mario Castle.





On December 23rd. My best friend Rachel had her sweet baby Charlotte!


We had a nice relaxing Christmas at home. We went to Christmas Eve service and the kids were so awful. on stage. they were pushing each other and laughing. I was furious and so embarrassed. Ell and I bought all the kids' gifts second hand to save money and it worked out perfectly. The kids didn't care one bit and we had hardly any cardboard packaging to throw out. We'll definitely do it again next year.
We spent New Years at home. We let the kids stay up until 9 and see the ball drop. We has snacks and sparkling cider and went to bed. On January 5th I went to Oregon for Charlotte's memorial. It was beautiful and so sad. I feel very blessed to have been a part of celebrating her life. Collin got to meet some of my Fischer family since he came with me.


Logan had been having a tough time at school. He was being rude to adults, refusing to do his work and not following directions. On January 11th we had a meeting with the director of curriculum (principal) and his teacher to figure out a plan of action for him. We decided to do a daily sticker chart, time away for him to calm down, increased communication between school & home and to let parent volunteers know what Logan needs were. I left the meeting feeling more hopeful than I had in a very long time. We took the kids to the snow for the first time. logan played in the snow once when he was 18 months old but never since then. We managed to buy or borrow snow gear for all 6 of us. We met Faraway Grandma and Grandpa there and Phee Phee came too. We had the best time. I definitely want to make it a tradition!














At the end of January, all 4 kids got sick with high fevers. Logan and Colly were the sickest and Logan ended up in the ER because we couldn't stop his vomiting. Poor guy.


I completely missed the twins' parent teacher conferences because of all my sick kids but I'm happy to report that they're both right on track. I knew that!
In February we celebrated uncle Paul's birthday with tacos and chocolate bundt cake. The kids made him a sign. On February 11th we went in for our anatomy scan. Ell met me at Dr. Soffici's office. I was so nervous and just wanted to hear that our baby was healthy. Towards the end of the appointment he said "3 lines, it's a little girl!" We could not believe it! We've never had just a girl before! I had made arrangement with a local baker to do reveal cupcakes.





I picked them up after my appointment and we had the fam over for dinner. After taco salad we all bit into our cupcakes to see PINK filling! It's was a very special way to tell our family that a sweet baby girl was joining our family. We had amazing weather in Feb and so we planned a beach day with the Powell's on the 16th. It had been forever since we'd seen them. we hadn't even told them we were pregnant yet! We spent the whole day playing in the sad and ocean. we had dinner together at Freebirds. Amy and I are only 4-5 weeks apart in our pregnancies. On February 22 we met Ell's family at Disneyland. We took a picture holding an "it's a girl" sign to announce to Ell's family and then on FB that were having a girl!!


Everyone was so so excited! Disneyland was so much fun Phee Phee came too. We stayed really really late, like 11:30. We were so exhausted but had the best time.
To be continued...

Finally an update (early oct)

Logan had a bit of trouble using his listening ears in the classroom the first month of school. We've been meeting with his teacher every.single.day...twice a day. I'm determined to keep him on track. He's been improving so much and having great days. I think we're finally over the hump. Knock on wood!! The lucky boy is out for 13 days of Fall Break. Mama is loving it too, no driving, no lunch packing, no getting out of our jammies if we don't want to! Logan was jus weighed and measured at school. A whopping 41 lbs, 41in. He also did lots of assessments with Annie and he's right where a 5 year old kindergartener should be. We're so proud of him. He really is working so hard on improving his behavior and making good choices. He's really interested in spelling words, writing words and trying to sound out words. I thinking Reading is right around the corner. Very exciting!
Gracie is still really into pretend play. Restaurant, doctor, picnic, baby are some of her favorites. Recently she started wetting her pants a lot, like twice a day. Also she seems to be peeing a ton. We had her urine check not too long ago but I'm going to mention it to the doctor next time we go (next week). The accidents have disappeared since Phee Phee promise her 1 penny every time she pees in the potty. Gracie is saving her pennies to give to babies that don't have any food or bottles. Such a sweet girl! She has a very giving heart and generous spirit. Gracie is growing like a weed. Most of her 3t clothes are getting too snug. Time to pull out the 4t stuff!
Nathan has developed a love of drawing. Our back patio is covered in his chalk drawings. He loves to use the Magnadoodle and pencils or pens. He is always asking mommy and daddy to draw him Mario, a penguin suit, a mushroom, Luigi or Toad. Did I mention we (our boys) are obsessed with Super Mario Bros?! We are so obsessed. Poor Natey boy is stretching out a little taller (not much) but is not a pound heavier than last year. There is only a 5lb difference between Natey and Colly. Nathan is also really interested in letters right now. He loves to ask "Mommy, what letter is this?" And then write a letter in the air.
Collin is 25lbs or sweetness! He just started walking at 13mos. He loves cars, trucks fire engines, airplanes & rockets. He loves reading books, especially with Gramma. He's a good eater and loves his milk which none of my other kids did. He's just about ready to move to his big boy carseat but we haven't made time to switch him over. He is finally sleeping through the night, mostly. He usually wakes between 4-5 and sleeps with mama until 6:30-7. He's still a mama's boy and I still love it. He will finally go in for his 1 year check up on Nov. 1st. Oops.
On Saturday we made the trip to Palmdale to see James surprise Nicole with a proposal. My kids gad been sick the few days before so we only took Logie and Gracie with us. Colly & Reedy stayed with Gramma and Phee Phee. I got a call around 7:30 telling me Colly was breathing fast. I had them send me a video of his breathing and knew it wasn't good. I told them to call 911 or go straight to the ER. I was 1.5 hrs away. Cue freak out! The paramedics talked to me on the phone and let me know they were going to transport him by ambulance. Cue freak out again! We jumped on the car and made it too the hospital in record time. I'm so thankful to Phee Phee and Gramma for taking such good care of my baby. Collin was finally released from the hospital around 1am after 3 breathing treatments, an X-ray, and some steroids. He was diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease. basicly if he gets sick at all it goes straight to his lungs. its like a pre-asthma that he could (fingers crossed) outgrow by 2!! By the next day he only had mild wheezing and then slept great with no wheezing at all the next night.
Since Logan is out on break, Phee Phee and I took all 4 kidlets to Disneyland for 2 days. I went back and forth on wether or not to cancel the trip because of Collin's ordeal. I'm glad I didn't because he did perfectly. No wheezing, no inhaler needed. We had a blast at Disneyland. Almost no lines, not too crowed, and since we had 2 days we weren't at all rushed. We even met up with our favorite Uncle Abraham!! We'll definitely make this a Fall Break tradition. But next year we'll bring daddy.

Collin is One!

On Saturday, Collin turned one!! How did it happen so quickly?! I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. I woke up thinking I had another long week ahead of me, walking around with my big pregnant belly.


I sent Logie and Daddy off the school and work and took the twins to Preschool. As soon as I got home from dropping them off, I knew I didn't feel right. Today might be the day! I went back and forth on whether or not to go into the hospital. I didn't want to waste anyone's time or money if it was a false alarm. Finally I gave in and called Daddy to come and pick me up. We got to the hospital about an hour later, I changed into my gown, and got on the monitors. Contractions were every 5 minutes, just like I thought and I was 3 cm dilated! After about an hour they told us they'd be found our c-section as soon as the OR was open. Collin, your daddy was electric! He could not stop moving around, joking, and smiling! He could not wait to meet you. I was a nervous wreck. I just prayed over and over again that God would keep you and me safe and healthy. God is so good.


Everything went perfectly. Grandma, Grandpa, Logan, Gracie, Natey, faraway Grandma, Uncle Nick, Phee Phee, Uncle Paul, James and Nicole all can to meet you.


The day you were born was such a special and joyous day input lives. You have made our family feel more complete. You make us all smile and laugh. Your big brothers and sister love you to pieces. They are thrilled to see your happy, sleepy face every morning. Collin, you are such a sweet big boy. You are standing now and taking a few steps on your own. You love the water especially bath time. You are done with bottles and formula. You're drinking whole milk out of cups now!! Mama is so happy to be done with bottles. You wear size 12m and size 4 diapers. Your feet just measured a size 5w. You still sleep with mama and daddy most nights but you finally gave up your middle of the night feed!! Hooray! Collin, you are my joy. You bring so much light and love into my day. I thank God every night for send you to our family and exactly the perfect time.


I love you sweet boy!

Swimmer

I am really loving this season of my life. My time is completely consumed with snack schedules, laundry, pick up/drop off, homework, soccer practice, volunteer hours, parent meetings, lunch boxes and backpacks. But I'm totally enjoying it. I know it's all new and exciting right now, and my enthusiasm will wain, but right now it's perfect. I feel recharged and ready to take on kindergarten, playdates, and the millions of parent hours I have to complete. Logan is in an amazing school with a wonderful, caring, exciting, creative teacher. Thank you God for taking such care of my boy. The twins started school in the Monkey classroom. Their teachers are sweet. I love BFC too. Nathan and Gracie feel so safe, happy, and loved when they're at school. Collin is just along for the ride, right now. He and I spend a lot of time in the car dropping kids off or picking kids up. But we do get a few precious hours alone together on Thursdays. Pure sweetness. he's starting to mimic, sign, and talk a lot more. He's still a rude baby but also the sweetest.

Big news Today: Gracie took off her water wings and swam across the pool like a fish. She's been dying to lose the wings ever since Logan became a swimmer at the beginning of this month. She was so proud of herself. She still swims a bit wonky, like she's drunk but she can get where she wants to go. Logan and Gracie are begging me for goggles and I think swim lessons may be a good idea as well.

Kindergarten

Today my big boy started kindergarten! I don't know how it happened, but it did.


We went to an open house/picnic on Monday night to meet his teacher. I of course was a nervous wreck. He did fine. Went right in a played with blocks. He even seemed happy to be there. Yesterday was his last day of preschool. He took his y shirt in for everyone to sign. He took pictures with his friends and teachers. He rode home from school with grandma and grandpa one last time. Last might we gathered all his supplies, packed his backpack and laid out his clothes. He was up bright and early this morning. Both mommy and daddy got to take him to school. He wrote his name on the easel outside his classroom, played on the climbing dome, said hello to his teacher and then headed straight for the blocks. Ell and I lingered a little and watched our boy become a big kid right before our eyes. No more preschool. He's not a baby any more. He's big. We both hugged and kissed him and said goodbye.no biggy for him but by the time I reached the car I was done. Tears all the way home. Time, you are a thief and a meany.


Logan, I am so proud of you. I am excited to join you on the kindergarten journey. You are do ready to be a big kid. I know you'll do great. I hope this year is fun and that you learn a ton. I hope you make some good friends. I love you so much, sweet boy.
xoxo,
Mama

Catch up time

It's been nearly 3 months since my last post. Life is crazy busy but I need to be better about recording our family life.
Logan graduated from the YMCA Preschool on June 6th. The class sang songs, got diplomas, ate cake and were all so proud to be graduates.


I'm so proud of the boy Logan is and so thankful to his Grandma/teacher for helping him grow so much this year. He knows all his letters, some sounds and can count really high. I know he is ready for kindergarten but the thought still makes me teary.


This summer Logan is going to the YMCA for "preschool camp" 3 days a week. The other 2 days he plays at home with the twins and Collin. It's been louder having him home but so nice. I love having all of my babies home. We got Logan's kindergarten placement from Ventura Charter. His teacher's name is Annie which I think bodes well.


Logan, this summer you are loving... Star Wars, Wild Kratts, Ninjago, swimming, science experimenting, baseball, soccer, Legos, bug collecting and building with blocks.


You are both excited and nervous to start at your new school but you can't wait to buy school supplies.


Nathan and Gracie finished their first year of preschool on June 14th. The year was so wonderful. Their teachers were the sweetest ladies and took such great care of my babies. BFC is an awesome school and I'm so thankful we found it.


We took the twins to Disneyland for their 3rd birthdays. It's such a great tradition in our family. They had a blast. Gracie was the flower girl in Richell's wedding. She didn't make it down the aisle but did like being around Ryan and Gavin and wearing her pretty dress. Richell and Randall got the twins cakes because their wedding was on the twins' actual birthday. Very sweet. This summer we decided to save a few bucks and keep the twins home. Some days are crazy and long but I'm so happy to be able to have lazy pajama wearing days or swim-all-day long days with these sweet kiddos.
Nathan, this summer you are loving... Building with blocks, drawing, everything Logan does, Ninjago, Transformers (even though you can't watch it yet), R2D2 and C3PO, and Superhero Squad.


You are the perfect little brother because you simply adore Logan and will play any game he suggests. You are really getting good in the pool. You were scared at the beginning of the summer but now you swim all around with your water wings.


You love to play outside and draw with chalk. You are always making makeshift belts and swords to wear while you play in the yard.


Gracie, this summer you are loving... The pool (you are SO brown from the sun), all things pony, having your toe nails painted, having girls only trips with mama and Phee Phee, building with blocks, playing at the water table, making mud, roller skating, and Pinky Pie.


You are such a sweet girl with a ton of sass. We are really working on not screaming so much and using a sweet voice.


You are such a fish in the pool. You can jump really far and do splashy cannonballs! You love to play baby mermaid or baby otter in the pool with mama.


You love wearing "sungweem" or any other lotion. Your obsessed with wearing your Crocs and have just started picking out your own clothes.


Collin 10+ months old. He is crawling everywhere. He pulls up on all everything and occasionally let's go and stands for a few seconds.
Collin, this summer you are loving... Eating big people food, bath time, swimming, climbing up stairs, playing outside, the beach, Magneto, and eating dirt.


Collin you just saw Dr. Roseman and got your shots. You weigh 23lbs 4oz and are such a big boy. You have 5 teeth and 2 on the way. Your favorite things to eat are bananas, grapes, bagels, and of course your baba.


You drink 4-6oz of formula and milk every 6-7 hours. You eat 3 meals a day and 1 snack. You wear 12m clothes and size 4.5 w shoes. You wear a size 4 diaper. You can say mama, dada, num num, quack, no no, and hi. You can sign all done and hi/bye. You have also just started shaking your head. You still sleep with mama but soon you'll transition to your crib. You love your brothers and sister. You especially love to destroy whatever they're playing with. You had a horrible case of HFMD about 3 weeks ago and you were covered in spots. Poor baby.


We have taken you to 3 movies and you're always such a good boy. You are loving your first summer, sweet boy.

So far this is a wonderful summer!

30 Days of Real Food

We started 3 days ago. No refined sugars, preservatives or processed foods. For 30 days. It's been hard on the kids. They love Goldfish and graham crackers but neither are allowed. We decided that at school the kids could eat whatever is served for snack but at home they must follow the rules. We've tried our best to replace their crackers with yummy things like fruit, cheese, rice cakes, banana bread, and veggie sticks. We're only 3 days in and I already miss Diet Coke. It's actually the only thing miss. Ell misses it too and chips. Next week I will tackle making my own bread and salad dressing. I'm sure we'll both get cravings but it's important to me that we stick with it for the entire 30 days.