Baby Dedication, Recital, Relay, etc.

• Henry's dedication- Henry's baby dedication was May 13 at our church.  It was such a special day, committing his life to Christ, and a big responsibility!  He was all smiles at everyone and then I guess he had enough, so he cried during the last prayer the preacher did.  He is truly the sweetest baby!  Always happy and smiling unless hungry.  He wore the same white outfit Carson wore for his dedication, which I will try to get his picture taken in soon.  We had a lot of friends and family there- Meme, Poppy, Tori, Abbey, Madison, Alyssa, Nanny, Pa, Boo Boo, Papa Blake, Dale, Kristen, Morgan, Dylan, Papa Beanie, Gail, Nicole, Eric, Great Aunt Debbie.  I am going to get a video of the service from church, as the preacher spoke a lot about Henry and everyone's responsibility to him during the message and I'd love to have that for years to come.  Afterwards, we all went to our house for lunch.  It was really nice, and I had prepared everything ahead of time.  Tori & Abbey set it all up and everyone ate and visited, and the kids played.  Carson caught a "baby dinosaur" that he kept catching and releasing.  It was really just a lizard but Emmy did not like it.  Then our cat ate it.....drama at the cookout!  Haha!  I love having everyone to the house, even though we may not have the biggest house.  It is fun, happy chaos. We are blessed to be such a close-knit extended group!  :-) 
• Dance recital-Emmy's recital week was very busy, but I think we've recovered!  We had to go for a run-thru one night, a dress rehearsal, and then the recital.  And it was at a school an hour from our house...but that's okay.   I took Henry with us to the run-thru and realized that was not going to work for dress rehearsal.  Henry was fine, Emmy was busy and hard to keep up with during the waiting in between dances.  Friday night's dress rehearsal was better because I left Henry with Dustin and she and I took the pick-up truck to dress rehearsal.  I left her with the dance mom for her class (one mom had to stay in the back with all the girls and keep up with them in between numbers, which wasn't me! I got a break! ).  I was able to order her video, pick up her pictures, buy her new tights from the boutique that was there, and visit with my friends.  It was actually fun.  I wondered before hand why you had to go through all that trouble of dress rehearsal, but it made Saturday go so smoothely.  Saturday's recital was great, it was 2 hours, start to finish, with intermission and awards.  Others had told me recital horror stories of boring, LONG, recitals.  Ours was not at all like that and everyone enjoyed it so much, myself included.  Thanks to all the practice, I knew exactly what number to leave during to change Emmy's costume.  During her first number, she froze and did not move!  She just stood there holding the plastic tub she was supposed to get in for the "Rubber Ducky" number.  The second dance went better.  At first she stood there, then she started tapping her toe, then it was on, she was dancing!  I was so proud of her!  She got a medal for her first year of dance, and perfect attendance!  I am most proud of perfect attendance because they just don't know what it took to get here there some weeks!  I came home with Henry a couple hours before dance and got her ready to go so Meme could take her.  There was also the week she ate silica gel, among many other things that tried to keep us away.  So yes, I am proud of that attendance award! Ha!  She also got flowers from Amanda and Poppy/Meme after her show.  And a ballerina Barbie doll that she loves from Amanda.  She tells us when it's hungry, tired, etc.  Her first Barbie I might add.  First of many I'm sure.  So, dance is done till the 19th, when we start her summer class.  Cousin Morgan is going to be in the class too, which is so exciting.  I think we are going to loan her some dance gear so they won't have to buy it until they see if she likes it.  Since September we have accumulated 4 leotards, 3 pair of pink tights, 3 pair of pink slippers, 1 pair of white slippers, 2 pair of white tights.  So, yes, I think we can spare an outfit!  LOL.  I actually got some things at yard sales or consignment, so it's really not been too expensive of an activity for us.  Other than optional things that I of course have bought-pictures, t-shirts, etc.  I have to say, her dance school is really great and I love how professional they are for the cost.  Her teacher is amazing and has so much patience, kindness, yet she is firm when she needs to be.  She has a lot of experience and really loves the beginner students.  I had debated which school to let her take classes at, and I know I chose the right one for us.  I have made a lot of friends myself and really enjoy the other moms.  We have plans to do some playdates this summer since most are teachers, so we'll see. 
• Relay For Life is Saturday-so I have a busy week ahead.  I am in charge of survivorship, along with Amanda, my side-kick.  haha!  We get into more stuff!  :-)  Actually, I love working with the survivors.  It has been a huge blessing to me to hear their stories and get to meet so many new people, brave people.  I am looking forward to the brunch we are doing for them.  It is bittersweet because Dustin and I have talked at length and decided I won't be on the committee next year.  I will still be on our family team and do fundraising though.  It's just too many meetings to be on the committee and it was always the same time as dance this year so I'd have to rush from dance and be at least 30 minutes late, drop a kid or two off with my mom, take a kid or two with me.  I actually committed to it before I knew we were expecting Henry, so it's been a lot going on this past year.  I will be back on the committee at some point in the future, when the kids are a bit bigger.  But for now, I'm just going to enjoy Saturday....which is going to be crazy busy!  The twins will stay with Dustin, and hopefully get to come to Relay at some point.  They have a birthday party to go to for their cousin Olivia though.  Henry will go with me, and I'm sure get passed around between my sisters, or be in his pouch, and if it gets too hot, he's going to my grandma's house...so I'll have to run him up there.  Because all 3 is too much for Dustin to take to the birthday.  A lot of running around, but for an awesome cause! 
• We are walking every night as a family, and have been for going on 3 weeks.  It is really nice and we all feel so much better.  Actually, Henry rides in his pouch with me, the twins ride in their jogger stroller with Dustin pushing.  So, we are getting a great workout!  Every day except Sundays.  We are also eating at home more.  We've both decided we only like to eat out Mexican, because I can't make that as good at home, or Papa Johns pizza.  Anything else, we can live without!  Haha!  
• Carson is doing great with his potty training!  We've even had some number 2s in the potty.  Sorry-TMI!  Emmy is coming along as well, but she doesn't like to stop what she's doing to potty.  We'll probably start with big undies soon and see how that goes.  I'm sure we'll throw a few out!  I'll be glad when we don't have 3 in diapers.  Not so much for the cost (that will be nice though to not have to buy so many diapers), but for the convenience of not having to change 3 different size diapers and keep all that straight.  It can get chaotic.  Yes, they are all 3 different sizes.  Emmy is thick and solid, Carson is skinny and thin.  I actually have to check the sizes of his and Henry's shorts when I wash them, I can't always tell them apart.  I have a feeling Henry will catch him and pass him within a year or so.  Just a mother's prediction......
• Vacation Bible School is coming up in a couple of weeks.  I am not teaching this year, just taking a year off with Henry.  The twins are going though, their teacher has bought materials and is enthusiastic, so we'll see! 
• Well, I'm off to bed.  It's late and I'm tired but thought everyone might want an update on our busy, busy happenings.  Maybe things will slow down soon.  Maybe.  :-) 

Dance, Dance, Dance

The past few weeks have been all about dance!  We had costume week, bathing suit week, picture day (they turned out so cute!), and next week is recital week!  It's finally here!  This week was the last week of class, next week we have a recital run through, dress rehearsal, then recital.  I am excited for Emmy, she loves dance and I can't wait to see what she's learned.  Last night we went to McDonald's after class with her friends Julia and Emory (also called Emmy), and their moms.  I really enjoy the dance moms in her class!  In fact, we are hoping for playdates this summer.  She definitely enjoys some girl time, since she only has brothers and most of her cousins are older or boys.  Her cousin Morgan is taking dance this summer with her, so that will be fun!  Recital seemed so far away when we started in September, hard to believe it's here. 

As far as the boys go-I know I talk a lot about dance since it's our first and only extra-curricular activity right now.  So....I plan to do a post JUST about Carson soon!

As for "wee-man", Henry is being dedicated at church Sunday, on Mother's Day, so that will be so special.  I've got to get our clothes ready and figure out what he's wearing, probably what Carson wore if it fits.  He is growing like a weed and so cute now-he laughs and coos all the time.  He's such a happy boy unless he's gassy or hungry! 

Updates, updates, updates....

Okay, I had no idea it had been almost 15 days since I posted!!!  Ooops!  Where have we been?  Well, we've been here.  I just don't know what happened to my blogging.  Well, actually I do.  I haven't been on the computer much lately.  It just sucks my time away it seems.  I get sidetracked looking at blogs I follow, looking up recipes, etc.etc.  So, I've tried to limit myself.  I will have to do better about updating the blog and that's it!  :-)  I'm sure no one has lost any sleep over the lack of blog posts, but I know I always check the blogs I follow daily if I'm on the computer, others may do the same. 

Oh, and I do realize that I STILL haven't taken down the Christmas pics.  Here's what's going on now, I need a cord for my camera to be able to upload my pics.  I have some cute ones from the zoo and Easter, so once I order and get the cord, I promise the Christmas pic will come down.  Maybe by 4th of July, knowing me?  :-)  Kidding! 

Speaking of the zoo, our entire family went to the zoo a few Saturdays ago and it was so much fun!  The kids LOVED it!  It was great to spend time with their cousins and see the animals.  I am thinking we'll get a zoo membership so we can go whenever.  Me, Carson, Emmy, Henry met the rest of the group there- Amanda, Wayne, & Hunter, my cousin Kristen, her hubby Zach, their kids Morgan & Dylan, my Mom (Boo-Boo), my step-Dad, my friend Nicole, and Dottie a.k.a. Grammy to the children (Zach's mom).  It was so nice and we are planning to do more family trips like that.  We took a picnic lunch which was yummy and worked out well with the kids, better than fighting them at a restaurant because by the time we ate, the kids were all DONE.  Carson's favorite part was seeing a "john deere gator" that a worker was driving and seeing a lizard at the trash can that had nothing to do with the zoo!  Emmy loved the "raffe"s, which surprised me since she is afraid of all dogs, yet a HUGE giraffe was okay with her, she even fed them.  She really just liked it all, that's her.  Oh, and Carson loved the train ride.  The monkeys were fun too, because I always call them my monkeys. 

Henry is great- I realized I didn't update from his 2 month check up-sorry!  He weighed 12 lb. 9 oz. and was 23 inches long.  He was in 85th percentile for weight, 50th for height and head circumference....I think.  He got shots, and did great.  He didn't even get feverish afterwards or irritable.  He is truly the BEST baby!  I wasn't being strict with him about naps or anything, but the past few days I've been more intentional about putting him down for a morning and afternoon nap and it's worked really well.  I hope to keep him on the schedule....someone's gotta nap around here. 
The twins have not been napping good at all.  We decided against the t.v. in their room, so we are just dealing with it.  I lay with them when I can, and sometimes they fall asleep, sometimes they don't.  Carson usually does, Emmy not so much.  If they don't nap, I put them down by 7:30 or 8 at the latest, and they are usually ready to go to bed then.  It gives me some time to get a few things done and I've been trying to go to bed earlier myself.  I feel tired a lot lately, I definitely need more sleep.  I am having a hard time letting go of some things...like leaving a sink full of dishes and just going to bed.  I am trying to realize the housework is not as important as #1-my rest or #2 and most importantly-spending time enjoying my babies.  I think all moms struggle balancing everything. 
I am getting better about saying "no" to some things.  I am not doing VBS this year, I just want to enjoy Henry this year and I can't commit to being there at a certain time because I just am not able to do that right now.  It's hard to get three littles ready for anything and out the door, loaded, and somewhere at a certain time.  I'm getting used to it. 
I am doing Relay For Life this year, but I won't be on the committee next year, I'll just do our team. 
I hate to give up stuff that I enjoy, but my kids do come first.  When I feel things taking up too much time from family, I have to take a step back. 
One thing we aren't giving up is dance.  Emmy is signed up for the summer, her teacher and I agreed to have her take the Creative Movement class again this summer, then we'll decide about fall-whether to keep her in Creative Movement or put her up in Pre-Ballet and Tap.  It would be nice to have a break for summer, but she loves dance, so we are going on with it.  I really don't mind it-I get some time to just relax while she's in class.  :-)  Rare!  I did take all 3 by myself this week and it was disastrous.  Carson cried the entire time for his "sissy".  To the point that we had to wait in the car.  I asked another mom to just bring Emmy out for me, but then he got better so we went back in and he cried again!  It was his first and last trip to dance!!!   We are really busy with dance right now, pictures are tomorrow, and recital is in 2 weeks.  I can't wait to see Emmy in recital, she has been practicing forever and she is very animated.  It should be interesting! 
Amanda, Brandy, Kristen, Ashley (our cousins) are having a yard sale tomorrow as well, so I'm double booked again.  I hope we make some money to make it worth our while.  I don't have as much stuff as I hoped to, but my car is full!  When we moved 2 years ago, I got rid of about 2 trailer loads of stuff....so I don't have too much clutter right now (in my opinion....hehe. My family would probably disagree!). 
Oh, I almost forgot- potty training!  Carson is pretty much fully trained, except at night of course.  He does #1 & 2 in the potty most of the time.  Every now and then he gets busy and goes in the pull-up, but if he keeps on through the weekend, I am going to try him in underwear next week.  Emmy is doing okay, but she just goes occasionally.  Whenever she thinks about it, whenever it's HER idea, not mine.  I feel like we are almost there though, because given her personality I think she's just gonna declare herself trained one day and be done with it.  I'm waiting for that day!  I am so PROUD of Carson though!  He's proud of himself too.  He's really done this all on his own, I haven't pushed him at all.  He told us he wanted to potty and he hasn't looked back.  It's one thing he's done before Emmy-yay! 
His speech has also grown in leaps and bounds.  He talks non-stop and does big sentences now.  He was doing small ones before, but he really talks now to where you can understand him.  He was telling me tonight he wanted to watch the "Fresh Beat Band" (a show on Nick Jr. for those of you who aren't in the cartoon circle).  They both love that show now and it's not even a cartoon really.  We also are obsessed with Dora right now, Ego (Diego), and all our regular ones of course.  Mostly we are outside if it's not too hot though-or at a ball game!  Emilynn loves going to ball games and asks to go all the time.  She also likes going to the store. 

Well, I am off to rest for the yard sale tomorrow.  I will update more soon, not in 15 days I promise!!!