My favorite song: Bruno Mars "Just the Way You Are"

This song makes me think of Ben, who is in love with me, and it baffles my mind.  This week he's working an insane amount of hours and I miss him.  So it's good for me to remember that I have a sweetheart who adores me, despite my most convincing arguments.


Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her
She wont believe me
And its so, its so
Sad to think she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think its so sexy

She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for
Then just stay the same

So don't even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I'll say

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

The way you are
The way you are
Girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are


Listen to the song here.  Makes me smile.

Quotey

"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on."

- Carl Sandburg

Preschool Year #1

Because Taesya made such a good impression on her former preschool teacher, Canon got the opportunity to attend this year.  He's technically not four years old until the end of October, but they made an exception.  So he'll be in this class for two years before he starts Kindergarten.

I love this preschool class.  It's at our local elementary school and the teachers are wonderful.  Yes, my son has to wear uniforms, but he's excited about his new "school clothes."  It's so nice for me to have both kids at the same school.  They even see each other in the halls sometimes.  I need to figure out what time Taesya has lunch, so we can all eat in the cafeteria together one day.

He's learning new songs, making new friends, and feeling like such a big boy.  What a sweetie.

Can you find:

1.  One child actually trying to say, "Cheese," for the photo.

2.  The food item that we buy every week.  Sometimes two boxes.

3.  The Halloween costume that one child plans to wear every day.  Hint: it comes with a pointy black hat.

4.  A scratched nose.

5.  Healing stitches covered with "Steri strips."

6.  Three stuffy noses.

7.  One child with combed hair.  (This is a trick, there aren't any.)

8.  One child wearing shoes.  (Another trick.)

9.  Three kids who just can't resist sitting right next to each other at all times.

The Wisdom of the Chinese

It was pay day yesterday, so we splurged and ate dinner at Pei Wei, which we love.  Ben and I always share the Honey-seared Chicken and the Lettuce Wraps.  We order Chicken Lo Mein for the munchkins.  The kids each got a fortune cookie and Keller's made me laugh out loud.  

Tae:   Investigate new possibilities with friends.  Now is the time!

Canon:   That special someone loves to see the light in your eyes.

Kel:   You have a charming way with words and should write a book.  (I can't agree more.  With words of wisdom like "No want it!" and "Okidokee," his book would be a hit.)

Mine was great, as well:   You'll have more to give if you take some time for yourself.  Profound insight from a cookie; don't you think?

Tae makes me smile

Taesya came in from playing and her loose tooth was finally out.  But we have no idea where it went.  So she's leaving a note for the tooth fairy under her pillow.  This is her very first lost tooth, by the way.  We'll see what happens tonight!

I only helped her when she asked.  I think she did a great job; made me smile anyway.  Oh, and for my little sister, Courtney, Taesya drew a picture of you in a crown.  She said it was for the "Draw Courtney in a crown" contest.  I hope she wins.  :)

Another one bites the dust

Bit of a goose egg, as well.

Well, she set the record.  Taesya, at age five, will go down in history as our child who lived the longest without stitches.  Canon blew his chances when he bonked his nose on the footboard of Taesya's wooden bed; he was only 15 months old.  Keller just recently sustained a trampoline injury at just shy of 18 months.  And now Tae, who was hit by a large rock while swinging, has joined the Peck Child Head Wound Hall of Fame.  

(The rock, by the way, was thrown by Taesya's dear brother, Canon, who has done his fair share of apologizing.)

Taesya was a tough girl and didn't shed a tear while the doctor patched her up.  The Urgent Care nurse was really great and made Taesya feel like the biggest girl.  I told her how cool she was to get 5 stitches and that she should tell her teacher all about it.  She sported a lovely Barbie band-aid to school this morning.   Seems like she'll be just fine.

I just sort of shake my head at this point.  It was quite the afternoon.  Being a mom and dealing with bloody injuries -- yeah, sometimes this job is not my cup of tea.  Everyone is in one piece today, though, and we're hoping to keep it that way.  If my younger brothers are any prediction of the life my kids will lead, I have plenty more injuries to look forward to in my career as a mother.  

My brother-in-law, who is currently in medical school, ought to specialize in Family Practice and move into my future neighborhood.  Don't you think so, Ash?

Canon was so little and his ouchie was front and center on his face.  He was jumping off his mattress on the ground and his head ran into his sister's bed.

He's healed up, but Canon's scar is pretty much a part of who he is now.

We don't have an initial picture of when Keller got hurt.  He was jumping on Grandma Debbie's trampoline and fell onto where the spring meets the bar.  But here he is with his bandages.

The teens in our Sunday School class say he has a Harry Potter scar.  We've yet to discover any special powers, though.

Note:  Both boys were injured from jumping and falling.  Taesya's was a little different.  Poor Jovie.  Also, this is the first accident to occur while I was in charge of the kids.  Ben jokes that people always get hurt when Daddy's watching.

Tummy Time

I'm kind of embarrassed to post a picture of my pregnant self, but at the same time, I really want to acknowledge that I am accomplishing something in my life.  Making an entire person inside of you takes a lot of work, and I deserve to be proud of that.  So here I am at 27 1/2 weeks; so close to the third trimester. Little Jovie is a jumping bean, for sure, and I enjoy that she keeps me company.  I'd be a lot more comfortable if she was just a squooshy baby, but when I try to bend over, I can tell she is definitely built of bones.  Ouch.  Some mornings Taesya greets me with a, "Wow, Mom, your baby is sure getting bigger."  I'm feeling bigger.  But how many other achievements are this visible?  I'm growing a baby.  What a job.

Incubating

Hope you have a good day today.  Personally, my only goal is to remain conscious.  I am beat.  It seems like this baby inside of me might be going through a growth spurt.  It'd be nice to be a chicken and just sit on my egg all day; but who takes care of the other chicks while Mrs. Hen is chillin'?  At least it's Friday: countdown to tag-team parenting.

Stay awake and finish of the week on a happy note.  My best to you and yours.

Kindergarten

Tae's officially going to school all day.  Which means that my most helpful, independent child is gone... to be helpful and independent for someone else.  Bummer.  Canon had a pretty emotional day yesterday; having to make his own decisions was tough on him, as he is used to just doing whatever Taesya does.  But me and my little boys will adjust.  Keller will learn to copy Canon and I will teach them both to become helpful and independent in time.

She had a great first day.  She was most excited to tell me about quiet time when they all slept.  And they colored; she mentioned that as well.  Back to School Night was basically just a review of all the paperwork they'd already sent home to read, but it was nice to see her in her little Kindergarten environment.  Tae's the kind of kid that absolutely loves school; learning new things and having other kids to talk to--it's her perfect set up.

We have to get in the routine of drop-offs and pick-ups.  Then Canon will start preschool next week and add two more car trips.  I hope this just becomes natural after a while.  My big belly isn't really helping, though, with the ins and outs--it's tiring.

My oldest child is in Kindergarten; I am proud of the sweet little girl she has become.  I hope she brings joy to everyone around her, like she does to me.  I love you, Tae.