Summer School

Last Tuesday was Raya's first day of Summer School! It was her first day of any kind of school. She'll start Preschool in the fall at an elementary school down by the beach and I'm so glad we got her into this summer program before hand! Its through the Huntington Beach Rec Program and the teachers are very sweet. Ms. Raya LOVES it. She's been asking for months to go to school so when the day finally came she was pumped! School is on Tuesdays and Thursdays form 9-12. From the schedule they gave me the first hour is free play, the 2nd hour is sit-down time, story/song time and snack time and the last hour is outside play.

When I picked her up the first thing out of her mouth was "Wow Mama, that was fun! Can I do it again?" When I was signing her out one of her teachers told me Raya got 2 stickers because "she really turned things around." Hmmmm. I didn't ask questions (I was in line to sign Raya out and there were lots of parents waiting to talk to her) And she also didn't feel the need to explain anymore, so I chalked it up to being an "adjusting to school" thing. Day 2 when I picked her up she was crying because she didn't get a sticker...and this time the teacher had a chat with me :) Let me start by saying Raya is doing great. She's loving every minute of her time at school and always asks to go back. She's also never done anything like this, i.e.: school, having a teacher, transitioning to new activities when the teacher tells her to, etc. Ms. Monica explained that Raya was having a tough time with "sit-down time" and when they were sitting down reading Raya was up dancing and rolling around and then when it was "dance time" Raya was off at the other end of the room doing her own thing, hence the "didn't get a sticker" part. Her teacher wasn't concerned, just wanted me to know this was why Raya was upset. And it all made complete sense to me. Raya is incredibly active and is in a room with a TON of different toys, games, craft tables, etc. I totally get why she has a hard time sitting down for story time. We are also working on listening on a daily basis (or hourly ;) Everything I've read says the whole listening thing is part of being 3years old. And my 3year old parent group on BabyCenter is loaded with posts about other parents struggling with the same thing. I don't think Raya is a bad listener at all. She's made a ton of progress since she first starting "doing her own thing" (not listening ;) Its on-going with her. Some days are AMAZING. And some days she's lucky I don't beat kids. I kid ;) But seriously, she has tough days and it makes it even tougher that I'm pregnant and can't drink. HAHAHA!  3 is wayyyyy harder than 2. LOL!!! I wasn't at all scarred by the Terrible Twos. Raya never really went through that. But 3 is another story. I remember a few other Moms mentioning 3 is so much harder than 2, and I'm officially on that team. So needless to say, her teachers have joined in on the "fun" and hopefully by the time preschool starts in the Fall we'll have made some progress.

Day 2

Day3

When I picked her up today (Day 3) she was crying again about not getting a sticker. All weekend I talked to her about listening to her teachers, sitting down for story time, doing what the other kids were doing, etc. And every time she told me "Ok." or "Right, Mama." She understood what I was saying and I really thought today would be a bit different, but it wasn't :) She did do a teeny bit better. Her teacher felt so bad that she couldn't give her a sticker, but I totally understand and really appreciate her patience. Today she told me Raya would run from her. That's annoying. I know she's testing her teacher....but its still a bit frustrating. She never runs from me, but I'm also working with her constantly and she knows better at this point. She definitely ran from me a few months ago, so it took me working with her (and taking things away, or timeout, etc) I just hope its not like this the whole summer! Its only Day 3, so I'm very hopeful. But I'm not gonna lie, I've already started brainstorming the "Thank-you"presents I'm going to give her teachers on the last day. LOL!! And even while crying and walking back to the car, without a sticker, she still asked to go back "tomorrow." That's all the matters to me :)


She also started swim lessons this week. They're every night for 2 weeks. They're with an actual instructor this year (meaning I don't have to get in!). Her instructor, James, is great. She loves being in the pool and cried when class was over. She did spend a lot of her waiting time letting go of the edge and tippy-toeing around the edge. This was not what she was suppose to be a doing, but she got a kick out of the fact that she could touch the bottom. She also likes to go underwater. She actually thinks its pretty hilarious. The lifeguard does not think its funny. At all. Lol. She was very sweet with Raya and incredibly patient. But she too worked hard for her money last night. I feel like all the teachers Raya will have this year will need a Thank You gift ;) There are only 3 kids in her class. Well actually 4, but girl #4 refused to get in the water. So its almost like private lesson. And one of the other Moms is super fun to sit with, so its a win-win! The main concern is keeping Raya holding onto the edge when James is helping another kid. Ohhhh, my sweet little 3yr old!

Ps- my spell check was not working so sorry about the misspelled words :)

Gentry's Bday, Father's Day & 20 weeks!

It was Gentry's birthday on the 7th and Father's Day last weekend. We went to our favorite gourmet burger place: Slater's 50/50 for his birthday dinner and it was surprisingly enjoyable! Lol. All my family was out of town, so we didn't have baby sitters, which would've been choice #1 ;) but I packed good coloring books and Kallen was content with the iPad, so we actually got to eat our food! Slowly! And taste it! It was fun!!

We made cupcakes and decorated the sidewalk. 

Me attempting to get a belly shoot and also catching the birthday boy 

snacking on his cupcakes before dinner. Lol

 My FAVORITE picture of Raya right now!!

 This picture cracks me up. I told Raya to take a picture of us and this is what we got :) She held the camera up and said "OK! Say Cheese!!" She's so well trained.

 LOVE this picture. Such a good lookin family <3

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FATHER'S DAY

It was actually warm this weekend! Its been super gloomy here (June Gloom) and hasn't gotten warmer than 65-70, but it was sunny and 75-80! So we got to go swimming. I asked these 2 to watch cartoons while I got ready for the pool and came back to this. They're such cuddle bugs :)

How Father's Day ended

This was Father's Day last year, Still one of my all time favorite pictures:

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And I'm officially half way through this pregnancy. 20 weeks! Yah Baby! 

I should have my "big" ultrasound in the next week or so. I actually should've had it this week but it didn't occur to me until this afternoon and of course that was when my docs office was closed. Oppsies. At my last doc appt my Dr did an ultrasound. She's been doing a ton this time around. Just because she can :) Which I LOVE! And she lets Raya help. Its so sweet. Raya knows she gets to go with me to the baby doctor. Gentry usually gets to come home and he'll stay with Kallen and Raya and I will go. When we leave she'll say "Ok, just us are going. Kallen, you stay with Daddy. We're going to the baby doc." Anyways, this time around she wanted to check the gender and asked me if the last ultrasound tech got a good shoot of the "goods" because she couldn't at all and was wondering if it was a girl!!?? Omg. My heart seriously dropped. I try not to think about it much, because the last tech got what seemed to be the money shot  of this little boy's goods, and because I will be SO SAD if its not a boy! Isn't that crazy?! I was so set on wanting a girl. And then so sad when I found out boy, but now I'm so so so excited to be having another boy and will be so disappointed if the gender changes. Soooooo, I'd still say its 90% (or more) boy. As soon as I get my big ultrasound done I'll let y'all know. But cross your fingers we're still on team blue!

Waiting for my Doctor

HAHAHA!!! Doctor Raya

 Helping with the ultrasound! 

I'm still feeling pretty good. I get tried fast! I have enough energy for 1 "big project" a day. Lol. And usually that's a 40minute walk and an hour at the park. The stroller (with 2 kids) is 80lbs and I'm really starting to get tired pushing that bad boy. Omg. I feel him move now! I didn't really feel anything until I was 19weeks. The same day I really knew it was him I was feeling was the same day I actually felt him kick from the outside too! And Gentry could feel him :) So now at night I can lay down and feel him kick my hand a little before I go to sleep. That's my FAVORITE part of being pregnant. Uhhhh, I'm getting so excited!!!! Definitely feel huge this time around, but whatever. I'm making a baby. As long as I keep the weight gain under 40lbs I'm fine! Hehe. I can't wait until Raya starts feeling him. I'm sure she could feel him now, but when he's bigger it'll be WAY better! She always talking about how she's going to hold the baby, and pat the baby and make the baby laugh. She was made to be a big sister :) If these next 20 weeks go as fast as these last 20 went this babes gonna be here in like 5 minutes! 

Raya is 3

April 22, 2012
My 3 year old!! OMG. Hard to believe it, which is a phrase I say all too much, but its the truth. Its amazing how in 3 years you go from a brand new little ball of jelly to a strong, fast, chatty little girl! You are an absolute joy and I say it all the time because its the truth, I couldn't have asked for a better little girl to call my daughter. Lucky doesn't even begin to describe it. There's really no words, but I'll try ;)

You absolutely keep me on my toes. You are very strong willed and dare I say stubborn? But its not in a bratty way at all. I for sure have to deal with you differently than with Kallen, but you're also older and smarter so you know what you're doing. And you know what you are capable of. You are HILARIOUS and you know it. You say one liners sometimes that make me cry from laughing. Omg. I can't thank you enough for the daily entertainment you provide. You are constantly saying and doing the funniest things. I wish we had a reality show so that you were recorded 24/7! I could re-play you all day long ;)

You are a sweet soul. You have the kindest personality. You are so caring and sweet, especially to Kallen. I can hardly wait to see you with the new baby because you're a little older so you really get that you're a Big Sister. You love your friends and always ask to see them. You say Hi to everyone at the park. In fact you would prefer to greet everyone with a big hug, but we've had to work on not doing that because not all kids are comfortable with that ;) As soon as you get to the park you give everyone big Hi's, introduce yourself, occasionally introduce me as "Kelsey" and also introduce your brother. You ask your new friends their names and if they'd like to play.

Some Stats:
You're in mostly 4T clothes. You're really lean, so you can fit anywhere from 2T-4T leggings. They just turn into capri leggings if they're 2T. At your 3 year check up you were 40inches tall and weighed 36lbs. You're in the 95percentile for height and the 50percentile for weight. Obviously you're very tall. You're not abnormally tall, lol, but you are taller than just about everyone your age. You're the same size as most 4 year olds and just about as tall as half the 5 year olds we're around. You wear a size 9 shoe.

You've become a pretty good swimmer all by yourself! You willingly hold your breath and go under water. We start swim lessons at the end of the month. I'm excited to see what you learn there! You are pretty fearless in the water and will jump off the edge, even if I'm not close (scary!).

You are a wonderful Big Sister. Like I said earlier, you are so sweet and caring. When Kallen wakes up from his naps and is fussing you say "Wait, hold on a minute, I gotta check on the baby," and run upstairs to see him. You cuddle him and hug him. He wakes up before you and when you come downstairs he usually stops what he's doing and waits at the bottom of the stairs with his arms wide open to hug you. You always smile and say "Hi Baby!" and hug him back. You play really well with him and rarely get frustrated. You never hit him or do anything mean. Seriously, you're that good. I think there's a push here or there, but nothing I can really remember. Ok, well one time when he was like 2 months old you stepped on his face, but it wasn't a vicious move. It was more of a curiosity move. I could see in your face you wanted to know what would happen if you stepped on him. So I don't count that ;) Its the most beautiful thing seeing you 2 together. I just love the relationship you 2 have! You sit by each other on the couch when you guys watch tv and you still nap together often. He actually naps a lot better when you nap with him. You help him figure things out and show him what specific toys do, or how the iPad works, or how to shoot a basketball. You get the award for Best Big Sister!! 

Things you love:
Swimming, Disneyland, Going to the Park, Going to the Beach, really anything that involves being outside! What else...ICE CREAM! Your favorite flavor is cookies and cream and you always ask me for ice cream. You love wrestling with your Dad and you love having him throw and swing you; Cuddling with me and playing with my hair; Laying on skin...my legs, my belly, my arms, any open skin you love to lay on. You also do this with Daddy and Nana. You love to ride your bike; Sleep in bed with us (you're such a cuddler.) You love to help me, whatever it may be, and your favorite thing to help with is washing the dishes.

You are such a joy of a kid. You are so fun to be around and you absolutely light up every room you're in. Your presence cannot be ignored. You are the highlight of my life and I just can't believe I get to call you mine! I love you more than I'll ever be able to explain. You are my best friend, my side kick, my heart.
Xoxo,
Mom