Isla's first day of Pre-k

Isla started preschool last week. She was more than ready. It seemed a bit hard on her to watch Connor go off to school every day for a month and her not go. She asked many, many times when it was her turn. She was pumped on her first day and handled the whole thing like an old pro. In fact, she didn't even really want to say bye. She was already too busy playing. The whole thing made me laugh, thinking of how hard her first year of preschool was and how she would cry every morning at drop off. 

I was afraid having her good friends move on was going to be hard on her, but she handled it much better than I thought. I think it helped that a girl in her ballet class is also in her preschool class this year, so she had a familiar face to play with. 

Obviously the hair stylist that came and talked at preschool last year really made an impact on Isla, as she still wants to be a "hair styler". I responded back with, "Ok, a hair dresser" and Isla got the biggest kick out of that saying we don't put clothes on hair and that I was SO FUNNY. It was a sweet conversation. The kind you want to remember for a long, long time. 

^^ That's a normal Isla sass face

^^ We've officially entered the "I would rather make funny faces than smile" stage of life. It is pretty entertaining though and I really do like seeing the kids personalities shine through in photos I take. 

Here's to a good last year of preschool for Isla! Preschool certainly is a sweet, sweet time and I really hope it is an amazing year for her.

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Nine in, nine out

Can we discuss how it literally pains me to look at these pictures of me 9 months pregnant?! Does anyone really (I mean, come on, really) like being 9 months pregnant? Then lets add on to it that I decided to grow out my hair mid-pregnancy and it was at a totally awkward length. I feel like I have these weird elf ears poking out. So really, I may be more excited about my hair than not having a belly…hahaha. I do have to say, even in the midst of teething and lack of sleep from it, I would take this any day over walking around like a ticking time bomb, fearing my water breaking in public. But, there is the squishy newborn goodness that follows (and I mean the baby, not the belly). And nine months on, I have happy, smiley Callum and he is just about the best thing ever.


And just in case you want to look back, because we all know I did, here are my thoughts at 40 weeks and here is a brand new baby Callum. Also, how did I miss until just now that I predicted Callum was a boy the day before I had him just because of my pregnancy rage?! That's pretty funny. 

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Connor: This kid is growing up so fast. I'm glad he will still hold my hand and will still answer the 10,000 questions I ask him about school every day.

Isla: This spicy thing started preschool last week. I kind of feel like I need to wish her teachers luck every day. But seriously, it's certainly hard to be bored (or enjoy any silence) with her her around.

Callum: Showing off his two new pearly whites. And would you believe a third tooth has already come in since then…and a fourth one is on its way?! That will be four teeth in just under two weeks. 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

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Memories

It's no secret that I am a total sap when it comes to my kids. I never really considered myself emotional. Even now, I wouldn't say I am emotional, but definitely more so than I used to be. Especially when it comes to my kids. They just grow and change so freaking much. And it's not that I don't like who they are today, because they slay me daily with the things that come out of their mouths, so I certainly wouldn't want them to be nonverbal babies forever. But I love remembering the road we've traveled. 

Having Callum wear Connor's old clothes is like a fun walk down memory lane for me. That first year with Connor was a special one. It was my first year of motherhood and I was really trying to get my footing. But, it was also a special time spent in Scotland, a place so dear to my heart. I am not really picky about my kids clothes and really rarely buy them anything new (I know, I'm kind of cheap). So, if I buy something, it means I really liked it and more than likely that I will remember it. 

This particular outfit I bought for Connor in Scotland. I just love it. I love how soft it is. And I love that it is babyish without being overly cutesy. So I was pretty excited when it was chilly the other morning so I had an excuse to throw it on Callum. Connor wore this outfit numerous times, and I was pretty sure I had pictures of him in it at the park…and low and behold, I did. 

Just for reference, Connor is about two weeks older in these pictures than Callum is in the top picture. Connor was an expert crawler at this point, and also standing. Wowsers. This time around, I am happy for Callum to just keep sitting for a bit longer. Because life certainly will be changing around our house once that kid becomes mobile! Oh the joys of having older kids with toys that have insanely small parts…eek. These boys (and their sister), they have my heart. I just love them so.

I may not be super emotional, but I am totally feeling all the feels right now! And all because of a baby outfit. Yep, I am a total sap.

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Happy Birthday Ian

^^ Getting "help" opening his presents

I feel like I would be doing a disservice if I didn't even mention this amazing man and the fact that he celebrated another year of life. Like in real life, the kids take up a lot of my blog. But this man, the one that is so patient with all of us, the one who is always ready to take on my quirky ideas and go on whatever adventure I drum up, is pretty dang amazing. I fell hard for him seventeen and a half years ago. And I fall even harder for him today. I literally can't imagine my life without him. He is my best friend. It's crazy to think that we have been together half his life. 

I had booked a babysitter for Ian's birthday a month ago. We haven't been able to get out much since Callum came along and I miss having along time with this guy. I wanted to make sure we had his birthday to enjoy. I was so looking forward to a nice, slow evening out and coming home to the kids all tucked into bed. Unfortunately, a child vomiting left us scurrying home to the poor babysitter. Either way, I still enjoyed the time we had together. And I love the sense of "team" that I feel between us when we are dealing with the kids. 

Ian, I love you don't seem like enough. But I really do. I love the passion you have for your cars…and for your coffee. I love how you always push me to be a better me. I love how you love on our kids. And I love that still, after all these years, you give me a back massage whenever I ask…and even when I don't. You are an amazing man Ian Grimbleby. Here's to many, many more years of doing life with you! 

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Connor: Trying to grab fish. He then gave up and let them nibble on his finger. 

Isla: I couldn't believe how excited she was about this zucchini from our garden. It made me excited too. 

Callum: His second tooth broke the surface. And his top two teeth are swollen. 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

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On Getting in the Picture

It's no secret that I like taking pictures of my kids. I have so incredibly many pictures of them. And, believe it or not, I look back through old pictures more often than you would think. I love how a picture can take you right back to that time and place. Even the setting of the photo elicits memories. Little things that aren't necessarily forgotten, but just not thought about, resurface instantly as soon as I look at a photo.

But I realize my kids probably won't enjoy just looking at photos of themselves all day long when they are grown. I certainly love looking at old pictures and seeing my mom when she had hair that went all the way down her back. Seeing pictures of my dad wearing shorts that are now deemed way too short for men to be wearing in public. Seeing us playing on the swing set my dad built for us. Or seeing family pictures from vacation.

I really want to get better at making sure Ian and I are present in pictures with our children. I want our kids to look back at photos and remember the love and joy that was present in our family. I want them to be able to make fun of us because of how much styles have changed over the years. I want them to remember us being there. Us being there for so many moments, both big and small. I really hope they will be able to look back at pictures and be flooded with happy memories from their childhoods.

Now, here's to me trying to step out from holding the camera from time to time and getting in the picture with my kids. Even if it means the picture is less than perfect…I need to shove that control freak in me down so my kids can look back and laugh at my glasses and my hair. And remember that I was there with them.

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