What a Wonderful World

Louis Armstrong is known for his famous song, "What a Wonderful World." It's a great song, I love the song, it never gets old....until, it's played over and over and over in my car! The boys have only (and I mean ONLY) wanted to listen to that song every time we are in the car!! I thought it was going to be a short lived phase that would last a couple of days- but they are still going strong over 2 weeks later!

For half of a month, I have heard "What a Wonderful World" at least 15 times a day!!! Strangely enough, I still really like the song! Hunter knows every single word. He sings along and rocks his head side to side. Trent mumbles the words and gazes out the window. Faith Ann gets quiet and probably falls asleep! The song puts my children in some kind of trance...a wonderful, calming trance!

As I drive with the same lyrics playing all day, I have actually listened to every word. I have listened to the story behind the song. I can feel the energy and passion in his voice. That is probably why this song is so famous...Louis Armstrong truly feels and believes these words, which makes the listener believe!

While we have many challenges and there are some hard times- it really is such a "wonderful world!" It can be so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of your day...cleaning up meals, cooking, driving here and there, laundry, dealing with meltdowns, the challenges of children. It can all be overwhelming, and sometimes you can loose the 'wonderfulness' of your days!

I have to admit that the current obsession with Louis Armstrong has made me "see trees of green and red roses too!" Ha, well you see my point! I have found that I let the kids take their time climbing into the car, truly listening to their stories, and enjoying the perspective of a child!

The song really is the way children see the world. They don't see the 'annoying' things, they just see the wonderful world! It's such a simple song. The boys understand the words, they love the words, they can relate to the words. We can learn so much from children!!

For the rest of my life- every time I hear this song, I will forever remember this phase. I will remember the feeling that fills my car. I will remember Hunter's little voice singing along with every word. I will remember how this phase of our life is truly my very own little wonderful world!!

4 Month Stats

Weight: 15 lb

Height: 25.5

 We had Faith Ann's 4 month appointment and Hunter's 4 year appointment at the same time. It was a long appointment, but it went smooth! I dropped Trent off at a friends to play, no sense in him tagging along to the doctor!

I told Hunter that he was going to get shots, he is the kind that needs to plan and understand what is going to happen. He is obsessed with bright colored socks, so I bought him a package of bright colored socks with stripes and monsters on them. I let him open his gift after his shots. I said, "you can open the gift when you are done crying." Well, 10 seconds later- he was done crying and SO excited about his socks! He wanted to wear a new pair right away...sweet boy!

Dr. Brack was very pleased with Faith Ann. She couldn't believe how 'plump' she is! I love my plump princess! Faith Ann is the biggest of all my children at 4 months old...only by a few ounces- but still the biggest! My girl likes her food! She also couldn't believe how strong she is!! Faith Ann can literally stand up with very little assistance. Dr. Brack laughed and said she is like a 8 month old ready to take off! Sweet Faith Ann, slow down...don't grow up too fast!

Happy 4th Birthday Hunter

My first baby is FOUR years old!! Sept. 13th is Hunter's birthday. This year was cool because his birthday fell on a Saturday. So, he got to have his party on his actual birthday! We had a "slip n slide and snow cone" party. Everything was outside! Gotta love Houston...a 'cold front' blew in early Saturday morning with rain!!! His party started at 9:30am, and the rain stopped around 9:15am...phew that was close!!

We knew it may be raining, so we decorated Friday night. Good thing!! Scott, my niece Ally, the girl neighbors and I decorated late Friday night. People stopped by to tell us "you know it's going to be raining tomorrow morning?!" We may have looked a little crazy! I am so thankful that the rain stopped right before his guest got here, we had time to decorate, and Hunter had  BLAST at his party!

Hunter had soccer practice before his party. Scott took the boys to the very wet soccer practice, and they got home right at 9:30- just in time for the party! Hunter got home to the snow cone truck ready to go, doughnut holes, cupcakes, slip n slide, bounce house, the roller coaster from backyard, and our last minute s'more table!! We moved our fire-pit table to the front yard for the kids to make s'mores for the "cold front!" Only in Houston would you have snow cones and s'mores at the same party!

The kids all had a BLAST, to say the least! I saw some children shivering, but it didn't stop the fun! Kids were going from activity to activity. They had colored lips from the snow cones, and we heard lots of laughing! Hunter was the most excited birthday boy I have ever seen! He adores all his friends, and he was over the moon to have his friends to his house for his party! I was such a proud momma!

I am a decoration hoarder! I never throw away party decorations. I have a basket of banners, table decor, etc! I literally didn't buy one decoration for this party!! I just put everything together, and it was perfect! Our yard looked like a circus, but it was a birthday boy's DREAM! Wonderful day!

Faith Ann, as always, was such a trooper! She was passed from person to person all morning. She was so sleepy, but didn't make a peep! She was so calm and would melt into everyone's arms! She fell asleep and continued to be passed around- sound asleep! She made many people so happy as they held her...such a beautiful, sweet, peaceful little angel!

Trent was right in the middle of all the fun! He is such a cool dude! He is so 'go with the flow!' It took him about 30 minutes to eat his snow cone, then he held the hose for the slip n slide a long time! Love that sweet boy!!

Happy Birthday Hunter! Hunter is so witty, joyful, thoughtful, genuine, sweet, smart, loving, and so much more! He is so spunky and full of life! He is the best big brother. His heart is SO big! His mind is amazing...he blows me away daily. The things he remembers, the concepts he understands, his imagination- he is something else!! He is so social and loves friends, loves people! People gravitate to Hunter....he spreads his joy to others! I can't say enough about Hunter. I am so proud to be Hunter's mom. God blessed him with so many gifts, and God blessed me when he gave me Hunter- my joyful spirit!!

4 Months

Faith Ann, you are already 4 months old!! That is almost half a year!! When Hunter was 4 months old, I remember feeling like he was so old and so big! WHAT?! I still feel like you are my newborn! Now I can see how the 3rd child is always referred to as 'the baby!!' Time goes too fast, you will always feel like my precious baby girl!

Faith Ann is starting to spend time in the walker. I put her in the walker outside, and her feet dangle! The boys push her (gently) up and down the driveway while we wait for Scott to get home from work. Hunter's birthday is coming up, so I will soon have a 4 year old, 2 year old and 4 mo old! They are all growing up! The days are getting easier and busier at the same time, does this make sense? I love all the movin' and shakin', and I am looking forward to the cooler weather!

Faith Ann eats like a champ. She is getting some rolls! Actually, she looks like a chubby baby which I love!! Faith Ann still remains peaceful, loving and so simple!! She is obsessed with her brothers! Today at an indoor play place, a random lady put her hands on the stroller and leaned down to talk to Faith Ann, and her brothers both disliked this! A stranger being that close to their sister made them nervous! Hunter grabbed the stroller backwards towards him, and Trent pushed the lady's legs back and said "nooo!" Hahaha! I was slightly embarrassed, but also proud that they are protecting Faith Ann from a potentially harmful situation (I know the indoor playground may not be harmful, but other places maybe?!)

• All smiles, especially when she wakes! She wakes with a gitty smile and stretch!
• Sleeps from 7:30pm-7:30ish
• We have gone back to her 10:00pm top off feeding because she was waking at 6am. I would rather feed her at 10pm and have her wake at the same time as the boys
• Breastfeeds 7:30am, 10:30, 1:00, 5:00, 7:30. Kind of sporadic, but these are the times that work around the boys lives and her naps
• She only gets one nap in her a crib a day...a LONG nap (1:00-5:00). I sometimes have to wake her at 5:30!
• She catnaps throughout the morning- on the go in her carseat or stroller, or sometimes she won't nap at all and go along for the ride!
• Rolls over from tummy to back
• Still sleeps in her sleepsack...no more double swaddle, and she now sleeps with her arms out of swaddle blanket.
• Has the most stunning, clear blue eyes!
• The birthmark on her arm is not growing or getting darker- it is just staying the same for now
• She is the perfect puzzle piece to our family, the dogs love her too! 

First Day of School

Today was Hunter's first day of school. He is at our church (MDUMC) in the 3/4 yr old Pre-K class. He goes 3 times a week. He loves school, and he was SO excited! Scott hung around this morning, and we all went to Denny's for breakfast. Hunter ate 3 pancakes and bacon! Then, we all took Hunter to school for his big day. Hunter was so proud and so big!

I am starting Trent next year. I would love to put Trent in 2 days a week, but the MDUMC school has really crummy choices of days! The 2 day option is Monday and Tuesday. The 3 day option is Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. So, my boys would never be home together- no thank you, they love each others company WAY too much!! And I just couldn't put my barely 2 year old in school for 3 days a week. Trent is still a baby, and I am not working- so I couldn't justify 3 days a week.

Scott and I decided to wait another year to give Trent and Faith Ann some alone time. It will be nice for them to have time to establish their own individual relationship! I already saw that happening today!! Trent had the opportunity to read books and sing songs to her without Hunter taking over! I know there are many benefits from school, and the interaction is important. I do feel that my kids get plenty of socialization with the child care during my Bible study, the gym at least 3 times a week, church, and the daily playtime with friends or cousins! So, after much thought and prayer- I am happy to keep 'baby Trent' one more year before he is released into the many years of school! And yes, we still call him baby Trent- I know, that needs to stop! ha!

I realized 2 things today...1. Hunter is really a KID now! This morning, he stood there with this "gosh MOM" smile as I was taking a million pictures! It hit me...my first baby is not a baby anymore! He has become a big boy overnight! His entire demeanor is "grown up!"

And 2. I realized how much Hunter helps me!!! I truly missed his helpding hands today. He entertains Trent and Faith Ann. He holds Faith Ann when I need free hands. He knows what to do when she cries. He knows what makes Trent happy when he gets frustrated! He takes it upon himself to solve problems! Trent spills...Hunter wipes it up! Faith Ann cries...Hunter rocks her and puts in her pappy. Trent can't figure out a toy...Hunter helps him. Faith Ann is squirmy...Hunter burps her!  Yes, the house was way queiter because Hunter talks ALL the time! But yall, I MISSED my sidekick!

It was a great first day! I am looking forward to alone time with Trent and Faith Ann. I am looking forward to Trent having some independence to be his own person (he follows Hunter's EVERY move!) I am looking forward to Hunter growing and learning! This will be a good season of life in our little world, I just feel it!