Not good, great!

Jackson had an amazing first day! Greg, the girls, and I all took Jackson to school. We got there, said hello to his teacher, found his seat, and I sat with him until it was time for us to leave. He was all smiles! When we picked him up he was beaming! He was talking so fast and so much I wondered if he could breathe! He jumped out of bed this morning and said he was ready for school. I know this year is going to be great!

I still am a little apprehensive. I worry since we as parents never see the teacher. It was such a luxury having so much communication a private school. The student/teacher ratio was so much smaller that the teachers actually had time to visit with the parents. I am still the Mom that is going to walk him in everyday, not drop him at the door. I will still be at the door everyday when he comes out. Most of all I still will be the Mom who is always involved with his behavior/academic progression. I feel so blessed to have all the benefits that pre school has given Jackson! His confidence, maturity, self esteem, and eagerness to learn I owe to pre school.

I have had an over pouring amount of support from other Moms, so many who parent their children the same, and even from one’s who don’t (who understand). You have to do what works for you and your child and that varies with each family. Thanks to all my friends who have been on this journey with me the last few weeks XOXO! Happy 2011-2012 school year!

Big Day!

Last night I had trouble sleeping. I have so much anxiety as we prepare to send our baby boy off to Kindergarten. I can’t believe how fast the last five years have gone. I started thinking I should have done this more and I should not have done that. Truth be told, I don’t want to do this! I think it is ridiculously long day, 7 hours for a 5 year old! Up until two days ago he still took a nap every day.

BUT Jackson is so excited to go back to school. He is my child who thrives on structure. Everything has a time and a place! After being home for one week with no set schedule I was not sure we would make it through the summer. He is so confident and so ready it is hard to be sad, but I just am. Will his teacher love him as much as his last, probably not possible. Will he make friends, will he be scared, will he do well, and the list can go on.

I just want to keep him close forever and this is a huge step for all of us. Truth be told I am intimidated as well going in not knowing anyone. I decided to be room Mom so I can get to know other parents and the faculty. I plan to be at the school every Friday while Ava is at preschool and Lily Grace is with a sitter. I just want to be involved as much as I can and never lose the connection we have. Why does this feel like I have to let go so much just to send him to Kindergarten?

I truly felt God’s presence as the priest prayed over all the children this morning. I know just like with everything else, he is with us. Jackson is a great kid and has a great foundation. I have no doubt he will be a leader and succeed. More than anything I know the years are about to fly by even faster and I am just not ready for that!

Jackson Thomas you are amazing! You are a gift and I am so lucky to have been called to be your Mommy. I never knew it was possible to love someone so much! I can’t wait to hear about your first day! Go getem baby, Godspeed!

XO
Mommy

I will report back on his first day

8 months

What a difference 8 months can make!

2010-2011

Pics are from the first day of school and the last



Sweet Ava Bear you had your end of the year program today. It was your first year of pre school. Today was one of my very proud Mommy days. You were just a baby, barely 2 years old when the school year started. You have blossomed into this beautiful little girl. You are so confident, full of personality, and beauty. You are so funny and very independent. At just two years old you are a leader, kind, and very gentle. You love clothes, shoes, jewelry, and your nails painted. You have been asking and asking to start dance so I think that is what your summer activity will be. You are a performer for sure! Dream big baby girl and never give up! We are always behind you 100%.
XOXO
Mommy

Jackson's thoughts on Mommy

1. What is something mommy always says to you?
I love you

2. What makes mommy happy?
when I smile

3. What makes mommy sad?
when I get a spanking

4. How does mommy make you laugh?
when you tickle me

5. What do you think mommy was like a child?
you wore a bow

6. How old is mommy?
20

7. How tall is mommy?
really tall

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
have fun

9. What does your mommy do when your not around?
stay awake

10. If your mommy becomes famous what would it be for?
Being a Mommy

11. What is your mommy really good at?
writing words

12. What is your mommy not very good at?
I don't really know

13. What does your mommy do for her job?
stay home with us

14. What is your mommy’s favorite food?
Vida Loca

15. What makes you proud of your mommy?
being good

16. What do you and your mommy do together?
ride bikes

17. How are you and your mommy the same?
because we love each other

18. How are you and mommy different?
we eat different food

19. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
Y (YMCA)

20. How do you know your mommy loves you?
because you hug and kiss me

Mother's Day 2011

It is two days before Mother's Day and I enjoyed Mother's Day tea with both Jackson and Ava. As we were driving down the road yesterday Ava says to me, Mommy you are my best friend I love you".

I pray you always feel that was sweet girl. You adore me and I adore you. You are so affectionate and I love your snuggles.

Jackson your class party melted my heart. Your whole class signed in sign language I love you Mom.

Thank you sweet little's for everything you bring to my life!

XOXO

One YEAR!

I am kind of sad I have fallen off with up dating my blog. I really want to print it to have to look back on. The days go so fast. I swear since Lily Grace came into my life every time I blink a day, heck a month has gone by! I don't really know how to explain the way I feel. I love all of my kids. I believe I was made to be a Mommy. It is what I eat, sleep, breathe, and love. All of my kids are so unique and so individually special for so many reasons. I could go back into how I never meant or wanted to be pregnant with Lily Grace, but we all know those stories. I also knew when I felt that way God had a bigger plan for me than the one I had for myself. Lily Grace is pure joy. That is the best way to explain her. I look at her and my heart is full. Nothing else matters with her. She is simply beautifully perfect. I have never experienced or felt joy the way I do when I look at this child. I don't know why he trusted me so much, but I am glad he gave her to me!
I wish I could slow the time down. I feel like the best days of my life are flashing before my eyes. A year has gone by and my baby girl is one year old!

hamiltonhomeof4.blogspot.com

13.1

I did it! I ran 13.1 miles and made it out alive! I had to wake up at 3:30 in the morning, to nurse the baby, get ready, meet my sweet friend Eliza and her husband, and get to the convention center. I was not really nervous since I had so many other things on my mind. It was raining on and off through the race which was not so fun, but I started out feeling great. I followed a group that had a great coach leading them. I was with them the first 8 miles and we were averaging 10.5 min miles. I refused to drink once I started because I was terrified I would have to stop and use the bathroom! About mile 8 I started to cramp in my legs and by mile 9 I was sure my legs were going to fall off. I ended up stopping to go to the bathroom twice and walking almost a full mile. At mile 11 God was on my side. Eliza ran right by me and we ran the last mile together. I felt like I had charlie horses in both of my legs, but she talked me through it. If you have been so blessed to encounter this women you know she is AMAZING! She is so positive and so encouraging. I could not have ran the last mile with out her.

I learned so much about myself through this. It really made me stop and think about my attitude, my strength, and my relationships. As I ran I saw so many people running for a cause, in memory of a loved one, or for a disabled child. I became so aware how blessed I am. I thank God everyday for the health of Lily Grace. It felt great to be able to give back. I will run every year in honor of

Thank you to everyone who donated and for all the support!

Amber

9 months photos

9 month photos

Blue eyed baby girl

9 months old and so sweet I could eat those big cheeks!

2011

2011 HOW DID YOU GET HERE SO FAST?!

So many exciting things are going on with us it hard to figure out where to start! Life is moving and moving fast here at The Hamilton home!

Not much changes with Greg lol! He works, he enjoys the kids when he doesn’t, and at the end of the day he is happy with good food and a cold beer.

So much has been happening with me. I started school last fall. I am not sure what I was thinking about maybe I wasn’t. It was quite the challenge with a 4 year old, 2 year old, and 4 months old to say the least. I took 16 hours, made four A’s and one C. I am taking another 16 hours this spring as well. By the end of the summer I hope to be done with all my pre requisite’s and start study for the entrance exam for my BS in nursing. This is what I have wanted since 1998 and hopefully it is something I can accomplish in the next couple years. Having a third baby has really thrown me off my game! My priorities have been so out of wack! It is hard to go anywhere with the all the kids. Keeping up with the house, the kids, my school, etc I am just embracing it and trying to stay a float. I would have NEVER planned it this way, but I know it a couple years I will have a new out look. I am just trying to get into a rhythm and figure this all out. I just keep telling myself God has given me these perfect children and I won’t fail him or my little’s. I love them more than life itself, I just wish there were more hours in the day! I also am running my first half marathon at the end of the month!! I am trying not to think about it so I don’t freak out. I will let you know how it goes.


Jackson is growing leaps and bounds! He is academically so smart and doing great in school. His maturity is growing and something we are working on with him. He is definitely my first born. He strives on perfection and tends to fall apart when he can’t achieve it. He has been improving so much and his teachers think he is ready for Kindergarten. He started basketball last Saturday and he loves it. There were no tears! He was a little lost since he has never played a game. We will see. He is such a special child. He is very sensitive and he does NOT like change. We have had quite a lot of change and I am proud of him for doing so well.

Ava is growing up so much is makes me sad! I feel like I missed so much of her “baby” time being sick, pregnant, and consumed with Lily Grace. Her vocabulary amazes us! She makes sure her presence is known and we will never worry about her feeling like the left our middle child. She is very agreeable and very obedient but, the girl has some sass! She is starting to test the waters with us for sure. I just adore her, she keeps me laughing. Ava Bear you have the BEST personality! She will be 2.5 next month. Registration for her 3 year old class that starts in September is this month. I just can’t even think that far ahead. I think she will go three days a week until noon. She will also start dance. Right now she is LOVING her Little Gym classes.

Lily Grace just turned 9 months old. I mean really I blinked and all this happened. I feel like I blinked and my life changed and changed drastically! I adore this baby, but having her has certainly thrown me off my game. I feel like Lily Grace and I are one. We are attached all the time!! She is definitely a Mommy’s girl. She got her first two teeth this past month. She is eating and eating everything, no baby food for this girl. I am still only nursing and right now today I am okay with it. It works for both of us still so we are going to keep going. I have never nursed this long, but she is my last. I want to enjoy her infancy and our closeness as much as I can. She does not crawl, nor scoot, nor pull up or anything. She just sits there and screams lol! Someone is always there to give her what ever she needs. I can NOT believe she is approaching a year so fast! Sweet Lily Grace is my blessing. She challenges me to strive to be a better person, a person I never knew I could be. AND she still has blue eyes!

9 months
16.9 weight 13%
28 inches