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

8 months

I missed 7 and I am so sad! I am going to try and keep my monthly updates current for a few more months (at least until she is a year old). I wish I had a whole lot too say, but not too much has changed. She is finally eating three meals a day and she loves food. I thought the day may never come. Oh and the best thing is for the last few weeks she has been sleeping 9 hours. Life is good and we are rested! I have so much to say and so little time. I will try to update on our family next week.

Lily Grace 8 months
15 lbs 13 ounces in the 5%
Blue eyes
redish blond hair
loves to cuddle
cute as a button
loved by many

Family pics 2010

Just a few pics from our sneak peak

I can't wait to see the rest!

6 months Half a year

Half a year are you kidding me? Where did it go? I blinked and I swear 6 months went by! There is so much going on in our house, but first let me tell you about sweet Lily Grace. I guess maybe I should let everyone know her name is Lily Grace, not Lily lol! Apparently I did not tell everyone (not even my Dad)! He just found out last week. She has no middle name. I really hope Lily Grace sticks because I LOVE the double name (though we often say Lily). My little pea nut is getting big. She is still exclusively breast feeding. Yep that means nothing else, no food yet. She is so content and I feel NO need to rush anything. I wish I could keep her just like this forever! My Dr is okay with it too so double bonus (plus she has no teeth so we are good)! He said to try an introduce food by 7.5 months and it does not matter how often or how much. She is a happy baby who LOVES to be held! I am truly blessed to have been called to be this precious baby girl’s Mommy! I can remember like it was yesterday when I found out I was pregnant. Even though I did not fully embrace it from the beginning, I can’t not imagine my life with out her.

If you have not heard I also have started back college (and full time)! At the end of the summer I will have all 60 hours of pre requisite classes to go into the RN nursing program for my BS. Hopefully I can get in as it is pretty competitive! So I have 3 kids under 4 years old, nursing a baby, in school full time, room Mom, and training to run the half marathon in January (and I have lost all my weight from Lily Grace). This season in my life is VERY busy, but it is where I choose and want to be. I have never taken the easy route in life and I am always up for a challenge.

Jackson and Ava are loving school! Jackson is in pre k and going 5 days a week until noon. Ava is in the same pre school going two days a week. Jackson is like a sponge soaking in everything and thriving in school, I could not be happier with where they both are at! Jackson has played tball the last two years, but decided to play soccer this season. He is really enjoying it and I am proud of him for trying something new. Ava is back at Little Gym and she is like a hamster set free in a cage of toys.

It feels like it has been a long time since an update! I love reflecting each month. I am complete ah of my life, God has blessed me, God is good!

Lily Grace 6 month Stats
13 lbs 14 ounces 15%
25 inches 50%

Jackson 6 month Stats
20lbs
26.5 inches

Ava 6 month Stats
15lbs 13ounces 50%
25 3/4 inches 50%



hamiltonhomeof4.blogspot.com
I will post more pics this week end

5 months

Sweet Lily Grace is 5 months old. At our 4 month check up our Dr was concerned that she had not met any of the developmental milestone's. He wanted me to contact ECI (Early Childhood Intervention). I decided to give her until 6 months to see if she would catch up. The week after her 4 months appt she started doing everything she was "suppose" to. I do believe God has blessed with with these children who I have for a short time. To love unconditionally is a gift and I am glad I have it. I pray I forever have this amazing bond with my children..

Lily Grace at 5 months
is 14 pounds
still has blue eyes (very blue)
redish hair
smiles
grabs for things
rolls from tummy to back
hold her head up while on her tummy
has moved into some 3-6 month clothes

You are such a blessing to this family.

Pre School 2010

This week we started Ava's first year of pre school and Jackson's last. Gasp I think I have decided to put Jackson in the Dual program next year. The school we are zone too is one of few that offers this program in KISD. One day is in Spanish and one day is in English. You must start at Kindergarten because they build on it each year. So this will be his last year at Cross Point Christian School. He is going 5 days a week until noon. It still gives us time to eat lunch, have rest time, and have our together time. He is writing is full name and I am so proud! He has quite a long name and he can write all the letters, but now he can successfully put them all together.
Ava oh Ava. She knows every words of at least 5 of the Vacation Bible School songs. Jackson attended so we have the CD and she loves it! When we walked into the first day of school and they were playing a VBS song she was SO excited. She got on stage with rest of the kids who had summer bdays and she loved it. She lead her class back to the class room and never looked back. She is only going Tuesdays and Thursdays. When we walked in today to take Jackson she went straight on stage to help sing the VBS song and she was not happy about not staying. She said, "bye Mommy" and tried to go with a class. Everyone she see's she says, Hi I'm Ava". I think we are going to have a great year! Ava already can count to 12 and knows her ABC's. She says 5 word sentences!

One more time

http://ambershalfmarathon.blogspot.com/

Come by, check out my new blog, and donate! Even a $1 helps!

Ava is 2

Two years old!! I can not believe we brought this baby girl home 2 yrs ago. It has gone way too fast! She is a pistol, our little ball of fire, and tough as nails. She is so smart! She can count to 10, say her ABC'S, and speak in 4-5 word sentences. We are on day 5 of potty raining with no accidents. Ava will start pre school two days a week the first week of Sept. We will never ever have to worry about her being the left out middle child. She is the center of attention at all times and she makes sure of it!
Ava 2yr Stats
28. 12 lbs 75%
36 inches 97%

4 months

Aug 8th Lily Grace turned 4 months old. I remember when I had Jackson I could not wait to get to the next mild stone. I was making sure he was holding his head up, rolling over, eating solids right at 4 months, I couldn't wait for him to crawl, walk, then talk. I was in such a hurry. Now sweet Lily Grace I would to savor every minute of every thing. I want to keep her in the moment and just enjoy where we are today.

4 month Stats
Jackson
16.9 lbs
26.5 inches

Ava
13.4 lbs
25 1/4 inches

Lily Grace
12.12 lbs (25%)
24.5 inches (50%)

This past month
Lily had her first pumped bottle (3 total so far)
smile's all the time
LOVE'S to beheld
starting to try and hold her head up
trying to roll from tummy to back
still wearing 0-3 month clothes

Half way

I am about half way there in my fund raising!! Thank you Dad, Suzie, and 5 great friends!

http://ambershalfmarathon.blogspot.com/

Mommy/Lily Grace (3.5 months)