1st Grade and Pre K- September 6, 2012

This is late, but 2 weeks after Parker was born the "big" kids started back to school!

Jack is in 1st grade.  He was excited to start back to school.  I'm really thankful that he enjoys going so much.  His teacher's name is Mrs. Pascale.  She comes with a good reputation and so far it's been a good year.  He told me over the summer that he was going to be the smartest kid in his class because he had the best Kindergarten teacher.  He loved Ms. Morris last year.  He also tells everyone now that he has the best teacher in the whole school.   I'm thankful for his perspective on his teachers and his respect for them.

  Lillie and Elliott started Pre K this year at Jack's school.  Their teacher is Mrs. Cornoni.  She is fully of life and energy, perfect for a bunch of 4 year olds!  They like school a lot.  It's only for a few hours in the morning, but it seems to be a good fit for them. One funny story about Elliott, he has a new buddy in his class named Diego.  They were friends pretty quick.  When I first told Elliott his name was Diego he looked at me in disbelief and he calls him "Go Go Diego."  

  

Freddy T. takes all 3 to school most mornings and then I do the pick up rounds.  I'm really enjoying the time at home with Parker in the mornings while everyone is at school.  

Parker: One Month

Parker is 1 Month Old!

I think I've mentioned this, but Parker is the best baby.  His first month has been full of visits from family and many outings.  He just goes with it and doesn't seem to mind that he was born into a busy family and a big city.

Just in the last week we have noticed Parker focusing on objects more and following our voices.  He is eating well, as you can see, and sleeping well too.  Last night I fed him at 10:30 pm then again at 2:45 am and not again till 6:30 am.  It basically felt like I was only up once with him.  I'm still tired, but encouraged that he might be sleeping through the night sooner than later.  I'm still feeding him every 4 hours, even if he is asleep, but maybe at his one month appointment she'll give me the go ahead to not wake him up if he happens to sleep later than that.

Jack, Elliott, and Lillie love Parker.  Lillie is very protective of him.  She doesn't like for other people to take care of him, just me and Freddy T.  Jack is convinced that he laughed, but he's not quite there yet.  The kids are going to love it when they can get a fun reaction out of him.  

It's already kind of hard to remember the daily routine with out Parker.  He is a perfect fit for this crazy crew!

When I started the monthly photos with Jack I just wrote on a sign.  Technology has changed since then and many people do fancy things with Photoshop to take creative monthly pictures.  I don't have time to figure that stuff out right now, so carrying on with tradition Parker gets the basic paper and marker sign.  I'll just feel accomplished to get this done each month on the day!

 He had a grip on Jack's hand here and smiled a little.

Parker has always had chubby cheeks, but they are growing and we are noticing his legs filling out as well.  I have a feeling he will be chubby just like the other 3 were!

Parker- 2 Weeks Old

Parker is 2 weeks old today.  

I think he might be the best baby we've had so far.  He continues to be pretty laid back.  He is still mainly eating and sleeping most of the time.  I'm up with him 2-3 times a night but he usually goes right back to sleep.    At his 1 week appointment he weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz.  He is a good fit for our family.

He has been busy the past few weeks.  Here are some of the activities he has been a part of: He's been to 4 of the 5 playgrounds in our neighborhood, he's been out to eat 3 times, went to the doctor in Union Square and to Trader Joe's, had dinner and desert on the River Walk along the East River, watched his older brothers and sister ride the carousel at Chelsea Piers, went to the driving range at Chelsea Piers with Gran and Gramps, went to Macy's with Mommy and Daddy to look at couches, rode the bus a few times, and took his first trip to Gallery Church.  

School starts this week for Jack, Elliott, and Lillie and I have a feeling Parker will feel like life is strangely boring once we settle into our school routine.  During the school year we rarely leave the neighborhood during the week.  I'm really looking forward to finding our new normal.

 

I'll share more of our birth experience once I get a few pictures off of Freddy's phone.  

Parker David Wyatt

Parker David Wyatt was born Tuesday August 21, 2012!

He weighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20.5 inches long.

Parker has been a dream child so far.  He is laid back and goes with the flow.  He cries when he is hungry or wet, but that's about all.  He is eating like a champ and sleeping well.  I'm up with him 3 times or so a night, but it hasn't been too bad.  I'm tired, but trying to soak it all in.  With Jack I had no clue what I was doing.  With Elliott and Lillie I just had to survive.  With Parker I want to enjoy fully every stage.

Jack, Lillie, and Elliott love Parker.  The boys are especially tuned into his every move, Lillie is warming up more and more each day.  I have a feeling she will soon be an expert in all things Parker.  

It feels so natural to have Parker in our family.  We are blessed and grateful for this good gift from God.  

More pictures to come soon!

A Quick Catch Up

We've had a good summer so far.  The kids will all start back to school in about a month.  Seems funny seeing our southern friends already getting back into the school routine when we kind of feel like we just settled into our summer one.  Jack spent a few weeks in TN with family.  I don't really have any pictures to share of his time there, but he was busy and had a blast.  He still randomly tells us things about his trip that come to his mind that he hasn't mentioned yet.

We're down to single digits in our Parker countdown.  He is officially due in 9 days.  I had a Dr. appointment yesterday, seems like things might be starting to progress, we'll see.  We are all anxious and ready for him to arrive.  As of a week ago he was estimated to weigh 8 lbs. 4 oz.  I'm very curious to see how big he really is. 

We have a lot going on over the next month.  Once Parker arrives we'll pretty much have family in and out through the rest of August.  The kids will start school on Sept. 6th and on Sept. 15th we are moving again.  Yes, you read that right, moving again!  We are pretty excited and blown away at the provision of this move.  I'll share more with you later and show pictures.  Thankfully it will be an easy move as we are only going up one floor in our building.  It will be a 2 bedroom, newly renovated apartment.  We think it will fit our family nicely.

Here are a few pictures from my phone over the past month or so.

The kids one morning on our way to church.

Jack having a slice of pizza at the airport before he boarded the plane with a friend of ours to fly to TN.

A funny story.  He sometimes gets motion sickness so I had Dramamine for him to take and he didn't really want to take it, doesn't like the taste.  He said "what do I do if I feel like I'm going to throw up?"  I told him to tell Mr. Larry and to either go to the bathroom or use the little bag in the back of the seat pocket.  He said, "Is it the kind of sick where I'll be sick for a few days or will I just throw up once?"  I told him only once.  He said "Ok, that's fine.  I don't mind throwing up once."  He was determined to talk me out of the medicine, the took the pill.

Freddy T. reading to Lillie and Elliott one night while Jack was gone.

Lillie having a pop corn party with her babies.

Elliott enjoying a Popsicle on a very hot day.

I'm not sure what was going on in this picture.

Lillie got her face painted at a block party put on by City Uprising participants with the Gallery Church.

My belly a month ago... it's bigger now!

Jack dug up his first worm on the playground.  Very proud moment.

Lillie found a baby worm, although you can't see it in her hand.

Here's Elliott with the baby worm.

Hopefully we'll be announcing Parker's birth with lots of pictures any day now!

Summer Break Is Finally Here!

As of Wednesday, June 27th, we officially have a 1st grader!

Jack finished up his Kindergarten year on Wednesday and what a testimony of God's faithfulness this school year has been.  You can read about our journey to Kindergarten here.  This school year has been an amazing adventure.  Jack loved each day of school.  I can't remember one time having to convince him school was going to be fun or dragging him out the door.  He was ready to go each morning and always seemed happy as he came through the door at the end of the school day.  We loved his teacher, Ms. Roni Morris.  She was just the teacher Jack needed to help set a solid foundation for his education.  She was tough and challenging, but loved what she did and was passionate about the kids learning and did a great job of educating them.  Ms. Morris has been teaching at PS 40 since 1979 and is retiring this year.  We are so glad she stuck it out one more year for Jack to have her.  

Jack did well in school.  I was concerned that he might have a tough time because of his age and lack of preschool experience.  Fortunately Jack adapted well and is a great student.  We are very proud of him!  He has made some special friends over the past year and with that we've made good friends with a handful of families from Jack's class and school.  

 This is Jack and his buddy Ryan.  

 Jack and his cubby buddy Liam.  

 Last time at Kindergarten pickup

I'm ready for 1st Grade!

On another note.  We received word mid June that Lillie and Elliott got in the morning Pre-K class at PS 40.  This is what we were hoping for and we're pretty excited that it has worked out.  They will start school at 8:20, same as Jack and will get out at 10:40.  It's a short morning, but they will be on the same school calendar schedule as Jack.  We are planning on Freddy T. taking all 3 kids to school and then Parker and I will pick them up :)  We'll share more Pre-K news as the school year draws nearer, till then we are looking forward to enjoying our summer and eagerly awaiting Parker's arrival!

This was on the way to registration.  They insisted on taking a backpack and could not understand why all we did was paper work.  I think they are ready!

A Little Glimpse Into Our World

Some of these aren't the best quality pictures, all are taken from my phone, but it's a little glimpse into our world lately.

 This is on our way to church a few weeks ago.  It was a messy day, but the kids were thrilled to put their, raincoats, umbrellas, and rain boots to good use.

 On a somewhat warm, wet day this is how Lillie dressed to go get Jack from school.  Winter monkey hat and her baby, Hannah, tucked into her raincoat.

 Elliott spent one morning recently dressed like a pirate.

 Lillie came out of her room the other day and said "surprise!"  This is how she was dressed, or not dressed!

One morning last week Jack said he was picking out his own clothes for school. This is what he came out in.  Interesting for sure, but he was very proud of himself.  He told his buddies at school he picked out his clothes.  He was especially pleased with his shirt selection!