The Boys!

It has been awhile since I posted about the boys and what they are like right now. There are a few things I have been wanting to right down so I don't forget.

KADE

Kade is starting to be such a big boy! As usual he is a really good helper. He helps me with the dishes, laundry, and daily cleaning. He loves his little brothers, even though there are some days where him and Kyle argue constantly. He loves going to his sports class on Fridays. The teacher says he is always the first one to be ready for the games and helps clean up. He is very friendly and affectionate. He loves to watch Scooby Doo and any other great movie. He likes to eat mac n cheese, pizza, chicken nuggets, PB & J sandwiches, cheeseburgers from McDonald's, and corn dogs. He despises broccoli. Sometimes I will ask him to have just one bite. Being the good boy he usually is, he will eat it. Afterwards, he will act like he is going to gag and throw it up. His favorite candy right now are those Reese's chocolate and peanut butter eggs and chocolate chip cookies. He loves to go outside and play in the little kiddie pool. He enjoys going for walks and playing at the park. I am super proud of him for learning all of the alphabet and handwriting. At the beginning of the year I didn't think he would write the alphabet or his name for a long time. He is now doing both. His pictures of people look more like people. They no longer consist of only a head and legs. He likes to draw limos. I am starting to teach him addition and how to sound words out. Maybe he will for sure be reading well by the time he enters kindergarten.



KYLE

Kyle is still Kyle, but better. Earlier in his life I thought he was going to be the "hard" one. However, these past few months I have started to see a different side of him. First of all, he is starting to follow directions much better. He communicates more by being able to say more words. He loves naptime, which he really still needs. However, he will not go to sleep until we have read some stories. His favorite books are "Go, Dog, Go" and "Are you My Mother?" When I read "Are you My Mother?" there is this part Kyle loves to laugh at. I don't know if it is because of the way I am saying it or what it says. The part he really laughs at is the line when the baby bird says "I want my mommy". It is so fun to hear him laugh like that. At nap and bed time, he will not go to sleep unless I am laying down with him. If I get up to leave he will pat his pillow and say "lay" or "down". He likes to snuggle a lot more too! Kyle can be really friendly and compassionate. Last Friday when we were leaving from dropping Kade off he notices a little girl fell and dropped her stuffed animals. Her dad was there helping her so I don't think anything of it. Kyle, on the other hand, walked right over to her, picked up her stuffed animals and gave them to her. He then put his hand on her shoulder and looked at her as if to say "are you alright?" I have learned with Kyle to not think he is one way because he will completely surprise me by the some of the things he does. There is a really kind and compassionate side of Kyle which I have noticed even more being his nursery teacher. Kyle will eat almost anything we give him. He, opposite from Kade, loves broccoli. In fact he will sometimes eat only that for dinner. He loves to play with Kade in the backyard and the pool. He also loves to go for walks and to the park.

CONNOR

Connor if finally starting to walk. He will take a few steps and fall down. After he falls down he gets right back up and tries again. The whole time he is laughing and smiling, acting like he is so proud of himself. Of course he has all of us clapping and cheering for him. He is really patient and loving. He likes to clap and wave. When he waves he says "hi da". He also likes to say "mom". He seriously will eat anything we give him. He is still an incredible eater. There are times when I am sitting on the floor and he will come up to me and lay his head on my shoulder and give me a hug. He loves to play with his brothers, as long as they are being nice. I think he is going to have curly hair too. It is starting to curl in the back. He also likes to go for walks and to the park. He is starting to be a really good climber. I am sure he appreciates Kade taking him down the slides.

All of the boys are super excited when daddy gets home. They start screaming and run downstairs to see him and give him a hug.  For the most part, they all play really well together. Each of them are learning to share and to be kind and loving. I hope they will continue to become friends and stay best friends through out their lives. Eric and I are truly lucky to be the parents of these three amazing little boys. We love them with all our hearts!!

Little Reese and the March of Dimes!

Close to this time last year we received a phone call telling us that Kelly, Eric's brothers wife, was going into labor. It was two months early. We can never imagine what they were going through at the time. It has probably been one of the most difficult circumstances in their life. I can imagine not being able to hold my baby as soon as they come out. However, I only had to wait until the doctor was done doing the C-section. What I can't imagine is not being able to hold my precious little baby until a few days or even weeks later. To celebrate Reese's first birthday, Justin and Kelly are running in the March of Dimes in Tacoma, WA. They are trying to raise money to donate to their run. If you are able to I know they would greatly appreciate it! Here is their story and how to donate.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our daughter Reese was born nearly one year ago, two months early and after some serious in utero complications. We are celebrating her first birthday by participating in the March for Babies, a walk organized by the March of Dimes to raise money to research and prevent premature birth. We'd love for you to join us in the walk on April 30 in Tacoma and/or donate to this cause.

Reese's first weeks in this world were tough -- for her and for us. Born at 32 weeks, she weighed just more than 3 pounds. I remember seeing her for the first time. Unable to hold her, we grasped her hand through a hole in her isolet. She was tangled in cords. Her tiny face was nearly covered by the tape holding the breathing tube down her throat. She slept -- curled in the fetal position -- amid the bright lights and constant beeping of monitors at the UW NICU.

It was not the warm, cozy, loving introduction that I so wanted for my little one. I distinctly remember thinking, "This is not the way to start a life." Fortunately, the March of Dimes doesn't think so either.
That's why the nonprofit organization is dedicated to funding research that investigates why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it. The money we raise for the walk will support March of Dimes research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And it will be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care.

Reese came home to us after five weeks in hospital. She's now 11 months old -- smiley, chubby, babbling, active, and healthy. We are so thankful, especially knowing that not every preemie has such good outcomes. So help us help babies! Here's how:

Contribute to our team online. It's fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from our March for Babies web page with a credit/debit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on our web page.

Walk with our March for Babies team and the millions of compassionate people across the country who support the march. You can help fund raise or just support the walk with your presence.

Here's the link:  http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1559668

Thanks!
Kelly and Justin Johnson



Easter Bunny!

Today we went to visit the Easter Bunny at the Galleria Mall! It went a lot smoother this year. Last year we went really close to Easter, so we had to wait about an hour or more. By the time we got to the bunny Kyle was throwing a huge fit. When we arrived today we walked right up, the boys sat on his lap and they took their pictures. I really didn't think Connor would cry because he was so happy with Santa Claus, but he attempted to start crying with the Easter Bunny. The only one giving a real smile in every picture was Kade. When we were done we went over to the food court where there was this clown show. They brought out a bunny, had a little Easter egg hunt and gave prizes away (no we did not get anything). Connor was finally smiling and getting excited. Kyle just stood by me, but Kade went and sat by the other kids and even did the little parade.

Here are their pictures from last year.

This is my favorite picture from this year. Like I said, Connor did not know whether he should smile or cry.

                                                      Pictures from the rest of the trip.

Bellagio!

We have made it a family outing to go to the Bellagio when they change the gardens. We love doing that! The boys like to go out front and watch the water show to. When we went this time the theme was, of course, spring. It was beautiful, as usual. Kade and Kyle loved looking at the butterflies and the fish.

                                           Kyle is looking at the fish in the pond.

                                        Connor is looking down into the water.

This "picture" is made from flowers. It was amazing!.

Right below this big bird was the pond with the fish.

This is where the boys liked to run back and forth. Luckily, nobody else was really walking through it.

What a fun morning!