What a week!

I think I have experienced some of the highest of highs and lowest of lows this week.  We began with Becca starting 4K kindergarten.  She has been looking forward to this moment for over a year.  Last Friday, we got to go visit her teacher and her classroom.  Her and Hayes are not in the same class, but they right next door to each other.

In case you can’t tell, she’s a little excited.

Monday was Labor Day, so we went to the parade in Chapin.  We met up with a lot of friends, and both of the kids really enjoyed it.

 Finally, it was Tuesday and time for preschool.  Becca has been waiting so long for this day to come, and then the night before, she got really nervous and started crying.  I was already a little sad simply because 4k meant my little girl was growing up, but this really did me in.  We said a prayer together that night and the next morning on the way to school, and by the time we got there, she was ready!

The last picture is Becca with her teacher, Mrs. Beth.

She had a great first week, and we couldn’t be happier.  After this momentous occasion, the bottom dropped out.  Jack, our oldest black lab, has had a rough summer.  We knew the end was quickly approaching, but after Monday night, we knew if was here.  We made the decision Tuesday evening to put him to sleep.  This was quite possibly one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever had to make, but we also knew we didn’t want him to suffer.  We spent our last night with him, told B we were taking him to the doctor so she could tell him goodbye, and then waited 3 agonizing hours until our 10:00 appointment Wednesday morning.  Our hearts are crushed.  There are no other words to describe it.  Jack was Jeremy’s dog, he was part of Jeremy’s life before me, and he was Jeremy’s best friend.  That was the hardest part for me – watching my husband tell him goodbye.  They had a bond that not many people experience, and I know there will never be another Jack.

 Some of you may remember, but I had some pictures taken of Jack and Becca for Jeremy as a Christmas present one year.  Becca was about 7 months old, and Jessica Edenfield of Hatton’s Photography came to our house one Saturday morning while Jeremy was hunting to take these pictures.  I had no idea how incredibly amazing they would be!  6 of them are currently hanging in our house, and we will always cherish them.  Jessica was kind enough to post a few of them on FB yesterday, and I love being able to share them with all of you.  They are priceless!

JP's Black Jack of the South

November 14, 1998 - September 3, 2014

Well, life has to go on, and I had a first birthday party to finish planning.  My BABY was turning 1 on Saturday, and I had a lot to do.  Our theme was The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and I think it turned out well (other than the fact he got sick that night).  I want to do a separate post on his party, but I will share a few pictures with you to show that at least my week ended on a high note!

 Happy birthday to our sweet little man.  I can’t believe it’s already been a year, but you definitely are a light when the world seems dark!

8,9,10

Yes, my child is already 11 months old, and I'm just now posting about months 8, 9, and 10.  Life is crazy and hectic, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

8 months:

 

I'm not sure about his height and weight, but I have a feeling he was still around 20 pounds.

Foods:  still homemade baby food - and he's still not crazy about green vegetables.  Squash, sweet potatoes, and fruits are his favorites. 

Diapers:  Size 3

Clothes:  mostly 9-12 months, but definitely fitting in some 12-18

Milk:  some breastmilk, but he has started on formula

Sleeping:  ALL night.  I'm blessed with good sleeping babies.  He also still takes 2 naps a day.

Milestone:  Really sits up well, and he's finally able to sit (unassisted) in the tub.

Here's what he has been up to:

Walker went to his first movie, sat with the Easter Bunny, and fed the giraffes at the zoo.  Lots of firsts.

9 months:

weight:  20 lbs 14 oz (15th %)

height:  30.5 inches (80th %)

head:  18.5 (11th %)

He didn't have to get shots at his well visit, but they did prick his finger to check his iron.  It was 12.2 which the nurse practitioner said was great.

size:  in between 9-12 and 12-18 months

diapers:  size 4 (although he could still wear 3's)

food:  we've introduced a little meat, but it's hard for him to chew since he doesn't have any teeth!  He LOVES it, though.

Milestone:  He got tubes!  After an ear infection that wouldn't go away until he got three rounds of Rocephin shots, we were more than ok with taking that step.

Here's what he's been up to:

 

10 months:

height - probably around 21 pounds

diaper:  size 4

clothes:  9-12 and 12-18

food:  He's eating more and more table food (which is really nice).  He still takes 5-6 oz bottles of formula.  

Teeth:  He's definitely teething, but nothing yet.

Milestone:  He survived 8 days without Mommy and Daddy (we were on our mission trip in Palau)

Here's what has been up to:

As you can see, Walker is still a really happy baby!  His big sister still adores him, and he things she hung the moon and stars!  We love how much joy this little boy has brought to our lives!  We look forward to what comes next, although, if I could, I'd pause him where he is.  He's growing up way too fast!

Becca turns 4

I'm not sure why, but having a 4 year old makes everything seem different.  I guess at 4 you're no longer a toddler.  You're officially a kid.  Becca has brought so much to our lives.  She is an incredible little girl, and we have enjoyed watching her grow up.  Here's a look back at her year!

 

She found out she'd be a big sister!

 

Still sweet & innocent...

 

and sassy as ever!

She went to cheer camp...

and dance camp with all of her friends!

We went to the beach.

She was so excited to help open all of Walker's gifts!

 

This was the morning as we left for the hospital.  I'll never forget how excited she was!

 

This moment absolutely took my breath away.  Never has there been a little girl so excited to become a big sister.

 

She got to be in  a parade for the first time - the Okra Strut parade with Dance Dept.

She went deer hunting with Daddy for the first time!

She was Sleeping Beauty for Halloween.

 

At our church's Trunk or Treat, our family dressed up as members of the Duck Dynasty.  Hayes was Turtle Man.  And yes, they are still planning on getting married!

She began taking tap & ballet.

She actually 'got' Christmas!

Hayes and Becca had their 1st planned sleepover at our house.

We got to spend Christmas with my extended family in NC.

It snowed...a lot (for SC)

She gave lots of kisses & hugs to Bubby!

She had a mermaid themed 4th birthday party.  We got a bounce house, and all of her friends from Nat's, dance, church, and other places came over.  We had a great time.  Instead of getting presents for herself, she asked all of her friends to bring donations for Pets Inc.  We want to teach her that she doesn't 'need' everything she sees on tv.  We also want her to appreciate what she does have.  She really enjoyed seeing what all everyone brought for the dogs, and she really enjoyed taking the donations (minus the fact that she got bit by a dog while we were there).  I know I'll probably spend the rest of my life saying this, but I cannot believe how fast she's growing up.  I truly wish I had a pause button!  I try to soak in every sassy minute I spend with her.  I know it won't be like this forever.
In an attempt to help me capture who she is at 4, I decided to do an interview with her.  Here's what she had to say (verbatim and without any prompting!)
And to start you off, as I was explaining to Becca that I was going to ask her questions so I could type them on my blog, she asked what kind.  I told her it would be about things she liked.  She said, "Oh, like my favorite color and animal?  Anything I say you'll put on there?'
I told her yes, and she quickly followed it up with, "Except no bad words.  You won't type dumb on there because that's bad."

What's your favorite color?  PINK, BLUE, & GREEN
What's your favorite toy?  BARBIE DOLL, RACE CAR, AND A TRAIN
What's your favorite food?  CHEESE
What's your favorite thing to wear?  DRESSES & SKIRTS
What's your favorite animal?  A GIRAFFE
What's your favorite song?  SPEAK LIGHT (Speak Life by Toby Mac)
What's your favorite book?  Big Sister
Who's your best friend?  MARIANNE, HANNA, & HAYES
What's your favorite thing to do outside?  RIDE ON MY RED BIKE
What's your favorite stuffed animal?  CAMO
What do you want to be when you grow up?  A CHEERLEADER