Kids Stats (2/28/16)

Erik:
Height: 54.5 inches (90%)
Weight: 73 pounds (86%)

Lainey:
Height: 49.5 inches (85%)
Weight: 49 pounds (50%)

Carson:
Height: 44 inches ( 75%)
Weight: 42.5 pounds (65%)

Kyle:
Height: 35.5 inches (42%)
Weight: 29.5 pounds (47%)

My first three seem to have gotten my families height genes, at least partially.  Not Kyle though.  He is short and stout, a bit like his Dad.  He certainly will have enough personality to make up for it!

Scout

Well, we've added to our family!  A very, very sweet little Labradoodle named Scout.  I'd been thinking about a dog for over a year, but was afraid of the work.  So we tried a cat, which failed miserably due to allergies.   So it was back to a dog.

This fall at Carson's soccer, a (new) friend brought her dog each week.  Her dog was such a sweet, gentle puppy.  It was a labradoodle, which was one of the breeds I'd been considering since they don't shed.  I started following her breeders website and decided to go for it.

I requested a light/reddish girl puppy (to even out our balance a bit), but the breeder we went with, picks the puppies for the families based on temperament.  We the time came to assign a puppy to us, she strongly suggested a chocolate boy.  Since ultimately, temperament is more important than anything, I was happy to follow her suggestion.

We couldn't be happier.  This little puppy is so wonderful!  He is sweet and gentle.  Certainly, he is a puppy and spends part of the day tearing around the house, chasing things but he is just SO sweet.  We love him immensely already and I'm thankful to say, at this point, it's much easier than I anticipated (Certainly easier than a newborn!).

Here are a few photos of our new addition....

So Loved

I think I have the worlds best friends! With this my first Valentines Day as a single mom, I think my friends must have been worried that I would be sad.   I don't think I would have been, but now I'll never know, because I was so loved and celebrated by my friends that it was truly my favorite Valentines Day ever.

Friday night I came home from work and Margaret, one of my sitters, had dropped off a HUGE bouquet of beautiful flowers.  

Saturday, three of my friends from Virginia came to visit.  They brought me lots of gifts - chocolate, cookies, wine, babysitter money, a ring (to replace my wedding ring), a journal with a beautiful note, flowers.   Oh, and my friend J brought the kids four singing animals.  Haha!  

We went out for dinner and were able to secure a table at my favorite restaurant that doesn't take reservations.   I met these friends when Erik was 10 months old.  We've been through many, many pregnancies, many moves, kids with issues, Daron's cancer, Jenn's cancer, a failed marriage, and now my dear friend J is also fighting cancer.  Please pray for her!  I felt SO special Saturday, even though J's battles are much bigger than mine, they spent time and money making sure I am okay.  True friends!

Sunday morning, my kids woke me up at 5:51 AM.  I admit, I failed as a mother for a few minutes.  I knew they were planning something the day before, but I went to bed really late and woke up to Scout kissing my face and a plate of carrots and grapes in my face.   After I yelled at them about getting Scout out of his crate and waking me up so early, I quickly realized that they had been very excitedly presenting me with breakfast in bed (thank you Margaret for giving them the idea).  I took a deep breath and put in my contacts and went to apologize.   They had spread streamers throughout my room.  The carrots and grapes were a reflection of my fridge status (now restocked).   I am SO lucky to have four kind, loving kids.

Victor took the kids yesterday.  He took Kyle to target and let him pick out flowers for me.  That boy was SO excited!  (Don't over-read this - Victor has no intention of ending his new relationship, but I do appreciate this gesture, for sure.) 

Topping of my weekend of being so well loved, my friend Nicki let me know she sent me a package in the mail too.   And my Mom started the Valentines celebration by sending up two HUGE batches of cookies in the mail.   

I simply can't recall a time when I have felt so loved.  I am so blessed.