Three!!

It's a little early, but Jack is going to be 3 on Wednesday! (It gets crazy during the week and I probably won't have time to do this!) Where has the time gone. This time of year gets me thinking back to all the anticipation we had for his birth and then all of the things that we never could have imagined that followed soon after his birth. October 12 is a day I will never forget. That's the day that Jack was admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of his ASD/VSD (heart defects). There was nothing that could have prepared us for the months that would follow. We truly are so blessed to have Jack as a part of our lives. And even more so, we are blessed that he is now the healthy, active and intelligent little boy that he is! Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers that so many of you have had for us over the past 3 years.

It's started

I'm home today as Caroline is sick. Atleast we made it through almost a full month of school before one of the kids got sick. At the high school, sickness is all over the place. They aren't really saying anymore if it is really swine flu, but alot of kids are really sick. I'm just saying prayers that we don't get it. Caroline came home yesterday and took a good long nap. When Tommy got home, she woke up and he noticed she was burning up. She had almost a 102 temperature! Some tylenol and naps later, it has finally come down some this morning. It is so pitiful to see your baby obviously not feeling well. Jack went on it to school this morning so that Caroline could get some good rest today and to keep them apart while she might still have something. Anyways, since I had a few minutes while she is sleeping, thought I would share some new pictures...

Day out with Thomas event that we did this weekend. Jack got to ride on Thomas the Train!

Trying to get a shot of both of them smiling!

Love that smile.

Jack trying to read to Caroline

Another Thomas picture. Can you believe this boy is about to be 3???

Back to Reality

Things have drastically changed in the Bowman household. I started back to work 2 weeks ago and everyone's schedule changed! I am now up at 5:15 to start the day. The rest of the crew is up around 6 to get dressed and feed before our days at work and school. Jack had a seamless transition back into school. He loves his friends and teachers and is already doing great again. Caroline also did very well in her transition to daycare. The only hard part was getting her to take good naps there. The first few days were a bit rough as she came home with red eyes and a bit cranky because she wasn't wanting to take a nap. The teachers kept saying how social she was! She wanted to smile and laugh at everyone through her exhaustion! This week has been much better though. Tommy also started back to school this week. He is finishing his last stretch at Thomas More to get his bachelor's degree. We'll be so glad to have that completed. I finished my master's degree this past summer. We are definitely ready to stop making tution payments!

Jack is still playing soccer. Each week has been progressively...different. Week one he was all about it. He played hard and didn't want to stop. Week 2...our fault. We brought gatorade (like all the other kids...I know, I know...) and he just wanted to sit on the side and drink his "blue juice." This past week, my parents and the Gautraud's came to watch the game. Jack decided to lay down, sit on the ball, and throw fits. I ended up having to run around the field with him. We have the next two weeks off from games, so maybe the break will be good for him.

Here are a few new pictures.

Loss of a Companion

Last night was a first for Jack. He slept with out his paci. We had been putting it off and putting off for the last little while. The child is going to be 3 soon...it needs to go. Now, I do have to say, he was only using it at night and naptime, but still, it needs to go. So, the question was, how do we do it? Do we "accidentally" leave it somewhere? That would lead to a breakdown. Would we tie it to a balloon and let it float away? Would he then associate every balloon with is paci? Would he be searching for it? No, we just snipped the end and watched his reaction.

"It's broken," he said.

So what's his solution, "Daddy, put some water on it."

Water won't work...sorry. So what happened then? He came up with a new solution for how it broke. First, he said he stepped on it. Then, by the morning, it turned out that dinosaur stepped on it and broke it. So what do you do with a broken paci? You throw it away. That near broke my heart as Jack walked in the kitchen and tossed his beloved paci in the thrashcan. I about cried for him! He did well though. He asked for it a couple of times before settling in for sleep. Then he got up at 4am and asked me where it was. I reminded him of throwing it away and he went back to sleep. Same process for nap today. Let's just hope every day gets better! I'm waiting for him to find some of the pacis that Caroline doesn't use and try to take those!

Too much to blog about

So we've been busy with life lately and I don't think I could even sit down and blog about it all! I get bad about not doing this regularly and then there's not enough time to upload all the pictures I would like. One big this is Jack starting soccer today. It was fun watching him. He did great. I was afraid he would be one of those kids that was crying on the side without us playing with him. Instead, he was out there running like crazy and having a great time. He even followed directions pretty well. We look forward to the rest of the season. I'm just going to put a link to the photos of the day...

http://picasaweb.google.com/twb2500/JackSSoccer?authkey=Gv1sRgCPP86KjmtaL7MA&feat=directlink

What else...Caroline is eating solids now. I've made her some squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, apples and pears. She really seems to be enjoying it. I took her to practice at daycare the other day and they said she even wanted more cereal than I brought! I think we have a healthy eater on our hands. I just hope I can keep up with her and pumping once I head back to work on the 17th. Way too soon! I know I can't be too hard on myself though. Formula isn't a bad thing. I just really want to nurse as long as possible and keep her on breastmilk for cold and flu season! That's my goal anyways.

We had several doctor's appt this week. So far all is good. Just trying to get everything done before school starts back up.

One thing I have to share that really made me laugh. We had lunch with one of Jack's favorite heart nurses from the times we spent at Children's Hospital. Jaime has a special place in our heart! Anyways, at lunch, Jack decided to show Jaime his scar. (He had noticed it the other night and Tommy explained it all to him...in a way an almost 3 year old would understand.) He proceeded to tell Jaime that he got his scar from falling down on the driveway. I just had to laugh. If only that was how he got it. Here's reminder at what a blessing he is!

Here's Jack 2 weeks after his heart surgery when he was 3.5 months old. In his words, that was a good fall on the driveway!

Crockpot Yogurt

So I've never been a real natural, green person, but since getting married and having kids, things are changing. I've got a garden, doing some sewing, and now making my own yogurt. Small steps, but we are getting there. (no cloth diapers here though!) Here's the link I used for the yogurt...great stuff!

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html

Jack keeps asking for more. We made strawberry-banana and raspberry for this go around. It makes a ton. I'm going to try and half next time. Next thing...anybody have know-how on composting?

Who's Who???

I think the resemblance is uncanny. Definitely a daddy's boy!