started slow and now

When will I hear 'mama' or 'dada', I thought when he turned 20 months old? The 'experts' were telling us Blaise should have a certain number of words. Ambrose was also a late talker so the second time around we knew the drill. After being tested we started speech services with Miss Laurie (Ambrose's speech therapist so no introductions were needed).

Now almost a year and a half later there is a much different picture. Blaise has a bit of his own language as a few sounds still need to fill in. Water is 'yater' and 'pajamas' are 'pee-jam-es'. Oh goodness is it cute to hear him talk and with his hands out as he talks and motions (hmmm, I wonder where he got that from?) His descriptions are fascinating . . .just the other day my hair was described as 'fluffy' (I guess mommy needed more product that day). Simply adorable.

now: fall

This weekend we went to Gro Moore farms for some fall activities.

- apple tasting
- pumpkin head posing

- goats jumping up to greet us

- haunted house
- giant slides
-tractor ride
- pumpkin painting

My favorite season just started . . . so much more to come!

follow the path

'Blaise, time to go to preschool'. No answer.
The bathroom had black fingerprints on the toilet seat, sink and light switch.
The dining room light was on and his letter book out.
'Blaise'? No answer.

In the living room surrounded by books and clearly undisturbed.
Ahhhhh, 3 1/2 years old and has certain priorities.

Independence at 3, wanted so badly yet unreachable at times.
I can follow his path and find him.
Sometimes the path is curvy, but it is his path.
So I will learn to follow (while secretly leading from the side).

first class

Blaise and I have lots of time together since Ambrose is in full day kindergarten which is wonderful to have that special time with my little guy. Today we went to his first 'learn to skate' class. After dressing and struggling into all of his gear with a huge smile he went out on the ice. Where he promptly said 'it is slippery'; nothing like the obvious there son.

He started with a chair and most of the time didn't get very far before falling or the skates looking like they were in one spot. After a juice break (which he was very excited about) he got to hold a stick and try it out. He did great and had an award winning smile the whole time!

free time

Ambrose in kindergarten. Blaise off to his first official day of preschool. Mommy has some free time, so I hit the streets to roller blade. There I am jamming to the tunes on my ipod, enjoying the beautiful sunny day, going down Park Avenue and where do my thoughts go? The boys. What are they doing, are they having fun, making friends, etc.? Too funny.

first one

Wiggly, wiggly for quite awhile.
Do you see my toothy smile?

I've been trying to wiggle it free,
how it happened escapes me!

I wrote a note to the tooth fairy
without a tooth it may be hairy.

At midnight, I woke with a holler
and discovered a shiny Eisenhower dollar.

true friendship

Katelyn, Jack, Blaise and Ambrose

I haven't seen her in quite awhile but whenever we get together it was like we just spoke yesterday.
We were in Girl Scouts together and earned our Gold Awards.
We attended COR retreats (Christians on Retreat) as kids.
We have celebrated graduations, weddings and births.
We have mourned losses.
An ear for me when needed, advice when requested and honesty (even when I don't want to hear it).
True friendship = Priceless.

I pray that my boys find true friendships one day.

The boys and I visited with Kelly and her family over Labor Day.
A birthday party, a girls' night out, a play date, and a field trip.
The time flew . . . the boys and I regretfully had to drive back home.
We can't wait for the next time . . .til then we love you.

2 milestones

Tuesday, September 6th was Ambrose's first day of kindergarten.

Blaise's first day of preschool, September 8th.

first day

Surprise! Ambrose got to ride the bus on the first day of kindergarten. That might sound silly, but truly it was a great surprise for us. See, the city lost our papers and didn't have him registered for bus transportation. After redoing all the paperwork we were told that we would have to drive him and call back in a few weeks. WHAT?????

Luckily, we have great neighbors and a wonderful bus driver that all made the first day a great one and Ambrose was able to ride the bus. Blaise and I followed the bus to school and took a picture of Ambrose in front of the school sign (a school tradition). And then he was off for his first full day of kindergarten.

Meanwhile, Blaise and I came home and felt some 'emptiness'. Day 2 (today) and we are finding our groove . . . we've already cleaned, done laundry, made some homemade bread (homemade butter to come next), gone to Strong Museum and Wegmans. A bit different with just two, special time just for us.