VBS

Madelyn was old enough to join the CCP VBS this year. It was, of course, during the week that we moved. Mimi was here (bless her heart - she is a SAINT) helping us move for about 2 weeks. She and Mari took turns taking Madelyn to VBS every night so I could unpack and sort through boxes.

Pool Time with Cousins!

We're finally moved! Although I use that term very loosely - we are living amongst many MANY boxes. I don't know if I'll ever feel settled - especially with my nesting instict kicking into high gear . . .

Kelly and the boys came over one afternoon to swim.

Here is Tom hurling Dylan through the air. He, too, loved it. Not so sure about momma . . .

That's Landon wearing Madelyn's life vest - he even looks good in pink!

My son - such a good boy for not peeing in the pool. Instead, he's watering some of momma's plants. . .

Company Dance Auditions

So Madelyn was "invited" to try out for company dance. We were out of town for Gena and Dan's wedding when they held the auditions so Madelyn auditioned with the rest of the girls almost 2 -3 weeks into the lessons!

She made it and was so excited because the teacher told them they could win trophies! It is SO expensive but so worth it to see her so happy. :)

Of course, as my precious girl always does, she made a picture for her teacher . . .

Pool Time!

We also took advantage of the pool before moving in completely. We would come over to the house after dinner to swim. So nice and refreshing in this Texas heat!

Here is daddy hurling my children in the air - they love it, mom doesn't. :)

New House Stuff

Well, there was SO much to be done before we moved into the new house! We had the ceilings scraped, carpets steam cleaned, and Madelyn's room painted. We were finally able to start actually moving furniture and boxes on Tuesday (7/21). I could hardly wait anymore!

Here's the before picture of Madelyn's room (with previous owner's furniture). It was a very "chalky" pink color . . .

and the after . . .

She loves it!

M&M&Ms 10-14-2009

Well we've decided on a name for our newest little angel - Micah (Hebrew - Who is like God) Elizabeth. We're still trying to decide on the middle name but Elizabeth goes so well. Our three little Muskateers.

I had my doctor's appointment today and we set my c-section for 10-14-2009 at 7:15 am! With my history of deliveries, I may very well go into labor before that but so far that's the tentative date. Everything checked out great today - Micah's heartbeat was about 140 or 145 - or as my doctor likes to say "barely a girl". :)

My next appointment is in one month and I have my glucose screening - fun. Can't wait to try the new "fruit punch" flavor they have . . . blah. Then I start going in every two weeks! I'm almost in the final stretch!

HOUSE UPDATE: Walk through was tonight - we have the keys - painters start tomorrow! We should be in by this weekend if the painters finish by Friday! I can't wait to start nesting and take a dip in my new pool!

Stan the Man

Kelly and I drove to Dallas on Saturday for the Sip and See of Charlotte's new baby boy, Stanley. I didn't get a shot of Charlotte with him because everyone else was holding him but he is a precious little man!

Stanley Brett Kozlowski

May 21, 2009

10:01 pm

7 lbs, 5 oz

19 3/5 inches

His big sister, Shelbi, is Marek's age - also born in May in 2006. She looks just like her daddy but make no mistake - she is DEFINITELY her mother's daughter! I told her that she was a beauty queen and she responded with "I'm not a queen - I'm a princess." Yes you are, Shelbi, yes you are. :)

Library Story Time

The kids go to story time once a week at our local library which I love. I went with them on Thursday to get Madelyn and Marek their very own library cards with their pictures on them. They were so excited - Madelyn has been talking about this for over a month. The story time classes fill up fast but we've been fortunate to get them in each session. This summer, their classes fall on different days but they get to sit in on eachothers classes. This fall just Marek will be going since Madelyn will be in school FULL TIME! eesh.

Madelyn's class doing "The Wheels on the Bus" song . . .

Listening intently to the book . . .
Marek joined his sister (almost literally at the hip!) for the mini-movie . . .

After the movie they do arts and crafts to tie the entire theme together. They always let Marek join in for Madelyn's class . . .

25 Weeks

Marek's birthday also marked my 25th week. Almost 6 months! My 3rd Trimester is only 2 weeks away! It's hard to believe. I feel like my feet and ankles are starting to swell a bit. Makes me nervous because I still have 3 1/2 months to go not to mention this incredibly hot summer!

Still no names picked out (we have a couple ideas). We're open for suggestions . . .

Three

My baby boy turned THREE yesterday. I still can't believe it. He's my baby. It was 3 years ago today that I was in a postpartum haze praying to God (along with all of my family and friends) not to take my baby. He was born with a spontaneous pneumothorax. They initially thought he had water on his lungs (common in C-section babies). By the time the doctors figured out what it was, his lung was already collapsing and starting to crush his heart. His chest was filled with air and they had to put a hole in my 1 day old to put a tube into his chest cavity to pull out the air. You can read all about it on my first post . He is my little miracle baby and is such a fighter!

To this day he's still such a toughie but also the kindest and sweetest little boy you could imagine. He must have told me 20 times yesterday that he loved me. Be still my beating heart.

Opening his present from mommy and daddy . . .

Blowing out his candles . . .
Birthdays are so exciting!

Mari got him some great alphabet and numbers puzzles. He LOVES puzzles and wanted to open them right away!

Happy 3rd Birthday, my sweet angel boy. I Love you SO much it hurts my heart. :)

4th of July

We spent the weekend at Nana's and Papa's lake house this year for the 4th. We had a BLAST! We got there at around lunchtime on Friday and ate lunch. Then it was off to the "pool" for the kids!

Marek trying on his new goggles. . .

Madelyn with her goggles. This made us all giggle. She sort of looks like Cameron Diaz!!
Mads showing off her festive nail polish ala Mariana.
Mari and I went for a ride on the scooters! It was Mari's first time and she did great!
After napping, the kids wanted to swim in the lake. We've never really done this because none of the adults wanted to get in! Daddy was a trooper and went in with them . . .

Marek and I relaxing in the hammock chairs. . .

Then the craziness ensued. Madelyn wanted to jump off the dock - she is fearless . . .

(check out Tom's face)

Marek is a bit more cautious and wanted to start jumping from the ladder of the pontoon first . . .

My big boy . . .

(Check out daddy's face again)

He was hooked!

(Tommy looks more relaxed, too!)

He was then ready for the big time - both of my children are FEARLESS!

Daddy needed a rest after hoisting the kids up to the ladder for over an hour so he and Papa took the kids for scooter rides! Just up and down the road, of course. . .

Marek "kicking the tires" and checkin' out the bike first . . .

Madelyn with daddy . . .

Marek did NOT want to stop to wave to momma - he wanted to keep going.

The Whisenants arrived just in time for dinner. Mom made hot Dagos and they were so good!After eating, it was time for a boat ride!
Marek and his God mommy . . .

Jason was a kid magnet! They all flocked to him during our excursion . . .

My big boy watching the wake created by the motor. He was mesmerized (ok - and a bit exhausted from the day)!

Madelyn needed to take a little potty break . . .

The next morning we broke out the bubbles after breakfast . . .

Showing off their patriotic tattoos . . .

Papa, Mari, and Nana were so patriotic in their matching outfits!

Next it was pool time! Marek showing off his best belly flop . . .

Pure entertainment for just $30!
This of course led to jumping off the dock, again! Landon didn't want anything to do with it - he was fine in the "pool". Dylan is very cautious and got in a few times from the ladder and worked his way up to the big plunge!

("Crouching Tiger" pose)

Nana had beef brisket for lunch and had cut the watermelon in the shape of stars! She's amazing . . .

We didn't think the Posts were going to make it because they moved into their new house this weekend. They surprised us Saturday morning with an announcement that they would be joining us!! They arrived for lunch and then it was off to the dock again . . .

Mads was first . . .

Then Chase . . .

Then Dylan . . .

and finally, Ashlynn . . .

(Marek was napping)

Steph and Chris, being the avid boaters they are, brought their "floating island". And yes - it wasn't easy for the two preggos to get on this thing! It was comical, I'm sure, watching the entire process!

Kelly joined us on the float after a while.

Does anyone remember these?!?! I LOVED doing these hot pad looms as a child. Papa had found some of these kits at the store and bought them for Madelyn and Ashlynn to play with at the lake. Us girls used to make these for all of our Aunts and Grandmas for Christmas. Ahhh memories . . .

The cousins brought their bikes so while some of the other kids got rides on the scooters, Madelyn and Marek confiscated two and were off!

Dave & Terry (and their niece Allie), John & Ellen, and Mike & Judy all stopped by on their boats and jet skis to say "hi". We decided it was a good time to sing happy birthday to Marek. It's hard to believe that in just 3 days my BABY will be 3 years old.

Opening his presents from Nana and Papa . . .

Marek and Nana watching the boats go by . . .

That night, Papa wittled sticks for the kids to make s'mores while they watched the fireworks. Look how much FUN he's having!

All the cousins together for the 4th - this doesn't happen often!

Roasting their marshmallows and trying to watch fireworks at the same time . . .

This picture doesn't do it justice but we could see about 6 or 7 different fireworks shows going on across the lake!

What a GREAT weekend. Thank you Nana and Papa for having us and making our weekend so special.

Happy Fourth of July!!