Five on Friday

We have had a week with lots of appointments and things to do!

1.  On Tuesday Asa had his 4 year old check up.  His stats were 75th% for height and 47th% for weight.  I do not care what the number is so much as that he's holding his own from last year AND that he's back on the same curves as before his tongue tie interfered with his growth as an infant.  It's so reassuring to know there are no long term effects.

2.  On Wednesday at lunch time we had an appointment to find out whether the baby is a boy or a girl.  All four of us went--the ultrasound tech was so sweet to Asa and Anna Reaghan and assured me ahead of time they were more than welcome to come.  It did not take long to figure out our answer, and we are very excited the share the news on Saturday night at our party. :)

3.  Wednesday evening we met a photographer at a local park for some family pictures and portraits of the kids at 2 and 4 years old.  Kristen is so kind to the kids and patient with them.  She was especially a trooper following us around and doing what it took to get the shot when she herself is 32+ weeks pregnant!  She took our photos last year as well when we were visiting town and won a giveaway.  I'm so thankful it introduced us to her before we moved back to town!  We're also getting on her books for a newborn shoot in January (or February?) when she gets back to photography after her maternity leave this fall. :)

4.  On Thursday morning I took Asa to his preschool open house.  His class is actually a pre-K class which boggles my mind.  ACK!  There are 11 children in his class with a teacher and full time aide.  I think the class is split boys/girls pretty evenly.  He is excited and told me he didn't want to wait to go back.  I know it will be stretching for him, and as a mom it's hugely stretching to me to send him off even just 2 days a week after 4 years of being in our home and in our family bubble full time.  It's one of those things I know is the right thing for him, but it hurts and it's hard and I know there will be adjustments all around.  I am praying he bonds with his teachers quickly and falls into step with the routines and expectations quickly--especially as I suspect  most of the kids have "done" preschool before and this is Asa's first exposure to anything more formal than Sunday school. :)  He has his backpack all picked out and ready to go (it has gators all over it) and a lunchbox too (it's shaped like a fire truck).  If you think of it, you certainly can pray for us on Tuesday at 9 when his first day begins!  I need to think of something to do to keep busy until 1:30 when I can pick him up!

5.  This morning was Anna Reaghan's turn for a check up.  I am SO thankful to take the kids to our sweet friend as their care provider  Anna Reaghan charmed pretty  much all the staff.  How shes DOES keep us all smiling and laughing around here. :)  She did great and didn't balk at anything Rachel needed to check (a bit of a contrast to her apprehensive big brother).  She also reassured me about my one concern with Anna Reaghan.  Asa was speaking in multiple word phrases by now, but Anna Reaghan only puts 2 words together on infrequent occasions.  Rachel said not to worry based upon Anna Reaghan's obvious engagement with others, single word vocabulary, imaginative play, etc.  She DOES talk up a storm now and learns new words all the time.... she's just doling them out one at a time. ;)   It will be fun when she DOES put words together and we can understand her full thoughts more easily.  It's clear she's always thinking and scheming up something. ;)  As evidenced by.....

BONUS:  Yesterday Matt went to retrieve AR after rest time, and as soon as he walked the room a toy ROCKETED up into the air!  AR still has a music player attached to her crib that used to have a mobile attached to it when she was a baby.  Apparently she figured out she can put little bunnies she has into the slot where the mobile used to attach and they'll spring up into the air when you release them.  Oh she just LAUGHED and LAUGHED.  She and Matt were laughing so hard that I went to see what the commotion was.  Then I cracked up when Matt showed me.  We called Asa in, and he grinned and cracked up when we showed him Anna Reaghan's discovery/invention.  I think she has some of her engineer daddy in her after all. ;)

Stay tuned!!  Tomorrow Matt's parents arrive for a visit!  We get to show them our new house for the first time AND on Saturday night we're hosting our party to share whether this new baby is a boy or a girl!  We have a fun weekend ahead!