Talent Show

Hadley has been taking piano lessons for the past couple of months from one of my co-workers who is an incredible piano player.  She had a Thursday afternoon slot open and Hadley was able to ride home with Mrs. Woodward after school, enabling me to stay at school a few extra minutes and get some things done before leaving to pick her up. 

When I picked Hadley up from her lesson one day and she announced that she was going to be in the school's end of the year Talent Show, panic slightly swept over me.  Hadley had never seen one of our talent shows before so she had no idea how many people are in attendance for these things.  We're talking 600 people at least. 

Hadley played "Yankee Doodle" and "Old MacDonald" and Mrs. Woodward played a duet part with her to make the songs a little more exciting since our girl did only have two months worth of experience.  We practiced a ton leading up to the big day. 

When it was Hadley's time to perform, she walked up to the piano like a champ and played her little heart out.  We couldn't have been prouder of her for just being brave enough to go through with it, much less correctly hitting all her notes.

May continues to be a big month for Hadley, from tee ball to dance recitals to her talent show.  We just picked up tee ball and piano in March and April.  We are so proud of her for just being willing to step out of her comfort zone and try something new.  Super proud of our budding piano player!

MADS Recital

The sixteenth recital of Miss Adrienne's Dance Studio (MADS) was was appropriately titled "Sweet Sixteen." Any little girl who takes dance is enthralled by the sound of tap shoes; Hadley is no different.  So it came as no surprise to us that she would want to explore the world of tap dancing.   Hadley's tap class danced to a jazzy number recorded in 1936 called "Goody Goody."  I thought their costumes fit the song and choreography perfectly.  

The yearly recital is always very eventful, with dress rehearsal early in the week and then two recitals, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.  The entire recital is a good two hours long and each routine is less than three minutes long.  But just as any parents, we still sat through those four hours to see the entire six minutes of our girl dancing that weekend.

  Hadley had the biggest smile on her face during the entire performance.  Let me tell you she really came out of her shell for this year's routine.  I loved seeing her have so much fun and just really come alive on stage. 

 Merritt and Canaan both made it through Saturday's performance but when my friend, Lacey, offered to keep Merritt during Sunday's performance, I was more than happy to take her up on it.  Granna and Grandad came to the Saturday recital and Hadley is always so proud to have family present to cheer her on.

We tried a family of five shot numerous time but it seemed that someone (Canaan) was crying in every photo.  The recital was right at nap time, though, so the poor guy was struggling by the end.  So we finally decided to just take a picture with Hadley and call it a day.  Besides, she was the star on this day.

 After Saturday's performance, Granna and Grandad came with us to eat at Hadley's favorite Italian restaurant in Glasgow, Gondolier. We figured such a special occasion called for a nice lunch.  Plus, we were absolutely starving by the time the recital was over, we located our dancer, got her things together, and snapped pictures.  Hadley's routine was number 37 out of 40 so we packed her Leap Pad and a few other toys for her to enjoy during the long wait.

I have a love/hate relationship with this picture.  I do not like that my six year old looks much older than six, but I absolutely love the picture.  Lacey took this picture of Hadley when we went to pick up Merritt at their house Sunday afternoon.  I do believe I will be enlarging and framing this one.  As we wrap up our third year of dance classes, I am thankful to see Hadley coming out of her shell and finding her voice through dance.  I don't know how long we will stick with dancing, but right now I do think it's a great activity for her, and in the end, that's all that really matters.  Proud of our "Goody Goody" girl!

Diamondbacks

Year two of tee-ball was much more productive from a skill development standpoint than was year one.  Hadley played on the Diamondbacks and got great fielding experience at several different infield positions.  She loved playing first base or standing on the pitcher's mound, as those spots always got the most action.  

Justin helped coach Hadley's team again this year and when he wasn't picking up the younger kids when they laid out on the field or threw dirt in the air or straight on their heads, he was able to actually teach kids some helpful tips.

The players got two pitches from the coach before having to use the tee.  We were so proud of Hadley for how she improved with her batting.  She had to use the tee a few times, but also got lots of hits this year.  

I didn't make it to Hadley's first couple of games since Merritt was only a couple of weeks old and it was still quite cool outside.  But after that, we managed to make every game.  Granna and Grandad came to all the games and helped us tremendously, just as they always do.  Canaan loved running wild and free at the ballpark.  Next year we will get to cheer him on.  I just hope he's not one of the kids pouring dirt down his shirt or on top of his head, but I'm not counting anything out with that boy.

Yes, that third child really just has to go with the flow.  Luckily, she is one laid back baby.

Hadley's kindergarten teacher,  Ms. Feese, came to watch her play one night and overheard Coach Corey giving Hadley such a nice compliment.  He announced in front of everyone that Hadley was the best listener on the team.  Ms. Feese even mentioned it to Hadley the next day at school.  How awesome is it to have such positive role models in our kid's lives?  Coach Corey didn't have to say that and Ms. Feese didn't have to mention it to Hadley, but she did, and it meant the world to our girl.

We couldn't be prouder of Hadley's progress this year in tee ball.  I can't believe that next year will be the transition over to coach pitch softball for her.  Sigh...they just don't stay little long enough do they?  We had such a great season cheering on our little Diamondback!

Mother's Day

 This Mother's Day was especially sentimental to me since it was my first as a mommy to three beautiful babies.  I keep so much of the kid's artwork and laminate the nicer pieces so that I can display them for years and years to come.  So of course I had to pull out all the Mother's Day handmade pieces I've collected over the years.  

 This was also a special day because it was our first Sunday to make it to church since Merritt was born, five weeks ago.  This was also my first picture with all three kids since the first one in the hospital when I looked like death warmed over.  It actually felt really nice to get dressed up and have someplace to go.  The kids surprised me with a Vera Bradley wallet, as my Mother's Day present.  My old wallet had seen much better days so this one was a welcome surprise.  

 My super thoughtful sister-in-law, Angie, had planned for us to prepare lunch for my mom and take it to our parent's house. Since we were already going to be in Auburn for lunch, we went to church at New Friendship, too.  Bradley and Tiffany's families were both there so all 8 of our kids, under the age of 6, took up two very lively pews.  Nana and Grandaddy also joined us for lunch, as well as Jamey's mom, who made the long trip from Western Kentucky. It was an honor to have lunch with all these special moms.

 After our lunch in Auburn, we headed to Gamaliel to visit with Cathy and then headed to Ma's for the regular 6:00 Sunday night supper with the Stinson crew.  We love these ladies so much and love getting to celebrate what they mean to us.

So even though our Mother's Day entailed a lot of travel time, it was worth every second to honor all the moms who are incredibly special to our family.  This mom gig is no easy task and some days I feel like a colossal failure.  But there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful to be a mom and thankful that I get to influence and guide these precious lives that God has entrusted to me.  Happy Mother's Day!

Merritt's Moments: 1 Month

Oh my goodness, is the first month at home with a newborn a blur or what?!  Adjusting to life as a Party of Five is challenging enough; now let's throw sleep deprivation and raging hormones in to the mix!  Seriously though, I am coming through the fog and can hear the song, "I can see clearly now" playing in my head. If Merritt were not such an incredibly wonderful baby, I might just lose my mind.  But, you see, she is; and the good Lord knew that's what this ole' girl would have to have.   Let me tell you just how wonderful she is.

From the first night we brought her home from the hospital the most this baby ever woke up in the night was one time.  When we took Merritt for her two day check up, she was not quite back up to her birth weight; she weighed 8 lbs 6 oz.  Because of this, our pediatrician wanted us to wake her up every 4 hours, even through the night.  That was fine, until we started noticing her wanting to sleep longer at night.  She was 3 weeks, 5 days old when she gave us our first 8 hours of sleep.  I started taking her for weekly weight checks at my mother in law's doctor's office just to make sure she was gaining enough weight, since we were letting her sleep so much longer than the doctor advised.  Turns out, she was gaining weight beautifully so I didn't need to worry about letting her sleep at night.

Merritt still ate five times per day at one month old, but as she slept longer and longer at night, it was getting more difficult to fit in that fifth bottle.  She seems to stay awake more than our other two kids did, but I'm totally fine with that since she sleeps like a rock star at night.  She is still sleeping in her bassinet for the time being, but we did move her into her bedroom.  Now that Justin and the kids get up for work and school so early, we wanted to let Merritt sleep as long as she could.  We purchased a sound machine for the first time and keep it on the ocean setting.  Merritt absolutely loves it and it drowns out all the noise from the rest of our busy family.  We will transfer her over to her crib when we come home from vacation.  Her days consist of laying in her bouncy seat or on her fuzzy bear rug, when she's not snuggling with Mommy, of course.  She rarely ever cries and is just a dream come true.  I can't believe this sweet baby has already been with us for a month.  You're probably going to hear this a lot over the course of the next year, but this third baby has been the biggest blessing to our family.  I already cannot imagine our lives without her.  We love you, sweet Merritt!

Merritt's First Days

Timing couldn't have worked out better as far as when we came home from the hospital with Merritt.  It happened to be the last day of school before Spring Break.  So Justin was already going to be home with me anyway and the two big kids were able to spend lots of time with both sets of grandparents.  We couldn't have asked for an easier, smoother transition.  However, the first two weeks at home with a newborn are extremely difficult for me.  I'm pretty much an emotional wreck.  Lack of sleep and trying to figure out a routine and schedule do not suit me well.  Times like those make me even more thankful for my incredibly supportive, loving husband.  He is my rock.

Hadley and Canaan wanted to hold Merritt every chance they got, those first two or three weeks.  She was the novelty they had waited patiently for for months and they were ready to enjoy her.  It is so sweet to listen to them talk to her; just like they are adults and she is their very own baby.

Merritt loves her boppy pillow and spends plenty of time propped up on it.  She also loves the comfort of her bouncy seat, as well.  I still cannot believe I get another opportunity to dress up a little girl.  Good thing I saved all of Hadley's clothes!

When Merritt was not quite 3 weeks old I took her to Justin's open gym after school one day.  She napped on one of the blocking pads.  She might as well get used to the loud gyms; basketball season will be here before we know it!

We have had so many visits from sweet friends and family that I couldn't possibly remember them all.  Plus, let's face it, those first two or three weeks are a complete blur anyway, between sleep deprivation and crazy hormones.  But our first days at home with Merritt have been mostly wonderful.  We basically just sit and stare at her or hold her while she sleeps peacefully.  I hate to speak too soon, but I think it's safe to say that three really is a charm!

Merritt Nell's Newborn Pictures

My dear friend, Lacey, came to our house a week after Merritt's birth to capture some newborn pictures for us.  She did a perfectly fabulous job and I couldn't have been more pleased.  So without further ado, here are Merritt Nell's newborn photos.