Wesley-isms

While at Home Depot today, Wesley accidentally scratched me. I brought it to his attention and this is what he said....

"Mommy, you need a band-aid brand bandaid. They heal the hurt faster!"

After a curious look, he says, "It's true. I saw it on TV!"

He then proceeds to sing the entire jingle!!

Wesley Can...

...ride a bike WITHOUT training wheels!

For the past year, Wesley has been riding a balance bike that we borrowed from a friend. He adored this thing and was just incredible on it - doing all sorts of tricks and stunts. Giving mommy a heart attack nearly every single time he was on it!

Daddy and I have been using this bike as an experiment of sorts. We were wanting to see if it would make a difference when it came to transition to a 'Big Boy Bike.' Given the fact that he was quickly outgrowing the Strider, we decided that the time was now. However, there was one big problem - Wesley had no idea how to pedal! Because of this, we decided to leave the training wheels on until he knew how to pedal...

This afternoon, I decided to give it a go and let him truly ride for more than the mere 2 minutes he had done prior. Within a few minutes, I realized that Wesley pedaling was not happening as the training wheels were to high, preventing the rear wheel from touching the ground - making it near impossible for him to move. Therefor, the decision was made to remove the training wheels and hope for the best...

Once the training wheels were removed, we made sure that Wesley was fully padded - knees and elbows - and then onto the bike he went. I was fully expecting to hold onto him as he balanced and tried to pedal, but Wesley had other plans...

He literally climbed onto the bike, asked for a push, and took off down the street before I could process that my 4 year old was riding a 2 wheel pedal bike for the very first time with absolutely no help! Within 20 minutes, we had made our way around the block 2 times, as well as showed off for every single neighbor that was willing to watch!

All of us, Daddy, Lil' Robert, Hannah, and I, are SO very proud of him. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect him to just take off like he did! I am still quite shocked with just how simple the transition was from the 2 wheel balance bike to the 2 wheel pedal bike!

I would say that our experiment was a success!

Mother's Day 2013

Today was incredible! Today was exhausting. Today was a Mother's Day that I will forever remember...

Around 11:45 last night, my head finally hit the pillow. Prior to that a certain 8 year old could not fall asleep.  During his in and out of his bed, he woke a certain 6 year old who became too scared to lay down by herself. {Now, let me back up a bit and say that all 3 kiddos, for the past 3 months, have been sleeping in the same room. The boys in their beds with Hannah on a crib mattress under Robert's loft bed.} This resulted in Robert making his home in Hannah's horse bed while Hannah made a pallet on the floor...

After almost 30minutes of snuggling with Lil' Robert, he was finally asleep. As I tried to sneak out of the room, Hannah woke. I laid with her on the floor for nearly an hour and, of course, every. single. time. that I tried to leave, she would wake up, cry, and beg to snuggle longer. I would lay back down, only to repeat the scenario a few minutes later! OYE! Eventually, I gave her my Kindle and told her to read the horse books and I would return to snuggle in a bit...

This worked until 1:15 am when I was awoken by a finger poking me in the forehead! Once again, she woke and was scared. In came her blanket and pillow so that she could make a pallet next to me bed. Back to slumber land she went until 6am...

At some point after 3, Wesley came running and screaming into my room. He needed his mommy 'nuggles'! I pulled him in bed between daddy and I and we all fell back asleep!

As soon as the clock strikes 6am, Miss Hannah woke and needed food! I tried to convince her to lay down that it was not wake up time, but this did not go over well. Tears quickly followed and before I knew it, Lil' Robert, Hannah, Wesley, and I were wide awake and starting the day. Breakfast was served to the 3 kiddos and they were told to sit quietly and eat - Mommy wanted to lay down again!

This worked for a very little bit - maybe 5 minutes - until I was back out here breaking up another fight! So our day started out early and abruptly - but with PLENTY of Happy Mother Day's thrown between the arguments!

Just before 8, we woke daddy so that we could get ready for the nursery. As I was in the bathroom getting ready, daddy, Lil' Robert, Hannah, and Wesley presented me with a beautiful picture. (see top of post)

The rest of the day was spent at the nursery, watching as the police pulled over speeders in San Marco, taking (or attempting to take) naps, Mass (where daddy and I both received Holy Communion with Lil' Robert AND he received the Precious Blood for the first time ever!), and dinner with Grandma...

It was an absolutely fabulous day full of little things from my children at every turn. I truly think this might be the first year that they understood the value of today!

Wesley's Wisdom

Tonight, Wesley and I were planning on snuggling in my bed. As such, I asked him to crawl into bed and lay down so that I could get a glass of water. When I return, he is standing next to bed, looking quite perplexed. I ask him why he was not in bed and he informs me that there is someone under the covers and he is scared. I ask him who could possibly be under the covers and his response completely surprised me...

"Mommy, I think Aunt Maura is hiding in there!"

At this, I reminded him that Aunt Maura was in Heaven. With that, he looks at me, hands on hips, and announces:

"Mommy, I know she in Heaven. I think she come to 'nuggle' with us"

We decided to pretend that Nicky Bear was Aunt Maura and snuggled with him...

Joy Is...

Watching your kiddos play in the sprinklers on a warm *still* winter day...

 

 

 

Listening to your oldest talk about when he gets married to his CCD sweetheart...

Getting your nails done with your sweet daughter...

 

Snuggling with your 4yo baby as they drift off to dreamland...

Spending time with the love of your life...





Being surprised by your siblings and parents for your birthday...

Watching your kids do something they so enjoy...

 

This is what joy is!

Out of the mouth of babes...

Tonight at Mass, as I was walking back from Communion, my eyes fell upon a little boy with Down Syndrome. He was so joyful - dancing down the isle, back to his pew, while his big sister tried to subdue him... much like we always did with Maura...

As they sat and I continued to my pew, I could not take my eyes off of him. His smile. His short chubby fingers. His eyes. It all reminded me of our precious little red head. At one point, the sister noticed my staring and I just grinned, waved, and quickly turned my head to hide the tears pouring from my eyes...

As I turned around, Hannah and Wesley noticed my tears, even though I tried desperately to hide it from them! Hannah went into my purse and gave me tissues and the squeezed me and kissed me. Wesley squeezed my neck and played with my hair. I was so grateful for these two sensitive, caring, and nurturing children I had at this very moment. The love they showed was beyond anything I have ever experienced from these two...

Slowly, they released their holds as my tears slowed. They each gave me one last kiss - Hannah went back to her singing and prayers and Wesley did something that still shocks me...

He looked at me and whispered "I make you stop crying, Mommy." What his plans were, I had no idea, but was anxious to see what this brand new 4 year old was about to do...

Wesley looked at me, took my glasses off and cleaned them. He them took my tissues and ever so gently, wiped my eyes. After this came the most incredible and heartfelt gesture he has done - he kissed each eye and then ever so carefully put my glasses back on...

Once he finished, he once again whispered "See, I kiss them so you no cry anymore. They all better now, Mommy." He stopped for a minute and appeared to look in the direction of the little guy with Down.Syndrome. Wesley then looked at me, leaned forward and said, "Mommy, Aunt Maura is okay in Heaven..."

Wesley's 4th Birthday ~ In Pictures

Happy 4th Birthday, Wesley Keegan :-)

 

Wesley was in complete awe of his cake and the sparkler candles. The prior 3 years, he was too young to remember, so this year was a BIG deal - He really thought he was some hot stuff since he it was all about him!

Grandma Riker came over for a celebratory dinner, and gave Wesley a whopping $4! Earlier in the week, he received a package all the way from Mississippi that Grammie and Grampy sent - he walked around for days singing "It's almost my birthday" after their special treat came! And now, he will tell everyone that will listen that he was this many (holding up 3 fingers) and now he is this many (holding up 4 fingers)!!

 



On Wesley's Birthday, he woke to quite the surprise - Mr. Elf Riker had made an appearance! On his way in, he grabbed a roll of painters tape and spelled out "Happy Birthday Wesley"! He then ran the tae all the way across the floor, up the opposite wall and perched himself on the shelf, holding the roll of painters tape.

My Sweet Baby is 4 Years Old!

I can hardly believe that my sweet, precious baby is 4!

This year has been an emotional one - as he has gotten older, we have realized just how far behind his peers he is. Because of this, Wesley had to be tested for speech and development. At first, he did  quite poorly, and I was devastated. Thinking that because I could not stay pregnant for a mere 8 weeks longer, he was now suffering. I called my friend who is a speech/language pathologist and sobbed to her about these results....

After a few weeks, we received a call from "The Office of Disabled Preschoolers" wanting to set up a further evaluation with Wesley. We went to this one and 2 hours later, we walked out with no information, other than the "he did great" and "we will get back to you in a few months." UGH! Time move  oh so slow. Finally on January 29th, we had a phone conference, I was unable to go in person because I had the flu. During this phone call, I learned that Wesley is about 6 months behind his peers in development and almost 19 months behind his peers in language. Once again the devastation returned. Because of me, he was not able to grow and mature. Because of me, he faced multiple difficulties at birth. Because of me, he now had to deal with all of these issues....

Now, my sweet baby goes to speech therapy twice a week, which in the grand scheme of things, is not terrible. In a few years time, his speech will be corrected and all of the frustrations we currently have will diminish....

So, when I look back on this year, it was full of great memories and hard memories. But, I loved every single moment of them. Wesley brings a special spunk that is like no other. He is such a unique kiddo. He is always making us laugh, yet making us pull our hair out. In fact, at speech today, as his teacher was telling me just how delightful he is, he made a fist, reared back, and punched his brother - really?!?!?!

I love this kiddo more and more every single day. He brightens my day with his sweet kisses and hugs. He comes into our bed every morning so that he can "nuggle" with us....

Wesley Keegan, I love you so very much. I love the way you smile. I love the way you tell me you will always be my baby. I love your hugs, your kisses. I love (and hate) the way you have no fear. I love watching the way you try and do everything your big brother and sister do. Wesley, you are such a big boy now. I miss all of your babyisms. I wish that I could stop (and reverse just a bit) time. I do not look forward to the day when you no longer want to snuggle. When you no longer want me to hold you. When you are to big to give me kisses or hugs in public - but I am afraid those days will be here before I am ready. The thought of you, my baby growing up, brings tears to my eyes, but no matter how big you get, you will always be my little baby!

I love you sweet boy! Happy 4th Birthday!
XOXOXO
Mommy


4 Years Old

**Link to 3rd Birthday Post and Pictures**

Wesley To The Rescue!

On Wednesday nights, Daddy will take Lil' Robert to CCD while Wesley and sometimes Hannah stay behind with just mommy. Tonight, Wesley wanted to be just with mommy, so Hannah went to CCD.

Once they left, we played a game of 'policeman' where you (ssshhh...don't tell daddy) run around the house screaming FREEZE and 'shooting' each other with the cork guns! We had an absolute blast with this - at one point, Wesley cornered me outside. It was quite the game!

Then, we had dessert - this was an ordeal because Mr. Man could not decide on ANYTHING. He would open one thing and then after a bite, decide it wasn't for him. Finally, he was given one last thing and off to Mommy and Daddy's bed we went - me with my diet coke, and Wesley with his Hot Hot Cocoa Milk!

My sweet, not such a baby, baby were enjoying our snuggles. He was watching cartoons, while I did some work on the computer - organizing my inbox and creating a folder (before caving) all of my Maura Annie pictures. At some point, I pressed a button, and in that instant, all of the pictures went away. I was devastated. The sobs began. At first they were quiet but before long, I could no longer control it...

Once Wesley heard my sobs he looked at me, with his gorgeous, innocent, loving eyes and said, "It's otay mommy, I take care of you." He then crawled out of the bed and out of sight. I remained at the computer sobbing, trying desperately to find these precious pictures with no luck. Before I knew it, he was back with a handful of tissues!

My sweetheart crawled into bed and just squeezed me, saying over and over, "I yove you, Mommy!" The sobs settled and after a prayer to St. Anthony, the pictures were found, sorted, and saved!

The Ear

After snuggling for 2 1/2hrs tonight, Wesley finally passed out... rubbing my ear!

Q-Tip Painting

Today is a dreary day on the homefront. It is warm with rain moving in. It is overcast and windy. It is a day that depresses you to look outside....

Since it is Thursday, I have my pre-school class for Wesley and Leighton. We have already begun the process of learning letters and their sounds and how to write them. Early this week, we went on a scavenger hunt for items that begin with L and W. We also used our fingers on sand paper to trace their letters. We have written them in chalk. We have had fun!

Today, however, I wanted to do something different. I was going to take all 4 to the zoo to look for animals that start with 'their letter.' In order for this to happen, the kiddos were to pick up their toys and do their chores while I took a shower. Wouldn't you know it, that once I was done, nobody had done as I asked. As a result, they lost the zoo privilege. (Tomorrow will be too cold, but maybe next Tuesday we will try again - they don't know this, though!) So, I had to go to plan 'B'. Which meant coming up with a plan b!

As I was drying off, I figured out just what we would do. Since we are working so very hard on letters, I decided that I would five the kiddos q-tips to use to create their letters and after that, they would use them to paint. It was a success! Not only did they get some good practice, they also had fun!

Here are some pictures of our very creative morning :-)