wes + elle {April - December}

Elliot calls him "Baba" and they have this yelling language when they are in different rooms...Wes has been heard saying "I just want to eat her, I love her so much"-"you're such a precious girl, Elliot" She has started to wrestle with him a bit, his love language. It's not all cuddles and kisses (especially when she's getting on his last nerve screaming next to him in the car) but it's pretty great!

I also am into the progression of seasons in this seriously long scroll of photos ;)

Pre-K :: 1st Day

I'm typically a couple months late posting Wes' first day of school...so here it finally is!

He is at his second and final year at Little Feats and it feels good to be back where things are familiar and Wes never has a day at school without a cousin in the building.  Miles' is even in his class 1 of his 3 days.

I've enjoyed the quieter mornings while Wes is at school and Elliot typically naps...but boy do those 3 hours go quickly! I'm actually doing a Bible study at my church Thursday mornings so I don't get 3 full mornings by myself...but that Bible study is exactly what I need every week, to recharge and refocus!

Wes is just so ready for more interaction..more education (he is super interested in learning to read lately) that our afternoons can feel LONG...I'm still getting used to what our "routine" will be now that Fall is in full swing.  I have hopes for a small basement room remodel this season so that there's an extra play area for the kids during the days when we can't go outside.  I'm also thankful that Wes has now figured out how to ride his bike (fun for him!) when we get a chance to be outside in between baby sister's naps (I forgot how much those things can tie you to the house.)

Anyhow, I'm definitely not good at this whole blog thing these days but that doesn't mean I've given up! Here are those first day photos I just love so much...I've been so shocked to see the difference between last year and this year.  How is he growing so quickly?

I am adoring the Fall weather and colors. We just got back from a sunny vacation in LA, Disneyland (probably should post about this) and San Diego and after a final hoorah in the sun I'm feeling so nostalgic and in love with the Pacific Northwest.  I'm also remembering this time last year...just a week away from meeting sweet Elliot...I'm trying to savor all of it.  She is one next Friday!

Portraits

I can't get enough of these two together...oh how I longed for Wes to have a little sidekick! So you'll have to indulge me :)

wes + elle

Siblings back at it again! It's been a bit since THIS post...but things remain very similar...Wes is still very smitten with his little sister and despite my fear for her safety she is completely trusting of her big brother.  He has developed something he likes to call "the spider hold" where he takes her legs and wraps it around his waist and then scoops in under her arms and picks her up (he's been instructed to do that under strict supervision after being caught carrying her around when I turned my back for a second).  She is all smiles for her Wessy boy.  Ah sibling love ;)

Capturing Our Blessings

Back in November, just a week after our sweet Elliot was born, I joined my 3 sisters-in-law in a photo project called "Capturing Our Blessings" which was hosted HERE.

I loved finding the small blessings in each day and it wasn't hard with a new baby, a 4 year olds birthday, a visit from my best friend, and thanksgiving all in one glorious month.  I never knew I liked November so much!

And though I am a bit late (4 months) in posting this I wanted to record here the majority of my captures...done with my iphone...will I ever use my real camera again?

1- 4 full towel hooks...we have waited a long time for that!
2- sweet feet
3- crossfit with daddy
4- our little bean
5- my first outing to pick up Wes from school (I locked my keys in my car that day and Kristen came to my rescue)
6- my mug collection...makes me happy!
7- Wes' preschool and the truth
8- Wes is thankful for...
9- happy son (sun)
10- Elliot's rag rug (still not completed!)
11- cute even when she's mad
12- pudding snacks for preschool birthday celebration
13- birthday morning (his birthday  is on the 15th, these dates aren't lining up)
14- nursery decorations
15- crocodile cupcakes for his peter pan movie party
16- Evolution Fresh- yum!
17- morning light
18- Thanksgiving performance
19- Jane comes to visit! (come back)
20- Grandmas!
21- Elle + Hank
22- two kiddos on Santa's lap
23- Wes gets a tree for his room
24- gorgious Fall colors
25- Katrina and our cherished group nap time (miss you)

1st Day of Preschool :: Wesley

 Wes' first day of preschool (September 8th) was a sunny glorious day for our big boy to begin his schooling adventure.  He was super excited...and was seriously hamming it up! I had a hard time choosing from all of his hilarious photos...every time the shutter clicked he was hitting a new pose!

 I was still very pregnant which explains the delinquency in my posting this but I certainly wanted to document how very proud of Wesley we are and what a blessing Little Feats (his school) has been to him and me.  I have relished that time in the morning twice a week to enjoy a bit of quiet (Elliot typically naps for a bit) and get things done around the house, and since Jeff most often takes him to school I have even more time and Jeff gets to spend a little one on one time with Wes.

 I have loved hearing Wes come home singing songs I didn't teach him, knowing his little head is being filled with knowledge and fun.  He has made friends all on his own (not just friends with my friends kids) which has also been a new experience and thankfully his "best" school friend, Jack, has a really great Mom...so thanks Wes for making me a new friend too. 

At first he only told me what they had for snack and I wasn't so sure I liked him spending 6 hours a week somewhere with me in the dark about exactly what was going on there.  But we've both enjoyed that freedom and he has slowly opened up about his classmates (a girl kissed him- are you kidding me?) and his teachers.  He even got to take Elliot in for show and tell the week it was the letter E- he was the sweetest big brother.

Thank you Little Feats for helping our BIG boy transition to a whole new phase in our life- school!

(random comment- can you believe how blonde Wes was? it makes me excited for summer and for it to get bleached out again...)

Preschool 2012-13

School picture day...my 2 instructions were brush your hair to the side and smile...I think he forced it, but I think it's awesome.

Love you big preschooler!

wes + elle

Wes can't resist his little sister...she's the first thing he wants to see in the morning...sometimes to my annoyance since she's often still fast asleep. He adores giving her hugs and kisses. And when asked by a stranger what his favorite thing about being a big brother is he replied, "giving mama her diapers and wipes"- ha! I have him well trained. He is a loving and encouraging big brother and she loves him too, as evidenced by the bigs laughs in the below video. Oh these two are the best things we've ever made- thank you LORD.