Drew Turned FIVE!

My sweet Drew-boy is growing up way to fast!  I still remember the LONG 8 yrs it took to hold him in my arms.  During that LOW valley in our lives I truly thought we may never have a child of our own. After many years of clomid, metformin, ultrasounds, a miscarriage, and 2 surgeries we got the best news of our lives... and 9 months later on Nov 26th, 2007 we welcomed our 9lb 2oz boy, Andrew Charles!! He is now 5, and I am continued to be amazed at him, especially his love for Zach, how his brain works, and his tender heart.  He is such a bright, quick witted young man!  He has such a great mix of David and me..  He has really showed signs of loving artistic things this year. I have been amazed at some of his drawings. I will be interested to see how that pans out through the years.

This past year has been a little tough as he has gone through a very shy and scared stage.  I have to admit at first it was really hard for me to understand because he was never a shy kid.  When he started preschool this past fall it took him about 2 months to feel somewhat comfortable.  It broke my heart when his beyond awesome teacher said he was almost having a panic attack.   This is where I PRAISE his teacher and the time she took with him, pushing and loving on him.  It is still a work in progress and we continue to pray for the best approach for him.  We Love him sooo much!!

Enjoy some pics of his 5th Birthday (held on Dec 2, 2012)..

Thanks to Courtney Solstad for this OH SO CUTE CAKE!!

Drew's 1st VBS- June 2012

I was beyond excited that Drew was finally old enough to attend VBS!  Our church does it a little different, they call it Backyard Bible Club, but the teaching is the same.  I was thankful my friend Kim Heaton was a host home and some other familiar faces were there helping her out.  He literally cried the first day I dropped him standing at the end of the driveway. Talk about ripping my heart out!! I knew it was the best thing for him and as the week progressed he got more comfortable and even memorized a verse for the last day, whoo hoo!!  It was really cool because the evening of the last day our church had a fun event with a petting zoo, bounce houses, food.. etc... The kiddos loved it!!

We have been praying for Drew quite a bit this past year as he is really going through a tough stage of being shy to new things.  Enjoy some pics from his week (thanks to Kim for taking them)!!

After Party

BUG-A-LICIOUS BOY!

Rolly Pollys are a frequent visitor of our home these days, did you know they are going to grow into lady bugs? Me either!! The 2 things that make my smile turn upside down are:

*Putting more Rolly Pollys in his container on top of DEAD ones... YUCK!
*Walking into the kitchen and finding the Rolly Pollys have a free for all in my house. Drew tries to convince me that they need to be out and that they are hungry...REALLY???

Drew has been in rare form these day, and it just keeps the smiles stuck on our faces.

On the way home from dinner the other night, Drew was talking our ears off. He was giving us the following wish list:

-Lollipops, Hot Air Balloon, Microphone, more trains, and on and on....

Atleast he has a variety of wants, right?

HIGH Flyin' Daddy Time!!

Guess who! We are finally getting settled in our new house and feeling pretty good. We plan to be settled in this house for the next few years, so God willing we will not be moving anytime soon, WHEW!!

Now to catch you all up! In April Drew had a Daddy day, so off to the airshow they went. David was excited to share his love of planes with Drew up close and personal. This was Drew's very first airshow, and let me tell you he was absolutely exhausted. Enjoy a couple of fun pics from the day. Daddy didn't take a lot, but hey ateast he took some!!

Drew's Trip to The FARM!

We had a fun outing today with our MOPS group. I wasn't sure about it at first, but then I thought the price wasn't bad and it would give Drew and I some time together alone, since David was home sick and could take care of Evan. I am sooooooo glad we went. The place was called Grisham Farms and our small group was the only one there because you have to make appointments, sooooooo nice! Anyhow, Drew got to hand feed the goats and sheep, then throw some food to the BIG pigs. We were instructed it wasn't smart to hand feed them and once I saw them I completely understood why.

Feeding the Animals

Petting the animals (they brought out 5-6 for them to pet). Drew had LOTS of questions for the lady, I was pretty impressed because they were great questions, like "What do the animals eat?"

Someone spying on us, hmmmm...

And.... then comes his new best friend, Bo Bo! He found this bright green Caterpillar in the sandbox and carried it around everywhere letting it crawl up his arm. He was the hit of the playground. It took LOTS of convincing from me for Drew to let Bo Bo stay with his friends at the farm. He tried to sneak it more than once...smarty pants!

He must have been exhausted, this is where we found him during quiet time.

"WASH ON - WASH OFF" with Drew

As I have said many times, Drew LOVES to help! You can turn around just about any bad behavior with him when you give him a job. I am not saying this is 100% effective, but pretty close. I often have to remind myself this very thing! Drew was a big helper last weekend, working with Daddy to clean our vehicles. He had a BLAST!!

Drew TURNED Three- More Catch-Up!

Okay, so I am not doing very good with catching up the blog, but I am determined to make a schedule for 2011, which will include a blog day, so I can have consistent weekly posts.

Anyhow, we are going back in time a bit with Drew's 3yr update.

We went to the doctor about a month late, so I will start with his 37month Stats:

Weight: 37.2 lbs (89%)
Height: 39" (79%)

After the doc looked at his weight he said. "you have a big boy, but that is okay because he is also tall." Drew's mouth is continually moving and producing sound. Sometimes it's a good sound and sometimes not so much. I know many of you will relate, but I am just not sure where he learns some of the stuff he says. His newest things are:

KNOWLEDGE:
*ALL ABC (with song, which is has been doing for a LONG time)
*Knows all the vowels
*All letter sounds
*Recognizes many words like: book, dad, mom, evan, drew, pie, truck... the list goes on
*Is starting to sound out words
*Pronounces his last name better than most, knows his whole name
*Knows lots of shapes including octagon and hexagon
*Knows several songs, some I didn't even know
*Says sweet prayers
*Is in major pretend stage and I think has an imaginary friend
*Counts to 11 consistantly sometimes up to 15
*Know Right from Left most of the time
*Knows how to point you home, Emma's house, or little Airport close by.
*Knows what CVS & Starbucks look like (sad huh?)
*Is starting to learn names of planes
*Figures out most gadgets/toys better than David and I! He finds things we didn't even know they did.
*Can work my IPhone... scary
*Can select a movie off Youtube

Okay I have to stop with this list because I didn't know I had a 12 yr old....lol!

Makes Us Proud:
-"I want to hold Evan."

-He wants to always give Evan a kiss and hug before bed

-He loves to be the first to talk to Evan when he wakes up. He opens his door, turns his light on,
and talks to him. He even sometimes gives him toys.

-He is such a helper: helps with: laundry, emptying the dishwasher, gets Evan toys, throws away diapers, brings boxes in from the front porch, helps clean up toys, etc..

-He is our resident ant smasher

-Potty Training, he is in big boy underpants most of the day, except when we go out or at night. he is going pee pee atleast 80% of the time on the potty.

-Gives wonderful morning snuggles

-Drinking out of a big boy cup, even filling his own cup with water

-Puts his dishes and silverware in sink when done, after throwing his trash away

Not so good:
-"I am not going to be your friend."

-"I am not going to listen to you, I am a mean boy."

-Throwing things...ANYTHING

-Doing things even when he is told no... looks at you and does it anyhow.

-He has started saying he doesn't like food, so we are learning how to be polite at the dinner table.

-Potty Training, he has these moments when he doesn't want to go on the potty at all and we have yet to conquer the poop! If any of you have tips for that I am VERY open to it.

-Temper tantrums

FUNNY RECENT DREW COMMENTS:
*"Daddy you can't do that it is impossible." This was when David was getting Christmas tubs down from the attic.

*Me-"Drew look there is another excavator," Drew-"No Mommy, it is a Mini Excavator, you know like tiny."

*"I am going to smash that ant with my pee, and blow it up."

*"No, Mommy I sad no Starbucks, you don't deserve it." He says this when we get close to a Starbucks, even before I turn into it... so sad!

Birthday Kisses from Emma

Here are a couple pictures from his birthday party! I would put more, but my computer is not working quite right, so this is all you get for now.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

A BLACK FRIDAY BIRTHDAY!

Drew is officially THREE! He had the opportunity of sharing his day with Black Friday, like he knows what that is. We had the opportunity to celebrate his special day twice, once with friends here in TX and the other with Uncle Mark, Hannah, Abby, and his birthday buddy Aunt Sherri in LA!

Drew's first cake, to the left, was made by one of my bestest friends Courtney. I just sent her a picture and she totally recreated it. I am totally jealous of people who bake. I am blessed to know her. The second cake below Mark & Sherri got Drew. Isn't it awesome? Drew is still playing strong with his cake toppers!

Drew is seriously three going on 12! We are often amazed at the things that comes out of his mouth or even the things he remembers. I remember the other day I was nursing Evan and he bit me and I yelped a little. Drew came rushing in to my aid and put his hand on my arm and gave me this serious look. He said," Mom, are you gonna be okay?" Or the other evening we were outside and from no where Drew looked up and said, "Look Mommy, its a planet." He was right! When we drive by a Starbucks he often asks me if we are going to get one (could be a bad thing), or he I ask if we can stop and he says, "No Mommy, you don't deserve one." I could go on and on with Drew statements. He keeps us on our toes and laughing!!

Drew is beginning to get a little picky with food, which I hoped would never happen! He has started telling us he doesn't like things and he doesn't want it. So, I am trying to see this as a learning opportunity, as I grit my teeth. We are now learning how to ask to be excused and to politely say, "I am full, thank you." Or, "It is delicious." I didn't think he was hearing us, but when we went to Louisiana he sat quietly and ate all of his food with no complaints.

Now potty training....what can I say we are still doing it. We are going to take away the diapers New Year's weekend and go from there. David is home for 4 days, so here goes! The only reason we are going to do this is because Drew knows exactly when he needs to go and tells you. He is just choosing to take the easy road and potty in the diaper! So, pray for success!!

Now onto some more pictures from the birthday celebrations! We had a great time and we can't thank you all enough for the blessing you are in our lives as well as Drew's!

LOUISIANA BIRTHDAY!!

TEXAS BIRTHDAY

Drew the "BRAINS"

I am going to try to be better at blogging all around because I know I am missing key things that I will regret not blogging about when it comes to scrapbooking. Anyhow, those of you who know my Drew Boy, know he is smarter than he should be at his age. He is the most verbal 2 year old I have ever met. It has been getting even more fun lately because his imagination is in full swing. We put him in his room for quiet time and just listen to the stories he tells.. CRAZY! I will have to start documenting some..

So, he will be turning "THREE" next month, which is when we will start some basic school stuff. He already knows:

*ABC's
*Counting 1-10 (and sometimes more)
*Colors
*Some Shapes
*Songs/Games: Marching, Twinkle Little Star, ABC's, Songs we make up, Ring around the Rosie, Itsy Bitsy Spider
*Potty Training (some days are good some days are not so good)
*Amazes us with things he remember from months earlier
*I am sure I am forgetting tons more

He loves to fix things like daddy, helps with housework (dishes, laundry, letting Bella out and feeding her) helping with Evan,

I am currently in a Women's Bible Study at church where we are learning about the Five Love Languages for Children and it has been priceless. Drew's Love Language is Quality Time, FOR SURE.

His ears often need adjustment because he doesn't seem to always hear us (lol). Overall we are beyond blessed with our two little men. Drew is a determined boy who likes things his way on this time schedule. He often reminds of of things we shouldn't say just like we do to him. Aren't kids such a reflection of ourselves? So, David and I are also getting our share of life lessons!

Okay, that is it for now, but stay tuned for more updates!!