Five years old

I can only imagine how I’ll feel thirty years from now. As Thomas just turned five, I kept thinking of a quote our minister used at our wedding. It was from the song "Sunrise, Sunset" from "Fiddler on the Roof" (many thanks to my mom for remembering this for me and correcting my previous statement!) and it went something like this: “Is this the little boy I carried? Is this the little girl who played? I don’t remember getting old, when did they?”

Five years have flashed by in the blink of an eye. It does not seem like five years ago we were gazing at our little miracle baby sleeping peacefully in the bassinet:

I hope Parker understands one day, but there will never be a better moment in my life than the one when Thomas was born five years ago. After everything we went through -- the loss, the complications, the bedrest, the everything -- just to get him into this world, when he was born and he cried for the first time, it was a moment unlike any other. It was undoubtedly the very best moment of my life. I was in tears, but it was the most happy, joyful tears I've ever cried.

It is best summed up by 1 Samuel 1:27 -- "I have prayed for this child, and the Lord has given me what I asked of him."

Before long, he was our little chunky monkey, full of rolls and full of smiles and laughter. (here at four months)

And then he was one…

And then two (about two weeks before he came a big brother!)…

Then a crazy three year old…

Then another blink and he was four.

And now, after a busy year, he is five. Five. I cannot believe it!

This has been a big, big year for Thomas. We have moved twice, he has learned to write all his letters and has started reading simple words (he asks me ALL THE TIME what different words say and mean). He gave up training wheels and learned soccer and t-ball. He is drawing real pictures (sometimes) – more than just scribbling on a page. He still loves pizza, being outside and TALKING.

His teacher told us at his last review that Thomas is a very friendly child. She observed that he likes to greet everyone who comes into the classroom and that everyone likes him and wants to be his friend. At this point in his life, that is one of the most important things I want to hear! I remember a wise judge (not my father, in case you are wondering) telling the courtroom one time that you “have to get along with people.” I think it’s a really important trait and so far, Thomas seems to have it mastered. He loves talking to anyone and everyone.

He is still a picky eater, but follows my rule of trying at least one bite of everything on his plate every single night (and there is almost always a vegetable at dinner). He still doesn’t like chocolate, which is almost a blessing when it comes to his peanut allergy. I never have to worry about him eating a Reese’s cup or something because he would take one look at the chocolate and turn up his nose. Though with the allergy, we try to remind him never to eat things that we have not approved first. It is a challenge, on many levels, and I do hope and pray that somehow, someway he can outgrow this limitation one day.

He is still waiting for his official party next weekend, but he was mighty proud to turn five on the 20th (I’m backdating this post!).

He kept reminding me that there needed to be five candles on his cake and he was sure to doublecheck that I had followed his instructions properly!

It’s hard to believe that later this year he will start kindergarten and before we know it, five more years will pass and he will be 10. If I were to really think about it, I’m sure I would be in tears.

He is such a special, special miracle and I am so thankful for the blessing he is in our lives. He is a wonderful big brother and a loving son and we are so lucky. Happy 5th birthday to our dear, sweet Thomas.

Happy birthday Parker!

It's so hard to believe that it has been two years since we held this little newborn:


He hardly even looks like the little (big) boy he is now!

(Not the best picture, but I thought it was good that the expression was similar and the direction is the same)

He is such a ham, and makes it very hard to catch one of his cute smiles on camera, but he does smile all the time.


Sometimes he is a mile a minute, but we manage to keep up.  :)


Happy birthday today to our sweet Park-Park!  I will do a more fitting and complete post later.

Happy 4th birthday, Thomas!

I will have to find more time for a proper birthday post later, but didn't want the day to pass without saying on here, "Happy birthday Thomas!"


I feel like we've been celebrating Thomas' birthday for days, but today we made sure we continued to do all the things that he likes best. Since we had dinner at his favorite pizza joint after his birthday party the other day (from which the picture above comes), today he decided he wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese for a playdate with his best girl friend, Lily (and her sister). And then tonight his neighborhood buddy, Jack, and his family joined us for Kid's Night at Moe's. What little boy wouldn't be happy with a day like that? :) And he had time for much bike riding in between. It was a good day.

These past four years have been such a blessing. I don't think often of my pregnancy with him, in fact, it is all such a blur. But today my mom came by to do some flower planting in our yard and to give Thomas a birthday hug. When she did, she said, "I'm so glad you are here." And I almost got teary-eyed. Even though I don't always remember, it was such a journey to get him here. Recently I came across a book someone gave him at his birth and the person had written inside the cover, "...We are some of the many who prayed you into this world." It is so true. When I tell people that my water broke at 16 weeks with him, they look at me like I have four heads. He is such a miraculous blessing. I am so thankful that God gave him to us, to keep and raise in this world.

Those twenty weeks of bedrest seem like nothing now. Those nights of fear and anxious anticipation, praying (and begging and pleading) that God would just give him a chance, are all a distant memory. And we have this amazing child named Thomas who brings us so much joy. Happy birthday, Thomas. We love you dearly.

Happy birthday boys!

This year we decided to combine the boys' birthday parties.  Fortunately they are at an age where I really don't think they care, but they also like many of the same things.  They both love fire trucks!  So we decided to have the party at the local Fire Museum.  I think the boys had a good time. 

The party was held before both boys' birthdays...but on April 20, Thomas turns 4 and shortly thereafter, on May 2, Parker turns 2!  My how they have grown from the time when they were six months!


The museum provides a lovely little room for the party.




First the boys and their friends explored the museum.  Mostly they spent time on the slide (this is one of Thomas' good buddies)...


And in the fire truck simulator...


But the part I was most anticipating was when the real fire trucks arrived!  We had coordinated with the local fire department to come bring a truck for the children to see, but I was most pleased when they brought not one, but two trucks!  


Thomas was most excited to check them out...


Parker hopped right up too...




What really cracked me up though was that while the boys in the group were eagerly checking out the trucks, the girls were perfectly content to watch from afar...


Good thing the firemen brought coloring books.  The girls found those far more interesting!


The firemen took time to let the chilren try their hands with the fire hose:

 

It didn't take Thomas long to figure out how to make that work the way he wanted:




Parker wasn't quite sure what to make of it at first:




A few of the girls were willing to give it a try (here's a school friend of Thomas')!


Parker eventually gave it a try:


Though he was a little suspicious of the firefighter:


Then Thomas took a turn with the hose at full throttle.  Notice how the one man has to hold down the other man!




Then the firefighters talked to the kids about fire safety and about the firefighter's uniform/protective gear.





They encouraged the children to not be afraid of the man in the mask; that he only wants to help people.  He gave them all a high five.


I tried to take a picture of all the children by one truck and that went really, really well.  :)


Then it was time for cake and ice cream!  Thomas blew out his candle...


And then Parker attempted to blow out his...


The cake wasn't exactly wat I had in mind, but it turned out cute enough...


Parker loves cake!  What a difference a year makes.  On his first birthday we couldn't make him eat it!


After cake and ice cream, the firefighters offered to take the birthday boys for a quick ride in the fire truck.  Parker declined, but Thomas was very much up for the challenge!


A little self-portrait from the front seat shows that Thomas was plenty happy with his ride!


It was a wonderful day and a good party shared with great family and friends.  We were very thankful for those who came to celebrate it with us! I can't believe yet another year has passed and I hope maybe this next year will slow down just a little bit!
 

Happy birthday Daddy!

The boys and I would like to wish a very happy birthday today to their Daddy!!! Hope your day has been as good as it can be for being at work. :) We miss you and wish we could be spending the day with you. Parker is teething and not feeling overly participatory, but I was able to convince Thomas to sing you a message:



Thomas also drew you a beautiful picture of an orange tiger (a "very bad tiger" he said) in a green jungle with another red tiger thrown in for fun:


Parker says, "I don't draw, but I smile really cute for you on your birthday, Daddy."


The boys say, "Happy birthday Daddy! We love you very much!"