This little girl has completely stole my heart. Since she was a itty bitty baby she has amazed me with her abilities. Being my first, I had no idea that 15 month old babies don't usually know their ABC's, count to twenty in English and ten in Spanish, know all of their shapes and instruments and so much more. It wasn't until I had the boys that I realized that this little girl was way beyond her years.
At FIVE years old this little girl is loving anything to do with unicorns, ponies and princesses. She has an astonishing imagination and loves nothing more than sinking deep into a good book. She loves to change each story that is read to her, personalizing each event and character along the way. Her passion for literature began at a very early age (I credit my mom for this) and at 3 1/2 she began reading and sounding out words. While I have witnessed her ability to read words throughout the years it wasn't until recently that I realized that she is reading at a late first grade/early second grade reading level. She no longer sounds out most words, they are just part of her vocabulary and she knows them by sight. She reads any given book at her current reading level, fluently and with ease. She longs for new books to come in the mail (through Amazon). She quickly opens them up and reads them as if she has had them for years. Each time I am still in awe of this process and thoroughly convinced in the power of reading to your children.
Besides reading, Emily enjoys dancing around the house. She tried out a little dance this summer and decided that she liked her own kind of interpretive dance a little better. That and she said she would rather go fishing with Daddy and Grandpa Jim that go to dance class! She is witty and kind, silly and sweet and is an amazing big sister. She has an incredible amount of patience for her brothers. She gives them what they want, when they want, wrestles and cuddles them when appropriate and LOVES teaching then new things. Jack is Emily's echo and she thinks it is the best little gift ever!
There is not a day that goes by that my heart is not filled with overflowing admiration for this little girl. I secretly always hoped that she would be my only girl, worried that I would not love another daughter as much as I lover her. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. I love her spirit and outlook on life. She truly is my everything.
A few stats:
DENTIST: She has now lost two teeth (one on accident) and there is another wiggly one working its way out. She has one trip back this time for a filling but was very brave and is even more eager to brush her teeth now!
DOCTOR: Emily was amazing at her 5 year appointment. She passed the hearing test and vision test with flying colors. She is literally off the chart in height (over 95th percentile). At five years old this little girl is wearing size 6x, 7 or size 8 clothing (depending where I shop).
Jack...
This little boy is the SWEETEST little boy ever. He models everything his big sis does, giving him just enough of that sweetness every boy needs. While he may crash his trucks and trains into one another, I quickly hear him, in his imaginary play, make each train apologize to each other and work it out. His manners are impeccable, a trait he learned from his sister early on and his vocabulary grows by the day. He loves playing princesses with his sister but usually takes a tractor along for the ride. When he sees a baby animal he is quickly overwhelmed with love and begins saying, "Ohhhhhh. What a cute baby." He likes baby dinosaurs, animals and any other creature that is small, not large. He is timid and observant, waiting to see the outcome before he ventures forth.
At THREE years old Jack has definitely begun changing into his own little person. Like his sister Jack loves to have books read to him. He knows all his letters, letter sounds, numbers to twenty, colors, shapes and so on. Just recently I noticed that he knows how to read a few words as well. We will be going somewhere and he will read a sign and say, "s...t...o...p means stop" or other easy to sound out words as well. He has become fascinated with the PBS Kids website that Grandma Emily bought for the kids and has built a lot of his reading skills through their games. He knows how to read and rhyme simple words and can manipulate the computer, I-Pad and Daddy's phone better than I can!
His favorites still include choo-choos, tractors, cars and trucks but he has recently added fish and fishing with Daddy and Grandpa Jim. He LOVES the boat and is a very patient little fisherman. While I have never observed it myself, I am told that he sits all day, contently and patiently waiting for each fish. He loves exploring in the woods while camping, just like his sister and plays and acts along with all of her wild stories.
I love this little boy more than words can express. He is my sweet boy, my little cuddler and steals my heart every time with one little smile.
A few stats:
DENTIST: Jack doesn't especially like the dentist but has no reason not to. He has never had a cavity and has excellent teeth. He just doesn't really care for our dentist (and I don't blame him). The hygienist though is a really nice man and he and Jack are now pretty good buddies....good enough buddies that is to let him take a look around in his mouth!
DOCTOR: At Jack's 3 year appointment he was a little timid. He wasn't too sure about putting on the big boy gown, the vision test, the hearing test or standing on the scale. He has finally reached the 70th percentile for weight and is off the charts for height just like his sister. He is one tall, lanky boy.
Charlie:
Charlie always has been and always will be our precious gift. Looking at him now it is hard to believe how difficult his little life started out during my pregnancy. I never imagined he would be such a solid, healthy boy. Charlie is a charmer and I think he knows a lot more than I give him credit for. Being my baby I think I will always treat him a little more like a baby, holding on and savoring each baby phase. But just recently he has really started to show me that he is growing up.
Charlie is no longer scooting, a skill he mastered at 9 months old after his surgery. Now at FIFTEEN months old he is walking around, crawling up the stairs like he has done it for months and wrestling around with Emily and Jack just like a big kid would. He desperately wants to do EVERYTHING Emily and Jack are doing and with his new ability to walk he is feeling pretty good about himself.
Charlie LOVES animals...any animal that is. He and Butchie are the best of buddies and he loves watching our fish swim around. He chooses the farm animal books out over the rest and lingers on the pages with the cat and the cow, mooing as he turns the page. He also loves to play with the trains at the train table or push a tractor, truck or car around on the carpet. He makes little motor noises as he pushes them around, tickling my heart as I listen. He also has a favorite baby doll he likes to tote around, gently nuzzling her head under his chin and pressing her against his cheek. He is Baby Olivia's number one fan and would do anything to pick her up and nuzzle her!
Besides walking, Charlie has also picked up a few other habits. He yells "mom" all the time, growls like a bear when we are wrestling, waves, claps, does the "peace out" sign on command, gives five and kisses. He can say, "choo-choo" and "MOOOOORE" and loves to put his finger to his lip and shush you. He also loves to turn on the gas fireplace and say,"hot, hot" and push the button for the garage door. These seem like such funny little things but they are all those little things I just never want to forget.
I love every minute with this little boy and feel thankful every day that he is with us. From his endless smile to his mischievous looks, he melts my heart all day long. He absolutely completes our family.
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