Just some random news and thank you's to the far away aunties!

I have to start the blog out today by giving a little shout out to Auntie Beth. Not only does she check the blog daily but she also sends me little e-mails commenting on the entries. There were several blog entries that she went through each picture and bit of news and commented on each item just to make me feel good. Beth lives 3,000 miles away and so it has always been difficult to keep the kids engaged with her during the longer absences when they were younger. Now they get the full impact of having an Auntie far away - they miss her when she is gone, look forward to her phone calls and visits, jump up and down when a treat arrives in the mail and understand that her hugs and kisses at the end of phone calls, messages and letters are genuinely little bits of love being sent in her absence. Molly does a little countdown to Auntie Beth's arrivals in CT and loves their girl time - Peter sometimes loves her a little bit more than she can handle - he's a big boy with the need for lots of affection. Annie doesn't get the disappearing act yet but responds happily to Auntie Beth when she does see her. I grew up with most of my family very close by so I truly appreciate all of Beth's overtures at being present in the kids lives in some fashion even when she can't be here in person. I am a little concerned for the day when the kids realize that you can travel as unsupervised minors at 12 and start begging for tickets to LA for their birthdays!

Peter had a great week at school. His behavior was incredible and his teacher was very excited about all of the skills he was able to demonstrate during testing(many above grade level). It may seem as though I go on and on about Pete's scholastic achievements but, let me tell you, my boy works so very hard at all his school work that he deserves accolades often for his successes. I want Peter to love school and I think it is often the kids who struggle with learning issues that become disillusioned by school and fade off into the sunset - Bob and I are constantly trying to find ways to encourage and engage Peter - Noah Webster School has been a bonanza for us in this area.

Another picture of Katherine Shannon but for very good reason. Bob called me today and asked that I begin referring to him as "The Godfather". Pat and Karla asked him to be Katie's godfather and he could not be prouder or more excited. I personally think he is a great choice but Bob feels very honored to be considered such an important person in Katie's life and to know that he will have a place in her spiritual upbringing as the year's go on. Bob is such a wonderful man - kind, generous and unbelievably patient and loving with the kids - he adores his nieces and nephew and today his chest is puffed out just a bit more with the knowledge that he and Katie are about to become bonded even more closely. He was also very excited to remind me that after grandparents - godparents get priority when it comes to holding the baby! We'll see if I give up my niece to him at any point but he can dream!

KK sent all the kids cute little Valentine's Day packages and I have been dying to put this little onesie on Annie. Unfortunately my little one was very tired and uncooperative about letting me get a picture of her in it. It says "Apple of my eye"!
I have to admit that although I really wanted a cute picture of Ann in this outfit for KK - how the heck can you look at anything but that cherubic face and those squishy, wonderful rolls all over her little body. You can't get a good look at them right now but she also has dimples all over the place - elbows, hands and ankles!
And then Molly girl asked if she could do a "belly picture" for KK. Not her most flattering pose but, once again, that belly and her little eyes just make me laugh. Molly has had lots of body image issues lately - kids telling her she was chubby and her wondering how to get her tummy to stay in instead of stick out. I love that she was uninhibited about lifting her shirt and showing me her gorgeous belly - I'm her Mom but I think she is perfect! We have spent ample time talking to Molly about healthy eating and exercising and she really does get it - she is much better about choosing healthy snacks and always drinking water rather than juice or soda. Irish Step Dancing is certainly good exercise for her - I don't know how they do it for and hour????

Peter starts baseball this week with Uncle Pat and Daddy as his coaches and Tyler as his teammate. We tried to give the boys a bit of a break from ALWAYS doing everything together but as it turned out Pat and Bob joined forces anyways so they are teammates again. I personally love being able to go to basketball or baseball and see both kids play but I wonder if at some point they will be tired of each other and want to branch out on their own. Frankly I don't think Pete will ever be the one to want to separate from Tyler - he constantly asks why he and Tyler couldn't be twins so they could dress alike and live together - he loves his cousin!

Hopefully a quiet weekend so I'm not sure how much I will have to share but we have lots of basketball to watch so Bob will be happy!

Breakfast for Dinner!

I love Breakfast for Dinner - mostly because it is one of the only meals that I do NOT have to cook and because the kids get such a kick out of it! Tonight we had fruit salad, pancakes and bacon. Molly literally ate a pound of bacon - she and her Daddy are kindred spirits!

Molly snuggling with Annie - she can not get enough of this kid!
Annie tries a pancake and LOVES it!
Chowing on a pancake - too cute!
Check out the rash on Annie's face - Mommy is brilliant and gave her some strawberries.

Short blog today - I'm exhausted - the fetus (or as we lovingly refer to it - the parasite) is sapping the life out of me - not that I'm complaining! Love to all!~

We call it the H-W Ultimate Dance Party

So let's clarify - my cousin Brigid called today and BEGGED me to NEVER stop blogging. That's not exactly how it happened but we did come to an agreement that I am an awesome blogger and...................................................okay - another joke. Brigid actually was joking about my blog being long and boring so I am revoking her nickname and will bestow a new one on her at a future date! She'd better be nice to me - hmmm!

Peter and Molly love to dance and there is only one thing they like more - dancing with Annie. I know there are Mom's who have a heart attack everytime they see the kids holding Annie in what appears to be an unsafe manner but you know what, she is their sister and they need to be able to have some fun with her so Bob and I monitor closely and try to let them feel big and responsible with her. They truly work hard at keeping her safe and making her laugh!

Molly girl with not as good a grip on her sister - note Bob on the edge of his seat! She was twirling her around and singing to her - love those sisters!
The Harding - Wheeler Posse - the hats are a part of the whole "attitude". It is now bedtime and check out the light behind the kids. It is really hard trying to get everyone to bed with daylight lasting this long - not that I'm complaining!

Molly - Dolly! My girl cracks me up and makes my day - "Mommy take my picture in my "rap hat"!"It is a pink, sparkly princess hat from Disney World - very Rap!

In the Harding-Wheeler Family the end of the day is reserved for our Ultimate Dance Party. Laugh if you will but it began as entertainment for Annie and then became a tradition to relieve the stress of long work and school days. The kids have a blast and Bob and I get a nice laugh watching our kids try to keep a beat! This was particularly cute because MOlly was just sort of roaming around coming in and out of the frame but not really caring about a thing!

Molly has a blast sliding on her knees as a form of dance - she is just too cute! I hope the kids never outgrow sleepers - there is something about a clean kid in a sleeper that is irrisistable!

And, naturally, we have to have one of Pete doing the slide too!

I'm off to see who gets voted off of American Idol tonight! Shout out to KK for her nice comment about the blog - can't wait till she's back in CT!

A Great Day for Molly!

So my cousin Brigid (For this blog I'll nickname her Bitchy Brigid because she hurt my feelings) says that my blog is long and boring and I talk about things that no one cares about. So instead of shortening my blog I am giving everyone permission to log off - consider yourself warned - my long and boring blog is about to begin!

I don't know these babies but found this piucture of a 17 pound baby born last month. Cross your legs Moms because he was not delivered by C-section - EHHHHHHHHH! Look at the scrawny little bugger next to him praying that the wall between them is adequate to keep the big guy from rolling over onto him and crushing him!

Molly ran in from school so excited to talk to me and tell me about her GREAT day at school. First she was waving a letter from the school at me and jumping up and down. You are looking at the Noah Webster Citizen of the Month for April. This is something that means a great deal to Molly and last year in pre-K she was the Citizen of the Month in September so she has had to work hard for it this year. One of her best friends was Citizen of the Month last month and she told us that she was going to work extra hard to get it this month. Looks like it all paid off and the ceremony is next Friday. I can't wait just because she is so proud of herself.

The second great thing that happened today was that Mrs. Nelson somehow turned April Fool's Day into the BEST day of Kindergarten for Molly. There were practical jokes and cookies for snack and a sweet little card that looked like a flower but when you opened it it was a bunny and wished us a Happy April Fool's Day. Molly was shaking because she was so excited for us to see it and then she lovingly bestowed it on Auntie Karla to keep afterwards. Mrs. Nelson makes every holiday - a few I didn't know existed - special for the kids with different activities and projects - Molly could not be happier!

The third great part of MOlly's day was that Abby and Tyler come over for dinner on Tuesdays after the boys have basketball. Molly and Abby love to play together and tonight we got an extra bonus when Auntie Karla stopped in with Katie and she smiled for the kids. MOlly loves to hold Katie and was sort of funny asking if I thought Katie knows her and loves her already. I answered YES, of course! I also thought it was cute that Kate was wearing Ann's old fashioned looking little coat!

The kids LOVE big bubbly tubbies together and what kind of Auntie would I be if I denied them their fun. Abby and Molly had a blast giving each other hair styles with bubbles and playing with the bath toys! After they got out we painted our finger and toes nails with bright pink nail polish - Karla will love me for that one. Karla and Pat got an unusual night out when my parents took Katie and they were able to go out and celebrate alone the fact that my brother passed his brokers Test! Yeah, Unlce Pat!

The boys also love a good bubble bath but notice the bubbles splashed up the walls and the wrestling happening in the tub - the very small tub. Picture Niagra Falls as water rushes over the sides and onto my bathroom floor. Its really hard to yell at them when they are giggling incessantly. How much longer will they both fit in the tub anyways - they might as well enoy it right??????

How can I not include a little tid-bit about Annie Bananie? My little love bug had a small bout of the runs today and ended up pooping through three outfits while grunting the entire time for more food. In this picture she is using the cute little lamb that Mrs. Nelson gave her as a teething toy. She loves this little lamb but spends lots of time trying to poke the poor lamb's eyes out! Annie is completely in love with Tyler and when the other kids all go play Tyler usually hangs out with Ann for a while - he dotes on her like crazy!

Peter is doing a great job reading lately. He still struggles with stretching words and blended sounds and it sounds somewhat choppy but boy does he try hard and I am so proud of all he is accomplishing. He wants to to be good at reading and that is the first barrier so we are working really hard to keep encouraging him and working with him at home. I for one am amazed at how much they learn in first grade - between reading and math and science - it is a good thing that are little sponges because I have trouble keeping up with all of the new skills they learn.

And one last cute story about Peter - let's hope Auntie Kara finds it as funny as I did. I was talking to Bob about how I am hoping that my cousin Kara gets pregnant soon. Peter asked why she doesn't just get pregnant if she wants to have a baby in her belly. So I lovingly explain to Peter that it is harder for some women to have babies then others and that God knows what's best and will help Auntie Kara and Unlce Rob get the baby they are meant to have in whatever way that baby is meant to get to them. He looked me dead in the eye and said, "Why doesn't Daddy put a baby in Auntie Kara's belly - he's really good at it!"EWWWWWWWWWW!

So I will end my long and boring blog on that note!

Big News and a Fun Day for all of us!

Last year when Bob and I were struggling to get pregnant and then struggling even harder to stay pregnant I felt like my heart was breaking. It took 5 months of pregnancy with Annie to calm down and realize that things were going to be okay. In one year we had 2 miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy and an appendectomy thrown in for good measure. I had Annie via c-section and 6 weeks later was hospitalized for 5 days after having my gall bladder removed. It was at that point that I succumbed to the pity party of the century. All the pain and illness caught up to me and, embarrassingly enough, I laid in a hospital bed next to a transplant patient who had survived colon cancer crying and thinking "why me, why me, again!" I'm ashamed that with a gorgeous healthy newborn at home this was a very dark moment for me where I felt like I was being ganged up on by God - anyone who knows me knows I can be a bit wimpy about my own medical woes to begin with! Luckily my parents and Bob pulled me out of my pity party quickly and I spent the rest of my time off from work reveling in my new baby and watching my older kids adore her!

I awoke this morning feeling the exact opposite of that pity party - I sort of feel like God lobbed a big fat freebie at me in the form of our 4th child. I have to admit with so many friends and relatives facing fertility issues I feel a bit guilty being blessed again so quickly and so easily but I also know from experience that the baby that is meant for you will get to you somehow and we have less control than we would like to think over these things - just look at my three kids and the various ways that they became a part of our family!

There is absolutely nothing like seeing that positive sign on a pregnancy test. No matter how unexpected! (and trust me this was unexpected, even if incredibly wanted.) The pure joy and euphoria is still running through my veins nearly a week later. It is always mixed with some trepidation for Bob and I as we pray very hard that the baby will stay safely cushioned in my uterus. Most people wait a while to tell family and friends about a pregnancy but Bob and I have come to the conclusion that each life is valuable and should be celebrated so we opted to tell everyone even though we are only 6 weeks along. November 18th is the official due date and right now it seems a long long long way off! As with all good things - the wait will be well worth it!

Yes, Molly still loves to dress up her sister. Yesterday she found a headband for Annie to wear to church so they could be twins. I have to admit that Annie looked kind of cute and just seeing the pure happiness on Molly's face was wonderful. She dotes on this baby constantly. We thought sharing a room might at some point be an issue but Molly could not be happier to have Annie as a roommate. We'll see how she feels when she is a little older and can't get any privacy!

Annie with her headband and a pretty flower thrown in there for good taste! I never wonder where Ann gets her sweet laid back personality - she has been dressed up and smothered since the day she was born and she thrives on it!

Naked Baby picture because we won't be able to do it for much longer! How cute are those cheeks?

Peter enjoying a ride on his skateboard today at the skate park. Both kids love to go there even though they really could do the same exact thing in the driveway because they rarely use the equipment.

Okay - Molly uses the equipment to ride down on her bottom. She loves anything fast and with lots of motion. Molly begs to go on rides like roller coasters all the time - I have no idea where she gets that kind of bravery from - I get motion sickness even when I'm driving sometimes!

Annie Bananie watching the show that her brother and sister put on for her.

Daddy and Annie enjoying the beautiful day at the park. Is she the spitting image of him or what?

I know I drive people crazy with my camera but sometimes I am just amazed at the beauty in random moments of the day. Molly was concentrating on something and I just loved the look on her gorgeous face.

Molly takes Ann down the slide for a ride. Annie wasn't sure what to make of it but she eventually started to like it - especially since she was so securely wrapped in her sister's arms!

We are back at the skate park and my two little monkeys are worn out from all that "boarding"! Peter has always loved skateboarding but suddenly Molly is very into - I personally think it is just to be with her brother and, boy, are they cute together!

Minor wipe-out. Peter got up and laughed hysterically after this one. He is such a strong and coordinated little boy. So much fun to watch him develop his athletic personality. He is really into basketball right now and shoots hoops constantly.

And one final note on the day. I made dinner for Karla and Pat for tomorrow night so instead of letting Bob bring it over I put our kids to bed in the hopes that when I got over there I might get to hold Katie for a bit. Turned out that all of the kids were still up so I got some quality time with all three kids who were a little hyper thanks to Auntie Kasey's late night visit. As I was leaving I was talking to Katie over Karla's shoulder and she gave me the sweetest little smile you have ever seen. It lasted for almost a whole minute and pretty much made my night! Sometime being an Aunite rocks!