Saturday, September 8, 2012

Soccer Season has Begun!!!

It's finally time to break out the ugly UCONN Huskies portable chairs, the bag filled with drink bottles, snacks and the coloring books and crayons to keep the little girls occupied and head to the soccer fields! Okay so it's not quite so idealic now that the three older kids are all signed up for activities but it is my favorite season to sit outside and relax while watching my little cherubs work up a sweat doing something they love. Molly's soccer schedule is absurd, at best. Monday and Wednesday practices from 6:15 - 8pm and Friday, Saturday and sometimes Sunday games usually NOT in Rocky Hill. That being said - Molly loves soccer and we love Molly! Annie has an amazing soccer coach for her first year - her Daddy. They head out for Wednesday night practices (Yes, same night as Molly's practices but three miles a way on a different field) from 5:30-6:30 pm in their matching white soccer shirts with matching grins on their faces. There is something about watching my strong, able bodied husband dissolve into mush when his tiny little daughter calls him "Coach Daddy" that makes me love him all the more! Wednesdays also happen to be Mommy's "late" nights at work and a weekly doctor's appointment for Peter so you can imagine the chaos that reigns in our home!

We were trying to get a picture of the two soccer stars but Elizabeth was having none of it! She wanted in on this picture no matter what! That's what I get for taking 25,000 pictures a year of my beautiful children!

Annie and "Coach Daddy" headed out ot their first game together. I was responsible for getting Molly to her practice on this Wednesday and missed Annie's first game but I am told she has some natural talent and handles the ball incredibly. Of course - all of this information was from her father so who knows! I will defintely get to a game this week!

Annie did NOT fit into Molly's cleats from kindergarten so we went to the consignment shop where she found matching neon pink cleats and shin guards! She wears them all the time!

Molly in her official RH soccer uniform. She was so disappointed because they are exactly the same as the boys uniforms which she considers pretty darn ugly but she dresses anything up. Molly also picked out neon pink cleats and shin guards! Today was her first game but I had to bring Annie to a birthday party so I sent Bob with the camera and the video camera. Unfortunately, it rained so much that he was busy keeping the little girls dry and didn't get any pictures.

Molly got to pick any number she wanted for her team number. She was originally going to take number 26 for her birthday but when I told her that 23 was Papa's number when he played basketball she jumped on the chance to have it for her own number as well.

My susperstar had a great game. She played forward for most of the game and according to Bob had some great offensive moves and hustled like a champ. Unfortunately, we recently learned from a neurologist that Molly does, indeed, have migraines and the fall season change seems to exacerbate them. Midway through the second half she knew she was getting one but we did not have her new medicine on hand to treat her. She came home and took her medicine and slept for a few hours and seemed to feel much better. We are currently in the process of working with the neurologist to see if we should take the testing a few steps forward or simply try to help Molly identify the onset of them and treat them immediately so they don't get as debilitating as they have been recently. Molly has been a trooper through all of the tests and blood draws but since there are no real indications of anything more serious we are pretty sure that we are going to opt to reduce her exposure to radiation and forgo more testing for the time being.

Annie, Lizzie, Katie and Ellie were at the beach with my parents a few weeks ago and a friend took these pictures of them - just goes to show how a real photographer can really capture the beauty of the kids - I am kind of jealous but appreciate her sharing them with me.
















I printed and framed this last one of Bob's gorgeous goddaughter - I abolutely can't take my eyes off of her! GNM - ILY!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

The Magic of Annie!

From the moment Annie was born, five years ago today, Bob and I knew there was something special about her. After many miscarriages my pregnancy with Annie was plagued by fear and anxiety and I have to admit to more than a few fleeting moments of worry that she might be born on edge or stressed out. What came into the world at 2:22 pm on September 5, 2007 was, instead, the most peaceful child we had ever met. We have videos of Bob and I all throughout the first night of Annie's life just talking to her, holding her, feeding her and loving on her. For her part she is simply looking up at us with her big blue eyes taking it all in. She didn't even whimper the first night and quite frankly unless she has been really hurt Annie has done little frowning or crying through her whole five years. She is remarkably calm with a loving spirit that forgives anyone for anything. She is gracious and kind to a fault allowing her sisters to open all of her presents this morning and opting for chocolate cake because that is what Daddy loves. When I arrived at school with "pupcakes" 20 minutes late because of traffic she sat me in a chair and fanned me - not one bit worried that I had ruined the whole afternoon of festivities. Annie is pure joy - laughing and giggling when it suits her but also sitting back and observing quietly when she wants to. She is the very definition of a loving sister - taking so much joy in making her sisters and brother happy that I sometimes worry about her. The last five years with Annie have made me excited for the next five - excited to see her blossom from a little girl into an adolescent. Being Annie's mother is fun, easy and fulfilling with a whole lot of love, kindness, energy and magic thrown in! Happy Birhday, my sweet princess! We are so glad that you were born!
Annie and her carrot! Our carrot crop was pretty pathetic this year but Annie still loved them!

Ellie sleeps in a bandana to keep her braids in and, of course,  the girls all want to wear them!

My little beauties!

I have to admit that I love when they wear bandanas because their little faces are so clear!

Silly girl.

Ellie Bean is all greased up and has her bandana on!

Sweet Lizzie Bug!

Sister Love.

My little pretzel.

I adore that beautiful little face.

The day before Annie and Tyler's big birthday bash Annie woke up with a tummy ache. After a few hours of taking it easy she felt much better and we got ready to head to the beach for the party.



Sister hugs!

Happy Birthday, Annie!

The birthday girl - I can't believe she is five already!

Annie - Boo

The little were not very cooperative but they were certainly adorable.

My little angels!

Annie and daddy are ready to party.

Our birthday boy and girl!!

Molly and Abby

Auntie Ann did a beautiful job on the cake - as usual! Annie won't let us eat the doll part of the cake because she wants to keep it.

Auntie Karla and baby Sarah!

Sister Anne, Auntie Brigid and Auntie Jane

Katie and Annie being silly little girls.

My sweet Katie

Uncle Scott and Ellie Bean

All of the birthday party kids posing on the beach with the birthday boy and girl!



Some of the adults wanted their picture taken at the beach.

Peter and his godfather.

Grammy and Papa has a special surprise for Annie and Tyler but it included a scavenger hunt!

Tyler reading the first clue to Annie.

Headed to the mailbox for the next clue.

Headed for the next clue and their big present!

Bikes!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs for Grammy and Papa

Group hug!

Tyler and his proud parents.

The Harding Family


Haooy Birthday, Tyler and Annie!

The birthday girl.

The birthday boy!

Our beautiful birthday girl - I couldn't love her more!

Just trying to get a few pictures of the our birthday kids!




Present time!




The two Peters!

KK and Ellie having some fun!

Annie trying on her rain coat from Grandma Betty.

I helped Annie fit my Moby wrap around her tiny little body so she could hold her baby the way I used to hold her.

My little mother!

Silly girl.

Annie got woken up at 6am by mommy and daddy singing Happy Birthday to her.

Annie was such a sweet girl - she let her sisters open all of her presents for her!

Birthday hugs!


Annie was so excited to get barbies for her barbie house that Auntie Karla got her for her birthday.


Did this perfect human really come from me and Bob????

babies babies babies babies!!!


I got to head into Noah Webster for some "pupcakes" and fun! This is Annie and her friend Trinity!

The Birthday Girl!!

I love those beautiful bright eyes - how did I get so lucky?

Annie and preschool friend, Kasey!

Tonight we celebrated Annie's birth with a cake made with love by Auntie Meg and some fun with Brendan and Lila.

Annie adores her cousins!


Happy Birthday Annie-Boo!

Happy Birthday, Annie!


Cake time!

Auntie Meg asked if she could make Annie's cake and i was very quick to agree! She did a terrific job decorating with little candy flowers which Annie loved!


My blue eyed angel!

She did get some cake in her mouth - love this beauty!

My sweet lovebug - we are so happy that you were born!

Papa making magic out of air! No one else could manage that except Papa!
Happy Birthday, Ann Eileen Harding - Wheeler! We love and adore you!
GNM - ILY!