The Six Pack

Sammy took his 5-year portraits today, and he managed to sneak one of his favorite costumes (which is two sizes too small) into the studio.  We think it personifies him to a T! Always out to save the day! Sweet... but sassy! Can you say "ornery?" 5... going on 15! Sammy, you're growing up way too fast!

Today Samuel James is officially  a whole handful.  That's right, my little man is FIVE YEARS OLD!  Wow, how quickly time flies, as it seems only yesterday we were braving the snow and icy roads in a rush to the hospital, fearing we might not make it on time.  And just a few hours later we welcomed a beautiful, healthy, BIG nine-pound baby into our family! Our big baby kept growing and growing, and soon earned the nickname "Porkchop" (thanks to Daddy.) Today Sammy is still big for his age and amazes us with an insight well beyond his years.  He loves to draw, color, and write and "helps" out with his little brother.  Sammy has an interest in fashion (though he isn't well skilled at pairing outfits,) and changes his clothes several times a day.  Among his favorite outfits are the bright blues and reds that make him a superhero!  Samuel loves to swim and ride his bike, and he's always up for a new challenge.  But watch out, as he has a mind of ...

Last week Zachy had a little run-in with the corner of a table.  His injury wasn't that bad, but it looks horrendous thanks to the blood-thinning aspirin he takes.  We could only hold him still for all of three minutes to inspect the damage and apply ice, and then it was off to the races again!  There's no holding him back... Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 I think it's getting better... don't you???

My New Year's Resolution: Teach Zachy to use the potty-- BEFORE we soon welcome another little diaper-donning dude (or damsel.)  It was a goal I had hoped to accomplish months ago, but the awful sickness that pregnancy brings made such a job impossible.  So, once we had gotten through the Christmas season and the big boys were back in school, I decided to give it another go. I loaded up on cheap made-in-China bribes from the dollar store.  I purchased way-too-pricey Pull-Ups that were supposed to get cold and uncomfortable when wet.  I laid on the peer pressure:  "Your cousins Adam and Kyler already use the big-boy potty, and they  are three, too!"  I bought a brand-new toddler-sized potty rim for our bathroom, and parked the portable potty seat right in front of the T.V.  But the turning point was school.  Believe it or not, Zachary is pumped to go to school.  Three days a week he accompanies his big brother Samuel to his classroom, a...