Is there a Dr. in the house?

So how cute does Ryan look in her doctor costume? Seriously adorable.  Speaking of doctors, Mommy had a visit to the ER this week.  I was having extreme pain above my belly button which was caused by an umbilical hernia.  I had a quick surgery Tuesday night and was back home the next day.  The kids have been pretty cute and understanding about the whole thing.  Ryan is always asking me, "You not feeling so good, Mommy?" and Carter wants to pat my belly very carefully.  The most difficult part of the recovery is being hands off with Ashely.  I can't lift anything over 15 lbs. for 4 weeks.  That includes Dolly.  4 days in and I'm already guilty of taking her out of her highchair and pulling her up onto the couch.  Hopefully I'm a fast healer and I'll be back to normal quickly.

Busy Life

Life is pretty busy these days.  I'm finding it difficult to stop, take pictures, download pictures and update the blog.  I know, shame on me! I really do have lots to share!

 

Little Ashley finally got some teeth at 10 months. She has 2 on the bottom.  Hers came in much later then the other two kids.  She is also busy crawling all over the place (which she does some weird side scoot to avoid putting her knees on the hard wood floor).  She is also cruising the furniture and pulling up on everything.  Thankfully she isn't interested in getting "into" everything and had only recently discovered she can crawl up the stairs.  Ashley loves to play with the air vents.  She sticks her head over it and likes it when her hair blows up.  We recently discovered she's scared to swing and is terrified of store shopping carts.  Ashely is really enjoying fall.  She loves to crawl around in the backyard and to go for stroller rides around the neighborhood.  She says momma, Da-da (but not often) and bye-bye. 

 Carter is a kid who loves activity.  He is always asking to have friends over or wants to go to school, classes and sports.  Recently Carter started Tae Kwan Do.  He loves all things Ninja so we thought it might be fun for him to try a class.  He really likes it.  He has been working hard on the moves and learned to count to 10 in Korean.  He is learning to work hard for a goal and to be proud of himself.  Here are pictures of him after he received his new yellow-stripe belt.  It took nearly 2 months to be promoted and he was beaming ear to ear when the instructors rewarded him with it.

Back to School

Carter and Ryan are officially back to school.  It's been a great (but very busy) summer.  I think we are all looking forward to getting back into a routine.

This is Carter's 4th year at the Orchard Park Learning Center.  He is in Pre-K class that meets 3 days a week.  Carter is very excited to go back since alot of his friends from last year are in this class.  He was quickly playing with Josh, Charlie, Conlin, Lila and Kendel as if last year never stopped!  He was also pretty excited because this year his class plays on the big playground.  Oh the joys of being the "big kids"!

 These are pictures of Carter's first day.  He is carrying his new Star Wars backpack and lunch box.

Ryan is still in the Mothers Day Out Program.  What a big difference a year makes!  Last year we had to drag Ryan in her class while she cried all morning.  This year she marched in carrying her over sized poka-dot backpack and batman lunch box (that she picked out herself).  She quickly put her things down and got right to work (playing with toys!).

Both kids were happy and very tired at the end of the day.  Ryan showed me the craft she made and told me about how she pee-peed on the potty. Carter told me about who he sat with at lunch, how he wiped out on the playground while spinning Charlie and about the new friend he met who had the same shoes as him.  I think they're going to have a good year!

Here are some pics from the ride too school.  Do you think they're excited?

Love them

I just love my water babies.

Ashely is big enough to enjoy bath time with her big brother and sister.  She gets sandwiched between them, but she doesn't mind!





 Ryan has been a little fish this summer.  She motors around the pool with her swimmies on.  Lately she's been daring enough to try to swim without them....just to the steps and back.  Her recent accomplishment was jumping off the diving board.  She loved it!

 Ashely doesn't care if she's in an ocean, pool, bath or baby pool.  Whenever there's water, she's one happy baby!

Dolly - 9 Months

Dolly is 9 month today.  She is such as a smiley baby.  When people meet her for the first time now, it's hard for them to believe she was a fussy newborn.  She is so pleased to have people around and seems sincerely happy to be with them.  Of course she is a real Mommy's girl.  She's been able to say ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma for a month or so.  Ashley makes it very clear when she wants momma to hold her...which is alot of the time! 

Ashely still adores her older brother and sister.  She started crawling at 7 and a half months so that she could try to keep up with them.  She's also quite smitten with our cats, Bo and Nina.  She laughs and squeals whenever they come close.

 

Ashley is just finally sleeping thought the night (8pm-6am).  This is great news for Mom and Dad, but of course we would be even more excited if she slept in one extra hour.  Dolly still doesn't have any teeth and no sign of any coming in soon.  Food is something Ashely likes alot, but coming up with "soft" foods is a challenge especially since she quit baby food after 4 weeks.  She loves Cheerios and blueberries.  Mac and cheese is also a huge hit.

 

Although Ashely is mobile, parenting 3 little kids has gotten easier as she's gotten older.  She is on a schedule with 2 naps a day and is pretty clear when she wants something (or doesn't want something).  We are anxious for her to be at an age where she can play with Carter and Ryan.  I know that time will come soon.....very soon!

She says

Ryan loves to talk.  There are some sayings I hope I never forget:
1. I ersty (I'm thirsty)
2. It hurts me (I'm hurt)
3. Pop-a-sicle (popsicle)
4. Mom, take care of Dolly! (Dolly's getting too close to me.  Do somethink about it!)
5. My E I Turn (It's my turn)

Time for the Indiana State Fair

It's August in Indiana so that means it's time for the Indiana State Fair!  With wonderful weather (75 degrees) and a small crowd, the Meek family had a great day at the fair!!

 Ryan loved the pony rides

Carter loved the midway rides

Ashley loved being apart of the mix

Everyone loved feeding the goats.....well, Mom loves to watch

Mom and Dad love spending family time with the kiddos!