Mattie Claire ~ 3 Months

Mattie,

You would be 3 months old today.  We can't believe it has already been 3 months since you silently entered the world.  My heart aches daily when I think of you and when I gaze at your picture.

It is an ache that I welcome though because the alternative is unthinkable to me.  The only thing worse than the pain of remembering you is the loneliness of forgetting you.  You are a part of me, and you always will be.

If you were here with us today, you may look like your big brother Evan:

or you may look like your big brother Brody:

You would likely be the happiest of little babies just like your brothers both were at this age, and we would be enjoying the sounds of your happy giggles as we blew raspberries on your tummy and made funny faces at you to get you to laugh.  You may be able to hold your head up when having tummy time, and you may even be able to roll over.  We wonder what song you would have liked to be sung when going to sleep.  Twinkle Twinkle like Brody?  The gentle humming of Brahms's Lullaby like Evan?  Would you have figured out how to splash us in the tub?  Would you love wearing your hair bows or would you pull them out?  What toys would you like to play with?  Your silky blankies, your rattles, your bouncer seat toys, or your play mat toys?  We miss you so much and wish we could know what you would be like.  We know you would look so cute and pretty in your little outfits.

I think you would have looked beautiful in this little outfit this month. 

I was definitely looking forward to your wearing this outfit from our favorite store, Janie & Jack. 

Although you may not be here growing and changing before our eyes, I have actually been so happy to watch your plants grow.  We received several big arrangements from family and friends at your funeral, and I wanted to keep them alive as long as possible for your sake.  I am not a gardener, but since there has been plenty of rain this summer, the plants have thrived.  I just don't know how to keep them through the winter months.

We put these plants in planters on the front porch, and they make me smile when I pull into the driveway and see them. 

Your beautiful lilies. 

This is a beautiful reminder that makes me think of you. 

I love you, my beautiful baby girl!  We hope you are laughing and playing and enjoying your life in our heavenly home.

Love always,

Your Mommy

Birthday Party Saturday

Last Saturday was a busy day for this household.  After Evan's soccer game, we had to eat a quick lunch and pick up two birthday presents because Evan and Brody got their first birthday party invites of the school year.  This was Brody's first birthday party with a school friend.  It reminded me of the first birthday party Evan got invited to at about the same age.  Luckily, the parties were at different times so Mommy could take them both.  Evan's party was first at Adventure Landing just down the road.  He was excited about the prospect of playing putt-putt again, but unfortunately, it was raining a little and not very nice outside so we just enjoyed the indoor games.  We did get vouchers for two free games of putt-putt or another outdoor activity so we'll have to go back soon.  Brody's party was at My Gym which seems to be a favorite for toddler birthdays.  It was so cute to see how much Brody was recognizing and playing with his little friends, especially his girlfriend!  Both of their friends were friends from last year.  They both had a very good day.

Evan and Alex have been best pals at school for the last year.  

The party guests

Evan and his buddy Carlos and another party guest playing the pirate game.  

Guess what we had just eaten for lunch.  You guessed it...pizza!  Of course, he didn't mind eating another piece.  

Carlos, Evan, and Alex are best buddies at school. 

Alex had a lot of candles to blow out.  There was even a sparkler on the cake.  

Brody and birthday boy, Sammy, tried out the ball pit.  

And Brody lasted like 2.8 seconds. 

Looking like a big boy climbing up to the slide. 

Stopping for a picture before going down the slide. 

I love this shot!  He saw his old teacher from the 1 year old room and ran to give her a big hug.  It is so strange that all last year, he was really attached to his other teacher until the end of the year when he started following Ms. Christina around everywhere.  This year when he sees her on the playground, he will stick to her like glue.  Haha!

Just wanting to stay close. 

I think this was what he wanted. 

Brody trying out the trampoline. 

But then it got a little too crowded for him. 

He loved the little maze they set up.  It is amazing what fun can be had with just a parachute and a tumbling mat.  

Yay!  He made it through the maze. 

He loved this little tunnel.  

Oh how cute!

And sweet too!

I love when he lays on his tummy with his face propped on his hands. 

Brody's girlfriend, Sierra, also loved the tunnel. 

Brody tried to walk on the long swinging bridge. 

But he wasn't too sure about it. 

Sierra and Brody enjoyed rolling on the floor together. 

There they go!  He would follow her, and she would follow him. 

I love this one that looks like Brody is just watching her with his head resting on his hand.  Do you think he likes her? 

Silly boy! 

Then they sat right beside each other for the little puppet show. 

The little alligator song is always a hit. 

Sammy is the big 3 and loves Cars. 

Blowing out his candles. 

Sammy and his parents

All of the birthday party guests posing together. 

Flash Back - Evan at 2 years old at his first birthday party with a school friend.  

Evan and his pal, Sebastian, enjoyed a little fun in the pool and eating cupcakes of course.  I also remember Sebastian loved watermelon and probably ate a whole one that day! 

Kick Off to Evan's 3rd Season of Soccer

Last Saturday was Evan's first soccer game of the season.  He played U6 his first two seasons, and he has now moved up to U8.  There are a few differences between U6 and U8 in our soccer league.  In U6, there are no goalies and only 3 players on the field at a time for each team.  In U8, there are 4 players and a goalie on the field.  Evan's team looked really good this year.  Cousin Lanny and another boy from their baseball team is on our team.  Lanny played U8 last year, and he was a little more hesitant to get in the game then since he was one of the younger and smaller members of his team.  Evan was a star on his team last year as one of the older and more experienced in U6.  This year, it appears it will be Lanny's turn to shine.  He scored 3 of his teams 5 goals, and he has some really unique soccer techniques that he seems to have "invented."  Evan didn't score this game and seemed to prefer to play a more defensive game.  He did get in on the action though so I was proud of him.  I am hoping that his confidence will continue as the season progresses.  His team did win the game 5 to 3.

Since they got yellow and black uniforms this year, Eddie thought they should be the Killer Bees, and the kids agreed.  They had team pictures taken before the game. 

Then, they got in a little practice before the game started.  

Our little bee

Lanny was having a good time. 

They played a little drill that helped them learn to pass to their teammates and also helped them learn one another's names.  

Does this boy look ready for action or what?

Ready to start the game. 

We were blessed with two girls on our team this year.  Girls are awesome at soccer!

Evan's cheering section

Go, Evan!

I love the way he runs!

Getting in on the action!

Get that ball, Evan!

Evan and Lanny working together to keep the ball. 

Cousins and teammates

I loved this shot when Brody was wearing his broken sunglasses.  One of the eye pieces had fallen out so we just removed the other one.  I think it looked like a superhero mask.  

Eddie says the team motto should be "Don't mess with the bees!"  

Cousin Lanny playing goalie. 

Uh oh, someone is serious about his soccer!

Lanny trying to recover the ball. 

Evan got to be the goalie for a little bit, and he SURVIVED!  Haha!

The goals were bigger this time. 

I think maybe the team motto should be "The bees stick together."  

We took another team photo at the end of the game because several players missed the official picture.  

Daddy and Mommy switched up so he entertained Brody while I took some pictures.  

Can you tell he loves Daddy? 

Oh my, melt my heart!

Cousin Reade's 1st Soccer Game

Poor Reade.  He injured his shoulder in an unfortunate roughhousing incident with his brother before his first game.  He attempted to still play a little, but you could tell it was hurting him.  He went to the doctor and had x-rays which showed nothing was broken, but he is still wearing a sling to keep it immobile and may miss his next couple of games because of the injury.  

Sweet boy put on a brave face. 

And look at him go!

He was ready for action!

Brody wanted to play on the playground for a little bit and bravely climbed the "rock" structure.

Then he even wanted to swing like a big boy. 

Cute Faces

Go, Killer Bees!  We are ready for the second game today!