Trying to catch up

It's been a crazy few months since Jonah joined the family. The next few entries are just to show what we've been up to. Thanks!!! K

Gram visits

My Mom came to visit about a month after Jonah came home. To say that she was excited is an extreme understatement...she probably could have run here if she could see at night! She came just in time for Halloween and was a tremendous help to all of us. Her visit went by in a flash, we sure do miss her.

Bikes

We went to visit our friends in Charlotte recently...they are the kids "Aunt & Uncle & cousins". Luke is almost 8, rides a skateboard and is super cool! The next day (after almost a year) Jack said he wanted to ride his bike. So, of course, June had to get in on the action too. He did a great job, actually pedaling for the first time. June just toodled around pushing with her feet, but had a ball none the less.

Soccer anyone?

Like there isn't enough going on, Jack also began soccer this past week. His team is the Foxes and is made up of 4 & 5 year olds. Only one kid played the prior year, so it's fairly even skill set. Jack did great during practice and then had a bit of performance anxiety when it came time to really play. We are confident that each week will get better and he'll have lots of fun.

GO FOXES!!!

Jack's in Preschool...

Jack began Preschool this September and is now ready for college. He is in Mrs. Kathy's class at the YMCA and LOVES IT!!! Each day is filled with lots of fun activities and a yummy snack, of course. On Tuesday's the class gets to spend time in the pool learning to love the water. The kids are learning letters and shapes and get to practice using a pencil and scissors. There are special days when the get to bring in items to "show and tell", like a picture of their pet or their favorite toy. Jack is so eager to get to class everyday that he must be reminded to say goodbye to his mommy and give me a kiss ....and so it begins.

Last few weeks...

Okay, so most of you know that it has been a crazy few weeks for the Heitmans. September began average enough. I was still teaching at the Y and looking forward to my last class on the 18th. We had a scheduled C-Section planned to deliver our 3rd child on the 30th, with an earlier possibility of the 24th. Mimi had already changed her air travel plans to accomodate that, and things were looking good. So, we head to our regular Saturday morning outing at Panera on the 6th and God had a different plan for us that day. Jonah was born at 5:21 pm on September 6th by a hurried C-Section. As he was 5 weeks early, he hadn't learned all of his important things yet....like breathing normally and eating without getting tired. Jonah spent 18 days in the NICU being taken care of by wonderful nurses and doctors. We got to bring him home this past Tuesday and have been settling in nicely. Mimi rushed out to help, which was truly a gift from God. She was Mom, Grandma, maid, cook, chauffer, referee and countless other things during the three weeks she stayed with us. Sadly, she only got to spend three days with Jonah at home....but it was quality time for sure. Jack and June had a blast with Mimi and I counted have managed without her. Thanks Mimi!!!

Black Mountain 2008

Well, we made it! We recently went on our, now 2nd annual, Black Mt. camping trip with our very dear friends the Essig's. Last year June was just over a year old and not walking yet and Jack was not very adventerous yet. Well, what a difference a year makes. Jack is officially a WILD MAN! He and Garrick tromped through the river almost everyday, getting thouroughly wet and dirty (and a bit cold). June, not so sure about walking on the rocks was perfectly content to hang on the edge and throw rocks and things into the river....or whatever happened to get in her line of fire. She left each time dirtier than she was upon arrival....which is saying something. I have never seen my kids so dirty and happy before. It was AWESOME!!!!! Enjoy our pics and we'll talk again soon..K

Daddy takes a day off...

Daddy happily took a Friday off work and we all went to the zoo for the first time since June was teeny-tiny. It was incredibly hot, even though we went early, and incredibly crowded...that's not new though. We had a great time, of course. We (and by that, I mean Mommy) fed the goats, and we (and by that, I mean Daddy) sat on the big Turtle. The best time was had (by all) in the Penguin house...because it's so nice and COOL!!!

Dinner Date?

We recently had some good friends over for the evening. They had two boys about Jack and June's ages and a darling little girl who's almost one. June and Peter had a lovely time taking a break from the craziness of the older boys..who moved to fast to be captured on film.

K

Since school has been out (oh gosh...it's about ready to being again), we've been trying to do little projects and crafty things on our own. I seem to fear that Jack will have forgotten to use crayons and scissors in the three months that schools off. Well, no worries about that....Here they are being terribly artistic before dinner one night. If this were a movie, you would seen June trembling and grunting to get the cap back on the marker.

Enjoy!!!

New playset

Well, it's been a crazy time since last I wrote. April came and went quickly and it seems that May has done the same. Which means that Dinosaur will be here before we know it (mid- September for those who are wondering). Garrick and the kids have been busy the last few weekends building an AWESOME playset/fort/sandbox/picnic table/shady spot for Bear. Mimi & Papa were very generous and helped us realize this for the kids' combined birthday presents. Garrick did a fantastic job modifying the plans to make something really cool for the kids to enjoy for (hopefully) a long time. I am enjoying being able to say in a totally loving mom voice, "Children, why don't you go outside and play for a bit?" And they do....then they are really tired, which is possibly the best aspect of the whole thing.

Anyhow, the end of May sees the kids and me heading to Phoenix to visit Gram & Poppi for some R&R (ours, not theirs). Garrick will most likely have lots of projects while we are gone....like vacuuming everyday and doing his own laundry and making fab meals for himself. Well, I've cut out some pizza coupons just in case.

Love to all, US

Hilton Head 2008

Well, it is officially spring once the yearly H.H. trek has ended. We are always so sad to leave, and this time was especially hard. The kids we at the perfect age to enjoy everything that we got to do. We rode our bikes and Garrick pulled the kiddo trailer. We spent time at the beach, the kids graciously allowed us to hang with them while we were there. Of course we ate lots of great food. Garrick even got to go fishing with Papa. We were sad to see Mimi & Papa go, knowing that it will be fall before we get to visit again.

Friday is our day to relax..

As you may know, when we Heitmans have a day of rest, it is often filled with color. We got some new Crayola Pipsqueak markers today and decided to put them to the test. June did not want to be left out this time, and so held very still while my shaky hand applied a "flower" on her cheek.

The kids also received a Whale see-saw from Gram & Poppi. I made them wait till this morning to open it...so here they are in their jammies riding into the sunrise. There were a few tense moments, but all's well that ends well.

Thanks Gram & Poppi!!!