Where is the picture? Sleep deprived Mommy didn't remember.  How? I am still in shock as those who know me well know I photograph my kids every day... so I will blame sleep deprivation.  Luckily the amazing school (Sycamore Ridge) sent me a video of our little angel during her speech class and we are proud to say she rocked her first day of school AND grateful that we have a memory of this momentous occasion.

We adore everything about this school from the staff, to the teacher, to the aides and Cecily's dedicated nurse! The campus is beautiful and the ratio of students to helpers couldn't be better!  Cecily crawled and explored the class and before I left I watched her pull up on the little table and get right in the mix with her new friends.  She didn't cry... and I am proud to say that I didn't either... but I was so very nervous you would have thought she was going to college! We arrived with so much stuff... gate trainer, cubby box, bag, jackets, medical supplies, extra everything and I had to laugh as we piled out of the car... Noah, Cason, Cecily, me, the nurse and the nursing supervisor.  Yes... Cecily travels with her own entourage...

I was so nervous about this transition and I sat up many nights trying to decide if she was ready and how she would adapt to all the changes in her life: new school, new baby, potentially a new nurse and new medications.  I always have to laugh at myself because I know that I'm over-analzying and being obsessive but I just can't seem to help it.  I am a mama bear and I just want the very best for all 3 of my little angels.  Noah was so excited that his sister had to go to school and he got to spend the day with Mommy and Cason.  He was happy as a clam because he felt she was working very hard and we were having a "fun" day...

As for that "fun day"... it included a trip to Rady's but not for Cecily, sadly for Cason.  We spent the last night in the ER after a very rough day.  I won't go into details but we're hoping this is just a very bad case of reflux and that in a few weeks we'll be laughing off the stress.  (Right now I am not laughing and I have to admit I saw visions of Cecily's early days dancing in my mind and I felt helpless as they pinned him on the table for EKGs, chest and abdomen x-rays and the follow-on ultrasounds today.)   Luckily the day ended on an up note... Cason does not have what they feared he might and we'll just be watching our little bug very closely to ensure he keeps on track and his current pain diminishes.  I firmly believe in my hear that Cason is going to be just fine.  It was just an unexpected surprise and yet another realization to be grateful for the good bits of every day because you never know when things may change.

The house is quiet right now... all I can hear are the keystrokes from Brien (in his new and updated man-cave... and my own yawns.)  Time for bed... before soemone wakes up!

Onwards and upwards!

Life is so good! I thought we were busy before Cason but I realize you can always be busier... but life is better and we are loving every minute! (Sleep deprivation not withstanding!) We are so happy and are enjoying our precious little angel, Cason.  Cecily and Noah are very sweet with the baby... but Cecily loves him a little too much!  With every opportunity she gets she tries to hug, pat and roll on top of his little body.  He is learning quickly that he needs to be tough and he has started to put up one hand when he is nursing in self-defense!  It is so sweet to see the kiddos loving on their baby brother.  Cecily signs "baby brother" and "baby down" or "want baby" all the time.  I love it!  She even started signing "please" this week and breastfeeing her baby.  Adorable!

Noah is obsessed with feeding baby Cason. (He even took a hold of my breastpump... I won't share the photo for fear of it haunting him in high-school!)  He loves to try and give him a bottle and yesterday when both kids were crying and he asked for his snack... I looked at him with tired eyes and explained as sweetly as possible that I have two crying babies.  He said and I quote, "don't worry - i can help you... which one should i take?"

He is such a good big brother.  He gets very proud and excited when Cason makes an appearance at his pre-school.  He is so happy with having another boy in the family and he is quick to point out that Daddy's new, updated man cave is for boys ONLY.  I can only enter when I'm carrying Cason... LOL... or and I quote, "when I'm going to do the laundry..."   This kiddo is too much!  He will be doing his own laundry soon if he keeps making Daddy-like wise cracks...

And here is our precious little love bug, Cason.  He is a sleeper... except at night!  He loves to be cuddled and unlike Noah and Cecily he is calm and spends many hours just resting his little body in the comfort of any warm surface - preferrably my arms.  He is easy-going and is along for the ride... and there are lots of rides!  He has been to Rady Children's so many times... (with me and Cecily) and he is off to soccer games and horse riding and Target and swim lessons with not a wail in sight.  I am so grateful for his peaceful way and we feel so blessed to have another little one to love.  Now if only he could get his days and nights figured out... :)

We have lots of exciting things coming up with the kiddos!  Next week Cecily starts school!  I can hardly believe my little princess will be headed out the door to school.  I will be driving her with her new nurse to school and I am pretty sure I wil have more butterflies than she will.  I am excited but very nervous about the transition and I am just keeping my optimistic spirit that all will go just fine.  So many things have happened lately and I feel so strongly that they all happened for a reason.  I'm trying to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Today we completed our 22nd makeover... and I sat back and didn't do a single thing!  I feel guilty about it but I know that this time is extremely special so I'm smothering my family and enjoying the time with the kids while I'm work free and at home.  I love waking up and having the time at home to enjoy the kids without feeling the pressure to get dressed for work and get everyone out the door.  (We still have plenty of appointments to go to but things feel slower in an odd way!)

This week Noah learned a few lessons about "bad" people stealing purses and that he should not help an adult stranger who enlists his help.  What did he take from this experience of seeing a woman have her purse stolen?  He declared if this happened to us that he would..."give Cecily some money and she would get him!"  LOL... he has a lot of faith in his baby sister and so do we.   Let's just show she does not try and take down any kids on the playground next week.

And so it goes... another wonderful week in the Ackerly house.  We finally completed our home improvement projects and I am happy to say goodbye to the construction and hello to some peace and quiet.  Wish me luck... one thing is for sure our house is not quiet...

Onwards and upwards!