The Lotion...

Little Miss Tessa, little Miss Tessa, little Miss Tessa. What a lotion-y day. Tessa has officially been in her big girl bed for two weeks. She's been doing really well with it although each day that goes by she learns more and more that there is nothing stopping her from getting out. Today's nap...not quite the nap we were hoping for.

Derek was home with the kids this afternoon while I was working at school for a few hours. He had a nice relaxing afternoon where both kids slept for a few hours...well, that is what we thought. When I got home I went to check on the kids (Derek had checked on them also but Tessa must have just stopped talking when Derek went back there so she made him think she was sleeping!) Anyways, yep Nolan was sound asleep as peaceful as can be. Now it was time to peek in Tessa's room. There she was sound asleep nice and peacefully just like Nolan, wait, no she wasn't. There she was sitting on her bed with all of her "guys" (shown in a picture below) and a bottle of lotion. She loves lotion but never has she brought it to bed with her until today. She had lotion in her hair, on her pants, on her shirt, in her socks, when I walked in she was rubbing it in her cheeks, and all of her guys were also covered. I really couldn't help but laugh. She had lotion all over everything in her bed. I said, "Honey, did you sleep at all?" "No mommy, I've been too busy playing." Tonight was a treat. I wouldn't recommend no-nap Tessa, however, at least we got a good laugh out of the lotion. I wish I would have taken a picture...it was quite the sight. At least no one in her bed tonight should have dry skin:)

Tessa's Big Girl Bed

Here is what my new "big girl" bed looks like when my daddy and grandpa first set it up...

Here is what my bed looks like with all of my guys in it! Yes, it looks like a zoo! My mommy and daddy used to try to take out some of the animals when I had my crib but each night before I go to bed I count to make sure everyone is here. Yep...everyone is here tonight...20 animals, four babies, four blankets, two pillows, and of course two of Nolan's blankets too. Oh good, now I can go to sleep after all of that counting.

Today we played with Playdoh. My mommy said that we should make the ocean and some ocean animals but all I wanted to make was spiders. We made a spider in each color (and my mommy was even scared of them when she was making them out of playdoh!).

I'm all ready to go fly my kite! I LOVE this spring weather!

Where did my ladybug kite go?? Daddy...bring it back down here...it's too high!

A little Piano Fondue for us and another sleep over with grandma and grandpa for Tessa and Nolan...

Another sleepover, how lucky! Tessa thinks that sleeping overnight at Grandma and Grandpa's means that they are having a party. A four person party:) They both had a great night and didn't get grandma or grandpa up too early this morning. Derek and I enjoyed a night out celebrating his 30th birthday. We started with a yummy meal in the Dells and ended the night going to see Piano Fondue (a dueling piano group) at Monk's. Fun, fun, and more fun! It wasn't the same as last time Meg, no bachelorettes dancing on the piano (but you sure took it like a champ!!) :) In between dinner and the piano bar we mangaged to do a little shopping to buy Tessa some princess accessories which she immediately LOVED! It was kind of funny this morning to have her dressed up like a princess while she's throwing around her 2.5 year old sassy-pants...sassy princess.

Nolan has started eating cereal which he's been doing really well with this week. Today he gets to start the veggies. If he's anything like his mommy was when she was little, he'll have to plug his nose to get down those peas. He also made a trip to the doctor this week and while he was there he got weighed...18 pounds 14 ounces! YIKES...pretty soon he'll be bigger than Marah (who is almost two years old)! We are in the process of finishing the cans of "magic formula" that we have already purchased and then he'll be on to regular formula. One more step in the direction of leaving the signs of prematurity behind! Woo hoo!

Speaking of premature babies...oh my gosh...there are the three cutest little preemies ever hanging out in a NICU in TN just waiting to grow a bit before they can go home. Seeing the pictures of the boys brings tears of joy to my eyes. They are perfect. Three little miracles and three of the luckiest boys in the world. They don't even know how many people love them so.

Through all of the excitement this week we still can't help but constantly think about and pray for Chad, Kristy, and Haley. We are thrilled to see that the Daily Haley continues as our family enjoys seeing her beautiful face. I begin my day by not reading our local paper, but instead reading the Daily Haley.

An Unforgettable Week

We have learned as the years go by just how quickly time passes. After having children it has proven to us that you can do so much in one day and one week and one month. By the time the week is over it's hard to remember back to the beginning of the week. What did we do on Monday?? So much has happened between then and now that it's hard to remember all of the details. This week the details are all we can really think about. It wasn't one of those weeks that everything blended together. So much did happen but each has such a place in our hearts that each moment will be with us forever.

Starting with Sunday...a phone call that we were hoping wouldn't ever happen. Baby Haley got her wings and flew right up to heaven where I'm sure Grandma Mitchell was sitting and waiting. I can see Grandma's face very clearly in my mind. A smile on her face as she gets to hold one of her great-grand babies while the tears are running down her cheeks thinking the same thing that we are all thinking...it's too soon. Haley is an inspiration. She will inspire us forever. The prayers continue for Chad, Kristy, and Haley-bug...

Then came Monday, March 1. Derek officially turned 30 years old...yep, that's right, 30 years old. I remember when I was little and thinking about people that were 30. Man, they were old:) Having Derek's birthday on Monday added some positive excitement to the beginning of the week while at the same time it wasn't really the place for celebration. We quietly celebrated and reminded ourselves just how lucky we are. Luck, that's what it's all about. We are a few of the lucky ones.

Then Thursday...last but not least, the triplets! If anyone was ever worried that the "Meade" name wouldn't be carried on for too many more generations, they can think again. Welcome to the world Skyler, Asher, and Ryder. We wish so badly that we lived closer during times like these. Many prayers are being sent your way for a quick recovery for Summer, a very quick NICU stay for the boys who are gestation age of 31 weeks, and strength for J to be the balance and support system for Sum and the boys while everyone gets healthy. I can't wait for the day that we hear that they are going home. That will be like music to our ears.

In between all of the life changing moments that occurred this week for others, it sure was a time for us to reflect on our own life. Another reminder to not stress about those little things, enjoy every moment, and to be thankful for what we have in our lives. Below are a few of the fun things that we enjoyed over the past week. The people that bring sunshine to our day, Tessa and Nolan.


Tessa and some of her buddies...the future trouble makers (if they are anything like their daddies) :)





They finally got out the jumper...whoo hoo!!