Hagen graduated pre-K!

Hagen is a graduate. I know it is only Pre-K...but this is a big one!! The age he is at right now is a biggie...or at least it is for me.




He is now going to go to Kindergarten...at a new school...all new people...I mean he only knows LLC as far as school goes so this will be a big change!



Now he will be packing his lunch every day, making sure to get in his seat before the tardy bell (that one will be hard for me too), and grow up to be an upstanding citizen. Yes I believe it starts now...in Kinder. With all the social media nowadays he needs to be looking and paranoid now for what can be brought out about him later "Did you know that president Darney did sldjflskfdjosgjiosidj in Kindergarten?!!" Upstanding citizen coming up!



Pia decided to ask me a question which meant I had to lean over to hear and I completely missed them calling his name and walking across stage. He was the first one called and I wasn't prepared. I will hang it over her head for the rest of her life.



They did a fantastic job at teaching the kids a dance to "Baby you’re a firework" by Katy Perry (I think). It was DAR.LING. Seriously so cute and most of them did all the moves. I was actually quite surprised that there were no criers or runners in the group of 64 kids! I mean, not one! Hagen's teacher Miss Laura is his main teacher. We loved her...she has taught him so much this year! Hopefully in a few more years she will teach Hazel!!



After graduation we went to Chili's and had dinner. He just seemed so big and so excited! He is now in the bigger pre-k class until he starts Kinder. My next post will be about his visit to his new school...





I feel like Hagen really grew alot this year, I mean of course all kids grow in a year. But what I mean is that he is now writing his name so much clearer, knows his address, and is even playing rougher with the guys. I'm not one that wants to raise a bully...that's not what I mean...what I mean is that he use to be the one that was so sensitive and would get his feelings hurt so easily. Now it seems that if guys are playing rougher, he just jumps right and throws a few fists too. Not too rough...but just playing.





Carrie



P.S. One thing to note. Hagen has been asking when we are going to have another baby. I told him we are not going to. He was OK. Then that weekend we hung out in the baby pool outside and Hagen gasped when he saw me in my suit (I did to if we are being honest). He came up to me smiling and poked my belly and said, “I told you there was another baby in there!" Ryan has had some man talks with him about it.



P.S.S. Hagen and Ryan counted his money in his piggy bank. He had about $40 in it. Ryan asked him what he wanted to buy...he could spend it all on one thing, split it between 2 $20 things, or save some. Ryan asked how much an ice cream at Camilla's was (best hand dipped ice cream bars in the world). Ryan told him $4...Hagen said he wanted $8 so he could take me out for ice cream and he wanted to save the rest. I died. I would have just said, "well in that case...I have $40...$4/ice cream...I want 10 ice creams please!"...I was shocked...it was so sweet!

Hagen is 5!!

I'm really kinda in shock that Hagen is 5.  I use to make fun of people saying, "I can't believe my perfect little baby is 5 today!"  Or "My Baby graduated from Pre-K today"...honestly who cares!  BUT, this year it hit me and I understand now that it is a big deal.  Here is a pic of Hagen right before we left the hospital..he was all of 6 pounds 3 ounces I think!

 Hagen, you are such a doll!  Your Daddy and I prayed for you for a long time.  I did not consider myself one that prayed much until I tried to have a baby...I believe in the power of prayer now!  I also think that God's timing in life is planned out for the best.  If we were to have you when I first wanted to get pregnant I would have been stuck at a TERRIBLE job and probably wouldn't feel comfortable to leave.  When you came and were 2 1/2 weeks old I lost my contract and had to look for something else...it ended up that I found the PERFECT thing for a working Mom...God's timing is good Hagen...trust in that.  This picture is of you when you were one...You had just started to KINDA walk.

 We knew we wanted another baby...I mean when you have one that is as great as you who wouldn't.  So we tried again.  But...God's timing wasn't what we wanted...we started trying when you turned one.  It will be another 2 years before we can tell you "You are going to be a big brother"...but when you were older you actually understood and were excited!  Your name is special...your Daddy picked out "Hagen" before we even started trying...I wasn't sure about it.  But after we found out what you were I said I didn't care.  Your Dad named you all by himself...your middle name is your Pap-Pap Darney's name...He would get a big kick out of you that's for sure.  The pic below is when you were 2...

 You are emotional, sweet, sensitive, and are only really rough when you are playing with your Dad.  Otherwise you are gentle.  You Love your sister...so proud of her...you like to show her off to your friends even though she is turning into that bratty little sister...you don't care, you love her still.  We went to your new school last week and you LOVE it!  You met the principal, heard a story, and got to see your new classroom.  When you arrived at the school and were greeted by the teachers and principal you introduced yourself...I was shocked that during story time they would call on kids by pointing at them because they didn't know names...except you...they remembered your name.  Juliette was with you too...both of you are so excited to go to the same school together...I still think it is fate.  :)  You are 3 in the picture below...

 Your best friend by far is your cousin Noah.  You have lots of friends and so does Noah, but when something exciting happens he is the first one you mention to want to tell.  You went on your first hunt/fishing trip with your daddy recently.  I cannot even explain how much fun he had taking you.  He was nervous you wouldn't have fun (and let's be honest, he wouldn't be either) but the two of you had a GREAT time and he can't wait to take you again.  He let you shoot a real gun for the first time (I didn't know about it) and was so proud.  He actually wants to take you fishing for a bit this weekend.  You are 4 in the photo below...

 This year has been big...you are doing well at T-ball too!  It is a step up from t-ball in that the coach pitches and if you are having trouble then they bring the "T" out.  You are also doing swimming lessons and love it!  You need to listen more and not just talk about anything...you like to tell stories!  You are 5 in the picture below...

Your Daddy is out of town and is bummed to miss your actual birthday so I am trying to make it as special for you as I can!  Last night you got to sleep with me...I got to remember you kicking my belly when I was pregnant with you because you kicked me all night.  When you woke up you said your legs hurt and it was probably because you were growing to 5!  I think you have some growing pains going on.  You are spending the day with your Nana and then I will pick you up and we'll go to Papa and Pia's for dinner and Cake.

Last night before bed you were so happy..I asked you what you were thinking about and you said, "I'm so excited to be 5!  I've been waiting so many years for it!  Like...pause...5 whole years!!!"

I love you so much Hagen James...you are such a good person...I can't wait to see what your future holds for you!

Love,
Mama

Mother's Day

Please tell me I'm not the only Mom in the universe that wants to spend Mother's Day alone?  Please?

I woke up and Hagen has drawn me a picture of him and I together and spelled out "Happy Mother's Day".  I absolutely LOVE that he is drawing pictures of people and things I can actually recognize!  The first time I saw a picture of me that he drew I just melted.  I had a circle above my head and I thought it was a halo but it was my hair bun!  Ha!  He calls it my donut hair.

I took the kids to my parents to give Pia her card and picture and to hang out for a bit while Ryan fixed the sprinkler head in the back yard.  Papa and Pia have 2 hawks living in their trees so we spent some time checking out the nests way far up into the trees! When we got home the kids ate and then took naps and so did I! 

Ryan then took the kids to him Mom's house around 3:00 to eat dinner etc.  They didn't get home until about 8:00!  I read (Fifty Shades of Grey) did ONE load of laundry and watched some of The Notebook while eating massive amounts of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.  It was SO relaxing...I really enjoyed the time alone.

THEN I get on Facebook and see all the outings everyone had with their kids and I feel like a mean Mom! 

Hagen and I had a conversation about when I officially became a Mom.  I told him that he made me a mom for the first time.  He had that cute little side smile beaming with pride.  I remember the first Mother's Day with Hagen...he was about 1 and was learning to walk...we were hanging out in the front yard.  I will never forget that day!

My first Mother's Day with Hazel Ryan sent me to the Spa!  Hazel has been my shadow...like SERIOUSLY.  she is like a mirror image of me doing exactly what I am doing at all times.  She follows me around like a little baby duck (and she is making animal sounds too so she is quacking).  She does her makeup, brushes her teeth (eats toothpaste), cooks, reads books (of course she doesn't know I'm reading Mama porn), and has even started putting my shoes on and walking around.

I am so lucky to have my babies.  I wanted them for so long it hurt. 

Love,
Carrie

Hagen's 1st hunting trip with DADDY!!!

This past weekend was a biggie.  The whole hunting trip thing really got me in an uproar, but there was a compromise...which in turn was a VERY special thing for Hagen and Ryan.

 Hagen joined Ryan on a Turkey hunting trip.  The excitement for Hagen leading up to the big Man weekend was almost too much for him to handle.  He couldn't wait.  Ryan and I were kinda nervous as to how he would do.  My biggest concern was snakes...they are pretty bad this year!

 Would Hagen be able to sit still and quiet?  Would he crumble at the lack of sleep?  Would he get bored??

 Hagen AND Ryan had a blast!  Hagen caught 44 fish!  He just sat there and casted and caught fish like he had been doing it for years.  Ryan had been practicing with him in the backyard casting (without hooks) and this weekend was the first time he had an actual hook on it.  He was having so much fun!

 In some of the videos that Ryan took you can hear Ryan saying, "reel him in Hagen...that's good buddy...come on, you can do it!" and it almost brought tears to my eyes because you can hear the excitement in Ryan's voice and see the smile and pride on Hagen's face. 

Hagen also shot a real gun for the first time.  It was a 22 rifle.  Ryan picked a spot that was safe if a bullet ricocheted off the water.  It was a valuable moment in learning safety.  I was NOT raised around guns and quite frankly am not comfortable with them.  BUT Ryan has made me open my eyes to things.  People who are not familiar with guns are the unsafe people to be AROUND guns...they don't know the proper safety things.  Hagen was taught to hold a gun, walk with a gun, all with the safety being pounded into his brain.  Also, he learned to aim...then take the safety off right before he shoots. 

I hope this becomes a lifetime of good man weekends for my boys.  They both had a great time and Hagen is still on a hunting high.

Carrie

Some random thoughts...shocking huh?

Life is crazy as usual, but good crazy! Like weather is wonderful lately crazy! Like Ryan has been in town more crazy! Like my kids are the smartest and sweetest ever crazy! I have a few things I want to remember so bullets it is. AAAAANNNNDDD here we go:

1. Hagen was eating breakfast on Sunday morning when we brought Hazel down to join him. He promptly said, "Good morning Pickle Pants!" What? Pickle pants?

2. Hazel is just as sweet as can be (well, sometimes). She is testing her limits lately and we witnessed one in the midst of her doing it. I was folding laundry, she grabbed a sock slowly and looked around (Ryan and I were on to her), she slowly walked into the 1/2 bath and returned a few minutes later with a guilty look. I took her hand, walked her into the bathroom and saw the sock in the toilet. She cried...I told her that was naughty and then Ryan and I died laughing behind her back. She needs to work on her game...so far no poker face!

3. Hagen has really stepped up on chores. He clears his place setting after meals. I have had to tell him to put his cup next to the sink and not drop it into the sink because he was loving the milk explosion...I was not. He is also feeding Dapper. I think he likes having chores...makes him feel like a man.

4. Hazel has been in her survival swimming and is doing really well. The thing is it is a quick intense 10 minutes a day for 4 days in a week. She is going on her 6th week of it. She swallows a lot of air so the teacher burps the babies to make their tummy's fell better. One day she wouldn't burp and was tooting all night. I mean like crazy. She was tooting in the bath and Hagen was laughing as he could hear it from the other room. After Hazel went to bed he wanted to take a bath (which is a lot messier than him just jumping in the shower). I told him to take a shower because Hazel was tooting in the tub all night (trying to gross him out). He responded, "Mom, you drained all the tooty water didn't you?" All I could do was stare at him...

5. I wore a swimsuit cover-up to work last week. I could NOT figure out why it kept creeping up on me! I felt like a total moron. I swear I thought it was a dress...it had the drawstring waist and was darling.

6. Last weekend we decided to let Hagen have a go at no naps! NEVER.AGAIN. He was pretty good but the meltdown that happened Sunday night out of pure exhaustion was a sign that he still needs them. Geesh...it's amazing we all survived that one

7. I was pulling weeds outside and came in all hot and sweaty. Hagen wanted to snuggle up and Ryan said, "Hagen, what does Mama smell like?" Hagen said, "She smells like an angel." How sweet is he! I smelled of BO and dirt...

8. The toy closet was out of control. On Saturday I had Hagen go in and put toys that he is no longer playing with in a pile so we can give them to someone that doesn't have as many toys. I was shocked. He was trying to get rid of everything! I had to talk with him about how it was very nice but he should keep some for himself too. He was SO proud of going to goodwill and donating his toys to other kids. And just for the record...he had 6 Spiderman figures...all different sizes.

9. Hagen at dinner the other night. "Mom, get me a fruit cup. My poop is sharp today!" A little back story...when he has trouble going I tell him he needs to eat more fruit to make it not hurt. He listens well I guess. Ha!

10. Ryan and I went on a real date! I called a sitter and we were going out! Who do we call? My parents. We met them for a nice dinner and then went home before 9:00...what nerds! Ha! But we had such a good time. Not having to tend to kids and have an actual uninterrupted conversation was needed.

I think that is about it for now!

Carrie

Bye Bye to Hazel's Paci

First of all, Hazel says bye bye but with a d...so if she says a single Bye it is "Die"...hmmm...

The night I got back from my girls getaway, it wasn't 5 minutes before Hazel face planted into the window sill. She was bleeding quite a bit! I got her to put a wet washcloth on it and was able to lay her down to check out the damage. It was just a little cut on her top lip. While I was looking in her mouth I swear I saw her top teeth narrowing like you would think a paci or bottle baby (after a year) would have.

I got her an ice pack to hold and immediately went to get her paci (the only one in the house) and cut the tip off. I didn't realize that you didn't have to cut much to make a BIG impact! I felt horrible. There she was with a busted lip and I cut her security paci??

She cried for 45 minutes that night and then was asleep and didn't wake up all night.

The next day at school I told the director and asked her what I do with the one there. She said I need to cut it too. So I did...she didn't nap that day...

The next few nights she would cry for about 5 minutes and then sleep...she started taking naps at school too.

I was worried about the weekend and sleeping in! I just knew she was taking hits off her paci and going back to sleep and that is why she sleeps in so late! Well, I'm proud to say that sister just likes to sleep! She was back to sleeping in till 10 - 10:30!!

So she still has her paci...it is connected to a stuffed giraffe and she snuggles with it and gums it a bit (she is still teething) but the addiction is over.

I'm so proud of her. I was SO emotional about it! I felt like the WORST parent ever! I was thinking it was a good time because she would be potty training in about 6 months, moving to her new room at school where she sleeps on a mat and not in a crib, etc. BUT when I did it it was a rash decision...SO glad it worked out!

Carrie

Girls getaway!

Last weekend I went with my friend Andrea to her lake house on Cedar Creek Lake! We left Friday around 2:00, got a pedicure, drove to town and just chilled all weekend!

Andrea and I go way back. I started out not too fond of her. You see, my high school love Brad and Andrea dated way back in...well it was like 2nd grade. Well, Brad would drive by her house on the way to his house and honk his horn! It drove me NUTS!! I know it was in early Elementary but I saw it as totally disrespectful to do that especially since he knew it drove me crazy!

So I went to Tech for college and I ended up pledging Kappa Kappa Gamma with Andrea. That is where our friendship grew. We ended up going to Europe for the summer and had a blast! After college we broke up for a few years and then got married the same year and grew close again.

It was nice to talk about everything...but mainly just relax, sleep in, DRINK, and enjoy the perfect weather.

We did head out to Canton...I''m not a fan...I left with beef jerky and dip mixes. I was hungry which was not good. Canton is HUGE!

The kids and Ryan survived. Ryan even did the laundry and put it away! He left a few hours after I got home to go out of town, but he had also went to the grocery store and stocked the fridge including a deboned chicken! That is love people!

It was nice to get away and refresh the batteries.

Carrie