Good Old Fashioned Updates

SAMUEL
2nd grade is going pretty well so far for our little buddy!  He does still complain about homework (I don't like it either) but his attitude and ability to focus and finish it has improved so much in the last few years.  It's still ridiculous how much they expect at his school for 2nd grade.  Between math sheets, spelling words, writing sentences with spelling words, and reading 2 books every night...it's hard to get much else done in the afternoons!  Samuel is still behind in some areas even after repeating 1st grade, so his awesome teacher has offered to stay with him after school for an extra 45 minutes to really tutor him and work on his reading and language skills.  Even though this extends his day at school, we are thrilled that he will be getting some one on one extra attention that might really help.  Besides school, Samuel still enjoys all things outside and is also pretty into Star Wars these days.  He lost his 8th tooth last week!

ELLIE KATE
Is still our dramatic diva, but thankfully she has really matured a lot.  So far, I really really really love her at age 4.  I keep telling her she can't get any older to which she wholeheartedly disagrees and says she has to turn 5 and then 6!  Having her in school each morning has really been a good decision.  She is learning so much and is really good at home in the afternoon.  She and Abigail have been playing really well together which is so fun to watch.  They love to play with their baby dolls and read books more than anything!  Ellie Kate is really affectionate and she loves to snuggle and give hugs.  I think one of her love languages is definitely physical touch.  I hope she never grows out of snuggling or giving those awesome hugs!  I treasure each one:). 

ABIGAIL
I can't believe this angel will soon be turning 3!  She is, as usual, sweet as pie.  However, she is sinful and has moments of those terrible two's.  She insists on getting herself dressed and loves to say "I do it!" for everything.  When she doesn't get her way, Abigail's first instinct is to fall to the ground and lay her head on the floor in dramatic fashion.  Thankfully, it's usually short lived.  We did have an incidence at Belk a few weeks ago when I was returning something.  She got in her head that she wanted this shirt on clearance.  When I didn't let her have it, there was an all out tantrum right there in the middle of the aisle.  I'm pretty sure the entire department store heard her.  I had to carry her screaming and kicking out the door  and then she proceeded to scream and yell the entire way from there to Ellie Kate's school (about 10-12 minutes)..."GO BACK.  GO BACK.  GET ME THAT SHIRT!"    This was so unusual for her and most certainly a humiliating moment for me!  This week, we learned that she is highly allergic to red fire ants.  She got a few bites one afternoon and her entire foot became so swollen and red that benadryl didn't even touch it.  We are doing a round of prednisone right now along with zyrtec to hopefully help.  It's been 48 hours since the bites, and her foot still looks like she sprained it.  Poor baby!  She has such sensitive skin (from me) and apparently has some extreme allergies (from daddy). 

BABY GIRL (AND ME)
Today we are at the halfway mark!!!  20 weeks has gone by relatively quick.  It's still hard for me to believe that we are going to have 4 children...but with each kick and roll that I feel in my belly, I look more and more forward to the day I hold this baby in my arms.  For the most part, I feel pretty good.  I am still tired all the time and my back gives me trouble which doesn't bode well for later in pregnancy I'm guessing.  I am also already having pretty bad acid reflux/heartburn.  I still throw up nearly every morning too.  While none of these parts of pregnancy are fun, I still find myself so thankful that I get to experience it all one last (hopefully) time!  Growing a life is really the most amazing miracle to be a part of.