2014 many changes

2014 was a year of many changes for all of us.  At work I became more of a mentor.  It seems like in a blink of an eye that many people retired and there is a big gap between trainees and people with seniority.  I was pregnant with Chase most of the year.  Nicholas spent his last summer at TLE and started Kindergarten.   We became a family of four.  And we now are a dog less family.  We adopted Lauren out due to aggression issues and we had Murdoch put down after Thanksgiving.  He woke up one day very sick and after many tests they still didn't know what was wrong.  He was dying, slowly, and we didn't know it.  We decided to put him down and after that we decided to not own pets until the boys are older.  We all miss them both very much!  Shortly after that, my maternity leave ended, we celebrated holidays as family of 4 and I went back to work.

Nicholas had a busy year participating in spring tball, swim lessons and soccer in the fall.  He adjusted to Kindergarten well and has matured so much in this short time.  

Chase Alexander

Baby Chase arrived in October ❤️

Nicholas is now a big brother!

Daddy and his boys!

We love you Chase!  You complete our family! 

Kindergarten 2014

Our baby, Nicholas, started Kindergarten fall of 2014.  What an exciting change for him.  He is growing up so fast!  He needed this change as the program at TLE was boring him.  Since he is on the younger end, he could have waited another year but we moved forward and are so happy we did!

His new schedule is busier than when he was in daycare.  He goes to before and after school care and now will have homework every night.  

He also participated in soccer!

Great job Nicholas!

Lauren Katie

Our little Lauren Katie

Mommy, daddy and Nicky love and miss you.  

You were born 8/10/05 and we soon found you and were able to have you flown to philadelphia.  I will always remember that drive because I had a migraine and threw up on 95.  

You fit in the palm of my hand.  You were a great little pup.  Mommy and daddy brought you to our first home.  Our apartment was small but you loved loving with us and going for walks.  

Shawn bear was with us.  He was your big brother and taught you the ropes.  After a few years of apartment living, we bought a home with a yard just for you and Shawn!

You both enjoyed this space.  And you both were our little babies and the focus of our life.  After a few more years, mommy was pregnant with Nicholas and found out Shawn bear was sick with lymphoma.  Stage 4/5, uncurable cancer.

We brought Nicholas home and had to put Shawn bear to sleep.  This was hard.

This was the first big change for you.  But brother Shawn was gone and now there is the baby that takes up all mommies time.  Shortly after this change, you seemed to develop anxiety.  

When baby Nick started to crawl/walk, you did not like this.  Many times you but him on the face and arm.  Sometimes were provoked and other times were not.  

We tried to separate you and teach Nicholas not to startle you.  

As Nicholas got bigger you left him alone most of the time, but after the face bite near his eye, mommy was always anxious.

Some time has gone by and it seems with your age and stage in life that you would do well in a calm environment with no children.  

We adopted Murdoch to give you a friend but once you became even more anxious you started attacking him too.  It went from growl to bite and shake.

Now mommy is pregnant with baby #2 and I fear that this will cause more anxiety and frustration in your life.  Mommy and daddy wish we could devote all our time to you but that is not possible.

I hope you are ok in your foster home.  I hope the best for you.  I never ever thought I would give a dog away.  I feel like I'm giving up on you and it's all my fault.  I will always remember the look on your face when daddy put you in the crate of your foster mom.  I hope you are not scared or having separation anxiety.  

Even though it is painful to try this option, we are hoping that it works in your favor and you get adopted by a wonderful couple that can devote all their time to you!  You deserve that and nothing less.  I love you, will always think of you and miss you dearly.

Love, mommy, daddy and Nicky

Simple. Fun. Family time.

We went on a bug hunt over the weekend at palmyra nature cove.  Sometimes it is nice to get away and take a break from everything at home.  We walked a few trails at the cove, found some cool bugs and saw some deer.  We then had a picnic and enjoyed not rushing around.

End of summer camp blues

Back to school time!  What this means for Nicholas is that he is now in preschool 3 which is the last room at daycare.  This also means that next year he will be in Kindergarten.  Makes me all emotional.

This is him doing his first homework.  His preschool teacher is Ms. Marianna.  She is awesome and made up this little workbook to help with writing.

Nicky's summer vacation 2013

Eric was really lucky to have some vacation he had to use or loose.  *must be nice*

Anyway, he had a special week with Nicholas.  They did fun things right at home.  This was their week:

Monday:  played hockey, helped daddy build a spice rack, paint activities

Tuesday:  went to the movies for his first time to see Monsters University in 3d

Wednesday:  power washed house, played outside, coloring 

Thursday:  learned how to ride his bike, went to Wendy's for lunch, water balloons

Friday:  took long riverline ride to visit me at work; we went to train station and ate lunch

Saturday: attended lowes build and grow clinic, took nap and watched a movie

Sunday:  visited historic smithville park in mount holly for a walk then watched movies in the afternoon since it was so hot out

Nicholas with turbo above.  This was at the movie theatre.

  

3d glasses!