Fall Updates

We have launched into fall in STL! The weather is beautiful right now - and we hope it stays for a while! Bella was amazed this morning at the park when she saw the red leaves on the ground, and I think this fall is supposed to be really pretty, so hopefully we get to see all the fall colors!

Norah's class had their first field trip last week - to the apple orchard. Bella got to go with the class and Brian chaperoned. They each got to pick a bag full of apples, bounce on the "big pillow", and went down the tunnel slide. Brian was amazed the girls went through the tunnel slide because it was on the side of a hill and enclosed. They both loved it though! That afternoon, we made an apple pie and 4 smaller pies for dessert on Saturday night. We went to a friend's house of Norah's on Saturday night and had a great time.

Norah is doing so well at school and has learned so much. I love the days she has music because she comes home with new songs! This year is great because at the end of the school day she tells us things that happened throughout the day - games she played, things she learned, work she did, it's so wonderful to see her so happy!

We found out there is an EA/TEF program at Boston Children's Hospital. I talked to the doctors last week and they would like to see William to try to help with some of the issues he is having. We gathered all films, x-rays, and photos of William's surgeries and studies and sent them to Boston. They would tentatively like to see William near the end of October to run more studies and possibly have surgery based on if they find anything that is operable. We're praying everything is okay and that God helps us make the right decisions for William.

Bella is having her birthday party this weekend and is so excited! She turns 3 - 3! - in October. I can't believe she is already 3 :) She's doing such a great job at potty training and makes me laugh daily by things she says and does. Brian and I are convinced she'll be in theater or dance because whenever she is elevated - a sidewalk, a curb, a bump in the parking lot, a log - she treats it like a stage and sings and dances!

1st Day of School, 1st Haircut, and Baptism

The month of August and the beginning of September has been busy for us! Norah started school again in August and LOVES it this year - no tears!! She has the same teacher as last year which has helps a lot. She has a few of her friends in her class again this year because the Montessori Preschool classroom is 3-4 year olds and you can also choose to have your child in Montessori Kindergarten which are the 5 year olds. All of them are in the same classroom but they have different work they do based on Preschool or Kindergarten.

School as been wonderful for both the girls - they love being around each other when they are both home now. It's also been great for Bella because she's loved being the bigger sister at home and really enjoys helping with William.

First day of Preschool - our big girl is already 4!!

Norah and Bella - happy and full of "First Day of School Chocolate Chip Pancakes"!

Norah, Isabella, and William

Isabella had her first haircut last weekend! We were worried her curls might disappear when she got it cut; but it made her hair even curlier! She was such a big girl and sat so still during her haircut. Afterwards she and Norah got to have suckers while I got my hair done. It was such a fun day with "just us girls" and I think the girls have a new favorite thing to do on our day out!

Big girl Bella - she looks so serious!
All smiles!
Norah sitting so still - such a big girl!

Out to lunch for "Girls Day"

Sweet Girls - enjoying the salon!

This weekend we welcomed William into the Church family through his Baptism. We asked my brother, Paul, and Brian's sister, Elizabeth, to be William's Godparents. Our families were there and William was so wonderful throughout the Baptism.

Since we had to wait a few extra months for the Baptism, he wasn't able to wear the Baptismal gown that has been in my family for over 100 years. Generation after generation have been baptised in the gown - so William wore it draped over his Baptismal outfit. All three of the children were able to have the gown for their Baptism.

Elizabeth, Paul, Fr. Meyer, Brian, William, and Emilie

William, Brian, Emilie, and Fr. Meyer

William getting Baptised