Two Wheels keep on turn'n

We learned a valuable lesson this week. As usual it was a lesson learned after practicing on the first born... So often Gracie is the guinea pig for us as parents.

We have a firstborn who frightens easily. She is scared often and we really struggle with this. And I mean we when I say we. As her parents we see her give in to fear so often and it really causes her to miss out on wonderful opportunities. Like refusing to ride any rides at Disneyland, or swim in a pool to name a couple. Because of this dilemma, starting new things is often hard for her. She has to be shown over and over that she won't be 'hurt'.

Well you can imagine how hard that can be! 5 year olds are always getting hurt! It's a natural part of learning. Never the less, we struggle on.
But today, we had a VICTORY! She successfully learned to ride a two-wheeler! Remember how that felt? The freedom? The wind in your hair? Riding in the street for the first time? The FEAR of falling?

I am proud to say that we found a super secret to help all those parents with kids learning to ride a bike! Not all kids hop on at age 3 and off they go (like Joel on Jon & Kate + 8), remember that episode? I was so shocked to see him ride off like that. Well that was not Gracie! She really wanted to but that falling risk was just to great for her and she could not quite get the balance thing down.

So what's the secret you ask??
A SCOOTER! Technically I think they call them 'Racers' but really they are the same scooters we had only re-invented.
We bought her one for Christmas and she loved it. At first she wasn't to sure how it worked. She would kind of hop along side it as she went down the hall way. Then as it got warmer outside she saw the neighbor girl whizzing down the street... with both feet on the scooter... how did she do it she asked? Balance. Something Gracie really struggles with, literally and figuratively.

She began trying to go longer and longer between pushes. Then I blinked and she was whizzing down the street too! Her Dad and I realized she had learned balance! Dare we hope that she might be ready to take off the training wheels on her bike that has sat useless for months? I knew in my mommy heart that she could do it. That special something had clicked in her brain. Balance had wedged itself between the flight or fight reaction! We took off the trainers and off she went. No Daddy running behind her picture. Just off on her own.

How did it happen? What did we learn as parents? Two things: Low point of gravity and no fear of falling. The scooter did both of those. She was able to practice the skill of balance without fear and slowly. Riding a scooter is like riding a bike- a low rider bike but none the less a bike.

She is the eldest. The cautious one. And why wouldn't she be. She's the first- the one we 'be care-fulled' and 'don't do that' and did everything for. That's what you do with the first. You hold their hand all the time and sometimes into childhood too. The second born? The third? Please, you are way out of hands by them. They learn by watching. The middle child runs head first into the wall just to see what will happen. Do you go running to say stop? No. You are nursing the baby and just laugh instead!

But I digress. The point of this post? To relay the two wheeler super secret: A SCOOTER.

Spring Fun

Gracie is Riding a Two-wheeler!!

We had quite the week! Gracie learned to ride her bike! We tried it without training wheels last summer and it did not go so well. Then we got her a scooter for Christmas and she really took to it. Such an easy way to teach balance! It really helped to have such a low center of gravity. So we took of the training wheels on her bike and she was off! Literally right away! So much fun. Enjoy the video.

All you need is:

All you need is....

Trip

We surprised the kids last week with a fun trip to Monterrey with some of our dearest friends. We had a blast! The Monterrey Bay Aquarium is amazing! The girls loved running all over the place and making friends with the different animals.
Like I said it was a blast!

Mav already....

Outside Bubba Gump Shrimp in honor of Michael's (Bubba) birthday.

Pretty Rainbow on the way home...

A Little bit o'love for ya!

Courtney Turns Three!

Hello All! Sorry for the silence but we have had quite the couple of weeks here! First of all we had a BABY! Yes, Stephen Maverick was born January 4th at 3:45pm. He weighed in at a hefty 8lbs. 7oz. and was 20 inches long. I had a wonderful delivery. A little late…but never the less God timing was perfect. I wasn’t able to drive to Folsom for the birth (60 minutes away) because Maverick arrived so quickly. Less than 2 hours and Steve was able to arrive in time from work! I was so grateful for that. I had another VBAC…vaginal delivery after C-section without medication. Yes that’s right without anything. No not even an epidural or one Vicodan. I have to say I didn't' have meds with Court either but this time was different! He was so big and trust me I felt it! But it was so amazing. My mother got to be here for this birth and that meant everything to me.

I can't tell you how it feels to present your husband with a son! I am forever thankful for him and all that he has done to help me. He and my saint of a mother have been amazing. I want to thank you all for you loving support and kind email and prayers. Being on strict bed rest is tough. For those who aren't aware I am on bed rest because: All women experience a relaxation of there pelvic ligaments before childbirth due to the hormones her body produces. A few unfortunate women develop a condition called pubic symphysis separation. I am one of them. Some of you might have noticed during the last few months I would often would stop abruptly to realign my hip bone. Well I incurred an injury to my pelvic bone during delivery because of this condition. With is comes severe pain during simple movement. Let me put it this way: Drug free labor was no problem, no crying, screaming, actually I really didn't make a sound. This pain? I got out of bed the day after the delivery and PASSED OUT from it. I have NEVER had that happen before. It was amazingly painful and quite scary! So know just about everything is painful such as turning in bed. Walking, standing.. This is a condition that will resolve. Praise God! But it will take time……approximately 6 weeks. Until then I need to stay in bed and take medications as prescribed. Boy is it tough! But I am trying! Again thanks for all the well wishes and prayers.
It was all worth it. Mav is an absolute joy. He started making eye contact and smiling at 4 days old! He smiles all the time now and it just takes my breath away. Gracie and Courtney are totally taken with him too. Everyday starts with "Is Maverick awake?" and "Can I hold him?" Gracie will hold him for hours if we let her! At his 2 week doctors apt he was 10lbs 6oz! Well on his way to being as big and delicious as Courtney was! I love to watch my husband hold his son. I wish I could share the feeling with you all. The joy that I feel is almost overwhelming. He is so gentle and loving with him. I see the pride shine though him. I love that I helped make that happen. OK- enough for now. Enjoy the pictures and more to come later.

Trying to post from my phone for the first time. Let's hope it works!

Sent from my iPhone