4 1/2 month stats

Ezra had his 4 month checkup last week. We really wanted to switch doctors and have Ezra see Dr. Bravo, but he wasn't taking new patients. I called back and begged for a one time check-up with Dr. Bravo, and to get a second opinion on a small bump on the back of Ezra's head. We didn't feel comfortable moving forward with an x-ray like our doctor had recommended.  I named dropped a few of our friends who see Dr. Bravo , and a bit later Dr. Bravo called me himself!

We had a great appointment and Dr. Bravo accepted Ezra as patients! We felt like the show Parenthood  getting in to the sought after pediatrician. Already I'm in love with this doctor! He spent so much time with us, answered so many questions, got to know us, and said he knew with 100% certainty that Ezra's little bump is a cyst that has no possible dangers or side effects! THANK YOU JESUS!

Ezra did so good at his appointment! 

Our little man weighed in at 15lbs 0oz (41st percentile) and was 25 1/4 inches (68th percentile). He got a few shots but never showed any signs of being bothered by them later.

We told the doctor Ezra hadn't rolled from his stomach to his back (I was just informing him, not concerned). Apparently Ezra didn't like me saying that because as soon as we got  home he rolled over. Now that he can roll both ways I'm waiting for him to start rolling all over the place!

Half Birthday Party

Nana and Papa heard Aubri was excited for her half birthday and showed up after dinner with a little cake. Aubri was so excited! It was really sweet and she was in heaven!

She said WHAT?!?

As usual, Aubri has said some entertaining stuff lately. I can't remember everything but a couple that stand out:

Holding a lollipop she knows she can't have, "Mom. If I open this lollipop, pick what you want to do. Me go on time out or take it away from me." Wow....she was weighing the consequences deciding if it was worth it. My response? "Both. And I'll throw it away." 'Nuff said, lollipop was back were it belongs.

Words that make me bite my tongue....

"Mom. Do we have glue?" why? "I broke something."

She  started asking questions about her grandpa in jail. I told her I didn't know if I could explain it to her so she could understand. Silly me.

"Try Mom. Just tell me."

Ok... it went something like he did a bad thing, and there are consequences, and he has to stay there a long time. Then of course she wants to know what bad thing...

Later , she says, "I'm not going to do bad things, I'm not going to get a time out in jail."(don't worry we explained she isn't at risk of jail time!) Then we overheard her playing "Help! I'm stuck in jail" Then at bedtime, "We need to pray for my Grandpa Jose. We need to pray that they let him out of jail." And as we are tucking her in, "We need to go see Grandpa! We need to get him out of jail. I have an idea, we can get a horse and open the door and get him out of jail. Yeah! That's a good idea."  

Lately when I try to take her picture, she poses for a split second and walks away saying,

"Aww man! Your too late. Sorry you missed it!" 

And suddenly everything she wants is going on a Christmas list. "Can I have this ______? Ok, maybe for Christmas. Can you buy me and Ella one for Christmas?"

Oh crazy little girl, I love you! 

Making Progress

WHEW!! What a month. It already feels like the new church property is "home"! (Maybe because it feels like I spend as much time there as I do at home).  There have been so many people working hard at the church getting it ready for move-in day. Small groups have each given up a night (or two) of meeting to volunteer. The young adults group has had a large crew show up to work- and many don't even attend FCV! Jr High and high school youth group have been out to work (and goof around ;-), and our men's groups have worked every week! We even had men's group from another local church lend a hand. It is true that many hands make light work.  I would like to challenge those in our church who haven't helped yet, to try to find a time to pitch in.  There is still lots to be done!

It has surprised me that no matter how tired I am going into the work nights , I always get energized and excited seeing it all come together. Most nights have been a lot of fun!

I wanted to share a little bit of the before and after pics. Scratch that. Before and progress pics (because nothing is complete yet).

This is the 2nd-5th grade class as we inherited it. Cute murals, but horrible peach color! Definitely outdated.

Men hard at work cleaning the walls and removing everything Week 1.

This is the pile of trash we removed on our first work night.

Week 2, the murals were primed over and the walls got painted!

And this is a sneak peak of what it looks like at the end of work week 3.

 This is the kindergarten room, and the only room to not get a paint make over. We just de-cluttered it and got rid of everything we aren't using. The plan is to put a chair rail up along the 2 colors.

Most of this is gone now.

The crew hard at work!

 I am so bummed that I didn't get before pictures of the Jr. high or High school rooms. This room was the "meeting room" and was painted mint green. It is now a nice gray, and this is a chalkboard wall. Lots more in the works to make this room hip!

 This is our nursery room as we found it.....

This is the nursery week 1 being being cleaned out. Notice a couple of  paint swatches on the wall. We tried 4 samples before picking the perfect aqua blue!

There is paint on the walls!

This is the Pre-k room pre-renovation. The former church used it as their nursery. 

 I don't have updated pictures yet, but this cabinet is down and the walls are painted tan.

  Here are some more pictures of the dedicated workers! We had crews start on the landscaping this week.

 Bob Kinsella has been hard at work cleaning out the storage closet. He is my hero because I saw this room pre-cleaning and the sight of those cobwebs may have scared me for good.

 The Cafe/Hospitality room is being updated now!

 The office is being spruced up!

 I can't wait to see all that gets transformed in the next  few weeks!

Some cute pictures

Aubri loves to ask for her picture to be taken. Try to take a picture of her when isn't her idea and forget about it. Go figure. 

"Take a picture of me and brother going to sleep."

 "Take a picture on our "wagon walk." Aubri had been asking all day to go on a walk in the wagon with her brother. I said it would be a great idea when he was bigger and could sit in the seat. She said, "Not when he is big. Right now!" We gave it a shot. I'm sure we got a few laughs from the neighbors.

 "Look at my sticker face!"

"Take a picture of my feet mom. Not me, just my feet." I played along but took it of them anyway.

For fun, here are some cell phone pictures of Ezra.  He was sleeping on the chair and a lot was going on! Thankfully he can sleep through noise (as long as it's continuous and not sudden), but we caught him covering his ear!

Tia Emma and Ezra. I love this picture of them!