Gearing up for soccer season.

Ruby is playing soccer this year...her first time! She is so excited and even more thrilled that Hugh is her coach. She's been telling everyone she is starting soccer and her dad is going to be her coach. She's even invited some of our neighbors to come watch her. Last Saturday, we took a family outing to Scoreboard Sports and she picked out some soccer cleats and shin guards. I loved watching Ruby and Hugh in the soccer store together...I'm not sure who was more pleased, Ruby or Hugh. Each time she tried on a pair of cleats she had to run around to "test them out". She originally wanted a pink pair of cleats...I encouraged her to find some that her brother could wear as well. I'm glad she decided on the yellow ones. I kept questioning if she really needed cleats and Hugh (the more thrifty one of the two of us) said she did. Once she put them on, I was sold too!

Tonight, Hugh held a little practice with the girls so everyone could get to know each other. All day Ruby kept reminding me she had soccer practice tonight. She couldn't wait to get all her gear on to go. Once again, it warmed my heart to watch both Ruby and Hugh. Ruby listened intently to Hugh, with her hands in her pocket, so eager to kick the ball and interact with her teammates. Hugh was so sweet with the girls...a proud wife moment for me. The whole time, Ruby had a little skip in her step. I know it's in vain, but I hope she always likes doing things with her mom or dad this much. One can dream.

The past week Ruby has been intent on coming up with a name for her team. "What name should we do, Meg?" she would ask. I kept telling her to wait until practice so she could ask her teammates too. Once the practice was over she ran over to tell me about the name they decided on..."soccer girls, well actually, I think it is soccer girls rule," she told me.  Hugh clarified that the "rule" part is their cheer and their official name is soccer girls.

Here's to a fun season, Soccer Girls!

This little Hank of mine.

Hank always has a ball with him. Everyday he hands me his shoes and asks to go outside to play with his "boop" (hoop). He would shoot baskets all day long if I let him. And when he gets done practicing his shots, he puts the ball on the ground, pushes me against the wall, and kicks the ball to me. "Sotter" he says. If I go inside for a second, he whines until I come back out either to watch or pass the ball with him. Although it is April, some mornings our winter coats are still needed.

And although Hank is all boy...this kid loves his blankets and binkie like nobody's business. After some morning errands this is where I found Hank...asleep on the floor after trying to pull his blanket from the crib. For whatever reason, he must have both blankets. 

Last week, Hank was sick all week and after two trips to the pediatrician...we finally found that pesky ear infection delaying his recovery. (I had ear infections all the time as a child...I'm starting to think Hank is following suit.) He had a rough time sleeping and found his way into our bed many a night. Most nights, he kept requesting the "toutch" "show" and "buzz". He just wanted to sleep on the couch and watch a show...specifically Toy Story. This quickly turned into a bad habit which has now been nipped in the bud. It was hard to say no to his cute little face and high pitched requests. 

Hank is also loving Go, Dog, Go! Just like Ruby. (This was one of my favorites as a child as well. My dad still talks about me saying, "It's a dog party!"). Surprisingly, Hank will sit through the entire story. 

I sure love this kid. Tantrums and all. Just the other day I wouldn't give him a treat at the grocery store so he had to run away full force until he found a caution cone to kick. This type of thing happens whenever he gets mad. I find it hard not to laugh. But on the other hand, he melts my heart when I hear his sweet "pease" when he wants a bottle of milk and then says "tay too" after I give it to him. Or watching him sleep so peacefully after a long day of playing hard. I also won't forget the smile that spread across his face when I picked him up from nursery a few Sundays back. He was so glad to see me...and I felt so lucky to be the mom that got to scoop him up and take him home. 

The little babe...

...is safe and sound. Growing just as he/she should. After our 20 week ultrasound yesterday, I can breathe a little easier and feel grateful that all is well with our sweet babe #4. It never gets old seeing your babies on that ultrasound screen. Life is a miracle. This little one was in such a funny position with  his/her hands and feet all up by the face...in the very spot I feel its tiny kicks and jabs all day. The babe even open and closed its little mouth for us. I am looking forward to meeting this little one in September. We all are.