Happy Birthday, my baby boy

My baby boy turned 5 on Monday. He thinks it's funny when I call him my baby, but he always has been, and always will be my baby boy. There's something special about your first born. Yes, I know, every child is special. But I feel that there's just something a little different about the bonding experience with your first born.

Everyone always says it, but it's true, they do grow up too fast. Year number 4 was a great one for Kailer. Here are just a few of the more memorable experiences from this past year:

1. becoming a big brother, for the second time
2. Christmas in NYC. . . there's nothing like it
3. learning to ride a bike. . . no help from us
4. learning how to swim, he's quite the little diver
5. seeing Tiger Woods golf at the US Open
6. attending his Daddy's graduation from Dental School
7. Touring the big sites in NYC, The Statue, Empire State, The Little Mermaid on Broadway
8. Saying goodbye to the only home he has ever really know, Brooklyn NY   (I'm still trying to hold back the tears)

Kailer is becoming such a kind, loving, smart, strong, independent little boy. Most of his interests involve a sport or something active, or anything outdoors. He'd much rather be playing baseball, riding his bike, or digging for worms than playing with toys. And his little sister and brother are always right at his toes. He looks out for them and really loves them. I am so proud of him!

Here are a few shots from the birthday party he had with all of his cousins.

Kalyl and Dylan help blow out the candles

Mackenzy & Adelynne- double trouble
Kalyl, Dylan, Kai, Mady

Grammy show Kailer how to jump on his pogostick while the cousins all watch
Camden James

When Michael got to visit us in California in August, we gave Kailer his birthday present a month early. He was so excited when he saw that bike sitting there in the garage. He rode up and down the street telling everyone he saw that is was his birthday and he was 5 years old! 

U-C-L-A, Fight! Fight! Fight!

A couple of weekends ago, I enlisted Grandma and Grammy to watch the littlest ones while Kailer and I headed to the Rose Bowl to watch UCLA beat SDSU! Thank you Grandmas! And thank you to Jan and Grant Benbow for the 2 extra tickets! This was Kailer's first UCLA football game and he had a blast. He's been hearing about these Bruins for the last few years, watching them on TV, performing the 8-clap, wearing all the paraphernalia. But this was his first REAL Bruin Football encounter. I feel awful that Michael wasn't able to come with us- he's still training away at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. We tailgated in the LA heat a couple hours before the game. Kai insisted on playing catch with the football the entire time! Thank you Grant for appeasing him and his endless energy!

I wasn't sure how long Kailer would last. Football games are long and he's barely 5 years old. But when I told him it was time to leave at the end of the 3rd quarter (it was past 7:30 and we still had a 2 1/2 hour drive ahead of us. . . and Colby's still nursing and it had been 9 hours without any relief :) ) he cried. He was so sad and in disbelief that I would make him leave before the end of the game! He was having way too much fun! It was a wonderful day with friends and my biggest boy!

My Little Princess . . . or so I thought . . .

All dressed up for Church, so I thought I'd take some quick pictures of my little princess. This turned out to be more difficult than I thought.

Oh, look, Mommy! A bug!

Climb onto my leaf little bug.

C'mon, crawl onto my leaf . . . you  can do it.

Bug, get on my leaf!

Here, let me help you.

I got it, Mommy! I got it!

Now climb onto my pretty dress, little bug.

Oh my goodness, Mommy! A baby bug!

Let me give you a kiss, sweet, sweet baby bug.

Yes, a kiss!

Oh, my precious, precious, little girl. Oh, how I love you . . . and your recent obsession with cockroaches.

Watch Him Go!

Colby started walking at 9 months and officially stopped crawling by 10. He's constantly running into walls and cracking his head, but we just can't seem to get him to slow down. What do you do when you have 2 crazy siblings to keep up with? Poor guy!