Reflecting on 2010

Here we are...waiting out the final hours of 2010. I remember how 2010 started. It was a little scary. It was in January that Paige found a lump on Deji's neck while she was babysitting for us. I remembered the feeling of dread, of trying not to panic, of trying to put our faith in God. Luckily it turned out to be nothing, and a few weeks later I found out that I was pregnant with Adara. It took me a couple of weeks to tell Ryan because I knew we weren't ready (financially) for baby number three. So far we have managed, it hasn't been easy and it doesn't seem it will get an easier any time soon, but you know what?... we are blessed. When so many people were losing their jobs, we both still had ours. When so many people were losing their homes, we have a beautiful home to call ours, mess and all. When so many people had sick children we are blessed to have three happy wonderful little kids. I will take all the tantrums, snot, back talks and all (on most days). God truly has been good to us. Do I wish for more? Who doesn't?! I would like to have a tidy house, a baby that sleeps through the night, a two year old that can say yes more often than no, a three year old who doesn't question everything I say, a husband who sees the glass half full more often, and more money in the bank account. But at the end of the day when I compare my life to others I realize God's love through everything...even the cranky hubby. I look forward to 2011 and all the ups and downs it will bring.

My crazy John Deer Trio. No Deji isn't laughing. He is crying with a snotty nose.

Soon little miss will be joining her brothers in their antics.

Antics such as dressing up as super heros with sunglasses.

But there will also be times like this when all they will want to do is just sit on the couch and cuddle.

Christmas 2010

What a Christmas! We were all excited for Christmas this year. Femi understood the concept of presents and we talked a lot about Santa bringing presents. At his school they taught him some Christmas carols. I even went to see him perform his very first Christmas concert. I got some of it on tape, but the Flip camera that I borrowed from school died on me. I just pray that I can get the footage that I took off it. Deji's birthday is also on the Flip. Anyways we were all set for Santa, after Christmas Eve service (which was awesome) we set out cookies and milk for the big guy and reindeer food for the reindeer. Christmas morning comes and of course Femi is up bright and early, but he really surprised me by waiting for the sun to come up before opening presents. It was actually nice all five of us in our bed just enjoying being together, before the frenzy started. We finally made it downstairs to open presents with Naiya when Ryan started throwing up in the middle of it. Poor guy had not been feeling well for a while. We go on without him, because once Femi started opening presents there was no stopping him. He opened every body's presents for them. Good thing Deji was not into opening presents this year. After opening presents and trying out toys we went over aunty Lase's for breakfast without Ryan and came home for nap time. I needed a nap also, but there is no rest for mothers. I check on Ryan and he was still sick as a dog. I had to go out and buy chicken noodle soup for him. Only three places were open on Christmas day. QT, Walgreens and CVS. It made it hard to find half and half that I need for my stuffing for Christmas dinner at Lase's later that evening. I didn't find any half and half so I thought I could use eggnog instead. Don't ask me why I thought that would work. Needless to say, my stuffing didn't turn out like I wanted. After nap mom and I packed up the kids again and headed back to Lase's where there were more presents for the boys. I ate until I was about to explode which was a good thing because the next day guess who got sick. Yep me, the indestructible one. I was hit really hard, I couldn't get out of bed, I had no appetite and my throat hurt. I thought it would go away in a day, but it didn't. All I could do was nurse Adara and give her to Ryan right after. Thank God he was feeling much better. On Tuesday I finally decided to go and see a doctor and I was told I had Strep. I am on the mend, but feel so behind on this blog. I haven't even done Adara's three month photo shoot. Needless to say, this will be a Christmas to remember. At least the boys had a great time. They even got to go to the farm to see Grandma and Paw Paw Nilson, and of course open more presents. Next year will be even more exciting with Adara being one, Deji being three and Femi being four and a half. I can't wait.

Deji Turns Two!

Last Thursday was Deji's birthday. I can't believe he is two already. Sometimes it seems like he has been with us a lot longer than two years. I remember the morning we drove to the hospital to deliver him, it was cold and snowy. I kept asking Ryan to slow down, even though he was only going about 30 on the highway. We are full into the terrific twos. He wants his way and now. We have many melt downs, but I just remind myself that this is only a season, it to shall pass. I took cupcakes for his toddler classroom and he started full time in the two year old room on the 17th. He loves the two year old room, he likes being a big boy. We had a party for him with just family. Jen, Rick and the boys came down to help us celebrate. It was a fun time. We did the monkey theme for him since he loves his sock monkey and one of his favorite books is the Five Silly Monkeys. I even made his cake to look like a monkey. I was very proud of my attempt. I need to start practicing for Femi's Spider Man cake.

Decorations. We went with the Sock Monkey Theme.

The cake I made. I was very proud of myself.

Playing twister with Brett and Femi.

Making Gingerbread houses.

Ryan and Brett with their finished product.

Blowing out his birthday candle.

Opening presents with lots of help from cousins and big brother.

Cake time!!!!

The next morning with cousins, big brother and little sister.

First Snow Fall

Last Saturday we had the first snowfall of the year. We went down to Lawrence to visit Niaya and see Uncle Soji, on the way back to KC it started snowing. Nothing much, but enough. Sunday morning was really cold, so we stayed inside all day long and decided to put up the Christmas tree. Femi was very excited about setting up the tree. He is really excited about Christmas this year. He wants Santa to bring him all things Spiderman.

Femi looking out on the snow. He actually wanted to go out and play in it.

We painted while waiting to get started on the tree. I think Deji got more paint on himself than on the shelf.

The boys helping put ornaments up on the tree.

Femi tellingus what goes where.

We even decided to decorate Adara and put a bow in her hair.

Back to Work

I officially went back to work two weeks ago. The first week was very rough. Trying to get into the routine of teaching, dropping off and picking up kids and trying to keep the house in one piece. Needless to say I have been very tired. It doesn't help that Adara isn't sleeping through the night yet. She does have long stretches of sleep at night, I just want it longer. She typically goes to sleep between 8 and 10, then wakes up around 1 or 2am to eat. Then I get her up between 5:30 and six to eat again before we leave the house at 6:20 for daycare drop off. Adara has her good days and bad days at daycare. Bad days consistis of her spitting up a lot and having blowouts. I think she is spitting up a lot because she has to take a bottle. Monica is great. She is really wonderful with Adara. I love the updates that I get from her when I pick up Adara. /She watches little Jada and a little boy named Ryan. Her youngest daughter Emma goes to preschool two days a week and her oldest Alli is in first grade. I feel very blessed that we found her. She has a very sweet soul.

Monica with Adara.

Calling Friends.

Lately Femi has been talking about having his friends Carter and Dillon come over for a play date. Today he said he wanted his teachers to come over as well. When I asked him who he wanted he said Ms. Tammy who is his lead teacher. She mentioned that he followed her around today, like he missed her over the break. I guess he must have if he wanted her to come over to our house. Well we were just sitting hanging out before bath time when Femi mentioned that he wanted to call Carter. I told him he could call Carter if he could tell me his number. When I asked for Carter's phone number he replied "5" and Dillon's phone number is "1". Too cute. It won't be long before he really is calling his friends on the phone. They grow up too fast!

New Holiday Tradition?

We went to Zona Rosa last weekend to see them do the lighting ceremony. It wasn't very cold outside, which was nice. We didn't have to worry about Adara getting too cold. I remember going to the Plaza lighting ceremony many many years ago. Our uncle, professor Drayton, took us when we first came to Lawrence. It was very magical. I would love to go to the plaza, but it is just too crowded for me. We might make going to Zona Rosa a family tradition, if it is not too cold. :)

Our family portrait.

Deji not being afraid of the snowman. Femi wanted nothing to do with him.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day as come as gone and we have so much to be thankful for. We have 3 healthy happy kids. We have a beautiful home and Ryan and I have jobs that we both love. There are so many people out there who do not have a fraction of what we have. God has really blessed this family and we can never forget that. This year the annual gathering for Thanksfeasting was smaller than normal. It was just my sisters, mom, Aron and the five of us. Mom normally brings people from KU, usually international students who can't go home, but this year she didn't have anyone. It was nice just to have just family around. We ate a lot and danced a lot. Femi wanted to show everyone the dinosaur dance and then it turned into a dance party. I wish I had a working camcorder to record the moment. It was lots of fun!

Having a dance party!

Naiya and Adara having a private dance

Enjoying some food with aunty sLase.

Deji helping aunty Lase workout her legs.

Adara is 2 months old

My little girl is two months old today. We saw doctor Morris on Monday the 22nd and she weighed 10lbs 4.5oz which puts her in the 50th percentile. Her head measured 15 and a fourth inches which was also in the 50th percentile. I and her height was 23.5 inches! That puts her in the 93rd percentile. My little girl has grown 4.5 inches since her birth. It looks like I have another tall one on my hands. I can't believe how fast time has flown. This also means that it is time for me to go back to work. It is very bittersweet. I love teaching and I love my kids. I feel guilty that I have to rely on someone else to help me essentially raise them. You would think the guilt would be a lot easier to swallow by number three, but it just gets harder. I miss my kids when I am teaching, but then I miss teaching when I am with my kids. I am blessed that I teach and I get the holidays and summer with them. Some working mothers are not so lucky. I also know that I would go crazy if I stayed home all the time. I think for right now God wants me in the classroom, and when the time comes, if it does come that He tells me to stay home, then I will obey. But for right now, I plan on cherishing every moment that I am with my kids.

Brotherly Love

I feel so blessed that the boys love and adore Adara. Femi wants to hold her all the time and Deji love to give her things and pat her back when she is upset.

I was getting Deji dressed and we walked in on Ryan changing Adara and Femi just looking. I just thought it was so sweet the way he was looking at her. I just pray that as they grow so will their relationship and that they will love each other and watch out for each other.

Of course Deji had to get into the action. He is so gentle and loving with her. Adara is truly blessed to have big brothers who love and adore her.

Bath Time Beards

Lately the boys have been wanting bubble baths and their favorite thing to do is scoop up the bubbles to make beards.


Here is Femi helping Deji wash his hair.

Beautiful Fall Day

Today was such a perfect day. After church I gave the boys a snack and since it was so warm outside I decided to take them out in front yard to play before lunch. I love Fall days like these. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, it's warm and the trees are breath taking. We took walks up and down the street, we wrestled in the leaves, we played hide and seek and rode bikes. Of course I had to capture my little boys in action. I can't wait for Dara to be old enough to join them.

Deji resting after playing basketball with mom.

Playing catch with Femi.

Boys fighting over the bike.

Femi in his favorite spot. I don't know how he gets up in that tree.

Deji looking up at Femi.


Can you see Femi in the tree?

Spiderman Mania

I know that kids obsesses about things and Femi is no exception. His thing is Spiderman. Every morning is a battle because he want to wear the same Spiderman shirt to school. He has a closet full of very nice shirts, but all he wants is his faded yellow Spiderman shirt. He wants to wear the same Spiderman socks everyday. We actually went out and bought him Spiderman shoes, so he would stop wearing his sandals (that is another story). Guess what he was for Halloween, you got it. Spiderman! One of his friends at school has a Spiderman coat and of course he wants one. Today at preschool they were getting ready to go outside to play. Since it was a little chilly they needed jackets and he told his teacher the Spiderman coat was his so he could wear it. When Ryan picked him up he had him take it off and he cried all the way home. I have to say that I was disappointed about him not telling the truth and saying that the coat was his. You want your children to be honest and for him to lie, really upset me. I understand that he is three and I guess this is when the parenting comes into play. We have to teach our children right from wrong and be consitent with it. I know this won't be the last time a lie is told, but I hope he pauses a little before telling it and eventually never tells another lie again.