So so far behind! Warning - LONG post.

I have more than a little catching up to do on this blog, so am going to attempt it this today!

Summer 2013

Summer was full of ups and downs.  I was sick a good portion of the summer - strep (the kids had it too), then gout (we think!), and then 2 ear infections (probably actually one, but just couldn't kick it for a few weeks).  Anyways, come mid-August I was feeling good, which I was so grateful for.  There were a couple good weeks, before we found we were expecting baby #3, and then pregnancy exhaustion/nausea set in!  But that's a "sick" I'll gladly take!  

So that takes us into all the "highs" of summer.  Obviously finding out we're expecting another child was very exciting and something we very much wanted.  We also went to the North Woods of WI for a week (and I actually was NOT sick that week - the one week in July I was not, thank you Lord!)  It was so relaxing to be in a peaceful and slow-paced environment, in the midst God's beautiful creation.  It was a great time, other than the bugs!

Vacation pics - Gilmore Lake

August brought not only restored health to me, as well as a new being growing inside me, but  two beautiful baby girls, Iris and Dahlia born to my brother and his wife.  We have had the opportunity to visit them once and Lydia is in love!  In fact, when making a list of things she was thankful for this week, the first thing she listed was her new baby cousins.  So precious!

August also brought the start of the new school year.  This was a different and exciting year for us, as we decided to home school Lydia for Kindergarten(and possibly longer too).  The first few weeks were a little rough getting into the routine of things after a very non-structured summer.  However, now that we're in the swing, it's going very well!  I love teaching her and learning with her, AND the flexibility homeschooling allows our family.  We do have days that are a little "ugly", but once we get going it almost always gets better, and overall the good outweighs the bad for sure!  Joe is back in his ECH classroom.  We think he enjoys it, though he doesn't talk to his teachers.  We're hoping he opens up more, and starts talking at school the way he does at home. They do so many great activities with the kids, so he definitely stays busy there!  

First Day of School

Speaking of Joe, he is doing so well.  There are many days I tear up thinking how thankful I am with how far he has come(and of course this is even more frequent now that I'm pregnant)!  And he is turning into a really fun kid!  And SUCH a good helper.  He enjoys helping me clean up(takes after his daddy!), which of course I LOVE!  Also, it has made my life so much easier having him be able to communicate with words!  That is one of many things I give thanks to God for this Thanksgiving season.  What a difference a year can make.  There are still gaps in his understanding that we are trying to help him with, and he gets help with at school, but to see him continue to improve is very encouraging.    

Fall 2013

Obviously I talked about school already.  That's one of the big things we've doing.  The first couple months of fall I spent feeling exhausted.  And Joe dropped his nap in August which means NO NAPS, oy!  However, we do do room time/rest time most days which helps break up the afternoon.  I felt like I was in survival mode during most of September and part of October.  We still did enjoy some typical fall activities like visiting the apple orchard, and trick or treating, but not much else!  We did do a road trip to Columbus to see the new baby cousins, and also a road trip to WI to see my Grandma and Grandpa for my Grandma's 91st birthday.  One activity we got to enjoy for the first time was raking leaves and jumping in them(well, not me, though I did try)!  I remember doing this as a child, and this is our first fall at our new house and we have HUGE maple trees, so lots of leaves!  

At my grandparent's house in Berlin, WI

Pure joy!  Riding on a fire truck around Port Washington, WI.  (Joe was sitting on my lap, so I didn't get a good shot of him.)

Halloween - Supergirl, and Cowboy Joe!

 Joe attempting to give big sis a kiss!

Leaves leaves everywhere, leaves in the back yard!

 Leaves in the front yard!

Looking ahead.....

I'm eagerly anticipating Christmas this year.  I'm thankful to be settled in our new home and to not have to think about packing, closings, negotiations, etc!   The past year has been stressful, for a few reasons.  But I had no idea the toll a move can take on you.  That may sound a little over dramatic to some, but for this girl, moving was stressful!  For a while I have been looking forward to starting the 2nd year in our new home.

For Christmas this year,  I made an Advent calendar that will help go through all the scriptures surrounding the birth of Jesus and why he came to earth as man so many years ago.   I wanted to do this last year, but with a move the first week of December, it just didn't happen.  I'm really excited to share with kids the true "magic" of the season.  

We're also looking forward to our our newest addition - due April 15th!  As in my previous pregnancies, I'm already getting very big, and have already been asked if I'm sure it's not twins (seriously!?). I'm thankful baby #3 is growing "nicely" as the midwife likes to say!   I will be 20 weeks this Monday.  There will be a 4 year gap between Joe and this baby, so I feel a little rusty, but we're thankful to God for blessing us with another babe!

That's the update!  I'm sure I missed a bunch, but hopefully got the highlights!   

Family Photos

For those who are interested, we had a photo session with Chang2Studios and here are the pictures:  http://www.chang2studios.com/client-photos/2013-05-30-Revoredo-Family-Session
This was long overdue as we hadn't had one since Joe was 18 months!  I admit, I was being a little vain.... I really wanted my braces to be off before we did this session!  Thanks Rich and Leeann for the great photos!

All in a weekend's work...

I decided to bite the bullet and attempt potty training this weekend.  Joe's final day of school was last Thursday, and I thought what better way to start the summer than 3 days of potty training.  :)  I was thinking do the hard work now, and then refine the skill all summer, right?

I knew it wasn't going to be easy.  I mean, potty training a stubborn boy (who also has a language delay)?     Whew.  

Friday was terrible, Saturday was a little bit better, and today, well, Joe was requesting to use the potty by the end of the night!  Yahoo!  He's not fully trained, but like I said, we have the rest of the summer to work on that.   

So, dozens of laundry loads later, through tears, triumphs, and sunken cheerios, I am ready to call it a weekend. :)

Lydia turns 5!

We can't believe our "little Lydia" is five!  She is such a blessing to us.  She adds so many laughs and so much joy to our home.  She is our little jokester/comedian.

This was the first year we decided to a do a "friend" party for Lydia.  I may have overdone it a little with 20 somes kids at our house, but it was a great time!  And we couldn't have asked for a better weather day, it was perfect, thank you Lord!  The theme was flowers, as Lydia LOVES flowers.

Our friend Leeann at Chang2Studios took photos, which was the best gift!  Thanks Leeann!  Here are some pictures from the day!

 Anticipating the arrival of her friends!

Recieving her favorite flower from Superhero, Caleb :)

Trying out the party game (toss the squishy animal in the sand pail)

Dirt Cake time!

Reading her cards(she actually re-read her cards many times in the couple of weeks after her party)

"Thanks for coming!"

Lydia, we love you and thank God for you!  So glad you enjoyed your party!

Big accomplishments

We have been working with Joe on riding his kettler bike since last summer(we took a break over the winter). Last year it pretty much involved us pushing him or him just shuffling along using his feet to make the bike move. His therapists told us it would likely take him longer to learn the skill of pedaling and steering because of the motor planning piece to it. To our great surprise, Joe biked all the way to the park tonight. We just went to the same park on Sunday and he had to be pushed the majority of the way. So we were not expecting such a huge change in a couple of days, even weeks or months for that matter. Something must have just clicked for him. Marc and I shared a proud moment just watching him go! We only regret not catching it on video. Go Joe, go!

Joe's first week of school and Weekend fun

Joe finished his first week of school. He seemed to like it. The only way for me to really gauge that is by his willingness to go back. It was weird to only have him home in the afternoons but I know he's learning a bunch and hopefully growing in the skill of sharing. :) it is nice to have some one on one time with Lydia too.

Pics from first day (it was Hat Day for Lydia)



Saturday we had a great family day. We rarely have a free Saturday so it was really a great gift to have a free day combined with glorious weather. We got breakfast out at Grammy D's (last time I was there was 2 days before Joe was born!), played at a fun new playground, got some flowers from Home Depot, and went on a bike ride, which was fun for all. We did the Palatine bike trail. Thanks to some friends of ours for the bigger bike trailer. Our kids outgrew our old one last year. Hopefully by the end of this summer Lydia can bike along on her own. We're working on it!


Halfway through bike ride we stopped at "The Hill"(one of Marc's memorable childhood spots) for a break/snack.

And later on in the day we tried out a new to us bike attachment for Lydia.  We weren't sure how she'd do or feel about it, but I feel pretty safe saying it's her new favorite thing!  

Joe is 3!

What a great year this past year has been for Joe!  He has changed so much and it has been fun to watch!  His personality is coming out more and more, and we're seeing his sense of humor (and mischievousness!) all the time.  He just LOVES to be with his sister, and has even learned the "art" of teasing her.  Payback can be brutal.  This week, despite the rain, snow, and more rain, we had much reason to celebrate, as we celebrated Joe's life, specifically him turning 3!

His actual birthday was Wednesday and he woke up to a medley of Thomas balloons in the kitchen, and a special birthday breakfast (cinnamon rolls, bacon and OJ).  For those of you who know what we eat most mornings, this was indeed a special breakfast! Then we went to the Choo Choo restaurant in Des Plaines.  This was a cute little restaurant that has a train that brings the food to you.  So fun!  Then on the day after his birthday, we had family over for pizza, cake and ice cream.  Joe was super excited about all the fun!  He got some trains, CD's, a t-ball set, and even a fake mustache from Lydia(she picked it out at the party store, lol).  All in all we had a great time celebrating Joe.  We are so thankful for him and the way he makes us all smile and laugh!  Happy birthday Joe, we love you!

Joe, Marc, and I at Choo Choo

Lydia(being camera shy) and Nikki at Choo Choo

Thomas Cake: Pre-Frosting

                                                       

                                                  

Thomas Cake: Outlined!

Thomas Cake: Finished product!

Singing Happy Birthday to Joe!

                                                                 Yum yum yum...........