All About E.Rae

It seems the last number of blog posts have been all about the boys in my life. I figured it was due time for Erica to get a post all about her. After all, I do not want her to have "middle child syndrome" or anything!

Erica is your typical, feisty 3 1/2 year old these days. She is very strong willed, and is pushing every limit there is to push. When not pushing limits (or in the time out :)), she is still our loving, caring, sweet, talkative little girl.

She is adjusting to being a big sister, and not being the baby anymore...but it has been hard on her. Don't get me wrong...she LOVES her baby brother, but the changes have definitely affected her behavior these past few weeks. She doesn't like that the attention has shifted away from her....but she's coming around! :)

Here are a few photos of her loving up Bennett--she always says "Mom, take my picture with baby Bennett":

Lounging in the couch, watching Dora together:

Yesterday she asked if we could go get her hair cut. She informed me that she wanted it "cut short & beautiful--like yours, mom." She has asked me this before, but I have always been hesitant to cut too much off. This time we went for it, and here she is with her adorable new bob--I just LOVE it (& so does she):

Little Mommy, helping to feed Bennett:

Erica is still going to Janet's daycare, two doors down, two days a week--just to keep her routine up a bit, and to give her play time with friends. I think this really helps her not to resent me so much for all the attention that I need to give to Bennett right now. Once I go back to work (the last week of November), both Erica and Bennett will go to Janet's 4 days a week--which I am so thankful for.

In October, Erica will start her Lil' Flipsters gymnastics class, which she is ecstatic about. I will post pictures once she gets going in this.

Well, that's it for now.....stay tuned!

Look-A-Likes??

Sometimes it is a little deja vu for me when staring at Bennett. It takes me right back to when Hayden was a baby. To me, they look so much alike, especially when he is wearing baby clothes that Hayden used to wear--which is most of the time! Here are some comparative photos of the two of them. What do you think? Do you see the resemblance in these two handsome gents?

Hayden Jonathan, 10 days old:


Bennett Alfred, 7 days old:

Hayden Jonathan, 12 days old:

Bennett Alfred, 2 days old:

Welcome to the World Bennett!!

Big Changes for Hayden

Hayden has had a big couple weeks, with lots of change, and lots of excitement!

First and foremost has been becoming a big brother again--which is a job he takes VERY seriously! He is in love with his little brother, and wants to hold him any chance he gets. When I was pregnant and asked him whether he wanted a brother or a sister, he would respond, "a healthy baby." He is happy to tell you now, though, that he truly wanted a brother all along! He reminds Erica and I all the time that "now the girls are out numbered by boys!" He thinks that is pretty great. Below are Hayden and Bennett snuggling:



Secondly, on Wednesday 9/9--Hayden started Kindergarten!!
It was a much anticipated day, as he thought he was ready to go last year, but missed the Kindergarten cut-off by one week. When the bus came to pick him up on Wednesday morning, he didn't even look back....he was so ready to go, and be a big boy. He will be doing full day Kindergarten, Monday-Friday--which we think will be so good for him, and challenge that big brain of his. We are looking forward to seeing him blossom over this next year.

Here he is with his friend Gabriel at the bus stop,
and boarding the bus for the first time!

And finally on September 10th, Hayden celebrated his 6th birthday!
It was only his second day of school, but I had talked with his teacher ahead of time, and had arranged for him to bring in birthday treats--so they celebrated his birthday all day at school that day. We also celebrated that evening when he got home with dinner of his choice (which of course was McDonalds) & gifts from Mom, Dad, Erica & Bennett.

The weekend prior we celebrated with the entire Smith crew. Here is Hayden with his birthday cake from that party:

And (below) with his gift haul from that party. I told my sister-in-law that H had requested a Nerf blaster/shooter, and low and behold.....everyone purchased him a Nerf gun. So, we now have 4 Nerf blasters of varying sizes & all their darts hiding behind all of our furniture, etc!!

A few photos from his Sharpe family party where he got to pick the menu of fish (bass and sunnies caught up at Isle O' Dreams by he, Daddy & Papa), macaroni & cheese, green beans, bread, salad, and home made ice cream cake for dessert.

A few of his favorite gifts from that party:

A knight costume including sword and shield from Auntie Ali,
and a pirate costume from Auntie Katy:

And finally, last Sunday we had a big party for him at our house with all of his friends...complete with a surprise guest....a magician!! Hayden was completely surprised, as were all of his friends. They had a great time, and were in awe of the magic tricks--which even included a live bird!

Part of the crew-- we had 30+ people at our house, 17 of which were kids.

Here is the birthday boy participating in a rope trick:

...and finally blowing out more candles. Think how many wishes
this kiddo got for his 6th birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Hayden. We love you so much, and are so proud of the big boy you have become!!

It's A Boy!!!

We are so proud to introduce our newest addition to the Sharpe family, a beautiful son.
Bennett Alfred (named after his late Papa Smith) came into the world at 3am on Sunday 8/30/09. He weighed in at 8#12oz, and was 21" long. It was love at first sight for us, but then we've been in love with this little person for the past 38+ weeks!! It was just so great to finally meet him, and find out whether he was a Clara or a Bennett! Jon got to announce the sex, and was so proud to call out "It's a boy!!" I cried like a baby I was so happy, surprised and proud.

I went into labor on Saturday after walking around the State Fair all morning. I am still just very thankful that I didn't go into labor, or have my water break, at the fair. Three hours after we got home from the fair is when the action began.....and the rest is history.

Proud New Mommy and Daddy

Nana Smith with her new grandson

Aunt Katy and the kids checking out Bennett from head to toe....lots of questions from Hayden and Erica

Our new family of FIVE (gulp, bring on the chaos)!!!

Sibling Love:

Hayden the amazing, doting big brother
&
Erica the loving, coddling big sister

And finally getting ready to go home on Monday morning:

Having a quick bite before the first car seat adventure (and trip to Panera for the hungry, nursing, sick of hospital food Mama)

Bennett Alfred, Created With Love:

Bennett, at home, 2 days old--
chillin' in his vibrating chair in the sunshine

We may be a little sleep deprived, and are definitely trying to learn a new norm at our house right now....but we are so happy, blessed, thankful, and IN LOVE with our new little man. Smitten is a good way to describe our current state of being.