The Yamasaki Crew: September 2008

I know, I know...it has been a LONG time! I have no excuses.

Hurricane update:

We survived! We were very lucky! Our house took a small hit, some up-rooted trees, a blown down fence (portion), and a broken window. Nothing very dramatic! We were without power for 3 days, but luckily my mom had power, so we stayed there. I did make the kids sleep in the guest bathroom under the stairs for fear of tornados. The wind was VERY loud and the windows did shake! It was scary, to say the least.

School update:

Regan and Dylan are doing great in school! They never even mention being in different classes. I guess they get enough of each other at home :) Since the storm (and the 2 week break they had from school - week of illness, then week of post-storm cleanup) neither have had a problem going into class. They are both shy kids, so it takes a little prying them off my leg most mornings. The past 2 school days have been easy!

Adam is still having a hard time adjusting to me leaving each morning. His teacher does say that he is getting better, but the first hour or so is all tears. It is pitiful to watch (through the one-way glass).

Marathon update:

My friend, Janice, and I are up to running 5 miles. This is amazing to me, simply because I am not sure that I have ever run 5 miles total in my life prior to starting this, much less all at one time. We are averaging an 11.5 minute mile.

Mark is running a lot more! He is suppose to run 17 miles one day this week. CRAZY!!!

Kids update:

Regan - She is getting so big, so fast. She is still very petite, but has a huge personality. She weighs 34 pounds and is 40 inches tall. I know this because we had to visit the doc yesterday for a swollen foot and hand. She was biten by some mosquitos (VERY BAD sworms since the storm) and her foot and hand swelled up and bruised. The doc put her on steroids (for swelling) and an antibiotic to knock out infections. It is much better today. Her vocabulary is amazing for a 4 year old. She will talk your ear off and asks a million questions every hour. She doesn't skip a beat when she is talking to you. Every word comes so easily to her. She knows exactly what she wants to say, and she says it. She is not the "girly" girl that I always thought I would have, but she is just like me...imagine that. I still get to dress her cute and make bows for her hair...for now anyway. I don't imagine that it will be that way for very much longer. I keep trying to convince her to take dance class, but she wants nothing to do with it. She prefers karate and soccer (not that there is anything wrong with either of those activities, they just don't wear tu-tu's). I am holding on to gymnastics as long as I can :) She is really good at gymnastics, and just got moved to a higher level class (her and Dylan both). Her favorite toy is the bug catcher that she collects worms, love bugs, and lizards in. She will spend all day outside digging in the flowerbeds for bugs. Nice. She is also a dog lover...hmmm, wonder who she gets that from? She gets up every morning and goes straight to the dogs to tell them good morning and feeds them. So sweet. She also loves helping take care of Adam. She plays the "mom" in our house, and the boys pretend to be her kids. It is so funny to hear some of the things I say! Her nickname is still "Princess", and it will be until she stops responding to it!

Dylan - He has passed Regan signifiantly on the growth charts. Last weigh in he was 40 pounds and 41.5 inches tall. He is still my sensitive child, very emotional and sweet. He is constantly coming up to me saying "I love you" for no reason. The latest thing is "Mom, you are the best". It sounds so grown up....Mom. He has started sticking up for himself a little more. He will get mad at Regan when so doesn't give him an opportunity to talk (A big reason we chose different classes this year). I love seeing that tougher side come out of him. His favorite activity is swimming...by far. He talks about it everyday. It doesn't matter if there is a hurricane outside, he wants to go swimming. He is very good at it too. He can stay under water forever. This is amazing considering how bad his asthma is. Even his asthma doc was impressed that he likes swimming. She said most asthma patients find it uncomfortable, and he is a "true asthmatic". Speaking of asthma, we have had a great summer...hospital free. Lets hope that this fall is just as health friendly to us! Dylan is getting better at wearing his glasses. I think he realizes that it is easier to see with them on. I do still find them in crazy places, but recently I noticed that he was putting them on without me asking him too. That is a huge step! He is the best big brother to Adam! They will play and wrestle until I make them stop for fear of someone getting seriously hurt. I always call Dylan "D", but he has recently asked me to not call him that. It is so hard to stop...it just comes out of habit. His nickname is "Handsome", and I am sure that one will have to go too. I will continue using it until he asks me to stop :(

Adam - Crazy man. I think he is around 24 pounds, but no idea on the height (yes, he is the 3rd child). He is quite the character. He loves anything relating to a ball. Baseball, football, basketball, soccer, golf....you name it. He is also very good at hitting, kicking, throwing, swinging, etc. All of the neighbors are convinced that he will play pro sports one day. How often do you see a 2-year-old dragging a baseball tee, baseball bat and ball out of the garage, down the driveway, and into the cul-de-sac to play ball with the big boys? It is so cute. I will have to get a pic one day soon! He is in a big boy toddler bed now and we are attempting potty training. I know he is physically ready, just not interested yet. He is still attached to his paci and the famous "rags" that Regan introduced him to. Adam is also a very picky eater. It is a job just getting him to eat. He is very small for his age. He looks a lot like Regan and has a very similar personality. He is VERY independent and knows how to throw a good tantrum. Hard headed to say the least. He also has a sensitive side to him (in his momma's boy mode) and will cuddle and say "I wuv you mommy". So sweet! He also LOVES gymnastics! whoo hoo!! (but so did Regan and Dylan at this age!) The coaches keep telling me that he will go into an advanced preschool class when he graduates from mommy and me class (3-yrs-old AND potty trained). He likes to help Regan dig for bugs and play monster with Dylan. I love that the 3 of them are so close in age, they really do play well together (most of the time). His nickname is "Monkey" and it fits him perfectly. He will climb ANYTHING...you name it, anything. His goal is to be up higher than anyone else in the room. Crazy kid.