Today Cooper and Beckett jumped off the diving board at the pool for the first time.
It was such a wonderful moment to watch each kid muster up the courage to take that first leap.
Afterwards, both boys walked tall....so incredibly proud of themselves. Of course, I was proud of them too. It takes guts to jump into water that's 12 feet deep and then swim to the side by yourself.
for Mama Walsh to go back to work....
It's hard to believe how fast my time at home has come and gone. I think I've made the most of it.
I've tried to get up with the boys each morning because it's something I don't get to do when I'm producing the 6am newscast each weekday.
I've tried to do as many school drop offs as possible because I don't normally get to be apart of that routine when I'm working.
I've tried to make lots of morning play dates because I'm typically snoozing every day from 9am to 2pm.
I've tried to relax on the schedule a bit and just enjoy each hour since I'm not cramming 3 kids, a fabulous job and a house full of responsibilty into each day.
I've tried to visit with our families because traveling is so hard when you're working. The last thing I want to do on Friday afternoon (after a long week at work) is pack up and spend 3 hours in the car with the boys. No, I'd much rather order pizza, drink a glass of wine and unwind.
I've tried to appreciate all the extra time I've had with Chris. It's been nice eating 3 meals a day together, staying up late, watching TV and just having more time together as a family.
I've even tried to get a little pool time in with the big boys.
And while my anxiety level about my "new normal" is climbing even as I write this, there are things I know about myself....
I am not one of those people who is meant to be a stay at home mother. No, I enjoy going to work each night and I think I'm incredibly lucky to have a job I love, a work family who I respect and enjoy, and an employer who is one of the best I've ever worked for.
I believe that if you do something you love, you'll never work a day in your life. Sure, work sometimes feels like work. But when I step into that control room each morning at 5:59am, I know that for the next hour, I control what people are watching at home. Matt Lauer once said "we are a window to history for those at home." I enjoy providing that window and I love morning news. It's nice that people incorporate us into their morning routine and I like that they start their day with us. Plus, I get to spend all afternoon and evening with my boys. Bonus! Of course, some news days are more exciting than others. But I live for those exciting, fly by the seat of your pants, breaking news, balls to the wall kinda days.
So...here goes nothing. I hope I can actually pull off being a working mother of 3 small children on the overnight shift. A lot of people have recently told me that it's impossible. But I think I am up for the challenge :)
Cooper....
Cooper graduated from preschool and is headed to kindergarten in the Fall.
We are so proud of all the progress he has made in preschool!
Beckett....
Beckett celebrated his 4th Birthday at Chuck E. Cheese!
A little bit about Becks....he is 4 going on 10, charming and mischievous all in one breath and has an imagination that runs wild! He doesn't need to be pushed to do anything because he's always up for EVERYTHING. He's my daredevil, my social butterfly, and the kind of kid who asks a million questions because of his endless curiosity. Happy 4th Birthday Becks!
Cullen....
Cullen will be 2 months old next week!
He's my blonde haired, blue eyed boy. Smiley and sweet. He looks a little like both his big brothers.
As a family, we have big plans for the summer....a trip to the beach, a trip to Kings Island, tee-ball, maybe a Clipper's game or two, and of course THE POOL!
They say it takes a village to raise a child.
Three years ago, I took my oldest child to preschool. Most moms and dads get to drop their children off at preschool hoping they will learn numbers, colors and play skills. I dropped my child off hoping he would learn to talk.
Cooper had no words as he approached his third birthday. None, zero, zilch. Diagnosed with apraxia (a severe speech disorder), he couldn't say mommy. He couldn't say daddy. He couldn't tell us which toys he liked. He couldn't tell us what he wanted to eat or drink. He couldn't talk. Things had gotten so bad, he would literally bang his head into the wall out of frustration when we couldn't understand him!
We went to the Hilliard City Preschool hoping they could help him. It's a place that welcomes kids who need a little extra help with typically developing kids....peer models that help their classmates without even knowing it.
Chris and I had one goal for Cooper.....COMMUNICATION. We wanted him to be able to speak and communicate like everyone else in time for kindergarten. It was a goal that wasn't going to be easy to reach....remember, he was almost 3 and had no words.
Today, Cooper is 5. And he has hundreds of thousands of words....full blown fabulous sentences. If you met him right now, you might not know how delayed his speech really was.
And it took a village to get him there....
Private speech therapists, peer models at preschool that doubled as friends, incredible teachers, Nannie and Nana who listened and offered endless amounts of advice and even money when we needed it, and our closest family friends....who celebrated every milestone with us.
There's still more work to be done...a few sounds that need to be tweaked. But for today, we'll forget about the to-do list and just celebrate the victory. COOPER IS READY FOR KINDERGARTEN!!!!
And I want to share this moment with "our village." More importantly...I want to say thank you to our village for helping us get here.
Thank you!!! ThankyouThankyouThankyou.
First day of preschool (August, 2008)
Final Day of Preschool (May, 2011)
It's the toughest job I've ever had.
I'd be lying if I said every moment was perfect.
Some days they are angels.
Some days I check to see if they've sprouted horns.
Most days I need a glass of wine at dinner (which involves multiple messes, tears, and "eat your whatever.")
But each and every day I awaken to 3 smiling boys and it's just fabulous to kiss each one and wonder what the day holds.
Thank you to my three sons for making me a mama. It's the very best job I've ever had :)
Cullen Robert Walsh
Born at 7:36am on April 19, 2011
He's 7 pounds, 11 ounces and 20 inches of baby perfection.
And he's coming home to a family who's thrilled that he's finally here!
And the view from the front...
I'll spare you the view from behind. :)
This time tomorrow, our new baby will be here!
And that means.....
Soccer season has begun.
The Easter Eggs have been colored and will soon be hidden.
And babies are arriving! Just one more week until this little guy makes his debut. The nesting phase is underway.
Welcome Spring :)
Just when I thought the changes happening on the outside of my body were unbelievable.... I got a glimpse of the amazing things happening on the inside too....
3.6 Pounds.
18 Inches Long.
He's on track to be 8+ pounds come April.
It's hard to believe just 16 weeks ago, he looked like this....
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