Clean teeth!

I am trying so hard to get my blog posts up to date, but, wow.. it is hard with THREE little ones here at night!!!

Anyway.... last week Bryson had his very first trip to the dentist, a.k.a. Mommy's office! For my children, going to the dentist is exciting, but probably not as much so as other kids since I also work in the dentist office. To them "Dr. Taylor" is Mommy's boss, not really a dentist. Although, last week, Bryson was more "serious about being in the office because he was in "Miss Gail's" chair for his cleaning!

I have to admit, Cameron's first dental visit was also when he was three. It, too, was in my office and I was not really worried about how he would do because of that fact. As expected, Cameron did great for his first dental visit. But, as everyone knows, Bryson can sometimes be a different story - but I love him more than life!!! Anyway, I was a tiny bit concerned about how he would be for "Miss Gail." I was worried that he might give "Miss Gail" a run for her money. HOWEVER, I have to say that Bryson did a great job and I was very proud of him! She did say he was "quite the talker," but he did sit still and behave beautifully! I could not have been happier! And, if you look real close, you can even see that "Miss Gail" was nice enough to clean Bryson's "Puppy's" teeth too! Yes, the dog's name is Puppy - just Puppy! And "Puppy" pretty much goes everywhere we go.. even the dentist!!!!

Noah's "dinner date" with Miss Reagan

"Look, our car seats match, just different colors!"



So, about three or so weeks ago, Noah and I went out to dinner with a group of friends from big brother Cameron's school. One of the people we had dinner with was friend, Stephanie Kepplinger (a former 2nd grade teacher at New Hope), and her little one Miss Reagan Mae. Of course, I had to snap a photo of Noah's first "dinner date" with a girl... actually a group of girls! The wee ones were definitely the hit of the night! They were very well behaved!

Reagan's mom, Stephanie, also has a blog which I have mentioned before and you can view through my list of blogs. From reading through her posts one day about two weeks ago, I came across another blog that I really want to share. The blog is therowefam.blogspot.com (you will be able to get to it through the link on my home page under "Katie's Keepers"). This blog is basically just like many blog's that shares happenings in their lives. However, this family shares through their blog, the loss of their baby girl at only 2 days old. Although this family are complete strangers to me, I could not help but get completely absorbed one night reading about their loss, but more importantly their incredible outlook on life. You can read about what happened throughout the blog. They just lost their daughter about 3 weeks ago. But as you read you can tell that this family is not like your everyday family. They have an incredible amount of faith and optimism. I do not think that I could have handled a loss like they suffered the way they have. Again, although they are complete strangers, her words really make you reflect on your life. PS - if you do check out this blog, grab a tissue first! Trust me!!

We're moving on to rice cereal!!!

So, we have started Noah on rice cereal! The first try was not too bad. I don't think he was too sure about what to do with this "stuff" we kept putting in his mouth. The second try went a little better. And, by tonight, the third try, he seemed to really "want" the spoon! He was actually lunging for it! Noah had been sleeping great (all through the night) since about 2 months old. Then over the weekend he started waking up. So, since he is 5 months, we thought we would go ahead and try some cereal. It was a family affair. Cameron, Bryson and I all took turns giving him some cereal. Cameron and Bryson really are great big brothers!

Back to School

Back to school time is here already! I cannot believe that Cameron started third grade today!

The morning went well, all things considered..... Bryson was home sick today with what we thought was flu, but the test came back negative. He actually threw up in Cameron's new classroom last night at the school Open House! What a way for poor Cameron to start his new third grade year with a teacher we had never met! It's always something at the Koehler house, isn't it??????!!!!!

Cameron had a good first day and I had a special treat waiting for him after I picked him up. We are both hoping for a fantastic third grade year!

My boys!

Again, one of those random posts... but I had to share this photo of the three boys laying on my bed over the weekend. They just looked so cute. Noah is showing off his latest "trick" too - rolling over and lifting his head. He did not like to be on his tummy up until about 3 weeks ago. Now, he loves it and even sleeps that way sometimes. And he can roll across the room in about 5 seconds!

Noah's Baptism

Noah's baptism day was probably one of the most important days in his life so far. And what a special moment in life for me and Doug. There cannot be many more touching moments than watching your child be baptized into their new church family.

But, as with every special moment in the Koehler family.... there is always a "story" to accompany the memory. In this case, it was all about Bryson!

So, we arrived at the church the morning of July 26th for Noah's baptism. I had tried to explain to the boys that today was Noah's special day and we were going to be good for Noah, etc. Bryson was not exactly in the "mood" I had hoped for this day. I decided to take him to the church nursery until time for the actual baptism. So, we joined our wonderful family and friends who came to support Noah in the sanctuary and the service began. I slipped out right after the sermon to get Bryson, thinking I had plenty of time before the congregation would finish the hymn. However, Bryson, being in the mood he was in, did not want to leave the nursery immediately because they were having SNACK! So, I tried and tried to convince him, aka bribe him!, to come with me for Noah's special day. He finally did, but only if I let him bring his snack down to the church. By the time I got to the doors of the church (which thankfully were closed) Doug and Noah were standing there looking at me telling me to "hurry, they are waiting for us!" So, as we walked into the sanctuary, everyone was quiet and waiting for us! Bryson STILL did not want to get rid of his snack, so with the entire congregation watching we had to lay Bryson's saltine cracker and napkin at the altar of the church! How embarrassing! Really!?!

Ok.... now for the important and sweet moment of the day. Noah was fantastic during his special time. Doug and I and all the boys gathered around the baptismal font and Rev. Carl (King) made the moment very sweet and special. I will try to always remember how incredibly sweet and serene Noah's face looked in the sunlight coming through the church window as they were sprinkling water on his head for baptism. Then Carl walked his down the aisle to "introduce" him to the church congregation. As he walked he made a very funny joke about his name, and needing to supply him with a hammer and wood during rain storms. (I am sure Noah will get a lot of this throughout his life!). Then he noticed, as we all did, when he got up to the front of the church that Noah had been staring at him the whole trip down the aisle, just glued to his every word. So, Carl joked and said he wished everyone in the congregation was as attentive as he was on Sunday mornings! It was very cute.

After the service we all headed down Franklin Street to 411 West fro brunch and cake. Noah had fallen asleep immediately after his baptism, so he was awake and ready to go at brunch! It truly was so nice to have close friends and family surrounding us on Noah's special day. Thank you so much to all who took time out of their lives to join our family.

PS, really sorry about the sideways photo of Noah's cake. Does anyone know how to fix this once you have uploaded the photo into the blog????

Summer Vacation photo

A family photo from summer vacation (see Noah's first vacation post below). We are fortunate that Gommy rents a beach house for us for an entire week every summer. It gives us a chance to all be together at the beach for a whole week. Like I mentioned, this was an extra special week for us becasue it was Noah's first vacation. It was also great because it gave Cameron and Bryson a real chance to "bond" with their cousin, Max. Max will be turning two in October, so last summer he was still a little young to "play" with. This year was a different story! The boys were all great! We had a fantastic week, even though the weather was not the best we have ever had, it was still great. We had our own pool this year, Bryson learned how to go underwater!, we had movie nights in our own theatre downstairs, we had smores night outside by the pool, the "older" boys played their annual horseshoes and bocce ball games on the beach, we played putt-putt, visited the aquarium, and feed the seagulls! I cannot wait to see what next year will be like with the FIVE boys at the beach! I hope that our families can continue to do this every summer for a long time!

I spot a baby bump....

Like all of those tabloid magazine stories that have the celebrities on the beach or walking down the street, I thought I would share some exciting news in our family that I forgot to mention in earlier posts! As you can see (just look to the left!), my sister-in-law is sporting a baby bump! Okay, by now, it is a little more of a baby belly. She is actually due in less that 8 weeks. Her due date is October 11th. We are soooo excited because she and Jay will be having another baby boy to add to the family! My boys are thrilled with this news!!! Bryson is going to think that boy babies are the only babies God creates however!

Congrats Jay and Laura! We are looking forward to the newest Upchurch addition in October!!

Toes in the sand for the first time!

Noah's first vacation!

We took our annual summer vacation to Emerald Ilse in July of this year. This was Noah's first official vacation. We took him down to the ocean our second day there to put his little toes in the sand and the ocean. Like Cameron at this age, I am not sure he really knew what to think about the ocean. Doug and I both let him dangle his little toes, but the water was still a bit chillier than his usual bath time water!

Still, however, it was a treat to get to see him experience the beach for the first time. I am sure, like my other two, Noah will end up being a little beachy baby!

Noah's first firework show!

See post below... July Fourth party at our house...

Just a photo of Noah's first fireworks show. He sat in Doug's lap and just stared at the lights!

Happy Fourth of July 2009

Happy Fourth of July!

This is the first year in several years that our family has not gone to the coast for July 4th. So, instead of traveling, we decided to have a party! Imagine that??!!

Lots of friends joined us in the backyard for a hot dog cookout. Then, as the meal was finishing, Doug decided to "surprise" the kids with a water balloon fight! That was fun! Then it was on to the watermelon eating contest..... talk about "stuffing your face!" The boys seemed to really enjoy this. After some dessert, it was the main attraction!!!! Sparklers for the kids and then, Damon (our pyromaniac neighbor :) ) put on a fireworks display for us in the cul-de-sac. Needless to say, there were some tired little people on Baycourt Trail Saturday night.

Moments like this...

Just a random post here...

It's moments like this that make me so grateful for life. I just thought this was the sweetest little moment to see Noah and Doug napping together one afternoon. (Noah, 3 months)

Father's Day 2009

Father's Day June 2009

For the past five years or so, our family has gathered together with Uncle Jay and Aunt Laura at their house to celebrate Father's Day. We also have Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert and Ginger join us for the festivities.

This photo was especially fun because it includes all the boys on Father's Day, dads and kids! It's the moments like this that I fell so out numbered as a female!! And, my sweet sister-in-law will be joining me in that soon!!!

Our summer trip to the mountains

A day out with Thomas the Train.....

We took a summer weekend trip to Tweetsie Railroad and Blowing Rock in June of this year. Noah stayed at home with Gommy, so we missed him very much! Since Bryson is so into Thomas right now, we thought seeing the "real" Thomas at Tweetise would be quite the treat for him! I have never seen a bigger smile on a child's face than when Doug was holding Bryson up on his shoulders and he saw Thomas coming down the railroad tracks! He was speechless, and that does not often occur with Bryson! The boys had the best time during our ride on Thomas the Train. Then we spent the rest of the day exploring Tweetsie.

The next day we went into the town of Blowing Rock for lunch and also went to the actual Blowing Rock. What beautiful views there are at Blowing Rock. The boys, of course, had so much fun climbing around the blowing rock. It is always fascinating to me to do experience these "firsts" with the boys. They can give you a whole new perspective on life!

A cookout for Gommy's birthday

May is Gommy's birthday month. To celebrate this year, we gathered for an informal cookout at our house. These photos are of Gommy with Noah and Uncle Jay with Noah and also a few of the boys, Cameron, Max and Bryson playing in the backyard. We hope you enjoyed your birthday cookout Gommy!

Fishing with Grandaddy

So, what could be better for a little boy than fishing with his grandfather? Cameron and Bryson had been begging to go fishing in the spring. So, one afternoon, Doug and Granddaddy took them out to a pond so they could see what they could catch. This was Cameron's second time fishing with Grandaddy, but it was Bryson's first time. Luckily they both caught fish and Grandaddy was there for the big moment! *Be sure to notice Bryson's hands in the above photo where he realized they caught a fish. He threw his hands up and said "yes!"

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day this year I could not help but be overly emotional. I had just given birth to my third healthy bouncing baby boy about 2 months before, along with being blessed with the two other happy, healthy baby boys, Cameron and Bryson. I have to be honest, I never would have thought Doug and I would have three children (he only wanted one when we first got married!). And I NEVER would have imagined being the mother of THREE baby boys! But, now that it is what it is, I cannot imagine life being any different. I cannot imagine not having Noah in our family. It is like I feel complete now, like we were always meant to be a family of five. I could not be happier with the way things have happened for me and Doug. We are truly very blessed to have these three happy healthy baby boys in our home.

Grandma Ruth

We took a little visit over on this day in May to see Grandma Ruth, or as my children call her, "GG" Ruth (for great grandmother). It was Noah's first time meeting GG Ruth. What a sweet moment this was. GG Ruth is very special to all of us!