Fabulous Four!

We're thrilled the announce the upcoming arrival of our latest addition!  Baby Swartz #4 will be joining our family in May, 2016!  We've nicknamed Baby #4 "Encore" -- as in one final, wonderful performance.

Encore at 8 weeks!

While news of Encore was a surprise, it's certainly a welcomed and exciting surprise!  We shared the news with Brennan, Gavin and Abigail as we carved pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns.  Instead of having three pumpkins, we had four -- one for each kid!  They are excited for the arrival of their new brother or sister!

16 Months!

~Abigail is picking up speed every day and is nearly running!  When walking quickly, she does a cute swing of her hips.

~Her expressive babbling continues and she has added more words! She says "Hi" and "Bye bye!" at appropriate times.  She has also added "doggie" and very clearly states "Mommy" and "Dada".  She's been heard to say "Bise!" (Surprise) and "Baby" often, also.  Her receptive language is blossoming, too.

~While she has always enjoyed books, her interest seems to be growing.  She frequently bring us books to read to her and points to pictures to be labeled.  She is most interested in interactive books, including lift-the-flap books and books with textures.

~She does the adorable move of moving backwards while sticking her bottom out while on her way to sit on our laps.

~Abigail continues to adore her brothers and imitates them often, including roaring like lions, jumping (attempting to jump), and running around the room.  She likes to get into their rough-housing, also.  

~Abby enjoys the play kitchen, including taking play food in and out of the microwave/oven compartments.  She puts cups under the faucet and then pretends to take a drink.  Abigail loves "stirring food" with a play utensil and cup/bowl.  Then, she'll come to us and "feed us" with the utensil while repeatedly smacking her lips together.  It's adorable!

~Abigail is taking an interest in dogs.  She'll point them out excitedly and label them.

~She likes to make animal noises when she sees them in pictures, although most animals roar, "Mmmm" or clear their throats.

~She enjoys picking up toys.

~Abigail frequently claps for herself when being praised.

~Our little dancing queen is learning new dance moves.  She moves her hips, stomps her foot, twirls, and side steps with her head on her shoulder. 

15 Months!

~She shakes her head yes and no appropriately to questions.  Her "yes" is more of an upper body nod.
~She says Mama, Daddy, bubble and baby!  When she wants something, she frequently states "Mamama" or "Mamame" while pointing to the object.  The babysitter reports that she clearly says "Logan", the name of the babysitter's son.  She smiles and giggles when we try to get her to say it.  Abby babbles a lot and uses great inflection and a variety of sounds.
~Abigail is the proud owner of her front 8 teeth, 4 molars and 2 top canines.
~She's an eating machine!  She's starting to self-feed with spoons.  She doesn't have a scoop action  mastered, but she's able to get the food.  She has a sweet tooth and gets excited when dessert is offered.
~Abigail loves to climb on Brennan's platform bed.  She also enjoys standing on his bed, making Mommy and Daddy nervous.
~She's showing knowledge of many different routines.  She immediately goes to the basement stairs and starts to climb when she hears the washing machine lid close.  She rubs her hands together when we're putting lotion on our hands.  She goes to the door when told it's time to leave or go outside and will go to her highchair when told it's time to eat.
~Abby is great at following directions! When asked, she puts her clothes in her laundry basket and will deliver items to people.  She also likes to pick up, including putting toys away and putting her shoes on the shoe mat.
~She makes an adorable pig noise, although it sounds more like a cat clearing a hair ball!

Preschool!

Gavin started preschool today! He is attending Little Blessings in Fremont, Ohio three days a week.  He's going to love school!

14 Months!

~Abigail continues to enjoy walking and is getting even faster!  After her brief break, she has returned to climbing stairs.
~She cut two molars and, based on the look of her gums, we expect more soon.
~Abby loves to eat!  She's a meat and carbs kind of gal, but will eat most veggies and some fruits.  She loves to drink from sippy cups.
~They say that kids often focus on one developmental skill at a time.  It was nearly overnight that Abby switched from motor development to language development.  She consistently says "Mama" and "Mommy!"  She'll typically repeat them when asked and will say "Mama!" repeatedly when she wants something.  She's also said "Dada" a few times!  We've also heard "nana" (banana) and she babbles often.
~Abigail has improved her "please" sign to rubbing her chest/belly.  This is exceptionally cute when she is asking for food.  She occasionally signs "more", but, being polite, "please" is used more.
~She puts her hands in the air to indicate that she wants to be held.
~Abby loves baths!  She's at the bathroom door almost immediately after she hears the water running.  If she's not in the bath with her brothers, she attempting to touch the water from the side of the tub.  She enjoys splashing, playing with toys and watching her brothers.
~While she still likes to play with Brennan and Gavin's cars/etc., she's starting to show her feminine side.  She enjoys walking around with her "babies", appearing to hug them with her arm.  She also has a particular baby that she likes to take to the babysitter's house nearly every day.  Abigail also enjoys playing with her purse and gets a kick out of wearing a toy bracelet.

First Day of Kindergarten!

Brennan has been very excited to start kindergarten!  He is in Mrs. Boose's full-day kindergarten classroom at Furry Elementary in Perkins Local School District.  He's going to love it and will do great!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Gavin!

Happy Birthday, Gavin!!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our sweet, smart and silly Gavin!  He brings us so much joy and we're so proud of him!

A few highlights:

~Gavin has made tremendous progress with his expressive language skills!  He speaks in full sentences and is consistently intelligible.  

~Gavin adores his siblings.  He is Brennan's shadow and enjoys playing with him.  He loves to help Abigail and will stop what he's doing to give her hugs and kisses throughout his day.

~He identifies all letters and numbers 1-10.  He can count to 19 and backwards from 10.

~Gavin enjoys books, especially silly books or look and find books.  He also enjoys describing what is happening in the pictures.

We celebrated his birthday with a basketball themed party at a local park with some family and friends.  The kids had fun playing on the playground and throwing water balloons.

Current Stats:
Height: 37" (38th percentile)
Weight: 28 lb 8oz (17th percentile)

While he's our little guy, the doctor explained that his growth is on track.  The doctor also wondered if he would be a "late bloomer" and hit his growth spurt later.