2013

Here we are again, writing another yearly update of our lives! We just can’t believe how fast time flies!
 

Rowan celebrated his 1^st birthday in March. What a difference a year makes! He is a busy boy, and just as dramatic and loud as his sisters. He LOVES to eat…but for some reason, he doesn’t gain much weight (lucky!). He’s still tiny! He loves being in charge, and has taken over the rule of the house. Elwyn does not appreciate that! Rowan keeps us on our toes, both day and night. He’s such a boy!!! In March, Rowan came off the pulse oximeter that measured his heart rate and oxygen saturation while he slept. No more beeping in the middle of the night!!! And he’s wire free!!! It’s been so nice. His lungs are still sensitive, so when he catches a cold…it lasts a lot longer than normal. We are still careful about germs. Sadly, I can’t keep him in a bubble…even though I have tried! We feel so lucky to have this little boy. He is such a blessing.
 

Elwyn has just about had it with her brotherJ I always said if I had another baby, she would burn the house down! She recently prayed that, “Rowan would learn to share mommy and daddy.” Poor little girl, I really do feel bad for her. She really does love her brother, some days…J Elwyn turned 7 in October and celebrated by having a ‘My Little Pony’ party with her friends. She loved every minute of it, and enjoyed being the center of attention. She is in first grade and LOVES to learn. She is reading, writing, and doing addition and subtraction. Elwyn is still dancing and she played softball once again this past summer. She suffers from minor hearing loss; we are hoping it is due to fluid in her ears and not me yelling too loud. She will most likely need tubes. Don’t tell her that though, she will have a cow if she knows she has to have surgery again.

 

Willow is getting so old!!! I still remember bringing her home from the hospital, 10 years ago. Sadly that means I am getting old too! Willow is in 5^th grade and loving every minute. She still loves to read, and we can’t keep enough books on our shelves. She is in the French club at school. She really enjoys learning new things. She is constantly telling me facts about EVERYTHING. Sometimes I tune her outJ Willow is a great big sister. She is a big help, and she and Rowan have the cutest relationship. She is very loving and caring with him…too bad she’s not that way with ElwynJ Willow is still dancing. She also plays basketball and softball. Her softball team even made it to the tournament this year, which was exciting!
 

Rich is on to year eleven with Sam’s. These days, being with one company for so long is rare but it does have its benefits. For one, he writes the schedule for the entire management staff, which comes in handy a lot of the time. Rich took the girls snowboarding for the first time this past year. Willow enjoyed it, Elwyn, not so much! I think she will just stay home with me next time they go! Rich continues to work in scouting with the 11 year old age group. Rich is looking into transferring out to his company’s home office with the anticipation of working in talent development and/or training. 

I am still doing the ‘mom’ thing. Now that Rowan is older, I’ve been able to get back to doing things outside the home. I am helping out at the school a lot more, and I still teach dance. This year I am teaching both Willow and Elwyn’s classes. They are finally to the age that I can be their teacher, and it’s fun!!! I don’t know if they think it’s fun thoughJ 
 

We miss you all and wish you a Happy Holiday!!!

Rich, Liz, Willow, Elwyn and Rowan Wilson