2 posts in one night! Here is Erin's latest trick -- my favorite, of course!

I put this up on my facebook, but I know everyone is not on facebook. I have my evenings down to a science. While Jack and Gracie finish up their dinner, I start the bath water and get Erin started in there. Well, I was gone for less than 2 minutes when I went to go get the other two (they all bathe together). There were the Partners in Crime under the table eating ice cream! Jack had a spoon, but Grace was just scooping with her hand. Oh my!!! Earlier in the evening, they had decided to empty every last toy and shoe from Jack's closet and put them in various storage bins (Their toys are all organized by genre - hello my OCD!). They also took every last toy, book, gadget, you NAME IT from the girls' room and put them all in Grace's crib. What a mess! Just a glimpse into this chaotic household!!!

May 1, 2012

Dear Friends and Family,

As a Team in Training alumni, I have rejoined with them to run in Disney’s Wine and Dine Half Marathon on November 11, 2012 at 10:00 PM.  During the next several months, I will be training and raising funds to help find a cure for blood-related cancers. I participated in the Indianapolis Mini Marathon with Team in Training many years ago. My motivation for doing so at that time was for a good friend, Kara, who had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia during our college years. Fortunately, she is now cured and healthy! Once again, leukemia has struck close to home, as my mom was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia last March. We have been incredibly blessed since her diagnosis, that gains have been made specifically for her type of leukemia, and her prognosis is great! I will be running this race in honor of my mom, Kara, and everyone who has been affected by cancer in any way.

Leukemia is a malignancy of the blood-forming tissues – bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. It appears as uncontrolled multiplication of abnormal blood cells. It is estimated that leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma will strike over 100,000 Americans this year. The cause of leukemia remains unknown. However, the effectiveness of recently developed treatment methods and steady advances in research bring us closer every day to finding the cause and cure of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

My personal goal is to raise $1250.00 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as well as to finish the race. 75% of every dollar I raise will directly support research for a cure and provide financial assistance to families in our country who are struggling with the financial burden of treatment.

I have made a commitment to run this race and bring us 13.1 miles closer to providing hope, peace, and freedom to individuals battling blood cancer. I am hopeful that you will join me in the fight against blood cancer. You can help by visiting

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ncfl/diswine12/mmccorm6x7

and donating generously to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Every dollar counts!!!

Donations are tax deductible. If you prefer to mail a check instead of donating via the website, my address is at the bottom. Also, please check with your company to see if they will match your donation.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANKS YOU!!! for taking the time to consider supporting me and donating to this worthy cause. Please know that your support will not only help me cross the finish line this November, but more importantly, it will help so many patients and their families cross the finish line to a healthy life.

Warm regards,

Melissa McCormick

1260 Shorecrest Circle

Clermont, FL 34711

 I wanted to hop on to document that Grace finally said her first (that I know of) sentence. She had to go potty, and Colin was bathing Jack with the door locked. She walked over to me and said, "Ut oh! Daddy locked it!" I was so proud.

Grace sleeping with her baby. Love this picture! I tucked her in just like that. When I went to go check on her, hours later, she was still in the same position. 

Jack and I had a special date to go see Seussical the Musical last Friday night. It was a GREAT time! He made friends of all ages, all around us while waiting for the show. Then once the show started, despite it being an hour past his bedtime, he just sat in awe. After it ended, he said, "I wanna watch another show." On the way home I got the most horrific migraine and got lost on the country roads (big shock). It was a bit stressful, but we eventually made it. Thank God for the iPhone GPS. 

Waiting for the show to start.

Checking out the program

We had a Seaworld day last weekend, with the Outlands, Bowles, and Tosis. Lots of fun! Grace is terrified of anything in costume (I'm sure that surprises everyone!), and sat with her eyes squeezed tightly shut on Colin's lap for the entire Sesame Street Live show. 

Jack was THRILLED to meet characters. I think a Disney trip in his near future is needed!

All the babies! Amanda and I were on baby watch while everyone else went on the rollercoaster. I must say that I'm proud of myself for going on it too. I hadn't been on a roller coaster since before being pregnant with Jack, probably sometime in 2007. I was so nervous! 

Here is a picture from the last time we went to Seaworld together.

Gracie and Haley - sitting still and posing for a picture is SO not their thing!

McCormick Baby Bath Time

I'm home with a sick Budgie today. I was in the parking lot of the pediatrician's office at the time they opened. I was thinking they would tell me his ear infection was back, I'd get him medicine, take him to school, and be on my way to work about an hour late. I had my class split between two of my friends' classrooms. Turns out he has bronchitis, so the two of us are home, and I ended up getting a sub. Thankfully my friends put together sub plans for me because I was wondering how in the world I was going to pull that off. He really isn't effected unless his fever is really high. Advil takes it down, and he is back to his normal self! He just did a breathing treatment, had cough medicine, and an antibiotic. Currently he is at the kitchen table yelling, "mommy! Look what I maked for you!", while playing with play dough. So far I've had a birthday cake, pancakes with butter and syrup, and cheese pizza. He brings it to me and tells me a list of a bunch of different foods, and says, "That's what all the ingredients is. Now eat it all!" Where does he learn this stuff!?

He only does this when the fever is high!

Handsome fella!

Gracie is a little momma! She is so protective of Jack. The day care told me that when Jack gets in trouble, Grace goes and tells the adult reprimanding him, a piece of her mind!

Also, Erin is cruising all around furniture these days! She's getting so big and has the cutest personality. Still no signs of teeth, which makes me delightfully happy. I looooove gummy grins!

Loves sippy cups!

Chest to chest cuddles are the best! 

A special breakfast date with daddy at Panera!

Saturday, Kiya and I ran in an Earth Day 5k. The weather conditions were perfect, and it went really well. Colin had taken a few hours off so I could do this, so right when we finished, we left, rather than staying and waiting on the results. Later, my friend Lisa texted me and told me I won a plant for placing in my age group. I was pretty happy with that, because I had myself convinced that I was going to come in last place (horrifying flashbacks from my high school cross country days)!  Please go to my last post if you can make a donation OF ANY AMOUNT for my half marathon coming up in November. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! And thanks to those who already have. I truuuuuly appreciate it! :):):)

Today I signed up to run Disney's Wine and Dine Half Marathon on November 10th at 10:00 PM through Team in Training. Please consider donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through my fundraising page, linked below. It is a very important cause to me, as my mom has been directly effected with CLL and a close friend is a survivor of ALL. Fortunately, gains are being made daily towards a cure. Every little bit will help find a cure for blood-related cancers. Thank you!!!

Please click here to make a donation.

I forgot to mention in my last post that Grace gave herself her very first haircut on Easter morning! Luckily, she didn't do too shabby of a job! There's a nice angle around her face, and you can't tell it's a hack job. She pretty much gave herself some bangs!

Also, Erin is pulling up to standing ALL the time now!

And Jack, after a couple of weeks of off and on complaining about ear pain and once he said, "mommy, what's that sound in my ear?, has been diagnosed with two bad ear infections. I swear those tubes are miracle workers! He hadn't had a single ear infection since getting them in over a year ago, and within a month of them being out, he gets a double ear infection! If they reoccur, we will probably be getting another set of tubes put in.

...and I can't end a post without at least a few pictures! Looking back - here's a picture of each kid at around 7 months old.

Happy Easter 2012!

We had a fairly uneventful Easter around here. In the week leading up to Easter, I brought the kids to several different events. Saturday we had a mini Easter dinner with Mike and Kiya. Sunday we woke up, and the kids went through their Easter baskets and played with the contents all day. 

Posing for my FIRST Easter!

This was a community Easter egg hunt at The Church at South Lake. We had lots of fun playing with friends, finding eggs, and playing on the playground Saturday morning.

The Church at South Lake Easter egg hunt.

Grace wore this dress last Easter!

Aftermath of Easter baskets

This was before I brought them to an Easter event at another local church, First United Methodist of Clermont. They had stations set up for the kids to participate, and then they got an egg for completing each activity. This teacher LOVED the structure of that egg hunt.

Sisters posing

The Easter basket layout. The kids were spoiled by the grandparents Easter bunny!!!! :-)

Stylin' boy!

These two adored the Easter bunny! Jack was so excited to show him the craft he had previously made while waiting in line. Erin loved petting his soft fur. 

Grace...not a fan! I need to compile all of my pictures of her with people in costume. I'm sure they could win a contest! In her defense, the whole concept of the Easter bunny IS a bit sketchy...plus this particular bunny is CREEPY!!!

This was a "no nap day".

Mommy's mornings just got a heck of lot more hectic (is that possible?!)! 

Not a morning person!

Ready for an Easter festivity!

love this one! 

Happy baby doll!

Grace the mommy! 

Jack's school Easter party

Waiting to start the Easter egg hunt at school

Jack's class

On an unrelated note, baby E loves spaghetti!!! :):):) Please Lord, give me ONE non picky eater child.

Erin Stands!!

Okay, now I'm really in trouble!!


When we got home from school today, I was in the kitchen unpacking my 46 bags that I lug around. I heard Jack, very enthusiastically, yell, "She's learning how to stand!!!!!" The above picture is what he was referring to. Needless to say, she was pleased with herself.

This girl is strong willed and determined! She gets around great crawling, but I'm guessing a few months is all we have before she is walking. J&G both started taking steps independently at 10 months.

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