Ike - 5 year stats

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Ike went for his check-up this year and he has grown and 3.5 inches and 4.5 lbs since last year!  He is really going through a growth spurt right now and easily eating twice as much food in a day as he did a month ago.  The other morning he asked for a 3rd piece of french toast for breakfast!

• 45 inches (75th percentile)
• 42 lbs  (60th percentile)

He is doing great and getting geared up to start Kindergarten next year.  He will be staying at MSYC for their full-day K program.  The option for full day for him just felt like a natural step - some of his friends will move onto public school but he will see them again soon enough in 1st grade.    He is soaking everything in and we now have to watch what we say around him.  He asks a million questions a day and they are sometimes really good questions like, "Mom, why don't evergreen branches break with the snow on them?"  At the dinner table the other night, I asked Ike "what did you learn today?" - he says, "I learned about Martin Luther King and how he made a difference. Did you know the dark skinned people used to have to sit in the back of the bus and the light skinned people in the front. Can you believe it? But, Martin Luther King changed all that!" Harcourt and I just looked at each other and smiled. He is taking Spanish and he constantly sings Spanish songs or mixes Spanish words in with his conversation, we are hoping to get him in some more classes outside of school. He also takes Yoga at school and the thought of Ike doing yoga makes me laugh because he has a hard time being still but the teacher said he is great in class and he can do the moves so well!!

Ike loves the snow, skiing, Vermont and anything associated with the white stuff! Although he does often ask if we can move to Hawaii or California :)  On our annual voyage to Sugarbush this year, he made it 4 full days with the big boys as I was back at the condo managing Legare. I think one day it was 10 degrees and we told him it was going to be so cold and tried to get him to cave in but he didn't and Harcourt said he didn't complain once. He took a ski lesson one day and really enjoyed it - the instructor said he was very impressed with what Ike could do. We have 2 more Vermont trips coming up soon and he is so excited to get back out there! Yesterday, we had a small snow event that turned into slush but he jumped out of bed and couldn’t wait to get his boots on to frolic around in the snow.

Ike is still the sweetest boy and loves his family so much.  However, as anticipated, his patience occasionally wears a little thin for Legare when he comes to take or destroy what Ike is playing with (legos, blocks etc) but he is amazingly cool about it and adapted his playing style accordingly.   He knows Legare so well and whenever Legare starts to cry Ike will shout "Peek-a-boo! Where's Ike?!" in the hopes of getting him to laugh :) At night after bath, they love to play on Ike's bed and it all ends with them in their pjs snuggling and hugging each other. Watching their interactions makes my heart melt and puts all the hard work of parenting 2 right into perspective!

WE LOVE YOU IKE!

Ike is 5!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY IKE!

Ike, where has the time gone?  It seems like you were just wearing the size 18 mos clothes that Legare trots around in everyday.  You are such a big boy now and I feel so lucky to have you as my son.   You are learning so much these days at school and sounding out all the words you can get your eyes on and telling me what letter words start with.  I can't believe you will be in Kindergarten next year!  We are loving reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory each night before bed - I love that you tell me how you are "imagining the pictures in your head" as I read :)    Just talking to you is my favorite thing to do, I love that we can talk about anything and everything from funny to serious and everything in between.   I think it is so cool that I can do that with my own child, you are not a baby anymore.  You are simply the sweetest, most kind hearted child I have ever run into.  If ever anyone is hurt, sad or simply needs a hug or an "i love you all the way to planet jupiter and back" you are there!   You love to love Legare with hugs, kisses and pats on the head even though he often doesn't sit still long enough.

I have figured out that being a parent gives your heart the ability to keep growing and growing with no limit.   I didn't think I could love as much as I do as a mother and that is why we worry and protect, mother nature is amazing that way.

Happy birthday to my sweet, sweet boy.  I love YOU all the way to the moon and back!!  love, mommy

 On Sunday night, we went with Kyle, Bing and Dana for hibachi dinner... a first for Ike.  He loved it and it was the perfect thing to do for a winter birthday dinner.

This morning I went to school to bring special snack of blueberry muffins, strawberries and smoothie to Ike's class.

 I took a photo of his class and they all painted their own picture frame for this photo to take home.

 Our dear friend, Ashley, made Ike his number 5 birthday shirt.  She has made him these shirts since his 1st birthday and he was so proud to wear it today.  We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends!!

 Tonight we had a little pizza, cake and presents.

 Legare liked the presents and Ike opened everything in record speed :)

 Ike got a zipline from Kyle & Bing, details to be ironed out but he is very excited.

 cake made with love by Ike and Mommy

Legare liked the frosting!

Dreaming of ISO and aperture...

Sunday, November 27, 2011

I am always learning more about photography and the challenge of getting the images I want out of my camera and lens is what keeps me going, dreaming of ISO and aperture (literally!).  Last Wednesday, I took a live webinar with a photographer I follow online who happens to live in Minnesota.  It was awesome and she has agreed to be my "mentor" and I will be doing one-on-one sessions with her online in the near future.  Yesterday, I took my camera out to practice with 2 of my favorite subjects... Legare and Bean.  

 he was so cute with the soccer ball and it makes him look so tiny :)

 but, when given the option he would rather follow Bean... 

he loves, loves, loves her and if she would cooperate he would rest his head on her all day long....

Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

This year I was really craving my mom's food and feeling a bit homesick about it so I did as she suggested and helped myself!  There are many dishes I miss but the dressing is the main one.  You see, in the south we don't "stuff"... we "dress" - much prettier that way :)  My mom's dressing is moist, crispy on top and oh so delicious.  

The base is celery, onions, and butter mixed with fresh skillet cornbread and some herb stuffing, dot the butter on top and...

...magic in the oven gives you this!!

I couldn't help myself when it came out the oven!  mmm.... now if only I was cooking it with my Mom but it was as close as I could get.

We are headed to Schutz family Thanksgiving with our nearest and dearest 27 relatives so I made the turkey breast and dressing for our house - not to share :)    I have only cooked a few turkeys but this came out pretty if I do say so myself.

My contribution to the big family meal is a Mrs. Hamby's veggie casserole and a big tray of string beans with almonds.

Miss Glennda

Friday, October 07, 2011

Legare's first year of life on this blog wouldn't be complete without mentioning Miss Glennda. She was new to the school but when I met Glennda I knew right away she had an amazing love for babies. I handed Legare over to her at 9 weeks and our bond only grew stronger and stronger all year. She is a religious woman and I do believe God gave her a special blessing. She genuinely loves them as if her own, has incredible patience and is wicked organized - all of the above are so priceless when it comes to handing your baby over everyday when you go off to work. I will admit I have grown a thick skin to the occasional tears at drop-off but most days Glennda swoops him up and he is happy as a clam :) I recognize that many people are against 'daycare' and the idea of leaving your baby in others' hands. But, I have found great comfort in the little world that my boys spend their days in and I wouldn't have it any other way (unless I didn't have to work). They are very social, well rounded, caring and bright little people and I owe so much of that to the experiences they get at school. So, each to their own but this works for us and these photos pretty much sum it up.

Thank you Glennda for taking such good care of Legare!

He has moved across the hall to the "waddler" room but he still looks across for Glennda and gets a hug whenever he can.

I'm back!!

Sunday, October 02, 2011

As in previous blog lapses, life has been so so busy with our family and my photography business and it has all been good but busy. But, I am back and will try to catch-up in a logical manner. Oh and the blog is still going private but I haven't had enough time to sit down and set up the permissions so if you haven't already please email me!!

Going private

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Podunk Chronicles is going private as of June 1 so please email me, kerry@kerryschutzphotography.com, if you want to continue to read! Family and friends are welcome!!!

Being a Mommy

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Since it was recently Mother's Day, I wanted to write a little note about being a mommy. Becoming a mother is by far the best thing I have done in my life - yet, it is also the most difficult thing I have ever done. I think it is important to recognize not only the glory of motherhood but also the challenge. It is the challenges that make us strong for everyone to lean on.

I have a great handle on Ike and we have a mutual respect when it comes to discipline and understanding what mommy wants and expects. I think I am a pretty tough disciplinarian and I have no problem executing my threats! Ike is very loving and even in the moments of discipline there is always a hug and/or an I love you.

Legare on the other hand is so darn cute but he creates a different set of challenges with all the normal baby things: lack of communication, teething, constant routine changes as he grows and interrupted sleep. For me, those things have been harder the 2nd time around - I think mostly because when Ike was born we didn't know any different :) But, his little toothy smile makes all those struggles melt away.

Juggling the “balance” of 2 kids and 2 working parents is not easy but at the end of the day we are so blessed that our family is healthy and all the little hiccups of the day are just that - and, someday we will all sleep through the night!

I love my little blue hats!

8.11.10 Legare Sawyer11.29.06 Harcourt Frederic "Ike"

Beamer, 1999-2011

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

This morning we said a tearful goodbye to Beamer (aka Brongie, Broro, Orange Dog). I found Beamer as a small puppy on the side of River Rd on Johns Island and brought her to my parents house - she was starving, covered in fleas & ticks but with lots of love, food and help from Dr. Patrick we were able to save her and I knew she was all mine. Our close family friend & neighbor, Joe, said to Beamer that night "dog, you don't know it, but you just went to heaven without dying" and I love that! She did have a great life and we were mutually lucky in finding each other.

She spent time at my parents and lived with me on Charlotte Street, Sullivans Island, the cabin on Long Hill Road and Podunk. She had a quick affinity to Harcourt and loved everything he did from boating to fishing to mountain biking. Whatever it was we did, she usually went with us. Even though she was a Southern dog in blood, she enjoyed playing in the snow but her favorite was always basking on a sunny day in the hottest spot she could find. When we added Nilla to the mix, she was at first put off but quickly they became buddies and Nilla always respected her as an elder. Ike only knows of having Beamer and he loved her despite the fact that she loved to take his food off his plate when he wasn't looking :) We explained to Ike that she was going to heaven and he just kept saying he didn't want her to go. Last night, we went to the pet store and he picked out a chameleon beanie baby, "Iggy", for her to take with her to heaven so she would always remember him as well as some treats and a candy cane bone which she sniffed but didn't take. As she went to sleep for the last time this morning, "Iggy" was under her chin and the vet promised us it would stay with her. We know there is a new fluffy dog bed waiting for her in heaven and all the treats she can eat!
Saying goodbye today definitely feels like the close of a chapter of my life. She was with me through so much in 12.5 years from graduating college, meeting Harcourt, leaving Charleston to establishing a life in Guilford, marrying Harcourt and having Ike & Legare. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Sweet girl, we are all going to miss you very much.

She was always a good sidekick to whatever Ike was doing outside!
as I said, "Whatever it was we did, she [they] usually went with us."

where have we been...

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Since our last post, we have been busy and sorry for the delay! Harcourt has been traveling tons for work and I have been juggling all of my photography work along with a full-time job and 2 kids! Seeing Ike & Legare giggle at each other makes it all worth it but these boys make for a full schedule from dawn til dusk. My recent hectic days has led us to make the decision to reduce my work week at the law firm to 4 days so I can dedicate a day (Fridays!) to Kerry Schutz Photography and our family needs. This has been a long time coming and is beyond exciting - yahoo!!

silly time after the bath....

Legare says "YAY!" to Mommy's new schedule