Birthday! Birthday!

Who isn’t a sucker for a cute kid, right?  Well, when that kid happens to be yours it is simply impossible to be effective at discipline.  I just can’t say “no” to this kid.  I know he shouldn’t have brownies at 8am or watch a fifth movie in a row but when this guy shoots his beautiful hazel eyes at me, I.just.can’t.say.no.  Just a hint of a fake tear and I fall for it every single time. 

Traditional Birthday Breakfast Pancakes

That's a pile as big as him!

  Robert, my middle child just turned three.  THREE!  Jeez, life just passes right on by.  Like a blink!  He’s my baby.  My snuggle bug.  My everything.  He’s a boy of few words (literally, we see a speech therapist once a week with him) but the words he does say are so special and important. 

 Two weeks ago he said he first three word phrase, “help me please”.  Ugh, just made me melt.  He’s been a big fan of Toy Story for quite some time now and insists on wearing his Woody cowboy boots almost daily.  He is a fan of getting himself dressed all by himself (a task even my seven year old still struggles with).  He’s also a big fan of “manman” aka Batman. 

He’s outdoorsy, he loves to be in the sandbox, blowing his bubbles, and driving his cars.  He loves his brothers.  He does well with routines.  Our two hour bedtime struggles are distant memories and have been replaced with teeth brushing, vitamin taking, and reading a couple bedtime books.  Done and done. 

For his birthday I asked him what kind of cake he would like, his reply, “orange”.  When I asked him follow up questions like, “the color orange or the flavor orange?”, I got the reply, “orange”.  So, because I can’t say no to this kid (see above), “orange” is what he got.  I made him both orange in color and orange in flavor.  It was a big hit.  He loved it. 

For his gift, we gave him a Daniel Tiger stuffed animal and two tickets to see the live show of Daniel Tiger, he had a blast on his first mommy/son date.  We definitely will need to do another one soon. 

We have a big year ahead of us:  potty training, new school, and new day care are just around the corner.  I think he’s ready for it but don't ask his mother if she is ready! 

Robert, I love you to the moon and back and I can’t wait to hear you say those words back to me (and then never stop saying them).  It will be worth the wait!  Kisses! 

Love, Momma

Celebrating Our Last First Birthday!

My little marshmallow turned one year old a few weeks ago.  I wanted to take the time to reflect on this past year of my life with this sweet baby of mine. 

 

Kids really have a way of making you realize just how fast time goes by.  It feels like just yesterday my husband and I were just bring Thomas home from the hospital, adjusting to life with three boys, and figuring out another new routine with another new baby.  

 Like all parents, I feel so lucky to have this little kiddo in my life.   His sassy attitude keeps me on my toes.  He’s chatty, he’s spunky, and he knows what he wants.  He loves to try to keep up with his older brothers.  He has helped me set limitations and has taught me to let things go.  I promised myself to let the guilt go on my dirty house.  For his whole first year, I promised myself to not stress about piles of clothes, papers, or fur and allow myself instead to use that time to play with my children.  For the most part, I was able to do just that.  I let dishes pile up, left laundry go unfolded, and cleaned the bathrooms far less than I am willing to admit here.  None of my children will remember any of those things.  What I hope they remember are the trips to the zoo, the games we played, and the cuddles we shared. 

   

My maternity leave was hard.  We decided for financial reasons to keep my (at the time) 20 month old home 3 days a week.  Caring for a newborn and a 20 month old is difficult.  The first day home with both of them, my 20 month old cried for 3 hours straight, I in turn called my husband crying.  But as the weeks went by it got easier, we fell into a really great routine, the crying (from both of us) ended, and I really didn’t want my time home with them to come to an end.   Those 10 weeks whizzed right by. 

I nursed Thomas full time through 8.5 months.  This wasn’t always easy as there were four other little hands that were reaching for their mommy at any given time.  The nine months we spent bonding with each other are irreplaceable.  I’m not going to lie, I also wasn’t sad when it ended.  He didn’t “need” me in the same way that I felt my second born needed me but maybe it was that I didn’t need him in the same way either.  I had let go of the mommy guilt this time around.  I’m doing the best that I know I can do to raise three young gentleman and sometimes that means knowing your limitations. 

 

I’ve also learned to take care of myself this year.  I’ve learned that taking care of myself and my needs doesn’t make me a selfish person.  In fact, taking care of myself has made me a better mommy.  I’ve learned to tell my husband when I need some time to myself to do things for me.

Both of the old children are great brothers.  They both are so sweet with their baby brother.  The love and affection they show each other is so cute. I hope to remember these sweet moments five years from now when all they will do is wrestle on the floor together or ten years from now when they are trying to out-burp one another.  Sigh.

I've tried to cherish and enjoy all our out last "firsts" with Thomas.  They say the third baby gets the shaft because parents tend to not care about the milestones or care to take as many pictures, a "been there done that" phenomenon .  I've tried my hardest to not make that a reality but the truth be told, it isn't that we "don't care", its because my time with him is so precious.  My hands are busier and that makes the time we do spend together just that much more special.  I'm busy living with him than busy writing about him.  I'm too busy cuddling his snugly little body to start that scrapbook, I'm too busy kissing his chubby little checks to take a time out to snap a picture of the moment.  I'm too busy living in the moment than taking the time to wish for the next.  I love him and I love my crazy little life.  




****Photos all done by the talented Jesse Lee Photography.  

Robert Turns Two

 Robert James turned two a few weeks ago and I thought I would take this blog post to document his past year.

He really loves his blankey and he carries it around with him everywhere. He is particularly fond of one specific blanket, luckily we have a spare in case we lose one. He's also a fan of dinosaurs, doggies, and bubbles. Yeah, very random I know, but understanding the mind of this two-year-old is like solving the world's hardest puzzle. He still isn't talking much, but that isn't preventing him from being extremely independent. He likes to do things for himself like put on his own shoes, hat, and coat in the morning.  He's also extremely curious.  Here he is below trying to pump after he put all the pieces together himself. 

He has the most infectious giggle but unfortunately these days we usually hear more cries than laughs coming from his tiny little terrible two body. Speaking of tiny, he really is little. He stands at least half a head (official measurement) shorter than the rest of the kids in his daycare class. But Jeez is he cute! Those round cheeks and big blue eyes get me every.single.time. It's hard to stay mad at this kid for very long.

He knows what he wants and he often won't stop [crying] till he gets it. While bedtimes have become easier in the past year he still HATES when we leave him. He graduated from sleeping in his baby swing at 13 months, to falling asleep in our bed (with us holding him) until 21 months. It took a new baby brother to get us on the same page and start making him cry it out in his crib. Now we read him a few books and place him straight into his crib. He still cries every single night but the process is much shorter for us than the old routine and he typically only cries for 5 to 10 minutes. We are considering that a win. While he still may hate bedtime, he really does love getting books read to him. His favorites include any with Sesame Street characters in them. Sesame Street is also his favorite show and often times you'll find him dancing to their various skits.

While I think he was the sweetest and easiest baby, he sure has given me a run for my money during his second year. He's the reason that our house has baby proofing everywhere. He's the reason all the crayons are broke in half and there are scribble marks on the walls. He's the reason our bookcases are anchored to the wall with screws. But he's also the reason I smile ear to ear and the reason my heart skips a beat. I love his little kisses.

Despite the mess, the constant crying, and the frequent tears, I can't imagine my life without this kid and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us.  Bring it! 

I love you Robert.

XOXO mommy.

He's Here and He's Perfect

On Monday, November 17, 2014 Thomas Harold joined the world.  8 lbs and 3 oz. and 21 inches long.  He is so lovely and we are just smitten with him already.

Look at these two big brothers.  Johnathan (6) has been such a trooper.  He is just in love with his new baby brother and Robbie (20 months), he isn't sure what to think yet but with some time I know he'll come around.

Look at my husband, he's such a natural at this.  He makes it look easy.  I think that is Thomas's first smile right there and he hasn't even left the hospital yet.  I may have another daddy's boy on my hands!

 

This is my first moments with Thomas.  I still have my hair net on from surgery (the real deal folks!).  A momma waits 9 months to hold and love their new little baby and those agonizing final minutes of waiting after a c-section feel like an eternity.  Once I finally got to hold him, we are both instantly in love with each other.  

It's been two weeks and we're starting to get into a routine here at home.  It will take a while yet, but things are starting to return to "normal" (whatever the heck that means). 

Please excuse my absence as I get to know and bond with my newest little addition.   This is FOR SURE our last baby so I'm trying to enjoy and savor every little cuddle I can because I know in a blink of an eye, they will be all grown up. 

See you soon!  Hugs!

Halloween 2014

Halloween 2014 has come and gone.  Look at my two cuties all dressed up this year.  I really try to stay away from getting store bought costumes as I don't like the commercialism of this holiday.  If my kids want to get candy from strangers, I think they (really me at their ages) need to work for it a bit, hopefully they will agree as they get older and older.

Since I am only weeks away from giving birth to my 3rd child, the thought of elaborate costumes was just not going to do but these were super duper easy.

 

Johnathan (6) went at Fred from Scooby Doo.  I bought the blue dress shirt and white sweater from used clothing stores and the orange ascot is just a strip of a very ugly orange shirt I bought and cut.  I didn't even bother sewing it.  He had some nice "preppy" dress shoes to wear to complete the outfit but he is weird about shoes and I didn't feel like arguing.  Sometimes it just isn't worth it!

Here he is getting candy at a house with a very cool scary costume.  We also got Robert to go up to this guy but he started crying.

Robert (20 months) went as Bob the Builder (name sake, get it?).  I bought the hat at goodwill and the tool belt at Target, the rest of the outfit he already owned.  Easy.  The Cheetoo was a bribe to get him to keep the hat on and somehow it worked. 

 

What a couple of cuties.  These two are still best friends, I hope they find room for the third who is just around the corner!

Action shot of Bob the Builder getting candy from strangers with his Auntie Katie.

 

Robbie and Bumpa walking the streets looking for good candy, Robbie was stashing the goods in his tool belt. 

 

Oh and here is daddy and Uncle Jake playing on their phones, we tried losing them here but they found us.  Good thing the kids were with us and not these two with their heads stuck to their phones.  What a bunch of creepers sitting on a street corner with phone in hand and an empty stroller.  ;)

The kids weren't the only ones to have fun.  Nate and I dressed up as well.  He went as pregnant me and I went (with my pregnant belly) as the magic eight ball (my signs got cut out of the pictures, but I think you get the point.  Super easy costumes that took about 10 minutes to throw together.  At 8.5 months pregnant, I don't feel like giving anything more than 10 minutes of my time!

One more final shot of my hubby dressed as me for Halloween.  Look at those sexy legs :)  And yes, he wore this dress better than I do!

Frozen Banner and a Little Bit of Fun

 As a mom of two boys the Frozen movie phenomenon has mostly missed our house.  I’m ok with that.  Even though Frozen hasn’t been on repeat since coming to home video in our house I still have heard the songs enough to have them memorized.  My son said all the girls at his school sing the songs all the time, yep, he’s right, I hear them signing them when I pick him up.  I hear girls singing them in Target, doctor’s offices, even at the zoo. I hear it everywhere.

I thought it was time to give in to this blockbuster of a hit and put a banner up in my etsy shop so all moms and dads can have just one more Frozen item in their house, to all the fed up mom’s and dad’s out there, you are welcome.  Hey, we have a similar problem in our house with the Lego Movie. 

I mentioned the zoo up above.  Let me tell you how our local zoo, the movie Frozen, and my soon-to-be-three sons are all connected while I show you some pictures of this cute banner.

I have to back track just a bit to make this story complete.  When we found out our second child was going to be a second boy, I was a little surprised.  Nowhere in my world was it possible my second baby was going to be a second boy.  My whole life I thought I would have two kids, the first a boy (to be the over protecting big brother), and the second child a girl.  Both pregnancies were very different, a FOR SURE indicator (as everyone said) that the second was a girl since the first was a boy.  So when the technician said, “it’s a boy”, my reaction was not elated joy but more of a “What?!?! Not possible”.  My reaction was just weird enough there was some moments of awkward silence by the tech. 

Now fast forward to just a few months ago.  This third time around, I learned a lesson, I learned not to assume anything and that it is a 50/50 chance that this baby would be a girl and a 50/50 chance they would be a boy.  As the ultrasound date grew closer my anxiety grew higher.  I was at peace with a boy or a girl but anxious to learn which gender they were.  Sure, a girl would be nice, but there is some peace in having a third boy, I know how boys work, I already have two, and let’s face it, I love them to pieces.

 How could you not love these two little hams.  They are just the cutest.  I had this strong feeling I was having a third boy, after all, I am the oldest of three girls.  So when the technician said, “It’s another boy”.  I was ok with it.  In a lot of ways, I was relieved.  I’m about to have my third child, having them be the same gender as the first two seems to make life easier somehow.  There were no tears shed, no pouting, I was going to be a mom to my third boy. End of story, so I thought.    

 

 A week after the ultrasound, we went to family night at the zoo and we sat in front of the karaoke stage to eat our dinner.  Kids gathered on stage to play various instruments: drums, electric guitars, sing vocals, etc.   The music started, “Let It Go” was being sang by about a dozen little girls.  I very innocently turned to my hubby while the boys were eating their sandwiches and said, “awe, look at all the little girls singing”…..the words barely left my mouth before the crocodile sized tears started rolling down my checks followed by the words, “I’m never going to have a little girl”.  Followed by more crocodile sized tears.  My husband couldn’t help himself, he started laughing, which helped me start laughing.  I have no idea where they came from, they came out of nowhere.  My hubby said, “Put yourself together, what is the matter with you, we’re at the zoo and everyone can see you crying”.  My kids were oblivious to mommy’s embarrassment.  I took the song literally, I sure did let.it.go.  Right in the middle of the zoo, in front of all those people.   The tears stopped when my oldest said, "this song is dumb, why don't they sing the Lego Movie song".  Life is good. 

I’m happy to report, there have been no further tears since that moment.  I’m excited to meet the next cute little ham to grace our family in just 26 short days (not that I’m counting).  He’s going to fit right in to our crazy, goofy, chaotic lives.  But every time I hear the song, “Let It Go”, I’ll think back to that July day when there was a brief moment that I wasn’t sure and I’ll giggle and laugh at what could have been and how life is so wonderful with my three little peanuts.    

Now go to my etsy shop and buy this cute banner or if you are blessed to have all boys like I am and don't see yourself throwing a Frozen themed party anytime soon, do me a favor and share it with your girlfriends!

And while your at it, check out two of my favorite bloggers that have all boys themselves:

Look at Shelly with her four (!!!) boys:

About Me FAQ

Look at Jen with her three boys:

All About Miss Jen

Oh, and this post with all three boys sitting around the table just makes me so excited, I can't wait for this in my own life:

Day In Our Life