Brothers

I love learning about brothers.  I knew almost nothing about boys growing up.  I have 4 boy cousins, but they are all substantially younger so they were so much fun, but they did what Linde and I convinced them to do.  So, I really didn't learn about boys until I was an adult.
I learned to truly love little boys from our buddy David.  I got to play with he and his sister every Wednesday for a whole school year and I loved it.  Being with Katie and David meant they will both always hold a very special place in my heart.   I had always said when I had kids I wanted to have boys and girls but David made me mean it.
I was so nervous when then doctor announced that Avery was a boy, ask any NICU nurse about 36 week wimpy white boys.  But, my little wimpy white boy was a spitfire and did great!  I loved learning to be a mom with my sweet baby boy.  And, I was thrilled when Dr. Hagood announced Avery had a baby brother and Hank forever changed our world.
Brothers are so fun to watch together.  They are fun to watch explore the world.  They love to discover and go on treasure hunts together.  Every rock and stick are worth exploration, inspection and to be shown (but not necessarily shared) with your brother.

With a brother life is a team sport.  I can get the boys to do almost anything by asking Team Womble to do it.  Cleaning, playing, taking a bath, making a craft, brushing teeth.  Anything is better with your brother on your team!  The boys love to play sports together and accomplish a goal together.  I love the shared look of pride when they know they have done a great job.

Eating, or not eating as is often the case at our house, is so much better with your brother at a table just your size!  As soon as Hank was in a high chair we had to make the rule that brothers stay at the table with each other.  The buddies love to be together and I quickly learned that removing one from the equation meant the other would not be finishing his meal.  While it sometimes makes them crazy to wait for each other, I love that they always wait and leave the table together.  I also really love the breakfast and snack conversations, and the persuading that takes place when one brother is ready to go before the other.    

Roomies!  I love, love, love that our boys share a room.  I am sure one day they will come to feel that it is cruel and unusual punishment, but right now it is pure joy.  I love that they have total confidence going to bed with a brother by their side.  I love that they listen to each others prayers every night.  I love that they chat for just the right amount of time before they go to sleep at night.  I love that they come get mamma or daddy for each other when something isn't going the way they feel it should for each other.  I love that this room brings out a tenderness for each other that can go missing all day long!

I love my sister so much and have been blessed beyond measure by our relationship.  I was so worried about how to create something similar for my boys.  Lately I am learning that brothers are their own animal.  I can't imagine just walking by my sister and punching her for no good reason, but somehow among brothers that is no big deal.  I can't imagine sitting with my sister and saying poop and then dying laughing, but for brothers it is a love language I will never understand, or condone.  I can't imagine yelling Avery with the special tone Hank uses to convey extreme fury, or the precious way he can say thank you avery that makes me melt every, single time.  I wouldn't have thought to teach Hank to buckle his own carseat today, I thought he was too little, but Avery knew he was ready and took the time to do it.  I love that even though Avery can be the most cut throat, race to the finish line kid he also knows when Hank can't take it one more time and gives up his turn to help Hank out of a melt down.  I pray that somehow this extra special love hate relationship will stand the test of time and that my boys will always know they have each other!

Happy Memorial Day!!

Memorial Day weekend means it is time to head to the lake!

Saturday morning we loaded up and headed out. 

Sidebar-when I was pregnant with Sadie Jo I made Michael promise he would always make sure Hanky feels loved.  As two first borns we don't know what it feels like to be the middle.  I think he does a pretty good job!  

As soon as we got to the lake Aunt Linde got to work.  Please not the perfectly still baby girl.  Ridiculous!

Meme made sure that Mack and Sadie Jo pretty much never hit the ground.  She makes the littlest lake visitors the center of her world and they LOVE it!!

Sadie Jo found the water a little cool for her liking, but was more than happy to look the part!

 Captains of the ship!!

Avery Blake is SO not my kid.  Look at how high he is.  I was DYING, he came up with a huge grin and begging for more.  DARE DEVIL!!!

We also had so much fun seeing Honey's new redone digs and visiting Grandma and Grandad, but all those pictures are on Michael's phone.  Oops!

Vacation

We Wombles have a very busy summer planned!  Michael and I started it off right with a vacation!!! 

I clarify because a very wise friend explained to me the difference between a trip and a vacation, and this was truly a vacation!  We will save the trips for later this summer!  

Vacation-Travel for parents that isn't work!
A few weeks ago we loaded our bags, put out a few small treats for the grandmothers and great-grandmothers that made it all possible!!  (they were on a trip!)

Vacation-Celebrating something special!  (10 years of true love!)

Vacation-Eating all kinds of things that are totally against the rules.  (Like quesadillas and tacos for breakfast, not breakfast ones, the real deal!)

 And nachos and pizza for a snack.  And fruity drinks just for fun!

Vacation-Being entertained by someone other than your punkin kids, even though they are very entertaining.  Michael Jackson, y'all!!  He was so great and I think he sweated on me!!!

Vacation-Going to dinner night after night and only cutting up your own food!

Vacation=Perfection

You should go on one STAT.  You will miss your kids!  You will have so much fun!  Your kids will have a blast without you!  And, you can read a parenting book on the beach and come back feeling like a super mom!

 Trip=going on adventure walks

 Trip=making your own pizza

Trip=tea parties served by the biggest brother

So, if you want to go on a trip give us a jingle our hotel is always open.  And, if you want to go on a vacation we highly recommend Excellence all inclusive resorts!

My Kids Are Cute

I mean I know it's not nice to brag, but look at the greatness of Lisa Woods and my babies!!!

1 year old girl  

 Raspberries are a great trick

 Super hero skills

 Make a wish

 Flying high

 3 is terrific

 5 is funny

 Silly Hanky

Sadie Jo

8,760 hours
365days
12 months
1 year

I can't believe it.  I just can't.  One year ago today I couldn't believe it when Dr. Hagood said "it's a girl" and the whole OR started cheering.  I couldn't believe I got to have 3 healthy children.  I couldn't believe we had a baby girl.  And in many ways I still can't believe it.  Sadie Jo is a precious BABY girl, not a 1 year old girl.

Easter

We had a great day celebrating that "Jesus came back alive" as Hanky says!

And, we looked pretty good doing it :)

How cute are these punkin cousins?  Remember I told you who tiny miss priss is?  Mack is 6 months younger.  She might outweigh him, and his shoes are definitely bigger.  (Aren't both of their shoes so cute?  I love baby shoes!)  Don't tell her though, she totally thinks he is her baby and talks his ear off all the time!  

Our little family.  I am truly blessed beyond measure!  Even if I can't get all 5 of us smiling and looking.  

My little bow tie boys!   

Daddy's crew.  I love, love, love that he is their favorite person in the whole world!  I hope it never changes!

11 months

Say it ain't so!

I am SO not ready for this, but she's growing up! 

Sadie Jo is one precious 11 month old girl. 

She is a GREAT eater, despite the fact she tops the charts for weight at a whopping 4%.

She loves all orange veggies and even the green ones. 

She loves to sleep.  Sadly, third kids get woken up a lot to take someone somewhere or pick them up. 

She LOVES her brothers.  No one makes her laugh harder and no one protects her better. 

She loves her daddy. 

She loves herself, she smiles and says hi to her mirror every time I put her in her carseat.

She does not love standing.  Her hips are very flexible and it makes it hard to have the strength to stand. 

She does not love to be left alone, she is used to company.  

She does not love avocados and bananas, their texture is weird. 

She does not love water babies lately, not sure why it just started.  But, she's cute in her tankini.