Back to life...

...back to reality.  I think I sneezed and December was over.  It certainly is a busy month... wrapping up Thanksgiving and then Max's birthday and before I knew it we were in the swing of Christmas parties and then the visit from the jolly old man himself.  The sad part is that December is over and that means I'm going back to work.  Rob and I decided that I would only take 8 weeks of materinity leave this time.  This was for a couple of reasons.  First, I had very little vacation time accrued after being on maternity leave with Leah.  Secondly, he is not working much and is willing to be home with the kids.  Am I lucky or what?  Not many guys would volunteer for that job.  We really didn't want to drain our savings just so we could both be home all winter. 

I mentioned that I'm going back to work but I didn't mention it was full time.  I'm still have quite digested this fact yet.  I prayed so hard that I would make the right decision and everything seemed to fall right in to place with daycare and such.  I will now be working 11a-11p instead of 3p-1a.  My days are 2 hours longer and I work just one more day a week.  With the economic status so uncertain we decided that it would be a bad idea for me to pass this up.  We can get by with me just working part time but if the economy doesn't turn around and the construction business doesn't pick up then we might be in trouble.  This will give us a little more security.  I'm still so conflicted about this decision though.  More than anything I've always wanted to be a mom.  And now have three beautiful kids and I'm going back to work full time.  I'm taking a leap of faith and praying that I can balance the demands of home and work and still be the mom I want to be.   

On a much lighter note... I've learned in my very informal poll that I probably should floss more if I want to "fit in."  I rescheduled my appointment for next week... I better get flossing.  I don't know why I don't floss more... it only takes a minute but sometimes is just hard to find that extra minute... know what I mean?  The sad part is when I was a kid I flossed every day... not because I wanted to but because I was made to.  I wish I had kept up that habit.  Wow.  That was a lot of  "flossing" for one little post.

That last poll was fun so I decided to have another.  Enquiring minds want to know!  I'm always curious about bed making... do you make yours every day?  I never used to make my bed  but now I almost feel compulsed to do so.  It gives me a sense of peace.  The rest of the house might look like it was ravaged by a tornado... but not my bed!

A couple of Christmas pictures!

I guess Santa didn't bring Leah something on her list!

The three best Christmas presents EVER!

To floss or not to floss...

I was supposed to have a dentist appointment yesterday.  I was kind of nervous because I haven't flossed my teeth in...oh, it's just been awhile.  I like to get good reports back... it's that whole words of affirmation thing...and I was pretty sure I was going to get reprimanded by my hygentist.   But then I started thinking... How often do other people floss?  Once a day?  Twice?  Weekly?  Yearly?   Because I just want to know where I fit in I decided to have an informal poll.  Check out the right hand side of the blog and vote.  Don't worry, it's completely annonymous...I'm not going to know how much fur you have on your teeth.  Speaking of... I think I'll go brush.

P.S.  I didn't cancel for fear of a bad report...just childcare issues.  Sure.

Move Over Cake Boss...

this mama can bake a cake!  At least she thinks so.  This time anyway.  I decided when Max turned one that I was going to make his cake for his birthday parties.  As long as it looked good, I really didn't care how it tasted.  (Apologies to those who had to eat them AND act like you liked them!)  I'm not exaggerating either... they certainly weren't going to get me my own TV show on TLC.  I'm pretty sure my camoflauge materpiece isn't going to get me my own show but it was at least pleasing to my palette!  And Max really liked it.  That's all that matters.  I do it for him.  Rob thinks I'm crazy althougth he has learned not to say that to me anymore.  After the Thomas the Train Cake incident he is supportive and tells me how nice the cake looks.  What's the Thomas the Train Cake incident?  I MAY have gotten a WEE bit hysterical when he told me that he couldn't believe I was "spending all that time" decorating the cake... that I should just buy one.  I MAY have become a blubbering idiot rambling about how my mom died when I was little and that all I want for my children to know is how much I love them and if it means that I spend an entire day piping stars on a cake that will get demolished in just seconds then that's what I'm going to do...or something like that... I can't quite remember exactly what I said...

Anyway, last Friday I spent the better part of the day making frosting and mixing colors to come up with the right colors for my camoflauge cake.  The occassion?  My Max turned 4!  Seriously... where has the time gone?  I just love this little guy!  He actually isn't so little.  At his 4 year old well child visit today he weighed in at 47.5 pounds, or the 97 percentile and is in the 100th percentile for height.  While he tries his hardest to convince me he isn't "little" anymore he cried like a baby when he got his shots.  Rob wanted to be in the exam room with Max so I stayed in the waiting room with the girls.   The blood curdling screams made their way to the waiting room.   I was so surprised when he came back out to the waiting room with tears running down his red, blotchy face.  He's still my little boy.

So, to my "lilttle" Max:  Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea!  I love you and you are worth every piped star on every cake I'll every make for you!  My prayer for you is that you grow up to be a strong, sensitive man;  that Christ is the center of your life and that you are passionate about all that you do.

Award Day

So today I've nominated myself for two awards-  "The Mom of the Year Award" and "The Worst Mom of the Year Award."

Why both?  Let me explain. To all veteran moms out there with 3 kids this is probably no big deal.  But to me... I did it and survived and so did the kids.  Today I packaged all three kids up (mind you, it is snowing outside and slushy and slippery) and headed to a play date I planned.  I agree... not so big of a deal.  But it is a lot or work and I managed to bring everything I needed (didn't forget a kid even!) and not leave anything, or a kid, behind.  I had to mention the weather conditions because I still haven't mastered carrying the car seat with Sarah in it and Leah on my hip at the same time.  (For Christmas I'm asking for an extra set of arms.)  So this requires Leah, who loves to take her sweet time, to walk from point A to point B.  The snow and slush make it a little more difficult and me a little more impatient.  But, hey, we managed!  Anyway, we left the playdate to take Sarah to the doctors for a check up.  So just repeat the same loading and unloading story from the playdate and now I feel like a supermom... I've done it twice in a matter of hours and I haven't had to yell and the kids are still smiling! 

Now for the "Worst Mom of the Year" story.  For the past week Max has been a different child. I kept saying, "I want my old Max back."  "The one that is happy and smiles."  Besides being ultra whiney he has had these random physical complaints.  First his knee hurt and then his "waist" hurt.  He had a fever for one night.  And then a couple of days ago he started limping when he walked and had a rash on one leg.  Well, to make a long story short when I had Sarah at the doctor today I asked him if he could just take a quick peak at the rash.  I ended up rattling off all of his other complaints and learned that my "ultra whiney" child has not been attention seeking as I had thought, but rather has shingles and has every reason to whine and be crabby.  From what I've heard shingles can be really painful!  Max kept telling me that his rash hurt and I kept telling him that his rash DIDN'T hurt.  What a nice mom, huh?  And the award goes to....

P.S.  The picture is of Max trying to catch a snowflake!

Fight like a girl.

So, a 36 year old friend of mine, just a year older than myself, recieved what I suspect is probably the most devastating news she has ever recieved.  Last night she found out she has breast cancer.  Two weeks ago she felt a lump during a self breast exam and now she is fighting a battle that will certainly challenge her metally and physically.  I haven't been able to stop thinking about her.  I wake up in the morning and wonder how she slept, if she could at all.  I put myself in her shoes and wonder how I would handle the news.  She has no family history of breast cancer and is very healthy; an avid runner.  Cancer is non discriminatory.  It could be me.  I can't stop thinking about how it could be me.  I become tearful thinking how it could be me.  It could be me.  In all honesty, this scares the crap out of me.  Maybe I'm super sensitive about stuff like this because I see it all the time in the emergency department.  I see how life can change in a second.  No warning.  When will it be me or someone close to me?  I know I shouldn't be but I'm terrified of dying.  I can't stand the thought of leaving my children, my family, even when the alternative is to be in heaven with Jesus.  The song "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me paints a wonderful pictures of that reunion but it's still hard for me.  It's imagining something that's never been before.

Amy has started a blog to document her journey. If you feel like following her through this check it out here.
 If the name of her blog tells you anything it should be that she is ready to fight and to beat this.  Please add her and her family to your prayer list and take a minute to lift her up in prayer.

If you want to listen to "I Can Only Imagine" click here.

And, take Amy's advice and "go feel your boobs."  It just might save your life.

Sarah Mae

So, I'm a little late in posting this but no less excited! On November 5, at 12:23 pm we welcomed Sarah Mae into our lives.  She weighed in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces and seems so small compared to Max and Leah!  She is a great baby.   She has features that remind us of Max or Leah but she seems to prertty much have her own look!

Everyone is adjusting well.  It's amazing how much more time it takes to do anything!  Between feeding kids, dressing them, changing them, naps, etc., it's a balance of time.  It'll take a awhile but I'm sure we'll get into the swing of things soon.

I had another C-Section and am recuperating well.  I'm very fortunate to have a hubby that has been home and is a huge help with the 2 older kids.  I'm very lucky!

Twas the night before...

....C-Section and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for me who was dusting, laundering, packing, organizing, cleaning and panicking.  It's amazing how long I've been looking forward to this day and how much I still have yet to do.  Well, I'm pretty much done now.  I think I've got Max and Leah's stuff squared away for the next few days... clothes set out, diaper bag packed, etc.  My bags are packed... it seems I've packed a little lighter with each hospital visit!  I got my hair cut today because I'm fairly convinced it will be a at least a couple of months before I can leave the house.   Juggling all three kids and trying to fend of all uninvited H1N1 attacks might just be a bit overwhelming at first.  Max and I had a much needed "date" today.  We went to the movies and pigged out on popcorn and Butterfingers!  It was so nice just to spend time with him.  We were the only two in the theater, or feeater as Max calls it, and had a great time goofing off while watching Astro Boy. 

My family graciously chipped in money to have someone come and give my house a top to bottom cleaning.  She came over today to check things out... of course I spent the better part of the morning "pre-cleaning" so she didn't think we lived like pigs.  It will be so nice to come home to a spic and span cleaned house!

The past few weeks I've been so busy that I really haven't had much time to be anxious about becoming a mom of three.  The night before I went to the hospital to have Leah, I layed in bed and cried because I was so worried how Max would adjust and would I be able to give him all that he deserves.  While I'm not crying this year, I'm still a bit anxious.  Of the two kids I worry that Max will be "neglected" the most.  He is the most independent and the younger two will still be so dependent on me/us.  Rob and I have already talked about how we will have to make a concerted effort to spend time just with him.  As for Leah, I feel like I haven't had her as my "baby" long enough.  She is still so young and I want to enjoy every single second of her babyhood.  I'm in awe of how much love a person can have for their children.  Someone I know once voiced concern about having enough love for both of her children.  Would she be able to love her second child as much as the first?  It is so true that your love is multiplied and not divided.  I'm so in love with my kids and can't wait for this feeling to be tripled!  I'm expecting some challenges along the way but know that in the long run... it's all gonna be alright!  I'm not the first at this and I"m surely not the last!

T-minus 13 1/2 hours!

Halloween Fun!

So most people thought I was crazy, me included, but we once again pulled off our now annual Halloween Party!  Last year I was about 3 weeks post partum; this year about 6 days pre-partum!  We did things a little differently this year but with a little planning and some serious orginization we pulled it off without a hitch!  I have to say that there is no way I could have done it without Rob!  He was so excited to have the party this year and was basically the work horse behind the party!

We had "ghoulash" for dinner along with other tasty treats.  For games this year we had sack races and pumpking bowling!  Both new for this year and both a big hit with the kids, I must say!  After the games the kids decorated Halloween cookies while Rob finished the final touches on our haunted scavenger hunt trail.  We have a trail that runs along the back of our property.   For the pasty 2 years we've set up different spooky stations with bowls of candy for the kids.  Last year we realized the kids knew what to expect so this year we did it in a scavenger hunt format.  They had to fish for floating hands in the "pond," dig for eyeballs in a bucket of "brains," find fingers in a bucket of green slimey jello, etc.  We actually put a real cow tongue in a carved out pumpkin.  The kids had to lift the cow tongue to get  a prize... a glow in the dark bracelet.   The kids also dug for bone and bobbed for apples in our "cemetary"... what a great night!

The cutest lady bug I've ever seen!

Max "bobbing" for apples!

Sack races and pumpking bowling!

The Catch-Up

Ok.  Three posts in less than a week.  Is there such a thing as blog "nesting?"  I'm certainly not nesting in any other regards.  Come to my house if you don't believe me.  But be prepared to be put to work!


DENISE

Well, let's start with me.  I'm very pregnant.  Still.  It does seem like I've been pregant for about 2 years.  Oh, wait.  I have been.  I have about 30 days left and I'm so ready to not be pregnant anymore.  This pregnancy has flown by and, for the most part, I've felt pretty good.  That is until last week.  I've developed some sciatic type pain and find it quite painful to do simple things.  Getting out of bed, which I do about every 1 1/2 to 2 hours every night, is a chore.  I grunt and groan and wish a crane would drop from the ceiling and just lift me out of my misery.  Then, like a really old person, I have to sit on the edge of bed to let my muscles loosen up and then slowly stand before I shuffle to the bathroom.  Then I crawl back into bed huffing and puffing and wide awake.  But really, I'm doing ok.  All kdding and sarcasm aside, I have mildly elevated blood pressure so I'm visiting my doctor weekly now.  I have calfs and ankles that resemble those of an elephant.  Also, I used to be so jealous of the cute pregnant woman whose belly button would stick out.  Mine remained an innie with both of my pregnancies but now it wants to be an outie.  And I'm not
 jealous anymore.  It's cute if you think hernias are cute.  Anyway.... enough about me. 

ROB
 
Rob is Rob and what is there to say?  His business hasn't been as good this year as a result of the economy and the lack of builing going on.  This summer was slow but they have picked up in the last month.  I certainly have enjoyed having the extra help with the kids but know that it comes at a price.  I'm trying to remain thankful that he has a job and that there is some work out there.  I know it hasn't been the case for others out there.  I don't tell him often enough but he is such a hard worker and I really appreicate his dedication.

This summer Rob finished up our landscaping projects and he has done a fantastic job.  He really enjoys it and that's good... because he didn't get much help from me!  Not that I don't enjoy it... it's the whole pregnancy thing.   The past couple of months he has been working on finishing the inside of the garage.  It looks awesome.  We, I mean he, hung corrogated steel on the bottom half of the walls and then topped it with a peice of trim.  The top half of the walls are just waiting a fresh coat of paint.  Rob added a work bench area with cabinets and then built shelves for me for my stuff and the kid's toys.  It's one of the coolest garages I've seen.  I'll post pictures when it's all said and done!

Rob has eased into being a parent of two without any problems so I don't anticipate any problems with adding one more!  I think his challenge is going to be how to deal with me... I'm the one that's going to be insane!

MAX

Max, Max, Max.  He is such an awesome kid.  He is full of curiosity and is constantly asking questions.  Most I don't even know how to answer.  He gets pretty philosophical at times.  He has the best memory and is most observant.  We enrolled him in preschool this year and he is loving every minute of it.

He is a great big brother and very protective of Leah.  Leah had to have 5 shots today at her one year check up and Max was not happy about it and was telling me what he was going to do to the doctor if they did that again!  We asked him the other day what he would think if this baby was a boy instead of a girl and he said, "I would be happy with either one."  What a sweet pea. 

This summer has been a great summer for him.  He is riding his bicycle with training wheels.  He goes so fast that he asks me if I see the flames coming out of the back of his bicycle.   What a hoot!  He loves to "help" Rob with projects around the house and will spend hours at a time outside "doing work things, Mom."

Our biggest achievement this summer has been the poop training.  This was so hard but he is finally done with pull ups and is wearing his big boy underwear.  Can you say RELIEF?  Girls are easier to train, right?

LEAH

I've posted alot about Leah lately because she just celebrated her first birthday so I'll just give a quick little update.  She did have her one year check up today and weighed in at 23 pounds, which is the 80-something percentile for her age, and  measured 31 inches long, or in the 96th percentile for length. 

She is now walking but still sometimes chooses to crawl.  As for this baby coming in less than a month... she is totally clueless.  I'm not really sure what to expect with her when we bring her sister home.  Her tempermant is sweet but fiesty.  Kind of like her mom, right?

So, I guess I'm done catching up and blog nesting.  I hope to be more proactive in the future and keep this blog up to date.  It is so fun to look back on previous posts.  Plus, blogger has made adding pictures much more user friendly!  Till next time... whenever that may be.

Leah's birthday party!

No, this isn't the catch up ponst.... this is the don't fall further behind post.  So, while I'm waiting for my sleep aids to kick in and my body continues to thank me for being somewhat horizontal instead of vertical, I will blog about Leah's 1st birthday party! 

Leah and her cousin Ryan are 19 days apart so we decided to combine and have 1 party for the both of them.  Originally it was going to be at Rob's sister Laura's house but then her 2 older boys came down with fevers.  Ususally I don't get too concerned about that but considering my current state (the big fat belly) and all the hype about flu season and the H1N1 virus, I decided to be more cautious.  The last thing I need right now is to be sick... or to have sick kids!

I have to admit that finding out last minute that the party was going to be at our house was kind of nice.  It really didn't give me the opportunity to get all stressed out.  We quickly cleaned the house after church and other than having a few things to set up we were pretty much good to go!

Leah seemed to have fun at her party... she liked opening and playing with the presents.  She really like looking at her birthday cards to.  She wasn't so fond of the cake eating part.  I'm not sure if she all of a sudden became overhwelmed or what but she cried or whined through most of it.  She is a funny kid.  She has this independent streak in her and has to feed herself.  The pictures look funny because Ryan is stuffing is his face with a cupcake and Leah looks like she is too refined to use her hands.   She has to use a fork!

Here are some pictures of the party!

The Cake

The birthday girl!

Leah "reading" her cards!

Me and my baby girl!

The whole family... and the cake!

Maybe she wanted a chocolate cake instead?

The birthday kids!

The party is done and now I wish I could say that I'm going to coast along until this baby is born but that just isn't true!  My next big adventure is planning our 3rd annual Halloween Party!  This week is busy too.  Tomorrow is bible study, doctor appointments for the kids, and then apple picking.  Tuesday I work 12 hours.  Wednesday we're canning applesauce (yeah!), I have a doctor's appointment and then church activities at night!  Thursday... really?  Nothing? Hmmm... and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday I'm scrapbooking!  Keeping busy is a blessing and a curse.  My body hates me this late in pregnancy but it sure makes the time go by!

I'm on a roll... 2 posts in 2 days.  Now for that catch-up post....

The fastest year of my life!

It's been well over a month since I last posted. It's not for lack of material but rather just laziness! But, before I write a lengthy catch-up post, I need write a very special post about a very special little girl. Today is Leah's first birthday! And to say that this year just flew by, well, that's an understatement by all standards.

Exactly one year ago today I heard the words... "It's a girl." Had I not been completely numbed from the waist down I probably would have jumped off the c-section table and checked for myself. I was so convinced that we were having another boy... so much so that on the way to the hospital I told Rob that we didn't need to decide on a middle name for a girl because "we are having a boy." I was wrong... and believe me I checked her parts, or lack thereof, many times.

This little girl has been the source of so much joy, happiness, skipped heartbeats, giggles and even the source of much trepidation. I am so scared about raising a daughter. I want to do it right. I pray for her to grow up to be strong, independent, passionate and self confident... I pray for the guidance and the direction to be the mom that can instill these values. Maybe it seems so overwhelming because I wasn't all those things. I don't know...what I do know is that I have a wonderful Counselor and I pray for His guidance often! I'm going to need it... especially now that I'm going to have two daughters!

So, here's a little bit about my Leah-Lou. She is now walking, and so proud of it. She is fiesty! She certainly knows how to let it be known that she is unhappy with something. She has the biggest blue eyes and the sweetest smile. Overall, she has a sweet personality and really can melt my heart. I just love it when she cocks her head to one side, extends her arm straight out and points her finger at me. I have to try and capture it on camera... but if I don't, it's already is captured in my heart!
She loves to eat but only if she can feed herself and she does pretty well with a fork and spoon. I'm still waiting for the day she says "Momma or Dada." She loves to "talk" on the phone and it doesn't matter what toy she has, if you say "Hello?", she will put it up to her ear. She is quite the dancer but I think she may have inherited her dad's moves. You can't win them all. She's mastered peek-a-boo and "how big is Leah." I know, I know... she's headed straight for genioushood.

I never thought I wanted to have a daughter and honestly thought I would be the mom of boys. But I can't imagine my life any other way! She is truly a blessing and I am so in love with her. Happy Birthday, baby girl.

Coming up next is a marathon catch-up post. Or not. We'll see.

I can say that I did it....

and that I probably won't do it again!

Yesterday, totally on a whim, I decided to pack the kids up and head to the beach. By myself. Leah takes really long morning naps so when she woke up around noon and I heard that it was the last nice day for a few, I decided it was going to be a beach day. My beach/pool bags are already packed so other than throwing on our suits and loading up the car, there wasn't much prep work. I decided immediately not to pack a lunch for 2 reasons. The time involved in doing so and the cooler would be just one more thing for me to carry. We would hit a drive through on our way there. At this point I'm thinking this is pretty easy and chastising myself for not doing it sooner. When we get to the beach I put Leah in the back pack and on my back, Max carried the sun umbrella and I carried the large bucket of beach toys, the beach bag, and the bag of misecalleous stuff. Loaded, yes. But not that bad. We picked a spot near the end of the board walk and set up our little spot. Max loved playing in the water, jumping the waves, building sandcastles and chasing the seagulls. Leah loved eating sand covered french fries. I loved the sun, water, and watching my 2 kids play. Then it became time to leave. I started to panic. Both of the kids had sand in every nook and cranny. Packing up took a little more work. Leah was tired and done with the beach. After doing what I could to leave more sand at the beach than on us or in our car, Leah was back in the back pack and Max was carrying the umbrellla and I was loaded down with everything else. Don't forget the little bambino hitching a ride inside. We make it back to the car. Max strips down naked while I'm trying to change Leah and get her out of her sand outfit and into her carseat. Then he tells me he needs to "pee." I told him he would have to hold it. When he started dancing I may have told him to go in front of the car and pee in the sand while I would pretend that I had no clue what he was doing or who he belonged to. So now the car is loaded, Max and Leah are sun kissed, tired, and still, despite my best efforts, covered in sand. And I am exhausted, sweating, breathing really hard and wondering what part of this I thought would be easy. But, as you can see from the pictures, totally worth it!

Keeping it simple...

or at least trying to.



Last month Rob built me a clothes line. I think he was hesitant at first because he thought he would build it and then it would just become yard art. But, I proved him wrong. I love drying my clothes outside in the sunshine. I don't know what it is that makes me so happy. Some might think that taking clothes from the washer to the dryer is the easier option but there is something calming to me about taking my clothes outside and pinning them to the clothes line. When the clothes are dry it is so nice to just fold them and put them into the laundry basket... all ready to be put away. Bed sheets are my absolute favorite to line dry! Fresh, clean, crisp. I'm so easy to please. (most of the time!)




Last week Rob had a rain day from work so we took advantage of it and canned the 5 gallon bucket worth of green beans he had picked the day before. We tried freezing them last year but this year we decided to give canning a try. This, like the clothes line, is probably more work and definitely not more cost effective that buying a can of green beans at the store, but is simply gratifying. To see 14 quarts of beans sitting on my counter was worth it! Sort of. If you figure that we spent approximately $100 on supplies... the canner, the canning lids, the mason jars (which we already had), as well as the other incidentals and divide it by the 14 quarts we canned, we have green beans worth about $7 per jar! Good thing is we can use the canner for years to come and hopefully will get our money's worth...it might take a lifetime but feeling so self sufficient... if only in canning green beans... is payoff enough.

The bean snapper.

The bean washer.


The final product!

"Mom, can I....?

...poop in here?" And "in here" did not mean the front yard or his pull-up but rather the toilet! Did he really think I was going to say, "Uh, no, I've gotten quite accustemed to your smelly diapers and rather enjoy the wiping of poop off your butt?" Ok, so I'm still wiping the poop but it's much better than wiping poop after it's been smushed around in one's diaper.

Yes, folks, I do believe Max is over the hump. For the past couple of weeks he has been pretty consisitent with his pooping efforts. We've had a couple of accidents but for the most part he is pooping in the toilet. I was starting to wonder if I'd ever see this day.

After I told him that yes, it was perfectly fine for him to poop in the toilet, he looked at me sternly and said, "but don't smile." What a little turd.

I smiled anyway.

The loves of my life...

Leah had her 9 month check up today and is meeting all her milestones. I can't believe she is 9 months old already. In 4 short months she is going to be a big sister. Pure craziness. Her stats today: 20 pounds, 11 1/2 ounces and 29 1/2 inches long. That puts her in the 80th percentile for weight and 98th for height. Unfortunately, like her brother, she inherited my big head. Literally. Her head size is in the 100th percentile. She has 7 teeth now and is no longer our little vampire. She has 4 teeth on top and 3 on bottom. (Max only had 1 tooth at this age!). Leah is such an easy baby. So far I'm 2 for 2. What are the chances #3 is going to be just as easy? Her next big adventure will be crawling. She wants to so bad but can't seem to coordinate her arm and leg movements. She gets frustrated that she can't get around. She is my little bundle of sweetness and melts my heart on a daily basis.


Max is having a blast this summer. He has become mister social and is always asking "what friend do I get to see today." He has a memory like no other but even more impressive to me is how well he comprehends things. He is challenging me on many different levels. I find myself struggling to answer some of his questions. Where is heaven? When do we get to go there? Why can't we see Jesus? And the toughest one? Is Michael Jackson in heaven? True story.

He has been to Vacation Bible School twice this summer already and is looking forward to his 3rd session. He is constantly asking me when does he get to go to school. This has been a tough decision for me. I think he is so ready and felt like I had no choice but to send him when he asked me one day, "Mom, when do I get to go to school and learn things?" The problem is the preschool I wanted to send him to is full (which is about two miles away) and I'm nervous about having two little ones to get ready in the morning along with Max and then driving 10miles into town. I know that sounds pathetic but it just wouldn't make sense to drive into town and then back again to then turn around to go pick him up 2 hours later. Get my drift? I'd have to find errands to run. But motherhood is full of sacrifices, right? And he is so worth it!

I've really enjoyed watching the relationship between Max and Leah grow. Max gets so excited to see Leah in the morning when she wakes up or after a nap. She just thinks he is the cats meow. I'm truly blessed to be a mother to these two beautiful kids.

There is not much to report on Baby #3 other than we're expecting another girl! Our first, very early ultrasound, thought that it was a boy. My official ultrasound said a girl! I'm 22 weeks pregnant and so far, so good. I really shouldn't complain about being pregnant but the last half is the half that is so hard on me. I'm trying to keep a positive outlook and praying for God's strength!

I love these kids so much and I'm so thankful to be there mommy. My prayer is for God's guidance in raising them and that he protects them and grants them good health. They are so special and all that I ever dreamed of!

So Proud!

This was a conversation with Max this morning while in the car. We were listening to JQ and the announcer said something about fear.

Max: Why is he talking about fear?

Me: Because they're are people are there that are scared.

Max: What people?

Me: People in the world.

Max: But God is with them.

I would love to take credit for teaching him this but credit is certainly due to Vacation Bible School. Max has gone to 2 different churches for VBS this year and both have presented Crocodile Dock. "God is with you" is one of the main themes! I'm so proud that he remembers this and can put it in context!

Does it get any easier?

Ok, friends. Does anybody feel my pain? There can't be an easier toilet paper holder than this:



Then why this?

The mayor of Mackinac Island and his entourage...

We had such a fantastic weekend getaway to Mackinac Island. The weather was a bit cool but nice and sunny. I loved Mackinac Island as a kid and then worked up there the summer after I graduated high school. Now I'm so excited to go up there with my family.

On the way to Mackinac Island, Rob and I realized that we hadn't taken Max on a long distance road trip since he was 8 months old. It didn't take long to realize why. From the time we left our garage until we crossed the Mackinac Bridge, all we heard was, "Are we there yet?" "How much longer?" Every overpass we crossed he asked, "Is this the big bridge?" "I'm hungry." "I'm thristy." "I have to go POTTTTYYYY!" Not much changed once we got to the island. "Can I get ice cream?" "I can?" "Daddy, Mommy said I could get some ice cream!" "Can I really?" This was, seriously, the coversation with EVERYTHING. When did you start talking?

Max still isn't pooping in the toilet but decided that on this vacation he was going to test our resolve and dedication to poop training. We visited just about every bathroom on the island at least once because he "had to go poopies." Rob is so patient. Max is still wearing pull ups. I have only 2 hairs left on my head.

Our trip included two trips to the butterfly house, a bike ride around the island, kite flying, and, of course, fudge and ice cream! We stayed in St. Ignace so we had 4 ferry trips to and from the island. That may have been one of the highligts of the trip for Max. That and the jacuzzi hot tub we had in our hotel room! Ok, so that was a hightlight for me!

YOu may be wondering why I call Max the Mayor of Mackinac Island. Well, there wasn't a person on the island that he didn't call friend. In fact, he was so comfortable in his friendship that when he said, "Hey mom! Look! That man has a big belly, too," I didn't turn 12 shades of red. Or when he laughed hysterically at our waitresses nose piercing and asked her, "what is that THING in your nose?" No, not 12 shades of red... just 20 or so.

Leah was just sweet Leah. So easy going. So easy to travel with. Oh, baby girl, when are you going to be my little pistol? I know you can't be this good forever!

Here are some pics of our little getaway!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Memorial Day!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make sure you have your mouse on the pictures so you can see the arrow to "play" the video! Also, you'll just have to skip the "4th" Page since I couldn't delete it!

Vampire baby!

I think I have a vampire baby! Well, sort of. Leah got her first tooth about a month ago. It was the left bottom one. I looked today and both of her top lateral incisors (the teeth next to the front teeth) are coming in and there is no sign of the top front teeth coming in! The lateral incisors aren't even supposed to come in until about a year! She is only 7 months old! This should make for some funny pictures!

Tulip Time!

I'm offically all "dutched out!" Tulip Time is over! We had a pinic in the park, satisfied our yearly craving for elephant ears, and watched the parade. Max loved his dutch costume and wooden shoes. Leah just went along for the ride!

Since I found out I was pregnant again, and since the 2 youngest are going to be only 13 months apart, every time I venture out this spring, I've been prefacing it with, "I won't be doing this next year!" I am still a little overwhelmed with the whole prenancy thing but I am really looking foward to being a mom of three!

Here are some pictures of the cutest little "dutch" kids I know!