A Certain Toddler has our Number

And currently, that number is 12:00 AM- as in Midnight. We are contending with a smarter-than-we-are little girl who has all of a sudden realized her amazing climbing skills can propel her right out of her crib. The last several nights have been a battle of wills with her being able to get right out of bed at any moment. Chris and I have had to laugh as we hear the pitter patter of her little feet as she comes our way. We can hear when she stops off at the pantry- she brought a box of Cheezits to our bedside once. We hear when she stops off to play with a toy left out. We hear when she pulls on the back door handles and says what sounds like, "Go ou-side." Uh, not at midnight. Tonight, she even walked back to the boys' room to announce that they all, "Go ou-side."

We are tired and weary and unfortunately, at this point in the day, your parenting skills are a little lacking. Once my head hits the pillow, my very selfish and tired self wins out and often we are letting her be sandwiched in between us. It's not the best sleep when a toddler shares your pillow.

This to shall pass I assume, as all things do. I will laugh at how at this young age of 19 months, she was so agile in lifting herself over the edge of the crib and lower herself down, dropping the last couple of inches from hanging. Whew! At least she's my third and not my first. I'm a little more at ease knowing she can obviously handle it. I'm thinking it's time to ask my friends who has a crib tent in storage. We most certainly need it...now!

Middle Man

Blaker Boo- We cannot let you be overlooked, so here is your update. At 3 years and 3 months you are rocking the potty-trained thing. You really became potty trained at the beginning of the school year when you were still 2, and have done SO great (compared to your big brother who was tough to potty train). My little red-head, you are too precious for words. You wander most nights with pillow and blankets in hand to our room to sleep in between Daddy and I. I know it's not a forever thing, so I'm not too worried about it. It's kinda sweet to hear you suck away on your poppy (pacifier) and see you cuddle into your Daddy. You're a little snuggle bug and I LOVE it!

You LOVE your teachers, Ms. Christy and Ms. Dana and they adore you back. You go M/W to school and talk only about Luke, your best bud. You two are a force to reckon with and don't delve out much. This being your first year of school, you have done great! You take your lunch both days and stay for nap on Wednesday. You come home that day with definite nap hair so I know you sleep hard on your nap mat. You are still ADDICTED with a vengeance to your poppy and your night nights. You and Hunter share a room and do SO well being tucked in at the same time. I love hearing you both giggling and talking sometimes after we do prayers and say goodnight.

You are SO talented at certain things- you can ride a razor scooter like a big kid. Your ability to balance is incredible and you can even ride lifting up your other leg. It's truly amazing. You also have riding a bike down and have the same size bike as Hunter. Yours has training wheels but still, it's pretty incredible to see a 3 year old have such control over a large bike.

You love to watch Marmaduke, ET, Batteries Not Included (you call it Robots), Night at the Museum (you call it Museum), Curious George, you just got into Finding Nemo, Scooby Doo, and you think it's great fun to watch things on your movie player.

Let's see...you love to ride your bike, play outside, play cars, make tents, watch movies and cuddle up, bring out all pillows and blankets and make a huge pallet, play on the pogo swing, play out front, ride the riding toys... You are busy and so fun and so incredibly precious. Your favorite thing to wear is your "Bay-lo jersey" and your "run-around pants." Run around pants are little cotton sweat pants that I told you were just to "run around" in and the name stuck! I love it!

Fun things you say..."Last night..." Everything happened last night in your world.
"Al-de-gator" "No ma'am Emi-wee" or "No Sirs dogs" "Hunter did it" "I wanna take a baf" (bath) "Am I going to school today?" "I not do that, I'm a big boy" "Her not do that"

Growing TOO fast

At 17 months old, Emily is a mile a minute. She seems far beyond her age and can do most anything in keeping up with her big brothers. Blake, my little policeman, does his best to keep her in line and if often overheard saying, "No ma'am Emiwee."

Her words at this age....Mama, Dada, Mommy, walk, dog dog, No, Nooooo, bite, wah wah for water, makes growling sound for what a dog says, poppy (our word for pacifier), ba ba (bottle), bay-bee (baby), Bapa, Mimi, Baaa for Babs, Sh Sh for Shay Shay, my, blah blah (what she says when she wants something)

She usually eats right handed. She is great with a fork or spoon and has been from an early age. She is getting better and better about drinking from an open cup. She still takes a bottle (don't judge, she's my last) and will go to our drawer of cups that is down low for the kids and bring me a cup when she is thirsty. She is CONSTANTLY in the pantry, bringing out snacks and carrying around chip bags, goldfish.... I can't tell you how many times we have had to sweep or vacuum up the poured out bags of snacks. I am convinced that I need to get a lock for the pantry to keep me sane. It's getting out of hand.

Emily is down at 7 PM and up around 7 AM. She loves to sing and often sings in her room or in the car. It's precious. She loves to listen to music and will dance to beat and can shake her hips back and forth by shifting her weight from side to side bending and straightening her legs. I LOVE that! She loves taking baths and afterwards will dart off for the thrill of being naked a little longer! She loves her bunny that is her lovie- it's starting to look loved on. She still takes her poppy and she and Blake exchange them all day long. (Again, don't judge...it's survival sometimes.) She is great in the car and rides like a champ to and from the many things she is toted around to. She likes to play with her dolls, with her brothers cars and blocks, loves to read and be read to, pitters around with her new kitchen, plays outside on the playground or on the riding toys, is VERY independent and can go off on her own without a problem (at least for herself), loves the new pogo swing, enjoys being with people, has tee-teed on the potty a handful of times (yahoo!!), loves to help mommy, push her doll stroller around, sit at her table and chairs in her rooms and play, can climb most anything....

Kids say the Darndest things

A few weeks ago, I had to run to the store early on Sunday morning before church. I quickly asked if anyone wanted to go with me, and Hunter volunteered. Even though it was a quick trip for milk, I enjoyed my one-on-one time with my sweet 6 year old. As we were driving home the few blocks from the store, I started talking about memories of driving with him in his carseat as a toddler and how he would talk and talk about trucks and cars and which ones had hitches, which ones didn't, which ones had big gas tanks, which ones had "wittle" ones....Hunter loves to hear fun memories of him as a little kid and what he used to say.

I came around to open his car door and jokingly said, "I should just call you Hitch." To which he quickly replied, "Well, I should just call you, Bi#!@."

Before you go assuming anything at all, he was simply rhyming back at me and had NO IDEA what he was saying. I burst out laughing, quickly explained why I thought it was so funny by telling him that I knew he had no idea it was an ugly word to call someone and knew that he didn't mean it, but I thought it was an innocent gaffe. He was mortified that he said such a thing even though I reassured him it was totally him rhyming back. Too funny!

A New Resolution

It was April 2007 (I think) that I started "blogging." It was such a new concept to me back then and I was excited to try something so "out there." Not being a very technology-oriented person, I just played with the most simple template, added my writing and pictures and felt like I had accomplished something great. Being able to document what was going on in our lives was enjoyable and fun and having always been one that enjoys writing in a journal, it was a perfect mode at preserving family memories for years to come.

I do have 2 entire journals filled to the brim with handwritten accounts of Hunter's first couple of years. And the blog started when he was 1 1/2. Then Blake came along, so I wanted to be fair. He has one mostly filled journal and I picked up with him on the blog. The funny thing is, my boys will probably be the least to care that I hand wrote their sleeping habits as babies, their first words and when they mastered a new skill. So, along comes Emily. Three kids underfoot and doing anything but survive is a task in itself. I compromised with myself and decided I would keep a Word Document journal for her. It started out strong- lots of posts during pregnancy recording special info and things I wanted to remember. Then, the first couple of months of her life, I was pretty good about keeping it up. Honestly, at this point (17 months old), I cannot remember the last time I wrote in it. I know I have missed documenting when new teeth have arrived (she has 11), what we have been up to, her words at different months, funny things she does... And even the blog has suffered. I have often felt guilty for not getting on to update, although I know that is not of the Lord, it is fully me and my expectations. I know she will most likely be the one that will enjoy knowing the details of her babyhood and beyond.

So here is the resolution- I am going to TRY to blog three times a week. It may or may not include pictures, but it will update on life, what is going on with each family member.... At the end of this year, 5 1/2 years into the blogging journey, I am making it into a book. So please, if you read this, thanks for stopping by to see what we are doing. Feel free to shout out and remind me to keep this up. I know I will be so glad I did.

The Live Nativity

For many years our church has had a tradition of performing a live nativity scene outside. It brings people from all over who come and watch the 15 minute performance from the gospel of Luke. It's really an amazing production.

Our family volunteered, along with many of our close friends, to perform one night this week. So, for an hour and a half, we were in costume, performing our parts over and over, laughing and having a great time. The best part about it was that the kids LOVED every minute. Even more than that, the story of Jesus' birth is now very close and personal to them. Doing this is a tradition I would love to keep up for many years.
There were LOTS of kids (even more than this... and they did GREAT!)

Our little Biblical family- Chris was a Wise Man, I was a shepherd with the boys and Emily was an angel (she was too busy to be in this picture)

The boys all dressed and ready

Chris, Derek and Brent- aka The Three Wise Men

5th Annual Santa Party

Starting when Hunter was little, we have done a Santa Party continuing a family tradition that my parents did when we were little. With Hunter having a "Christmas" birthday, it was great for a couple of years for him to have his birthday party with Santa there. Now, it is a great family party that we host each year and it's such a fun time to see friends and we have such a great time every year. I feel like we are in the most magical time right now. Hunter believes so much- he came running when I told him Santa was here.

He was full of things to tell Santa- he wants an electric scooter, a pogo swing, R2D2 robot and other fun things. Blake wants a bike. Hunter loved talking to Santa and told him that he "still hears the bell." So sweet. Santa told him that he hopes he never stops hearing the bell.

Emily was not too pleased with our trying to get her picture with Santa.

In this picture, Santa is looking at something Hunter made him. He ended up leaving it at our house so he wrote Hunter a personal note that was delivered the next day that told Hunter to leave it by the tree and Santa would take it when he came on Christmas Eve.

6 Years Old

6 years ago, as of December 15, I became a mom. It will forever stand as the most incredible day of my entire life and I know Chris feels the same way. Looking back, every detail, even the mundane ones, are as clear as if they just happened. It all seems so vivid- perhaps since it was all the first time and like nothing I had ever experienced. Hunter was due on Christmas day, but as we approach and I progressed very quickly through the month of December, my doctor felt comfortable inducing on Friday, Dec. 16th. So, after a final visit on the 14th, I decided to take the 15th off of work and just enjoy my last day before his arrival. Little did I know that he would decide to make his debut that evening. I can still remember lying on the couch, watching The Food Network and talking on the phone that afternoon. I remember rubbing my lower back thinking it was hurting every couple of minutes (you would think that would be obvious), I remember hanging up the phone to call my doctor, I remember leaning over my kitchen island in pain asking her if this could possibly be something, I remember having the phone ring a few minutes later to my doctor saying "This is it!", I remember calling Chris to come home and also giving my mom the heads up, I remember putting flip flops on because it was too hard to put anything more complicated on my feet, I remember Chris loading the car and asking him to pose for one last shot outside the car, I remember being very grateful for heated seats with back pains getting worse and worse, I remember trying to reach his parents with no luck, I remember adrenaline kicking in once we arrived- I carried some of my stuff upstairs to L&D, I remember getting gowned up and realizing the adrenaline was wearing off and I was hurting, I remember the nurse checking me right away and being at a 9 already, I remember thinking labor was like no pain I could have ever imagined or described, I remember making it to the epidural and feeling like a new person afterwards, I remember a labor room filled with friends and family like it was a party, I remember my doctor rolling in and things getting started, I remember being in shock that 2 hours after we arrived at the hospital it was time to meet him, I remember hearing Chris say "Hey buddy" as soon as Hunter arrived, I remember the thrill and utter amazement of holding my precious newborn son in my arms, I remember looking at his face and feeling like I had always known him, I remember my heart just exploding with love for the most wonderful addition to our lives... I will always remember.

Now that baby is six. SIX! He is growing into a young boy and we are so proud of him.
Hunter,
You are our pride and joy along with your brother and sister. I see so much of myself in you as the oldest child. You strive for perfection, you are a pleaser, you are a rule follower and wise beyond your years. At the same time, you have the most sincere innocence. You love to tease and play. I love this stage of life with you and treasure the stages past. It breaks my heart to remember all the fun I've had with you and the bond that has deepened over the years. It's just hard to believe so many fun years have passed and now I look ahead praying for more sweet years ahead.

You have the most unbelievable memory and amaze your daddy and I with all you can recall. You are a mathematical thinker and can compute numbers in your head- it puts me to shame since I am not wired that way. You love your family- immediate and beyond and love to spend time with them. You still want to be tucked in every night with the same blankets- first your soft covers, then the cold covers, then your 2 night nights. It's sweetness. You love to imagine and play. You color and draw with precision. You are very creative and artistic. You learn things fast and work hard to do well. You play soccer, baseball, golf, tennis and have taken karate. You are getting ready to play basketball.

You have a heart that knows and loves God. I love to talk to you and pray with you and hear what is on your heart.

Hunter, 6 years has passed way too quickly. It seems like yesterday you were that little baby in my arms, or the toddler talking up a storm in the backseat. Now, I have a kindergartner just growing up before my eyes. It's my greatest honor to be your mom. I love you more than you will ever know!
Love,
Mom

Chapel Birthday

Blake's school, which is also our church, does a really sweet tradition on each child's birthday. I'm sure other church schools do it very much the same, but on their special day, the birthday child gets to be up front and have Happy Birthday sung to them. Then, they get to help light the birthday candle, get their special Mrs. Jane hugs and make their own special request of a song to sing.

Blake and his best buddy, Luke, were celebrated on Wednesday. It was so precious for the 2 best friends to get to have their chapel time together. Then, later that afternoon was their Tailgate Birthday Party (another post later on that!).

Happy 3rd Birthday...

...to my precious Blake. How is it that 3 entire years have passed since that first time I laid eyes on you and got to hold you in my arms? What an incredible little guy you are and far more of a blessing than we could have ever even asked for. You are funny, spunky, sensitive, rambunctious, silly, smart, kind and sweet, playful, cuddly, learning new things everyday... you are anything and everything that is good. We are so thankful for our 2nd little boy that makes life so interesting- right when we thought we had things figured out, you came along to humble us right back into our rightful places.

Your little heart is starting to really embrace all that God has to offer at your tender little age- you ask each night for "Mommy bless me." It's something I do to speak words of truth and blessing over you- things that God promises and that I hope you hold close to your heart for always. Knowing that you love that time each night makes my heart so happy.

You still LOVE your "pop pop" (pacifier) and "nigh night." They don't stray too far from you and while it's a little unbelievable to be at age 3 and so highly attached, I know you won't be walking down the aisle with them. A little perspective goes a long way.

You are the kid that everyone meets and wants to take home with them right away. I think I've mentioned it before, but I need to have a shirt made for you that says, "Everyone wants to take me home." You are just a joyful, full of life little boy! I hope you always are!

You are loving to your baby sister and you look up to your big brother so very much. You often ask where he is during the day and are so ready for him to come home and play. I have seen more independence in you as Hunter has been in school more and it's all a good thing. You play and imagine and really get into what you are playing. I think it's precious.

You are loving cars right now, especially the movie Cars 2. You have gotten just about everything Cars 2 for your birthday and are thrilled to play with any and all of it. Of course, you are also thrilled to tote around an empty bag, so you aren't too concerned with the bells and whistles of too much yet.

Daddy and I are so proud of the little person you are growing up to be. You have a heart of gold and a personality of spunk and fun. When you are in high school, you could very well win several superlatives, but I can forsee..."Most Humorous" as your title.

As of 2 1/2 to now, you are talking up a STORM!! I love to hear you tell me, "Be cuz" for an answer to my questions or respond with "Relwee" (Really). When I tried desperately to talk you out of using the pop pop anymore with the tactic of naming everyone you know and saying, "So-and-so says no to the pop pop and so does so-and-so...." You quickly quipped back, "Well Blake says yes!"

Oh boy, my heart just overflows knowing you and loving you. You bring such additional happiness and humor to our family. You can make anything fun and silly. I need to take life lessons from you about living in the moment.

I call you "Messy Marvin" because 9 times out of 10, you are a MESS. You constantly have hair out of place, food on your face or clothes, a runny nose... Who knows, but you manage to collect dirt as you go. Wouldn't take you any other way!

Blaker Boo, Blakey, Bubba, Bubba Roo, Blakester, Blakey Blakey Bo Blakey.... Doesn't matter what we call you, we think you are the greatest 3 year old in the whole world and are so incredibly grateful to be your mom and dad!