The Shirt x3

Thanks Purdy Family

The Honest Truth

The morning began with a beautiful scene.  The twins cuddled up to watch some morning toons.

 Then during naps, Jackson and I worked on his Kinder prep notebook.  He gladly sat and practiced his letters over and over again.  And when Andi awoke, she joined in by coloring her coloring book.  When Cole and Ryan woke up, they too wanted to be part of the scene.  It was a nice moment.

 After dinner I went looking for them all and I was honestly preparing myself to find some sort of destruction.  So, you can imagine my surprise when I found the three of them (Cole was already in bed for the night) reading in my bed.

Why do these moments mean so much to me?  Because these are the moments where I wasn't about to lose my mind.  Where I wasn't cleaning up pee.  Where I wasn't cleaning up poop.  Where I wasn't stepping on a rock INSIDE my house (OUCH!).  Where I wasn't tripping over tupperware I had just cleaned.  Where I wasn't finding the kid with his hand in the candy jar.  Where I wasn't yelling at a kid to stop yelling at a sibling (oh the irony!).  Where I wasn't telling the kids to get away from the street.  Where I wasn't telling the kid to stop crying.  Where I wasn't changing the millioneth load of laundry (yes, did you see the mound on my bed?  I swear, I was all caught up two days ago!).  Where I wasn't cleaning the kitchen; AGAIN.  Where I wasn't trying to figure out how to fit into my clothes again.  Where I was at peace.

Oh, what a day.  WHAT A DAY!  Good night all.

12 Weeks

You ask this kid to smile and he'll do it 99% of the time.  But the SECOND you pull out the camera or your phone, he stares.  Mad dog stare.  Why?  WHY WHY WHY won't he allow me to capture his smile?  PILL I tell ya.  But ya gotta love him.  Jackson did his best to capture a grin, but no luck.  Maybe at 13wks???

Our FIVE Year Old

Jackson, your birthday was FIVE days ago.  Five days and here I am just now writing.  Why?  Because I don't know how to put into words what you mean to me.  People often tell me I am wonder woman because I had four kids in under five years.  But the truth is, I couldn't do it without you.  Every super hero has a secret weapon; you're mine!  That may sound silly to someone that doesn't know you, but for those of us that do, it makes total sense.  You're my buddy, my partner.  Are you perfect, HA, no not always.  But often :)  When you're having an off day I realize just how much I rely on you.  You help keep things going and I am grateful for all your "on" days.  It's funny, that sounds like a lot of pressure for one little five year old, but you assume that responsibility most of the time.  You truly are a gift to me and to this family.

For two years now you have asked for a party with friends and games.  We kept telling you that you would get one when you turn FIVE and well, here it is.  The countdown came to an end and the party began.
Thursday night dad and I began decorating the house for your party on Friday.  Before going to bed, you told us to decorate your room to which I replied, "No!  We need the decorations for the main part of the house where the party will be".  Well, after you were knocked I thought man, that is a cute idea to decorate their room while they sleep - and so we did.  You were right once again :)  Good thing you've turned into a heavy sleeper.

Friday morning, the day of your birthday, you received two emails and two text messages.  Grandpa grandpa was the first to wish you a happy birthday via video on email.  Grandma shopping then sent you a text as did Aunt Bri.  Then Juana and Ito's video came through.  Look at your face - you were so excited.  The funny thing is you got these around the time you were actually born 5 years ago!

For lunch I made your favorite pasta from Costco - spinach and mozzarella.  You said it will make you strong like a super hero.

We spent much of the day preparing for your party at 4pm but at 3, we blew up the jumper basically so you guys would get out of my hair.  :)  Everyone really helped to make this party come together.  Aunt Bri got us a hook up on the jumper.  Aunt Tori made your awesome super hero cake.  Dad helped make my vision of "the wall" possible.  Ivan did all the water bottles and it turned out better than I had thought.  Grandma Nette did a great job with all the capes and I'm grateful for all those that donated t-shirts.  Ito ran the villian bean bag toss.  Papa ran the obstacle course.  Aunt Tristan made all the cute cupcake signs.  Your cousin Mya hung up the super hero signs around the house.  Grandpa grandpa and Juana did the balloons and Grandma shopping helped with all the food.

You decided your super hero name was "Green Lantern".  How you even know these characters exist is beyond me.

With 30 something kids in attendance (you made the guest list!), things were a bit too crazy to sit down and do gifts.  But a few of your friends wanted you to open their gift before they went home.  It was so cute to see your excitement and their excitement in giving!  Aunt Bri got you a guitar and you and grandpa grandpa had a little jam session.  What I love is that you have been playing in your room and I can hear you through the house.  That reminds me of my days growing up hearing grandpa play at my house.  I truly hope this is something you work on over the years!

Once everyone went home, we had a scavenger hunt for your big present from all the Andersons.  You seemed a bit confused but got into it after a couple clues.  And the end result.... YOUR BIKE!  The best part about that whole thing, for me, was after you got your bike you immediately had an idea and that was to give your old bike to Ryan.  You made Ryan's day.  He was so excited and went to find HIS BIKE right away!

After that we went ahead and opened the rest of your presents.  You waited so patiently, aside from the initial five years, and had so much fun.  You were truly blessed.

We love you little man!

*Breakfast of champions - the morning after!

Morning Glory

I asked J to take a picture of Cole taking his bath with the big kids

 Then he took it upon himself to document the state of our home early that morning.  Oh boy, not pretty!

10 weeks ago

Cole was little....

Non Stop

We have had something every single day and every single night since Thursday.  I am beat.  Perkin' Up, t-ball, softball, planned dinners, birthday parties, birthday party hosted here, birthday surprises, (yes, we know a lot of May babies!), birthday planning, birthday shopping, three birthday dinners.....

Last night, it all hit the fan.  I was done, the kids were done and Andrew was GONE!
6:15pm, I arise from the couch after giving Cole his "dinner".  As I make my way over to the living to find the other three, I stop short and let out a gasp.  My front room is covered in animal crackers, potting soil, pillows, blankets and every flippin' toy we own.  OK, maybe not every one, but many of them.  After standing in silence, staring at each of their little, guilty faces, I calmly walked back over to the couch, set Cole down, and STORMED back over to take care of the pills.  Everyone was spanked (yes, I do that), stripped, PJed and sent to bed.  All were in bed by 6:30pm - I was SO done!  I couldn't be productive anymore so I sat on my butt and sewed 16 bean bags for the party and waited for Andrew to come home to help me clean up the living room.  Luckily, he told me to relax while he cleaned it all up after watching Sister Wives and Army Wives with me.  Whew!

Today?  Today is much better.  The kids and I got an earlier start than usual so we were able to relax and bit more.  Of course we were still late to boot camp because something always has to go awry... today, Jackson's missing shoes.  But we made it and we enjoyed it.  Well, I enjoyed the visiting not so much the work out.  It's depressing how little I am capable of still.  Anyway, we then walked to Ryan's speech lesson and that was so nice.
But on the way back, Jackson impressed me once again.  My mother-in-law had been calling with questions regarding Jackson's party and then my mom began calling to meet up for Costco.  As I am trying to call back and talk, I am also pushing a stroller, feeding a baby, holding a baby and carrying my phone (blue tooth charger is in my car, the car in the shop, and I SO SO SO miss my blue tooth).  So as I am telling my mom all that I am doing, Jackson immediately comes over and takes the stroller from me and says, "There, now you have one free hand!".  The boy hears EVERYTHING, and gets most things.  I am so grateful for my little side kick because I honestly don't know how I would do it without him.  My little soon to be FIVE YEAR OLD!  Speaking of, I am no longer stressed about his birthday, it's just consuming my mind.  Does that make sense?  Jackson was in charge of the guest list and I had no clue it would add up like it has.  If he said a name, I sent out an evite... it just all added up so quickly.  But we're excited and we hope he remembers this one because he has been asking for a party with friends and games for two years now and it's finally here.  But once it's over, what will I use to threaten him?  "If you don't do xyz, I am so cancelling your party!".  Works every time :)  Is that mean?

And speech, let's talk about speech shall we?!  Back on April 13th I received a text from Mrs. Shannon stating, "Ryan was a rock star today :)  Visual cues for the final consonants REALLY helped!  I will make u a book of the visual cues I use!... I loved working with him".  That was an exciting way to start out and here we are, only a few sessions later and things couldn't be better.  Last week he made the "k" sound without his tic toc stick - yes, all on his own.  Then today he made the "g" sound!  The boy can finally say "go" and it doesn't sound like "doe".  It's so exciting I can't even tell you.  He's learning so quickly and we owe a great deal to Shannon.  But we know it's mostly because he has the desire to learn.  Oh how I hope that never dies!

10 Weeks

Wednesday, the start of his tenth week of life, Cole woke up as smiley as could be.  They wouldn't stop and they didn't ALL DAY.  It was fabulous.  But then today, he added something new to his routine.... This morning, while lying on the back of the couch, he laughed.  Yes, laughed.  I have been waiting for this and so I of course quickly grabbed the camera.  Did I catch it, of course not.  Luckily there will be more in the future!

In other news, because Cole isn't the only thing in this home, many came together to get me a beautiful dining table for our home.  We sold our other one right before we left Poppy simply because it was too small.  Then we borrowed one from Tori that was also too small.  One of us always stood at dinner.  So here we are, finally sitting as a family and it's fantastic.  Oh and, we have two more chairs and a leaf to add when we have company.  Dinner anyone?

And you can't forget about T-Ball.  Next week is the LAST GAME but I won't be there.  So today I got a shot of the kids doing the Pledge of Allegiance and their Little League Pledge.

Kid Survery

A friend of mine surveyed her kids on Mother's Day and I thought it was brilliant.  Why I never think to do this I do not know.  It's simply adorable.  Thanks Gina!

Jackson's survey
My Mom's name is... mom.
She is... um like good. 
I like when she cooks... white rice.
She loves me because... I'm handsome.
I know you married my Dad because... you wanted kids.
I like it when she wears ... purple, orange and green and black.
Her favorite movie is... I don't know.
What things does your Mom not like?  bad. (no hesitation on that one)
What's your Mom's favorite thing to do?  play with each other.
I love my Mom because... . you help me with stuff and you let us go to the park.  And, you let us, is this too long?  You let us do stuff that are good for us.  I want to be healthy.


Ryan's survey
My Mom's name is... mom.
She is... mom.
I like when she cooks... tofu with sauce.
She loves me because... cause.
I know you married my Dad because... cause.
I like it when she wears ... fired.
Her favorite movie is... hot dog.
What things does your Mom not like?   not to watch two movies.
What's your Mom's favorite thing to do?  your work.
I love my Mom because... cause. 

I'm SEW in Love

I only sew with my sewing buddies.  Why?  Because I'm not good.  As I explained to my friend the other night, beginning that first stitch is like getting on a roller coaster for me.  Dramatic?  Maybe.  Honestly, I think the anxiety comes from being a perfectionist.  I want to do it and I want to do it right.  But when my Girl's Sewing Night ended with me breaking my needle and not being able to finish my project, I was nervous I would never complete it all.

BUT I DID.  And only three days later.  My father-in-law was stopping by the play with the kids so I figured that was my chance to pull out my machine and get er done!

 Although I was not yet finished when he left, Jackson and Cole allowed me to work while they quietly watched Nick Jr. and while Andi and Ryan took a nap.

 TA DA!  I am so happy with the finished product not because it's perfect, but because it was fun to do.  And I love the difference it makes on what was a big, empty wall.

 Look, I even did a zigzag stitch around their initials - inspired by J'me!

It was late, I was tired, but I was pumped up.  I found some extra material in my cupboards and decided to go ahead and make one for Jackson and Cole's room.  I hadn't purchased the material for theirs because I do not yet know what I am doing with their room.  But I couldn't stop sewing.  So, I figured what could it hurt to just go ahead and make something.

Believe me, this isn't the end of my mad skills.

Happy Mother's Day

Some may say that the meaning to the word "selfless" is:

self·less  (slfls) adj. Having, exhibiting, or motivated by no concern for oneself; unselfish: "Volunteers need both selfish and selfless motives to sustain their interest"(Natalie de Combray). selfless·ly adv. selfless·ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

---

selfless [ˈsɛlflɪs]

adj

having little concern for one's own interests

selflessly  adv

selflessness  n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

If you ask me, selfless and mom are interchangeable.  I am forever grateful for those women in my life that have in some way "mothered" me.  For without them, I am sure there would have been many sad, lonely moments in my life.  Leaders, teachers, bosses, friends, and even more importantly my grandmas, aunts, friends and my mother-in-law.  Inspiring women really do make life so much more enjoyable.  But I don't know where I'd be without my mom, my constant.  My prayer is that everyone knows what it is like to at some point feel such an overwhelming love.  My mom has truly taught me what it means to love unconditionally and to love with all your heart.

Happy Mother's Day to all women for they all have mothered in one way or another.  Never underestimate the impact you may have had on someone even through the smallest act.

Two Month Birthday

Weight: 13.5lbs - 83%

Height: 23in. - 50%

Head: 15.5in. - 32% 
Funny thing is he is a big one and Ry was just as big back in the day.  Now, all his stats are down int he 10 and 20 percentiles.  I'm curious what will happen to Mr. Cole!

Never before have I really enjoyed the newborn stage.  Honestly.  I know may people cherish those first few weeks or even months but I swear by the 4 month mark.  That's my time to shine.  They can sit up pretty well, munch on things, hold things, interact... I love it.

This time around is different.  I have allowed myself to let my house sit as is so I can sit there and hold him.  Now, Jackson, Ryan and Andi, don't get sad about this.  We adored you just as much but things were tough when you were all so little.  Now, I have such great helpers and I am able to sit a bit more.  And with Andrew sometimes available during the day, I take advantage even more.

But this also goes with our nighttime routine which may not be such a great idea.  He shouldn't be waking up to eat anymore.  I know he doesn't need it.  He hasn't needed it for a few weeks now.  But instead of ignoring him, I quickly grab him and bring him into bed with me.  Which results in crummy sleep from 2am-whenever we get up.  Which then results in me dragging my butt out of bed too late to get to boot camp on time which I know I NEED.  Ugh, some things are going to have to change soon.

I have been trying to change my eating habits.  Before I got pregnant I was doing really well with my diet.  Then while pregnant, I maintained it for the most part.  And when my appetite picked up at the end, I was so big I couldn't eat much.  But now, nursing makes me the hungriest person alive.  I don't remember it ever being this bad.  I keep trying to limit my intake to smaller meals but man, I can't get enough.  Luckily Cole has refused to tolerate Coke or chocolate so I have that going for me but other than that, I love food.

Something else has changed with this baby.  Because my other three can all walk, which I have found makes a world of difference with a newborn, I had a first time experience the other day.  I had to make a quick exchange at the mall so the kids and I ventured out.  We all got out of the car and began to pile onto the stroller.  As I am pushing them through the parking lot, I find it very difficult.  Lo and behold, the wheel was all messed up.  So, unload kids, walk everyone, including stroller, back to the car and here we go.... I had to have the kids stand near the car while I changed Cole's diaper, rearranged carseats to more easily fit the jogger inside, then take Cole in my arms because we had JUST cleaned out the car which included the Bjorn (do you like how long this sentence is....), and walk all five of us into Macy's.  Yep, Macy's.  A store which consists of older women with money - not to stereotype or anything.  There I am, still in my 20's, haha for now, carrying a 7 week old while my other three take charge of the shoe department.  Yes, I looked like a lousy mother but whatever.  It was an important errand!!

With this one we were so excited when the Lauricella's gave us a Bumbo - yes, Cole is our first child to be able to use the bumbo as soon as he was ready.  He LOVED it.  Talked, laughed, smiled for about 10 minutes and was then done :)  I can't wait until he lasts a bit longer but for now, it was so much fun.

So, here we are, celebrating in our hearts our two month old and planning the 5th birthday party for our oldest.  This will be our very first birthday party which includes friends, games, the works.  Wish us luck!  And yes, you are all invited.  Jackson made the guest list but I say, everyone's welcome.