Not the way I would do it

Do you ever get certain thoughts in your head about ways things should be done?  Things around the house?  Ways the house is "run"?  I do. Please, I am a type A.... do it my way..... I'll do it myself.... kind of girl.  Especially where the boys are concerned, I've done things my way for a while now.  WELL.... now that I'm working out of town 4 days a week, TH has stepped up. 

If I'm honest, there are times I want to say, "That's not the way to do it." or "Do it this way." But you know what?  He's getting it done and doing it well.  Over text a few times he has told me he has things under control. And he does!  It's been good for my husband and for our boys to have him more involved in day to day life.  Don't get me wrong.  TH has always been an awesome husband and great father but I've handled most things where our boys are concerned.  Now two days a week, TH is in charge of the boys.  He handles school drop off and has the two little ones for the day.  I do my best to have dinner in the crockpot or something assembled that just needs to be popped in the oven.  If I can get TH to take over some cooking duties, I would have it made!! (You'll notice I'm not holding my breath on that one.) 

So while things aren't being done how I would do them, they are being handled.  I'm one lucky lady to have such a great husband and father to our sons!!

Decorated!

 

Decorating the tree was so much fun this year!  We decorated the big tree as a family, and then TH helped the boys decorate theirs.  I couldn't hand the boys ornaments fast enough.

 

TH helping Lil Man and Baby Boy put the ornaments in just the right place.  Obviously given their height, the bottle part of the tree was covered. 

 

A little brotherly love!

 

And it's done!! Minus the tree skirt of course.

 

Got to have one of mommy and her sweet baby.... it's this little guy's first Christmas.

 

Sitting in the den at night when the house is quiet with the Christmas tree as my only light..... one of my absolute favorites of Christmas times.  Hearing the boys argue over who is going to turn on their Christmas tree is pretty special too.  Christmas time with children is just so incredibly special.

How What When Where

How in the world has it been two months since I've posted? What have we been up to? When did time decide to fly by? Where are we now?

It's been two months because I just didn't take the time to sit down and post.  Frankly, didn't really feel like writing.  And let's be real, it's not like I have a lot of extra time on my hands.  We've just been living life.  I've got a baby who is ALMOST NINE MONTHS OLD!!! I've got a 5 year old that is in full swing of his first year of all day school. (LM is coming into his own.  Let's just leave it at that.)  There's a two year old in this house. *sigh* Where to even begin about him?  He is full of himself and so darn funny.  I will admit that he is his momma's child...... attitude and temperament.  The boys are growing and just being boys.

The Hubby is now working days.  Can a sista get a hallelujah and amen?! So, so nice to have him working days again.  I feel like we're a family these days.  Night shifts are hard on everyone.  But no more of that! (For right now... til something else comes along. Ha!)

I started a new job last week. Woot woot!  Decided it was time to try a little something different and branch out.  I have been beyond blessed the past 5 years in working with my dad and having the flexibility to work around the boys.  Things are a little different now but I did tell my new employer that I wouldn't work Fridays for the time being.  We'll see over the next few months how things go.... honestly, I probably will just keep it to Monday through Thursday.  My boys come first! I've never worked around other people before really.  It's been my dad, brother and a handful of men.  I'm actually working in an office with other women.  That's a new experience, and one I'm enjoying so far.

Any how..... that's a little of what we're been up to.  I've got loads and loads of photos.  Now that things are settling into a new routine, and we're all finding our new groove I'm hoping to get back into blogging regularly.

Things I say as a Mama to Boys

"Please get your hand out of your pants."

"No, you do not NEED to spit."

"We do not tackle TSD! He's your baby brother."

"Peeing on the dog is not acceptable."

"Do NOT put that hand on my face! You just pulled it out of your diaper."

"You may not get out of the car to spit.  Son, sit down."

"Remember, no pushing, hitting or kicking in Children's Church."

"Will you please not pee off the sidewalk at the backdoor?!  Go out in the grass."

"No, sweetie, I will not buy you another tractor like that.  We have two thousand three hundred and sixty-two of them."

"The cups in the tub are for playing with.... not peeing in them."

"You want me to buy you that tractor and your brother the other one."......... "Oh! That way you can play with both of them, right?"

"Mommy is not the bull.  Only Daddy plays that.  You will have to wait til he gets home."

"Shake, shake, shake."

................ so what's the consensus to what most topics around here are about?  Peeing, hands in one's pants, a little bit of violence.  The world of mother boys is so much different from that of girls.  I'm the leader of the circus in this joint!

First Day of Preschool, Sept 4th

Last Tuesday, September 4th, was Baby Boy's first day of preschool.  He's attending the same school Lil Man did.  And TH and I are so happy to have a great place to send our son. 

Don't think he is quite ready for mama to be taking pictures.  He he.  Muffins were the requested breakfast for his first day.

 

Our sweet, funny boy!! Dressed and ready to go.  It was a yucky rainy day so that's why he's sporting a hat and jacket.

 

Out the door we go!!  Lil Man gets dropped off first then I head the opposite direction to take BB.  He's only going to school on Tues and Thurs though. 

 

TH and I had promised BB we would take him to lunch.  He got to pick the place.  The first day there were a few tears but his teachers promised me when I picked him up he had a great day.

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

 

(This is real life.  Me with my hair pulled up or hidden under a hat.)

On the wrong foot.... aka It was my faught

I overslept this morning.  The alarm went off.  It was still dark outside.  I was snug in  my bed.  I didn't want to get up.  So I made the decision to sleep a little longer.

Funny how a simple decision can affect how the whole morning went down.  One of my children does not do well with being pushed and hurried along.  He needs to take his own sweet time in the mornings (really all the time but I'm talking about this morning specifically.)  Because I made the choice to sleep an extra 20 minutes, I had to put a little hurry in our morning routine.  I push a little, and he resists a little.  I push a little more, and he resists a little more.  I get annoyed and start pushing and get snappy.  He is beyond over it and flat out refuses to cooperate.

I DID THIS! I know ( I know, people!!) how my child operates.  I caused us both to get the day started off on the wrong foot.  And that just pissed me off even more.  I try my best to have as much done the night before to make life easier and run smoother in the mornings.  I failed to lay out my "Be in a good mood card." and "Be patient with your children card.".... I chose to sleep later than I knew I should.  No excuse for not still being patient and in a good mood for my boys.  Time can't be undone.  Actions, once they are done, are done.  I can learn and try to do better tomorrow.  There seems to be a lot of sadness lately.  Several unexpected deaths in our area.  There are NO guarantees!!  Tomorrow might just not come. 

Right now ..... I will be the best mother I can be.

First Day of School, August 21st

 

Tuesday, August 21st marked the first day of all day school for Lil Man.  I will be the first to admit we've gotten spoiled of the course of the summer.  No specific wake up times, and really no where we had to be each day.  Our new school wake up time of an early 6:00 for me and 6:30 for LM..... Ummm, wow!! As you can see, he wasn't quite down with getting up so early.

 

 

Here he is checking out his first day lunch.  I'm going to do my best in packing his lunch each day but I'm sure there will be a day or two I cry "Uncle!" and send lunch money.

 

And then at 7:30, we were loading up in the car headed to school!! LM goes to our zoned school for morning classes and then to a neighboring school (the same school he went to last year).  He gets to ride a "shuttle" bus.  Here's my sweet boy wearing the shirt he requested.  Be still my heart!!

And here I am!! After drop-off, cheesing with TSD.  (I will tell you a teeny, tiny secret. I was ready for LM to go to school.  The fighting between him and BB was driving me bananas!)

 

BB enjoying his breakfast by himself.  He did ask several times throughout the day, "Where's LM?" or he would say, "Go get LM."

...... and "poor daddy" as BB would say.  The morning just exhausted him. Ha Ha

What is UP?!?!

How goes it? So many times I want to sit down and blog only to get pulled away to take care of something.... that something typically being a somebody. Cause you know I've got 3 little boys up in here! One who turned FIVE years old last Friday. He also started school (ALL day school yesterday). The baby will be six months old in 10 days or so.  People, where has the time gone??  And please, we can't forget Baby Boy.  That child is a freakin hoot!!  Put the S in stubborn as well as every other letter too.  We've figured out he bites his nails to which we've threatened to paint his finger nails.  He doesn't care.  The Hubby is working.  Seems to be working all the dang time.  Me.... oh me!  I'm just me.  Texting inappropriate texts to a friend for giggles.  Being hardcore about having dinner on the table at 6:00 pm.  Making the boys go to bed early for a good nights sleep.  NOT liking having to be up at the butt crack of dawn to get my now FIVE year old to school.  I have now gone back to full caffeine coffee.  No decafe unless it's my afternoon cup.  Decided it's time to put me first as far as working out goes.... I'm ready to shed some baby weight.

Oh Snap!  There's a baby crying.  Peace out, my friends.  There will be a beach post soon as well as a LM turns FIVE post, also a first day of school post.  Toodles!!  Obviously, I'm stuck on the FIVE thing.  He is the only child to have turned FIVE in his lifetime right?! Ha! Peace!!

Relaxed, Recharged and Ready!

We spent last week at the beach.  Boy oh Boy!!  A much needed week away from reality.  Time to cherish with family and just enjoy.  The "real" world ceased to exist for a week.  Nothing mattered but eating, sleeping and just having a good time.  The boys loved having so much attention.  Maybe loved it all little too much at times.... but that's vacation right?!

I took tons of pictures of course.  And I'll do a whole post about the beach.  I just wanted you to know we are alive and well!  Ready to tackle what lays ahead.  The day before we left to go to the beach our realtor called me.  "Cookie, I got someone wanting to show your house tomorrow.  From 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Will that work?"  I'm sure he heard me roll my eyes over the phone.  "Yes.  I can make it work.  We're heading out mid morning for a week at the beach.  What's one more thing to add to my to-do list before we leave?"  We always leave with a clean house.... but HELLO!  A showing means the house has to be extra clean.  AND I knew upon our return we were having an Open House.  We got home this past Saturday and had an open house yesterday.  House had to be extra, extra clean.  It was actually a Open House for Realtors.  And we all know how brutal Realtors can be.  I wanted this place in tip top shape!  The idea came from a good friend whose house is also for sale in our neighborhood.  She wanted to open all the houses up that are for sale to try and get more activity. 

Anyway...... the past two weeks have been busy.  Yet much needed in the way of recharging and getting ready for the Fall.  My sweet boy (LM) will be going to school all day this year.  **gasp!**  I think it will be really good for him but come on! I'm his mama.  I might just have a few tears as I'm dropping him off so early to spend the whole day at school.

We came home Saturday and went to church the Sunday..... And a gentleman said a prayer that has stuck with me ever since.  He said be good stewards of the present..... with your time, blessings and possessions.  The past is the past.  It's over and done with.  The future is the future.  It's not here yet.  Live in the present.  Live in today.  Because today, we can do something about it.  that's a whole post worthy of itself.  But it's been sticking in my mind for several reasons, so I thought I would be kind enough and share! :)

While he is away

TH was out of town for most of this week.  He left early Sunday morning and got home late Thursday night.  I missed him!  Missed him a lot actually.  But it's funny how quickly I get into the groove of doing it all myself...... referring to the boys and just everyday life.  My parents are close by and help a lot but at the end of the day, it's me.  Just me.  Only me.  Tired me.  Ready to tackle the day me.  Taking the boys on an adventure me.  Cooking dinner me.  Ready to get the day started me.  Wanting 5 minutes to myself me. Texting the neighbor and asking for coffee because I needed a caffeine kick me.  ME.....Being the reoccuring theme here.  There were days I did good to brush my teeth and put on deodorant.  I might have washed my hair twice in the days TH was gone.  Once was at night and I went to bed with it still partially wet.  I washed the same load of laundry three times because I kept forgetting about it.  I handled it though.  Handled it quite well actually.  I, by no means, have it all together but I'm getting there.  Getting better and better....... I did thoroughly enjoy waking up this morning with TH in the house though.  His attempt to let me sleep in was pretty darn funny.  I could hear the boys demanding mommy.  Wanting mommy.  And quiet..... what's quiet?!  My husband is home so all is right with the world.  At one point when chaos seemed to be reigning over us, I asked with a smirk on my face, "Miss us?  Glad to be home?"  I said this is total sarcasm because LM and BB was climbing all over TH and being little pains in the rump at the moment.  TH looked at me with a small smile and responded, "I am actually."

While he is away, it is just me.  But when he's home, it's us!  And the two of us, we so got this.

The highs and the lows

Not many things on this earth can bring a person such absolute joy and a moment later make you think, "What the heck?!"  Motherhood is a joyous adventure where the roads are at times extremely treacherous..... hell, to be honest, it's more like being blindfolded while wondering through the desert.  (Not that I've ever actually been in the desert but you get the point though, right?)

I try my best to make the best decisions for the boys.  Decisions that will give them the help and guidance to lead them in life.  To raise them to be strong Christians, loving and respectful, well-mannered and just a joy to be around.  We are entering (actually, we've been there for a month or two) a new phase in this house.  LM is soon to be 5 years old.  In under a month, I will have a 5 year old up in here!! For realz.... I'm still wrapping my head around that. But anyway.....  LM is such a doll. He really is.  But it's like he is two different children, one when BB is around and one when he's by himself.  If it's just him or just him and TSD, he's an angel.  Sweet! Listens! Follows directions!  But if BB is around, the opposite is true.  He won't listen. He's mean to his brother.  He tells his brother to do things they shouldn't do.  He has a look of pure defiance.

I am stumped!  We try our best to be consistent with discipline but let's be honest.  Or I'll be honest... there are times when my patience run thin and I'm hanging on by a thread.  I have to walk away to chill out.  Yes, I raise my voice more than I like but I can only be calm and cool for so long.  TH and I are just trying to be the best parents we can be.

Look at these boys...... 

My heart explodes with pure joy when I see them!  They are an absolute delight.  And we are blessed!!! Absolutely, no questions about it blessed.  Each so different yet the same because they're MINE.  I feel like this is one of the most important jobs that a person can have..... being a parent.  No, it is one of the most important responsibilites a person can have.  Success is the only option.  No one said it would be easy getting there though.  But no one said it would be this tough either.  I guess it all boils down to the fact that it is so incredibly important I worry that I'm making the best choices.  I want to do my best because my best is what these little guys deserve.  But boy oh boy, they could go a little easier on their mama at times.

The highs and the lows...... my grandfather always says to me "And this too shall pass."  I know 6 months from now or a year from now, we'll be in a new "season".  I'm going to cherish today and not worry about tomorrow.  Today is what I'm dealing with and today is what I'll do my best at.  Tomorrow is another whole new ballgame.  I just got to get through the todays though.

A letter to Jake

If you don't know who (or what) Jake is, it's our 8 yr old Labrador.  A sweet dog that TH and I got six months after we were married. 

Dear Jake,

You are such a sweet, sweet dog.  A dog that I have loved from day one and thoroughly enjoyed having as the boys grow.  BUT.....

What the heck is up with you?!?!  You, my dear sweet dog, have gone all neurotic on me.  I CAN. NOT. HANDLE. craziness from a dog.  We have lived in our house for 7.5 years.  Your water and food bowls have been IN. THE EXACT. SAME. SPOT. for 7.5 years.  Why all of a sudden can you not go into the laundry room?  Do tell!  I'm all hears because I have enough on my plate these days.  Adding your bit of craziness isn't going to fly!  I fully understand you use to be my first "child".  Then as we've added babies to the mix, you are now #4.  I know that blows.... really I do!  I try to give you the attention you need because you are always so sweet and have a friendly greeting.  You put up with all kinds of crap from the boys. 

Sleep on it and in the morning, let's have  chat.  Tell me what's up.  Because if I have to take you outside to feed and water you several times a day, you might miss a meal or two.  Not on purpose by any means.  But miss some all the same.  Let's see if we can figure this out and work it out.

Love,

Your (loving & on the edge) owner

Planning and prepping

I laugh! Actually laugh at myself at what a fool I was before I had children (Okay, not really but a little foolish maybe.)  I could come and go not thinking twice about having to plan where I was going or how long I would be gone.  Now?!  Cue the crazy laughter!!

Mom and I are taking the boys to the zoo tomorrow.  It's a couple of hours away so we are going on a day trip.  This means I PLAN!  Note the boys' clothes laid out on the back of the couch.  Ready for little boys to be dressed in the morning.

Lunches prepped and semi packed.  Everything that needs to be kept in the frig overnight are to the left of the lunch boxes.

Being stored in a single bowl so I know I won't accidentally leave one behind.  Grapes, carrots, turkey and an apple.

MY COFFEE!! :)  And poor, pitiful me!! I used my last S.tarbucks k-cup this morning.  Having to make do with whatever that is.

I also carry a backpack diaper bag.  It's stocked with diapers, wipes, sanitizer and a change of clothes for each boy.  The double stroller is loaded up in my car. 

This day trip..... we'll have fun!  Lots of fun!  Because I know me being prepared makes things smoother and easier.

My arms are full

Man oh man! I'll be the first to admit that life isn't always easy with three little boys.  Obviously, from this post that's quite evident.  But when my arms are full.....

Full with these three precious boys.

Those hard days are forgotten.

Because not only are my arms full, but my heart is overflowing.

Heart overflowing and so darn lucky!!

Our Fourth Celebration

We had a pretty low key Fourth.  TH worked the night before so he slept most of the morning.  The boys and I went to have breakfast with my parents.  We let them play outside for awhile to burn some energy... cause little boys ALWAYS have energy to burn. I mean for real!

What kind of mother would I be if I didn't buy them matching shirts?!

 The boys kept asking for C.hick-Fil-A so we went and picked up lunch to bring home.  Woke TH up so he could join us.  I can't express how much I love eating together as a family.  Makes my heart smile. (It's the simple things, people!)  After lunch, more time playing outside.  Cause I'm not sure yet if little boys ever really run out of excess energy. Ha!

I'm all about decorating for July 4th.  Next to Christmas... It's one of my favorites.

And two brothers kissing their little brother?!  I die.... just die of the cuteness!!

I kept trying to think of something fun and special I could do with the boys.  Make a cookie cake! And on it we wrote "Happy 4th!!" with three candles.  We all like cookies.  The boys like to blow out candles.  BB has cookies that look exactly like the one everyone else had.  A new tradition was started!

More cuteness! I'm a proud mama....

What's more American that grilling out on the 4th?  We went back to my parents' for dinner.  Hamburgers and Hot Dogs!! Coming right up.  TH was also insisting we go to the local firework show too.  We ate and let the boys play outside a little bit more.

Then it was time for our cake!!

We had cookie cake then headed home to bath the boys and get them in their pjs.  I will admit.... it's not easy for me to delay bedtime for the boys.  I'm a little crazy about keeping them on schedule.  BUT, my dear husband really wanted to go see the fireworks, and LM kept asking to see them also.  *sigh*  We loaded up our pj clad babies and headed to town.  Met up with my parents on the way in and all loaded up.  We watched the firework show then headed home.  Sleepy, content little boys were placed in their beds.  (I want to make note that TSD slept on the way to town, slept through the firework show, and slept until 7:30 am Thursday morning!)

Wonderfully, relaxed, easy day.  A great 4th of July!!

Not too proud to call and ask

Called my dad's cell and said, "I will give you 100 bucks to take one of them."  He was quiet for a moment and said, "They're fighting?"  My response, "They are like two cats trapped in a paper bag fighting to the death."  He says, "I'll be there in a few minutes."........ 5 minutes later my phone rings, "Pulling out of the drive. Get LM's backpack ready."

People, I was about to lose it on Lil Man and Baby Boy last night.  They couldn't look at each other without hitting or biting or throwing.  I had a killer headache, and TH was walking out the door to go to work.  I. COULD. NOT. DO. IT.  Even after LM left, I was on the verge of texting a good friend to ask her to come over.  I felt that bad!  BB must have sensed Mommy was on the edge because he stayed right beside me and kept saying, "Mommy.  Mommy."  I would look at him with tears in my eyes and say, "What, baby?"

Then, the headache went away.  Praise be!  And I was able to get BB food for dinner and bathed.  Got TSD in bed snoozing away.  Played with BB for a few minutes and crawled into bed with him until he went to sleep.  Dozed for a bit myself because the house was quiet and my wild child was snuggled up to me.

Not one of my best days as a mother.  But not too proud to call and ask for help.  Pretty sure my dad heard the desperation in my voice.  I can laugh about it now but last night...... whoa baby, it was rough.

Just cute

I think they're freakin adorable!  Exhausting and at times absolutely exasperating..... but just so cute!

I might be a proud mama. Ha!

A chapter closing

There are five of us that make the group.  We call it Ladies' Night.  The first Thursday of every month we have dinner at one of our homes.  The host cooks the main meal with the remaining four of us bringing an appetizer, a side, a dessert and some sort of beverage.  Our husbands know they need to tread softly when messing with Ladies' Night.  We're neighbors, and we're friends.  We laugh. We talk.  We complain.  We realize.  We appreciate.  We keep it real.  We love.

We laugh at those around us and laugh at each other.

We talk about we we need to talk about. 

We complain about our families and our husbands.

We realize how lucky we are to have our families and our husbands.  Because really at the end of the day we don't have much to complain about.  But who doesn't need to vent and just be annoyed at times.  Who better to do that with than good girlfriends?!

We appreciate what we have with each other.

We keep each other real.  No big heads allowed in our group.  We tell it like it is.

We love.  This is probably the most important.  We have a love for each other.  For what each of us brings to our group.  Because one random group we are.

A chapter is closing.......

Three out of five of us have our houses for sale.  With a fourth eyeing a move pretty soon.  Before too long we won't be calling ourselves neighbors.  BUT we will always be friends!  We might not be living within a mile of each other but we'll a phone call, an email, a text, a long weekend apart.

A chapter is closing but my heart will always and forever have a special place for these ladies. 

Deciding Between

Two children crying.  One wanting to nurse.  The other having just thrown up.  It's the wee hours of the morning.  Having to decide between my children.  Which child do I chose?  The hungry one?  The sick one?  The first time I hurried to the sick one and let the baby cry.  I knew he was safe and would just end up more mad than anything.  The sick one was crying after having thrown up in his bed.  Crying for mommy.  The second time the sick one was crying as I was just finishing nursing the baby.  I had him on the brink of sleep so I made sure he was good and asleep before I went to his brother.  Knowing what was going to greet me.

One of the hardest things about being a mother of more than one child is having to decide.  There are times we have to made a decision to take care of or comfort one child over the other.  Do I love the child I pick more than the other?  No!  Is it a decision I wish I didn't have to make?  Yes!  But it's part of being a mom, making decisions at times that we don't like but doing what we have to do.

A difference between an hour

It's amazing how at times an hour flies by..... but then others it drags on and on.  It's the same 60 minutes obviously for each hour.  Depending what's being done those hours on how quickly they go.

For example..... The hour I got to have at the pool by myself just a bit ago....  FLEW!  TH woke up (or I urged him awake to be more accurate) and I ran out the door promising to be back in an hour.  I just needed to regroup and have a short time all by myself.  A book, the sun and a beverage.  Bliss! 

Now an example of another hour..... in the wee hours of the morning BB got sick.  From 3 am to 4 am, I was praying for it to be over.  After throwing up several times.  Crying out for mommy.  3 changes of sheets later.  The hour was finally over.  We got some sleep after a while. 

I sure do prefer the pool hour to the sick hour.  Can I have another?!  I'm doing my best to wrangle another one tomorrow. 

Father's Day

Obviously today isn't Father's Day, it was two days ago.  Instead of worrying about posting on my blog I enjoyed the day with family.  Okay, enjoy might be a bit of a stretch because I had a stomach bug but I tried.  I do know one thing for sure..... my husband and the boys' daddy is a father more than just one day a year.  And I KNOW he should be told what a great father he is more than once a year.  I need to do better at expressing to my husband how incredibly lucky our boys are to have him as their daddy. 

TH is a great example to our boys of what a man should be.  A strong Christian.  A loving, supportive husband.  A dependable, strong, fun dad.  A dad who loves his children and wants them to have a fun time but to also know that there are rules to follow and certain ways to act.  A man that puts family first through the good and the bad.  Because at the end of the day..... family! Family just plain rocks! 

Now if your mom is anything like my mom, she will take any opportunity to take a family photo.  I think she made us put this on our calendars a few weeks ago.  Family photo would be taken on Father's Day!  Family photo we did.

I am a lucky girl.... a daddy's girl too if you want me to be honest.  The close relationship I share with my parents is amazing.  I forget at times that not everyone shares the kind of closest that our family does.  That not all grand kids see their grandparents pretty much every day.  The past few years have thrown us some curve balls.  Some lessons learned the hard way.  But you know what..... at the end of the day, who's still beside me?  Family.  Who's there when the going gets tough?  Family.  So while my family is by no means perfect, we are perfect for each other.  And they are MY family! My love for my parents, brother & his wife, my husband and boys is unyielding and everlasting.  So while Sunday was Father's Day, it was a family day too.

Just a day

Today was just a day... just a day in our life.  But oh what a day it was. Last night was a little rough because I was up about 42 times.  Okay, more like 5 but good grief.  There was a wet bed.  One little one showed up and wanted "Mommy sleep with me." The little one was all stuffy.  And said little one had to be fed twice.  The boys were up and ready to go at 7:30 this morning.  Lil Man has gotten horses on the brain so while I was fixing breakfast he and Baby Boy watched E.SPN.  Some recent horse race.

Waffles and Bacon coming right up! (I won't tell you I ate a bowl of cereal at 5:30 am during one of my 42 times up.  Girl was hawngry!!)

Do you see how nicely they are sitting together?! Being all sweet!

After breakfast, we headed up to the playroom.  TH was sleeping so I tried to keep the boys occupied and somewhat quiet.  We built towers and a runway.  Planes were now the "thing".

Beautiful, sunny day... what to do?!  Go to the park, of course!  We were headed to our local airport to see if there were any planes flying but I figured the boys needed to get out and actually burn energy.  We have to park and cross a street to get to the park.  I play it like this.... "LM hold BB's hand! BB hold LM's hand!"  "Look both ways!"  "Are you boys holding each other's hand?!" 

BB was more interested in chasing the birds than he was playing on the equipment.  He would climb up beside me, sit for 2.5 seconds and then take off again.  What's a day with out a cheesy picture with Mommy?  After playing for awhile, LM requested Chick Fil A.  CFA it was!!

We took lunch home so we could all eat together.  TH was getting up as we were pulling in the garage.  Family lunch!!  Then time to play outside some more.  A little baseball anyone?

Or just acting a nut?  This child is a trip!

TSD was not wanting to nap in his bed.  So, I held him while I kicked back on the porch.  Fans on high. In my rocking chair.  Southern style much?! 

What's an afternoon without a little brotherly competition?  Who knows what the heck they were competing over.  I think it was over whose turn it was to hit the ball.

And more competition over who is driving the Gator.  BB got the short end of this deal it looks like.

We ended the day with dinner at my parents and dessert at a local ice cream shop.  Just a day..... but a fabulous day to me!  A day spent with my boys.  A day TH spent with us for the most part.  Wonder what tomorrow will hold?  I do hope it won't hold as many poopy diapers or hinies as today did.  Between all three boys, I changed 3 poopies and wiped one hiney in 20 minute time frame.

Comical, embarrassing or all of the above

Last night was an interesting night to say the least.  A college teammate came to the house to hang out and have dinner.  It's been 10 years since we've seen each other.  I warned her.... warned her before hand how chaotic our home can be.  With 3 boys!  Warned her several times.

And oh how chaotic doesn't even begin to describe it.  Lil Man and Baby Boy were off the chain.  They are all boy so I'm used to them being loud, fighting, running around and just being boys.  But they upped the ante last night.  AB got here around 6 or so.  We had dinner and were just hanging out catching up.  By 7:30, both LM and BB were running around naked threatening to pee on things.  I was torn between cracking their skulls together ( I JEST!! ) and laughing my butt off.  They have never done anything like this.  I guess they liked AB and were so comfortable with her they just let loose.  It was comical!! It was embarrassing!! 

I fell into bed utterly exhausted once the evening was over and the boys were in bed.  AB and I made plans to get together again next week.  I'll make sure TH is home so he can help with his little heathens. HA!

Bottle anyone?

This sweet boy is my lil sidekick! He will be 14 weeks old Thursday.  Such a precious, loving and easy baby!  I have enjoyed every single day of being his mother.  And can't wait to enjoy all the days to come.  Stubborn though...... he's proving to be very stubborn in one area.

TSD (The Smallest Dude) refuses to take a bottle.  My mom has tried on several occasions, and my MIL has tried.  To no avail.  I'm pumping at least one bottle each night after he's in bed to get my supply in the freezer built up.  But seriously?!  What to do?  Right now I nurse him and run out the door if there's something I just have to do without him.  He goes to the office with me 2 days a week and hangs out.  Luckily, he's a doll and just so good.  And luckily, I work in the family business so he's welcome!  I've had to take a phone call or two in an office other than my own if he's fussing a little but that's only happened a few times. 

I'm going to get my mom to try a different brand and see if it works.  But as of right now, I'm his one and only food supply.  I think back to BB.  I never once gave him a bottle, and I think TH only gave him a handful.  He did fine with my mom though but not TSD.  I'm hoping by the time he hits the 4 month mark he'll be willing to take a bottle on occasion.  One can hope anyway!!

What's a little rain?

What kind of mother would I be if I didn't let my boys enjoy a good play in the rain?!  And play they did.  Laughing and giggling.  Yelling and just actin a fool!

I think the downpour lasted a good 20 minutes or so.  LM and BB enjoyed every single minute of it! This is why I close the garage as soon as my car clears the door though!! If the garage door is open, out they go.  They ended up in the rain before I could even get "NO!" out.  And the two little boogers knew I wasn't going to come after them with it pouring like that.  For lots of laughs and a good time for my boys all it cost me was 2 sets of wet clothes..... that I can handle!