Jackie and Brad

Jackie and Brad came over last night. I completely forgot they were coming. The house was a huge disaster like always. But they came...and we left. In all the excitement we didn't know what to do. Didn't really want to spend any money - so we went to Walmart. I should clarify that we didn't want to spend money on ourselves...like a movie or out for dinner. Of course we spent money at wal-mart...2 large cans of formula, 2 clear storage totes, 3 $1 DVD movie's for the girls, ear thermometer covers and 2 cases of water. It's pretty bad when the cart gal recognizes you.

Came home and watched American Idol with Jackie and Brad. Our kids were being very loud and obnoxious. Jackie and Brad spoiled them with food, diapers and a book. Our children are very blessed to have so many people in their lives who love them.

Who is that woman?

Mom took 2 boys for 2 nights. Lucy and Grace are sleeping. I put Vaughn in the exersaucer in the bathroom so I could take a bath. Been a while :) He was busy playing and then all the sudden noticed me. He just was staring at me. So I started to talk to him...and he started to scream. Apparently he didn't recognize me.

Mom said he did the same thing to her a couple of weeks ago when she colored her hair. Funny.

Squeaky Shoes

I love Gracie's squeaky shoes. Lucy had a pair. I buy them for baby shower gifts. I love squeaky shoes.

We put them on Grace when we go to the mall or somewhere where we want to know where she is at all times. We do not let her wear them at home. They squeak. With every step - they squeak.

Squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak

It really can be annoying. But I LOVE them!

I love more that they are made by women in China and that all the proceeds go to support orphanages all over the world.

www.angelcovers.org

Pee Pee in the Potty

Gracie continues to go pee pee - mainly when she's in the tub...she just hops out and goes. One of these days Jamie and I will take the time to actually try to train her...unless she trains herself before we get to it!! She is severely confused about pee pee and poopy though...she always has to go "poopy...but it's really pee.

Go Dogs Go!

The girls LOVE this book by P.D. Eastman. In the book there are two dogs that always run into each other...one is always wearing a hat and she asks, "Do you like my hat?" And the other dog always says, "No, I do not like your hat." "Good-bye." "Good-bye." Until the very end when she wears a crazy party hat.

Now us three girls are always going around putting things on our heads asking each other, "Do you like my hat?" And until we put three different things on our head and ask at least three times, the answer MUST be, "No, I do not like your hat."

Aren't They Cute?

They love each other. (Notice the preemie pacifier in Grace's mouth. I've been hiding pacies from her except at bedtime and she managed to find this one somewhere. Probably with all the other ones we have lost.)

Vaughn in the Johnny Jump Up, Lincoln in the Walker, Gavin in the Exersaucer

Getting Ready to Go Sledding with Daddy

More Pictures from Caitlin's Birthday

Lucy & Grace

Lucy and Jaden

Caitlin

Caitlin and Susie

Papa's Birthday

Lucy, Gracie and McKenna with Papa

Lucy and McKenna putting on a dress up show for Papa

Went to Burlington to celebrate Papa's birthday on Thursday.

Caitlin's Birthday Party

Happy 2nd Birthday Caitlin!
Caitlin and her "Baby Einstein" Catepillar Cake

Gracie turning out the lights

Lucy Grace and Caitlin enjoying A LOT of chips for lunch

Beautiful little sissy Jaden

4 Sick Kids...Little time to Post

Lucy has a sore throat. Lincoln Gavin and Vaughn all have runny noses and low grade temps. They take turns looking miserable.

Gavin & a cheerio

Bright Eyed Vaughn

Sickly Lincoln

9 Months

Lincoln

Gavin

Vaughn


Lincoln - 17 pounds 11 ounces (75th percentile)
Gavin - 19 pounds 1 ounce (90th percentile)
Vaughn - 19 pounds 2 ounces (90th percentile)

They don't seem overweight to me...can't believe how high they are in their weight percentiles!

The Weekend

We had a fun and good-busy weekend. Friday we just stayed home. Saturday we stayed home and cleaned and played with the kids. I made a run to the grocery store. Saturday night Jamie and I helped in Kidzone. Sunday Jamie had to go shovel the walks and parking lot at Calvary. Then we went to church in the morning to attend a Small Group Leadership Training class. Not looking at leading a small group in the near future...but possible next fall? I've very excited about the possibility and have some great ideas I hope people will like and want to be a part of. After church we went to the mall. It amazes me how we can spend 4 HOURS at the mall without doing any shopping. Well...we did make a quick trip into Old Navy and Scheels. But we didn't buy anything. We ate lunch, walked down to playland (stopping at Scheels and Old Navy on the way), bought pretzel bites, and walked back. Somehow that took 4 hours. The girls made some friends at Playland this time. They all played together the whole time we were there. They were hugging, chasing, and tackling each other. It was really cute.

The boys turned 9 months last week. Vaughn is trying to talk like crazy. Lincoln and Gavin are squealing and trying to crawl. All three can sit up on their own if we sit them up, but they can't get into the sitting position on their own. They are starting to consume huge amounts of food...especially Vaughn.

Lucy informed me yesterday that her favorite supper is cream cheese with buddig beef mixed in and spread on crackers. Gracie is starting to become a picky eater like Lucy. Very frustrating.

Work has been so busy ever since our interview on CNBC last month. I feel like I can't get caught up...even if I did work 8 hours!

Jamie took the girls sledding Friday night. They had so much fun!

Tonight there is a "visitation/celebration" for Libby Van Winkle who died last week. Very sad/tragic. It's so strange to really believe that she's not here.

Trouble Sleeping

Having trouble sleeping. My mind is cluttered with very important issues like:

1. How ridiculus Donald Trumps son looks with a comb-over.

2. How amazing a reunion it would be after seeing your child for the first time after he was abducted 4 + years ago.

3. Why do I start my car with my remote start as I'm walking toward my car.

4. How can there be so many last names in the world. When people don't have kids or have just girls their name does not get carried down.

Your Personal Penguin

I LOVE Sandra Boyton books. Moo Baa La La La is one of my favorites. The girls love them too...they have almost every one.

For Lucy's birthday, Aunt Jenna gave Lucy "Your Personal Penguin" by Sandra Boyton. And she downloaded and gave us a cd with the song "Your Personal Penguin" that is sung by Davy Jones of The Monkees (same words that are in the book). Warning: This is a fun and VERY addictive song.

Jenna always comes up with the coolest gift ideas. I'm now stealing her idea and going to buy it for gifts as well. Parker almost got it for his birthday...but I thought it was such a great idea that Jenna probably gave it to him too. Caitlin is definitely getting it...so don't buy it Susan :)

You can hear the song at: www.workman.com/boyton

Thanks Aunt Susie

Aunt Susie, Lucy loved the gift card you gave her to Barnes and Noble. We went on Sunday and she bought a baking set. I told her we'd bake a cake when we got home, but she fell asleep on the way home. However, she woke up at 9 pm and was ready to go. I wasn't. I told her she could skip her nap Monday and we'd bake. Well, I had to work a little late and daddy made her take a nap. When I got home I found her asleep with her baking set. So I woke her up and we baked a couple small cakes. We both had so much fun.

A Night At The Museum

Jamie and I went to the movies tonight!! Went to "A Night at the Museum". I really loved it. I love Ben Stiller. And I think the last movie I went to was Happy Feed. So it was a nice change to go to a big people movie. Mom took the girls and Vaughn home for the night. Actually for a couple of nights. I did absolutely nothing all afternoon. Around 5 I got busy and started cleaning house and feeding boys. Then we went to the movies. Came home and did laundry, cleaned and watched American Idol. Also I didn't exercise this afternoon so it's been haunting me all day. So I just finished exercising. The weight loss blog has been helping so much. It's really motivating. I really did not want to go to bed without meeting my exercise goal.

I was surprised that when mom pulled away how lonely I felt. Normally she just takes one of the girls...and there is one left for me to shower with affection. It is a nice break...but I miss them. Gavin and Lincoln got to enjoy the movie with us. They really are such good babies. Only the last 15 minutes did Gavin get a little restless...but other than that, they were both great.

Gracie

I feel like this isn't done yet...but wanted to share. (By the way, if you push pause and wait for a minute while it loads...it won't be choppy.)

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

You Smell

Last night before Lucy went to bed, we were cuddling together in my bed. She said, "Mommy, you smell like..." and she stopped. I could tell she was searching for the right word. A million words ran through my mind. Poop was the first one. Then I rememered I just drank cranberry juice and thought she may say an apple or fruit or something. Then she said it, "A garbage can."

Happy 1st Birthday Parker!!

Friday was Parker's 1st Birthday! Happy Birthday cutie!

Parker is the son of Jamie's sister Shawna. He's Shawna & Mark's first baby. They live a few hours away...so we don't get to see Parker often. But he's so darling with his super blonde hair and cute little smile.

For me, it's always the best feeling in the world when my child reaches one. I feel a sense of accomplishment. They are so dependent on you their first year of life that it can be so scary.

The Countdown

Gracie is extremely tired right now. She gets crazy funny when she's this tired. Jamie was trying to change her diaper and she wouldn't come to him. So I said "Grace, go to Daddy. One," Grace ran to Jamie and said, "Tu, Free, Spankins!"

Doing the Math

So I was trying to teach Lucy some simple math earlier.

Mommy: "Lucy, if I have three babies that need their diapers changed, and I've already changed one baby...how many babies are left that need their diaper changed?"

Lucy: "A lot"

Lucy Singing

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

My Little Mermaid

Crabby

I've been pretty crabby these past few days. I think I'm making Jamie crabby too. I need to get a better attitude.

I'm Fat!

Ok...so I'm not informing anyone of anything they don't already know...but...I'm excited because my sister and I are blogging our attempt at losing weight. Come encourage us. Or let me know if you want to blog with us and we'll add your name to the people who can blog with us. We're not following any magic program...just each doing our own thing...but encouraging each other along the way.

www.fatsisters.blogspot.com

Baths

The boys got baths last night. Aunt Kimmee came over and gave them each a bath. Or...should I say...they gave her a bath!!

Lucy loves her Espresso cup set that I got her for her birthday. We had to have a tea party again last night.

The double bed is working well. The girls are doing a good job sleeping in it together.

Not Tired

I guess my short nap is preventing me from sleeping. I am just laying in bed with a million thoughts twirling around in my head. I'm so frustrated at my inability to get a grip on my life. We've all heard that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I feel like I'm failing my family because I'm not planning. I spend my days reacting to every situation that arises rather than proactively steering us in the right direction. I do not even know where to begin. I know that God is the start and the finish. That is all I know. I know that with 5 kids 4 and under...there will be A LOT of reacting. But I'm talking about a general direction. I pray God will give me some answers.

Relaxing Day

Donna, Kim and Steve came and took 4 of our 5 kids today. Gracie was taking a nap and stayed home with us. I got to take a bath, take a nap and watch a movie. It was wonderful. 3-4 hours later we went to their house for dinner and hung out for a couple of hours. Although we did get quite a bit of cleaning done today, it was overall a very relaxing day.

Lucy's Birthday Party

Went to Burlington to celebrate Lucy's birthday with the family. Mazzio's is still be remodeled so we had her party at Happy Joes. Had a great time. Lucy loves her cousin McKenna so much. They have so much fun together. McKenna gave Lucy the book "Your Personal Penguin" by Sandra Boyton. It comes with a music download of a song Davy Jones wrote to go with the book. After the party we listened to the song at Nana's house and the girls danced around the sunroom singing and having so much fun. They are so cute together. The next day, Gracie was reading the book to Gavin...only she was trying to "sing" the words, like in the song. Completely cute!

Car Seats

Jamie called me at work on Friday. The Today Show ran a story on Car Seats. I pulled this from their website: "Consumer Reports tested 12 infant car seats. Of them, 9 performed badly." "The Evenflo Discovery, which flew off its base with the dummy still strapped inside."

We have the Evenflo Discovery. One of the most dreaded times of my day is when I have to load 3 20 pound boys (which feels like 50 pounds when they're in their car seats) into the back bench seat of our van. New Years Eve I loaded them into the van 6 times (and back out 6 more times). So I think...if the seats aren't even safe, maybe I should just chuck them on the floor in the back. Will they really be that much more in danger?

More Birthday Pics

Lucy got flowers and a balloon from Grandma James.


Had fun at Happy Joes.


Lucy is trying to hide how excited she is that she got ice cream, they honked the horn and are singing happy birthday to her.


Gracie with pizza face on the Merry Go Round.

I AM a Good Mom - I Just Forgot

So...I DID do something for Lucy's birthday...I just forgot about it. We took her and Grace to a Hawkeye Basketball game. Originally she wanted a Herky Hawk birthday party...so I thought she'd enjoy going to the game right before her birthday. She even got to meet Herky (again).

Lucy and Herky

Daddy and Grace

Happy 11th Birthday Austin

Happy Birthday Austin!!! Austin is spending his birthday in Las Vegas where his mom, & my sister Linda, just got married. Austin was born just a few months before Jamie and I got married and came just in time to dance with me at my wedding. I was scheduled to be induced with Lucy 4 years ago today, on Austin's birthday...but she was so excited to meet us that she came a day early. Austin is my first nephew and the first grandchild in our family. He is very loved by all of us.

Ok...funny story...Austin went trick-or-treating with us in 2003. He was a ninja dressed in all black. Austin is very energetic and was running from house to house. All of the sudden we heard him scream. When we caught up with him...he had ran full speed into a tree and was laying on the ground. Seriously...the tree was missing bark where his head hit. We ended up taking him to the emergency room - the knot on his head was HUGE!!!! He sent me a card later with a picture on the front that he had drawn of a tree with a dark circle on it (where he hit his head and the bark was missing). And the card said "You are an affecionate ant." I've had that card hanging on my fridge ever since. One of my most prized possessions.


Austin and Boston

Jinx!

Yes, my "Hip Hip Hooray" blog jinxed us. The boys slept great on the night of the first, but more than made up for it last night. They didn't sleep AT ALL!! I bet we were in there room at least 10+ times last night. And by we, I mean mostly Jamie. He may be slacking in the "lifting over 5 pound" department, but he more than makes up for it at night! He never complains either.

Go Gracie!

Gracie slept in a big girl bed all night for the first time last night. We didn't think it was possible to get her out of a crib or pack and play. Now I realize that it's not that she needs a "cage", she just needs her OWN bed. Anytime she's sick or can't sleep, we try to bring her to bed with us and she hates it. Lucy is in there sleeping with her in their double bed tonight. We'll see if they can both make it all night. :)

Cousin Rob Talking the Girls into a Disney Cruise!

The Poem

Laura wrote this poem for me and put it in my birthday card.

I think I've lost some memory
since my 5 kids were born.
I don't remember sleeping late
on a lazy Sunday morn.

I don't remember quiet dinners
with candlelight and wine.
Or getting up and ready for work
and making it there on time.

I don't remember summer days
just lounging on the beach.
And those memories of "girls' night out"
are somehow out of reach.

I don't remember long warm baths
with bubbles and a book.
Or my favorite TV program
or a movie worth a look.

I can't remember all those things
I spent time on yesterday.
And I can't remember life
being any other way.

And as I lay them, down at night
and kiss each boy and girl,
I can't remember so much happiness,
such love and joy in my world.

Thank you Laura. I know you spent a lot of time writing this for me. It means so much and is exactly how I feel!!

From 7 to 5

Mom came today and took Lincoln and Gavin...and what seemed like 50 pounds of laundry. I'm trying to decide whether I want to take advantage of being short 2 kids tomorrow by cleaning my house...or by going to a movie and using the Applebees giftcard Andrea gave me for my birthday. Decisions, decisions.

Jackie, Jean and Brad...

came over last night. Jamie and Brad got food. Jackie and Jean fed babies, folded laundry and washed dishes. I frantically tried to widen as many paths as I could. Although I felt like I got a lot accomplished...I looked around and realized I had a long way to go. I keep trying new things hoping to create an organized home that never gets messy because everything will have a place. I know that I'm only lying to myself. I never had that before kids...how could I ever think it's possible with 5!!

Congratulations Linda and Ron

Linda and Ron got married in Las Vegas on January first. Mom stood up with her, and Ron had a friend stand up with him. Got to watch the video online. Mom & Mike, Dad, and Jason were able to make it from our side of the family. When Jason sends me some pictures I'll post them.

Congratulations Linda! I love and miss you :)

Happy Birthday Lucy!!

In the midst of the move...I've lost the cable to download my pictures. So no pictures right now of Lucy's special day.

Woke up Lucy singing Happy Birthday (the "You Look Like a Monkey" version. After two loud attempts and severe shaking :0) she finally woke up. We served her a donut with a candle in it on a special "Birthday" plate that I got from the Hospital gift shop.

She went to Debbie's where they had a little party for her. She came home with one of her favorite gifts...a cabbage patch doll baby.

After Debbie's, grandma surprised her with balloons, flowers, and gift cards to Target. Lucy will love picking out her own gifts. How fun.

There were cards and presents in the mail for Lucy from Aunt Shawna and Grammy and Grandpa Mark.

First Aunt Susie and then Grandpa Mark called and sang her "Happy Birthday" over the phone.

Jamie, Grace, Vaughn and I took Lucy to Happy Joes for dinner. (Lincoln and Gavin went home with Grandma). We had pizza, played games and they even honked the horn and sang happy birthday. She loved being sang to. She was trying to hold back a huge smile. She got a cute clown sundae - that was her favorite part.

When we got home, Nana called and sang "Happy Birthday" to Lucy.

Now that she's four she can do all kinds of new things herself. For example...she can use shampoo and conditioner all by herself. She was very excited.

I think she had a good birthday.

Tomorrow she takes treats and will celebrate her birthday at preschool.

Saturday we'll see the rest of the family to celebrate her birthday - Tinkerbell style.

She's my sweet angel and I'm happy - but sad to watch her grow. How can you love anyone more?

Christmas at Nana & Papa's

Cousin Robby

New Room

We moved our room. We're now in the old "Guest Room". The Guest Room bed is in the girls room. The girls beds are gone. Our King bed had to be replaced with a queen because it didn't fit. Our old bedroom is now being turned into a family closet/storage closet/exercise room. Currently to get to any room in our house you have to follow a path. There are piles everywhere. Jamie hates it when I reorganize.

Hip Hip Hooray

We started the new year off right. All 3 boys slept through the night...we did not have to get up even one time to put a pacifier back in a mouth. Yeah!!

New Year's

Celebrated New Year's Eve at the Nichols. There was one other couple there. We had all the kids. Chris actually decided (and I thought it was a great idea!) to celebrate a New York New Year's Eve. So we ate and played Pit until 11 and then went home and crashed. Slept in until 8. It was nice. We love the Nichols.

My Birthday

Haven't posted since last Wednesday. Life is crazy. People have been asking how my birthday was. Funny...I used to think it couldn't have any worse timing than being two days after Christmas...but since I had Lucy a week later...I'm convinced that NOW it can't be on a worse day of the year.

It started out GREAT! Jamie sent me flowers to work...my favorite - Gerber Daisies. He also sent balloons and had a birthday present at home waiting for me. I was surprised to get a second delivery of flowers to work...a huge bouquet of flowers accompanied with a couple of gifts from one of my dearest friends - I won't mention any names though Andrea. I NEVER get flowers for my birthday - so I about hit the floor when I got called to the Reception Desk twice. My best friend Jenny gave me an Isabel Bloom that I had been wanting for so long. Emma. I thought about naming one of my daughter's Emma just because I love that Bloom so much.

Had I known that Awanas was cancelled...we would have gone out for my birthday. At 5:40 Jamie tells me that he doesn't think they're having AWANAS because of Christmas break. So, instead - we stay home and have one of the most frustrating nights ever. All the kids were fussy. All of them. ALL of them. I was crabby. Jamie was doing the best he could dealing with 5 fussy kids and a crabby wife. I love him so much :)

My 35th birthday came and went. I really find much more joy honoring other people on their birthdays anyway. So...with that said....Lucy's birthday is tomorrow and I've done NOTHING for her. Nothing. :) Kinda funny, huh! She'll never remember it anyway.