glorriedays

emotional...

2012-02-20T15:10:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Henry's 1st Birthday!

I'm. So. Sure.

If I think about it too much, I start crying...So I'm trying to not think about it too much...but that is hard when we are decorating, making cards, and getting ready for his celebrations this week. ;)

I can't believe that one year ago today we were making the final preparations to welcome our third child into this world.

So. Crazy.

In other news...
I still have lots of back-blogging to do...Valentine's and other stuff...But I am still playing catch-up on the month of my life that was put on "hold" while the kids were all sick...I'm happy to say that I have almost dug out - almost. Bear with me...I'll get there eventually :)

instafriday

2012-02-17T10:53:00.076-05:00

Linking up with Jeannett from Life Rearranged...

Are you ready for this??

I don't think there are ANY "sick kid" pictures this week!!

Can you believe it!?

I can't.

WOW.

What a difference a few healthy children make!

Happy Friday to all my peeps!

XOOX

charlie I

rest in peace, little buddy.

he only lasted TWO DAYS!

WHAT?!

my sweet friend, john, sent this RIDICULOUSLY cute hat for henry!

i think we need to take a trip to the air and space museum :)

jackson's teacher's valentine's day gifts...

starbucks gift cards in starbucks cups! :)

toasty toes on a snowy morning :)

i FINALLY got around to valentine's...

i have to admit,

i had to dig DEEP to get this done.

i knew the kids would love it...

but man, i was SO not in the valentine's spirit this year!

i'm glad we did them...um, i still need to mail them! oops!

my vday latte :)

stole this idea from pinterest...

all of our important dates...

my bday

davey's bday

our anni

jackson's bday

addie's bday

henry's bday.

LOVE!

hearts!

i got to be henry's FIRST valentine :)

3 bubbly hands :)

my mom sent jackson his vday shirt :)

he got to wear it twice in one week -

once to school for his valentine's day party

and again on actual heart day :)

i love watching these two together.

they way they look at each other.

their bond is so special.

when i opened my valentine's card,

THIS is what was inside.

davey could NOT have given me a more perfect gift.

i was DEVASTATED when i had to cancel my appointment last week.

not just because my hair is in desperate need of attention.

but because it was something that i needed for ME.

a break.

a chance to breathe.

a time to be BY MYSELF.

i honestly didn't really think he GOT that.

until i opened this.

he booked an appointment for me,

and told me that he would go into work late that day

so i didn't have to worry about figuring out a babysitter.

there seriously could have been no greater gift than this...

he GOT me.

and he knew how to SHOW me that he "got" me.

not by spending 100's of dollars on a hallmark holiday...

not by sending me flowers or giving me chocolates.

but by THINKING about ME and KNOWING how i needed to be LOVED.

i am so blessed to be married to this man.

my little heart breaker :)

one day last week, my friend dana made us dinner...

and brought me a 12-pack of ddp :)

wow.

she has a newborn and a two-year-old and took time out of HER crazy day to bless US.

thank you, sweet friend!!

showing me his valentine's from school

{look how sad addie looks in the background!!

don't worry, we made it special for her too...

but man, she can't wait to go to preschool next year!}

fun in the bath

we lost his other shoe at target.

i am SO sad!!

valentine's eve...

getting the house ready for the kids :)

the kids' valentines :)

i got to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE saturday night!!

davey worked all weekend last weekend,

so it was a JOY to leave the house for a baby shower! :)

donuts for breaky on v-day!

papa went to china and brought us back these shirts :)

henry opening vday gifts from the grandparents...

it is safe to say that the my mom and davey's mom supplied

the valentine's day spirit this year.

i was NOT feeling it.

luckily, they were, and they shared the love with all of us :)

hat from grandma

heart cookies!

{yes, the already made, pop in the oven kind...

we usually make them from scratch...

but hey,

valentine's was lucky to make it as a celebrated holiday this year!}

made this yummy {easy!} chicken this week!

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 tablespoon brown sugar

3 teaspoons olive oil {i accidentally used 3 tablespoons - oops! but it still turned out fine.}

1. preheat oven to 500 and lightly grease a casserole dish

2. in small pan, sauté garlic with the oil until tender

3. remove from heat and stir in brown sugar

4. place chicken in baking dish and cover with the garlic and brown sugar mixture

5. add salt and pepper to taste

6. bake uncovered fro 15-30 minutes {ours took about 20 minutes...and the smoke alarm almost went off - that sucker got hot FAST!}

this is why we are always in a rush to get to preschool pick-up...

because waking up a sleeping child is illegal.

right?? :)

there are very few things more precious than a sleeping baby.

i could just watch him forever!

one.blessed.momma.

weekend update

2012-02-12T15:29:00.000-05:00

Davey had to work all weekend on a video shoot...and we didn't go to church today {for obvious reasons}, so it kinda just feels like the "weekend" was just two regular weekdays...blech.

Here's the update on the kids:

Jackson:
BETTER! He finished his antibiotics on Saturday, and is still doing 2 neb treatments a day...but I 'm pretty sure I haven't heard him COUGH all weekend...maybe once or twice...but not the CONSTANT coughing he's been doing for weeks. YAY!

Henry:
BETTER! He also finished his antibiotics on Saturday. He still gets 1 or 2 neb treatments a day. He is still congested...and coughing...a little wheezy at times. I don't know...I don't think we're out of the woods with him just yet. He has slept great - no nighttime wakings since Monday night - PTL!

Addie:
BETTER {kinda}! Her fever went down on Friday. PTL. She is still coughing a lot. And I can tell that the coughing hurts her because she usually winces or cries after each cough. So sad! I've been giving her motrin to help with that. She is still on antibiotics. I think she has another 6 days to go. She is still waking up a few times a night...the coughing wakes her up, and then she cries/SCREAMS(!) and needs medicine or water or who knows what else...

Me and Davey:
WORSE! :) As in, worse than healthy...We are both coming down with something...NOOOOOO!!! I guess it was only a matter of time after being coughed/puked/sneezed-on for over a month! ;) We are Zicamming it up - and praying we can fight it off.

All 3 go back to the doctor on Tuesday for follow-ups. Oh, Lordy, I'm so ready for this to be OVER!

photo catch-up

2012-02-12T14:46:00.000-05:00

Just have a bunch of random pics to post...They are from the past week or so...Honestly, all the days {weeks?} have blurred together. Whatev - doesn't matter...some of them are pretty cute...and it's a reminder that we did have a few good/fun/silly times during all of these hard days! :)

henry loved his first grilled cheese :)

the kids LOVE these window cling thingies...

i mean, LOVE.

they rearrange them 38 times a day...

so now they are all in bits and pieces...

scattered all over my house...

each time i step on one with my bare foot,

i have a heart attack because i thought i just stepped on a bug!

so proud of the {first} finished project!

i love this!

you can see his little pouty lip!! :)

oh, henry dimps...

obviously...this is before the germs hit her hard!

my sweet boy :)

silly girl.

those eyes...

that hair!

"mom, take a picture of THIS!"

he still has to do two neb treatments a day...

each with two different medicines.

he does GREAT with it.

this may be the last "healthy and happy" shot for a while...

i have to admit.

i am NOT into valentine's day this year.

i just am not feeling the love.

i'm forcing myself to do little fun things for/with the kids.

they loved helping me decorate :)

we made blueberry muffins to entice addie to eat...

bless her heart.

he was digging them!

but she?

well, she really wasn't :(

my heart has been broken over and over

he {kinda} liked them...

he is MY blueberry muffin!

yum!

surprisingly, henry has done relatively well with his neb treatments...

he gets them once or twice a day...

he'll get a little fussy, but usually just lays there and plays with the elastic.

oh sweet girl.

how i pray that you feel better SOON!

"mark all as read"

2012-02-10T14:56:00.001-05:00

I just did that.

In my Google reader....

Even though I definitely didn't read all 89 blog posts that were in bold type...reminding me how behind I am with the ordinary "daily life" kind of things...

Man.

That was freeing.

PS. I also don't like my email in-box to "scroll"...Can I just hit "delete all" and be done with that too?? ;)

through cloud and sunshine...

2012-02-10T14:28:00.003-05:00

Man.

God is good.

His timing is perfect.

Always.

I've questioned Him a LOT lately...Why? Why am I having to go through this? Why are my kids all sick? Why aren't the medicines working? Why is each day harder than the one before? Why can't anything JUST WORK? Why do I feel so alone? How am I supposed to take care of it all? How much longer is life going to be like this?

And he has sent His message loud and clear:

You are going through this so that you learn to depend on ME.

You are going through this so that you learn to trust ME.

You are going through this so that you turn to ME for strength.

You are going through this so you can learn to love your children the way I love them...with a love that is patient and kind and unfailing...so you can teach them about JESUS through your care for them.

You are going through this so you remember that you are never alone - I am with you.

You are going through this so that you can give the glory to ME.

I can't do this on my own.

I can't.

And believe me, I have tried.

And failed...miserably...

Do I ever learn??

Read this blog today...it was exactly what I needed to read. To hear.

"...When it is hardest - that is when you sing the loudest..."

You have to listen to this song. Each line speaks so clearly to my soul. I hope it blesses you as much as it has blessed me.

instafriday

2012-02-10T13:30:00.003-05:00

Linking up with Jeannett from Life Rearranged...

I promise that ONE of these weeks, instafriday won't be about sick kids!!

I mean, can you even imagine that?!

It's coming. I just know it.

Without the rain, there can be no rainbows...right??

Our rainbow is coming!!

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for His compassions NEVER fail.

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24

always.

love my #9!

this was tuesday...

the day after a night of ZERO {we're talking ZERO} sleep.

he wouldn't sleep for his nap either...

so i dragged his swing out of the storage closet and stuffed him in it.

lo and behold...

he caught a FEW zzzz's :)

a few snowflakes fell this week :)

jackson and addie did a little photoshoot together...

this was four out of about a BILLION photos jackson snapped!

thank you, iPad, for making neb treatments a little easier...

my first attempt at french braiding addie's hair!

not bad, right?? :)

i didn't even realize jackson took this one until i scrolled through to upload the pics to blogger!

wow.

he really IS a mini-photog in training - capturing the moments...even the hard ones!

this was me giving henry his first nebulizer treatment at the doctor's office.

he didn't like it.

i was in tears.

now he can handle it without crying...

i think he realized that it makes him feel better :)

{ps. don't you love those thighs! HIS, not mine!}

another one of jackson's works of art :)

the kids were so patient at the dr's office.

they are seriously the best.

and when we got home,

look what was on the porch :)

my mom is the sweetest.

seriously.

she has taken EVERY call from me {i probably would have let at least 50% of them go to voicemail ;)!}...

listened to me cry...and vent...and {i can't believe i actually did this but...} drop an f-bomb...

she has texted me almost every hour checking on the kids...checking on me.

she has sent the most encouraging emails, and left me the sweetest voicemails.

she has been my rock.

love you, mom!

and this was BEFORE addie's most recent medicines from yesterday!

anyone need any black market antibiotics?? :)

kidding.

kind of...

this boy has decided that sitting up and throwing his pacis out of his bed is way more fun than taking nap :)

we made blueberry muffins the other day to entice addie to eat...

she was SO excited - "booburry muffins are my FAVErit!!"

she took a bite.

but that was it.

poor baby :(

it is a triple tall kind of life these days...

this sick little baby has tried hard to be happy...

he thought it was so funny to have bubbles on his face...

but i just see his sad, sickie eyes in this photo :(

this was yesterday.

oh, my heart.

i can't even look at this without crying :(

she really didn't like the nebulizer at first...

but she got used to it and now doesn't fight it...as much ;)

my sweet friend dropped off bagels and these adorable cookies yesterday :)

God is definitely reminding me that He is IN this...through my friends and family...

just little reminders that i am NOT alone.

He is with me.

Always.

davey came home early yesterday because we were anticipating having to take addie back to the doctor, and i just could NOT face taking all of the kids with me - especially since she was in SUCH rough shape.

we didn't end up taking her in, but since davey was home, i scooped up jackson and headed out the door after naps. i HAD to get out. we needed to have a HAPPY adventure...

he had no clue where we were going...

...or that he would be bringing home his very first pet ;)

meet charlie :)

and yes, nearly 24 hours later, he's still alive!!

quick update before nighty-night...

2012-02-09T20:11:00.000-05:00

Oh man.

What a day.

I mean, really? Can there EVER be a dull moment? PLEASE!?

It actually started out ok...Even though Addie woke up a million times last night - needed medicine, water, just a hug...I was somehow able to force myself out of bed at 5am to go to the gym. I needed it. Big time. Spent 2+ hours sweating out {almost} all the stress...and I honestly did not want to leave to go home. Is that bad? Didn't think so. I had to hit Target on the way home to pick up a few essentials - did NOT want to have to drag the kids out later...And I may or may not have walked around aimlessly enjoying the peace and quiet of an empty store...nobody needing me...a chance to just BE ALONE. I could have stayed there all day. :)

I watched Addie LIKE.A.HAWK today. She was pitiful. Would not eat. Would barely drink. Just laid there. So sad. We had to do the nebulizer for her coughing. And it was nonstop medication-administering...on the dot of every hour trying to keep that fever down. She basically fluctuated between 101 and 103 all day. EVEN with drugs. She kept a cold washcloth on her head most of the day - she said it made her body feel better :) poor thing! We started a new antibiotic for her...which is giving her tummy issues, but hopefully her body will get accustomed to it shortly. Put her to bed at about 100...Just praying she gets some good rest tonight and we don't have to make any late-night ER visits...

The boys were GREAT today. I mean, there was coughing...but we've all come to live with that. And if that's ALL we have to deal with, then I'll take it! Both of them took great naps and were just happy. SO thankful for that! SO thankful that {so far} I've only really had to deal with one kid in dire straits at a time.

Oh, and btw...our friends and family are amazing. Seriously, people. I've been brought to tears more than a few times just out of the sheer KINDNESS people have shown my family. Offers to go grocery shopping or bring us meals, or babysit, today a friend dropped off bagels and valentine's cookies, flowers were delivered yesterday. My aunt offered to fly here from Colorado to help! And I've gotten SO many email and texts and voicemails from people just asking how everyone is...I mean, these people have their OWN crazy lives going on, yet they are taking the time to care about US. To PRAY for us. It's so humbling. I have seriously felt the love...those prayers...hugs from people way too far away. And I'm SO grateful.

I just uploaded bunch of pics from the last week or so..but now I am too tired to post them...And some of them are so cute...and HAPPY...we HAVE had lots of GOOD times during all these HARD times...and i want to share them, so you can see it hasn't ALL been doom and gloom around here. Maybe tomorrow?? We'll see. For now, I just wanted to thank you again for EVERYTHING. The prayers, the encouragement, the kindness. Wow. It's been what is sustaining me. Love you guys!

"I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Isaiah 46:4

"Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress."

Isaiah 33:2

"Humble yourselves, therefore under God's might hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

I Peter 5:6-7

1 step forward...2 steps back

2012-02-09T13:17:00.000-05:00

Good news: Henry slept through the night for the past two nights! He's still coughing a LOT, but at least he has been able to REST.

Bad news: Addie is rough. Really rough. She hasn't eaten in over 24 hours. She just lays there with her eyes half open. Her fever is high and it is rising - even with Motrin and Tylenol. Just spoke with the doctor, and she called in a new rx. We are trying to get her to drink as many fluids as possible {which, she's basically taking a sip or two an hour - NOT good!} so she doesn't get dehydrated. If we don't start seeing some progress soon, we will be headed to the ER. Please pray for her!!

i SO needed a laugh :)

2012-02-08T19:18:00.002-05:00

be still, there is a healer...

2012-02-07T19:28:00.000-05:00

I realize I sound like debbie downer like every second of the day lately.

I realize there are a LOT worse things in the world than taking care of 3 sick children.

I get it.

But I am seriously losing my mind.

Like, for real.

If one more thing happens - I believe I might just run away from home.

It is very hard doing this on my own.

What I wouldn't give to have my mom live in the same time zone.

Took all 3 kids to the doctor today...after a night of ZERO {and that is NOT an exaggeration} sleep {i have no idea how Davey was able to get any "real" work done today}...and missing the gym this morning...and having to cancel my hair appointment {which I know sounds ridiculous to gripe about - but how I NEEDED and was looking forward to a BREAK, to that time AWAY from this germ/whine/snot/puke/diarrhea/cough-fest!!} and here's the latest:

Jackson
Pneumonia is still the same, if not worse.
Switched antibiotics again.
Added another medication for the nebulizer treatments.

Addie
Double ear infection
And possibly some other respiratory issue

Henry
Bronchiolitis {we think}...which requires antibiotics and nebulizer treatments {which, let me tell you, he LOOOOOOVES! um, no.}

Please pray for them. Please pray for us....that I do not lose my sanity, and that neither Davey nor I get sick - that would just about throw me over the edge...and that we all get SLEEP tonight. This is brutal. I have pretty much been in tears the last 24 hours. I think I could deal if ANYthing would start working/helping, but instead, it seems like things just keep getting worse. I'm just praying for little signs of hope...like Henry actually sleeping more than 5 minutes at a time, or Addie not waking up screaming {which, in turn, wakes up Henry and the process starts all over again}, or any signs that the coughing {from all 3!} is getting better. Dude, I would be happy with just 3 hours of sleep tonight! Which is pretty pitiful :/

When we left the doctor's office this afternoon...and headed over to the Target Pharmacy again - I swear, they think we are the most unhealthy family in America - this song came on the radio and I burst into tears {for the 429th time today}. I love it when it is SO CLEAR that HE is in this. He's got it. He hasn't forgotten about us. He is faithful. He is our HEALER. Our FORTRESS. Our STRENGTH. I guess I just needed a little reminder, and He hooked it up. ;)

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are a fortress for the weak

Let faith arise
Let faith arise

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever

Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Your grace that washes over me

So let faith arise
Let faith arise
Open my eyes
Open my eyes

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever

the update

2012-02-07T09:15:00.000-05:00

Everyone keeps emailing and texting and calling to check in on us. And I am truly thankful. But it is very depressing to have to keep saying/typing the same crap over and over.

So, here's the update:

Every day is worse than the one before.

That might sound a little dramatic, but I can assure you, it's the truth.

mini-photog...

2012-02-06T21:42:00.001-05:00

Someone got a hold of my phone while he was doing "spaceman" (neb treatment)...And someone else practiced her poses...

He took over 100 pics before I stopped him. I'm so glad he captured every angle of every pillow on our couch - the ones of Addie are cuter, tho :)

come on, now...

2012-02-06T09:03:00.000-05:00

I know I wasn't cleaning puke out of my daughter's hair at 3am this morning...

I couldn't have been, right?

Where are the hidden cameras? And Ashton Kutcher? Pretty sure we are being punk'd.

It's to the point where I'm beyond tears...Like, all I can do is laugh. Sorry, 2012, you are so not my favorite year.

instafriday

2012-02-03T15:16:00.003-05:00

Linking up with Jeannett from Life Rearranged...

Just a warning...

This momma is not in the best mood...so I apologize in advance if this edition of "intsafriday" is more like "instafunky"...

Henry woke up in the middle of the night last night BARKING. It was horrible. He was coughing SO BAD and SO HARD - out of NOWHERE. He got like zero sleep - and neither did we - I was afraid we were going to have to take him the the ER. Took all the kids BACK to the freaking pediatrician today...spent two hours there...I wanted them to check Jackson out again - he is still rough. They ended up doing a nebulizer treatment...and sent us home with our very own machine, which I get to administer every 4 hours. Praying it works. And poor Henry...my suspicions last night were correct...he has croup. WHAT THE HECK?! So, we trudged over to the pharmacy...where they now know us by name...and waited an hour...to come home with only Henry's prescription. Ugh. I guess Davey will have to pick up Jackson's on the way home from work tonight because I cannot face going back there for the 384th time in a month.

I'm. So. Done.

Anywho...here we go...the past week in cell phone pics...

addie in her new piggie jammies :)

henry after church on sunday...

i took this bc my cousin gave this shirt to jackson when he was little...

i wanted to show her that we are still putting it to good use!

{and ps - is he not the cutest? i can't deal.}

my sweet brave boy getting a chest xray...

i told him the giant camera was taking pictures of the *germ party* going on in his lungs...

this morning he woke up and said, "mom, the germs are still partying in there!"

dude.

germs.

the party is OVER.

go HOME already!!

henry eating grilled cheese for the first time!!

making the side effects of antibiotics a little more manageable ;)

last saturday, davey and jackson went to the car show in dc.

i think it has officially become a tradition.

both of them loved it...and jackson told me about pretty much every car they saw.

which reminds me, i have more pics that davey texted to me...

i will have to post them soon.

"mom! we saw YOUR car...in WHITE...spinning around in a giant circle!!"

love my babydoll...

and PRAYING she stays HEALTHY!!

maybe if i get her boxers, she'll be more into potty-training ;)

instead of breadcrumbs to find our way home,

jackson left puke.

sorry, i realize that this photo is tmi.

but it's our life.

at least for now.

so thankful for the couple of 60 degree days this week!

we NEEDED them!

my little space-man...

receiving his first nebulizer treatment.

lord, PLEASE heal this boy!!

cars + popcorn = we will survive this afternoon :)

choosing thankfulness.

2012-02-01T15:09:00.001-05:00

So, if you've read my blog, or talked to me, or seen my updates on Facebook, or have emailed or texted with me during the past 3 weeks, it is no surprise that our life has been a little funky lately.

Jackson has been in rough shape...Got diagnosed with pneumonia last Monday and was put on antibiotics. After a week, he was sounding worse and this past Monday woke up with a 101.5 fever. I took him back to the pediatrician and she said she didn't hear anything in his lungs, so it must not be pneumonia. Really? I requested a chest x-ray. I was granted one. It came back showing a spot of pneumonia on his lungs. The doctor called in another prescription. She freaking called in the exact same one that didn't work the first time!!...and I didn't realize it until 5:15 Monday afternoon - the office closed at 5. Of course. So I called the emergency on-call doctor who assured me that she would call in the correct prescription. Davey stopped at the pharmacy on the way home to pick it up. It wasn't there. He waited until the pharmacy closed. Came home empty-handed. I called the doctor Tuesday morning and explained {ever so gently...ha!} that we NEEDED the rx immediately. Picked it up before lunchtime and started him on it right away. He threw up 4 times yesterday, and has had {sorry in advance} diarrhea. Which, you know what? A four year old doesn't really understand! Poor boy. We were both in the bathroom bawling last night - I couldn't do ANYthing to make it better! :/

Yes, it's been crappy. Yes, I have felt like I was going to lose my mind at least 834 times a day for the past month. But you know what?? It could be a LOT worse. A lot. Our lives are filled with blessings...and if you just clear out the "funk" every once in a while, you can put a lot of things into the correct perspective. So, I'm choosing to be thankful. Thankful that I have children TO care for. Thankful that my husband has a good job and we can afford health insurance. Thankful that I have friends and family who have encouraged me and prayed for us so much. Thankful for the doctors and the medicines that are working to get this boy better. Thankful that no one else in our house has been sick. Thankful for a mother's intuition. Thankful that I am not a nurse(!). Thankful for chocolate. And espresso. Thankful that we serve a God who is way bigger than pneumonia! :)

i'm thankful for medicine...

and hopefully finally having the right one!

i'm also thankful for those little caps they put on the target prescription bottles that make it easier to get the medicine out...you know - you just stick the thing in the hole and suck it out.

way cool.

i'm thankful for cheese.

henry has not liked hardly ANY "solid" food.

but he started eating cheese this week!

i'm thankful for this sweet boy and his patience and flexibility.

he's missed countless naps because we've spent them at doctor's offices or the pharmacy!

and he's done just fine.

i'm also thankful for his big gorgeous eyes :)

i'm thankful for the kleenex that has wiped this poor boy's nose about 739 times a day for the past 3 weeks.

i'm thankful that he is finally eating again

{kinda - he's still at about 50% of normal}

i'm thankful for this sweet girl and her compassion for her brother.

"jaa-sy is sad. he's crying. he doesn't feel happy."

i'm thankful that there is a starbucks in our target...

and it just so happens to be right next to the pharmacy.

how convenient.

i'm thankful that costco carries stonyfield!!

i'm thankful for being able to wake up at 5am to workout for 2 hours...

so i don't feel guilty eating hershey kisses all day long!

i'm thankful that it was 60 degrees yesterday and we were able to go to the playground.

i'm also thankful for crazy hair pics! :)

i'm thankful that he was happy just sitting on a blankie eating cheerios at the playground

so i could play with his brother and sister :)

i'm thankful for baby vans.

i'm thankful that i thought to carry a pack of wipes to the playground,

so that i could wipe off the front of his vest when he puked all over it on our walk over.

yes, you read that right.

he puked and we kept on walking.

i'm thankful that these two little people are bffs.

i'm thankful that amidst all the crappiness,

this boy was able to have a little bit of fun - outside!

i'm thankful that she didn't throw a fit when she had to walk home

because jackson didn't feel good and wanted to ride in the double-stroller.

i'm thankful for fuzzy blankets that keep him cozy and warm...

i'm thankful that i could actually get him to LAY down and rest.

i'm thankful for this silly girl...

pictured above sitting in time-out...

the other day we were in a store and she spotted these piggie jammies.

she wanted them SO.BAD.

she never "wants" things when we are shopping - i don't think she has learned that she CAN want things yet...

well, she probably has now.

she fell in love with them.

and i said "yes"...

she has worn them for 2 days straight :)

mini volcanos

2012-02-01T11:46:00.000-05:00

Because Jackson has been so sick...We've spent a lot of time at home. It's kinda {ok, REALLY!} driving us all crazy. I've been trying to think of fun/educational things to do at home since he has not been to preschool in a million days, and I can tell they are getting bored with nearly everything. Anyway, we made mini volcanos the other day. They.loved.it. Like, loved it.

little piles of baking soda

and cups of colored vinegar

{just used food coloring}

and medicine droppers

{God knows we have enough of THOSE hanging around!}

they did great squirting

i was a little worried that i'd have vinegar all over the place,

but we didn't :)

by the end, i just let them go to town...

we had one big colorful bubbly mess!

"mom, now i want blue!"

in case i go missing...

2012-01-31T13:31:00.002-05:00

...check the insane asylum.

instafriday!

2012-01-27T14:35:00.003-05:00

friggity friday.

yes, it is.

thank you, lord, that this momma survived this week!

Linking up with Jeannett from Life Rearranged...

the story of my life for the past 2 weeks...

humidifiers.

we had to buy another one.

isn't he so cute??

btw. i am so over cleaning humidifiers!

poor little red-cheeked boy!

he LOVES his lightning mcqueen laptop :)

and i love cuddly babies after baths!

jackson made this for me the other day.

he didn't even ask me how to spell "mom"!

from last friday's labcorp visit.

henry rocks.

if you walk into any room in my house,

you will find this.

naked babies.

seriously.

it looks like a naked baby convention up in here.

i love my time with henry after he wakes up from a nap,

and the other two are still sleeping {or not}

cuddling on mommy's bed :)

we did a "scientist aspirament" this week...

we made mini volcanos!

all you need is a few piles of baking soda,

a few glasses of vinegar {with food coloring},

and a couple medicine droppers.

the kids LOVED it.

the finished product :)

i now need more baking soda and vinegar.

they ran me dry!

sometimes i look at them and just cannot believe i have 3 babies.

like when they are in the tub,

all having a blast,

and SO happy.

or, when they are in the tub,

all driving each other crazy because they are on top of each other and henry keeps stealing everyone's toys,

and they are all screaming so loud i almost run out of the bathroom! :)

it's hard being a little sister sometimes...

especially when your big brother knocks over the chair you're sitting on.

never a dull moment around here, people.

jackson wanted to take a picture of "us"...

i believe he really wanted us to provide the background for

his lightning mcqueen portrait session :)

we woke up saturday to SNOW!

and it's 62 degrees here today.

what is going on?!

no wonder everyone is sick!

my new bath toy solution.

we've tried every "official" bath tub organizer and they are all horrible.

suction cups never stick.

the container thingies are never big enough,

and the kids get frustrated because they can't fit everything in them.

etc.

solution: a COLANDER!!

it just sits in the bottom of the tub.

the water drains out.

the toys are collected easily.

and it's a toy itself.

::patting myself on the back::

she loves her babies!

i.am.losing.it.

2012-01-25T10:07:00.002-05:00

That's all I can say without bursting into tears.

If you think of me today, please say a prayer.

Thank you :)

baby emma

2012-01-24T20:55:00.000-05:00

I had the privilege of meeting this precious 8-day-old angel baby on Sunday. It's so cliche, but it's so true - you totally forget how TINY newborns are! Here are a few shots from the shoot...

back in biz

2012-01-23T14:44:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the long delay in posts. It was not intentional - my photo uploader thingy malfunctioned and Davey had to re-install it. Or something. I have no idea, really. I'm so thankful I married such a SMART boy!! :)

{sigh}

So this past week has been fine. We have been battling sickies. Annoying sickies. And trudging through life. Last Sunday, Davey and Jackson went to church without the rest of us. Then Addie got {a little} better. Henry never really got sick - just one day of a runny nose. And then Jackson got sick {again} - he was the original "host"...Although, the REAL original host was probably at his school...he brought it home after he went back to school after Christmas. Ugh. So last week, I spent my time trying to keep {or get!} everyone healthy. Plus, we had to take Henry to get his second flu vaccine dose, and we got to visit two different Labcorp facilities {my favorite place on the entire earth} to have his blood drawn to test for lead. Two different offices because the first one pretty much butchered his arms trying to find the veins. Ugh. Poor boy. Luckily, the second place was able to get it on the very first stick. It was a traumatic week.

The weekend was good. We had a little snow/ice system blow through Friday night, so we stayed home and kept pumping Green Machine through the kids - hoping we could get them well enough to go to church on Sunday. Ended up skipping church - only because EVERYONE slept until 8am!! I mean, is that a miracle or what!? We couldn't believe it when we looked at the clock! :) And Sunday afternoon, I had a newborn photoshoot with an 8-day old baby. Wow. Henry seemed like a giant when I saw him after the shoot! :)

Just got home from another morning at the pediatrician. Jackson's cough was starting to sound bad. Really bad. Turns out, he has pneumonia. Awesome. Thankfully, Addie was given clean bill of health {she has been coughing at night}. Picked up Jackson's prescription and started him on it immediately. Poor boy. I am just SO thankful that Henry has been spared. I hope I didn't just jinx it. And today at the pediatrician, they let me know that his blood work came back just fine. Not that I was worried about it. But it was nice to hear something positive! We'll take all the positive things we can right now! :)

It hasn't been ALL bad. It's actually been kinda nice to be home. Doing little projects. Doing puzzles. Watching movies. Baking cookies. Building towers. Giving hugs. And a little tricky to snuggle - but try to breathe the air AWAY from my kids. I.CANNOT.GET.SICK.

this poor boy has been a trooper through all the mornings that he wasn't allowed to take a morning nap last week because we had to BE somewhere.

i showed him how to pull himself up in his crib -he likes the new view :)

his dance party prop of choice ;)

we have a dance party {almost} every day.

they love it.

so do i :)

pretty sure he thinks cheerios are a food group :)

it's amazing to me that kids can be so sick,

but show no signs of it.

when i'm sick, the whole WORLD knows it!

love this girl!

ohhhh, i made a new recipe last week.

it was DELISH.

not the healthiest thing on the face of the planet,

but hey - everyone ate it up.

that almost makes up for it :)

chicken crescent roll casserole

2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls

1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of chicken soup

3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese (or any cheese of choice)

1/2 cup whipping cream

FILLING

4 ounces cream cheese (very soft)

4 tablespoons butter (very soft but not melted)

1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

1/3 cup onion , finely chopped (can use green onions)

2 large cooked chicken breasts , finely chopped (or use about 2 cups, can use cooked turkey)

1/2-3/4 cup finely grated cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (or use 1/2 teaspoon white salt or to taste)

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)

4 tablespoons whipping cream

1 -2 cup grated cheddar cheese (for topping)

Directions:

Set oven to 350°F.  Butter a casserole dish  In a saucepan, mix half and half cream, 3/4 cup grated cheese (can use more cheese if desired) and undiluted chicken soup (can season with black pepper if desired).  Heat just until the cheese melts (do not boil).

 For the filling --- (make certain that the cream cheese and butter are very soft) in a bowl, mix the soft cream cheese with butter until very smooth, then add in garlic powder.  Add in the chopped chicken, onion, and cheddar cheese; mix well until combined.  Add in 2 tablespoons whipping cream; mix to combine (add in a little more if the mixture seems too dry).  Season with seasoned salt or white and black pepper to taste. 

Unroll the crescent rolls.  Place 1 heaping tablespoon chicken mixture (or a little more) on top of each crescent triangle, then roll up starting at the thicker end.  Drizzle a small amount of soup mixture on the bottom of the dish.  Place the crescent rolls seam-side down on top of the creamed mixture in the casserole. Drizzle the remaining sauce on top (you don't have to use the full amount of cream sauce, just use as much as desired) and sprinkle with 1 cup (or more) grated cheese, or amount desired.  Bake for about 30 minutes.

am i the luckiest mom on the planet or what?

had a mini photoshoot the other morning.

i couldn't help myself :)

this boy makes my heart smile

and his hair makes ME smile :)

oh, to have a big brother...

and hardly any "girl" jammies! :)

poor sick boy

he's been rubbing his cheeks raw,

trying to wipe away all the nasty snot.

ugh.

he has decided that my iPhone is the perfect chew toy.

you better believe i hugged him...

a million times over!

poor brave baby boy!

henry ~ 11 months old!

2012-01-21T19:13:00.000-05:00

Ok, forgive me if I suddenly burst into tears while typing this.

My BABY is 11 months old.

Like, 1 month away from being ONE.

How?

HOW!?

I distinctly remember telling him he was not allowed to grow up.

his little pouty lip kills me.

henry,

you are PURE JOY.

your smile lights up the room.

your joyful eyes sparkle.

and your laughter?

well, it's contagious.

your hair is still crazy.

i still love it.

although i did have the tame the sides.

the top?

no way.

it's yours and you own it!

i can't picture you any other way.

you are getting BIG.

i'm pretty sure you weigh as much as your big sister now.

you are making mommy strong!

i have to admit...

it's kinda nice not being told at EVERY appointment that i need to get you to gain weight!

a breath of fresh air.

you love cheerios, puffs, and yogurt the best :)

your brother and sister adore you.

jackson LOVES to make you laugh.

you LOVE it when we chase him around the house!

addie LOVES to *help* mommy take care of you...

she likes to wash your tummy in the tub,

bring you toys when you start getting fussy,

throw your diapers away,

hand you your paci,

and just HUG HUG HUG you!

you are one lucky boy.

3 silly peas in a pod :)

oh, my babies.

how i love each of you.

you are my heart...my soul...my joy...

i am one blessed momma.

2012-01-21T10:30:00.002-05:00

"Everyday becomes incredible when you let God do the impossible in you at least twice."

~ Ann Voskamp

instafriday!

2012-01-20T14:20:00.007-05:00

Another week has come and gone...

Time for a peek back at our week from my iPhone's point of view!

Linking up with Jeannett from Life Rearranged...

watching our homemade pizzas bake :)

the final two chairs {from our OCTOBER order!}

finally arrived this week...

as well as a fun box from grandma which included these crazy twirly things :)

addie poking away...

best.project.ever.

when jackson got home from school,

he wanted to join in the fun

and i do mean FUN! :)

note to self:

when threatening a punishment,

remember to do one that does NOT create a punishment for YOU!

our new DUMB rule:

*no nap, no show*

{they are allowed to watch one veggietales while i am taking a shower, and a show (usually "super why") while i make dinner. this is to allow mommy to do those two things in PEACE.}

so now, when addie nap strikes - THIS is how she spends the time while i'm making dinner.

ahhhhhhh!

shoot me.

like henry's new haircut??

i'm just letting the top go.

i love it.

had to do a little ear surgery on sleepy-bear...

my mom made the two older kids cute john deer blankies a year or two ago...

henry's arrived in the mail this week :)

i love baby vans.

all 3 kids have worn this pair.

so crazy!

hold onto your hats...

this project is fun.

it may just be my favorite project ever!

saw a stack of pallets on tuesday at the gym...

they were going to be thrown away,

so i asked if i could have one.

loaded it my car and lugged it home

{much to davey's chagrin}

came home and the kids helped me paint it...

and they actually really did HELP!

usually, i use that term loosely ;)

and i did a little more painting during naps...

the FINISHED PROJECT!!!

i've sung this song to each kid, each night before bed, since they were born!

I.LOVE.IT.

like, a lot.

really a lot.

it's going in the playroom...

davey is REALLY excited to figure out how to hang it up :)

the OCEAN!

2012-01-19T15:01:00.001-05:00

"MOM!!! I see the OCEAN!!!!"

~ addie, 2.5 years old

...or just a little partially frozen pond in maryland ;)

...love my addie rose!

they're getting so big

2012-01-19T14:42:00.001-05:00

At least once a day, I am reminded of how fast time is going.

I need it to S-L-O-W down.

Way down.

i mean, just look at her.

she looks so grown up!

i don't even see any traces of "baby"...

makes me sad that my BABY girl isn't a baby anymore!

but i'm also excited to watch her grow into the girl that God created her to be.

so crazy...

and funny...

and smart...

and loving...

with just a little bit of spunk and mystery...

she is truly one of a kind! :)

and this little boy.

how my heart loves him so.

he's growing up so much every.single.day.

he's so helpful.

and independent.

and thoughtful.

and smart!

and super funny - he has his daddy's sense of humor ;)

this picture was taken the other day -

the first day he took a nap with underwear - no more diapers!

{he still sleeps in one at night}

he was SO proud.

he got ICE CREAM to celebrate!

we all were.

not just because of that {although that was huge!}...

we are just proud of HIM.

my heart is having a tough time "letting go" and letting him become a KID...

like, a BIG kid...

he's my first BABY...

he reminds me every day that he's NOT a baby anymore. ;)

i know, sweet boy, i know!

but you know what?

you will ALWAYS be my baby.

always.

kickin' it old school...

2012-01-18T13:22:00.002-05:00

Our post-lunch dance party today...

birds and babies and twizzlers!

2012-01-13T20:02:00.000-05:00

Man, am I on a roll today or what?? :)

Here is {most} of the rest of our day in photos...I spared you some of the dinnertime drama, the *clean-up* the playroom drama, and the *I don't wanna go to bed!* drama. ;)

hung a bagel bird feeder in the tree...

please, God, let a bird come and eat it while the kids are watching!

because they watched...

and watched...

while mr. henry scooted under the table :)

they waited...

and waited...

nothing.

i just hope something doesn't come in the middle of the night and snatch the whole thing off the tree!

this is a typical position...

smashed up against something due to scootching backwards!

i never thought i'd let a kid stay in jammies all day.

i guess all the rules go out the window with #3 :)

love the little toesies inside that sockie!

henry watched for birds, too

i could look at him all day.

took a break from bird-watching to do a little {sweet} project.

that, guess what?

did NOT come from pinterest! :)

you could use pretzels or spaghetti or whatever...

twizzlers was our food of choice.

each kid had to make whatever shape i called out - out of twizzlers!

jackson had a plain plate

addie had the cheater version

they loved it.

although, those twizzlers were very tempting...

i guess they were great motivation to finish all the shapes.

she did great!

and he was just pumped to eat one at the end :)

i love how he is supervising addie's work

and i loved watching her excitement when she yelled out,

"I DID IT!!"

not a bad afternoon project :)

enjoying these days

2012-01-13T13:33:00.000-05:00

I have to say, even though I've felt pretty crappy for the last two days, I've REALLY been enjoying the kids. Getting down on the floor to race cars, cuddling up on the couch to read books, turning up the tunes so we can have a dance party...it's nice to just stop and ENJOY them.

I've been having panic attacks nearly every day this week...I'm in the process of planning Henry's 1st birthday party, and Addie's 3rd. I mean, first of all. How is Henry almost a year old?? I'm pretty sure he was just born. And HOW is Addie Rose turning 3?!

We received Addie's preschool registration papers this week. And that sent even MORE denial through my bones. She will start preschool in the Fall {nothing huge - 2 hours/2 days a week}, and Jackson will be starting FULL DAY kindergarten {um, I'm having MAJOR cry-fests over this one!}. I basically can't take it.

So I feel like I'm even MORE determined to make the most of these days we have together...because pretty soon, everything will be different. Change is good...but change is hard...And I will never get these days back. These sweet, precious, crazy days.

oh, this child.

i know you're sick of hearing it.

but i pretty much eat him up every single day.

love that lower lip - i call it his little old man face :)

dance party!

he is really loving his toys these days

and so is big brother...

he loves to teach henry what to do :)

i looked over and she was standing like this...

reading a book :)

sign me up, henry dimps!

he makes this little face all the time...

it's how he starts his "kisses" :)

ok, i am LOVING all my teacher pinner friends...

such great ideas they are sharing!

like this one...

piper cleaners + colander = an easy way to work on fine motor skills!

you just poke the pipe cleaner through the holes.

she LOVED it!

and it was a perfect way to spend our "mommy and me" time

while Jackson was at school and Henry was napping :)

super cool, huh??

silly girl!

a fun project became a crazy hat :)

love my little addie rose!

instafriday!

2012-01-13T09:11:00.003-05:00

it's friggidity friday!

hooray!

Linking up with Jeannett from Life Rearranged...

a little dusting of snow calls for cookies, no??

christmas light magic

"mom, you're seriously going to let her *help* wash me??"

she loves her baby bro so much!

and he is VERY patient with her! :)

there is nothing like snuggling a clean baby wrapped up in a cozy towel!

this game is seriously awesome.

even addie loves it!

my new school paper filing system :)

my kids love.to.scooter.

they are zipping around on those things all.day.long.

i mean, seriously?? :)

when my mom and i went shopping the week after christmas,

she grabbed me and held up these crazy corduroy pants and said,

"what in the world?!" with a look of disgust...

i grabbed them...let out a little shriek(!)...and 5 minutes later they came home with me :)

i had to take a pic for her the day i wore them this week!

ok.

how glad am i that i made this project this week?? :)

it was kinda nice to come downstairs, feeling horrible and not knowing how i am going to possibly survive the day, and find this little gem from davey.

love my huzz!

crazy and cookies and parking

2012-01-11T20:01:00.000-05:00

Little bit of a crazy day today. It was a MOPS day, so that means the morning is nuts...Henry misses his morning nap, Mommy is carrying 4.3 billion bags as we fly out the door {late again due to another poopie diaper - it never fails!}, and then we jet out of MOPS early because I have to tear down the road {while praying for no speed traps} to pick up Jackson from preschool...I was 3 minutes late today :( ...Come home and DESPERATELY try to buy NTB pre-sale tickets but can't get the website to work...So I give up and throw together lunch, because it is now 12:15 and Henry needed to be in bed about 3 hours ago! Get everyone fed and in bed...and feel like I got hit by a truck. My dear son shared his cold germs with me...UGH! So I've been popping clementines and Green Machine like it's my job. Davey is working super late again... :(. He's on a crazy project and it's all-hands-on-deck. I guess that means I have a quiet date-night with Nyquil and my DVR'd Parenthood tonight! Cheers! :)

i think god knew i needed it...

it was TWO COOKIE snack today...

do you know what that means??

it's big.

BOTH kids took great naps.

HALLELUJAH!!

it's amazing what a little shut-eye will do for a toddler, a preschooler, and their exhausted momma! :)

after snacks, we "parked"

parked on sight words.

and what we do for one,

we must do for the other...

she had a slightly modified parking lot :)

and ROCKED it!

use it ALL!

2012-01-11T18:26:00.002-05:00

turtle or basket?

2012-01-10T17:05:00.002-05:00

He couldn't decide either. ;)

This is a little long...but it's cute. And let's get real...the third kid hasn't gotten near as much video time as the first...or second...So, here's a whole 1 minute, 55 seconds of pure Henry.

I love him laughing, dancing, and trying to figure out how to play with both things at the same time. Love this sweet boy! :)

PS. If your screen is showing 1/2 of the video screen and it's driving you crazy {like it does for me!}, you can click here.

lights, boots, and pinterest love...

2012-01-10T14:41:00.005-05:00

Since Addie just took apart her bedrail {WHAT?!}, and successfully woke up both of her brothers from their {15 minutes} naps...I am now listening to a baby crying {trying to fall back asleep}, a sick boy coughing {he REALLY could have used a good nap}, and the constant thumping of a little girl jumping off her bed.

Breathe.

I'm choosing to ignore what is going on in this house.

In the hopes that MAYBE all 3 will eventually give up and go back to sleep.

A mom can dream, right?? :)

In the meantime, I have a few things for you to look at ;)

had a string of christmas lights that didn't make it into the light bin...

instead, they made their way up on top of the cabinets.

instant up-lighting! :)

we tried on boots today to make sure they still fit from last year.

ready for the snow!

our neighbors gave henry this toy when he was born.

he was DIGGING it today! :)

all 3 of them were, actually.

saw this on pinterest TODAY!

HAD to make it...TODAY!

a dry-erase board for davey and i to leave notes for each other.

LOVE!

{get an old frame, type "i love you because..." and print it out on scrapbook paper, frame the paper, use a dry erase marker to write on the glass, oh yeah - and add something cute to brighten it up :) }

...and the award goes too...

2012-01-09T18:19:00.000-05:00

"Mom, all of my uncles are FUN.

But GRANDPA is the FUNNIEST!"

~ Jackson, 4.5 years old

organization station

2012-01-09T14:36:00.001-05:00

I don't know how it happens.

But it happens.

Our house gets taken over by PAPER.

Receipts, coupons, junk mail, real mail, school papers, church papers, magazines.

It.drives.me.nuts.

For a while, I just stash everything in it's own basket...and then hide the basket. ;)

But once the basket(s) start spilling over, it's time for action.

Major purging, recycling, and re-organizing.

first up: receipts

ugh.

why do we even keep them!?

i would say, 80% of them were either expired, a million years old {hello, many were from 2009!}, or we just didn't need them because we were obviously keeping what was on the receipt! plus, i categorize them in our online banking once i get them, so we really don't NEED them unless we might be returning something.

i got out an old "coupon" organizer thingy...and just labeled our "top" categories...

target was slot number one, because, let's get real - we pretty much live there.

i file them when i get home - by date.

the goal is to only keep them for 2 months, and then i will cycle them out.

so much easier to find receipts when i need them!!

i had to go get another coupon organizer...

for actual coupons!

doesn't that basket look so much better?

it doesn't give me a panic attack when i look at it! :)

the next project...

tackling school papers.

jackson is only in pre-k and the paperwork is already overwhelming!

thanks to pinterest, i found this system.

i pretty much followed it word for word.

free printables and all!

love it!

there is a file for each kid,

for each year of school.

and aren't the boxes so cute??

now i just have to find a spot for them...

somewhere so they are out of the way...

but not TOO far out of the way, so i can stay on top of filing!

Ahh. Feels so much better! :)

instafriday!

2012-01-06T13:34:00.003-05:00

Happy Friday!

This is the first *instafriday* of 2012...

And I just have a few photos to share...

{I think I forgot to do it last week...}

And, for some reason, everything loaded out of order.

And I have zero patience {or time} to fix it.

Letting it go :)

Linking up with Jeannett from Life Rearranged...

to stay potty-training has been a struggle is an understatement.

but to say that ice cream was a good motivator?

that would be an understatement too!

it worked!

at least for one day...

seriously?

do they not believe in paper towels at jackson's preschool?!

pretty tulips make cold january days much happier :)

first kiss of the new year :)

love this boy SO much!!

and so blessed to be ringing in our 12th year together!

henry playing with a ball that drew gave him :)

snack of the week:

yogurt, blueberries, and pecan praline granola a la trader joe's.

yum. to. the. yum.

the upside to freezing cold days...

adorably snuggly cuddly baby boy to kiss!

addie working on our "pwah-jeck"

thank you notes - done!

we really are giving it a college effort...

although i'm about ready to find a professional potty-trainer to come and get the job DONE!

my cousin made addie this adorable bucket for christmas!

she loves carrying her ponies and polly pockets in it...

speaking of polly pockets -

WHAT IN THE WORLD WERE THEY THINKING!?

teeny tiny little people with teeny tiny little shoes?!

come on, toy makers, throw us a bone!

yeah, he's drinking from a pink sippy...

he's man enough :)

heather and i on nye!

addie rockin' her new cowboy boots from ryan and nikki

{although you can't really see them...}

happy 2012!

my mom and i went shopping on her birthday!

{how FUN that we were actually TOGETHER for her bday!}

we saw this cute lampshade at pier 1.

i will be reproducing it...in some form! :)

s'mores in a jar.

killa.

we {my dad, mom, justin, and me} took the kids to gettysburg the week after christmas.

i'm nerdy when it comes to history.

i LOVE it.

we even did the audio driving tour around the battlefield.

the kids did NOT love that part.

thank God for iPhones and Jackson's favorite app!

he wants to be just like the big kids...

loves sitting on the scooter!

have you ever seen a pic of henry crying??

didn't think so.

the kid RARELY cries.

for the past week or so, he has NOT been feeling meal times.

AT.ALL.

does not want to eat baby food...

but still does not like the texture of solids...

i hope cheerios and puffs count as a balanced meal!

we made pomegranate martinis on new years - delish!

we had SNOW earlier this week!

dude.

if it's gonna be 21 degrees outside,

there BETTER be snow on the ground!

that day, i got him to eat bananas and bread...

along with his puffs and cheerios...

he will also never reject yogurt.

thank you, yobaby, for making 3-in-1 meals!

remember my little rant about addie the other day?

well, this is what i found in our room later that night when i went to bed...

she put about 100 wipes in a bag.

i also found a naked "bob-bob" {her little cabbage patch baby},

so i'm guessing she was changing his diaper.

hi, grandma!

2012-01-06T13:02:00.000-05:00

addie, the marathon runner...

2012-01-05T18:08:00.000-05:00

Addie randomly started running laps around the house this afternoon...It was CRACKING.JACKSON.UP. I grabbed my phone near the end...it doesn't quite give the whole picture of the craziness that had happened only moments before, but you can get a pretty good idea. I love being silly with them and listening to them laugh! :)

deep breaths.

2012-01-04T20:26:00.000-05:00

Addie Rose is killing me.

She's not even 3 yet, and she has already mastered exactly how to get under my skin.

Like:
- tear into an entire box of 250+ diapers during "nap time" and throw them all over her room. that was awesome. but i guess it could have been worse - like the other month when she threw 1000+ wipes all over her room.
- pull everything off of every single shelf in her room and then stuff it ALL into her pillowcase {that she took off her pillow}
- take her clothes out of the laundry basket and proceed to dress rosie {her lovey} in all her clothes!
- if i didn't move a chair in front of her dresser before i put her down for her naps/bed, she would still be pulling out every item of clothing and piling it all into a neat "little" stack
- if i didn't put her jammies on backwards, she would still be taking everything off {including her diaper}
- she REFUSES to work with me on potty-training. it is driving.me.nuts. i'm even to the point of PRAYING for a week-long blizzard {yes, "me" - the girl who cannot even handle staying in the house all day long for ONE day...much less FIVE!} just so davey will be home for a whole week to watch the boys so i can focus 300% on Miss "I.DON'T.WANNA.SIT.ON.THE.POTTY!!!" hello, she will be THREE in march...let's get with the program, girlie!!

Ok, so I guess it's really only those two things...Tearing apart her room during naps...and freaking potty-training. The rest of her, I'm in love with. :) Throw me a bone, Adster!!

magical...henry's 1st christmas

2012-01-03T19:52:00.000-05:00

A baby's first Christmas is always special.

So magical.

It was fun that Henry wasn't a BABY baby for his 1st Christmas...

You know what I mean??

He was old enough to be in wonder.

To look at the twinkling lights.

To reach for the sparkling ornaments on the tree.

And stare at Santa with big, wide eyes.

To rip at pretty wrapping paper and pull on the bows.

And to DANCE to the beautiful music at our Christmas Eve service! :)

It was a special, special time.

A cherished time.

And since he MAY be our last BABY...

I just tried to soak it in.

I wish I could freeze time and keep him 10 months old forever!

i can't believe it...

2012-01-03T15:36:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a couple days of GREAT NAPS, it's January 3rd and ALL our Christmas thank you's are in the mailbox! What?! I think it's a new record. I cannot tell you how good it feels to have them done and not hanging over my head. Ahhhh....Now I feel like I can move on to all the other things that need to be done...like editing photos and finishing up the Christmas recap...and cleaning bathrooms?? ;) I think the goal will be one day recap per day...That's manageable, right??

We're having a good week over here...Feels good to have life back to normal. Jackson starts preschool again tomorrow...he had a LONG break. He cannot wait to see his friends and teachers again. He's been asking me each morning for the past few days if he is going to school that day or not. I will have to remind him of this excitement in a few years when he DOESN'T want Christmas break to end! :)

Everybody is starting to wake up, so I gotta run...Just thought I'd share a couple of Henry's new outfits that he got for Christmas {sorry - i got nothing else to post!}...Had to send these pics to the people who gave them to him! :)

some vids

2012-01-01T20:10:00.000-05:00

I need to delete these from my phone...so I'm sharing them now!

1. Addie singing "Go Tell it on the Mountain"...Thanks, to NeedToBreathe, this one was on heavy rotation this year!

2. "Happy Der-day"...I can't remember if I've already posted this one or not? This was from my birthday. Addie wished me a "happy der-day" about 4.72 trillion times. And they way she said it was SO CUTE. I had to get it on video so I can always remember that sweet voice!

3. Henry started saying "MOM" last week!! It is the sweetest. "Dada" was always a first for J and A, but not for my little Henry!! :)