Countdown Till Noon!

For a new tradition, we decided to host a New Year's Eve--Countdown till Noon Party!

This worked out to be a great change of pace.  I still hadn't fully recovered from all the gunk, but was feeling pretty okay that morning.  Once the guests arrived, we started on our craft so it would be dry in time for the big countdown.

All of the kids enjoyed making paper-plate noise makers.  There were 7 boys and one girl.  Long after all the kids had finished decorating, coloring, and gluing their creations, my youngest two were still at the table crafting away!  They love making crafts!

 We did a pot-luck lunch with everybody bringing something.  I had drinks and ordered pizza to round out the lunch.  All the kids raised their glass, sippy, or juice box to toast to a 

"HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR"

Derek set up a count-down on the TV that counted down the hours, minutes, seconds, and mili-seconds until Noon.  When Noon arrived the kids all shook their noise makers, clapped, and cheered.

It was a fun party and hopefully a new tradition.  Welcome 2013!

I was in bed before 8 p.m. that night as my sinus headache had become relentless.  Let's hope that "Healthy" part kicks in soon :)

Christmas!

Christmas 2012

I was still not feeling the best, so I'll let the pictures jar my memory.

Maverick enjoyed his new train board books.  They are probably one of his favorites.  Note froggy in one hand and binky in mouth.  We will be working on limiting binky to sleeping times only....soon.

Maverick got a new Cozy Coupe from Santa.  This is his "cheese" face with eyes squeezed shut.

Here the boys are checking out their loot and starting to open their stockings.

Later that morning, Granddaddy Bob, Mimi, Grandma, & Nanny came over to join us for present opening.  Since nobody wanted to eat any food that was prepared at our house, we went to Granddaddy Bob & Mimi's house for lunch.  That was a nice treat!

A surprise for the boys was a basketball goal in the driveway from Granddaddy Bob & Mimi.  Our super nice neighbor helped Derek put it together and kept it hidden on his back deck for a few days before Christmas.  Luckily, it's adjustable, so the boys can "grow" into it.

Brighton being silly, "wrapping" himself in a very large present bag.

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Christmas Eve

Here we are at Christmas Eve.  I was still feeling pretty horrible, and some? of the boys had caught the flu by this point, but as you can see they are much more resilient than I was.

They are all smiles that morning in preparation to open up a traditional present from Mom & Dad.

Here is our Advent Wreath.  As you can see...the candles barely lasted this year until Christmas.  We were down to nubs!  Every night at dinner we would take turns lighting the candles (and blowing them out)  I hope this is a tradition the boys will look forward to each year.

We had to forgo the traditional Christmas Eve service and also party with friend because we were all sick.  We laid low and did not much of anything.  The boys did put out cookies (from a neighbor, since I was in no shape to bake) and carrots for the reindeer.  Maverick got the job of carrying the carrots.  You can see his tears that he was not too happy about this job!

We were able to calm Maverick down enough to get him to stop crying about leaving the plate of cookies out and turn around for a picture. 

Once the big boys left the plate alone and went to read "Night Before Christmas" with mom, Maverick decided he'd be okay if he ate one of the cookies that we left for Santa.  I guess it seemed crazy to him to leave a plate of cookies out and not eat them!

Before the Plague...

 Dear faithful blog readers,

If you are wondering what has happened to us this past month it is that a plague (the flu) struck our house and not much has happened since.  Here is a recap of the day before the plague hit:

Our Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Erin, and Uncle Joel came down for a visit from the mountains.  The boys were so excited to see them and we all had a wonderful, although brief, visit.  Everybody came to our house and we ate hamburgers for a simple meal.  Of course the boys were dying to open up presents next.  We managed to have some dessert and then the present opening began!

Maverick got some trucks and books.

Brighton got a spiderman plane and a board game.

Chandler got a Tom & Jerry DVD and new PJs.  Our whole family got hand-knitted hats from Erin and Elizabeth.  I'm sorry I don't have a picture to share.  We've already been enjoying them (when we've been brave enough/well enough to venture outside)

A fun time was had by all.  Little did I know that during the night I would start running a fever that was ultimately the flu.  Not fun times up ahead for sure...

Cherub & Children's Choir

Today the big boys both sang for the church.  Chandler sang at the 8:30 and 11 o'clock services and Brighton just sang with the Cherubs at the 11.  Here they pose in front of the 

Chrismon Tree before church.  

Brighton and the Cherubs sang "Go Tell it on the Mountain".  They did hand motions and the big triangle is a mountain.  Brighton is not the oldest one in Cherub choir, but he is definitely a leader.  He did really well and I could hear him singing.  He still has one more year with the Cherubs as he has a fall birthday, so he'll be very ready to start singing in the big kids choir when that day comes.

Chandler was a king for the children's performance.  He did a great job!

Chandler made sure that each time he selected the biggest present to give to baby Jesus.

We had a wonderful time listening to the children sing today.  It was also special that Mimi and Granddaddy Bob were able to join us since Mimi's heart surgery was Thursday.  We are all so glad she is doing well.  Merry Christmas!

23.5 weeks

I know I've been very neglectful of belly shots as this is only shot # 2.  Note to self....take more pictures as this will be over before I know it.

I was dressed up fancy today for a Christmas Tea that was hosted at our church.  In the past, I've hosted a table, but was not up for all the work of that this year.  It was nice to be able to just show up, eat, socialize, and go home :)

The baby seems to be doing well, from what I can tell.  They are either completely still or moving, moving, moving.  It's really fun for me being a seasoned mom this time around.  There are so many more things that they didn't have just a few years ago, or that I just didn't know about with my other pregnancies that I'm anxious to try out and use.

I got the above carseat canopy for our new carseat.  I did go with a black and white/gender neutral theme since we are going to be surprised with this one.  It is lined with grey minky fabric on the inside and I had a coupon code that got it for free....I just had to pay shipping.  Gotta love that!

This is a "Chewbeads" necklace that I think is so fun!  The beads are 100% silicone and meant for baby to chew on.  At least this is something I could wear and not worry about baby breaking it.  I know this baby will truly be the baby of the family as I will want them to stay little and not grow up so fast.  I can't believe that when this baby arrives, my first baby will be SIX.  Where does the time go?!?

Holiday Express

Today we took the boys to Pullen Park for the annual Holiday Express.  We had a good time even if at some point each boy was crying over something.  That's pretty typical.

Maverick still wanted nothing to do with Santa.  That means I was in the picture with him and this is the only one where he's not crying because as you can see, he's running away at this point.  Chandler told Santa he wanted a skateboard and Brighton said a zipline, a fish, and a scooter.  His list changes daily and can be whatever he's recently thought of.

After Santa, we rode the carousel and the entire family fit on the "Sled"

After the carousel we let the boys play on the playground and then we had our picnic dinner from Subway.  Next we waited in line for the Santa train.  It was probably a 15 minute or less wait which felt like an eternity to Chandler who was "bored".  

After our train ride we had luke warm "hot chocolate" since we don't have a proper thermos and Derek's bike insulated bottles just don't keep things hot like they keep things cold.  I had also brought some cookies from home to have and the hot chocolate and cookies were Brighton's favorite thing.  Go figure--that boy loves to eat!  Can't wait to do it again next year with FOUR!

Hide & Seek

Maverick has become quite the hide & seek player.  Unfortunately for me, I'm not playing hide & seek when he chooses to run off and hide!  I don't remember Chandler and Brighton doing this, or rather being this good at such a young age.  Maverick is so tiny he can fit into the smallest spaces.

At least here, the book gave him away!  He is so sneaky and quiet while he is hiding and burst into laughter when he is caught :)  He knows what he is doing!

Peeking around the corner at Mom (Dad was the photographer)

Getting in the Spirit!

Derek was still flying home from Canada this morning when I took the boys to breakfast with Santa at our church.  Maverick was clearly not interested even with the bribe of a candy cane.

After breakfast we headed to the airport to kill time until Daddy's flight arrived.

My cutie pie

After picking up Daddy, there was no rest for the weary as we headed straight to the Christmas tree lot to select our tree.  We went to the same place as last year so we could support our church's boy scout group.  I'm not sure if Derek was going for the halo look around the tree or not, but I thought the picture came out nice.

We managed to get the tree in the stand, up in the corner before lunch.  Everything else waited until after naptime!  It was Brighton's year to put the star on the tree.  He was so excited!!

After the lights and garland were on, Mom handed out ornaments to put on the tree.  Even though she tried to only hand "unbreakable" ones to Maverick....he managed to break FIVE!!

The boys get new ornaments every year.  Here we are posing with our new ornaments (note* baby is posing in utero with theirs)  Chandler selected a school bus with his Kindergarten picture inside.  Brighton chose an owl.  Maverick has a playschool popper toy (Santa will be bringing one I'm sure) and baby has a picture of an in utero baby :)

Many more Christmas festivities to come!

Finders Keepers

Imagine with me that you are visiting your MIL with your family and the doorbell rings.  Your MIL answers and there is a stranger there holding your less that two-year-old son asking, "Do you know this little boy?"  The stranger then continues on saying, "I found him walking alone, outside, in the street!"

Can you even imagine the horror you would feel?

This happened to me today.  Luckily, I was the stranger that found the little boy, and not the mother who started sobbing as she realized what was going on and what could have happened to her baby.  I just can't get this scenario out of my mind.

Our family was coming home from church when I spotted an unaccompanied toddler holding a ball very close to and sometimes wandering in the street.  I scanned the area for surely there was an adult nearby watching.  No one.  I told Derek to pull over the car, for surely something was not right here.

Luckily our car was now between the toddler and the other cars as now he was in the street, crying, saying "Mommy" and trying to get inside a car parked on the street.  I scooped up the little boy, who was not much bigger than Maverick and asked him, "Did you lose Mommy?  I'll help you find her."  I tried to get any information I could from the little boy such as his name, or even pointing to where Mommy might be with no luck.

I decided I'd need to go door-to-door to try and find somebody that knew this child.  Luckily, the first house I tried was it.  The grandmother answered the door and had a look of pure shock while she tried to process why a stranger had her grandson.  The mother approached the door next, and believe it or not, I KNEW HER!!  I don't know her well enough that I'd recognize her child without her, but we are friends!  She lives 45 minutes away from my house, so what are the odds?

She has a 3-year-old, and is due with her 3rd (all boys) in January.  I could easily identify with her situation and was so glad that I was there at the right time to help out and nothing bad happened.  I know this is something I won't be forgetting for a very long time.

It's Thanksgiving!

Today was Turkey ham day!  We celebrated this year at Grandma's house.  My parents decided to get away to Myrtle Beach for a little R&R before my mom's scheduled heart surgery in early December.  

Today was the first time in 30 years that I had "Thanksgiving" at the supper and not lunch-time meal.  It was very strange and I didn't know what to do with myself all morning long.  With all that "free" time I had Derek start getting the Christmas decorations out of the attic.  He leaves next week for Vancouver and won't be home till Saturday, so I knew I needed to get that done this weekend.  

The baby was kicking, punching, and doing somersaults during the afternoon rest-time period.  This is the most consistent movement that I've felt so far.  Derek felt the baby (and has before now) and Chandler got to feel too!  I made my one dish to contribute to the meal.  It was an cranberry/apple/pineapple baked dish and turned out to be so yummy!

Over at Grandma's she had a fun turkey craft for all the boys to make.  It was a hit!

The Thanksgiving Table

Here's my yummy plate.  I tried to take small portions (and I did) and I finished my whole plate.  See the big belly behind....I think it got bigger afterwards.  I even saved room for a piece of homemade apple pie.  Yum yum!

There are so many things that I am thankful for.  Here's a list (in no particular order) of 10!

1. My wonderful husband who does so much to help me out.
2. My healthy, generally happy, children
3. This wonderful new life growing inside me
4. My "new" house
5. My extended family that supports me in any way they can
6. My faith in God and how he is also there supporting me every step of the way
7. My neighbors
8. The freedoms provided to me by living in the USA
9. My jobs (the paying ones)  I've already listed my job as "Mom" *see # 2
10. My MOPS group and other groups where I can connect with other moms

What are you Thankful for?

Fall Gathering

Chandler's class had their "Fall Gathering" today.  Luckily, Dad, Mom, and both brothers were able to attend.  The kids were all so cute.  They sang about 5-6 songs and then the Kindergarteners recited what they were thankful for.  Chandler is thankful for Mommy, Daddy, Brighton & Maverick.

Here are Chandler's two teachers, Ms Valerie (left) and Ms. Aykel (right)

Chandler posing with Mom

After the songs, they had a catered lunch for all the kids and families.  It was very nice.  A wonderful start to our long holiday weekend!

20 Months

Who can believe that Maverick is 20 months old today?!?

I certainly can't.  That means two is just around the corner.  I'm a little behind with his stats, but this is where he was at 18 months:

Weight: 23 lbs, 9 oz  20th percentile

Height: 32"   40th percentile

Head: 48.5 cm    70th percentile

He is definitely still our tiny guy.  Don't let his size fool you though, he can keep up with his brothers just fine.  He still has a limited vocabulary, and doesn't say many words.  Funny thing is his latest, 

"Go on" and "Move" as he pushes you or his brothers away.  I can't help but laugh.  Perhaps we need to work on manners?

Here Maverick models his MMO t-shirt that he made.  He really loves his MMO (Mother's Morning Out) program that he goes to on Fridays.  He hardly ever fusses when I leave and seems to have a great time there.  

Here is Maverick modeling his new ride.  Yes, that's right.  I bought another stroller!  Perhaps you remember before Maverick was born I wrote a post: Ten is my Magic Number where I talked about wanting just one more (for a total of ten!) strollers before baby # 3 came along.  Turns out that with baby # 4, I started feeling the same thing.  I needed another stroller.  I ended up getting the B-Ready stroller, which is the one that I wanted to get with Maverick, but couldn't justify the cost for just one more baby.  With the promotion Britax is having right now I can earn a free convertible carseat, which we will need, so it wasn't too bad.  That and I agreed with Derek to sell two other strollers to help cover the cost.  I was able to sell my Sit-N-Stand in less than one day!

Maverick's "Cheese" face!

Maverick just loves the new stroller, you just can't keep him out of it.  This picture reminds me of one my mom took of me climbing in my folded up stroller on the floor, so I had to include it.  The only drawback to this stroller is the weight.  I won't be lifting this one while I'm pregnant, so it won't get too much use until baby # 4 makes their appearance.  We strolled around the neighborhood today to test it out.  So far, it's a winner :)

House Warming!

Welcome Home!

Today was finally the day we'd been dreaming of since before we even started this undertaking.  Let me tell you, it was quite the undertaking.  I'm not sure how we survived this renovation/addition at times, but we did.  We made it!  We were ready to celebrate.  Several of our family, friends, and neighbors were able to come out and celebrate with us.  It meant so much to have so many people here.

The party was a whirl-wind.  I hardly got a bite, or got to sit down, but it was worth it.  I loved showing off our "new" house to everybody.  Many who had never seen any of the progress.  I loved having a mostly adult (there were some kids too) party.  I can honestly say the whole family had a wonderful time and we are so thankful for everybody that came out to celebrate with us.  

By the time I reminded Derek to take pictures, the party was winding down.  I think a highlight for all the boys was when our neighbor was teaching various yoga poses.  Even Maverick joined in on the fun!  We are so happy with our new home and we have just a few finishing touches left to complete.

The last thing we need to complete our home won't be here until Spring, but our baby is worth the wait!