Luke's Birthday Present

I was changing Luke's diaper and Will and Jack came running in and announced they had the perfect idea for what we could get Luke for his birthday that is 2.5 months away. I asked what and they said, "A baby sister!!" 😳

Hot Cooker

Will and Jack were discussing cooking this morning.

Will: The thing about ladies is that they can cook really good.
Jack: Like Nonna. She's a hot cooker.

bahahahaha day made.

Day's Earnings

After prayer Will asked Patrick what rewards he had earned working today. Patrick gave him a few choices. Will chose and Jack asked about him. His was considerably less because he hadn't worked as hard. He was fussing and coming up with plenty of excuses as to why he hadn't worked as hard, but should receive the same reward. Seeing he was getting nowhere he gave up. As he was heading up the stairs, Patrick called out to him and said, "Jack you remember this Summer when you were out there working with me and how you worked for days to earn the money for a bb gun?" Jack without missing a beat, "Yeah, I was sweatin' like a dog out there!" 😂

Fair Trade?

I was cleaning up the kitchen this afternoon while Will was sitting in the living room holding Luke. We were talking about how sweet he is and giggling when we would hear his little noises.

I asked, "Do you think we'll have anymore babies?"

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"There's just too many boys here. If you have another baby, it will be a boy and we will have 7 boys including Cooper. That's just too many."

"It is a lot."

"How about we ask Aunt Julee if we can make a trade for Ceseley?"

hahahaha "Okay, and who would we trade for Ceseley?"

Not missing a beat, "Sam."

He is a bit of a threenager right now (bless his heart), so I can totally understand how he came to this conclusion.

8 year-old Wisdom

Talking with Will the other day about the baby

      "You're about to have 4 kids...that's a lot of responsibility."

 So so true, oh wise one.

Stop Scum!

I actually took this before Christmas when I was trying to get the house tidied up and clean. I just got around to editing it yesterday though, so I'm counting it as my photo today for the project 365 I'm attempting to do this year.

I had been cleaning in the bathroom and little man was my shadow--complete in his batman mask and ninja turtle underwear. While mopping the floor on my hands and knees across the bathroom, I saw this. I got my pregnant self up off the floor and went to find my camera hoping the battle wouldn't cease to be over until I got my photo. Luck prevailed! and I am happy to have this moment captured so it's never forgotten. Love being a mom to little boys. I could have never imagined what fun and happiness moments like this could bring. And this picture...it's just so so Sam!

How Do You Spell Exhausted?

I guess he got tired (literally) of waiting for me to come and tuck him in...poor thing. 

Baby Laurel

Sam and I were picking up a few things from the pharmacy one night when we walked by a few toys. Sam spotted this and insisted we get it for Baby Laurel. I asked him if he'd changed our mind and decided our baby was a girl now. He said, "Nope, that's Baby Luke." 

How to Prepare a Turkey

According to Jack:

Our Baby!

Conversations this morning before taking the boys to school:

Will: Jack, today Mom will find out if she's having a boy or a girl!"
Me: Will, we aren't finding out. We are waiting till the baby comes."
Will: What?!?!!! 

hahahaha

I had my 20 week ultrasound today and we got to see our sweet baby! We stayed strong and didn't find out the gender. It was easier than I thought it would be. Everything looked good with the baby, but there was a small echogenic intracardiac focus on the heart that is sometimes seen in babies born with Down's Syndrome. So my doctor is wanting me to have a more in-depth ultrasound with a high-risk doctor in about a week. That is a little nerve wracking, but we also aren't too concerned about it. We feel good about things.

Been having the weirdest cravings lately...

I put this photo on Facebook to announce the nearing arrival of a new little sweetheart due March 27th. I'm 14 weeks today.  I've been sick and moody, and sick and moody, and sick and moody. My poor family.  I have thrown up more with this baby than any of the others. My record for throwing up in one day is 6 times. Usually I just feel horrible all day. I was happy that at least with this baby I would have good days mixed in with the bad. That helped to make it no so miserable. Finally outta the first trimester for the last time. Feels GREAT!

Scavenger Hunt

The boys have been no so patient about this "secret" I have been keeping from them! They have begged and begged for me to "just tell us!" But I stayed strong even though it was super tempting. I made a little scavenger hunt and hid them around the house to see if they could guess what the surprise was. I had them run all over the house to different rooms and find clues.

I think they were a little less than thrilled, party poopers. I think they were thinking, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, sooo about that puppy??" ;) And so it goes living with boys...so hard to get a reaction or any excitement out of them with these kinds of things.

Meanwhile At Home

And the older two think they're the ones having all the fun.

Chunk of Wood

After lunch, Jack picked a treat out of the candy jar. He picked a small piece of chocolate Will got at his school Christmas party. Will wasn't thrilled about sharing, so in an effort to persuade him Jack said, "Will, I didn't get any candy at my party. All I brought home was an ornament, and a chunk of wood!"

Courage

Jack has been having a really difficult time about going to his Sunbeam class. We had tried bribing with all sorts of things, his teachers had tried lots of things, and we talked a lot about being brave, scared, and every other emotion. One day last week, Jack mentioned something about going and feeding the ducks. The thought came that I hadn't tried that yet. I told him if he'd go to his class, after church on Sunday we would go and feed the ducks. He wasn't so sure, but agreed he would try. He finally, hesitantly went to class and of course enjoyed it much more than hanging out with me or Patrick. Afterwards he told me he had found his courage. I said I was so happy, and we went to feed the ducks in the cold January air. Wouldn't you know it, we had the ducks all to ourselves.

Today he proudly brought it up again that he had found his courage. I asked him where he thought his courage had been hiding. No sooner than I had asked the question he answered, "In my elbow." Never thought to look there, I must admit. Love that boy, and love his thoughts.

Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

Patrick and I were invited to an ugly sweater Christmas party. It was our first time leaving our kids with a babysitter that wasn't family. Big Deal! Everything went well, and the boys had a good night with Jessica Sharpe. I looked for sweaters at Goodwill, but didn't have much luck. So we had to improvise. Patrick's turtleneck and women's vest absolutely cracked me up. Picking out an outfit for him was my favorite part.

Childs Prayer Round 2

I made soup and sandwiches for dinner the other night and when we called the boys to the table, Jack was really pouting about having to stop playing to eat. Patrick asked who would like to offer the prayer. Jack quickly and little too eagerly volunteered. His prayer?

"Dear Heav'ly Father, I don't like my sooup

I don't like my sanwich! It's goss!

Amen." 

Such a stinker...

Say "Cheese!"

Will has taken an interest in taking pictures lately. I often find him with my apparently not very well hidden camera. I was uploading my pictures today to the computer, and as I was scanning through the many pictures that were obviously taken by him, I was a tad mortified when I came to one that had me sitting on the toilet! I couldn't help but laugh, but sheesh! The toilet?!? Just another reminder that a.) when you are a Mom of little children, no matter how many times you may say, "I need some privacy please" you're not gonna get it (good for you for trying though!), b.) expect the unexpected (never coulda seen this one comin'),  and c.) be extra careful about the things you say and do in front of them, because you better believe they're gonna tell everybody they know, and some they don't, all about your business.

Probably Broccoli

While shopping at Wal Mart, we went to pick up some broccoli. Will and Jack eagerly grabbed a crown to place in the bag I was holding. An older couple walked by admiring them and started to ask if they liked broccoli. Will shook his head yes, while Jack stared at them looking very bored. The older lady said to Jack, "I think broccoli looks like little trees. Don't you think it looks like a tree?" Jack replied matter-of-factly, "uh, et's pro-blee broc lee." I don't think she heard him, but I thought it was funny.

Spoon Anyone?

Will was getting ready to eat soup when Patrick asked if he wanted a big spoon or little (children's) spoon. Will said, " I want a man spoon!"