It's a BOY

My sister gave birth to her 3rd baby yesterday.  His name is Maddon James and he's a cutie!  I got to be in the room for the birth and it was amazing.  I've had 3 babies of my own, and I've watched the births of 4 other babies, and it blows my mind every single time.  It is truly a miracle!  We serve a mighty and gracious, and might I add very creative, God.  

Welcome to the world baby Maddon

Life with Boys

The boys are playing outside with their cousin Jaydon (4).  I'm sitting inside with all the windows open and I can hear everything they're doing.  This is what I just heard...

"Oh yuck I have pee all over my hands"

I never thought I'd be dealing with stuff like this.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The worst thing that has ever happened to me, as a mom, happened today.  

I was sitting at the computer when the boys came running inside, yelling, "look what we found in the back yard".  I look over and see that Brennan has something in his hands and all that I can see is FUR.  I look away (I know, weird reaction) and start screaming at them to take it outside.  I used a lot more words than that, but that was the gist of it.  Poor Brennan went running outside and threw it on the driveway.  As he's trying to figure out why I'm freaking out he's saying, "it's a bunny, but it's dead".  This might be the place to add that I really don't like animals.  And I HATE mice.  And I really thought he had a mouse in his hands.  And I really though I might die if he had a mouse in his hands...IN MY HOUSE.

But no, it was in fact a bunny.  But it was a baby bunny without a body...in my sons hands...IN MY HOUSE.  I'm still shivering and having small gagging reactions.  

The boys were fascinated.  Brennan is convinced a dinosaur ate the bunny.  Poor Calvin is very confused.  He keeps asking me "do bunnies have bottoms?".

Out of the Mouths of Babes

In Target this morning....

Calvin:  Look how tall I am Mommy

me: Yes, you're very tall

Calvin:  Look how long my arms are

me: How did you get such long arms?

Calvin: Jesus gave them to me

Birthday Week

Wow, what a week (end).  This double birthday thing is going to be tricky.  I am completely worn out!  We awoke on Charlotte's birthday (friday) and had no power.  The storms early Friday morning knocked out power all over town.  I had been planning a dual birthday party for all our family for that night and wouldn't you know the power stayed off all day long.  So I spent the day fretting over the cake I had planned on baking (no oven), the food in the fridge (keeping it cold), and 18 people in a house with no power.  Well, we moved the party to my brothers house, I bought a cake and we didn't open the fridge all day so the food would stay cold.  All in all everything worked out just fine.  Charlotte went ahead and turned 1 even without power, how dare she!

Sweet Charlotte, Char-latte, Charlie, sweet C.....I can't believe you are 1!  What an amazing year it's been.  It's hard to believe I lived 29 years without you.  Life is much better with you around! From day one you've been a very content baby.  The only time you raise your voice is when you're trying to compete with the noise level of your brothers.  Speaking of your brothers, they love you dearly.  Brennan loves to take care of you.  He makes sure you don't put small toys in your mouth and loves to feed you cheerios.  Calvin loves to be as close as possible to you.  He's happiest about 1 in from your face, this however, isn't when you're happiest.  Here are some fun things about you.....

*You are 31 inches long, which is in the 98 %

*You are 22 lbs, which is in the 70%

*You are crawling everywhere!

*You're pulling up on furniture although not really "cruising" yet.

*You can say "dada" and "mama" and "ball" although "dada" is your favorite word to say.

*You have a new look.  You press your brow when I tell you "no" or when you want something.

*You sign "all done" and "more"

Charlie girl, you are delightful.  You bring pure joy to our lives.  I am so blessed to call you my daughter.  Oh how I love having a girl!

Happy Birthday Charlotte

Today was Charlotte's 1st Birthday! Yes, my kids have back-to-back birthdays, May 1 and May 2. That makes for one exhausted Momma. I'll have to write about it later. Right now I'm going to bed (after I do about a million more things and get organized for a full day tomorrow).

Happy Birthday Brennan

Today my eldest child turned 5 years old. I am the mother of a 5 year old, how is that possible? Five years ago, almost to this minute, I pushed a 9lb 12 oz baby boy out of my body with no drugs! I felt like super woman at the time. And looking back on the past five years, I still feel like super woman!

Sweet Brennan, today you are 5 years old. You told me today (while sitting on the toilet :)) that you "still feel little, even though you're 5". You are a true joy. You are full of life and energy. You like anything having to do with the outdoors. You are my child that makes me wish we lived in the country. You are happiest when you're dirty, sweaty and outside. Some might dub you a "strong willed child" but I can't call you that because that would be like the pot calling the kettle black. You are just like your momma! You know what you want and you're gonna get it, you're mischievous, and you buck the system just enough to make people take a second look at you. Here are some funny things you've done/said lately....

*You told me the other day that "our van is appropriate for the rain".



*You like to play "church" with Charlotte. This means pretending to drop her off at her class, fill out her name tag, tell her to have fun while you're gone, etc. Very Cute.

*You are (still) obsessed with Star Wars. Everything is a light saber to you.

*You came home from preschool with marker on your ear and told me you tried to trace your ear.

*You call Kindergarten, kindergarten round-up. We went last week for Round-up, but now you say you'll start Kindergarten Round-up next fall.

*Sometimes when I'm getting dressed you'll tell me I look "rock n roll". I have no idea what that means.

*You love hanging out with the youth group kids. You don't really want to talk to them, but you love being part of the crowd. If they talk to you about Star Wars though, then you'll start talking back!

Brennan, I'm blessed to call you my son. I hope you had a great 5th birthday. I love you!