Logan 10 months!

Logan turned 10 months on Saturday.  Because I was sick I didn't get a chance to talk about him.  At 10 months old he is taking off.  He is pulling up to standing, cruising around furniture and able to go from table to couch if he is holding on.  He hasn't tried to let go yet.  He is active and doesn't like to cuddle for too long.  It is still early to say, but he seems to be living up to his Chinese zodiac sign, the tiger.  He can be very temperamental and lets you know when he doesn't like something.  He is hard to soothe when he gets in a mood.  A lot of the day he is very easy though and continues to be able to entertain himself easily.  He loves playing with his brothers toys and laughing at them.  He might end up being a "Mr. Independent". 

Logan is feeding himself table food, in fact he doesn't really like to be spoon fed anymore.  And as of today, we moved him from bottles to a sippy cup (when he isn't nursing).  He still sleeps well, but goes through periods where he wants to wake up early.  He usually sleeps from 7:30pm to 6-6:30am.  However, some days he wakes at 5 or 5:30 and the only way I can get him to go back to sleep is to nurse him.  He also takes 2 naps during the day.

Good news today is that I am feeling better, bad news is that Dennis caught what I had.  He stayed in bed all day milking it for all he could get sick, but is doing better now.  We are saying lots of prayers that Logan doesn't come down with it next.

A Sick Mommy.

The weekend started out great.  On Saturday, I got my hair cut and colored (2 hours to myself is such a treat these days) and then we went to Colin's basketball game.  He did great, but his team got crushed.  The other team had a super star player that scored all their points but 2. 

Unfortunately, Saturday night I got sick and was up all night with a stomach virus.  So, I spent all day today laying down and sleeping.  I have a wonderful husband who did everything today for the kids, took Evan to a birthday party and even made homemade pizza dough for pizza's.  The boys enjoyed making their own pizza's!

You Tube



Well, they are 6 and 4 years old and they are already hooked on computers.  It started this morning with playing games and then after Colin went to school I showed Evan a you tube video of the old Spiderman theme song.  I guess I created a monster because he was hooked.  He spent a good hour clicking on every Super Hero you tube video he could find!  It was cute to watch though, he had a big smile on his face and kept saying things like "I didn't know you had a Thor video Mommy!"  and "You have so many Super Hero videos Mommy!".  He even watched Thor in spanish and didn't seem to care.

We had family game night again tonight, I think we may make that a friday ritual.  We are all so happy to have Dennis back home again.



Bumps In The Road

Ahhhh.....time to put my feet up and relax.....3 little monkeys all in their beds.  The house is dead quiet and I have some alone time.  I couldn't be happier, unless I had a piece of chocolate cake to eat that is.

Dennis is in Indy again this week, he gets back tomorrow night.  So, this evening was a bit hectic.  I had to get Colin off the bus, wake up Logan, get Evan from daycare, go through Arby's drive through (Colin, Evan and I ate our dinner very fast in the parking lot of the YMCA before Colin's practice), take the boys to Colin's practice (feed Logan while at practice), get the boys home, give them baths, read to the big boys, nurse Logan and put them all to bed by 7:30pm. 

When I read the sequence of events it sounds much easier than it actually was.  In reality it did not go that smoothly, it was interrupted by Evan having to go potty at the worst possible time, both boys getting mac and cheese all over their coats and having to be cleaned up,  the kids too busy chatting and arguing to listen to instructions and then a fussy baby (at times a screaming baby) to deal with also. 

But, now the house is peaceful and I can go back to thinking that I have a perfect husband, perfect kids and a perfect life.  How easily we can forget the bumps in the road when we get to our destination.  And for me the destination tonight is the couch with a cup of tea and my book.  Simply glorious.

My little Monkey

I think we may have given Logan the wrong nickname.  Lately it seems he is less cuddly "Loggie Bear" and more active "Monkey".  I have been so lucky that both Colin and Evan were pretty calm as toddlers compared to other little kids we know, especially other little boys.  Neither of them ever were climbers.  Evan did get in to things more than Colin ever did, but it was manageable.  I am wondering though if Logan might end up being the most active of the three.  He seems to be the most fearless, though he is still very young so this could very easily change.

Logan was the only one of my babies to climb out of the bumbo seat.  In fact I hardly used it with him because he would climb out every time!  Within days of learning to crawl he was already heading to the steps and climbed up a few (luckily after a couple times of saying "no" to the steps, he doesn't seem as interested in them).  He has already been the first to climb out of his highchair seat and luckily we caught him when he was on top of the tray before he fell off (knock on wood this has only happened once also).  And now, he is fascinated with turning himself around in the highchair!

He also is fearless in the bath.  We stopped using his bath seat and he is like a crazy little fish in the water, he just laughs and laughs and crawls all around the tub. 

I hope that he has a little bit of fear because a cautious kid makes for an easier kid (especially at the pool or in parking lots).  Other Moms were always envious of me when I would take Colin and Evan to the pool because I could sit the whole time and I knew my boys were so cautious they wouldn't go anywhere.  I even read a few pages of my book some days.

I am crossing my fingers he doesn't become too much of a Monkey!

Colin 6 yr Checkup!

Colin had his 6 year old well checkup today at the Pediatrician's office.  At 6 years old he is 44 1/2 inches (25 percentile) and 41 lbs (25 percentile).  The doctor said that because he is so thin we should let him eat whenever he is hungry and can change his milk from skim to whole.  He just keeps getting smaller and smaller, must be all that activity he does.  Dennis always says he is jealous of how "ripped" Colin is (referring to how thin and toned he is).

I was dreading Colin having to get a flu shot as much as he was.  In the past, every time Colin has had to get a shot he would scream at the top of his lungs and have to be held down by us.  Well, I was so surprised that he lay down on the table, closed his eyes and didn't make a single sound while she gave him a shot!  It was amazing and I was so proud.  It was for me a very big moment.  I looked at him and thought, wow, when did my baby grow up and get so big!

Creek Food?

You just have to love how kids interpret things.  Today, after church and Colin's CCD class, I told Colin that we were going to meet Dennis and the other boys for lunch at a Greek restaurant.  Colin says "Eww....creek food, you know I don't like seafood!"!  So I say  "Not creek food, Greek food.  That is food from Greece".  Colin gets even more upset and says "Grease!  Your kidding right, we are not going to eat grease for lunch!" 

Church, lunch out as a family, and football.  Sounds like a good Sunday to me!

Attempt at a cute picture, believe it or not this was the best one! 

Evans First Time at Movie Theater

Evan went to the movie theater for the first time today.  Dennis took Colin and him to see "Yogi Bear" and they had a blast eating popcorn and spending time with their Daddy. 

Then Colin had his basketball game.  Dennis says he did great, especially on defense.  His coach was calling him the "Ball Hawk" because he was always watching the ball and going wherever the ball was. 

I stayed home with Logan and by the end of day I was very stir crazy to get out of the house, so we went out for Mexican.  Maybe it is the frozen margarita talking, but dinner was very enjoyable.  Colin and Logan were both dancing in their seats to some Mexican music and we were all laughing and smiling through most of dinner. 

We then came home and had a family game night playing Sorry.  It was a great family day and we couldn't have been happier.

A Money Savvy Momma?

Logan, Evan and I went to the mall today.  I had one store I needed to go to and Evan had some energy that needed to get out, so I let him play in the play area after I shopped.  He had a blast pretending he was Spiderman (and a monkey) and running around the play area!

Me, I just sat and watched very pleased with myself for finding some good deals.  See, it took me 6 years of being a Mom to realize the benefits of shopping off season.  I had $40 of "crazy cash" that I needed to use before it expires (this is basically $20 off a $40 purchase at a kid clothing store, Crazy8).  Anyway, I bought a bag full of summer clothes for Colin, which were on sale, and spent only $30! 

It felt good to save some money.  Unfortunately, using coupons is one area where I fail miserably as a stay at home Mom.  I have good intentions, I always clip out coupons or save ones from the grocery store.  Dennis does too, we pile them up and clip them to the refrigerator.  However, 99% of the time that is where our coupon mission ends.  Oh, unless you count 3 months later when I go through all the coupons and toss them in the trash because they have expired.  This has been going on for years.  Why we continue to save coupons we know will end up in the trash is beyond me.  I guess we are both hoping that one day we will wake up and get smart. 

Don't get me wrong, I am still a frugal shopper.  I rarely shop for myself or go shopping just for enjoyment.  I actually panic at the thought of spending a lot of money.  I think Dennis and I both live below our means and we put a lot of money in savings for kids college, retirement or heaven forbid a job lay off.  We will spend money if it is something we really want and we don't really deprive ourselves, but we are both very smart when it comes to saving money.

But, I still dream of that day when I will wake up and decide to actually start using all these coupons that we have saved!

Oh, I almost forgot....We got some news today.  Looks like we will actually have another new neice or nephew this summer.  My sister, Carol, is expecting her 4th baby the end of August!!!  That makes #11 and #12 grandchildren for my parents due this summer!  Wow, it is going to be a busy summer!

Kisses.

You would have to search far and wide to find a Mommy that kisses her kids more than me.  Really, it is an addiction.  But, it is an addiction I will gladly have.  For I know that it won't be long before my kids will be pushing me away.  Logan has been giving me lots of kisses in return.  There is nothing better than a baby giving you a kiss without even asking for one (except maybe a teenager giving you a kiss without asking for one, I look forward to that day very much). 



It is very important to me that my kids never doubt how much they are loved.  I think I will have done my job as a parent if I can raise kids who know they are loved and use that as an example to then give love to their own families in return.

Luckily, I have very cute, kissable kids that make my job as a parent easy.  Today, I pretty much spent the day giving Logan lots of love, he was more interested in eating.  He has been done with baby food for a little while now, and just loves feeding himself big people food!

Spring in January?

Have I mentioned how much I dislike winter??  Well, today was an absolutely beautiful day (60 degrees) that reminded me just how much I love every season except winter.  I really think that will be the hardest part about moving to Indiana, besides being away from family of course.  If I could live where it never got below 60 degrees I would be very happy.  I hope that wherever we settle after Indiana is back on the east coast and preferably no further north than Virginia. 

Anyway, I took full advantage of this lovely day.  Evan, Logan and I went on a walk to try out Evan's new bike he got from Santa.  He had a blast, but in usual Evan fashion he got tired and wanted to go back home after a few minutes.  I convinced him to stay out longer and then we ditched the bike back at home and went for a longer walk to the playground and back.  Logan didn't say a word the whole time, he seemed to really love being out in the fresh air.

Both boys took wonderful naps and then when Colin came home the two older boys and I played soccer.  Colin was literally running circles around me, it was pretty sad, so I recruited Evan to be on my team and help me out!

They were so good today and I was in such a great mood, that I decided we should make chocolate chip cookies to finish the day off right!  I used whole wheat flour to help rationalize eating them.

The only thing that would have made the day better would have been if Dennis was in town.  He is North Carolina visiting a couple schools for work.  But, even him being a way couldn't bring me down today.  I loved my January spring day!

Oh, and happy 60th to my Dad today!!!

Is That Evan or Peter Parker???

No, you didn't accidentally click on the Oct. 31st post.  This is just a typical day in our house!  I called the boys downstairs to come clean up and Evan said "We aren't your boys, we are Super Heroes!"  Sure enough they came downstairs dressed in their Halloween costumes.  Then Evan says "let me see who is under this mask, let me see if it is Peter Parker" and he proceeds to take off his Spiderman mask.  What silly boys.

Yep, these boys have got the Super Hero bug.  When Auntie Julie was visiting this weekend she was shocked at how much Evan knew about Super Hero's.  He was telling his cousin, Alex, that one of the action figures "Is not a Super Hero Squaddie, he is an Avenger".  Dennis would have been so proud!

Today, Dennis and the boys (minus Logan) went to get haircuts.  They have been going to the same lady forever.  Dennis said she spent a good part of the time trying to convince him to have a fourth kid and saying that she "has a feeling it would be a girl" and that I need a daughter.  I have a feeling it would be another adorable boy, but I am happy to hear someone is looking out for me.  Though, Colin says that if we had a girl we can buy her Wonderwomen....I get the feeling that having a girl after these boys would not be what I would imagine.  She might be trading in her tutu for a cape!

Lazy Sunday...

We had a very lazy day today.  Colin and Evan played with Colin's new toys, Dennis and I watched football, and Logan, when he wasn't being a cranky drama queen fussy, played too.  It is so nice to have a "boring" day every once in awhile.

PARTY!!!!!!

This morning was Colin's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's.  Considering we had a pretty large turnout of 16 kids, the party went very smoothly.  Most importantly the kids had a blast.  My shy boy, Colin, had to be reminded many times to say "hello" to each friend and "thank you for coming", but he had fun seeing all of his friends.

After the party and naps Colin had his first basketball game ever.  He did surprisingly well and even scored one of the four baskets that his team scored!  I was really impressed with how well he did passing.  I am used to watching him play soccer where they still haven't figured out that it is a team sport. 

Colin has become very competitive and aggressive at sports.  Despite being one of the smallest on the team he was by far the most aggressive.  He wasn't even afraid of the ball hog girl on the other team that was twice his size, or at least twice his weight and more than a head taller.  Her dad was the other teams coach and let me tell you, I remember him from soccer.  He is VERY intense, yelling at his daughter, throwing his hands up, turning his back to the game and shaking his head.  I hope Colin never ends up with a coach like that.

Speaking of Coaches, Colin's assistant coach today was....Coach Dennis!!!  Dennis volunteered to help out since both Colin's coaches were out.  He did a great job and despite not being a basketball fan, really enjoyed himself!  I didn't take pictures since they still haven't gotten uniforms and I was busy dealing with a fussy Logan and an antsy Evan the whole game.  I will be sure to take some next game.

Happy 6th Birthday Colin!!!

Mommy:  Happy Birthday my big boy!!!  You are 6 years old now!
Colin:  I don't feel any different?

6 years ago today I became a Mom.  Colin at 6 years old is a lot of fun.  He has moved past the terrible 3 and 4's.  He is pretty good most of the time with exception of the occasional lack of listening ears (but this has greatly improved).  He is great at helping "babysit" Logan and helping me clean and cook.  He loves to color, listen to stories, play video games and sports.  He is very active and could play outside all day if we let him.  He is a very sensitive, loving kid and I am really enjoying him.

Colin had a great birthday.  He lucked out that his class was having their winter party today so he was able to have a fun school day.  Colin's request for his birthday dinner was "extra cheesy mac and cheese" and peas.  This was an improvement from last years request of mac and cheese AND pizza, talk about heart attack on a plate, yikes!!!

So, after dinner and cupcakes Colin opened his gifts from us, Auntie Julie and Uncle Phil (who came to town for his birthday party tommorrow), and a few other gifts that had come in the mail.  He seemed to enjoy all the gifts, however he is already starting with the expressionless boy act.  I know that inside he was jumping for joy about the gifts (or at least I am hoping so).

Colin and Evan are bundled in bed now sharing Colin's bed.  Hopefully, they are asleep and not chatting about Iron man and Wolverine. 

Single Mom.

The last couple of days have been a bit rough.  Logan still has a cold and has been pretty miserable and fussy.  Dennis is away in Indy this week so I am extra tired.  I have continued to put all errands on the back burner as well as not working out and have been carrying around a fussy baby.  Gotta love the selflessness that is required to be a Mommy. 

The bright spot has been that all the boys have been sleeping in longer than usual (and yes in my house 7-7:30 is sleeping in).  I tease Dennis that he is the reason the boys wake up so early.  And sure enough when he is out of town they sleep longer.  Coincidence, I think not!