Pumpkin Patch 2011

Last weekend we were able to make it our for our annual trip to Remlinger Farms.  The weather was beautiful, the boys had a blast and Dan and I couldn't ask for a better way to spend our sunday... together!

Happy Halloween!

My mom...

...she pretty much rocks!

She is the most kind, giving, loving and selfless person I know.  She has taught me everything from how to remove baby poop stains to cooking the best corn bread ever.  But most importantly she taught me to be the mother I am today.  Her love for her family is like nothing I have ever seen before.  Each one of us knows that she would do anything for us whether we ask her to or not.

Seven years ago our world was rocked.  My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I vividly remember getting the phone call while sitting at the dinner table with Dan at our home in Spanaway. 

 But, never once did my mother back down or feel sorry for herself.  

She fought with both fists up... and won. 

This week she is 7 years cancer free and finally able to come off her cancer medications. 

 Mom,
Thank you for being the best mom, nana, friend, babysitter, coffee companion, launder, seamstress, cook, and confidant a girl could ask for.  I wouldn't be who I am today without you.
We love you to the moon and back.
Here's to another 7 years cancer free!  

Still learning...

Being a mom to 3 boys comes with a steep learning curve.  Six years later I am still learning the ways of my little ones and just when I think I got it, they go and change things on me.  

A few of the things I have learned...

Sitting in a poopy diaper is much more fun than actually getting it changed.

Legos, inevitably, will end up in the vacuum.  

Boys can be drama queens too.

Star Wars is apparently a right of passage in the boy world.

Any toy, and I mean any, can be turned into a weapon.

And just because they turn barbies into guns doesn't mean they are going to grow up to be violent.

Apparently, wearing underwear to school is optional.

Putting dirty clothes in the hamper is a foreign concept no matter how many time you remind them.

They will find potty talk extremely amusing for many years, much to my chagrin.
They can be very finicky about what they wear.
When all else fails, send them outside.

There is a special bond between brothers.
 They love all things bugs, and like to use it against me.
They give the best snuggles.

No matter how big and strong they act, at the end of the day they always need their momma.

He's a playa'

This little dude, that is.

I headed back to work almost 2 weeks ago now.  I have worked a total of 5 shifts.  My mother and my bestie have done a tremendous job taking care of my littles.  However, it seems that this little guy has them both wrapped around his little finger already.  Prior to going back to work we were at least able to get into a better day time routine with at least 2 good naps a day, in his bed.  Well, apparently he has different plans when he is with Nana and Margaret.  As hard as they try (and they do!), G man is having nothing to do with napping for either of them.  He's playing them I tell ya', because he is a champ when it comes to napping for me!

...now if we could just get the night time thing down.

Enjoying...

We are loving these last sunny days!  So sad to see them go.

So apparently I am not the only one

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ClefTees/234579949924954

{4 months}

Baby G,

You are 4 months old (and one week)!  

I can hardly believe it because while in your 4 short months we have been through a lot, it has gone by way too fast!  

You are definitely no longer an infant but rather a baby.  You carry on quite the conversations with all your babbling and cooing.  You are trying your very darndest to roll over only to have mommy push you back every time telling you you are not allowed to grow up.  You love to grab anything and everything but then quickly forget it is in your hand and drop it.  The exersaucer is new to you, but you would much rather be held.  Unlike your brothers, you don't love your binky.  And while this is probably a good thing, your daddy and I don't quite know what to do.  So we feed you... and eat you do!  Since surgery you have really filled out.  You are a more efficient breast feeder and, with a little encouragement, have taken to the bottle when mommy works.  However, naps are not your forte.  You take 1-2 naps in your bed and cat naps on the go for mommy, but you seem to be giving Nana and Margaret a bit harder time.  Secretly, I am happy that you are a mommy's boy but I am sure they would appreciate you sleeping.  Your daddy and I agree you are our happiest baby.  Your giggle warms my heart!  If you are not sleeping or eating, you are smiling

Mommy finally finished your room and you have officially moved in.  While I miss you being next to me you are slowly learning to sleep through the night, thank goodness.  I'm not gonna lie though, this weekend when daddy was away, I brought you to bed with me... and loved every minute of snuggling you.  

Thank you for beign a part of our family, little man.  I couldn't imagine our lives without you!