Dining Room

Here is a picture of our new dining room furniture. I have had several request to put it on here, but I am SLOW! I love decorating for Christmas so it was pretty exciting to have a dining room to decorate - FINALLY!

What's That?

I have been feeling the baby move a lot lately. She doesn't seem to like Andrew laying against my belly much. He was leaning back on me and she started kicking. I think he felt it. As soon as she kicked him he jumped up, turned around and pulled my shirt up and quizically looked at my belly. Then he said "nono" and laid back down.

YUM!

I made myself a mint chocolate chunk milkshake a bit ago. I was drinking it and Andrew is watching intently while sitting on my lap, but unfortunately can't have any. I took a drink and before I had a chance to wipe my mouth Andrew LICKED it. I guess I had some yummy looking ice cream on my lips he wanted!

New Word

Andrew has a new word he started yesterday.

"Blankie"

He says it when he sees his blanket, wants his blanket or is holding his blanket.

In other words....he says it ALL the time - and it is crystal clear!

Only in Louisiana....

Okay, probably Texas too....

We had three tornados touch down last night (not HERE but west of us) and tonight they are calling for a wintery mix.

Tornados and uppers 70's one day and snowing and lower 40s the next.

No wonder everyone's allergies and sinuses are so whacked!!

Poor Little Girl

Is it bad if our little girl wears nothing but dresses? I am in love with little girl dresses with the little bloomers that match. That might be all she ever wears :)

Okay, I am sure it will wear off eventually - but until then....expect to see her in lots of cute dresses.

Andrew's Day

I am SO glad yesterday was my drs appt and not today. Andrew got up at 4:30 this morning. No, I mean UP! He was ready to play. I laid down with him in my bed and after being kicked over and over - by him and the baby - he hit me in the face with the remote. He was ready for some cartoons.

Me...not so much!

We had to run the rest of the weeks errands today because we were SUPPOSED to have a fence being put up (guess what we are NOT having put up I have since found out). He did not go down for a nap until 1 and only slept about half the time he normally does.

I didn't get my nap AT ALL today. I was getting a new fence quote.

On the good side....because I am so tired and know if I sit I will fall asleep, my house is ALMOST spotless. Just need to scrub bathrooms tomorrow and mop! YAY!!!

Bryce's Brain

"I want to watch Phineaus and Ferb. Anyways, how are those pajamas my size? Anyways, two years ago Kristin at school lived in Greenville...."

I quit listening at that point. This is one on-going "conversation". Things just pop in his head and come straight out his mouth. It never makes sense, it never has anything to do with anything that was said or going on and it is always just random thoughts that don't make sense together.

Sonogram pictures

she stretched while we were getting pictures. That is her leg over head and she is holding her knee with her hand
bottom of foot and hand/arm
self-explanatory
another thumb-sucker?
looking at us

20 Weeks

I had my 20 week sonogram today. I was supposed to also have a drs appt, but the dr had to go deliver a baby. I was given the option of waiting or rescheduling in four weeks. They said everything on the sonogram looked great, so we opted to NOT wait! I have delivered enough babies to know how long that can take and did not want to push my luck with Andrew.

Luckily, the lady quickly checked what she needed to see with a full bladder and let me go to the restroom (which I ended up doing four times in the hour I was there!) Pregnant woman TORTURE I am telling ya!

It was not the same lady that did our sonogram four weeks ago. I told her I was hoping for the same outcome and she asked if I was talking about gender. I said yes, that we had FOUR boys and last time it looked as though we were getting a girl. She said they usually do all the technical stuff and then the fun stuff, but she snuck a peak. Low and behold, the baby obviously was not expecting the sneak attack and she was able to see that we are, for sure, having our baby GIRL!!

She went back to the technical stuff: checking heart chambers, kidneys, aorta, lips and nose, spine, measurements, etc. She looks perfect. We are blessed. So many people don't have healthy babies, even though they do everything right. For us to have, what appears to be, FIVE healthy babies is God!! I know a lot can happen in 20 weeks and even beyond, but I am still counting our blessings!

She was quite active all of last night, throughout the night and all during the sonogram. She was having fun kicking the transducer as soon as the lady would get it where she needed it.

Andrew did his surprise face when we heard the heartbeat and sat perfectly still, like if he moved the sound would stop. I know he does not understand there is a little baby in me, but it is so sweet the way he loves to lay on my BARE belly and pat my belly and kiss it. It seems like the more my belly grows, the more he likes to love on it! He was perfect the whole time we were there. I fixed him some Sprite and did not give it to him until I laid down for the sonogram. The lady doing the sonogram finally asked what was so good because he was sucking on that cup the whole time just about (that was my secret Mama plan!!).

I don't have to spend a day returning baby stuff - YAY!!!! Now....I have this image in my head of what I want her room to look like and I am having SUCH a hard time finding it outside of my head! ARGGGHHHH!

I know lots of people are waiting for this post, so I will put the sonogram pics up in just a little bit. Let me get AJ down for his nap and scan them into the computer.

Bad Mom?

Maybe....but if it means 30 minutes of NOT chasing Andrew around, I will PROUDLY take the title!

Wonder Pets just came on. There are only two shows that Andrew will sit by himself and watch ALL of. Wonder Pets and Backyardigans. They don't come on ALL the time, though, like Spongebob (which I despise!!). I have started recording everytime they come on - just in case I ever REALLY need a break ;)

My Fun Morning

I get to drink 32 ounces of water in 30 minutes or less and then hold it for at least an hour and a half while someone pushes on my bladder for an hour.

Glad they have a restroom INSIDE the sonogram room!

OH YEAH - AND.....I will have terrible-two-even-though-he-is-not-two-yet-Andrew with me. He will be buckled down into a stroller. Imagine how well that will go. After the hour long sonogram I have a drs appt too.

Daddy forgot until he was reminded Friday that he is out of town this week. OOPS!! I HAVE to have the sonogram in my 20th week - that is what they said, so there was no rescheduling!

I will post when we get home.

Letter to Pepa From Caleb

This is a letter Caleb wrote for his Grandfather on Veteran's Day. He wanted it put on his grave, but I don't think it can be.

Dear Ronald,
I hope you get everything you've ever wanted. Thank you for serving our country. I hope you find everything you are looking for on this Nov. 11 in heaven. God Bless you. In God's name. Amen.

Finally Fixed!!

When we bought my car the cruise control was broken. The part had to be ordered so we made plans to take it in and get it fixed. It has been a VERY frustrating process.

We bought it from a Chevy dealership and instead of sending it to Infiniti (or Nissan), they decided they were going to fix it. To make a long, irritating story short, they have had my car about as long as I have had it! After the Chevy dealership had it for 2+ weeks, they finally decided to send it to Infiniti (which we were told was where it was going to begin with).

They did not even give me a loaner car to begin with. After several days of NOT having my car I called and talked to a manager and told them this was there fault, it should have already been fixed (we were initially told the job would take THREE HOURS) and I could not continue not having a vehicle. So, they gave me a car.

I went to Baton Rouge to run a few errands yesterday morning. I was told my car was done Wednesday, the dealership just needed to pick it up. They would call me Thursday morning when they got it. I called around 12:00 to see if it was there because I was finishing up errands. He said he had not gotten to pick it up yet. I explained I was in BR and did not want to drive all the way home and have to turn around. He said when I was done with all my errands to call him back and he would know when I could get it. I called back when I was done, he told me to give him an hour, he was with a customer and then he would go get the car. An hour and a half later, I show up. He is STILL with a customer and my car was not there. He told me to wait and he would take me to the Nissan dealership to get it. I waited and waited and had to leave because kids would be getting home.

Poor AJ was warn out! The plan was to be home in time for his nap - especially since he got up at 5:30. Didn't happen! Not only did he not get a nap, but dinner ended up about 2 hours later than normal because I had to go back and get the car when Paul got home (during rush hour).

So, today, between laundry and housework and chasing AJ, I am being LAZY! When AJ takes a nap - I will be taking a nap!

P.S. Andrew was awesome through it all yesterday. He had to do a lot of buckled-in sitting all day.

We will NEVER go back to this dealership, but I really feel there is NO honest dealership out there!

Christmas Tree '08

This is our Christmas tree this year. We decided to go back to the fake this year. Loved the real tree, until it was time to get rid of it and get the sap off the hardwood floors! In this first picture, if you notice the stocking holders (the two snowflakes and SANTA)....well "curious" AJ pulled two of those big, heavy stocking holders on his head Monday (at the same time). Let's just say he proved just how hard his head really is. He barely had as much as a bump on his head - and they are heavy!

Also, after several ornament casualties, we have moved our ornaments up a bit. The bottom of the tree is kind of bare - but curious Andrew strikes again. We had already put all of the boys "special" ornaments that they choose every year higher up. I guess I will hit the after-Christmas sales and try and get some good deals on ornaments. Or pay full price next year. I have a feeling when Christmas is done, we will have few ornaments left!

I really want to do a big, fancy, close to over-the-top tree, but for some reason the boys don't go for it and I don't want to spend a lot of money on something they will destroy :(

Maybe one day!

Oh Yeah!

Bryce weighs 38lbs 8oz and is 43 inches tall.

WOW! He is growing up!

Wigwam

Bryce has had some spots on his forehead, so I took him to the dr today. His teacher was asking what it was and then yesterday they bus driver said it looked like it might be ringworm. I have never dealt with ringworm - so had no idea what to look for.

So he went to he went to the dr this morning. I explained about the teacher and bus driver and he said it actually DID look like ringworm. He said to send him back to school because that is probably where he got it (and he has been there with it all this time anyway). It is possible he got it from our animals, but since noone else in the family has spots (the animals can apparently have them and not be affected by them) the dr does not think that is the case.

The dr wrote a school note that said he had dermatitis and was not contagious. He told me to put the cream on before I took him in though, because as soon as he has the cream on he is no longer contagious. As we were leaving Bryce asked what ringworms were. I told him nothing - he just had a rash and was not contagious (I KNEW he would go to school and tell everyone if I said he had ringworm).

When he got home I asked about his half day at school. He said "everyone wanted to know the TRUTH about what I had." I asked if he told them he just had a rash. "No, I told them all I had wigwams."

AJ's New Thing

I don't know where he got this, Paul and I don't recall doing this at all, but this morning when I went to get Andrew (who was banging on his door calling "MA") I opened the door and the dog was under us panting. Andrew put his finger over his mouth and started saying "SHHHH" - right in the dogs face.

I guess it is okay for Andrew to beat down the door and yell Ma, but the dog is not allowed to pant (grant it, it is pretty annoying when he follows us around the house doing that).

Pictures

I have done HORRIBLE lately about the camera! I am posting all the pics I have taken in the last month and I will try to do better!!

Isaac's Award Ceremony

Isaac had his awards ceremony at school a while back. He got the A/B honor roll and perfect attendance. AJ and I went, but when we got there we could not even get into the cafeteria to watch. We stood at the entry way, took a couple of pics and when his class was done - we left. I forgot AJ's stroller so I was having to hold him and he is getting heavy!

Good job Isaac!!

Fund Raiser

Caleb was doing a fund raiser for school. A kid had come over and was wanting us to buy from him and we told him our son was selling. They knew each other (Caleb admits to having a "crush" on the kids sister) so they decided to go sell together. After going around the neighborhood, they were not ready to give up, so they set up a "stand" at the street (using AJ's wagon turned upside down), made a sign and made ISAAC hold the sign (and since he looks up to his brother and was getting attention from him, he had no problem helping out).

Andrew's Fashion

Andrew likes to wear his shirts like this and if you do not have two shoes on his feet, he will find a shoe (his or not) and wear it like this. It is pretty funny to watch.

Andrew Painting....the HOUSE

As I have previously mentioned, I have been painting the house. This is in the kitchen. I had gotten this green for the kitchen, but we decided it was a little too....flourescent on the wall. So, this color is in the boys bathroom instead. It almost matches their shower curtain (note to self: get new shower curtain. Lot of green in that small bathroom!).

Andrew sits right next to that wall and after he gets up from eating, he tries to paint. I guess he doesn't like the partial paint job. I got some paint last weekend for the kitchen, just need time home to do it!

Boys and Their Toys

Thanksgiving morning, after getting the turkey in the oven, Daddy and Isaac decided to play the X-box. Andrew, of course, wanted to join in. If you notice his controller is not plugged in and he is holding it upside down, BUT - he THOUGHT he was playing and it kept him happy, and more importantly, BUSY!

Sneaky Little Boy

As part of Isaac's homework every night he has to do sight words. He gets a new list every week assuming that he is able to tell all the words on the list on Friday (if he doesn't know all the words he gets the same list a second week). I have to initial every night that he did his list.

I am going to be honest here. I am NOT a perfect Mom. I know that is REALLY hard to believe. Sometimes, though, I forget to sign homework and notes. SOMETIMES, I even forget about some of the kids homework I need to help them with (although, technically I make it THEIR responsibility to come to me with homework they need help on). SHHHH - our secret here!

Isaac has gotten bad about not bringing me his list of words, or asking me to initial after he says his words. Instead of getting a check, which would bring his conduct down from and A+ to an A, he just puts my initials on it - whether we did the words or not. I have gotten on to him about this and tried to explain that it is lying (forgery) and cheating. Today when he got home I was looking at his papers. I noticed that my initials were on it and instantly remembered we DID not do words last night. He looked at me and said he did NOT sign my name. I asked how it got there. He said he just put "MB" not my name.

Yes, he can write my initials and make them look like mine because I normally just scribble my initials while also working on something else. I told him I would not sign if he does this. But, that is okay with him because HE will just sign it the next day. I guess I will have to send a note to the teacher and explain what has happened and tell her to only accept my signature with a certain color of ink that he can't get his hands on. This is not something that is acceptable now or ever wil be so this needs to be stopped NOW!!!

Big Brothers

Isaac has hit that stage where he wants to be just like his big brother. He always changes his mind if you give him options for stuff (like food or movies or games) to whatever Caleb says he wants.

Saturday it was rainy outside. Caleb decided he wanted to dress up (not sure why). Isaac comes out in a green striped polo shirt, black slacks and brown dress shoes. Daddy asked him why he was dressed up and Isaac just said "because". Daddy asked if Caleb was dressing up and he said yes. I walked in to find Caleb in the closet (putting on mismatched dress socks). He had on a green striped polo shirt (almost the same ast he one Isaac was wearing), black slacks and black dress shoes.

Oh the joys of being the big brother! Just wait Isaac, your little brothers will want to be like you too!

Teenager

I don't remember exactly what Caleb was trying to convince us to let him do or get for him (probably because I was so blown away by what he said) but the other day Caleb was trying to get his way about something and he says "But I'm a TEENAGER!"

I quickly put him in his place and reminded him he is NOT a teenager yet, so he needed to stop ACTING like a teenager!

Time for me to go hide under a rock for a few years!

Spanish

The boys ALL have spanish at school. We were eating dinner at a Mexican restraunt a couple of weeks ago and the waiter (a mexican) was giving us our drinks. Bryce says "I know how you say 'bye' in spanish." We asked how and he says "Hasta la vista".

It does mean "see you later", but not really what I expected to hear him say as a child just beginning to learn spanish!

Frowning Moon

Last night, if you looked to the southwest sky, you could see the moon "frown". The planets Jupiter and Venus aligned with the crescent moon. The planets looked like eyes and the moon a frown. You were supposed to look at dusk, but unfortunately at the best time to view it (4:30 pm) we had clouds in our way. We were able to see it a little later, after the moon had risen above the planets (so it was an upside down frown face).

Caleb has been learning about astronomy in school and also got a telescope for his birthday, so when I read about it I told him he could go out and watch it. He loved it and can't wait to tell his teacher about it.

Paul and I spent quite a bit of time outside last night. We were having a shed delivered and the guy did not get here with it until almost 7. It was quite a show even when we were out. It was VERY bright and definently caught your eye whether you were looking for it or not.

I think I read the next time this would happen would be the year 2052. I am glad Caleb got to see it while he was learning about this stuff and excited about it.


This is what you were SUPPOSED to see if you saw it early enough. By the time our clouds moved out the smile was above the eyes and was more like and upside down frown.

The Case of the Mysterious and ANNOYING Smoke Detector

I have mentioned in the blog before about our really annoying smoke detector. The smoke detector in the boys hallway likes to beep in the middle of the night.

ALL night.

About every 15-30 seconds.

BEEP!

BEEP!!

We have found that it starts beeping as soon as the thermostat hits 74 degrees. As soon as the house warms above 74 degrees it stops.

I have to adjust my thermostat to my smoke detectors comfort level?

I did some research tonight online about the problem. I really was not expecting to find much, but it is apparently a common problem. There were people saying to change the battery (which there isn't one that we can find, but we can't get the alarm down to actually check anything). There were also people saying to use canned air to clean the housing, because it could be dusty. I don't think dust would cause it to beep at 74 degrees though. The only other thing I found was to get a new detector.

Great, except again, we can't get the alarm off the ceiling.

Is it spring time yet?

Happy Thanksgiving

We have had a pretty lazy Thanksgiving this year. We had our lunch, complete with our normal turkey, broccoli and cheese casserole, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, creamed peas and Watergate salad. It was all very good.

Unfortunately, AJ is sick. He has been running a fever off and on all day and kinda had his big naptime meltdown during lunch. After lunch EVERYONE took a nap (THANK YOU TRIPDAPHAN - I think we need to eat more turkey!!). It has been raining today, so between full bellies, cloudy skies and rain hitting the window - PERFECT napping scenario!

After everyone got up, we have basically sat in front of the tv, played video games, etc.

When we sit down to our "feast" it is our tradition to go around the table and say what we are thankful for. I thought I would post what everyone was thankful for this year.

Daddy is thankful for his family and our new house.

Mommy is thankful for her family, all of the blessings in our lifes and that Daddy has a job where he does not have to travel often so he is home with the family.

Caleb is thankful for God and Jesus.

Isaac is thankful for God and Jesus and all the new toys they get from the store (I assume this is because birthday and Christmas is coming up because they don't get a lot of new toys throughout the year).

Bryce is thankful for good behavior and cleaning his room (I find this very ironic since we have constant battles with BOTH of these issues!).

Andrew was apparently thankful for his food, because the whole time we were going around the table telling what we were thankful for and all of the boys saying their own blessings, he was EATING! Hey, it was either that or listen to him scream and not hear what the boys were saying. Sometimes, you just gotta go with the flow!

It was a great day and after a LIGHT dinner of turkey sandwiches and broccoli casserole, we are going to enjoy some pie in a bit and watch Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving special.

Hope you all had as good a day as we did. We miss everyone - especially around the holidays.

A Week Home

The boys don't have school at all this week. They came home chanting "no school for nine days" Friday. Daddy has Thursday and Friday off and gets off at 3 all week.

Bryce is having asthma issues the last few days. He is doing his normal coughing, but at had a full blown asthma attack Saturday night. It has been quite a while since he has had to use his inhaler. I wasn't sure where it was and had a moment of panic when Paul came and told me he was having an attack. Luckily, it was where it was supposed to be.

Andrew is having issues this weekend too. He has a bad cough and really snotty nose! He has not been sleeping well this weekend, but last night was bad. We assume he had a nightmare, but not sure. Really, what is a 19 month old nightmare like? It took about an hour - at 3 am - to get him calmed down and back to sleeping. I didn't get up with Daddy this morning at 5:15 - like I normally do. Had a little recovery time. :)

Biting the Bullet

We are FINALLY painting the inside of the house. We have been talking about it since we bought it, but haven't done it. Tomorrow we are getting our dining room furniture so we wanted to get the dining room painted. We went with a darker green in there.

Also, Paul was SUPPOSED to get his fishtank today. Once water is put in it, it isn't moving - so we had to paint before the tank got brought home. Well, we went to get it and it didn't come in. It was left off the order for some reason. So, the corner where the tank will be is painted - but we still have a long ways to go. We got what we thought was a pale yellow to brighten up the main living space. We are not sure about the color now. I hate that - it always looks SO different from a little sample to a whole wall!

Tomorrow, I will do the kitchen and we will get more paint for the living room - I ran out. The kitchen will be a brighter green - not flourescent, though. Hopefully, everything will blend well. It is so hard to pick colors for such an open floor plan, but I don't like one color throughout the house (especially when it isn't much of a color).

Hopefully we won't be REPAINTING after Christmas! I will give it the rest of the year for the colors to grow on me - if they don't....we will have to do new colors!

Today Tomorrow?

Just about every morning Bryce asks if today is tomorrow. I tell him no, today is today, tomorrow is tomorrow. I have tried to explain how it works, but every morning we still go through it.

And, every morning he gets mad - because I won't agree that today is tomorrow!

Questions From the 18th Century

Caleb had a homework assignment where he had to interview a grandparent. He told me though, that his teacher said he was supposed to interview someone from the 18th century. I guess we could have visited a grave, but can't guarantee that we would get a response!

Sad Economy

Everyone knows our economy is in sad shape right now. Personally, I don't think it is the governments place to choose which companies are worth saving and which are okay to go under. This car maker bail-out is really irritating though. I understand the number of jobs that are tied into this, but the CEO's talk about how they are sacrificing all they can, they are laying off people, etc. to make ends meet, yet they go to Washington on their plush $20,000 roundtrip private jets - when they could have flown commercial for under $300.

I have heard the arguement "Do you know how much these people travel?" EXACTLY!! How much do these CEO's travel on their private jets at $20,000 roundtrip. Think of how much they could save if they flew commercial, as do the majority of American's. Think of how much money they could make if they SOLD their private jets. One of the CEO's only travels by this private jet - as does his wife - personal or business.

Don't ask me to pay to bail you out of your problem while you are still traveling on your plush private jet. We don't work our butt's off (PAY FOR OUR VEHICLES), etc so that we can bail out all of these private companies that like to waste money on their personal comforts.

A congressman asked the CEO's for a raise of hands of those that were willing to sell their jets, where they sit, and fly home on a commercial plane. NOONE raised their hands.

Well....CEO's their is your answer. When you are willing to make some REAL sacrifices, like us "normal American's" are having to, maybe we can put this issue back on the table. What do you think is going to happen to your private jets when your company tanks?

Thief

We were in the car a while ago and Bryce says "Mom, I had $2207 in my coat pocket and someone opened my pocket and took it."

"Where did you get $2007?"

"Yellow"

This is not an uncommon type of converstaion with him. He likes to have conversations that make no-sense and leave the person he is talking to scratching their head!

Bryce's Fire Training Trip

If you remember a while back, Paul and Bryce were invited to watch the fire brigade from Paul's plant do training at the LSU fire school. They went, but as I believe I wrote he probably would, Paul forgot to get the camera out of the car and did not realize it until he had walked about a mile to where the training was at. So, he took some photos with his phone camera. Luckily, the firemen took some pictures too, and Paul got them.

The firemen LOVED Bryce's uniform. Bryce was a little confused at the beginning as to why these men were going into a fire. Obviously, this is the first time he has actually seen firemen in action. I think he rethought his choice of wanting to be a fireman. Unfortunately, by the end of the night - he was back to wanting to be a fireman - for real - knowing what exactly they do.

Nervous Mom here!!

Bryce talked about the trip for days. It was so exciting for him and he had a great time. Sounds like the firemen had a good time with him, too. They were invited to have a catered dinner with the firemen, but it was late and Bryce still had homework to do, so they passed (they ate before they went too).

This was such a great experience for Bryce (and some great one on one time with him and Daddy). I can't thank the fire brigade enough for inviting him. It was a once in a lifetime treat for him.






These are the pictures that were taken with the phone. If you double click them and blow them up, you can see it better.

17 Weeks

Okay, time to start pregnancy updates. I am actually 17 1/2 weeks. Hard to believe we are almost half way there already!

We are working on names right now. I guess I thought it would get easier - especially since we are looking at GIRL names, but....

We have decided on Mia Elizabeth. Of course, it is still early and we have a tendency to change our minds! When I start buying things with her name on it, I will let you know!

Other things going on, I am still tired all the time, but not feeling nauseous anymore, which is good. I have not had any strange cravings lately.

I have been able to feel her moving around some, but mainly only at night when I lay in bed. They have been light, so they are hard to feel if I am moving around. Last night she was pretty active though and the movements are beginning to get stronger.

Good Parenting

As parents of four boys (and another baby on the way), we strive constantly to be the best parents we can. That is why, MOMENTS after the boys went to bed tonight, we were unpacking their BIG Santa gift and testing it out.

It is a WII.

It is SOOOOO much fun, and all we have played is the Sports games that came with it.

We might need to "try it out" every night between now and Christmas to make sure there is nothing questionable about it, while also ensuring that they have the best Christmas morning by us being able to show them how it works.

THAT, my friend, is parenting at it's best.

Now, I must go back to parenting (by testing out the product).

Nerdiness Shining Through

Caleb asked me if there was a waxing gibbuos in the sky when he was born or if it was a waning gibbuos.

Luckily Mom was on the computer when he asked, because she had NO idea what he was talking about! Daddy just rolled his eyes and said his nerdiness was showing.

Do you walk around and say "Look, there is a waxing gibbuos?"

Do you even know what it is?

Christmas Shopping

Other than getting a couple of small things and stocking stuffers, I am done shopping for my five boys for Christmas.

It took a big chunk of the day to get it all done. AJ was great. I think he had one meltdown and that was because he needed a snack. He had NO problem crawling into bed when we got home though!

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY CALEB

My boys are growing up too fast. Today is Caleb's 10th birthday. There were doubts whether he was going to get to do anything or get anything for his birthday this year. I think he may be turning 16 today!! He has to talk-back to anything that is said to him. Part of that is just his personality (he would make a GREAT attorney) - he LOVES to argue, even when there is nothing to argue about.

But, we took him to pick out his birthday present yesterday. He chose a big telescope. He has been wanting one for a while and now they are working on planets, sun, moon, stars, etc. in Science.

It is a tradition that the boys get to choose their dinner on their birthday. We let him choose lunch and dinner (because we were out running errands at lunch time). He chose McDonalds for lunch and for dinner he said he wanted ribs, potato salad, corn-on-the-cob and cinammon apples. It was the first time the kids had a rack of ribs (usually we buy the deboned ribs). Not only did they do great eating them, but they all really seemed to like them.

Tonight I am making a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. He wanted funfetti frosting, but we prefer the whipped frosting - which they did not have, so we just bought some candy confetti for the top.

I hope he has a great day (even if he does have to go to school on his birthday! He said all day yesterday he was "nen" years old". He says that is the number between 9 and 10. Today, though, I have a for real 10 year old! :(

Are they going to be changing the legal driving age any time soon?

Busy Day

I have completed grocery shopping for Thanksgiving and Christmas, other than the fresh produce type stuff (and a Turkey for Christmas). I do not want to try and get this stuff this weekend or later when EVERYONE is trying to get the same stuff, so since we are back to having two refrigerators/freezers and I CAN get everything early - I AM!!

Today, I am going Christmas shopping! I don't want to deal with everyone doing that either and Mondays are usually kinda slow days in a lot of stores (especially early in the morning). I doubt I will get it all done today, but I can get a HUGE majority of it done (as long as AJ cooperates!). So...that is my FUN day today.

WE GOT GAS FOR $1.95 (cheapest it has been here since 2005, I hear) YESTERDAY!!!!

YAY!!!!

PINK Clothes

Yesterday while we were out shopping, I was getting pink stuff. Paul kept commenting that everything was pink. What color did he THINK I was going to buy?

I really did find a couple of things that I really liked that were lavender and green, but most of the stuff out right now is for cold weather - it won't be cold (especially here) when she is born!

I got her several sleepers, ONE dress (that is all I could find that was cute and not long sleeve), some onesies and a couple of things off the clearance rack that were short sleeved.

Now, I just hope I don't have to return all of it :(

Girl Names

We are beginning the task of picking a girl name. Caleb thinks we should name her Henrietta or Emerald. He was not looking at a baby name book - not sure where he got these names.

The search continues!

Isn't Parenting Grand?

I had to take my car in today to get the windshield replaced and the cruise control fixed (things that were "owed" us when we bought it). It was SUPPOSED to take three hours TOPS to do the work, so we were hanging out in Baton Rouge. The last place we went was the mall. That is right - I went and bought some pink. It is all already decided right? Don't worry - no tags were removed! I know the limits. :)

We are walking through the mall, Daddy pushing AJ in the stroller when I start hearing a noise and see "stuff" on the floor trailing from the stroller. Andrew threw up. He didn't just throw up - he THREW UP - I mean GALLONS.

He went to the dr Tuesday. Wednesday he started running a low-grade fever. Continued the fever all day yesterday. Got up this morning fever-free and stayed that way all day. He has not been eating great lately, but he really goes through phases. This morning (after only having mashed potatoes and gravy yesterday) he ate part of a piece of bread with peanut butter for breakfast and some fruit snacks. He would not touch ANYTHING at lunch (and it was spagetti which is one of his favs). He did drink a glass of raspberry lemonade though.

We are not sure what happened. It was bad though. Here we are in the middle of the mall, people everywhere and he is COVERED in throw-up and screaming. We tried to cover him with a shopping bag until we could get in a less busy area, but that made him more mad and he wanted his clothes off. So, we did what any good parent would do (?) and we ran to the nearest exit. OF COURSE, it was the opposite side from where we parked! I stripped his shirt off as soon we got outside and tried to clean him off as best as I could with the few wipes I had!

We got some STARES as we ran around the outside of the mall with a stinky, nasty half dressed baby! We got to the car and got him stripped to his diaper and he quickly fell asleep. He has been fine ever since.

Don't know what happened - but it put an abrupt end to our trip. Our "three hour max" car fix - I got called at 4:45 this afternoon (dropped it off before 9) and was told that I could either leave it for the weekend or I would need to bring it back in because the cruise control was more complicated than they expected. They don't work on weekends, so it would just sit on the lot until Monday. We picked it up, but I am not very happy!

So, that was our FUN eventful day - one of those where you go to bed wondering if parenting was REALLY the best route for us to go!

AJ's Drs Appt

I took AJ BACK to the dr this morning. We did not see the dr that ordered the test last week (he is not in the office on Tuesday), but we did see the dr we initially saw in this office. He said since all of the tests came back normal he thinks he has too much yeast in his gi system. He had prescribed some medicine before we went in, based on the information I had given his nurse. We tried it and it made his diarrhea worse, so we stopped it. The dr who ordered the test said if he did have a stomach/intestinal infection like he thought then it was pointless to give him that medicine because it would not stay in his system long enough to help.

So, the dr said to put him back on it, finish it and probably have to do a second bottle of the same meds to get his system completely back on track. We are to keep him off all foods with dairy/lactose in it until he is completely back to normal. He is also to have no juice. He can have his lactose free milk, gatorade, tea, kool-aid, etc, but no juice because of the acidity of it.

I am back to long grocery shopping because I am having to read all the labels to make sure he can have it. As I have said before, you would be surprised how much dairy and lactose is in foods. It is everywhere!

They also gave us a different cream to use a few times a day on his diaper rash. And told me to put a pad down at bedtime and let him sleep with no diaper (he apparently hasn't had kids in diapers in a while). It would not matter WHERE I put that pad - it would be on top of him or on the floor shortly after I laid him down. And I don't even want to think of the image of what damage he could do in this situation with no diaper on!

The drs (his dr usually has a student dr with him) were amazed at how happy and playful he is for this to have all been going on for a month now.

Sonogram Photos

A picture worth a thousand words!!
hand at mouth
hand at nose
waving
hands at face
kinda alien like here!

I promised I would post them, and here they are.

I am not taking this anything like I expected I would. Yesterday I was ecstatic (and I still am) when we were told. Last night, I started looking at the pictures and the one that says she is a she, I can't tell what ANYTHING is in that picture. I guess I thought after five pregnancies, I would be able to read any picture. The fact that I CAN'T tell what anything is should make me feel better because I have never had a girl or seen a "girl" sonogram. But, it doesn't. I am very skeptical. I know these people do sonograms ALL the time and know what they are looking at, but come on...me....a girl... Makes me wonder. I spent quite a while last night trying to compare my sonogram picture with other pictures online of "16 week girl sonograms". It didn't make me feel any better (probably because none were EXACTLY like mine).

It also did not help that she did not cooperate. The lady who did the sonogram sounded pretty sure (although she did say we would try to find out FOR SURE next time - she did still put girl on the picture), but I am not! I am going on a roller coaster of feelings. I want to go buy out all the pink and frills I can find, but on the other hand I don't want to "jinx" myself either. I know it won't change anything, but I just feel I am better off being skeptical for at least another 4 weeks. If she still sees a girl next time - I will go straight from the drs offics - shopping!!

So, for the next month, she is she, we are really excited, but I am not quite convinced. Hopefully in a month, she will cooperate and I can be convinced! I do remind myself frequently that all of the boys were proud to show that they were boys. There was NO mistaking. Even WE could tell they were boys before we were told. I take comfort in the fact that she is a little more secretive about what is (or is not) down there!

Sonogram

We just got back from the sonogram. The sonogram cofirmed that I am due the end of April, as we expected. I was 16 weeks, yesterday.

We got some GREAT shots of our baby girl.

Pictures to come!

Sonogram

So, needless to say we are ecstatic! I don't know who was more excited, us when the nurse told us or the boys when we told them (ok - I do know - it was US!!)

Shortly after she started the sonogram and before she got past the head, she asked if we wanted to know. I looked at Paul and told him it was up to him. He got a big smile and said he wanted to know. We could not get the baby to move her legs to see anything. I laughed and commented that out of my grandparents 10 grandchildren, they had nine boys and one girl. We were always able to find out the sex of the babies - except with Alyssa. She would never let anyone see until right before my sister had her. So, I said maybe it was a good sign.

A minute later the nurse said "I think you are getting your girl, but she is still making it difficult to get a clear shot."

She kept looking and saying she thought it was a girl, then she wrote "girl" on the sonogram. She said when I came back for my 20 week sonogram (when they take all the measurements, etc of the baby), they will try to verify.

For that reason, we are trying not to get our hopes up TOO much. As hard as it was, I did not stop and shop for anything pink (this weekend might be a different story though :))

Everything looked great, all the measurements they got today put us at 16 weeks, which is where we thought we were at. I go back in four weeks for my 20 week sonogram and hopefully the baby will be more cooperative!

Isaac called this one! He was the one that kept saying from the beginning that Andrew was a boy, when everyone else said I would have a girl. The other day he came and hugged me and rubbed my stomach and said "I think we are having a girl this time." He has some special talant or something!

Unorganized Teacher

Bryce's teacher is VERY unorganized. We frequently get home stuff that is due immediately (field trip slips, money, etc).

Friday, Bryce brought home a note saying that the kids were going to Mississippi on Wednesday and the permission slip and money were due Monday. We had not even been told about this field trip before this letter!

Guess who forgot to send the permission slip and money today!? I called the school and asked them to tell the teacher I would bring it when AJ wakes up from his nap.

I have a lot of papers I have to go through, nightly, and sign. It is very hard to keep up with them all sometimes - especially this time of year when everyone is doing field trips and projects!

Fire Training

The fire brigade at the plant Paul works at it doing training tonight at the LSU fire school. They asked Paul if he wanted to come and said he could bring Bryce. Bryce does not even know yet, but he is going to be SO excited when he finds out. He has been begging me to take him to the fire station here, but we have not gone. He has gotten to see the firemen when they came to the school and that is it!

I told Paul he had to take the camera and take LOTS of pictures, so (assuming he does that) I will post pictures tonight or tomorrow. They will be practicing putting out many different kinds of fire.

Thanks to the guys that invited them!

AJ Issues

I just got off the phone with the drs office, making another appointment for Andrew. I can't do it today (I have my sonogram in a few hours), so I made it for tomorrow morning. He had a great Saturday, with only one bad diaper, but woke up Sunday making up for Saturday.

I have been bragging on this great "potion" we have come up with for his diaper rashes. He has not had a bad one since his trip to the hospital in Jan/Feb. I can put this stuff on his bottom if it starts to turn red, and by the next diaper change it will be cleared up. If he is having issues, we immediately start using this mixture.

We made the mistake of giving him orange juice yesterday morning. We had breakfast at McDonalds, and he had finished his lactose free milk. There are not many options that are lactose free, and not soda, so we got orange juice. The acid in the juice mixing with his already bad diapers was BAD! So, his poor bottom....he walks like he has something shoved up his bottom - knees locked and cries. I feel really bad - I should have known not to give him that, but he has not had any problems with it in the past!!

I will post when I know what our next course of action will be!

Reading Books

Andrew has really gotten into books lately. Before, when you tried to read to him, or even just look at books, he would close the book on you. Lately, we will read or just look at the pictures and he LOVES to point to all of the animals. I always tell him what he is pointing to.

This morning, he was looking at The Ravenous Beast, which has been a favorite of ALL of the boys. He was pointing to all of the animals and I was saying what they were. He started repeating what I was saying back to me! If it was a hard word, he would shake his head no and say "Dada", but words like "cat", "lion", "cow" he would repeat. He has never said any of those words (cat has always been kiki). Then he tried saying his brothers names back to me - which are still hard to say!

Another cute thing he was doing is when we were reading he would close the book, so I was just flipping the pages and we were looking at pictures. Everytime I turned the page, he would put his ear to the page with words (one page is words, one is pictures). I guess the book was telling him the story.

All of the kids LOVE to read - I am glad he is finally showing interest too!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

I mean Alyssa!

Saturday was Mom's birthday (and while I was late putting it on here, I DID talk to her on the phone). My parents have started giving their birthdays to my niece, Alyssa (Mom's birthday) and nephew Johnathon (Dad's birthday).

Alyssa and Johnathon will be as old (I mean, YOUNG) as Dad and Mom in no time at this rate!! Maybe I should start giving mine away too - but not to my kids - they are growing up to fast already!

Hope you had a GREAT birthday Mom!

Fund Raisers and Crushes

A little boy came over today to see if we wanted to buy from his fundraiser. Paul answered the door and told the kid that his son was selling the same stuff. After a discussion of who is son was, the kid says "yeah, he has a crush on my sister."

He asked if Caleb could go sale the fundraiser stuff with him and Paul said yes. They left (but not before we could ask about the girl - which he happily admitted to liking) and were gone for quite a while going door to door (LOVE that we are in a neighborhood where they can do that!).

They came home and were outside playing. I look out the front window to see AJ's wagon at the curb upside down, Caleb and his friend sitting behind the wagon and Isaac holding a sign standing at the road. They had made a "stand" for selling their fundraiser stuff. Noone stopped, so they went and put signs at the entrance of the neighborhood and one on our road.

The cookie dough they are selling are $14 for 3 lbs, cheesecakes for $18 and brownies and cinnamon rolls for $14. Can't really blame people for not stopping. This is the first time I have ever let him do a fundraiser though. He is excited about it.

Tomorrow they plan on trying again, and I think Daddy MIGHT take it to work next week and try to sell some.

AJ's Dr Call

I got a call from AJ's dr (literally, the dr himself called). He said they could not find anything at all in the sample. Usually, if there was an infection or virus there would at least be some white blood cells, but there was nothing. He wants us to start the Culturell and take him completely off anything with lactose and see what happens.

If there is no change at all by Monday (although we do not expect him to be completely back to normal either) I am supposed to call back and set up another appointment. There is a chance he will end up back at a GI dr, if we don't figure something out soon (that is what Dr. said).

AJ's Test Results

I just got a call from the drs office and they had the test results. Everything came back normal. That is good....I guess.

What isn't good is that yesterday he had a total of SIX very bad diapers. So, I am glad he does not have a stomach/intestinal infection, however he has SOMETHING and we are no closer to knowing what it is today than we were Monday when we went.

I am waiting for the nurse to call back with what the doctor wants to do next.

Good Quote

I like this quote and it is something that I want the boys to learn and remember when they start having girlfriends. I am lucky to be married to a great guy that treats me as an equal, but not everyone is!

"Woman was created by the rib of man: Not from his head, to be thought of only, nor from his hand to be owned, nor from his foot to be beneath, but from under his arm to be protected, from his side to be equal and from his heart to be loved."

National Toy Hall of Fame

This is great! In 2005, the cardboard box was inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. This year the STICK is being inducted, along with Mr. Potato Head and the Atari 2600 game system (which are both personal favorites).

Is there a Weapon Hall of Fame? In this house full of boys, the stick might fit better into that one than the Toy Hall of Fame!

Teaching/Learning Bryce

As many of you know, I am concerned (and have been for a while) as to whether or not Bryce could be ADD. I did not want to do anything about taking him to a dr until he completed his first nine weeks of school and I had a conference with his teacher to get her opinion. Her opinion was that he was NOT ADD, and not to get him tested.

I am still skeptical!

I talked to my cousin, who has a child that is ADD. He advice was to watch him and wait until his first grade year. She said things seem to become clear in first grade. So, we wait...we watch...we take notes!

He is very hard to work with at home. He always has been. That is why he went into Kindergarten barely able to write his name. He just has very little interest in sitting still and working on work. Even if you try and make it fun, he knows it is work.

His teacher sent home three lists of words several weeks ago. We have been working on list A since then, and he has problems with the same words EVERY night. I have tried everything I can think of to help him sound them out or somehow get it. There were 18 words in list A. Last night, something FINALLY clicked with him and he got them ALL (after working on them for about 45 minutes). I took the words on the list and made flashcards because I thought it would be a little less overwhelming than a sheet of paper with three lists on it. The first time last night that he got every flashcard without my help, we stopped. I really wanted to stop on a high note with him!!!

I figured tonight we would struggle through it again, but this morning I went through them with him and he got them all, on his own, with little thinking time on each word.

It is very frustrating to work with him because he is always fidgeting. He is either picking at his feet or playing with his clothes or putting his hands in his mouth, but ALWAYS moving. It has got to make it hard to pay attention to what you are working on. My cousin gave me some tips to try with him while he is working. She said that they may work better standing up (we have been studying the words sitting on the couch - this morning we stood up and he barely had to think before he said the words). She also said to try giving him skittles or m&m's while he works. Something to keep his other hand busy.

I am hoping that since he is REALLY proud of himself for getting this first list done, he will be more excited about wanting to accomplish list B, and will have the drive to get through the next 18 words.

I am also hoping that I can have the patience to work through this with him, figure out his secret to get through homework and accept that he really may not be able to sit still while he works!! I have figured out he needs little to no distractions while he is working (which is not easy in this house)!

Favorite Time of Year

The next two months are my favorite time of year. I love decorating for the holidays and cooking the big meals for the family (even if it is just our immediate family). I also love that this time of year, most people seem to care. There are always those that want that last gift item (even if you have already grabbed it) and get out of hand. But for the most part, it brings out the best in people.

When we go into Home Depot (which we seem to go to more often than we go to Walmart at this point), Andrew's face always lights up at the blow-ups and lite up Christmas trees, etc. He points and squeals and laughs. I love it.

I asked the boys to make Christmas lists (and birthday lists for the older two). Caleb does WAY too well on his own, just sitting and writing his lists. The other two don't really know what to say they want. So, when the Toys R Us catalog comes around they sit down one at a time and give us ideas what they want. The catalog is getting warn out!

There are also many charity fundraisers at school. The boys are always SO excited to give what ever they can. We always make them go through their toys this time of year and get rid of some to make room for new ones. They no longer ask why they have to get rid of toys. They know that we donate the toys so that kids that can't get new toys like them can still get something. They do not complain about having to go through toys and "give up" toys they like (even if they don't play with them much).

I am proud that my kids are growing up understanding that we may not have as much money as lots of other people, but they still have a LOT more than many kids have. They don't rub that in or act snobby about it, but they understand how good they really have it. They don't have to worry about which parent they will be with for which holiday. They don't have to worry about if they have food on the table. They know they will get a Christmas gift or two. They know they will have warm clothes for the winter. Even though their are times they wallow in what they DON'T have (which don't we all) this time of year things are always put into perspective for them.

A Little Voting Annoyance

The parish we live in is pretty big. It includes Baton Rouge, along with many other cities. One of the things we voted on was a tax increase for some construction in Baton Rouge. This included needed things like bridge/road work and then extra things like parking and revitalizing Baton Rouge.

They did not get the tax increase, it was voted against. Yesterday morning I heard them saying it was probably because of the outlying cities in the parish (like us) who did not feel they would benefit from the tax increase - we would just end up paying lots of money.

That is my opinion. How do I benefit from my taxes getting hiked for 30 years so they can make Baton Rouge prettier and more accessible. I am not saying there are no benefits, I just think this is the best way to do it.

Last night, the mayor was on tv, upset that the tax did not pass and saying he would find a way to get the money. He was saying that the outlying places that voted no can think they won't benefit, but "when their family or friends is on one of the bridges that collapses because we did not get the tax to fund fixing it" they will understand how this affects them.

First off, seems like an awfully brave statement for a MAYOR to make. To blame the citizens for NOT voting for a tax increase (which includes a LOT more than road/bridge work) which CAUSED bridges to collapse with their family members or friends on it.

Doesn't it seem as though if we have bridges in that bad of shape, somehow that needs to be fixed immediately? And didn't he just open the door for lawsuits, admitting that we have bridges that are in poor shape that people drive on daily?

If they really need a tax increase for BRIDGE/ROAD work, then that should not have been combined with a tax for "fun" things like renovating buildings and adding parking? They need to do two seperate tax increase proposals. I guarantee I would be more likely to vote for an increase in taxes to fix roads/bridges than I would be to help a city 35 minutes away from me look better!

Should I be Jealous?

Caleb gets to go on a field trip in January. They will be going to LSU Museum of Art to see an exhibit called ! Rodin: A Magnificent Obsession!. Rodin is a world-renowned sculptor whose work can be seen in major museums all around the world. They will see the his sculptures (which will include some nude ones) and then get to create their own (hopefully NO nudity). Then they will go to have lunch on the terrace overlooking the Mississippi River and Old State Capitol. Then they will participate in a second art class. Doesn't this seem like one of those romantic dates my husband and I DON'T get to go on?

He is not quite ten yet, and he gets to meet movie stars and go on romantic field trips. Doesn't seem right!

A Mother's Love

Just one more thing I never thought I would do (or even say the sentence), but did for my child.

I spent the morning driving and looking for the lab to deliver poop to the hospital.

All because I want my baby to feel better. AND, I would do much worse if I had too. A small price to pay for his health, happiness and comfort! That is just a Mother's love for her children!

Found on Caleb's Google Talk:

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for them"

With fireworks as his picture.

He has been very into this election. Sadly, he still does not understand so much and is "voting" for reasons that are not necessarily true. His choices are being shaped by what he is hearing at school. It is difficult to sit down and talk to him about it because he is so bad about only hearing parts of things and then sharing with everyone what he "heard".

I am concerned about our nation! "Change has come to America" - what kind of change? We are considering a change to Mexico (thought about Canada, but not fond of the cold). I can only trust that God is in control and has a plan we don't know or understand. There are many things that concern me about our new president-elect, none of which is his race. Although, I must say that it is kind of insulting that he is considered "black" even though he is half black, half white. He talks about how great his grandmother was and how she raised him, yet she was white and he does not acknowledge that part of his life much.

I can only continue to pray for our country and for the future of my children. I am proud of Caleb to put a quote like that up at his age and to be proud of where he lives, as am I. I hope that our nation moves in a better direction, and I will try to trust in our new President to lead our country in a way he was elected to do. Many presidents in the past have failed, democrats and repulicans, and politics will always be a scarey place for me. I have a hard time putting that much trust in one person - no matter what the party affiliation or color of skin and will doubt until proven otherwise (I know some may feel that is backwards).

Sweet AJ

Andrew has been giving us raspberries for a while now. He especially LOVES giving them on tummmies. We have been telling him there is a baby in my belly and until recently he would blow raspberries then hit my belly (playfully, open and closed fisted).

He doesn't do that very often anymore. Now he is ALWAYS wanting to lay his head on my belly, but it has to be my bare belly. He will climb in my lap, pull up my shirt, point to my belly and say "ba-by" and then kiss my belly, put his head on it and suck his thumb while lightly patting my belly with his other hand. Of course, he still blows lots of raspberries, but it melts my heart everytime he lays his head down and pats my belly. What is really funny is if I lay his special blankie on my belly for him to lay on, he will throw the blanket on the floor. HE WANTS MY BARE BELLY!!

I know he has NO idea what is to come, but it is still so sweet to hear him say baby and to have him love on the baby! AND, it is much better than him beating the baby!

Elections and a Thank You to AJ's Timing!!

Paul had to be at work at 5 this morning for some hazardous materials work. He came home at 2:30, so I could have a chance to vote. Unfortunately, his voter registration never came, even though mine did and they were mailed at the same time (his name was not on the voter list either). I got my voter registration Saturday, so I could not do early voting.

So, he came home early. I was getting all of the "supplies" out to take care of AJ's "special samples". Daddy pulled up just in time for me to run out and vote and HIM to get to take care of the samples. YAY MOM!!!!!

I got to vote - absolutely NO line! I walked in, got checked in, voted and left. Less than five minutes in all. I had heard that the lines would be the shortest from 10 to lunch and after lunch to 4, so I rushed to get it done before 4!

Both accomplishments put a big smile on my face (maybe the sample on put a BIGGER smile on my face though). If I did nothing else, those were big enough accomplishments for one day!

New Bed for the Older Two

We have decided how we are going to do bedrooms when the baby comes. Caleb and Isaac will share a room and Bryce and Andrew will share a room. This of course means we need another set of bunkbeds. After lots of looking this weekend (online) Daddy found THE ultimate bunkbed. This is going in Caleb and Isaac's room:



It has two beds, desk and dresser all built in to one. To make it even more fun, if you notice next to the ladder there is a door. There is nothing behind that door but space. So, built in storage (or hiding spots as the boys say) to top it all off. Technically they will not need any more furniture in their room, although I think we will get a student desk so they can both work at a desk at the same time.

Daddy will have fun putting it together, since it comes in four big boxes (although it says easy assembly - we will see).

Time Change

I do not like time change! The boys have this thought that if there is ANY light outside, it MUST be time to get up. So, the three older are all up by 6 now. I am up by then on most weekdays, but 6 on Sunday morning sucked. And I miss my hour of quiet in the morning after Daddy leaves for work and before the kids get up.

It also sucks that Daddy leaves for work in the dark and gets home from work in the dark.

I guess I will let the boys play outside and then do homework on school days now. Caleb might (will probably) take advantage of this and just not get to play outside on school days, but we will try!

I think they should stretch Daylight Savings time to forever!

OH YEAH!

This was funny, and I forgot to post it. When the boys were trick-or-treating one of the guys at one of the houses was making the kids do something for a treat (like dance or do a trivia question, etc). They were on the porch with a bunch of other kids waiting for their turn and the guy asked who the 16th president was. The HIGH SCHOOL kids on the porch did not know the answer, but the fourth grader got his candy for answering correctly.

Isaac was asked 4+4. It took him a minute but he got it.

Bryce got candy with no question because he "had the coolest costume of the night, maybe ever."

Bryce got that a lot. Many of the houses had people sitting on the porch or driveway handing out the candy (which I like better than knocking on a strangers door - especially after hearing about the 12 year old that got shot and killed when he knocked on a lit up door Halloween night, trick-or-treating - the guy, on parole for attempted murder, thought he was being robbed and just started shooting through the door). As soon as they saw Bryce they commented on how he had the best costume of the night, and then they tried to figure out how to get the candy to him. He had a bag inside his trashcan (he has no hands with the trashcan) for people to throw candy in. He says he is going to be the trashcan every year - it worked this year because we were at a new place that last year!

Heavy Uniforms

Caleb just came home from school. He changed his clothes and came out saying that "for some reason after wearing his school uniform all day, his shoulders hurt - like it weighs too much."

HMMM, could it MAYBE be his backpack? Do you think his uniform weighs that much more than his "play" clothes?

New Word

Andrew recognized monkeys in animal books about as quick as he did dog and cat. He has a monkey that he carries around and sleeps with. He has lately been trying to say monkey and has come really close to succeeding several times.

Last night, he was watching Dora while I was reading to the boys. The monkey came on the tv and Andrew starts squealing and pointing and clearly said Monkey.

He is also trying to say his brothers name, but they don't really come out anything like their names. He makes the same sounds at them all the time, but so far nothing has come close. :)

At least he is trying!!

AJ to the Dr...AGAIN!!

Kinda a gross entry...

Last week I called the dr because AJ had had diarrhea for a couple of weeks. We were thinking he was having his typical GI-lactose-intolerance issues, and we tried to deal with it, but it was getting very abnormal. We were trying to find some enzyme or something to give Andrew to help with the lactose issues.

The dr called and put AJ on a prescription and told us to give him Lactinex granules. One of the side effects of the prescription was diarrhea and after his got worse, I made the "Mom" decision to take him off of it.

Today, I called the dr back and took him in. He was still having frequent, very foul smelling diarrhea, but what had me even more concerned is that he has never digested vegetables (of any kind) great, but lately he does not appear to be digesting vegetables, as well as other foods, much at all. I also wanted to talk to the dr face to face about whether he should be taking some kind of enzyme to help process the lactose he DOES get.

We did not get to see the dr we saw before, he was out. But, the dr we saw seemed good too. He thinks Andrew probably has some kind of stomach or intestinal infection (something similar to giardia). We get to collect stool samples and take them to the hospital lab to find out exactly what is going on and how to go about treating him.

He acts fine, eats fine, plays fine, and is not losing weight. Just lots of almost explosive diapers that are the worst smelling thing ever (granted my sniffer is much more sensitive). I can't take the samples until Wednesday (I don't feel like taking all the kids to the hospital by myself tomorrow!), so we should no something by the end of the week or beginning of next week.

I did get some answers about what to give him to help with when he does eat things with lactose in it. The dr told us to give him Beano or Lactaid. The Beano is actually good for people with lactose and soy intolerance. In a lot of cases, people that have a lactose intolerance also have a soy intolerance (which he probably does - that is why he had to be on special, expensive formula as a baby). He also told us about something similar to the Lactinex granules that are not lactose based.

Seemed like a good, productive drs appt and hopefully we will have some answers soon!

Another BUSY Weekend

We have been having lots of busy weekends as we take care of little things around the house. We had a ceiling fan on the back porch that has been scaring us. We found out that if you flip the switch in the house the fan makes a clicking sound like it is trying to turn on, but doesn't turn. I had put a piece of tape over the switch because I was afraid the boys would flip the switch and leave it on and the fan would catch on fire.

This weekend, Daddy replaced the fan. Now we have one that works AND looks good!

We have been looking for rugs for our living room and dining room since we moved. We have seen some that were "okay" but nothing that really jumped out at us. It doesn't help that Paul tends to lean to the more traditional and I tend to lean toward the more contemporary. We were actually able to find two that we BOTH liked and agreed on this weekend. I guess we just had not been shopping at the right place! We got a more contemporary rug for the living room and we are getting (we did not get it because we had not measured the room yet) a more traditional rug for the dining room.

We also flagged out the yard for the fence and storage shed/doghouse. We should be getting these within the next couple of weeks and get the dogs off the patio. YAY!!! We moved the kennel off the patio this weekend to hose it down. I forget how big the patio is until the kennel is gone! I think this may be one of the most exciting home improvements we have done. Keep the neighborhood out of our garage, the dogs off the patio and the junk out of the garage!

There will be a cross-fence down the length of the backyard to keep the dogs on one side. Since there will be a gate across the driveway, we don't need dogs running away when we go to pull in. Poor Jake is so old, he gets to sniffing and walking and can't hear. If he does not stay in a fence or on a leash, he runs off and we have to chase him. He used to be GREAT off a leash, but he is just too old and deaf now! The cross-fence will also be great because the boys can go and play in the back without having to worry about stepping in anything (although, much to Caleb's dismay - he will still have to pick up dog "stuff") or having dogs jump on them.

I am just looking forward to not feeling so "exposed", not having garage doors OR fencing. I will feel much better when Paul is out of town after that is up!

Eventually we will get around to doing things like PAINTING!!

Halloween

Since we trick-or-treated Thursday night, Halloween night was "free" for us. We let the boys stay up late and watch Monster House.

They got all kinds of treats at school yesterday and had a short day. They got out of school at one yesterday so everyone could go to the homecoming parade. The boys were disappointed that we did not get to go, but the parade started at 3, we were given a 2:30 to 4:30 appointment time for our refrigerator to be delivered (and it was actually closer to 5 when they got here).

They got home and tore into snacks and candy from school, until Mommy put a stop to it! As we do EVERY YEAR, Daddy has a big bowl of candy to take to work Monday. Between the four boys, we got back as much as we gave out! There is no way that much candy is staying in a house full of boys. We have already found little boys with handfuls of candy trash they were trying to stash in their room (they think they are sneaky little things). We kept a big bowl and Daddy will take a bigger bowl to work. That is how our Halloweens go!