H-O-R-S-E

With every child I have, I am always so excited when they first start to talk. I think it is adorable to hear them say their own words and try to copy and mimic everyone around them. Olivia has been talking for awhile, but has really started to put together sentences and learn colors, animals, etc. Every day when I drive Tanner to and from preschool we pass by a field that always has 3 horses roaming around. The kids have learned exactly where this field is and want me to drive by it slowly so they can check out the animals. Olivia gets just as excited as the rest of them....so excited that she starts pointing and yelling "WHORE! WHORE!" Every time she says it Tanner gets so frustrated and says "No Olivia! It's not a whore, it's a horse!!" She just looks at him like 'duh! that's what I just said!'. I love the innocence and the fact that it's so darn funny and she has no idea why.

Tears and Tenderness

Last night was one of the sweetest moments I have witnessed between Julia and Tanner. It was getting late and they were both SO tired. Tanner insisted on having some juice before bed, so he got a little juice bottle out of the fridge. He was trying to pull the plastic cap off and the juice ended up spilling all over the floor. I mean ALL over the floor. I still don't know how he managed to get the juice to fly that far, but he did. The juice also sprayed the refrigerator which is home to all of Julia's artwork. One of her pictures got annihilated. Tanner immediately began crying and said "Mom, I had an accident!" He was so worried he was going to get in trouble! His tears and sincere face just melted my heart. I told him it was okay and I began to wipe up the juice. Then he spotted Julia's picture. He gasped and looked at her as if she was going to be really upset. He was still crying. In the sweetest most tender voice and with tears streaming down his face he said "Oh Julia! I am so very sorry!!" He was devastated that he had ruined her picture. Julia walked over to him and gave him a hug and said "it's okay Tanner, it will dry". They just stood there and hugged each other. I know I'm a pregnant sap right now, but it was hard to hold back my own tears. It's moments like these that make up for all the naughty ones.

We may need an MRI

This morning was an especially difficult one for me. The last couple of days I have been working non-stop and to say I am exhausted would be an understatement. Exhaustion plus pregnancy hormones is not a good combination...trust me.

Our six year old didn't help matters at all today. I have been talking with her lately about her constant whining. It doesn't seem to matter what it is, she whines about it. The other day I grounded her from the phone for 3 days because of it. (Sad that a SIX year old is punishable by phone restrictions! I swear she's a teenager trapped in a tiny body!) That seemed to do the trick...until this morning. As I was pouring cereal for the kids, she pipes up and says "I think that cereal is disgusting. I don't want it!" It was Life cereal. I understand that it's not Captain Crunch or Fruit Loops, but Life isn't repulsive. It could be worse. She could be eating Grape Nuts or Oat Bran. I told her that this was the only option for breakfast and she needed to eat it. Let me just say here that she has eaten Life cereal a hundred times before...and enjoyed it. This was purely her attitude coming out. I told her several times to eat because we needed to leave for school. She absolutely refused. I was so tired of telling her, so I told her to go to her room until it was time to leave.

I went downstairs to talk with her about why on earth she's being so difficult. This is so embarrassing but I actually started to cry because I was so frustrated with her. Even when trying to reason with her and talk with her about her behavior she continued to have attitude. It really makes me feel like a failure of a mother!! I know I am an emotional wreck right now and this morning was pretty bad. As I type this I am giggling because now that I'm writing it out, it just seems silly that she got to me that bad. I told her she needs to lose the attitude and I left her room. When I went back to get her, she was packing her suitcase. She said she didn't want to live here anymore because she doesn't like making me cry. Ok...it was starting to sink in for her, maybe we were making some progress.

I sat her down and told her how much I love her and that I don't want her to leave. I'm sure there will be a time that I do want her to leave in the upcoming week, but today wasn't the day. ;) ha ha I just asked that she please try and work on her attitude and that I will help her with that. That is when a classic Julia line came out of her mouth...she looks at me dead in the eyes and says "Mom, I really don't know why I have attitude. I think there must be something wrong with my brain!" Ah, gotta love it. I've gotta hand it to her...she's quick with the comebacks. I asked her if she had this attitude at school. She replied "no, my brain must be okay when I'm at school." Even better. I guess I should be grateful that she knows where and when to behave. I am just hoping that someday soon we can go one day without a meltdown from the Princess of the house.

Fourth and Final...

We are excited to announce that the last member of our family is on his/her way. Ron and I wanted to wait until we had our first ultrasound to make sure baby is healthy before spreading the news...well that and our 6 year old feels the need to spread ANY bit of information she gets, so the kids just found out as well. I went to my ultrasound appointment fully expecting to see a "gummy bear" but much to my surprise it looked like a baby! This means I'm a little farther along than I thought and that is ALWAYS good news! The little peanut wasn't very cooperative though and is not very photogenic. Here is our newest baby's "first portrait"...I outlined the little stinker in the 2nd one just to show that there is actually a baby somewhere in that blur.

First Day of School

Matt, Julia and Tanner started school this week. It was sooooooooo wonderful! I just don't know that I'm cut out to be a summer stay-at-home mom! :) I love my kids and I also love public education. Matt is in 10th grade this year...only three more years to go until graduation! (but who's counting, right?) Julia started 1st grade and is absolutely loving being in school all day. She is quite the social butterfly and has made a lot of new friends. Tanner is in his second year of preschool and I am so grateful he was excited to go back. He has definitely grown leaps and bounds since last year. Now I just need to find a way to stop doing daycare so I can enjoy Olivia alone for a few hours a day. I think she's missing mom. She's turned into a holy terror recently...and REFUSES to leave my side. I don't know whether to be flattered or irritated. All I know is I want to sleep at night...but apparently she doesn't. Here are some pics of the kids on their first day...

Happy Birthday Tanner-Man!

Oh I am such a bad mom....this post is LONG overdue. Tanner turned 4 on July 29. He is such a little man!! I absolutely adore this kid. I have to admit that when I was pregnant with him, I wanted a girl. Growing up with my brothers, I decided that I wanted girls only!! Boys were rowdy, rambunctious and had way too much energy! Sadly when the doctor announced we were having a boy, I was slightly disappointed. I feel so terrible for ever having those feelings because Tanner has truly been a blessing in our lives. It is so awesome to have a boy!!! With him there is no demand to dress up, put on make-up or call everyone he knows on the phone...(yes, I'm talking about you Julia!). He is the most laid back, charismatic, loving little...or not-so-little boy. I can't believe he's 4 already!!

Tanner, you are the sweetest most sensitive little guy I've ever known. You're always wanting to protect your sisters (unless they are bugging you). I love how you like to tell me "secrets" in my ear...even though sometimes the secret is a burp...you little turd. :) I love and cherish our quiet moments together when you'll sit with me and have a one-on-one conversation about your day, things you like to do and what Juju has done to bug you. :) I am in love with those big dimples...all you have to do is flash a smile and I just melt. You have such a big vocabulary and use big words...it cracks me up. You're one smart cookie! I love you T-Man!


Here are some pictures from his big day. Of course he was spoiled rotten!!


Tanner LOVES to do puzzles....one of his favorite quiet time activities!


Tanner's favorite gift...thanks Grammy and Yippaw!!


When asking Tanner what he was doing he said "I'm reading the erections Mom!" I think it's pretty safe to say he meant "directions"...we are emphasizing the 'D' in that word. :)


He was so proud to chauffeur his sisters around in his new ride...

Newest Family Member

This is Marley...our vicious puppy weighing in at 4.5 lbs. He is AWESOME! So much fun and great with the kids. The best part is he's full grown. I love how tiny he is! He's been a good addition to our family.



Tanner also enjoys Marley's bed...