Swimming!

The kids just finished another year of swimming lessons and I am so impressed and proud of how well all my kids did. Clayton and Noah learned how to swim! It's taken Clayton a while to figure this out (swimming gives him a little bit of anxiety), but once he got it, he was off and swimming! Noah, on the other hand, was chomping at the bit to get in the water and swim (whether he knew how to or not), so he needed the instruction for sure! He is still a little reckless and needs practice but he's becoming quite the fish! Josie took swim lessons for the first time this year too! We did a mommy and me class together and she really took to the water. She is so comfortable in the water and I'm excited to see how well she does next year in swimming lessons all by herself!

I only took my camera with me one of the days. Since I was in the water with Josie, I didn't get any pictures of her swimming but trust me, she was just as cute in the water as she was out of it!
Waiting for her lesson to start.
Relaxing poolside after her lesson while we watch our boys swim.
Josie and her cute friend Jace. I love seeing these two together. They get so excited to see each other. When I was a little girl, my best friend was a boy named Mikey. I think that Jace is Josie's "Mikey".
I don't have too many pictures of the boys swimming. I did take video that I should post at some point, but I'm not sure how to do that (you'd think I'd learn, right?). So I need Justin to do that for me. However, I will say that I'm super proud of Clayton and Noah and I'm so excited that they finally know how to swim!
Clayton:

They all got a chance to jump off the diving board. I'm so proud of the boys for accepting this challenge. Hopefully next year, they'll be able to do it without the swim noodles!
He's so proud of himself! Rightfully so!
Noah:

I didn't get a picture of him jumping off the diving board, but I love his face in this picture. You can just tell that he loved it!

I'd told the boys that if they could learn to swim, we'd go to the store and buy them their own pair of goggles. This was just the incentive they needed. They worked so hard and definitely earned their goggles.
Clayton loves to pose like this for pictures now.
Noah's goggles look like lizard eyes. He was so excited about that that he didn't even care that they're pink (the rubber strap that goes around the back is hot pink).
I wasn't planning on getting any for Josie, but she saw these Dora ones and held on to them with her kung-fu death grip. I caved and let her have them and she is in love with them. She got very mad at me when it was time to put the goggles away and take them out only for swimming. I did manage to get this picture though. I love it!
I'm trying to take the kids swimming at least once a week (until I have the baby) so that they can practice. I'm hoping that next year they'll be good enough that they can start learning some different strokes. As for this year, I'm just glad that they have the basics. I'm glad that Noah has learned to (sort of) reign in his enthusiasm and that Clayton has learned that he doesn't have to be so afraid of the water. They both beg me daily to go swimming and I'm glad! I'm so proud of all three of my little fish!

Seven!

On Sunday, Clayton celebrated his 7th birthday. It seems so weird to me that he's that old. Because his birthday fell on a Sunday, we decided to celebrate it on the Saturday before. It was actually a pretty low key day. I had told Clayton that he could decide what we would do that day. Although I gave him tons of suggestions (bowling, mini-golf, movies, etc.) he shot them all down. The only thing he really wanted to do was go swimming, but there was a threat of rain all day so that was the one thing we couldn't do (so sad).

We started out the day with our traditional birthday breakfast of blueberry muffins and scrambled eggs. This year, I made the muffins from scratch! They turned out pretty yummy, if I may say so. Then, Clayton got his first present...the traditional birthday shirt! I used a different technique to do the shirt this year. I mixed half parts bleach and half parts water and sprayed a seven on the shirt (I got this idea off of a crafty blog, but right now I cannot remember which one). Honestly, it didn't turn out exactly as I'd imagined, but I love the technique so I will be using it again!
After breakfast, Clayton wanted to open a present. We decided to let him open the gifts that Justin and I had gotten him. He's REALLY into a show called 'Hotwheels: Battle Force 5' and originally wanted Battle Force 5 bedding. Unfortunately there is no such thing so Justin and I scoured the internet and found some Battle Force 5 toys. We figured they'd be a hit and we were right! I love it when we choose just the right gift!
Once he opened that gift, all he wanted to do was play with it. Since it was his day, I let him. He was very good about sharing with Noah and we didn't hear from them all morning. For lunch he wanted a cheese sandwich (bread, miracle whip, mustard, and cheese - I think they're gross, but it was his birthday). After lunch he wanted to play Wii. So all three of my boys settled down on the couch and played MarioKart. Shortly after they finished Grandpa showed up (my dad was in town helping my brother buy a new car...but we told Clayton that he'd come just to celebrate his birthday). We took Grandpa with us and went out to dinner. Clayton got to choose the restraunt. He chose Max and Erma's. If you don't know what that is, it's like an Applebee's/TGI Fridays type restraunt. However, Clayton refers to it as a 'fancy' restraunt and apparently, when you're 7, you want to go out to classier establishments!
Grandpa's mouth is full in this picture, but I think it's super cute. He was so excited that Grandpa was there to share his birthday celebration with him!
Instead of ordering dessert at the restraunt, we headed home for cake and ice cream with my brother and his family. Clayton wanted chocolate cake with chocolate frosting with chocolate ice cream. It's a lot of chocolate, but he's chosen this cake/ice cream combo for three years in a row now. He loved being sung to. It's so fun that he's at an age where he loves his birthday!
Of course, there were presents! He got shoes and a keychain from Aunt Missy, Uncle Jared and Abby, a singing birthday card from the Smithersens, some Bionicles from Uncle Jared, Aunt Kerstin, and cousins, and a huge United States map from Grammy and Grandpa (he's VERY into US geography right now). He cleaned up and couldn't have been happier with his gifts.
The map came in a tube. Clayton guessed right away what was in it. Even so, he was estatic to discover the size and detail of the map. It now hangs in his bedroom and he's been studying it diligently ever since.




Once cake had been eaten, gifts had been opened, and our cousins had gone home, Justin and I took Clayton to Toys R Us (another tradition) to let him pick out something special. This year, because he's older and we're trying to teach him the value of a dollar, we gave him a $20 limit. We told him that he could get one $20 item or he could get several items totalling up to $20. I have to admit, I was impressed at how well he did with this. He was very good at looking at the prices of things he wanted and deciding if was worth using his $20 on. At one point he decided he wanted a TV. I pointed out the price ($200.00) and he just walked away. No complaining, no whining. Impressive.
In the end he chose three toys. He did not go over his budget. He was so proud of how well he'd spent his money (and so was I)!
Once we got home from shopping, we gave him some time to play with his new toys. He went to bed pretty late, but it was his day and I think he got exactly what he wanted! I'm pretty exhausted so I feel like this post doesn't do justice to my sweet firstborn and his special day, but I don't honestly think it will be different if I wait any longer to do it. Suffice it to say, I'm so grateful that he's in my life. I'm grateful that he's my firstborn. I can't imagine having a better oldest son. I'm blessed every day because I get to be his mom. I love him with all my heart and am so glad that we got to celebrate his special day exactly the way he wanted!

The Fair

"We are going on a surprise adventure today!" I told the kids.
"Chuck E Cheese!"
"Burger King!"
"The park!"
"Grammy's house!" (Okay, that one was a little rough to have to shoot down.)

We loaded the kids in the car and drove. The whole way they were guessing where our destination might be. When the Ferris Wheel came into view there was much screaming and cheering in the back of the van.
"The Fair! The Fair!"

Sure enough, we'd arrived at the fair. Rides, disgustingly delicious food (that you really can only get away with eating at a fair), animals, and a MONSTER TRUCK RALLY! Best. Adventure. Ever! I didn't take as many pictures as one might have thought I would, but I did take a few. Since there's not really much to narrate about a fair, I'll keep it pretty simple. So, without further ado...THE FAIR:
The boys were so excited about all the rides. Sadly, Josie wasn't tall enough to go on hardly any of the rides, so that was a disappointment for her, but Clayton and Noah were so happy!


My brother and his family met us there so the kids were able to go around to the rides with their cousins.


Poor Miss Girl, the Merry-Go-Round was the only ride that she was tall enough to ride (and even then, Justin had to go on it with her). I felt bad for her, but soon realized that she loved it and didn't mind riding the same ride over and over.

Mmmm, cotton candy. Totally a sticky mess, but it's the fair, what can you do??

Shortly after eating, my brother's family left. Not without making a trade first though. They took Josie home with them and we kept Landon with us. We then met up with some of our other friends and watched the pig races!!! I cannot remember a single year going to the Logandale Fair without seeing pig races! I'm glad to see that my boys get to experience this joy as well!

Oh yeah, the last race of the day? Weiner dogs dressed like (what else) hot dogs. Awesome.

Seeing the animals. It wasn't the most impressive of displays, but it was pretty cool.


The main event. The monster trucks! My boys were in Heaven! Big trucks, destruction, being able to be rowdy and loud in the stands!?! Are you kidding me!?! Awesome!
This is the Nightcrawler. By far my favorite! (Yes I admitted to having a favorite monster truck.)


We loved it, but Monster Truck Rallies definitely cater to a very specific demographic. There was MUCH good people-watching to be had (it was almost as entertaining as the event itself). As evidence, I give you exhibit A:
And exhibit B:
I cannot express how much I LOVE this! If you were to ask Noah what you're supposed to do at a Monster Truck show, this is what he'd show you. He's got it down if you ask me.
Clayton will do it too, although with less enthusiasm.
Landon just smiled. (Perhaps his family doesn't posess the 'white trash' gene as strongly as ours does...)
To sum up our Fair experience, I'd say that a good, nay GREAT, time was had by all. We were all exhausted when we got home, but can't wait to do it again next year!

A Memory

Noah was born at the end of November. In Vermont. This means that waking up with him for those midnight feedings was not a warm and cozy affair. We weren't Dickens characters, we had heat, but getting out of bed each night was a bit of a chilly shock. Justin had just started medical school and was busy working hard during the days and I was staying home, so the task fell to me to take on the midnight feedings. I love my babies, but getting up in the middle of the night for about three months straight is not my idea of a good time. I am one of those keep the lights off, make as little noise as possible, hurry up and get that baby back into bed type of moms. I treasure my sleep and, as sweet as it is to snuggle with a baby in a dark, quiet house, it's a stage I really don't think I'll miss once I'm all done having to do it (other stages, certainly, not so much this one).
I remember that I'd try to hurry and get up to grab Noah before he could wake up the other men in my life (Justin and Clayton). Justin, being the good dad and husband that he is, would typically get up, prepare a bottle, bring it to me while I changed Noah's diaper, and go back to bed. He always did this without complaining and I really appreciated it because it made everything that much smoother and that much faster.
One night, I remember, I was particularly tired. As I was feeding Noah I was getting down and sad in that way that people usually become when they are exhausted. I was bemoaning my lack of sleep, my distance from my mom, my busy days with an active two year old, and endless nights with an infant. Basically, I was feeling sorry for myself.
Eventually I got Noah back to bed (he was my best baby sleeper, bless his heart). I went to get back in my bed only to find Justin sleeping on my side of the bed. We are a couple with very strict sleeping guidlines. He's on the right, I'm on the left and there is no crossing the middle. I was initially confused by this so I remember nudging him to get him to go back to his own side. When he woke up I asked him why he was sleeping on my side. He told me that he was doing it so that when I got back in bed, my side of the bed would already be warm and comfy.
I don't know why this incident has been in my thoughts so much lately, but it is. I think that sometimes I'm looking for these huge overwhelming gestures of love. I admit I'm a romantic and when I watch romantic scenes in movies or read them in books I long for that kind of gesture. Not that Justin isn't good for the occasional big gesture, but it's not reality for relationships to be like that on a daily basis. I think the best I could hope for is having someone in my life who thinks of little things (like making sure my side of the bed is warm for me) and acts on those thoughts. It's probably because I have another baby coming and Justin is busier than he's ever been before, but I'm scared. Sometimes I feel like a single mom and it's hard. I get down on myself sometimes and wish our situation were a little different. But then Justin will do something small and thoughtful, like sleep on my side of the bed, or do the dishes (which he does almost every night btw), or get up with our kids in the morning so I can sleep in even though he has to work the night shift and could use the sleep. It's these little things that remind me just how much he loves me. Sure, flowers and cards and jewlery are nice and pretty, but they require no effort. My husband makes an effort. I don't give him enough credit sometimes for all the things he does to make my life easier, but right now I can't stop thinking about it. These are the types of things that make a relationship last. Truthfully, I'd rather have a million of these small, simple gestures of love than a million big, easy ones. Fortunately, I'm married to a guy who is very good at showing love this way. I love him and I'm grateful to be married to someone who takes the time to do the little things.

33 Weeks

Photo courtesy of Clayton:
For the most part, I feel pretty good. This has been my easiest pregnancy yet (physically). I am uncomfortable, but it's managable most of the time and I still feel pretty active and spry for someone in my condition. I'm still exercising fairly regularly (although the intensity has dropped way off); I ran a 5k about a month ago (and I'm super proud of it). Also, this is my smallest pregnancy. I have gained the least amount of weight so far. I think this is why it's so hard for me to hear people constantly comment on how big I am, how uncomfortable I look, and ask if I'm sure it's not twins. No pregnant lady ever likes to hear that, but especially not one who feels pretty dang good. Although I will admit that some days I do feel like this:

That has to be one of my favorite pregnancy clips ever (from one of the best shows ever). In other pregnancy related news, at my last appointment (a week and a half ago) the baby was measuring two weeks ahead - which is awesome considering, like I said, that this is my smallest pregnancy. If the baby is still measuring two weeks ahead at my next appointment (Friday) they'll do an ultrasound to see if this baby may just show up early!! I've NEVER had a baby show up early so I'm sort of hoping that this will be true - although I seriously doubt it will happen. The boys are excited about the baby, when they remember. I said something the other day about what will happen when the baby comes and Clayton looked at me, very innocently, and said, 'What baby?'. Boys. Josie is a pretty possessive little thing and so I'm slightly worried about how she's going to handle the newcomer (I'm open to suggestions for helping her prepare). She loves all things baby, but not when they involve me holding one over her. Still no name for our little lady, we're still calling her Samphiezzie. I'm not going to tell you what three names we combined to come up with that, but you are welcome to guess. I'm curious what you think they are (no guessing if you already know). Basically, that's it. We are just trying to keep busy and out of trouble this summer. I'm trying to give the kids lots of adventures this summer because the odds are that next summer won't be as fun (I'm not sure how many adventures I'll be up for with four kids). There you have it. 33 weeks down, 7 to go. Ready or not!

**In Pootie-related news, his face is completely back to normal (well, his eyes are super dry and a little red, but no more puffiness). He is almost done with his round of steroids, thank goodness. Those steroids do a number on him, he literally cannot sit still. I don't think there is any activity available that can help him release all of his energy right now, it's a little draining and frustrating, but we're almost done!**

Poor Pootie!

We had a super fun 4th of July. Justin had the day off, the kids went swimming, we barbequed with friends, lit off a ton (well, what I think is a ton) of fireworks, and stayed up WAY too late (which you just have to do sometimes)! One of the problems with the 4th of July however, is the mosquitoes. I think they are so obnoxious! This year though, I didn't think they were too bad. I only got one bite, Clayton and Josie didn't get any, as far as I can tell, Justin didn't get any either, and Noah only got two. Usually Noah gets attacked by the mosquitoes. He will typically get ten bites to every one that the rest of us get. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that he was relatively unscathed.
This is the only picture I got of him on the 4th.
When he went to bed that night, Justin and I noticed that his bites were swollen, but nothing too bad. I felt sure that they weren't going to get any worse. WRONG! When he woke up the next morning, his face had become this:
I felt so bad for my poor swollen Pootie, but again, I was sure that it couldn't get worse (which is why I kept taking pictures, I kept thinking, 'This is the worst it can get so I should photograph it at its worst'). As the day went on I started to notice that, slowly but surely, it was getting worse.
This is after one of his many doses of Benadryl (which wasn't doing anything for his itching or swelling). I love that he's trying to smile here. I think it's a super cute photo of him!
This was after dinner. His right eyelid was so heavy looking and his left one was getting there. These photos don't do enough to show how swollen his forehead was. I kept calling him, 'The Elephant Man'. He thought it was hilarious. I thought it was appropriate.
Before he went to bed. I was certain that this HAD to be the WORST! He had a dose of Benadryl and went to bed. I figured that when he woke up the next morning, he'd be fine. Wrong again!
The next morning I was sleeping and I hear screaming and crying. Shortly afterward, Noah came stumbling into my room crying, 'I can't open my eyes! I can't see!' He was terrified. I felt awful. I just hate it when my kids are hurting and there's nothing I can do to make it go away. I calmed him down as best I could and gave him another dose of Benadryl (which I had learned by now was doing nothing). I called Justin who told me to call the doctor.
Eventually his eyes did open a bit, but the swelling continued to get worse. It was now spreading to his nose and cheeks. We went to the doctor (who also happens to be an allergist). He confirmed what I suspected: Noah is allergic to mosquito bites. Apparently, most people are slightly allergic to them; it's why we get little raised bumps where they've bitten us. Noah, however, is SERIOUSLY allergic. Fortunately, it's not the kind of allergy that is deadly (unless he were to swallow a live mosquito and get bitten on the inside), but it's still pretty scary. No momma likes to see her kid this uncomfortable.
The doctor gave Noah a perscription for a heavy duty steroid. I wish that I could say that this type of steroid was new for us, but it's the same one that Noah was on last summer when he had a worse-than-normal reaction to poison ivy. The steroids scare me a little; it's not the kind of medication you can mess around with. However, if it's what we have to do to make him better then we'll do it! I can tell that he feels rotten, but bless his heart, he's trying so hard to stay positive and not let his swelling get in the way of his playing/bike riding/etc. I love that he's got that kind of attitude. He's resilliant, a fighter. Love this poor, swollen, itchy Pootie!!