What my boys are up to...

Kevin is going to be 5 on April 28th! I'm realizing that I'm going to have to start planning a birthday party soon. (He shares a birthday with my younger sister) Last year he had a big superhero party with a bunch of friends all dressed like superheros and one beautiful princess. I wonder what he will want to do this year? Kevin just finished two months of tennis lessons (Thanks Mimi Janet!) He really enjoyed it. We are looking forward to his first year of t-ball starting in April.

Kevin learned about how to be healthy at preschool last week. Things like brushing your teeth, exercising and eating good food. He had carrots on his plate at lunch the other day and he ask if they were good for you. So I told him yes, and how carrots have Vitamin A in them and that they are good for your eyes. I told him about how some people can't see anything and some are born that way and how they see with a special stick or a special dog or their hands. He proceeded to tell me..."They need to eat more carrots!"

He also reminded me that kids really do pay attention to your actions and use you as an example. He keeps picking at his fingers and I've been telling him not too. I told him AGAIN not to do it and how he will get owies and they will hurt. So he told me... "Well you do it, so I guess that means it OK!" I didn't realize that he noticed me doing it. Dang it! What else does he noticed me doing...saying...eating... I hope I can be a good example to my children in all ways. I don't want to notice years down the road...wow, they totally do what I do...and that's not good! I think its a daily battle to be the best person and example for your children as you can be. Some days are harder then others!

Ashton wanted to pose with the tennis racket too. Poor guy, he keeps telling me how he wants to play tennis too! (he has to be 4yrs. old) Im anxious to get him in soccer again so he has his 'special' thing he gets to do every week.

Ashton is such a text book 2 yr. old. (he will be 3 in June) He is really good at saying "NOOOO!" really loud when he doesn't want to do something. Half the time he doesn't know what he wants, he will say what he wants then freak out when you actually do it. Its pretty frustrating actually. I need to be better about giving him choices more often so he feels like he has more control. He also wants to do everything himself. "No, Me do it!!" , "My do it myself!!!" This one is nice because he is getting better at putting on his shoes and pants and taking OFF his shoes, coat and pants. He is getting closer to potty training too. He knows when he pees, which is a good sign! Yesterday he peed 3 times in the potty! He loved wearing big boy undies in the house and proceeded to wet 3 pairs of them. Its a work in progress. Kevin wasn't potty trained until two months after his 3rd birthday. I didn't want to push it before he was ready. When he was ready he picked it up really fast. I hope Ashton will pick it up quickly too, especially with the modivation to be a big boy like his brother.

Ashton's nose is getting so much better. He healed a lot faster then I thought it would.

The boys love eating peanuts from the shell like Dad, but boy is it messy when they do it. So when they wanted peanuts the other night Jeremy told them that they should eat them outside because its so messy. Without a second thought about the dark or the cold, Ashton proceeded to get on his coat and shoes and went out side to eat some peanuts! Kevin tagged along too...

Jordan will be 4 months old in a little over a week. He is growing and I don't like it! Well, I do, but I just love the little baby stage! It seems to go by so much faster then the rest. He is the sweetest baby. He is smiling all the time with this little flirty look where he bats his eye lashes slowly with what Mimi Janet calls the "I love you Mom!" look. He is irresistible! He laughs and just started talking a lot the last couple days. He will play under his play gym and just talk away. Its so cute. He is getting much better at grabbing onto blankets and toys. He doesn't really reach for them yet, but if he gets his hands on one he can put it to his mouth...

He is still sleeping in the bassinet next to our bed. I think he is going to get too long for it soon! I just hope he is sleeping longer at night by then, because in order to get to his nursery I have to go UP the stairs and DOWN the hallway. He is sleeping about 4-5hrs. when he first goes to bed, then he wakes every 2-3hrs. to eat.

He enjoys sitting in his Bumpo seat. I have started putting him in it more and propping him up on the counter when I cook or do my make up... here he is on the couch... (I know, these are all places you should NOT put a baby in a Bumpo seat, shame on me!)... Kevin was reading him a story. It was so cute! Kevin cares for his brothers so much. He loves to make Jordan smile and he is one of Ashton's biggest cheerleaders.

Wordless Wednesday

Need I say more?

Not Me Monday!

This is my first attempt at Not Me Monday. It was created by MckMama over at My Charming Kids. Its a great way to confess the things you have done or said or happened to you this week that you might not otherwise admit. Its a great way to remember that no one is perfect and very therapeutic to read other 'Not Me's' and realize you are not alone! So remember, these are things that actually happened, but I wouldn't admit that! Not Me!


Last Monday I did not have the boys dressed, fed, in their coats, shoes, hats and sitting by the window waiting for their carpool ride...waiting...waiting... I certainly did not think "this is not like her to be so late!" I did not call her to see if she was on her way. After no answer I did not go check my calendar and come to the realization that there was NO SCHOOL on Monday because of the holiday. I definitely did not almost break out in tears when I realized I would not have the ME time I was SO looking forward to. Nope, Not Me!

When reading the new calendar of events for Moms Club, I did not see 'dress-up day' and immediately get excited at the thought of getting to dress up! Of course, not. Dressing up is for kids. The things we plan are for the kids, not the adults. Of course I knew that. I do not like dressing up so much that I actually thought for a moment it was for the moms, Not Me!

I did not feel guilty when I was not there to catch my poor boy from falling out of his fathers truck, which would have kept him from taking a nose dive into the curb. I did not think about what I could have done to prevent it. I did not worry what kind of damage had been done or that I should have taken him to the ER right away. Of course I felt no mother's quilt, not me.

My husband did not make every meal for us this weekend. He does not also make dinner most nights even after working. I do not feel guilty about this, after all he enjoys it and is really good at it. Not Me!

My husband did not also buy me a dozen beautiful roses yesterday "just because". Who has the best guy ever? Not me!

Fun Times

I had to do a new post so that poor Ashton's hurt face wasn't the first thing you see anymore. He is doing good. Despite some more swelling and the fact that it looks terrible, he is his usual spunky, silly self. It doesn't seem to be bothering him, so that is a plus! I was a little worried because it seemed a little more swollen after nap today, so I called the doctor on-call tonight to see what they thought. Everything seems to be normal for an injury like this. I think it is just going to take a long time for his sweet, beautiful face to get back to normal. Poor guy. I can't help but think what I could have done to have kept it from happening. Maybe nothing. It's hard to see your baby hurt.

On a happier note, I thought I would share some pictures of some fun things the kids have been up to lately.

The preschool had a 'pajama read-in' the other day. All the kids come in their jammies. The teachers read stories to them, then they watched the old school version of "Horton Hears a Who" and had popcorn. Kevin stayed with mimi & papa after tennis that night and watched Jordan too, so it was just Ashton and I. The more kids we have, the more important it is to have that one on one time with each one I think. Here is Ashton with a mouth full of popcorn:

The big boys had a sleep over at Papa and Mimi's house. They have started doing this once a month. Great for mom and dad and super fun for the kids! Papa sets up the tent in the living room and they have a little camp out:

Kevin and I went to the play "Click Clack Moo" on Thursday with his preschool. It was pretty cute and I think he really liked it:

Both boys went to the 'Dad and Me' pancake feed at school with Dad and Uncle Brad (he was in town visiting) They do it every year, then have a 'Mother's Tea' in the spring for the mommies. Here they are with Uncle Brad. They love their Uncle Brad:

I was inspired by MckMama on her blog to have some more fun with the kids at home. We got out the cookie sheets, shaving creme and cars...

Then we brought the soapy tray and toys to bath time and made clean-up into more playtime:

Today we went to the park to enjoy the nice weather:

I will end with some cute pic's of Jordan I took today...

Ouch!

This was poor Ashton after he took a nose dive out of Daddy's truck into the curb. Just the thought of it makes me cringe. The boys love playing in Dad's truck. I think he was pulling on the handle and pushing on the door at the same time. He handled it pretty well. Some snuggles from Dad, medicine from Mom, some milk (his comfort food), a little mac & cheese and he was back outside playing. Kevin wouldn't have handled it quite as well. One of the differences between the boys. Ashton is little tougher then his big brother. Ashton has also had a lot more falls then his big brother too.


Here is a cool picture I took of Ashton while we were watching Kevin at tennis practice. With the flash on, it reflected his face in the glass. It reminds me of the school photos back when I was in elementary school.

We are going to church tonight to see a free showing of "Fireproof". I've been wanting to see this movie for awhile and it will be a nice little date night.

Celebrating Conception, One Year Ago

The other night Jordan was having a hard time falling asleep so I went into our room where he sleeps, next to the bed in his bassinet and held him. He fell right to sleep in my arms. I could have set him right back down in bed but I felt the need to just hold him. He was so still and snugly and warm. I love those moments when a baby is so comfortable and secure that they can just relax and fall asleep in your arms. Those are such bonding moments for me. As I was holding my sweet baby I realized it was 1 year ago this week that he was conceived! It seems like forever ago. I remember it (the process, not the sex necessarily) so much more then with the others.


I have always wanted 3 kids, at least one boy and most definitely a girl. I couldn't imagine NOT having a girl (and still can't). Well, after two boys I was starting to think that conceiving a girl wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I couldn't imagine myself with 3 boys! Me with 3 boys??! That just doesn't make sense. I'm such "girl", my favorite color is pink, I love sparkles and dressing up. I grew up in a family of all girls! So I decided we needed a little help this time. I read a book I borrowed from my friend called "How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby". I wont go all into it, but apparently the male sperm are faster but weaker and the female sperm are slower but stronger. So according to the book, timing is everything. We have been blessed to get pregnant very easy. First try every time. So I have not had to do any charting, temperature taking or ovulation testing. I now have a new found respect for those that have to chart and test and check their temperature first thing every morning without moving an inch. Well to get the timing just right I had to do all of these things. The book says for about 6 months. We made it 3 months before Jeremy was too anxious and didn't want to wait any longer. If you don't know what this would look like, here is a look at the records I kept:


I would be so grumpy in the mornings because I would not be able drink or go to the bathroom for 4 hours just so I could get an accurate ovulation result. We finally "went for it" but I kept second guessing myself...what if our timing was off? What if we should have waited one more day? Jeremy shouldn't have rushed me... Will we even get pregnant this time? All of my ovulation tests were negative this month, which was weird. If I wasn't pregnant, I better do even better at charting and start eating that special "gender diet" they talked about just to be sure. Jeremy was actually in a funk for awhile because he thought for sure it hadn't worked this time. So it was a happy surprise for him when Ashton handed him that special note that told him the good news. I wasn't even late for my period yet, but I was too anxious myself to find out and took a pregnancy test anyway.

My first sign that all that charting and testing didn't pay off was at our first ultrasound at 12 weeks. My doctor was looking around and I heared her say "ah oh". My heart sunk. She was my OB with Ashton and knew how much I wanted a girl. She then said that its really too early to say for sure, there is still a chance. Jeremy "knew" from that moment and never wavered. I on the other hand, held out hope for the next 7 weeks, a very long 7 weeks. We had another ultrasound at 13 weeks and the tech said "it looks like it might be a boy...well maybe not...I'm not 100% convinced" That was enough for me to still have hope. I needed 100%, no doubt about it.

While waiting for our 19 weeks ultrasound I came across this great website: www. ingender.com They have forums on gender selection methods, gender disappointment and gender prediction. On their 'ultrasound gender prediction' forum people download their ultrasound pictures from around 13 weeks and an ultrasound tech and other followers that know what to look for tell you what they think your baby is. (They look for the "nub" and the "angle of the dangle"). I didn't find this site until after my 13 wk ultrasound, so I didn't know what shots I needed to get a good prediction. It was inconclusive. No one could see anything. I was addicted to this site. I would check multiple times a day to see if someone out there posted an ultrasound picture remotely like mine and see what everyone said. Hoping of course that somebodies baby looked like mine in any way, and hoped that everyone thought it was a girl. I was reaching. I became a pro at predicting gender through an ultrasound picture!

We had one last ultrasound at 19 weeks. In the meantime I was so sick. Sicker then I was with the first two boys. I thought for sure this was a sign it was a girl! The 19 week ultrasound came around. Jeremy and both our mothers were there. This time she was pretty convinced, 99% convinced. When she finally let me empty my extremely full bladder in the bathroom attached to the ultrasound room, I heard her tell everyone else that the only reason she didn't say 100% was because she is not "allowed" to say that to anyone, just in case. My heart sunk once again and there was no hope, that maybe, just maybe, everyone had been wrong. I wouldn't leave until she got a very clear, no doubt about it, this is a boy picture. See for yourself: (sorry if some of you have no idea what you are looking at)

I prayed for a girl, but now that I look back on it, I laugh a little because I know, the whole time that I was charting and testing and holding out hope...God was looking down on me shaking his head with a little giggle. He knew that my baby was a boy. He knew right from the start. He knew since I was in my mothers womb that he was going to be a boy.

It was hard. Everyone around me was having girls, even my sister (only 6 weeks before me) Why not me? After that last ultrasound I was rocking Ashton at bedtime and I cried. I'm not afraid to admit it, but I do feel guilty, because of all those people that can't even get pregnant. How could I be sad that I didn't get the gender I wanted, I should just be happy I can get pregnant in the first place and have my own children. Healthy, living children. Maybe that was a lesson God was trying to teach me. To cherish what he has given me, because some only dream of it.

I always thought I would only have 3 kids, but as soon as I got wind that he might be a boy, I started thinking...four might not be so bad! I'm not ready to give up on my dream of a little girl of my own. Jeremy was pretty excited about that. He had always wanted four. I feel blessed for him. Knowing that we can have another (asuming its all in the master plan) is really what got me through the disapointment. Some people don't have that option or a spouse willing to go there. I am confident that God has a daughter waiting for me someday.

Jordan, I want you to know that I wouldn't trade you for 10 of the sweetest, cutest little girls in the world. I'm so glad I have you. As much as I tried to "make" you a girl in my womb, I am so glad God gave you to me. I feel privilege that he wanted me to care for another one of his sons, and humbled that he thinks that I deserve you. There is so much in store for you. I'm so glad I was chosen to be your mother. I am so glad that a year ago this week God started what he always knew would be YOU.

Happy Valentines Day!

Jordan wanted to say Happy Valentines day:

We decided to break out the craft supplies and make Valentines the last couple days. Here are the boys hard at work:

Daddy got in on the action last night and was a 'heart makin' machine' we called him. Kevin decided to give all the "loves" to Jordan while he was sitting in his bouncy seat:

Both boys had Valentine parties at preschool. They delivered and received Valentines just like I remember when I was in school. Ashton's class had a 'Pirate/ Princess' party. Here's our little pirate:

Jeremy and I have a coupon for dinner at Portland City Grill that we might use on Sunday night (can't use it on V-day) for our date night. I'm looking forward to that. Sounds like pancakes at Mimi & Papa's house in the morning. We will celebrate with lots of "double hugs". This is when one of us hugs TWO kids at once. Now that Jordan is here I guess we would call it 'triple hugs'!

Here is Jordan watching his older brother Kevin play his PSP on our bed. Look at that smile on his face!

One last picture. I had to add this super cute one of Jordan. I just can't get enough of him, he is so stinkin cute!

Love to all.

For your viewing pleasure

Jordan and I had a couple photo sessions recently and these are a few of the cute shots I got. Man is he cute! I think this one could be on the cover of 'Parents' magazine!

I love these pictures of Jordan. He looks so sweet cuddling up to Daddy. His sweet innocence next to his Daddy's tattoos. (The words you see on his chest are the Marine Corp hymn).

Here is Jordan and Texas hangin' at Texas' "Crib".

Texas is my friend Michelle's son. I have known Michelle for over 20 years, and we had our baby boys only 3 days apart! I'm so excited for them to grow up together.

Jordan and his cousin Stuart. These two are going to cause trouble someday!

My little boy has transformed into a BIG boy!

Oh my goodness, I did not think it would be so hard. After all it's just hair, it grows back. He's a boy, he doesn't need a lot of hair. Who cares if strangers think he is a girl, I know better. I finally decided we need to cut Ashton's hair. We went to the salon I get my hair done and a lady I've known for years had the honor. I started out just wanting a trim so it was still kind of shaggy or surfer like. I mean really, long hair is in right now with boys! Well it almost looked more girly so we took a little more off and then....the clippers came out. I did not want the clippers to come out. In the end it turned out really cute and 'boyish'. I've been a little weepy for the last couple days. Ashton's hair was part of his personality, so different from his brothers. Their hair AND personality are so different. It reflected his free spirit and independence and his very positive, happy persona. I know, he is still the same boy he was before.

Ashton has the most beautiful strawberry blond hair. He even has some curls which have started to fall out, to my disapointment. My grandmother was the last in the family to have red hair. She even named her sixth and youngest son "Russell" so she could nickname him "Rusty" because of the red hair he was sure to have, just like his mama. Unfortunately for her, he came out with brown hair and actually started balding at a very early age. He ended up going by his middle name 'Dean' instead. Needless to say Ashton is the first, her great-grandchild, to have red hair. I wish she was here to see it, and I wish he could have met her. She was a spitfire just like her great-grandson. I think they would have gotten along great. Ashton's eyelashes and eyebrows are strawberry blond as well, so I think his color will stick. At least I hope it does. I love that my two boys look so different. It will be curious to see what Jordan looks like a couple years from now. I especially like that Ashton has so much 'Muma' in him. Kevin is definitely a 'Baker boy' like his dad, which is good too. All four boys are so handsome, man am I a lucky girl!

Ashton did an outstanding job at the salon. He sat still the ENTIRE time! He may have had an annoyed look on his face, but he stayed so still and was so good (especially for a 2yr old) it was amazing! I was so proud of him. Here are pictures of the progression from my 'little boy' to my 'big boy'...

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE AFTER

Ashton 2-1/2 yrs old