# 6!

No, I am not pregnant with twins, yesterday was Drew's 6th birthday! Wow, she is getting old. Pretty soon she will start losing teeth and going to school full days, and then she will stop thinking I'm the coolest person in her life, and then she will need to wear deodorant and get all secretive, and then she will get her license and avoid me as much as possible, and then she will graduate and my Drewsy will be gone! But I am getting a little ahead of myself. I will admit that she is growing up and no longer has the babyface I am used to. She is still beautiful but I don't know what to do with a six year old. Hopefully we can figure it all out together.

So anyway, here is the cake I made for Drew the morning of her birthday. I worked that afternoon upstairs on the computer. Darcy woke up from her nap so I turned on Finding Nemo and set her up on the couch downstairs where she was sitting nicely, sucking her thumb, watching the show. I thought nothing of how quiet she was being till she came upstairs with chocolate all over her face. Drew and I figured she found some cookies. It wasn't till work was done and we went downstairs that we found this. . .


Darcy got into the cake! Drew was quite miffed at her little sister. I tried to fix it but she took chunks of cake so there was no way to repair it. It wasn't that big of a deal, except that Darcy, sweet sweet Darcy, pulled a fast one on us when we thought she was quietly watching Nemo. Instead she was quietly ruining her sister's cake.

Drew asked for, and received, a Zhu Zhu Pet something or other. I didn't think it was that cool when I bought it but let me tell you that thing is the hit of the family. Well, for the kids anyway. I find the noises it makes highly annoying but I find the noises my kids sometimes make highly annoying too. I believe Drew had a good birthday. At least she didn't call it her "Worst day Eeeeeeever!!!!" as she had done the 2 previous days when I told her to clean up her messes and put her socks in the laundry basket. See why I dread her getting older? She can be a bit of a drama queen at times.

Speaking of annoying noises, Bree is still screaming her lungs out whenever she is not being held. Well, maybe that's being unfair. She does tolerate tummy time or back time on the floor for about 10 minutes a day, but other than that she is still my screecher creature. Have you heard that song by Beyonce that goes something like, "You can be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare?" Well the version I sing to Bree is "You can be my sweet Bree, or a beautiful nightmare." Fits her perfectly. When she is being held she is absolutley the sweetest, most kissable little thing. Put her down and she becomes a nightmare. She has actually slept through the night twice recently though, so I have to give her props for that. Hopefully my zombie days are nearing an end. That is, if Darcy would quit falling out of bed. Today we moved the beds around in the kids room to pen her in a bit. She is now wedged between the wall and the end of the bunkbed so unless she crawls to the end of her bed while she's sleeping, she should hopefully stay put. I'm not betting on it though. She is a crazy sleeper.

Drew is playing T-Ball again this year. I didn't want her to miss out on opportunities just cuz her mom is crazy enough to have 4 kids under 6 so we signed her up to play. What a logistical nightmare it has been. Especially since I am working just about every afternoon and Saturdays for the month of April, which coincidentally is when her games are. It makes it tough for all of us to get to her games with smiles on our faces. Unless of course it is a forced smile on my part to keep from freaking out over it all! Actually, it has been fun to watch Drew play this year. She is hitting the ball well, probably due to the fact that I told her I would buy her ice cream if she hit the ball to the trees. This has been a major incentive for her, even though our freezer is usually stocked up with ice cream on any given day of the week. Of course I will buy her the ice cream at the end of the season just for her great effort. She has also lost the skip she threw in last season as she ran the bases. She looks much more professional now ;)

I better mention something about Mason . . . He is getting so big! I think he skipped right over size 4T and is now wearing 5T clothes. He isn't even 4 yet! I have also signed him up for preschool starting in the fall. My baby boy is definitely a messy, potty-talk loving kid. But I love him just the same!

March 2010

Where to begin . . . According to my calendar at the beginning of the month, March was looking pretty calm. Funny how things aren't what they appear. In my crazy hormonal state I suggested to Paul we either camp or get a hotel room at the beach since we would be near there already for my niece's baptism. Unfortunately he took me up on it. Actually, it wasn't all bad. In fact, the only bad part was trying to eat dinner at Mo's in Newport. Paul's mom and niece met us at the aquarium where we got to see all kinds of fun water animals, and then we went to dinner. Anyone who has been there knows Mo's is an extremely tight fit of diners and staff. I had Bree asleep on my chest and Paul was trying to wrestle with Darcy. She threw the bucket of garbage, her color crayons, and finally her chocolate milk on the floor. I had had enough of her, her cries, the stares of the other customers, my life, the universe, etc. so I left Mo's with a baby on either hip and a death stare that had people running to get out of my way. We hung out in the car till the others were done with dinner. My family just isn't ready for dining out in a sit-down establishment. Give us a drive-through and we are good to go! That night we stayed at a hotel and swam in a freezing pool. The next day we walked on the beach and Drew wrote our names in the sand. We also hit the outlet mall in Lincoln city to try to clothe my children who are exhibiting weed-like tendencies. Thank goodness for summer when they can run around in shorts and bare feet and it doesn't matter if their clothes or shoes fit.

My Breezy is now 2 months old. Wow time flies! I will officially dub her my most difficult baby. Drew had that distinction up till now but Bree has blown her out of the water. Bree is absolutely adorable and so kissable and smiling and cooing and as soon as you set her down she turns into a screaming maniac. I have never seen a baby act like this. If she is not being held she is screaming. And I have tried to let her cry it out but the screams only get louder and more intense till you are sure she will burst. I would love to sit and hold her all day but unfortunately I have other responsibilites. She was also extremely backed-up for about 3 weeks but fortunately her system is working better now. She makes for a stressful time. I am so proud of my other kids for the patient way in which they deal with her. Sometimes Mason will cover his ears and yell at Bree to be quiet but mostly they have been extremely understanding.

Paul's mom, sister, and nieces all came to visit and play with Bree. Believe it or not, we do like visitors at our house and we had a great time with them. We have a HUGE family and always appreciate the time spent with them.

Ahhh, the bunkbed. This was Paul's project. He worked on this for weeks. I thought maybe buying a bunkbed would be easier but Paul took it upon himself to make them. The kids loved every minute of the process. I guess their memories are worth more than the time it took to finish them. And let me just say, if we ever have an earthquake you will find me hunkered down on the bottom bunk. Nothing can harm this massive stucture! They turned out beautiful and the kids play on the top bunk night and day. Thanks daddy!

Paul's birthday was a much anticipated even by the kids. Mason walked around for 2 days with the cake mix box and we had all kind of plans for the celebration. Fortunately it doesn't take much for the kids to think it was a rip-roaring party. Poor Paul, he doesn't ever get much of a party or surprise gifts since he only wants computer stuff and I have no idea what anything is or what he would need so he always has to buy his own gift. Same with Christmas. But at least I know he is getting what he really wants. When Mason is older he is going to ask why we let him make such crazy faces in every picture we have of him for 2 years. The funny thing is that he thinks he is making a nice smile for the picture. I sure love my little guy!

Darcy moved into a big-girl bed two nights ago. Well, she was supposed to anyway. She is in the room with Mason and Drew now so I can move Bree out of my room into the crib. Darcy is quite a bit younger than the others were when they moved out of the crib and the first night we layed with her for an hour and a half trying to get her to fall asleep. I left Paul snuggling with her and a little while later it was quiet so I thought he had been successful in getting her to sleep. I walked in the room and was trying to spot Darcy in her mass of blankets when I heard the plastic chewy rings moving that Drew uses as a gate at the top of the bunkbed. I looked up and there was Darcy at the top trying to get through the gate. Paul was blissfully asleep on Darcy's bed. It was so darn funny, if not a bit scary, that we gave up for the night and put her back in her crib. Last night she succumbed to sleep after fighting it for only an hour. She did great! She only fell out of her bed once, I think, and didn't have any bruises to show for it this morning. I call that a success!

My calendar for April is full already. I have signed up to work just about every week-day afternoon and Drew has t-ball games to keep us busy. I am under no illusion that April will be any easier than March. But, that's what makes life fun I guess.

Mason's Big Day

Monday was Mason's first visit to the dentist. Saying he was a bit nervous is an understatement. He forgot how to dress himself, put on shoes, connect his seatbelt, push an elevator button, use a drinking fountain, etc. Luckily Paul was able to take the three girls to the park while I dealt with Mason. I'm not sure what I am telling my kids about the dentist leading up to the visit, but when he climbed up into the chair his mouth immediately popped open and stayed that way till the hygienist forcibly closed it for him. Drew was the same way at her first visit. Its all I and the hygienist can do not to laugh at these poor, frightened little bodies. He was loving the cool sunglasses and almost made it out the door with them but had to give them back in the end. He was given a clean bill of health, no cavities! He also got to choose a toy out of her treasure box and my little boy chose a sparkly star "magic wand" as he is calling it. Paul has some concern in that Mason has also started carrying around his sister's pink purse. We have to tell ourselves its a "man bag." Now Drew is excited to get to go to the dentist so she can get a magic wand too. I haven't told her yet that Mason took the only one left in the box.

Here is Miss Bree, already a month old! At least I think she is. I'm all confused. With my other kids it was easy to know when they were a month older. On the 20th or the 8th. But Bree was born on the 31st and not all months have 31 days so now I don't know when to take her monthly picture! I guess on the last day of each month makes sense, right? Who knows. All I know is she is gaining weight like a pro (look at that double chin already!), she is starting to lift her head up and push away when I am holding her, she is still a HORRIBLE sleeper at night which I will forever hold against her, and she has the lung capacity of an opera diva. This girl can scream like no other baby I have ever heard. And she screams often. Bree is not my easiest baby to say the least. Its a good thing she is so darn cute with fat, kissable cheeks to make up for it! Mason still seems to be her biggest fan out of the older kids. Darcy will actually pet her head and call her Baby B but she hasn't kissed her yet. She gets close but then turns and walks away. I am proud of how Darcy has adjusted. She still has her tantrums and her crazy business at church, but overall I think she adjusting pretty well and she seems to like me again, thank goodness! Paul and I are adjusting too, I think. 4 kids is A LOT of work but I just keep telling myself I never have to do this again and each day it gets better and more of a routine for me I think. Though I really look forward to when Paul walks through the front door at 6pm for some help!

We like to start the brainwashing early in our house. Here is my sweetheart in her Beavers garb and she is only a couple weeks old! Thanks Grandpa!

Bree Elizabeth

Bree Elizabeth is here! She was born on Sunday, January 31st at 3:38 pm. She weighed in at a whopping 6lbs 10 oz. TINY! This wasn't my fastest or easiest labor and delivery but we both came through it alright and now our family has a beautiful little girl to join her big sisters and brother. So far all 3 older siblings seem to like her. Well, maybe that's saying alot when it comes to Darcy's opinion, but at least she hasn't tried to hurt her! We are all going through the adjustment OK at present time. Ask again in a couple days.

It took Paul and I quite a while to come up with her name. I think we were decided on Demi before she was born but once we saw her we knew she wasn't a Demi so we had to start all over. Paul read the hospital's 60,000 baby names book a few times and we still had a hard time figuring out just who this little girl is. But we are happy with Bree and it fits her more and more each day. Drew likes the name, Mason still calls her "the baby you had in your tummy and then popped out," but he is getting better at trying to remember. And Darcy just calls her "baby" and giggles.

We are extremely happy Bree has joined our family and we are extremely blessed to have 4 beautiful, healthy children entrusted to us by our Heavenly Father. Isn't family great!?

Merry Christmas 2009!

Whew! We made it through Christmas '09! My surviving was always questionable, but I didn't realize just how into it Mason would be this year. He almost didn't make it! I guess 3 is the magic number when it comes to Christmas anticipation. He was barely containable for weeks leading up to the big day. He was even singing his heart out "Here comes Santa Claus" over and over (the only words he knew) at the ward Christmas party in order to get Santa to arrive. "Am I singing loud enough mommy?" Unfortunately our camera is awful so we didn't get any good pictures of the kids with Santa this year. Something I am sure will be held against us as the kids get older. Here is the obligatory painting cookies picture. Drew was more into the artistry of it this time, Darcy was excited to be able to sit on the counter and get her hands sticky, and Mason was once again all about eating them, who cares what they look like!

I had plans to make goody plates and distribute them around the neighborhood but after this first batch I felt like my back would break so I bagged the idea. Maybe next year I will be in a better place mentally and physically and can get in to the spirit a little more.

For the last 2 years we have acted out the Nativity scene with our "Little People" sets. I figure the kids get more out of the story this way than by trying to get them to act it out at this age. Paul read the scriptures for us while we had angels dive-bombing the shepherds, but I think the kids got the gist of the story.

I'm not sure what Mason is doing to Darcy here. I think he is just so darn excited to see if Santa would really deliver his "Transformer bad guy" that he just grabbed Darcy and squeezed! I love the look on her face. I have a feeling this will turn into one of my favorite Christmas pictures in the years to come.

Here is Drew making some pottery on her "clay spinner." This is all she asked Santa for this year. I love that she is all about the contained craft projects and not massive toys all over the place. This wheel spins at one speed, S-L-O-W, so she isn't going to create any masterpieces but she has had a good time with it so I guess that's what counts. We also have an island covered with Bendaroo creations which have been a big hit too.

My sweet, loving Darcy received her very own doll from Santa. She hugs and kisses anything she can get her hands on so Santa made a good call when he got her a doll. Hopefully she will be as good to her new baby sister as she is to the doll. Darcy had a fun Christmas and liked to tear the wrapping paper off the gifts.

Paul got an OSU Snuggie! Someone had to get one, right? Paul was the lucky recipient! I got a new set of hand tools which is exactly what I wanted! It is hidden under my bed so I know exactly where to go when I need a screw driver or pliers. I no longer have to get mired down in the abyss we call a garage, searching for tools!

And here is Mason with his pride and joy. This baby took Paul an hour to transform the first time so we try not to do it too often. Mason loves it and I think he had a great Christmas and it was all he hoped it would be. At least, I haven't heard any complaints!

We spent the rest of Christmas day with Paul's family. We did some visiting, some eating, and some present unwrapping before heading for home. It was a lot of hours in the car for one day but right now there is no place like home for me, and especially no place like my own bed! I am thankful Paul is understanding of that right now. We took the tree and decorations down on the 27th and now as soon as we get through my least favorite of all holidays (except for the football games) I can focus totally on my sweet baby due to arrive in 5 weeks!

Happy 7th Anniversary!

Happy anniversary to me! I cannot believe its been 7 years, but I guess I just need to look around at my 3 and 7/9 children to give me the reality check I need! These have been great years and I wouldn't change them for anything. Well, maybe throw in a few more hours of sleep here and there, but on the whole I have been incredibly blessed with a loving, honest, Priesthood holding husband, and healthy, happy, fun kids. Who could really ask for anything more? I love you Paul, thanks for choosing me!

Random Update

Thanksgiving this year was spent with my side of the family at my parents' house. There were 33 of us all squeezed together but it worked out fine. This picture is just a smattering of those in attendance. I didn't get a picture of the table with what I called the stinky boys (those ages 8-18) but you can see there were plenty of us there. Drew was a great helper in my kitchen and practically made the pumpkin rolls by herself.




Grandpa's buttermilk pancakes the morning after Thanksgiving was the feast for my kids. They can't get enough of these and I don't blame them. My kids don't really appreciate all the turkey, potatoes, and pies for some reason. I, on the other hand, love a cold turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce the day after Thanksgiving. YUM!

We waited a week longer than ususal to get our Christmas tree this year. I wasn't sure how Darcy would react to it and I didn't want to battle with her for an extra 7 days. Thankfully she doesn't have much interest in it. She puts her hands behind her back and strolls around the tree, poking her nose in an ornament every once in a while, but she has kept her hands off for the most part. The tree this year is only 8 feet tall, scrawny by our usual standards but still a nice tree.













This is our attempt at a family picture for the Christmas card. As you can see it didn't turn out very well. Kids were out of control, my hormones were out of control, and the camera was out of batteries! This whole process ended in me screaming at everyone and slamming the door to my bedroom, where I hid for a good hour to get myself back together. This being 7+ months pregnant during the holidays is extremely tough. I just wish we could pass them by this year and focus on the impending addition to our family instead. Usually by this time I would have my hospital bag packed, the baby's bed set up, blankets washed and folded, diapers all in a neat little pile, etc. But this time I haven't done any of that. I am afraid January 2nd I will wake up and realize I only have a couple weeks to get my house in order and I know I will be freaking out. Hopefully Paul and the kids can stand living with me for the next 7 weeks!