It's Only September But...

Yesterday I had to run to Wal-Mart for diapers for JM and Peanut, we only had one left. I had just walked in and there in front of me was a wall of apple cider. I love apple cider. I buy apple cider every fall. I drink whole gallons of apple cider by myself. It's one of the first signs of fall, apple cider on the store shelves.
As I walked through Wal-Mart I noticed all sorts of things, pretty fall welcome mats, fall flowers, candy corn in large stacks, wreaths, stupid Halloween decorations, lots of cute scarecrows, and pumpkins. Now my sister loves fall. It's one of her favorite times to decorate. She has some really cute things too. But my little trip through Wally World reminded me that the cooler weather is coming, even though it's hot now. Only a few leaves have turned but more are coming. Before long Nathan will be asking for chili and frito pies. I'll be getting out sweaters for the kids and buying us a rake because we always borrow our neighbor's. I really like fall and my favorite decorating time is just around the corner...bring on the blue and white. By the way, sister, we need to draw names soon.
Christmas is coming!!!

Wordless Wednesday (Cell phone edition)

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

For my birthday Nathan got me this little beauty. It's an ipod shuffle. And yes, I did get it in that color. Let me just say for the record that my husband is not an Apple fan. In fact, he highly dislikes their software, itunes ect, but their hardware he thinks is well designed. Others we know are all out Apple haters! :) (Scott!) But Nathan was sweet and knew that I wanted an MP3 player for my birthday. Sunday we downloaded itunes onto our computer and I spent a lot of time uploading all our cds to it and organizing them. I found a lot of great songs on itunes that I'm sure I will be spending my allowance on. Everything you can imagine, except for the original Beatles, is on there. Classical, instrumental, Christian, rock, pop. I'm becoming a fan of the itunes store. But before any of you panic, I have yet to buy a song. I can't decide where to start. :)Thank you baby. I love my birthday present. And it's so pretty too.

Picnic at the Farm

Today we drove out to Nathan's parents' house for a picnic to celebrate their anniversary. It was really beautiful out today, perfect picnic weather. The boys played with their aunts and uncles and Peanut charmed everyone. Grasshopper slept through it all, almost. Nathan launched his 6 foot rocket that he's been working on since I was pregnant with JM. We had two very successful launches. Come to our church harvest party and he'll launch it again. I think he was a little disappointed in the height, however that's a lot of rocket for a really little engine. I was impressed. Here's the slide show of our day. If you put the mouse over the picture you can see the captions.

Cause One Bath is NEVER Enough

This morning was out WIC appointment and usually they are great about having the kids on different cycles so that I don't have to bring all of them at once. However, for a list of various reasons this morning's visit required all 5 of us to be there. I asked my mom to come and help because with weighing, measuring, finger pricking, and the endless amount of questions I figured it would just be best.
All the kids got their baths last night. I really didn't want to show up with dirty smelly children. I try to give a good impression. I saved Grasshopper's bath for this morning. All went well. He was washed, dried, lotioned, and diapered. I was getting ready to dress him when he filled his diaper. Here's how my thought process went.
"I'll just leave it till I'm done nursing him and change him right before we go, well it might leak on his clean clothes, or me. Maybe I should just change it now. No, I'll wait. Nah, I'd better do it now."
So I proceeded to change his diaper, at which point he sprayed himself on the head and his clean onesie. And before it was all over he had pooped ON his dirty diaper and the towel under him. I wiped him off and put him back in the sink for bath number two. This time I dressed him and feed him and didn't stop for anything. :) Apparently it was a very exhausting experience for him because he slept through the appointment and is still sleeping. I appreciate that too.
Thanks for the help mom. It would have been awful without you. :)p.s. A post is coming soon about Grasshopper's nickname. Stay tuned.

First Day of School

Yesterday was AJ's first day of school this year. Earlier this year, in January, I called the preschool and asked if they had any openings now that he was four. They did and he started school in Feb and right off the bat had several snow days. But yesterday was his first "first day of school." He was very excited. We went to Wal-Mart to get some things that he needed for the classroom and he had a frosty for a treat.
When it was time to take him to school JM really wanted to go too so I loaded him up as well. JM insisted on carrying the box of tissues, which was actually 4 small boxes wrapped together. At school, JM didn't want to leave. One little girl was crying, and JM was as well. Only his plea was , " I want to be four too, Mommy!" It was very sad. He said goodbye to AJ and we left.
When AJ came home from school JM just kept patting his arm and saying his name over and over. I think the time apart will be WONDERFUL for them. Here they are with Daddy, ready to leave.

Wordless Wednesday

...a very wet and messy one.

Overheard In the Bathroom...

...during toothbrushing time last night before bed.

AJ- Daddy why do Superheros put their pants on and then their underwear?

Daddy- Umm. I don't know.

Overheard this morning at church during playtime outside.

JM to DA- I'm gonna play with Little Buddy. I'm gonna punch him.
and then he did.

Soccer, Glorious Soccer!

Last week we had a big storm come through and our internet has been out all week. The handy dandy cable guy came this morning and yea, we are back online. Just in time for a big milestone for our family.
Today was AJ's first soccer game. For those of you who know our extended family, mainly Mama Lily and her crew you will know that soccer is the main sport. Cross country is great but soccer is the big one. All the cousins have played soccer at least one season, some are making quite the career out of it. Puk Puk is AJ's closest cousin, but is older by two years. Puk Puk has been playing soccer for the last two years and AJ has been constantly asking when he's going to get to play too. Well, that day finally came. We've bought the shin guards, soccer socks, a water jug, and. chairs for the rest of us to sit on. We met his coach last Monday and got his jersey. We loaded up the WHOLE family and arrived on time, thankfully. Here he is with some of his teammates and coach getting ready to start the game.
I wish that I would have had a video camera for the first 30 seconds of the game, it was priceless. At the kickoff, AJ was the first one to the ball. He dribbled it all the way down the field fairly well. He kicked it at the goal and it didn't quite go in so he just picked it up and threw it in the goal. It was so unexpected that I just sat there and laughed till I almost cried. It was hysterical. He did really well and made two goals. They don't keep score at this age but mom kept an open eye. We were very proud and he had a blast. After the game, Auntie gave him some cleats that were hand-me-downs from the soccer cousins. He can't wait to wear them at his next game.

Happy Birthday!!

to my wonderful Big Brother!! Sorry I couldn't wait to have the baby on your birthday...but you are the world's best big brother.

Grasshopper

Please join me in welcoming
Grasshopper!!!!
8 lb. 10 oz. and 20 inches

He was born at 12:34 pm and is doing great. So am I! We're very happy that he's finally arrived. He is currently being admired at the hospital by lots of family and friends. I'll be sure to post more after we come home. Thanks to all our friends' and family's support. We love you all.











This post uploaded by dad since mom is still in the hospital. Any brilliance in today's episode is solely attributable to my lovely wife, and any technical errors are my responsibility. Love you honey!

Wordless Wednesday

JM and Grandpa at the church picnic last week.

Waiting Game...

I find that this point is the most difficult. Everything is ready, his room, his clothes, everything. I'm having contractions. Sometimes fairly hard and regular. And then, they peter out into nothing. And of course we've tried all the home remedies for getting labor going. Before this is all over I'm going to need a new pair of shoes from walking. I could be sitting her three weeks from now waiting...or he could be here tonight! Why on earth do they tell pregnant women that. I think it's mean!!!!
I'm so ready to hold my little man. If he comes now then I won't have to get a new dress for my sister's vow renewal. However, if he lingers then I have to go to the outlet mall and get something that will cover my massive girth on Saturday. I'd much rather wear what I already have and save the money.
Grasshopper please won't you come??? By the way...we've passed my original due date on Sunday. Please pray for us but don't pray for patience, pray for DELIVERANCE!!! Mommy just can't take it and AJ keeps asking if we forgot to get him out last night because he wants to come to the hospital and see the new baby.

And the Winner Is....

Congratulations to Choofy Mama over at Redeeming 2007 won my Dog Days of Summer giveaway! Thanks to the over 200 of you that entered. Have a great summer and I'm sure I will be giving something away this fall so stay tuned.

Wordless Wednesday

It's GIve Away Time

For my giveaway here at Mom of Three or More you will get these two lovely sets of little girl hair bows. They are called Korker Bows. One set is a lavender and white polka dot combination. The others are white, lavender, pink, and aqua polka dots. They are about four inches in diameter and the clips on the back are an inch and a half. My mom and I make these as a side business. They are brand new, never been worn. If you would like to be in the drawing leave your name and email address in my comments. You don't have to be a blogger to win. And duplicate comments will not be counted. I will pick the winner on Friday morning at 8 am eastern. I'll post the winner and contact you by email for your mailing info. They will go out on Friday. Please don't enter if live outside of North America. (Canadians welcome!) For more fun giveaways go to Rocks in My Dryer for a complete list. Have fun and hope you win!

Summer Giveaway...Coming Soon!

Hey ya'll!!! I've joined the massive giveaway over at Rocks in My Dryer. The plan is starting on Monday everyone will post something on their blog to giveaway. The master list will be hosted at Rocks in My Dryer. The giveaway can be anything...something you make or a book you like. You can enter as many of the drawings as you want. Come back on Monday to see what I will giving!!! I have several ideas and just can't decide. :) The drawing will be held next Friday so you have all week to browse the items and hopefully win something cool. :) Have fun and enjoy the dog days of summer.

Peace...even for a moment

For the last several weeks the boys, AJ and JM, have been having a hard time being together. They've been fighting with each other over everything. However, on the flip side when AJ was gone overnight JM cried at bedtime for over an hour for AJ. Yesterday and today must have been a breakthrough because they've been doing really really well together. It's almost 11 here and we haven't had any major problems all day. They've been up since 7 so I'm ecstatic!! Here is the photographic proof! In other news, Peanut's new room only needs a little bit of sanding and it will finally be ready for paint. I'm really looking forward to moving her crib out of our room. It won't be long now until the bassinet moves in and we have another little guest staying in our room. I'm going to enjoy those couple of weeks with no baby in the room.

Wordless Wednesday...

a day late.....

I've been TAGGED

Here's my Four Meme from Jenn over at Fuleki 4 . I'm going to be a good friend and get it done right away.

Four Jobs I've Had

1. Pizza Hut waitress- been there too Jenn
   
2. Medieval Times- photographer- official title "wench"
3. College campus security- dispatch
4. P.E. assistant at elementary school

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over Again

1. Hunt for Red October- can we say Alec Baldwin and Sean Connery??
2. Pride and Prejudice- the real A & E one- "Shelves in the closet, happy thought indeed."
3. You've Got Mail- I love that movie and it's also the most quotable movie EVER!
4. A Few Good Men- "You Can't Handle the Truth!"

Four Places I've Lived

1. Born in West Virginia
2. Bowling Green, KY
3. Dallas, TX
4. Jos, Nigeria, West Africa- graduated from high school there

Four TV Shows I Watch

1. Survivor
2. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
3. So You Think You Can Dance?
4. Gilmore Girls- I can't believe it's over...but it was time