3 kids

Being a Mommy to three kids means....

you may never see the floor of my living room without toys.
my washing machine will be going every day.
sleeping for more than two straight hours is a thing of my past.
I go outside to play every day.
we spend more than $10 at McDonalds.
we go to McDonalds just for the toys, since we know when the new ones come out.
I will never be caught up on my to do list.
I don't mind not being caught up on my to do list, because I have better things to be doing.
the pediatrician knows me by name, and hugs me when I leave.
I change a lot of diapers.
apple juice, apple sauce, grapes and milk can always be found in my shopping cart.
someone needs me all the time, and I LOVE it!

New Adjective

My family was here for the time leading up to, and following Benjamin's birth. Elizabeth loves her Aunts, and grandparents so much, she hated being without them, even when they were going to the bathroom.

(Side note: If you EVER go to the bathroom at our house, be sure to lock the door, lest you end up with an inquisitive visitor!)

Megan was in the bathroom, and wisely locked the door. Elizabeth stands in the hallway, banging on the door, asking why it's locked. The concept of privacy escapes her. She hears Meg flush, and begin to wash her hands. Elizabeth yells, "Be careful when you're washing you hands, Aunt Megan. The soap is very sea horsey!"

What does that mean?!?!

There's your new adjective of the day!

Memorial Day Fun

Our Memorial Day had a very wet start. As soon as the rain ended, Curtis and I went outside with the kids to burn off some of the extra energy. At first, Elizabeth was ridding her bike, and Micah was playing with his ball. Then, they found the puddles.

And through it all, Benjamin slept!

The Bonds of Siblings

The bonds of siblings must be very strong. My kids seem to have this sixth sense. When one of them is awake, at least one of the other kids wakes up too. If I'm lucky, it's just two up at the same time.

Their other new trick is waking up before 6 am! Not cool kids! Yesterday morning, Benjamin woke up to eat, Micah was awake talking in his crib and in wanders Elizabeth. Curtis just looked at me and said, "Your babies are all broken!" Thank goodness for Grandma who let us sleep in after we got everyone back to sleep.

Over all, it's been really sweet to see relationship form between the kids. They are so sweet together, and I so look forward to watching them all grow up together! I think that once they figure it out, the three of them could be big trouble for Mommy and Daddy!

Saying of the Day

This morning, very early, all five of us were in Mommy and Daddy's bed. Elizabeth had been holding Benjamin when Curtis got out of bed. I picked up Benjamin and put him on the changing table where he could be safe for the "love" of his brother.

Curtis turned around, and in mild panic asked, "Where's Benjamin?!?" Last he had seen, Elizabeth was holding him, and suddenly she wasn't.

Think that will be the last time Curtis or I ask that question? :-)

My three kids

The first picture I've been able to get of all three kids in the same place, at the same time.

Family Pictures

The kids came up to see Benjamin last night. Micah was less than impressed. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was very impressed. She wanted to hold him, rock him, and read to him. We unwrapped his so that she could look at him. At one point, when Benjamin had his thumb curled up, she asked, "Does he not have thumbs?" So sweet!

We have been blessed with lots of visitors! My parents and Shannon are in town, and we've had several of our friends from church up to meet Benjamin. I will try to get some of those pictures up soon! We are looking forward to when Benjamin will be able to meet the rest of his family.

The sweetest face

A few pics

Curtis and I forgot all the "stuff" to get pictures from the camera to the computer. But, we know that everyone in anxiously awaiting the first few shots of Benjamin. So we improvised, and used our cell phone to take a few pics. Hopefully tomorrow we will have more/better pics up.

Party of FIVE

"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!"
Psalm 125:4-5

Knowing that we are truly blessed, we joyfully
announce the birth of our son,

Benjamin David

Born on May 18th
Weighing 8 lb. 14 oz.
and measuring 20 1/2 in.

Please join us as we celebrate the addition of another child to our quiver.

Ballet Recital

Elizabeth's ballet recital was earlier this month. She was very excited, until about five minutes before show time. Her entire class was sitting in the hallway, and she came running into where Curtis and I were sitting, exclaiming, "I just can't do this Mommy!" "What can't you do?" I asked her. "Dane! I just can't dance!" So dramatic! I reminder her that we would go to Chuck E Chesses' if she danced, and that was enough motivation. Well, at least enough motivation to get her started.

The entire class (Elizabeth is on the far right hand side)
Sucking on her finger was what she did for about 90% of the recital.
She finally started dancing at the very end, when they did their circle. It's always been her favorite part of the dance, and she loves doing it at top speed! After the circle, she did actually dance a little, and was rewarded with a trip to Chuck E Cheeses!

Elizabeth-isms

"Were you and Aggie just four minutes ago?" What she said to Curtis while she was "watching" A&M graduations on PBS, rather than Dragon Tales (which had been preempted).

"Don't put things in your deep, dark cave." Here response to us when we told her not to put her doll in her tooshy.

"From my mouth." Her answer when asked where the gum that was stuck to her church dress AND panties, had come from.

"I know Mommy, that why we leave our gum in our mouth." What she said when I was about to reprimanded her for having her gum out of her mouth.

"Happy birthday, to Mommy. I love you. I will never forget you. And don't throw things at your brother." What my birthday card apparently said.

So many words!

Elizabeth just came into my room, asking my help. Since I am such a wonderful mother, I asked her what she needed help with. Here is her response.

"I need help with my building blocks. I thought I could do it, but I can't. So maybe, you can come help me. I'm in my room. My blocks are in my closet. I can't open some of them, and I just need a little bit of help. I'm trying to make a tower with my building blocks, but just can't and need some help, is that okay? Is it okay that I'm out of my room?"

So many words! Why couldn't she simply tell me that she needed help with her blocks?

I actually know the answer to this question. It's because she's my daughter!

Elizabeth has taken to starting conversations with complete strangers, mostly strangers from Wal Mart. Thankfully, she seems to be a good judge of character, and has only had conversations with people who dub her cute.

If you're ever bored, or in need of a little conversation, just give Elizabeth a call!

Surprise!

My birthday is May 15th. I've been a little bummed about it since I will be huge pregnant, or I'll have just had a baby. Either way, not my idea of a fun birthday.

Apparently, my whining made an impact on my good friends, Kyle and Lindsay, and my sweet hubby. Kyle and Lindsay started planning a surprise party for my in March! They got Curtis in on the whole thing too. Never before has Curtis been able to pull off a surprise. Usually, I end up guessing what's going on.

But not this time!

Curtis told me that we were going on one final date before Benjamin was born. I marked the calendar, and was told that he would take care of the details. So, last Friday night, the babysitter shows up, and Curtis and I leave. I originally thought we were going to see Fiddler on the Roof, but had figured out I was wrong, after being told that I could wear shorts if I wanted. I clarified to Curtis that I did not want to bowl or ice skate!

We got to On the Border for dinner. We walk in, and the hostess smiles, and points to a table. "What? There's a wait!" I kept trying to tell Curtis. We walk over to a table where everyone has menus over their faces. The menus are pulled down and I see all my favorite people yelling, "SURPRISE!" I was so confused! Lindsay then yelled, "Happy birthday!" It all sunk in, and I was really surprised!

Here I am trying to wrap my mind around everything, obviously very excited. At the table were the Findley, Sherry, the Arnold, the Brunones and the Newcomers.

Now to the fun part of the evening. We all enjoyed a yummy dinner. Suddenly, I hear a loud noise, and quickly realize that someone has told the waitress that it was my birthday. She comes over, and has me stand up. She then points to my dear friend (ha!) Michael, and says that he has told her that it is my birthday, and that I'm game for total embarrassment. How bad could it be? Plus, there was a brownie waiting for me if I preformed.

Here I am, the birthday bird! I had to flap my "wings" while the wait staff sang. Keep thinking about the brownie..... It was truly embarrassing, but all rather funny. Did I mention there was a brownie, with ice cream?!?!

Check out Michael's face!

After dinner, several of us went to the Newcomers for cheesecake! Lindsay not only made a yummy brownie cheese cake, but black berry tarts. Yum!!!

I had a wonderful time! I was totally surprised! Thanks to Kyle, Lindsay and Curtis for all their hard work. Thanks also to everyone who kept the big secret!

Fly Boy

My sister-in-law, Terra, gave Micah this adorable flight suit. Considering Micah's Grand-Daddy used to fly, it seems even more appropriate! Possible career move? Who knows! Oh, and Will, we thought of you too!!