Our Three Loves

Just love these pictures that I shot earlier this month of the three little ones so I had to share.  Happy Sunday!  

Sunday is Not For the Weary...

Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest.  Or at least for those of us who don't have little kids right?!?!

Our Sundays start off at 6:30 am to the baby screeching to get up or a little boy trying to climb into bed with us.  Today, it was Chris' day to sleep in so I headed downstairs with pretty little miss and started our usual morning routine.  Put away dishes, bottle and breakfast, and pretty soon the three rugrats were awake.

By 8 am, I have already done my second round of dishes, we are on round two of breakfast, I have snuck in the daily headlines on the Today show, and little miss is showing signs that she will soon be ready for the morning nap.  Oh, and I finally got to my cup of coffee.

Chris finally awakes and I quickly change and sneak out for a run.  My only solo time for the day.  Lately, I have been running my mile splits a little faster, I must be pumped just to have some time with just me and my Pandora.  I arrive home and Chris quickly sneaks away for his work out.  

And then the madness really begins.  Every Sunday it's a struggle.  Getting all three of these kids dressed and ready (AND ourselves) before it's time to head out for church.  But somehow magically it happens and this is what we look like before we head out the door...

(Don't judge about the fire hat and yes, he does have matching boots on as well.  If it makes him happy, all the power to him, right?)

Thankfully, today we got a great parking spot on the street near church and maybe for the first time ever dropped all three kids off in their classrooms and arrived in the church BEFORE the service started.  Another great sermon this morning before picking up all three little ones...

A quick stop for coffee on the way home (drive thru is the only way we roll some days) to help keep us functioning for the rest of the day.  Lunch is called, Look in the Fridge and pick out what you want to eat.  The boys agreed on bagels and cream cheese, Abby had a nice smorgasbord, while I had a combination of wasabi peas and cottage cheese.  Can you tell we need to head to the store?

Then, it's nap time for the two littles.  Abby went down easy-peasy.  Not a fuss in sight.  I wish to say the same about his brother who couldn't find the right Transformer to go to bed with and who cried hysterically on the floor saying that he wasn't tired only to fall asleep five minutes later.

Now that it's nap time, it was time for me to sneak away to run errands (with my sidekick Aiden).  We stopped at Carter's to use some credit that I had to spend by the end of the month, popped in the shoe store just because I only had one child on my side instead of three, and then headed over to get groceries.  Aiden loves the grocery store because living near the urban center, we get to park underground and take the escalator up to the store.  It seriously thrills him every time.

$150 dollars later, I walk out with enough food to make oh, about three meals.  Seriously, when did groceries get so expensive?  And trust me, I shop the sales.

We head home.  The two little ones are awake and ready to dig in whatever food I may have bought at the store.  Now it's time to unload groceries and start dinner.  Chris calls his parents and keeps the kids (and his parents) entertained with FaceTime while I magically put together dinner as fast as I can.  This also means Abby is tearing through the cupboards, the dogs are yearning to get out of their kennel, and laundry needs to be turned over.  And with the cold weather day, that means the boys are riding bikes and scooters through the house to burn their energy.

Dinner is finally ready.  And served.  And lo and behold, the boys decide they aren't hungry and eat about two tablespoons of food declaring they are full.  Chris and I are too tired to fight.  Dessert is put away for another day and it's time to head upstairs to put away the ever-lasting pile of laundry while the kids get ready for bed.  

Laundry for three kids really adds up quick.  A half hour later, the laundry is put away.  Kids have pajamas on.  And rooms are straightened up.  Chris does the boys' bedtime while I put Abby down.  She refuses bottle so I place her in bed.  I head back downstairs to fold more laundry.  She cries.  I head back upstairs.  This time, she drinks the bottle and goes to sleep.  Chris finishes boys and says good-night.

Aiden starts crying.  WHY?  Oh, you could only guess.  "I'm hungry.  I'm oh so hungry."  Too tired to fight, I grab his half peanut butter sandwich that he had yet to finish from dinner and bring it up.  Forty minutes later, little Andrew needs to go potty again.  Chris heads back up.  Finally, Operation Bedtime and Operation Sunday is over.

Sunday is the Day of Rest, says no parent ever.  In Chris' words, Monday through Friday is his day of rest.  Trust me when I say that his job is no easy thing, but it's where he heads for just a few moments of quiet.  And rest.

Now me, on the other hand, when is there rest?  It's called never.  Or almost never.  But when I see the smiles on these faces, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Happy Sunday!

(Photos taken from our sunny Sunday last week!  Too bad, it's supposed to snow AGAIN this week)

Happy Birthday Abby!

Someone very special in this house turned one on Monday...

(more to come later!)

Our Month of February!

We started off our February with our family Super Bowl party!  Everyone in the living room for appetizers and football.  The boys LOVED our change of dinner plans:)

And then we celebrated someone's birthday!!!!!!

Followed by a fun visit from Grandpa Rogers...

And someone turned 11 months...

Followed by a wonderful visit from MeMe Ruff (but totally slacked in the photo taking department!)

In our little moments of free time, we had lots of snow days (eek!), did our usual errands and gym time, did another round of swim lessons for Aiden, had lots of playtime in the comfort of our home, and snuck outside for any free moment that we could!

This is how we roll at Target, it's one full cart:

 Loving the outdoors!

 My little man at work...

 And my little bookworm...

Andrew, 3 Years Old

My little Andrew.  You turned three a few months ago and this post is way overdue, but I have to write down some of the special things about you right now because I am learning that time is ticking and you are growing up right before my eyes.    It's amazing how much you changed from two to three.  Seriously, even all the grandparents that have come to visit can't believe how much you have matured.  It could be now that you are a big brother.  Or the fact that you go to school.  Or the fact that you are just growing up.

December 2012:  2 years, 1 month

Your third year of life was a busy one.  You became a big brother and you have earned the title "middle child".  You moved several states away and now live in your second house, although it won't be your last.  You traveled lots of places.  You started school.  You moved to a big boy bed.  You are potty-trained, day and night.  Through all the chaos that this year has been for your family, you have been a continual joyous blessing. You take changes in stride, without showing much stress.  As long as you have toys surrounding you and your big brother nearby, you are set!

January 2013:  2 years, 2 months

Let's start with your first days of school.  Mommy was hesitant to sign you as I know that you didn't need school this year as you will still have two more years of preschool after this year.  On a whim, I decided to sign you up just to help you get used to preschool while your big brother will be in a different class at the same school.  What a blessing it has been to our family, especially with the big move this year.  It has allowed you to socialize with new friends, adjust to school, and develop your own personality away from your parents and Aiden.  You are a wonderful student at school and have always run right into school, often with Marshall your Fire Dog right inside your backpack.  You attend two afternoons a week (right during nap time) where you have so much fun doing things you would never do at home:  singing songs, painting, and doing puzzles.  I love seeing the pictures that your teacher sends home!

 February 2013:  2 years, 3 months

Now, you have also earned that title of big brother.  You love your sister, but definitely hold her at an arm's distance.  You are very worried about her getting to your toys, often making sure that they aren't within a four feet radius from her.  Mommy often has to remind you that toys are our "family" toys, not just "Andrew's".  And we often have to enforce the rule, take a toy/give a toy with the baby.  It's amazing though to watch your sweet side with her.  At times,  you will run and grab her a toy or pacifier.  You like to jump on your bed with her before nap time.  I find that when it's just you and Abby (without big brother), you and her team up to crawl on pillows, under blankets, and destroy the house.

March 2013:  2 years, 4 months

Speaking of being a brother, you also are the most loyal and loving little brother to Aiden.  You love your big brother to pieces.  You spend almost your entire day with him, especially with the move happening this year, and your bond is truly amazing.  You play together, eat together, and even sleep in the same room.  You are always up for whatever your big brother wants to do, often with a smile on your face.  You play Transformers, Paw Patrol, Lion King, puppies, school, trains, and so much more with him.  

April 2013:  2 years, 5 months

You, my sweet child, are a huge TOY kid.  You love love love playing.  You could play all day without anyone bothering you.  I have to admit that it is quite easy to parent you because you are so good at entertaining yourself.  Some of your favorites are trucks, trains, the sandbox, any outdoor riding toy, the bounce house, cars, and your beloved stuffed animals.  You often have some toy that rides with you in the car, one that is always tucked in your backpack, and one that always ends up in your bed.  Your little piece of heaven is the toy aisle at Target, which is a very rare visit for our family but yet it makes you SOO happy!

May 2013:  2 years, 6 months

You definitely have your little set mannerisms about you.  You will not do anything that you don't want to do and are very insistent on what you do want.  You refused to touch the ocean at the beach but could hardly get you to leave the sand.  You only drink chocolate milk in the morning (shaken not stirred) with dry cheerios to snack on.  You have to have your three sweet "dog dogs" when you go to bed.  You only want your train napkin at dinner.  Right now, you only will wear sneakers not any other shoes.  You like sweatpants and not jeans.  You like your "super" pajamas and none with feet.  I believe that you will be a man of routine one day (much like your daddy).    

  

June 2013:  2 years, 7 months

Speaking of routine, you have certain foods that you just LOVE to eat and that's about it. Your favorite meals are tacos, noodles, and Jimmy John's subs.  Seriously you are the only three year old who can eat an entire 8 inch sub.  And yes, you only weigh 27 pounds.  After you eat one of these subs, you pretty much don't eat for two days.  But it makes you happy so of course, we oblige every once in awhile with a dinner out of Jimmy John's!  Your other favorite foods and treats are ice cream/cookies/candy (a sweet tooth just like your MeMe), fruit snacks, crackers and chips, and popsicles.

July 2013:  2 years, 8 months

You are a great sleeper as long as big brother Aiden doesn't keep you up too late.  Your bedtime routine starts around 7:30 and you all are usually asleep by 8:30, unless you all get a little too wild.  You sleep until around 6:45 everyday, rarely waking up unless you need to go potty or can't find your beloved "baba".  Yes, you still have a pacifier at night and mommy doesn't have any plans to take it as of now.  If it works, don't rock the boat, that's my feeling so you are safe for at least another few months! 

August 2013:  2 years, 9 months

I have to share another little tidbit about you.  You are SOO such a Daddy's boy.  Your dad can do no wrong in your life.  You wake up every morning asking where Daddy is and are crushed on the days that Daddy has to head to work early.  You get so excited when Daddy enters the door at night running to him with full force to give him the biggest hug that your little body can give.  You have a way with your Daddy often getting him to carry you when your "legs don't work" and let him watch one more show with you when you just want to snuggle.  

September 2013:  2 years, 10 months

Looking through these pictures from the past year, it amazes me how much you have grown both physically, socially, and emotionally.  My sweet boy, we went through a lot of changes this past year and you did amazing through it all.  These past few months, we have been more limited on what adventures our family has been on due to the fact that our schedule is more limited, there are now three of you children, and we have much less support than we had six months ago, but you show me that it's okay.  It's okay we don't do all those things because we have each other and you are happy just being here in the world, often finding joys and happiness in the simple things of our daily life, so for this your mommy thanks you for teaching me as much as I teach you. 

October 2013:  2 years, 11 months

You are such a sweet little one, Andrew, and we love you SOOO sooo much!  

Can't wait to see what another year of life brings you.  

November 2013:  3 Years Old

Happy 11 Months Abby!

Oh my goodness, this sweet missy is 11 months old.  That's right, less than a month until her first birthday.  What an amazing blessing this girl has been to our house.  She is just the sweetest little thing to enter our family and we continually are so thankful to have Abby!

We have spent most of this month in hibernation.  Seriously, it is SOOOO cold outside and there is no way I am dragging all three of you out in the cold (except on the occasional warm days).  So we have spent a better part of our 11th month of your life at home.  Or doing the preschool shuttle.  Or hanging out in the gym daycare.  But you don't seem to mind, you are always content sweet girl.  Rarely do you fuss and I hope your easy temperament continues forever because it's truly awesome.

I love to peek in and watch you sleep.  I rarely do it as I hate to wake you, but I love catching moments of your stillness.  How adorable are you.  You take two naps a day and are always easy to get down for naps.  You continue to nurse before bedtime and sleep ALMOST all the way through, but I just can't get you past that 5 am feeding.  One day, sweet girl, one day.

You love to be moving either in my arms, crawling, or as you have started to take your first few steps.  You are going to be a girl on the go, which I have to tell you that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as your mommy never stops going either!

You are seriously so happy.  Everything makes you smile.  Your favorite thing are your brothers.  You love to watch them, chase them, and play near them (although they do love you, I have to admit that they aren't always the sweetest big brothers.  they don't want their transformers, trains, and cars messed with!)  You love to climb stairs.  You love to climb on the couch.  You love the doggies.  And so much more.

You are continuing to grow.  You can still wear 6 month clothes, but the 6 month pajamas are starting to get tight so it's about time to bust out the 9 month clothes.  I'm curious to see how much you have grown since your last appointment as you are losing the teeny baby look as you approach one.  I just moved you into size 3 diapers which I anticipate that you will stay in for awhile (honestly I have never bought anything above a 3 because both boys have been potty trained before we ever approached size 4!)

You are a great eater!  You often eat oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit in the morning.  Lunch is always a modge podge of what mommy comes up with for you:  lunch meat, fruit, cheese, cereal bars, etc.  And you often eat what we eat for dinner and you are usually the best eater at the table!  You continue to nurse exclusively and sadly, Mommy is going to start weaning soon so you are ready for whole milk by your first birthday!

Happy 11 Months sweet Abby!  We love you SOOO much and so excited to celebrate that first birthday soon.  Love you!