100 days of school

Wednesday Connor's class celebrated 100 days of school. I was able to go in and help, bringing Lucas with of course!

I could easily get used to being able to go into school and help in the boys' classrooms.

I love my job, and am very fortunate to have the summers and holidays off like I do, but man, how I would love to be able to stay home all day, every day with them while they are growing up. ;)

I wish it was a little easier to take off to join the boys in field trips, school projects, plays, concerts, etc...

I'm trying to take advantage of this maternity leave as much as I can.

Sledding

My aunt and uncle Sharon and Ed came over to visit today bringing gifts for all boys. The boys had fun reading and playing with them. Thanks guys!

We went sledding today. The weather has been great lately.

We were going to go try out a new hill, but when we got there, the boys weren't all that impressed and thought it looked boring compared to the one we've gone on before, so we had to go back to the old one of course.

Future Olympian?

We've been watching the Olympics lately and the boys are getting a huge kick out of the skiing and snowboarding, especially when they get up high and twist and turn. Nolan LOVES the snowboarding and when we were watching the half pipe he kept repeating, "AWESOME, I want to do that! AWESOME! Did you see that? How did he do that? I want to do that!". Hmm......
Out of all of them, I actually could see him doing it. He is our MAJOR daredevil, no fear, and no sense of danger. Scary.

Connor is feeling better.
I sanitized and washed everything. I'm hoping no one else gets it.

Could it be?

Could it be possible that all it took was a little patience on my part, encouragement, and letting him decide on his own time?
Nolan has had two great days. Yesterday he stayed dry in his pull up at Mary's and when he got home he went to the bathroom 3 times on the toilet. Today he has been home with me all day (Connor is home sick with the flu) and has gone on the toilet the whole day. We are definitely going out to buy him some Toy Story (his choice) underwear tomorrow! Woo hoo!
Whether it's for good or not...this is a major achievement for us!
Could it be possible that we will have only ONE in diapers soon?! What would that be like?!

One month

Lucas is four weeks old! Wow, time flies.

It's amazing how he changes every day/week.

Last week he got his 3 week pictures taken. I have taken all of the boys to Wal Mart quick to get their anywhere from 1 wk- 3wk picture taken and have it hanging up on our wall. Here are Lucas's.

Oh how things change.............

Connor holding new brother Jacob.

Connor and Jacob holding new brother Nolan.

Connor, Jacob, and Nolan holding new brother Lucas!

Happy Valentine's day

We've been working all week on Connor's Valentine's for school. I totally stole this idea from a blog I used to have time to follow (These are a Few of My Favorite Things). It's what Connor decided he wanted to do after we talked about some options. Aren't they cute? We just cut above and below his hand and put a blow pop through it so it looks like he's handing it to you. We had fun making it. Mary at daycare always has a party too. It was quite a process having all three boys fill out Valentine's for the kids at daycare. Our table was full of pencils, Toy Story, Lightning McQueen, and Sports Valentines, and candy. Patience was a virtue.

Friday Kelsey came over to play with us. Mary, our daycare provider and Kelsey's got sick. We had a blast and played, played, played. Kelsey has become quite the talker and dancer lately. She's got a few favorite dance moves and loves to repeat us when we're talking to all of the boys and say anything with "boys" in it. She'll say, "come on boys, bye boys, or just ...boys...". It's so darn cute.
Friday night I was able to get together with some friends from high school. It was so fun to get together with them and to get some "me" time. Not to sound selfish, but I haven't had some of that in awhile. I didn't stay out too long because Matt just got home from Germany and I had to feed Lucas, but it was still a lot of fun. Hope to get together with them again soon.

Saturday night I made this squid for supper out of hot dogs and noodles. I got the idea from Family Fun (LOVE this magazine). The boys had a blast playing with them. I told them it's one of the only foods we will be able to play with at the table. :)

I had to post this. Connor made Matt and I a Valentine during some free time at Sunday School. We laughed and laughed at it. Pretty clever. Let me translate: To Mom and Dad, Don't open until Feb 14.

We unfolded it once and read: Wait it better be Feb 14.

We unfolded it again and read: If this isn't Feb 14 you are in big trouble mister.

and finally: Happy Valentines Day, oh and sorry I put you though all that stuff.

Wouldn't be a normal post if I didn't post a picture of this little man.

So I think I have posted about our struggle with Nolan and potty training before. Ugh...this summer he was so excited and we thought we were on a roll. Well, he majorly went downhill and wanted nothing to do with it. We would put him on the toilet and he would fight it like crazy. We tried it all - rewards, bribes, etc.... I'm not proud of it but we even used the whole "big boy or baby" tactic, especially now with Lucas here. However, that was a huge mistake and I regret ever saying any of that (yes....bad mom). He really struggled with that and I know it made him sad and bothered him. I vowed to never use that again.

Yesterday I felt like being patient. ;) I asked him if he wanted to wear big boy underwear.

He got all excited and put on a pair of Jacob's. We talked about what he has to do if he feels like he has to go (I sort of figured we would have a few accidents, but was prepared for it). Sure enough a little later, he looks at me and stands up with pee running down his legs. SO....we went into the bathroom and cleaned it up and put on a new pair. We talked about what that felt like and how he has to try to run into the bathroom before it does. A little later.....he looked at me again and said, "Sorry mommy, I peed". We went back into the bathroom and cleaned up. This time however I put a diaper back on him and said he has to wear the diaper until he goes on the toilet so we don't have to keep changing clothes. I told him that if he tells me he has to go and we make it to the bathroom in time he can put underwear back on. Sure enough, he runs into the bathroom screaming, "I have to go poop!"....and he did - IN THE TOILET! He was so excited, as was I! We did the little toilet dance and put on another pair of underwear. Progress. Well, he wore a diaper today to church, but did go potty on the toilet. We'll see where this goes.....

Being a mom

A friend sent me this today. I've read it before, but with Lucas just being born and loving being a mom more than anything, it made me tear up.

A Newborn's Conversation with God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?" God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."



The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy." God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."



Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?" God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."



"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."



"Who will protect me?" God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."



"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."



At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."



God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

Snow day # 2, Happy Birthday Papa John, and visitors

Happy Birthday Papa John! We love you and hope you have a great day!

We had another snow day here in town. The boys and I had a blast again. We built many things with the Legoes, read books, made cookies and homemade popsicles, and played with cars.

Mattey, Kristin, and Kelsey came over with supper tonight. Thanks for playing, helping out, and visiting with us guys!

Woo hoo! Two more days until daddy gets home.

Snow day

Our little man sleeping during the Superbowl. Sure do wish the Vikings were in it. We could have won it too! Next year....

Our schools had a snow day today. It was nice having all of the boys home with me. Normally Connor would be at school, and teachers in our district have to report on snow days, so I would have been working(except for when I'm on maternity leave!) :)

We stayed in our pajamas ALL DAY, put on puppet shows, made art projects, read books, played the Wii -of course, and just had a blast. While Lucas took a nap the boys wanted to help me shovel the snow. I couldn't believe how much we had. My parents came when we were about half way done (I was only going to do enough so that I could get out in the morning) and my dad helped do the rest of the driveway.

Seriously?!!

Nolan came into my room crying big tears and telling me something about his nose. I'm trying to figure it out...asking him if he has a booger in his nose, if he needs a Kleenex? I get down to his level so I can see in it and this is what I found.....

Tonight mom and dad took Jacob and Nolan for a sleep over (Connor got one last weekend). Connor, Lucas and I got to hang out. We worked on Connor's homework for next week - a Valentine's container. We had a good time making it.

2 week appointment and visitors

The boys love to hold Lucas right away when they wake up in the morning and right before they go to bed.

Lucas had his 2 week appointment yesterday.

It is official...he's a porker. The kid eats ALL the time. I love nursing, so I'm OK with it, but the kid is never full! ;)

He weighs 9 lbs. 13 oz....he has gained a pound since he left the hospital.

We have had lots of help and visitors lately. Thank you everybody.

Mattey is helping take Connor to Mary's in the morning so he can catch his bus.

Mom and dad have been coming over to help, helping pick up the boys from daycare, and did swimming lessons last night with Jacob and Nolan.

Mary, our daycare provider, brought over supper one night.

Some friends brought over supper on Sunday.

Today Natey and Diane are coming over to hang out and help. They played with Jacob and Nolan, gave Lucas lots of love, and picked up Connor from school.

My aunt and uncle brought dinner over tonight. They made chili and grilled cheese. The boys loved it. They stayed for awhile to play about 20 games of Sequence because the boys were having a blast and one game of Uno Attack!

People are so thoughtful and again, we are so blessed. Thank you everyone.

We can not wait for daddy to come home next week!

Be Happy

Just a few things (four to be exact) for me to "be happy" about!
Trying yoga on the Wii Fit.