Bright

Is this not the best....

8 days to 1 month

A friend of mine gave us little Onesie stickers to document each month of Nolan's first year.  I am super excited to do this and wish I had done it with each of the boys.  I am going to do them in the same location each time and will also include this little giraffe as another reference to size.  It was a gift as well and is too darn cute!  Since I didn't post the first set of pictures I put them side by side for comparison.  Amazing how much he has changed in just a few weeks!  The first pictures were taken when he was 8 days old and then at 1 month.  I won't do this each month but it's fun this first time...the onesie he has on is the same one in both but we will definitely have to go up a size for the 2 month shots!

ETA: the 18.5 inches he was measured at birth may have been closer to right than I thought...look at the change in his length compared to the giraffe in the first 2 sets.  

I did it.

Small accomplishment but I got the Christmas Card picture up...go me.  And instead of doing a few of the other things I want to do I am typing out this blog post.  Likely because I am not exactly sure where to start with my other ever growing list of things to do.  I forgot that having a little person around definitely shortens my time to get things done just a bit.  Though truth be told...I haven't really been all about that lately.  So Christmas with the four boys was great.  We kept things simple which has pretty much been my moto lately...it certainly helps.  They got all the things they asked for and other than Santa not making their "piles" of Santa gifts obvious enough we had a great morning.  Santa doesn't wrap gifts at our house so their 3 santa gifts were grouped together in what Santa thought was obvious groups...apparently not because they couldn't figure out whose gifts were whose.  Apparently in the 2 weeks since they wrote their lists they forgot what they had asked for.  Duh.  Nolan snoozed right thru the opening of gifts but I am sure he had a fantastic time and loved all of his gifts.  We got our traditional Waffle House breakfast to go and enjoyed the day lounging around.  We did peel our PJ's off and don clothes later in they day to hit up area Christmas Lights.  Overall it was a wonderful day...as "promised" here are a few shots from the day.  Actually let's go with Christmas Eve First...

Merry Christmas-The Card

It's a tri-fold card....I labeled everything so you could see how it was...it opened up to the "inside flap" with Nolan's birth announcement and then the inside was the Christmas card with all 4 boys.

Tuesday Twelve

1. One day this week...I will get some pictures of Christmas tossed up here...hopefully.

2.  We had a great Christmas...also low key and easy peasy.

3.  Jakeb went to play at a friends house today..I am glad he is able to do that.  I am also glad they came to get him.  Very nice.

4.  Robert's parents are coming this weekend for our Christmas with them.

5.  I can NOT believe that we only have 4.5 more days of this year left.  INSANE.

6.  My sweet baby boy is totally trying to laugh...he's almost got it.

7.  And also he is the smiliest 7 week old baby ever.

8.  That little dog I mentioned last week that showed up here...yeah she's still here.  Robert and I keep chanting we can't have 3 dogs we can't have 3 dogs. we can't have 3 dogs.

9.  My desk is a mess and it's driving me nuts...I can't seem to get it straightened out.

10.  I have a list 27 miles long of computer/picture/cleaning related things I need/want to do that I also can't seem to get done.

11.  I will share our Christmas card tomorrow or maybe later or maybe I will forget but I will really try not to.  See 9 and 10.

12.  I am on my 3rd cup of coffee for some reason I have turned into a coffee drinking fool...

Rainy Day.

So first things....we found out yesterday we got our APPROVAL from Col*mbia!!!   I am feeling a bit conflicted with that...because we are so caught up with this sweet little baby but if he wasn't here we would be jumping with joy over this milestone.  And also freaking out that it took until NOVEMBER to get approved.  But it is what it is and I just have to roll with that.  So our official date is November 18.  Awesomeness!
It's a super dreary morning here and we are all lounging in our PJ's...granted we would be doing that even if it was a super sunny morning.  I am planning to load these 4 boys up and take them to a indoor play place for a couple hours today...or maybe just an hr and a half.  The little home bodies can only take so much of the outside world before they are nearly begging to go home.
Speaking of 4 boys...yes I have 4 of them and no I am not a saint and no I don't have patience coming out my ears.  No I am not sure how I do it, I just do because it's what you do.  Honestly it feels no different to me than 2 kids or 1 or 4 girls it's just my life and I don't think a thing about it.  I was thinking about that recently and was thinking how everyone gasps and thinks oh my goodness 4 boys but it certainly doesn't feel that way to me.  I don't really think of it is 4 boys more just 4 kids but even then it's still no big deal.   It doesn't upset me that people respond that way but it's funny because I am always like oh yeah I guess it IS different but it just really is ok I promise.  What's funnier still is that I find my self saying things like "Oh wow" or "Oh my goodness" when people say they have 4 or 5 kids....and then go Hello, my life, Duh.
Right now I have 2 of the 4 asking me to make waffles and asking again.  Like they are starving but really they don't even know what starving is they just know they are hungry and want food right now.  I thought of that recently too how when we are hungry we eat and if we are really hungry we get all OMG I am staaarrrvvving I have to get food RIGHT NOW.  We are so used to instant gratification but in so many many places around this big ole world it just isn't like that.  We don't really know hunger or need.   My 3 little big boys who just got brand spanking new DS's from their uncle.   So anyway right...I suppose I should go fix their waffles and take them to play...these 4 little boys who are part of my life.  Lucky me.  :)

Tuesday Twelve

1.  5 more days until Christmas....wowza!

2.  Nolan is 6 weeks old today....wowza!

3.  I have almost all of the gifts wrapped and ready to go :)  Santa doesn't wrap gifts so that's easy.

4.  Santa is bringing each kiddo 3 gifts...he's a nice dude.

5.  There is another random dog at our house fortunately the dogs don't seem to have seen her or we would be listening to ridiculous carrying on.

6.  Laundry got out of control this past week...I am working on getting it all caught up.  By the time I get it caught up...it will be out of control again.  Never ending.

7.  We made "gingerbread houses" yesterday.  With hot glue and graham crackers instead of the ridiculous kits that make my blood boil.  Thank you to THIS BLOG for the idea.  Genius.

8.  Nolan is fussing in his swing...typing fast...

9.  I am getting a cold...bleh.

10.  faster....

11.  It's a dreary day outside today...warm but dreary.

12.  My mom and stepdad are coming to visit tomorrow for Christmas....can't wait :)

In case you missed it.

The cutest 2 week old around...

This is in color and on our Christmas card this year....yes he is really that alert and wide eyed.   He also at 5 weeks apparently thinks he should sit and stand because he does both shockingly well for 5 weeks...supported of course, duh.

Power wheeled boy

I finally broke down and spent the insane amount of money it costs to replace the batteries in a power wheel...We have had power wheeled vehicles since Jakeb was barely old enough to drive one.  Actually since before as we had one given to us...he has sadly (to him) out grown them so they have been sitting untouched in the back yard.  It occurred to me recently that Gavin isn't getting to enjoy them like they did so a new battery it is.  It came yesterday (thank you Amazon) and it was sitting waiting for him when he got off the bus today.  He was in heaven and oh so cute.
All 50 of my Christmas cards are sitting here addressed and ready to be sealed (bleh), stamped, and dropped in the mail.  Glad that's off my list...er almost.  I need to order another small set to send to my others on the list.  Remember these over priced cards take place of every card I SHOULD be sending out all year.
Way back in 2008 I put myself to work taking a picture of each boy from their birthday to their next birthday every single day.  My goal over the next few months is to FINALLY get those pictures back organized (darn crashing computer) and slap them on shutterfly and into a book.  I put some of Zachary's into a folder earlier today and OMG was he a cute chubby cheeked 4 year old boy.  Talk about squishy kissable cheeks he fo sho had them.  And also I think Nolan REALLY looks like Gavin.
I made a list of stuff to do with the boys over Christmas break...hopefully I will follow thru with those things better than I did with the "list of summer fun" because that totally didn't happen.
They have 1 more full day of school and then they are done for the year.  Holy Moly it's almost 2.0.1.2.  Eeks.

Tuesday Twelve

1.  These are the easiest posts for me to sit down a whip out...

2.  Nolan is smiling like crazy these days and I cannot stand how cute he is.  And also he's making little baby noises ooh and ahh and a few "ggooo's"  He's a genius 5 week old.  He really seems older than 5 weeks...I find myself having to remind myself "He's only tiny still..."

3.  I ordered nearly all of our Christmas gifts from Amazon...our Postal Carrier will LOVE us.   Though he shouldn't complain...total job security.

4.  I am doing the mad dash to cram Nolan into the few remaining Newborn outfits he hasn't worn...he has on quite the combo today.  It's cool he's doing the trendy no matching thing.

5.  Gavin is asking Santa for shoes....last year Zachary requested Sheets for his bed.  They are all about necessities.  That and Gavin loves him some new shoes.  (side note to mention they totally have these items already.)

6.  I need to order more Christmas cards...50 isn't enough.  Though this year we are doing a Announcement/Card so we are sending more than normal.  PLUS we have TN friends and now GA friends so it seems the list grew this year.  That and I love sending Christmas cards...I forget birthdays and thank you notes but I am all about some Christmas cards.  Not kidding I started sending out my OWN Christmas cards when I was still in high school...Love them.

7.  Zachary is writer of the month for 2nd grade.  He rocked it with his Santa Letter.  In which he asked for a Pack N' Play for ME and a month off of work for Robert.  I am thinking I might be getting jipped.  For the record we have a pack n' play...I don't fit in it.  As reward for "Writer of the Month" he got to leave school yesterday and go eat Mexican food with the Principal and the other winners.  Jealous? yes.  I love me some Mexican food.

8.  Speaking of Mexican food....lately I cannot eat enough taco's.  Seriously I could eat Moes, Chipotle, and even Taco Bell for dinner every day...with Chick-Fila for lunch.  Yum.

9.  And also hot drinks...coffee, hot chocalate....all day.  I don't but I want to.  And BTW guess who has given up Dr. Pepper?  Mmmhhmm Me.   Not intentionally really I just don't want it.  Works.

10.  Also I may or not only need to loose 13-15 more lbs until pre baby....+15 to get to where I would really like to be.  So technically about 30lbs.  Can do.

11.  Jakeb is going to be 10 in roughly 3 months.  Wow.  That's both scary and awesome at the same time.

12.  Robert has started playing soccer on a team...I also think that's awesome and I may be a little jealous I don't have the abilities to do that.  As in I don't know how to play soccer well enough.

Hello Friends.

It's getting cold'ish here finally...which helps with the whole "feeling of Christmas" that we should all be rolling around in.  We have our tree up...we have had our tree up actually and it looks fab.  Or at least pretty decent.  I don't do the fancy pants tree of my dreams...because I have a hard time paying mucho bucko's for Christmas decorations when I know darn good and well they will be over half off after Christmas.  Except that after Christmas I don't do much shopping because...well because it's after Christmas and I'm broke.  That and all the good stuff is gone because I don't rush out at 6am on the 26th.  I am a shopper but I am not hardcore.  We aren't all about Black Friday and all that jazz...I am all about some good deals online while in my Pj's sipping my coffee.  Yes thank you very much.  In fact I probably do the online shopping thing a wee bit too much...probably most definitely.
Da baby boy turned 1 month yesterday and wowzers pretty soon he's going to be like off to college and all that.  But for now we are enjoying all of his squishy cheeked goodness...because at 10lbs 2oz and 21 1/4 in long he is chunking up just like his brothers did.  And by the way I knew he wasn't 18.5 inches like the hospital folks said...because no way he's grown almost 3 inches in a month.
I am feeling pretty good and chipper these days...apparently new baby is good for me.   And Gavin because he is like a new kid and we are enjoying that too...I mean old kid was ok but new kid with happiness and less fits is really nice..REALLY nice.  New me is really nice too...grumpy me blah.  Or rather new me= old me so it's all good.

Twelve on Tuesday.

1. These are my favorite posts...I don't really have to come up with clear thoughts (do I really ever anyway?) nor complete sentences...

2. Nolan is snoozing IN.HIS.CRIB. We will see how long it lasts...going on about 10 minutes now.

 3. Jakeb has a Christmas performance thingy at school this evening.

 4. I bought BLUE JEANS this weekend. You have no idea how nice it feels to be in pants without elastic--I know you would think I would prefer the stretchy waist but there is something about real button jeans that makes me feel more like a grown up.

 5. And By the way...I am not 6 sizes bigger like I thought I would be...just 2. I can totally deal with that.

 6. Annd...I hear Nolan making racket up there...

 7. The FedEx truck just passed I do believe he should be swinging by to drop off our Christmas Cards...they are Da' Bomb diggity...I opted for Christmas Card/Birth Announcement this year and they are so damn cute cannot wait to get them in my hands.

 8. My energy level has gone from Zero to 100 in the past few weeks...I imagine days upon days at home have done that but I am making dinner again and keeping the house somewhat clean. I am glad to be getting back to "normal"

 9. I am excited about some of the Christmas Gifts we are giving this year...they are "homemade" and kinda special so I am hoping folks appreciate it.

 10. And no it's not just pictures of the boys...

 11. I have been thinking about the fact that I have 4 boys lately...it really isn't quite a big of deal as folks make it out to be. I mean THEY are a big deal and it IS a big deal but not in the way everyone seems to think.

 12. I painted my toes Christmassy this morning...partially because my 4 boys will think it's cute. It totally is.

Mean hands.

We are almost 1 month into this new baby thing and are settling right in...he is growing and totally starting to smile especially in the mornings. He is a grunter and growler and loves to stretch in his sleep and freak us all out by making his face turn bright red. Jakeb will announce "he's doing the red face thing again!" and we all stop to make sure he's ok. His poor little out of control hands keep latching onto his hair and pulling. Today they didn't want to let go and he was not a happy baby. We are fast approaching Christmas break and the big boys will be home for 2 weeks. I am mentally thinking of activities to do to help keep them occupied and not arguing. The 2 biggest of the wild ones are rather um animated as of late and need some more structure time I am thinking.

Halloween in December...

I know I know I said I was going to post these on Wednesday but lets just pretend when I said "tomorrow" I really meant like my NEXT post would be all about some Halloween...mmmmk?
So for Halloween this year we laid kinda low no parties or big treks around town trick or treating....we just hit up a neighborhood that we knew was slam packed for trick or treating and did a loop which was plenty and the boys actually were asking to go home.  So simple Halloween=success.  We came home and they gave candy to the few kids that came to our door and I think this is the first year that we actually finished off most of the candy instead of most of it hitting the trash can.  I am sure my pregnancy had nothing to do with that.   Jakeb and Zachary were dressed up as ninja's and Gavin was a Knight.   They were cute cute cute.

Gavin LOVED the pumpkin guts...HAHAHA

Twelve on Tuesday

1. I haven't done this in quite a while.

 2. Today it's cold and rainy and somewhat dreary...but no biggie we are just hanging out

 3. I am still in my pj's.

 4. Nolan is snoozing away strapped to my chest in the Moby Wrap.

 5. It's surprising how cozy he feels in the Moby...it's comfy and cozy for both of us. I imagine in a few months when he has packed on the pounds I may feel a bit differently.

 6. We put our tree up this past weekend..it looks lovely.

 7. I never posted pictures of the boys from Halloween. I will do that tomorrow. We had a fun time.

 8. I now have daytime television shows memorized...never thought that would happen. Oops.

 9. Gavin has been a fantastic kiddo lately. Being a big brother apparently agrees with him.

 10. The boys have 2 1/2 weeks until they start their Christmas break....

 11. We have 3 1/2 weeks to get Christmas gifts handled...still not worrying..

 12. I really can't think of anything else...I mean I can but it wouldn't just be ONE thing it would turn into paragraphs of chatter....

Shock and Awe

Still pretty much rolling around in disbelief that we have another little baby in the house...another person of us to care for and love. He is currently snoozing away in his swing--which is where he sleeps if he is not in our arms, which is probably creating a bad habit of sorts but whatever he won't be sleeping in his swing when he's 5 so for now it's what's happening. Jakeb and Zachary are down the street playing at a friends house and Gavin is in the living room with the little girl from next door smacking around a balloon. Tomorrow Nolan will be 3 weeks and very soon he will be one whole month old and holy cow really? I am feeling much better these days than I was when I was doing all that whining and I am grateful for that. I am anxious to get the ball rolling on Christmas shopping and am feeling more comfy to take Nolan out in brief spurts here and there so we may venture out once or twice this week. So far his only trips out in public have been to the dr. Actually we did hit up a movie this past week with the boys--he slept thru it all in the Moby perfectly content. Hmm I guess we also did go to Zachary's football banquet where he also camped out in the Moby...so he's been out but on a limited basis. I tortured myself and tried on a pair of prebaby jeans...that was uh not cool. I should have known better though--because while I have lost over half of what I gained I haven't lost THAT much. Duh. Even if the jeans that I was wearing ARE my jeans I wore right after all 3 big boys were born, ho hum. At his last little Dr. visit he was up to 8lbs 1oz....so he's trucking along like he should! We had multiple appts for him recently--something I didn't mention previously because I was probably too scared to type it out. At his 3 day visit he was down to 6lbs 12oz so the dr. (who rocks) had us come back in for a weight check the following Monday. His weight was fantastic and he had gained 9oz in the 3 day span, but I had noticed a little tiny "bump" on his abdomen, in his diaper area but on his stomach that really just looked like a baby acne spot but it was a little inflamed looking. So I knew I wanted to ask the Dr about it...but Monday morning it looked worse and no longer just looked like a baby acne spot. The dr. said yep looks like staph...gasp...he popped and cultured it. While it was still pretty tiny it was a concern, we were told to treat it with antibacterial soap wash 2x a day and neosporin 4x a day. Meanwhile the culture came back showing "light growth of MRSA". So yeah I was a bit panicky about it...staph infections in newborns can get bad but it seems we managed to get it at the right time and all is just fine with him. Dr. said it likely came from the hospital thru his umbilical cord stump OR his circumcision. It never got nasty looking and really cleared up just as quickly as it came. Now just dealing with a slight diaper rash and some itty bitty skin irritation from the antibacterial soap. I have spent more time worrying over it than is probably necessary but it scared me and I am glad it's all clearing up like it should. Can't believe we are fast approaching December already and that Thanksgiving has already come and gone. We had a nice Thanksgiving here at home with just us and my mom....we whipped up some food and waited much too long for our turkey to be done but overall had a great dinner and a very relaxing day.

Wordless'ish Wednesday.

I mentioned that I needed Christmas Card pictures done and in an attempt at simplifying my tasks...ie not putting them off until the last minute and causing myself to panic about the timing and OMG IT HAS TO GET DONE RIGHT NOW!!! I jumped at the warm weather and extra hands from my mom being here to get some pictures of ALL four boys done. Because holding a baby and a camera and trying to get 3 little boys situated to hold said baby alone would have been enough to send me over the edge...so as to avoid that scenario...yesterday was the day. And um the result? Well I have cute kids who cooperated very well and I can slap a giant check mark on the to-do list. Awesome. So these aren't the ones that will be on the card--but hello cuteness.... And here's what most of the pictures I took of all 4 of them looked like...Jakeb and Gavin with their eyes closed or just not looking. Gavin has a great smile but a hard time actually LOOKING at something other than the ground!

Day 12.

Our sweet little one is 12 days old today and I am really wishing we could just back up a few days...shortly I will be wishing for years. He is doing wonderful and we are of course totally enthralled with every little grunt and squeak he makes. He tosses smiles our way with frequency and while they are obviously not intentional at this point--you know since he's asleep and all--it's awesome none the less. The big boys are on their Thanksgiving break for the week and my mom is on her way down to stay with us and entertain us for the week. Our Turkey day will be very low key this year and we are all looking forward to the simplicity of it. The 6 of us +my mom and we will whip up some food for us to enjoy and celebrate all we are thankful for with a lot less stress than in the past. Nolan will rock his Turkey day shirt and we will bust out the fancy plates just for us. Nolan so far is sleeping relatively well...waking every 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours which I am pretty sure means I am getting more sleep than before he was born. I am getting my energy back and holy moly I have ankles again! I didn't realize how incredibly swollen my legs and feet were until I am seeing them NOT swollen. Yeah, scary. I have of course taken umpteen million pictures but not many that are actually on the computer just yet. This next week my goal is to embrace our warm weather and drag my 4 little boys outside to attempt a Christmas card photo or 10. I get pretty perfectionist ridiculous about my Christmas Cards each year (um hello, photographer in me) so we have to rock them--the new baby will help--that and the fact that the big bros are so darn cute. I may or may not have picked out Christmas cards over a month ago...but have yet to actually purchase any Christmas gifts, go figure. Speaking of Christmas...eek. I am not really sweating it at this point. I could probably knock it all out in 4 days--if you know money grew on trees and my energy was indispensable. Ok ok ok....pictures...I promise I have better ones but they will have to wait...Though this one is pretty dang cute... And this one was from just a few minutes ago...I was trying to catch him smiling in his sleep...I missed!

Six.

And now we are six. Officially making us even numbered Nolan Taylor arrived last Tuesday November 8 at 2:55 am. I made my 38 week visit last Monday to discover my blood pressure still doing the steady climb it had done over the last week or 2. Coupled with the headaches (all be it Mild) and insane swelling the doctor recommended inducing. Me being the ever non patient...uh patient..jumped at the chance and walked straight from my 9am appointment to the hospital to get the baby ball rolling. I was hooked up to monitors and by 12pm pitocin was started. At that point I was 2-3 cm and fulling expecting to see a baby by about 9pm that evening at the latest. However at 9 o'clock that evening I was still sitting at roughly 3-4 cm. My water had been broken around 5 and me being the scared wheenie that I am got my epidural shortly after and tried to relax for the night. At 11 I was still 3-4 and getting panicky that the C-section word was going to start flying because of my lack of progress. Finally after relaxing and dozing for an hour we started seeing progress and by 1am we hit 4-5cm and by 2:30 we were 10 and by 2:55 my dark haired itty bitty boy was born. Easy peasy. He weighed in at 7lbs 6.9oz and a wee 18.5 inches long. He has a head full of dark brown hair and eyes just as dark. A bitty button nose and so much cuteness about him we can't get enough of him. We are certainly in baby love at this house and are all quite smitten with this tiny little cutie. I am feeling well so far and Nolan is nursing like a champ and sleeping like a newborn should perhaps a little better, waking only 2 times a night. Getting back into the groove of newborn baby-ness is a little challenging and our house is in a bit of disarray but we are catching on...and big brothers are being ever so patient with us and Nolan. Jakeb, Zachary, and Gavin are being wonderful big brothers and are very proud of their little brother. We are all settling in slowly but surely.

Siiiike

One would think that by the time you are on your 4th experience with child birth you would have it figured out and there wouldn't be any of the "is this it?" moments of first time moms. Yeah, you would think. But dang if we didn't mosey on over to L&D last night at 10 only to be sent home with instructions not to come back until you know...it's the real deal. Problem is I don't know what that is exactly. With kiddo numero uno we did the get sent home thing only to return a day later with tears in our eyes and veins ready for pitocin to help things along. Boy 2? Well I was straight up induced with him from the get go...so no clue there. And number 3 well I did go into labor with him but almost got sent home that time too. Lucky for me I am a wimp and had already gotten my epidural and they let me stay and again started the pitocin. In fact I got my epidural so quickly with all of them I never apparently experienced real contractions. So yeah....Rachel doesn't really know what real labor feels like. So last night when I had contractions for many hours that were between 2-5 min apart and moderately painful we hit up our local L&D. However, I left the hospital after roughly 30 min, time for them to check me discover I am at 2 cm and not in real labor. I also left ready to cry or throw a temper tantrum. I didn't do either. So here we sit today ho hum. Another day it is then.

November

I say it every month...every.single.month.  But really...already it's another month?  We are fast approaching Thanksgiving and then Christmas and then oh my goodness it's the end of the year...again!?  I am just now getting used to it being 2011 and now it's over.  First let me just say Christmas already??!?  Wow.  I see the leaves changing outside and feel the temperatures dropping but I haven't given a lot of thought really to the season.  I was thinking that the other day that "wow, it's fall"  Not that there is a lot of thought needed in that but just "oh wow, it really is fall".  I have been so obsessed preoccupied with everything baby and then just keeping up with everything that it just happened.
I love fall and love the changing cooler weather and all that comes with it...Thanksgiving and Christmas and just then it's February and I am over it all but in the beginning I (don't well all?) love it and welcome it.  And now it's November which is the month this little surprise boy will arrive and pretty much every part of me is doing a giant exhale and saying "we made it".  Not that I didn't think we would but my goodness it felt as if we wouldn't but at the very same time I can't believe it's November.  So funny how that works.
There are a few small things I keep thinking I need to do before he makes his grand debut but really we are ready and waiting and are really getting ready to be a family of six.  With each birth it seems bittersweet...welcoming a new little one and at the same time welcoming a new little one and changing the family dynamic and the family in general.  All very much for the better but still a change and that sometimes makes one stop and think "Oh Wow. This is going to be different and wonderful and just an adjustment in more and different ways than I first thought"  So I am trying to make an effort to enjoy the last little bit of our family of 5 because very soon we will be 6 and what we have known for the past 5+ years will be ever so different...all be it wonderful!  But really the nerves and trepidation I have felt in the past before a baby is born isn't there...the boys are older and we are all very ready to meet this spikey haired baby (did I mention in the last u/s his hair was very spikey?)  I think we are old pros at this point.
This past week we wrapped up Jakeb's 3rd soccer season and his team went undefeated which is so super exciting and also Jakeb is loving soccer which is also exciting for this non athletic boy.  He isn't the best on the team but the fact that he keeps trying and keeps wanting to play is fantastic.   He is such an awesome kid...in so many ways.  He's my sidekick and has been so helpful and patient with me and my whining and just overall need for their help.  He and Zachary both have, I am so proud of them and who they are becoming.  Sure, sure they have their moments...hours...and days of "OMG you are driving me nuts" but keeping it all in perspective certainly helps.  They are fantastic little boys and not because of anything special we do or have done...they are just awesome dudes.
It also seems that my blogging has tapered off a bit...sorry about that.  Though I imagine it seems understandable.  Soon enough a new face will be here!

Wed.nes.day.

I am trying to think of something to talk about other than the impending birth of baby boy #4 but seeing as it is basically consuming my thoughts lately I am having trouble coming up with any other topics....I could tell you that the weather is gorgeous today.  Leaves are changing and leaves are falling...the temperature is just right and the sun is as well.  I could remind you that Jakeb has his first big field trip tomorrow and I am so super excited for him and really excited for him that he has his DAD going with him.  I am slightly jealous but more excited because that's super cool that he gets to do that and I know Jakeb is stoked.  I could mention I am having braxton hicks or real contractions more and more every day....I am not sure which because braxton hicks aren't really supposed to hurt but these do...but that would be talking about the impending birth again.  But also one more thing...also having weird back ones too--not cool.
I will mention again I am so ready for Halloween to be over...I know most people totally dig Halloween and I know my kids LOVE it.  But really it's just not my thing...I can't quite figure out why.  Maybe because we don't live in a great trick or treat neighborhood and trying to figure out where and what not...but even before when we did live in a great trick or treating 'hood it still just seemed more stressful than necessary for me--though again I can't quite figure out why.  Weirdo I know.
I found my list of "fall projects" I had written down over the summer...I am happy to say I have completed 5 out of 8 items listed.  Not too shabby especially since I had lost the list until yesterday.   Go Me  :)
I have not taken the boys "yearly" pictures yet though and I am not sure how that happened.  I keep saying I need to do it and then another weekend goes by and I haven't.  I am not sure now if it's even worth trying...will it be easier at 37 weeks pregnant or easier with a newborn in tow??   I think it's a toss up at this point.
3 1/2 more weeks folks...but really less because it just will be, I am positive.

Twelve on Tuesday

1.  We have a decently busy week this week....except today and tomorrow.  So I am enjoying my quiet down time at home...ALONE.

2.  I bought cinnamon Teddy Grahams at the store yesterday as a treat....they were so much better when I was 12.  I couldn't get enough of them when I was a kid....I can now.  

3.  I am ready for Halloween to be past us and for Gavin and Jakeb's field trips to be done...probably because that will put us into November and closer to baby day.

4.  I had my 36 week appt yesterday...dilated a bit not sure any exact numbers but I imagine the same as I was with the other 3 at this point.  Apparently my entire body is all about consistency, works for me. 

5.  I had a ultrasound yesterday as well to check Mr. Nolan's weight...because of that "giant" baby I had...Nolan doesn't appear to be giant which closer to date I am getting the less giant I feel he is so that's good.  And also he has hair...seriously can't wait to see what color.

6.  Leaves are changing and so is the temperature.  Love it.  Also love that our electric bill was cut in HALF.  

7.  Now if I could figure out how to do that with all the others....

8.  I am moderately concerned about the weight I have gained this go round.   I didn't stay under what I wanted...but I haven't gained more than I did with the other 3 but I am pretty dang close to a 3 digit number I intend to never see.  

9.  Reminder to self...apparently I gain weight by leaps and bounds in the 3rd trimester.  Oops.  Darn you Snickers.  

10.  Jakeb has a big kid field trip on Thursday...they are trekking to Chattanooga on charter buses.  Robert is tagging along, it will be fun for both of them.   I wish I could go...but a) the open mouth stares I get from the 4th graders when I say hi to Jakey makes me uncomfortable and likely him as well.  b) I would really embarrass him if I you know...went into labor while on his BIG field trip.  So I am opting to sit this one out.  

11.  Gavin and Zachary and Robert like to kiss my belly....I do not like this.  By I really try to grin and bear it...aww that's sweet and all that jazz.  Pretty much no.  I try....

12.  I need to open the windows...waiting for it to warm up just a bit first.  

Ready. Set. Baby....almost.

Tomorrow I will be 36 weeks...1 week away from the "full term" mark.  I still anticipate roughly 2 weeks or so before little man will make his much anticipated debut.  Everything on the home front is pretty much ready and waiting....I am pretty sure that with the other 3 rugrats that at the 36 week mark is when we packed the bag and loaded the car seat into the car so those things are done...or almost the bag isn't totally packed but it's out and has most the needed things in it.  By baby 4 you realize you don't need half the items you brought with baby 1 but it still seems I am forgetting something.  The cameras are charged and ready to be snagged...so really we are good to go I think.   We need to get past 2 field trips, Halloween and hopefully at least not during a football game.  Zman's football season is winding down and we have moved onto the playoff portion...this Saturday marks game 1 and if we win we are on to game 2 and if not we are done.
So I started this post on Sunday night....and am just going to post it right here...because I had to walk away and deal with kids and bed and didn't get to finish and really I don't remember what my point was anymore, likely I didn't have one...but I don't feel like trying to mesh more thoughts with it...so there ya go!

Wordless Wednesday the comedy version.

Tuesday Twelve

1.  I think middle of the night heartburn, whining dogs, and sick kids might send me over the edge....maybe.  

2.  On a more chipper note I seriously cannot want to get my hands on this crazy baby...can't wait to see if he has dark hair like his 2 biggest brothers or no hair like is big brother or his own look.

3.  We are down to our last rolls of toilet paper in the house...that never ever happens, I am apparently slacking on keeping things stocked.  Oops.

4.  We are down to our very last football and soccer games this weekend.  Then we are d.o.n.e with soccer until next year and Zachary will move on to playoff games for football.  Almost there.

5.  I am thinking Nolan should be born on November 5th in the evening...that would be lovely timing for everyone.  Yep that's when it should be...just saying.  That's 18 days.

6.  Jakeb is home from school today...again...not sure what's up with him really.  He says his stomach hurts but really seems ok.  Not sure.  I am wondering if all this baby business is making him nervous.

7.  He totally beat me just a little bit ago at that box/dot game...not sure what it's real name is.

8.  Gavin has not been very nice this week about going to school...he is seriously NOT a morning person.

9.  On Thursday Robert and I will hit the 10 years of marriage mark....Wowza!  

10.  It is still raining acorns on our house like crazy--it's the weirdest thing ever.  We know it didn't do this last year so it's so strange.

11.  I am winning the battle of sick vs. healthy.  As I said healthy will prevail.  Now if I could just get the rest of the house to understand that.

12.  I have got to get on the ball and make a decision about the pediatrician thing....if I am switching I would rather do it before the baby is born.  Ugh.

And again...it's Monday.

I should be showing you a picture of my living room because that's what I said I was going to be doing on Monday's....and despite being the type of person that really prefers to do what I said I was going to do rather than the type of person that doesn't.  I am sitting here again not showing you...for no reason other than my cell phone is in the other room and to take a picture would require me getting up to go get it and then you know taking a picture and then figuring out why in the world it won't let me load it to flickr.   My phone is wonky and not letting me do things that it should and I just don't care to figure out why--in fact that is part of the reason why I haven't continued to do this little thing.   So yeah...
I will tell you that there is a pirate ship and a gift bag with tissue paper and packaging from baby shower items, a stroller for the car seat and a back pack....again there is a pillow on the floor (note to self NEVER buy a couch with removable pillows again).  There are clothes (that do not fit ME) draped on the back of the chair.  And basically it really doesn't look too bad but you don't get a picture because I don't feel like dealing with it.
The boys all seem to be on the upswing of the cold that struck everyone last week.  My throat is feeling oddly like it's getting sick--but I am holding out hope that my body is a fighter and we will fight tooth and nail to avoid getting this cold.  I can almost feel the war and the impending victory raging thru my cells.  It's going to happen friends, I am sure of it.  Healthy will prevail!!
We are officially now at 5 weeks from my due date.  And also officially ready for a baby.  I need to pack my cute little bag and toss his cute little car seat in the car and then we are really ready to roll.  Next week at my appt we will check the size of this we one.  A task that I do realize is only used as a guess either way...but it's fun to see none the less.  Honestly if he's not big I am going to have them double check that there isn't another one in there...because fo real he moves like a linebacker in there and also my stomach is quite like an overly inflated balloon.  I wish when people touched my stomach and proclaimed "It's so hard!" it was from working out...but no.  So if he came a couple weeks early so as to save me from extra um...distress that would be ok.  And also we have 2 drawers full of clothes that will not fit a big baby so that's important too, right?   So while we have 5 weeks, I am hoping for 3.  Wow.  3 weeks, despite all my whining and moaning and complaining and general unappreciativeness this pregnancy has absolutely flown by...like really didn't I just find out I was pregnant and having a girl and no having a boy and oh it's time for school and whoa it's baby time.    But before we have a baby we need to get thru a soccer season,  Halloween, a very first field trip, and as close to the end of football as we can.  Then we are good to go!

Um, Hi.

Still here and still pregnant.   Both of which are good things...we still have a just a couple weeks before officially waiting and waiting for this little one to make his appearance.
The past week and a half some how zipped right on past me.   I started making a post 2 days ago...at 3am.  While I was sitting up with Gavin who is sick and doing the asthma cough and asthma I can't breathe thing.  Of course you wouldn't know that to look at him now because he's rolling around on the floor as I type this wrapping himself in blankets and just overall being not sick.   That is until 11pm when I put my head on my pillow to go to sleep...curse you night time coughs.
But also we had a friend visit for 3 days and then the dog ate Gavin's medicine and we could have bought a brand new refrigerator or landscaped our yard or maybe even threw some concrete down for what it cost to save her life.  Of course if the vet had checked google like I had we would have spent considerably less...but you know I am not the one with a PhD so what do I know.  
My friend visiting was a sanity savor for me...probably not so much for her.   One of my very besties from college came over from Texas to visit us for 3 whole days and she helped me fold laundry and do dishes and just overall be an awesome friend while things went a little hay wire in our house.  We laughed at my silly boysies and laughed at just life and really had a fantastic time while things were in chaos mode.  And really she's totally funny and awesome so you can't hang out with her and not have a good time....unless of course you can and in that case what a bummer for you.
Jakeb is also home sick because he has a completely random ear infection that has left him a little whoozy and funny feeling.   And by the way he is totally growing up and has done a few things in the past week and half that impress me and I see how big he is getting...and I think he's the most responsible one in the house.  Seriously.
And speaking of doctors and Google.  I am on the hunt for a new pediatrician because yesterday when they told me again to stop giving Gavin medicine that helps him breathe for the second time since we started at this practice and also said he's coughing just from a cold and post nasal drip....you know because he doesn't have typical asthma and that throws them off...I made the decision that either we drive 4 hours to see his old one every time he's sick or I find a new one.   Obviously the latter is the only solution so I am trying to track a suitable dr down for this oddball asthmatic boy.   So this is very frustrating...because I totally get it with his illness and a few doctors do but most seem to be clueless...but again I am not the one with the PhD so what do I know.  Other than you know from life experience and knowing my kid and you know he gets sick the exact.same.way.every.time.  But again what do I know.
Tomorrow Zachary and I are trekking to TN for my baby shower and we are both really looking forward to that!  We are both going to get to kick it with friends and family and have a nice time together.

Tuesday Twelve

1. I am finally going to get my haircut this morning...we really shouldn't spend the moola but I really need a cut and I really maybe should get my hair cut more than twice a year but I don't so I think it's ok to "splurge".

2. We are going to start Gavin on a new behavior system thingy at home...of course at home because he's an angel at school. Like is STUDENT.OF.THE.MONTH. Angel...they described him as a very hard worker and always following directions. On one hand I am super proud of him...ok on both hands I am super proud of him. But yeah we are starting a behavior jar for him...because he is needing some assistance in being Child of the Month.

3. Haha. Child of the Month. I think that might be a great idea....your my favorite kid this month. Which is kinda the truth really....ok not totally. But don't even act like you don't sometimes feel a bit more "in sync" with one child over the other sometimes. I certainly couldn't pick a favorite...I don't have a favorite--really I don't. But there are times when I feel "closer" with Jakeb and times I feel closer with Zachary and times I feel closer with Gavin. And it all evens out....

4.  It's fall ya'll!  I think we may hit up a pumpkin farm sometime this weekend.  We of course do this every October--it's like on the list of "must do Fall Family activities" and it's always fun...but we always wait until like October 29th....it would be nice to get it "checked off the list" earlier this year.

5.  The boys and I sat down and ordered their costumes on Sunday.  I suggested making them this year...but Jakeb totally snubbed my idea by saying he is NOT wearing cardboard.  I can't blame him...so we bought them as we do every year.

6.  5-6 more weeks folks....

7.  I am pretty sure September like didn't happen.  One day it was September 1st and I was thinking "This month is going to drag and it will never be October..." and then it was October.    I guess that's life...one day I am 12 thinking I will never be done with school...and then bam 31 with 3.75 kids and wowzers.

8.  Acorns fall on the house all day.  I think the squirrels are mounting an attack since they are officially locked out.

9.  Did I mention that the oil change man discovered a giant hole in the air filter of my van...beyond the hole was a nice wad of what looked to be a cozy home in the air duct.  Thank you Georgia and your crazy critters.  

10.  I do realize crazy critters live in other states...they just never really bothered us until we moved.

11.  Speaking of air filters the one in our attic needs to be changed...I would do it but I am pretty much terrified of the attic.   Stepping thru the ceiling twice will do that to you.   That and it's dark up there...and I have no shame in admitting I am scared of the dark.   But my watery eye and sore throat keep reminding me that it needs to be done.

12.  I never know if I should wash my hair before a haircut or not.  I don't know why I should worry about it...They always wash my hair.  I will be so cute all belly sticking out in the hair washing chair...NOT.  

A Baby Boy's Room

I have mentioned nearly a dozen times I have been working on piecing together Nolan's room.   I knew the "look" I was wanting...sorta modern/vintage/chic/cute baby's room.  I also knew the budget wasn't going to allow for much.  As in pretty much I needed to get creative...so I did.  Or rather I found Pinterest  which for those who don't know is like an online bulletin board of coolness.  Right right you think...oh well let's just bookmark it...that's what I thought at first.  But really all things creative, clever, handy, and just down right cool are pinned on this site in one location.  For you to thin "pin" yourself for future reference.  So handy.  Anyway so I found more ideas than I could count and narrowed down what the plan was....and came up with this little room...
Pretty cute eh?
Here's what I did....
Repainted these 4 little canvas's...they hung in Jakeb's room when he was a little boy (because he's not so little now and is over the trucks *sigh*) Printed each of these ABC "cards", cut them, glued them to cardstock, and coated with mod podge...
Snagged some scrapbook paper that went with his room...some extra colors just for some extra colors.  Accordion folded and then unfolded and taped/glued 2 pieces of matching paper together...slapped a button on the seam and hung 'em up! Puff balls are tissue paper accordion fold and unfold for fluffiness...
Also I painted the dresser...which is a special dresser because Robert bought that dresser for me for our first Christmas together.  We were still dating and I didn't have a dresser for my clothes...so he bought this one and stained it all up for me.  It was a natural finish and all 3 (soon to be 4!) boys have used it in their "baby" room.  I painted it up this go round for some extra color in little ones room.  I still need to get knobs for the top drawer that will happen eventually.  I honestly haven't really even looked but I want something fun--not cutesy!   Spray painted the bins under the window as well...those were red and blue and used to house the boys toys....now that they are bigger they don't have as many toys that go in the bins like they should so they could part with 2 sets of them. Overall I am super pleased with how it all came together!
The bedding is the Eli Elephant set from PBK.  I don't typically get any blankets from PBK but loved the stroller one they had in the store that went with the set so I did splurge and get that it's hanging on the end of the crib.  I didn't get the quilt.  The curtains I got on Ebay.  My mom bought the crib, Robert's parents the mattress and some extra sheets, I snagged the changing table from Walmart.  I am pretty sure the crib and changing table are the cheapest around but they were exactly what I was wanting.  So score! Black Jenny Lind...there ya go!   Rocking chair was my grandmother's (my dad's mom) and totally not paintable for like another 50 years or so when it looks raggedy!   She also made the afghan that is hanging up on the back of the chair.  The sun over the crib used to hang in my grandmother's (my mom's mom) condo in Florida, I don't know if anyone else loves it as much as I do but it's one of my favorite wall hangings we own.   Also not shown is the cradle that my brothers and I all slept in...none of the boys really ever slept in it per-say but they did lay in it at least.  

Just cut it.

I or We have this parenting philosophy that some don't agree with completely.  I suppose it's not really a philosophy it's just a tactic, a choice we have made when it comes to letting the boys make decisions about themselves.  We have had a good deal of folks let us know they don't agree but it is what works and we go with it.  It's a silly thing to worry over really....you are going to laugh when I tell you I am talking about their hair.  Anyone who has seen Jakeb anytime in the last 5 years knows he is typically sporting long shaggy hair...it's his thing.  He has fantastic hair that the rest of his family is jealous over and because of that he loves his longer locks.  Zachary this past year decided he too would like to give long hair a go...his hair rocks some pretty cute curls but is much thinner and is pretty fine so while his is darn cute it just doesn't look exactly like I think he was hoping it would.   So they are pretty much allowed to choose what they would like to do with their hair.  You want it long okie doke...you want it short sure thing...mohawk...ummmm oookkk.  It's their hair and I feel like they need to be able to make decisions for themselves especially regarding their own appearance.   Sure, sure I get it they are kids and our job as parents it to help guide them but the funny thing is...I want them to learn this sort of thing on experience.  So while many have told us "I would just make them cut their hair" I disagree....and you know what?  Zachary requested a haircut yesterday.   He got one and looks cute...he looks cute either way though.  And after all it's just hair.  We certainly don't let them make every decision on their own but when it comes to hair it's all theirs.  Literally.  

And what's really funny is the more grandparents and friends and even their parents tell them "you really need a haircut" the more they don't want one.  Which just makes me giggle and do a mental "haha" because I am the same way.  

Wordless'ish Wednesday

These are walking up the trail to Anna Ruby Falls--and at the base of the falls. The next bunch were taken at Brasstown Bald...the hike up to the top of the highest point in Georgia was um....really steep! I was REALLY slow....but I made it. (all that white is fog/low clouds--behind it is an amazing view--we got to the top and never saw it!) Not at the very top but there was a picnic area where we stopped and made lunch and this was the view from there... The boys insisted these guys get some camera time too...