As seen: photographs by Zachary

Robert and I ran out really quickly this past Saturday to take care of some things....while were gone Zachary busted out my camera and got to snapping away...

What he was trying to do was move each piece take a picture and move them again and then have me load them up and put them together.....aka recreating an actual moving scene.  Pretty clever--now I did tell him that's how it's done but I am impressed he took the initiative to set them up and give it a whirl on his own.  These are not in scene order I just picked some and posted them.   (and also for the record Robert's parents were home with them while we were gone, they aren't quite ready to be alone!)

Too cool for School.

Gavin is home from school today---making this his 3rd absence since school started a little over a month ago.  Frankly that's not a good start but pretty much what I expected.  I did have hopeful ideas that he would at the very least make it until October....but alas no realistic expectations.  If history gives us anything it's that the fall is the worst for the little blonde boy and his asthma.  So while it's not quite fall just yet in past times September seems to be the worst.  So he's cough, cough, cough and a wee bit wheezy.  He is also getting an extra pass because he was drugged up with night time meds at 5:45 this morning by mistake.  Oops.  I did not make this mistake (duh) but it is an easy one to make and really no biggie.  But it did guarantee Mr. Coughy Pants a day at home so he's not complaining.
I am not exactly sure why all 3 of our kiddo's have had some sort of lung issue at some point in their lives.  Jakeb did the asthma thing until about Gavin's age and it seems to have disappeared and we have no problems with him.  I would say for the most part he doesn't get sick but I am scared to say that and also remember last year when he had the flu twice.  I will however say that when he does get sick the wheezy thing he did as a little guy doesn't happen and aside from the flu and strep he seems to hold his own pretty well.   Zachary ironically has been the healthier of the three despite his hospital stay and stomach bug fiasco's....yet he still has done the wheezing/coughing thing just to a lesser degree.  Which leads me to believe that some where in the genetic pool jacked up lungs is just par for the course for our kiddo's.  All be it temporary....my mother would probably fuss at me for saying "jacked up lungs" and "our kiddo's" in the same sentence.  I suppose a nicer way to put it would be you know slower lungs?  Like lungs that aren't quite sure how to work right until they are older.  I am really hoping Nolan breaks the mold...my initial instinct is to be all like "I will do everything I can to not have another kiddo that has to deal with this too...." so let's figure out all the precautions to help prevent it.  Then I go oh wait....we already did that.  We don't smoke (ahem...Mom--you get roughly 2 months to kick the habit--again)  So the babes are not around that or held by smokers (ahem) and they were breastfed for like ever and delayed solids and all that jazz.  We do have pets but I am pretty sure that's not the cause since we have been down that road before....which just goes right back to the theory of jacked up lungs and the genetic pool.  Which I suppose makes sense really...my bro is a pretty heavy duty asthma guy and Robert is all about some seasonal (year long?) allergies.  I am a pretty healthy one--but colds do seem to like to hang out in the breathing region of my body when I do get them.
The boys have friends who miss like no school ever and I am all like "how do you do that?!?!" wow.  Of course then I find out friend came to school sick--which explains how my kid got sick, thank you very much.  Yay for your attendance award but here's our doctor bill, mmmk?  Oh wait and here are his brothers as well...just saying.  Right so moving on...I wish I could nix the gene that jacked up the lungs but alas no can do.   If anyone else has a better theory please share...or even better a fix?!   But also I will say this seems to be a very common problem with a lot of kiddo's...like 74% of homes have nebulizers and inhalers and the like. (just so you know I totally made up that statistic) So maybe it's not only our genetic pool...it's something though and I am not a fan.  As I listen to cough, cough, cough coming from the couch.  Not to mention pausing to catch his breath between words when he talks to me.  Oy.  Being that he just told me "It's ok...breath...if you...breath...give...breath...me the...breath...nebulizer....breath...right now....breath,cough, cough"  I should probably stop my ranting and medicate my kiddo....oy.

Smells like rain.

It has finally rained here in North GA....and I am oddly euphoric feeling about it.  I am typically not one that welcomes dreary rainy days but after a month of dry dry 90+ degree weather and not a drop of precipitation other than sweat I am giddy to see the wet stuff falling from the sky again!  
It's funny because reading Facebook status's this morning one would think it's been raining for weeks on end...and usually I am right there complaining too but not this time.  So it's kinda nice.  Granted along with this rain come temperatures that are 20 degrees lower and THAT is very welcome.
Blogger has given me the option to change to the updated version of posting and it's strange....I am not sure what I think of it.
I just realized it's actually Tuesday and I should be typing out my "Twelve on Tuesday" oops.  We will just skip that this week because I said so....and it's my blog and I can do that :)
Though really that would probably have been easier because I am sitting here stumped on what else to blab on about.  I could tell you that my back hurts--like I just did--but I am tired of whining.  Aside from the fact that whining every day about this ache or pain is going to make the last 10 weeks or so drag on F.O.R.E.V.E.R so I am working on a more optimistic outlook.  Ugh.  On the up side...I know these 10 weeks or so (maybe 9!) will go by really quickly and I will look back and think wow that was quick.  Because the past 29 have gone by so fast.   I am hanging on to the hope that he will make a debut 2 weeks early like his big brother Gavin did....that would make me one happy camper.
Speaking of camping would it be totally insane to go camping for a night or 2 in 2 weeks when the boys are on fall break?  Maybe sleeping on the ground--just kidding I am totally an air mattress girl but I so will tent camp....most people say camping and then talk about their RV or cabin.  Um hello, that is totally not camping.  Anyway maybe that will help my back?  Haha.  Not likely but I have been wanting to take these boysies camping for a while now but let's work it in when it's not too hot and not too cold because sleeping in the cold is not my cup of tea.   I have a feeling camping while 31 weeks pregnant won't be my cup of tea either--but I am willing to give it a try.  Because aches and pains aside I am not feeling that bad...so anyway let's give it some thought mmmk?

Gumball

I am sitting in the bed next to Gavin and Zachary while they are watching "Their favorite show!!!! We can't go to bed yet...." It's actually not too bad as far as kid shows go...especially kid shows on Cartoon Network. Gumball....I haven't figured out why it's called this...I don't get it.
Jakeb has spent the night with a friend (tomorrow is a holiday so no school for them) I am super happy for him that he has found this friend who seems to be as equally quirky as Jakeb. And also new friends mother still has her 9 going on 10 year old in a booster seat so that means his mom is as quirky as I am so that's cool too.
Robert is playing ping pong in the basement with my brother, Robert--yes they have the same name. Somehow this has never really been weird. But they have become pals and I am super glad for that too. Because they are both kinda rad so I am glad we get to see them more. Them being Robert, my brother, and his wife, Amberly.
Nolan is rolling around and up to his usual evening time antics...which include stretching and hip kicking. I can't wait until I am actually watching him do these things rather than feel. Speaking of rad his room is totally that...and I gotta say my creative bug that has been working the last few days is kinda fun. His room decorations have included some repurposing, painters tape, various papers folded accordian style and then unfolded, and of course paint. I will get some pictures rocking and rolling when I get it all done. I have a few more things to add and pretty much calling it D.O.N.E.
Gavin is getting another cold which is frustrating. We also noticed and read about some behavior issues often associated with the medication he was/is on. So we decided in an attempt to spare us some of the dramatics to pull him off this medicine to see if we notice a difference. I knew this medicine was known for causing such behavior issues but had actually forgotten so far I am seeing improvement. But we'll see. Of course the other issue is that the medicine does actually help his asthma...so kinda hoping he has outgrown some of that like Jakeb did. Again...we'll see.
These two boys next to me spent all day outside playing...which is funny because we had to shove Zachary outside with tears a-flowing this morning....and then he ended up out there all day. So they are exhausted ....pretty sure show time is over so it's off to bed for them!
3 day weekends are so very nice.

Negative week positive thoughts.

So this week has a been a bit unpleasant...a lot of small things adding up to make the end of the week a bummer. We have discussed the smack to the schnoz and the swollen eye, the lack of sleep and the general uncomfortableness. Let's add to that waking up with a crook in my neck and coming home to a dryer that will not turn on and a microwave that is working on heating food at light speed rather than regular ole seconds. As in it's jacked up. And also let's just the finances are a mess and the unexpected expenses we have had recently have left us not keen on broken appliances. I mean really a new dryer would be fantastic but really? Right now. uh no. Really the microwave....aka probable cancer box is not the end of the world. I rarely use it but it does make things annoying. The dryer is a larger problem and it must be remedied asap. This larger girl doesn't have clothes to last more than a week and being that it's Friday the closet is running on empty. And also....let's not even get started on my father. Because that would be like 9721 sentences of anger and frustration and it's really not worth it.

On the other hand I am trying to keep it all in perspective. Like really I am rocking out getting things made for Nolan's room. Zachary told me yesterday that I was making too much stuff for his room....say huh? Apparently kids aren't used to crafty Mom. And it's all coming together nicely and that makes me proud of me. My kiddo's are rolling into routine of school quite well and that's t-totally awesome. They are rocking out the good grades and awesome behavior. They are also rocking out trips to the nurses office but that's just funny. I am pretty sure we are quickly moving up to the number one spot on her speed dial. Glad they are taking after their mother in the graceful department. "Sorry about that wall I didn't see you there." It's a much used phrase.

Basically I am feeling some mental confusion because on one hand I want to wallow around woe is me and whine about all that is annoying and stupid--aka reread the first paragraph and on the other I am thinking maybe it's not worth it. Which leaves one feeling kinda basketcase-ish. Which over a broken dryer is a bit silly really. So I am really trying to shake it because well really it's not worth it.

Wordless Wednesday...er Thursday

Twelve on Tuesday.

1. This morning we are going into the ultrasound place that we went to way back when to get our "Sorry we goofed up here's a free 3d/4d ultrasound". I am slightly apprehensive about going their customer service about their goof up has been sub par. Fingers crossed they redeem themselves.

2. I have mopped, dusted, and vacuumed this morning.

3. I also went to Starbucks for coffee...correlation? Yes highly likely.

4. My broken nose still hurts but per my private parts Dr. it is like just a small fracture and not a completely dislocated bone.

5. Just so everyone really believed me on the "my nose really hurts" pain part I was sporting higher than normal blood pressure yesterday....I am not kidding this hurts.

6. I am at 2 week appts now with the Dr. Holy cow.

7. The boys were incredibly cute this morning talking about both our new to be baby and our new children from Colombia that we have also yet to meet. They are totally planning to tag team with all 3 (?) new children and be bestest buddies. They were "arguing" over who gets to carry who.

8. What makes this conversation more cute is that it was totally out of left field and we didn't provoke it. Their excitement over new siblings is infectious and amazing and flat out awesome.

9. There is a nice breeze out there today....a hot one but a breeze none the less.

10. I am ready for fall! I can't believe it's almost September already. Insane.

11. I haven't done much in Nolan's room.... I don't want to get things done TOO soon, it will be like torture wandering past a finished room.

12. My sim card from my phone seems to have kicked the bucket...this is sad :( I have pictures on it that I would really like to have but can't figure out how to rescue them.

Time to go!

Mama said knock you out.

This past weekend was a wee bit busy. Jakeb and Gavin started their soccer season with their first soccer practice on Saturday morning and Zachary had his first football game--preseason but a game none the less. Jakeb and Gavin were totally stoked to start soccer and that was neato....Zachary we discovered really wishes he had signed up for soccer and misses it because he didn't put the ball down the entire time we were at the field. Have I mentioned he's not a fan a football? Because uh no he's not. We are bribing him to get him thru the season---bribery is a wonderful parenting tool, no?

After completely melting away Saturday morning/afternoon the boys and I relaxed away the rest of Saturday and Robert took off for a Titans game in TN.

I had plans of lounging by the pool on Sunday and got up and made breakfast and packed drinks and snacks for doing just that. We lasted one hour. I thought it would be a genius idea to walk past Jakeb and Zachary and give them a little shove into the pool--you know because I am a cool mom like that... Let's set it up here a bit....Both boys were squating next to the pool filling up squirt guns. I was walking past...came to Zachary first and gave him a little push and in he goes. He popped up ready to yell at his brother but his brother was getting shoved in as well....however. Jakeb being the fleeier that he is heard Zachary's splash and jumped up lightening quick to run away. Except I was already standing over him. As in his head went into my face with such force I had no choice but to shove him in like a crazy person--pausing only a moment to make sure he didn't slam into the wall of the pool before I collapsed to the ground crying in pain. Thus traumatizing my children....their poor little gasps of terror will likely haunt me longer than the pain of a possible broken nose. Someone screamed MOMMY! someone screamed SHE"S BLEEDING! and somehow Jakeb managed to get into the bathroom to get wet paper towels for me because he's apparently a quick thinker. If we also don't recall I have a pierced nose...when I saw blood I was certain my nose ring had punctured something, despite having no pain at that spot. But fortunately it didn't and the blood actually came from the other side. I look pretty. Actually it doesn't look as bad as I feared. My nose is swollen and apparently crooked....which is cute. I at this point do not have black eyes so that's a plus. Let's just not study my nostrils or septum for too long mmmmk? I am off to the Dr. this morning for my 28 week appt so they can tell me what they think I should do. Because you know a private parts doctor is so the same as a nose doctor. It's all exciting really. On a good note any pain I was feeling from the pregnancy is really seeming quite miniscule.

Also because Gavin and Zachary felt like they needed some excitement this weekend too...Gavin used his head to provide some blunt force trauma to Zachary's face. So he's off to school this morning with a nicely busted lip. We are looking really cute.

And maybe Robert should stay close to home for a while.

D-to the rama

A certain little platinum blonde headed child that lives in this house has a special flare for the theatrics. His talent is only reserved for those especially close with him...as in you know, Robert and I and his brothers. This past week he seems to have felt the need to crank things into full gear so as to make sure we fully appreciate all he can do....his range so to speak. Needless to say, I do see his gift but I don't know that I am able to really appreciate it like he would like. Maybe when he's 37 and I am missing his tiny little self....but I am thinking no. As previously mentioned Gavin is quite specific in his requests and his actions. Milk? yes but only in certain cups, with a blanket spread just so, and not until the show has started. Picking up toys? Um are you kidding? Helping a brother out? AS if! Yeah right!?

Gavin's specialties include collapsing to the ground leaving one to think he had just been hit with a boulder from a sling shot 20 yards away. Or a very audible groan that goes something like this UUUUUUUGGGHHHHHUUUUGHHHHHUUUUGGGGHHHHHUUUUGHHH....did I mention it is very audible? If these methods don't produce the result he was anticipating he will be happy to include tears and extra groaning for added affect. Sometimes he may include kicking or a shrill scream to drive his point home. Have I mentioned Gavin is 5? At this age it seems amazing that he has mastered these abilities most children have given up on no? But Gavin he's no quitter!! He is in it for the long haul. Here in lies the problem. The truck stops here. Gavin's career in theater must end very soon...we are sad ecstatic to see this go but know that all good awful things must come to an end.

He has been told that collapsing to the ground is a sure way to get a swift punishment as are loud groans of displeasure. He has also been reminded that he is living in a house with a family and families help each other out by cleaning up items and turning lights off (yes even if that means you have to go back upstairs to do so) and even occasionally doing something for another family member....so statements such as "I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING IN THIS HOUSE!!!" that have been known to exit his mouth have been banished and are never ever to be said again. I would really hate to have to show him what everything in this house is.... So yes Gavin is in recovery at this time he is not taking visitors and is in full support of his new program....well I suppose his full support may not have been given but it's the only option really, his other option was a transfer. I will update all as progress is made, until then hope for the best!

Copy cat.

I have come here a couple times today staring at a blank screen really wanting to post something cheery and free from woe is me...but all I can think to say is I am tired. By about 2pm I am exhausted and by 6 I am nearly comatose exhausted. I try to nap but I am just not a good napper and it just doesn't work...I can't sleep or if I do it's for 15 minutes and then I am just frustrated and grumpy.

I am trying really hard to not count down the days--I don't know the exact number because well I am no psychic but also because I just don't know how many days until the due date...I think we might be in the 80's though and that's cool. And really some days are easier than others, today was not one of those days. I did get some laundry done and the house is pretty decently picked up...eh it could use some dusting but it's certainly not growing things yet so that's a good thing. I definitely could mop but no thank you that flat out sucks not pregnant so I will drag my feet on that one until you know...I can't drag my feet because the floors are that gross. We aren't there yet, thank you very much. It's the little things.

I am thoroughly enjoying my quiet time at home--don't get me wrong I love those boysies like mad crazy but I didn't know 7 or so hours of alone time could be so nice. I kinda forgot. First off Jakeb is 9 so this is the first time I have had days and days of just time in like a long time. It's cool, I kinda like it. I also might get stuck in this pattern of sitting at home alone so this might turn into a bad thing--right now I am enjoying it. What am I talking about anyway...in 70-80 some odd days we will have a newborn....duh. I am enjoying it while I can is what's going on folks.

The kids are adjusting well to school and we are getting into a routine with homework and studying and putting our bags away and all that fun stuff. Hopefully by baby time it will be second nature to everyone.

Hmmm...really I feel like I am being redundant in my posting lately......sorry about that. Though I am glad life isn't being too exciting right now.

The question girl.

Somehow I have turned from the person scared to ask questions and worried about looking silly because I didn't know to the person sending 9237 emails verifying that I, in fact, have it correct. I managed to learn that asking and getting it right is much more efficient then not and getting it wrong. So I ask. With 3 boys in school and 3 boys in sports and 1 baby boy on the way my questions seemed to have multiplied. I feel like I am always emailing someone making sure I got it right. Yesterday it was about breakfast snack, the day before that it was about Gavin, this morning it's about football pictures....and as I typed I realized goodness I certainly utilize the "if you need anything just ask" so I ask! I feel like I am waving my hand yelling "wait, WAIT, WAIT...I don't get it...." Either I don't pay attention or am a slow learner...specifically on seemingly simple tasks. I am thinking it's a combination of both. Sigh. Fortunately I have learned to ask. I need to make sure everything is just like it should be and planned ahead and t's are crossed and i's are dotted.....or at least as close to all of that dream world as possible. And as I mentioned yesterday the new baby thing is a little nerve racking. Baby Nolan will be born in a "down season" for schedules and sports and what not so this is good but the idea of keeping up with homework and projects and meetings and appointments and what not along with a newborn is a bit daunting. So I am cracking down on my organizational skills like a mad woman and making sure we got this down pat...creature.of.habit.

On a side note: Nolan has learned that stretching is fun...Rachel thinks Nolan's stretching is not fun, in fact while comical it's down right not nice. The odd sensation of someone pushing on your stomach from the inside makes standing and having conversations with various people distracting (as if I need more distractions when speaking). And also I sat with my purse over my stomach at the PTA meeting last night so as not to freak out the people sitting next to me...Be still baby! He isn't a crazy mover so much really it's just more that he moves.all.day.long. But I am sure it's because he's a totally chill laid back baby....definitely.

Twelve on Tuesday.

1. I made a list both mentally and physically of activities coming up over the next week or so and I still double booked for one of them. An easy fix really but frustrating none the less.

2. The next week and half or so is decently busy....wrapping my head around all that is eek! But really it's all easy peasy stuff it's just the fear of forgetting about one of them that stresses me out.

3. Zachary has his first "preseason game" this Saturday....

4. I am working on some paintings for Nolan's room....I am not a painter so we shall see. Fortunately there isn't a whole lot of creativity going on so I don't really need to be talented with a brush!

5. The paintings are on canvas's....4 little 8x8 canvas's that used to hang in Jakeb's room when he was a little tiny toddler boy. I am painting over what was on them....slightly sad to see them go!

6. All 3 boys are super excited about their new brother--Gavin won't actually say "super excited" but Jakeb and Zachary certainly will and it's so gosh darn sweet.

7. We have a massive mosquito problem going on here...hoping the call to the county will get it resolved. They have been surprisingly responsive so I am cautiously optimistic. The problem stems from a drainage pond that is in the neighborhood behind our house....nice.

8. I stitched up the items that needed to be stitched...I mentioned them a while ago. I finally did it...only problem is Gavin now has bloodied shorts and I have a sore finger tip. Seamstress I am not. I am however good at getting just about any stain out of anything....and really the new seams look pretty good! Despite poking my finger tip more times than I can count with the blasted needle. And it didn't hurt much so I kept on sewing...oops.

9. I am trying not to stress about the guest situation that will happen when Nolan is born....my hibernation of sorts that has taken place as a result of moving away from all family and friends has made me less tolerable of crowds and noise and what not. I imagine that will not dissipate upon giving birth.

10. Thinking on those terms I am also moderately nervous about the 4 kid thing. 3 loud rambunctious boys and a newborn...see #9. But also see #6...it will be fine.

11. We have a great many massively large trees in our yard....the sound of the breeze rushing thru them is so very lovely. Even watching them swish and sway...

12. It's very quiet in the house....all I can hear is the hum of the a/c and the occasional gust of wind thru the trees.

Dear Diary.

For as long as I could read and write with decency (hush I said with decency...not good!) I have kept a diary. In fact in a box somewhere is my Hello Kitty diary and I might even still have the key. The diary I remember getting in 4th grade from Sanrio. In 4th grade I tried to write everyday but most days I only wrote things like "I had a good day today." or "I got in trouble in Mrs. Jones' class again....not a good day". Basically I wrote about my day with occasional strife thrown in: a fight with someone or getting in trouble at school or at home or a melt down about how much I didn't want to live with my dad anymore. Overall it was simple stuff and I am so glad I still have it. My middle and high school years are basically embarrassing to read because while I don't actually remember caring much about boys...I apparently did. A lot. Oh.my.good.lord.will.you.shut.up.already. Yeah it's bad....and funny and strange because I don't remember obsessing about various boys that much. Though I tend to obsess so I suppose it should come as no surprise. One thing I do notice as I got older more issues rose and more drama. I suppose such is life. It seems we come full circle because now the older I get the less issues come about. Granted this is probably based on my choices and reactions...to both issues that arise and issues we choose to not let arise. Now when I sit down to write...or type these days my biggest decision is wether or not I should blog about the boys again, if I should write out a check list of our day, or if I should try to go rogue and talk about some other topic that doesn't really immediately affect me. I try not to always blog about the boys or our family days...but sometimes that's just all that pops into my head when I sit down to type. I come up with genius blog posts....you know when I am driving or showering or just before I crash for the night. Things that poof out of my head quicker than they got there. So then I find myself at the keyboard wondering what in the world it was I was thinking....and then going oh well. I even tried to write down ideas...but yeah...you guessed it I lost the paper. Or rather it's in one of the 23 notebooks I carry around...which is great except I seem to always have a different notebook with me.

For the most part I try not to get too emotional and personal here on the blog...I just can't bring myself to dump it out there for the world 13 of you to see. Sure from time to time I might let loose (side bar: I think this word is stupid...I do not know which one to use at the proper time lose or loose and it drives Robert crazy...sure I say it correctly but for the life of me cannot remember which to use...dumb English language and your exceptions to the rule) and let some emotions flow. But I don't need to blog every time I get angry or some one ticks me off....but then really one of the nice things about getting older is that often you learn to just let things go. That it's not worth the diary entry...that it's not that big in the whole grand scheme of life. So maybe "Dear Diary: I have nothing to bitch about today" could have been my last entry as a teenager or even truthfully as a 20 something. "Dear Diary: I get it and it's not worth it...here's what is great today....next week I will bitch...but today is awesome...." Full circle...kinda sort....almost. I am glad I am getting there.

Titleless.

Settling in to our new routine this week slowly but surely. Gavin seems to be adjusting just as I knew he would. School is hard. Sending them to school is so very important and the decision was a no brainer. The idea of homeschooling has rolled around in my head more times than I can count but always ending with the same conclusion. I am 99% positive it's just not in the cards for me/us. My fuse when it comes to structured education time with my kiddo's seems to be much shorter than it should be, therefore teaching to read and add and all of the basics just isn't something I am cut out for. So off to school they go. Jakeb comes home most days proclaiming an AWESOME day and that is enough for me to know we are making the right decision. However that doesn't mean from time to time I wonder. Especially when tears are being shed.

But we started our Friday off right and got up early and everyone off to school--I even remembered ice cream money! So the routine is slowly rolling in and it's so very welcome because I am so a creature of habit.

I spent all day Wednesday painting Nolan's dresser and it's just not the right color. As Robert said it makes his room look easter eggish. So back to the store I go for more (darker) paint. His crib showed up as promised much to my surprise--thanks to horrid reviews of the website we ordered from. While it wasn't the smoothest transaction out there the crib is here and looks fantastic all set up in his easter room. The fact that there is a baby room still blows my mind...

But also my heart still longs, aches, and loves the child(ren) we are bringing home from Colombia. We are still working on the last touches for the addendum we need and waiting to get this in is so frustrating because there are so many very conflicting emotions. I haven't forgotten but have I? No, no I haven't. But the busyness of life is distracting and that is hard. I am longing to have everyone home here where they (all of our children) belong. But the waiting is so hard and knowing that while we are loving on this brand new baby and being completely smitten with all that he is, our other child is also waiting and is hard to know too. Life is happening though and it's wonderful. So we wait and we love and we wait some more and I try to know that everything will work out as it should in the time it should.

In the meantime there's this ...

The crib...looking mighty cute and inviting.

Me less cute and less inviting at 26 1/2 weeks.

The Pushover.

So a joke among my brothers and I (and my mother) is that my mom's disciplining style was um...to try not to laugh at us. Because while we certainly weren't angels we have the ability to be silly under pressure...so basically there wasn't a whole lot of disciplining going on when I was a kid. Sure, sure we got grounded here and there and the occasional butt swat...but for the most part not much. Luckily we really weren't horrible kids....now me as a teenager is totally other post--I wasn't bad but I wasn't afraid to voice my opinion typically in rude teenager fashion.

Anyway it is occurring to me recently that I might be heading towards the same direction...ok ok. Truth be told we are total pushovers and it isn't something that recently occurred to me but is recently becoming more of an issue. We have a 9 year old who is starting to pretty much think we are stupid and mean with frequency....and that's kinda hard to deal with. But at the same time we have to stick to our guns and "lay down the law" even if that means they don't like us or think we are mean.

Another example...the school thing with the Gbabes. He's not a fan....so yesterday and Monday he stayed home....I made every excuse in the book justifying him staying home. He did have a cold but really it was a no, he should have been at school. He went today and I instituted a little tough love and he did much better than last week when I was a big softy. As in he cried all morning before we left but Robert and I are pretty much over it so it didn't get him anywhere and guess who didn't cry when I dropped him off. Exactly. Basically it stinks to be the "bad guy" from time to time but it's so necessary in this kid raising thing....I am having to remind myself a lot lately as I justify this behavior or that and really it's not fair to anyone. Especially them in the long run.