Chaos and then some

So this is in no particular order because I just don't have that much of a brain right now. I think I just need more organizing skills. I just feel like a chicken with my head cut off. Anyway, we had a super busy summer and beginning of fall. Here are some pictures of our fun. (from now on just so you know, I will be refering to my kids by their nicknames to just be a little more careful. If you know us, you will know who is what.)

This is a typical sight of our kids. They love playing around each other, and our little froggie doesn't like to be left alone at all. When the other two run into the other room, she starts screaming.

This is what we wear when Monkey picks out our clothes. This is how we went apple picking with Eric's class. It was fun....although we didn't actually pick apple because we already had a couple weeks earlier. We just had donuts and cider. They were really good.

During football season, every Saturday is appetizer night. So they are not full balanced meals, but I do try a little. This is a picture of ribs, zucchini fries, and sun-dried tomato cheese balls. We are getting a great list of delicious appetizers.

Hippo loves to do things with dad when he is home. Needs that man time, you know? So when he was painting the front porch, Hippo had to help. He really did a great job and is very meticulous.

I have realized over the last little while that I have instilled my OCD ness in my children. We had friends over for dinner a couple of weeks ago and Hippo wouldn't let them in until he had picked up the front room (which I had been asking him to do for at least 30 min prior). Monkey was frosting a cookie and freaked out because the frosting got on the side of the cookie instead of just the top. I don't think that I am that bad....but I guess maybe I am if they are.

Hippo started school. I still can't believe it. He has been going for over a month now and is doing wonderfully. It has really changed him...some for good and some for bad. But that just gives us more teaching opportunities at home. This is him with his teacher Mrs. McCarthy. She is absolutely great, I love the was she is with the kids. Hippo really likes her too, and always wants to take her flowers, cookies, muffins, or whatever else is special to him.

Here he is before we left for school that first day....SO excited.

I made these for him as first day of school treats. He was so excited when he woke up and saw this. He was nice and shared his treats with everyone.

Froggie just loves to be in the middle of everything. This one looks like she was just caught red handed or something.

We also did a LOT of canning this summer. We made 5 pints strawberry jam, 5 pints peach jam, 5 pints peach raspberry jam, 11 quarts pickles, 12-15 ( I can't quite remember) quarts peaches.... .and I think I am forgetting something. Oh yeah, 5 pints strawberry kiwi jam. So we were pretty busy with that.

Hippo and Monkey love to be superheroes, especially after watching Super Why. I think I need to make Monkey a REAL cape.

Froggie turned 4 months (even though she is actually 5 months now). She keeps us busy as she is fussier than the other two were, but she melts our hearts every day too.

We headed down to Letchworth State Park which is called the grand canyon of the east. It really is pretty, but definitely more like a resort. All the kids wanted to do was play on the playground.

But I loved the fall colors in the canyon, and the drive was gorgeous.

The kids also loved the waterfalls.

We also had some excitement of Eric getting in a car accident that totalled our blazer leaving us in need of a new car. We decided on a sedan (since we still can) and then wait for the next baby to buy a bigger car. That way it saves us on gas right now. There were other things I wanted to write about but now can't remember. Maybe next post....

owie :(

We had a BIG owie happen a little over a week ago. I felt like the most horrible mother in the world. We had some friends come over to enjoy our a/c during a major heat wave. While us adults were inside cooling off and talking, the kids went outside to play. We had cooked dutch oven that night and Eric took care of the coals, or so we thought. I had a feeling I should go out and check on the kids, and thought for a second, but then went and sat down. I have been kicking myself about that every day since and with a new resolution to listen more closely to the spirit and follow immediately. When we eventually went outside, Adie was screaming so hard she was shaking. And all she could do was point to her foot. No body knew what happened and her foot was filthy. So we brought her in and washed her foot in cold water trying to calm her down enough to talk to us. We also were interogating Porter to see if he knew what happened. I finally asked the right questions "were you in the garden?" and "was the dirt hot?" to which she answered yes to both. She was playing in the garden, which she wasn't supposed to do anyway, and stepped in the hot coals. We also think that she got one stuck in her sandal under foot which is why it was so bad. She sat in a cool to cold bath and watched Tangled to help her calm down. Then watched probably two more movies while on the couch with either an ice pack or frozen juice on her foot. Again, mother of the year award goes to me right? I felt horrible and still do. I stayed up with her until about 1 am because she would just start screaming every once in a while.

This is a picture the day after. It is pretty gross. It looked even worse after some of the blisters ruptured. We lanced them trying to preven that, but alas, it happened anyway. I still have a hard time looking at it....it just hurts me. Eric thinks I am silly, but I have talked to other moms who feel the same way, and it is not even their kid. So luckily he is home for the "summer" and he can take care of it. And luckily we have "Hello Kitty" bandaids to ease the pain.

On a happier note, this is a delicious cake that we made for fun the other day. A little labor intensive, and very rich, but very good. It is called a red velvet crepe cake. Just imagine the possibilities with that. I am excited to try them.

Porter has been so cute lately. The other day he had Adie sit down in front of him and he pretended to do her hair. She sat there for him as he tried to pull it back into a ponytail. So cute.

Also, he does things semetrically now a days. I don't know if this is just a developmental phase that every kid goes through, or if it is just the way that he thinks. I had just asked him to clean up his train tracks before dinner when I came in and saw this. I couldn't get mad because I was just too amazed and had to take a picture. He is so creative. You should see the things that he makes out of his legos. They are pretty amazing.

I think this is just how she smiles, chunk and all. I love it. She is her happiest right after the kiddos go to bed. She lays and wiggles and talks up a storm. I love it. I think she just wants to one on one quiet time.

the kiddos

I think this is one of Porter's favorite words right now. He is always asking me when I call them, "mom, just one kiddo, or both kiddos?" Or when playing, he'll be like "mom, you lost your kiddos!". Anyway, that is totally besides the point.

I got the kids pictures taken by a friend who just wanted some practice. I think she did an AMAZING job. Tell me what you think.

Well, for some reason this is being dumb and it won't let me edit my last post. And I am having to go a round about way to publish my posts too (if anyone knows how to fix it please let me know.) At 2 months she is 12 lbs. 6 oz. and 24 in. long. When comparing all 3 she is just 2 oz more than Adie, and 2 lbs. less than Porter. Man he sure was a chunky monkey.

4th of July and summer fun

We have had a lot of things going on lately. Here is just a little catch up.

The forth of July

Adie was the only one brave enough to hold the sparkler. Porter wanted to do it after they were all burned, of course.

We went to the local parade. We ended up sitting with a whole bunch of friends that live around us and didn't know they were going. Glad we say them, it was a blast. Porter and Adie didn't quite get the idea of running out into the street to get candy that was thrown. I am a little torn on whether that is a good thing or not.

Our red kids after the parade. They are just hot and sweaty. We did have sunscreen on and the next day they were all tan, except for Lottie. She was completely covered the whole time.

Random

This is Porter with one of his best friends. We didn't know they had the same shirt, and wore it on the same day. So we had to take a picture.

Blessing

We blessed Charlotte on July 10th with all our family in town. It was a lot of fun. We wanted to get a picture of her in her dress, but she didn't want to cooperate. So I will have to try again soon.

Family

I wish I had taken more pics, but my hands were a little full, or I just forgot. I am going to get some from family that took pics, but this is the second round of family that came. Eric's brother Kevin, his wife Laura and their little boy Trent. It was so much fun to have them.

We went out to Palmyra, saw the sights, went to the Grandin Press where the Book of Mormon was first printed. It is a wonderful place. Then went to the Hill Cumorah and saw the pageant. If you haven't seen it, it is definitely worth the trip. Our mail lady has been several times, she is not LDS, loves it and tells everyone to go. So seriously, everone should make the trip. They always do it in July, the second weekend and third full week.

Charlotte turned 2 months old. I don't have her stats yet, but will get them this week. She is big, and I can't believe how fast she is growing.

Porter asks almost everyday to play in the sprinkler. I totally indulge him because everything needs to be watered since we are in a "drought". (meaning it hasn't really rained in several weeks)

This is one of my favorite atempts at getting a picture of Lottie smiling. She looks like such a chunk. But yes, her hair is usually in a fro. I guess it just naturally has a lot of lift in the roots.

I love this picture too because it reminds me of my moms baby picture that I grew up looking at in my grandparents room. It just makes me happy.

Stuff

So this isn't in the order that I wanted it but I am too lazy to care right now.

Father's Day turned out perfect I thought. I made cinnamon swirl french toast with buttermilk syrup for breakfast. If it didn't take so darn long to make, I think I would do it more often. Then for dinner we had steaks, berry brie, and some other stuff for dinner. It was delish. This was what we (the kids actually did help) made for Eric. They are pop top cans filled with his fav candies. He thought that was pretty cool, which made me happy that he really liked them.

Then the pie turned out perfect and was one of the best I have ever had. It is a five fruit pie consisting of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, apples, and rhubarb (even though technically it is a vegetable). Wow, what a great pie.

Here is my mom with the girls. Porter only wanted to take the picture, not be in it. She was such a great help. And it took me quite a while....in fact I am still getting used to not having her here to help.

And the traditional bum shot. Usually we only have these with a wedding and all of my sisters. But alas, my kids have joined in the fun. The funny thing is this is actually a tantrum throwing party on the couch.

Our first picture of our family of 5. I can't believe it.

Somewhere in there, Charlotte turned one month. I can't believe how fast time flies. I totally forgot that she was one month until grandma reminded me. Hense the jammies and the mohawk bedhead look she is sporting.

Here's her stats.

10 lbs. 11 oz.

22 3/4 in long

holds her head up

Starting to like to be put down when she sleeps

is mastering breathing out of her mouth (she has a stuffy nose)

She rolls over on to her side all the time

she has rolled from back to tummy twice

during tummy time she scoots herself forward

she is very opinionated and will let EVERYONE know when she is unhappy

she takes a "me-me" (a pacifier) which is a blessing to me.

It's a Girl!!!

So, I know this is later than a lot of people want, but what can I say....I just had a baby.

Friday morning I woke up a little discouraged having not gone into labor yet, wondering if I ever would on my own, and headed to my dr. apt. Much to my surprise, I was dialate to a "good 2" and Dr. was willing to stretch me to see if I would go into labor, and assured me that I would probably go into labor that weekend. Needless to say, the stretching definitely gave me some contractions, and I decided to go through my day and spend as much time "verticle" as I could so hopefully I would go into labor. By 6pm the contractions started to hurt and I would have to concentrate to get through them. But they were all over the place, and not consistent at all. I remembered that happening with Porter so I was pretty sure I wasn't in labor. We watched the kids that night for our babysitting swap (but we did ask that they keep their phones handy) and then watched a movie. By the time the movie was over they were slowing down, so I was a little sad, but didn't think that anything would happen. Eric was a little excited because he wanted to go to sleep. As soon as we got into bed the contractions got harder and were all of a sudden 2 minutes apart. After about 5 contractions within 10 minutes that I couldn't even open my eyes through, I told Eric we needed to go to the hospital. Luckily a friend of ours was willing to come over and be with our kids while they slept. So after he arrived, we headed straight up. We got up to the labor and delivery and everyone was going SO slow (or at least it seemed to me). Granted they did have to wait for my contractions to stop so I could move. Within a couple of minutes I was checked and they said, we need a room ready now for her and moved me over. People were running around like crazy and another nurse was spouting off random questions at Eric. The rest is kind of a blur for me except for the fact that I knew that I couldn't hold off pushing until the dr. got there. Baby popped out in just a few pushes and ..... IT"S A GIRL!!!! I was so excited. Dr. walked in as they were cutting the cord, and he joked with me that I don't mess around when I go into labor. I tried to warn him and Eric warned the nurses. She was born at 12:46am on May 14th. I am so glad that I missed the Friday the 13th by 45 minutes. I loved this experience giving birth. Everything was perfect.

Here she is. Our little Charlotte Ann (I call her Lottie). She was 8 lbs. 8 oz. and 20.5 inches long. She looks like her daddy (which I think is pretty darn cute), and loves her siblings already. I love this little girl. I feel like I have had her for forever, and am so excited to be able to keep her for forever more. It was definitely time for her to come to our family, and she just fits right in.

This man is my hero. I wouldn't have been able to do this without him and he is just smitten with this little girl. It only took me three kids to figure how I needed his help through labor and he went above and beyond the call of duty. I sure do love him.

With her eyes open for really the first time. I was lucky I caught it with our ancient camera.

Adie is so happy to be a big sister....can you tell. She is constantly asking to hold baby Charlotte.

At first Porter didn't want anything to do with her, but now is constantly telling her how pretty she is and how much he loves her. What an amazing big brother he is.

I sure do love my family. And thanks mom for coming out to help us, I couldn't go through the day without you here.

Birthdays and more

We will start off this post with my birthday. I had a wonderful day. It was so much fun. The weather was fairly nice with no snow on the ground, and there were wonderful strawberries in the store. I also was taken out to lunch by my wonderful friends in the preschool. We went to Red Robin and it was a blast. 4 adults and 7 kids. We got a lot of looks like we are insane. Go figure. Maybe we are, but it was fun none the less. Then Eric made me dinner, but I helped because I wanted to. And I made this strawberry cake. The actually cake is strawberry. I think that I need to tweak the recipe a little, but it was pretty good. And it looked really pretty. This is supposed to be me blowing out the candles. I think we had 5 in there. Yes, I am that young. We also celebrated Eric's birthday. From what I know he had a great day too. The group that he was on rotation with took him out to lunch at a place called Global Market. He had an apple brie cheese sandwhich. He came home and said that we needed to make some. Maybe after I am not pregnant anymore. Anyway, he had requested a dinner and pie that are generally more summertime food, but they were delicious. We will definitely be making them again. Here is a picture of the pie. It turned out perfect so of course I had to take a picture. It was a raspberry rhubarb pie. mmmmm....

We also got to celebrate April Fools Day. I don't usually do anything but this year I really wanted to. So this is what I made for dinner.

Eric was a little suspicious, but had no idea what it really was. Porter was so excited to have cake for dinner he couldn't stop talking about it. Also, Eric's birthday was coming up and he knew that so he thought it was for that. He even asked for us to sing happy birthday to Eric, so we did and then he held out his plate for a piece. You should have seen (and I wish I had a picture of) the look on his face when he saw what was really inside. It was utter disappointment as he sadly said "it's a sandwhich." Then he didn't even want to eat it. Poor kid, mom pulls a crazy joke like that on him. So really it was just a sandwhich made in a bundt cake pan and topped with cheese to look like icing. I was pretty proud of myself.

I love that all of these things happen around the same time. Not so good for the weight gain, but I love it just the same. We also had general conference, where we listen to the voices of modern day prophets. Sunday breakfast is always my favorite. Crepes with vanilla yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, mini chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. With sausages on the side.

With all the nice weather we have been having we have been going outside more. My poor kids. I need to invest in more bandaids and neosporin. We were walking to playgroup because it was in our neighborhood and it was nice, but the wind was a little chilly so we were still wearing coats. Adie had put her hands in her pockets so she wouldn't be cold. The one time I stopped paying attention to her to answer a question from Porter, she totally trips. And because her hands were in her pockets, she did a total face plant into the cement. I felt so bad and almost started crying with her. My poor baby. Luckily we were only half a block away so I picked her up and ran to playgroup so I could wash her off and take care of her. She even had some rocks in her mouth. Her upper lip was all swollen, and luckily she has bangs to hide some of the damage done. This is later that night. So it looks a little better. But she definitley had some scabs to deal with, and woke up the next morning with a sore face.

Porter is getting very artistic. We made mosaics the other day and this is a dragon. There are also two people, fire, and a sheep. See if you can find out where they are. I think he did a good job.

I sure do love my kiddos. They are so silly.

This is how Porter draws people. This is a picture of Porter, Adie, and Dada. See if you can guess who is who.

While Eric was gone, Porter learned how to write his name. I think that he is doing great. He needed a little help with the order for a while, but now can spell it all on his own and he writes his name on everything. I am so proud of him. He is also learning how to sound out words. I can't believe how big he is getting.

I have also been working on a quilt for Adie. I chose the pattern when I was with my mom last summer. This is generally a bad idea because I think that I can do anything when I am with my mom. This has taken almost a year for me to do (granted it was here and there, but there are a LOT of little pieces). But I am pretty happy with the outcome. I still have the applique and the border to put on, but that isn't going to take as long. My goal is to have it done by her 3rd birthday. We will see if that happens with baby coming soon and all. I would really like to quilt it this summer, but again, we will see.