The ride that never ends...

So I've decided that potty-training is like an amusement park ride that never ends. You have your ups -- big great awesome ups like going an entire week wihtout a single accident. And then you have your big drops -- steep drops, might I add -- like going through every single pair of underwear your son AND his brother own in one day. (That happened over the weekend). And then you have this story...

Hunter has been a trooper with potty-training. One day it just clicked. And yes, we've absolutely had some major "steep drop" days, especially over the weekends, but for the most part he's doing well. Today, the good news is that we've had no accidents...however I just caught him standing in the front yard with his pants laying off to the side...peeing into a bush...a bush that is in the front part of our yard...and he was facing the street.

Nothing like showing his goods to the entire neighborhood! Yup ... this ride NEVER ends!

Lots of first!

In a family with small children, you learn quickly, and are reminded often, that things change so fast because these little people we live with and care for are just absolute sponges!

Just two weeks ago, I still had two children in diapers (which is not unusual for me -- it's happened every other time we've had a new baby!). Now Hunter, our 3rd child, is a potty-trained little boy! The first week of "training" was rough -- don't get me wrong -- and I think I learned that you shouldn't try to potty-train while preparing for and holding a 3-day long garage sale. (Seriously! The insanity!!!) Unfortunately, I have no pictures to prove the potty-training success. That would be inappropriate. ;)

And last night, our second child, Hudson (who turned 4 just 3 short months ago) asked for the training wheels to be taken off of his bike. We humored him and said "Okay -- but it takes lots of practice and we're here with you." Practice, schmactice. This kid is a bike riding machine! I think he was born to ride his bike (and his tractor, of course)! Matt let go of the seat of his bike and off he went, stopping only to come in for a bath. Fortunately, I have a picture of this!


Check out the concentration on that kid's face! Amazing! He's doing awesome!

There have been two other firsts at our house this week, as well, and these bring tears to my eyes. Easton, our nearly-six week old little guy, gave us his first smile and coo this week. I don't have pictures yet, but I will!

Thanks for sharing in the excitement and blessing of our home!

You know you have a newborn when...

You know you're the mom of a newborn when you try to make coffee with baby formula. What can I say?...it's a Monday!

He's here!!!

Three weeks ago tomorrow, on what will go down in our family history as the best Good Friday we will personally experience, we welcomed our fourth child. Our third son, Easton Charles, was born on Friday, April 10, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. He weighed a whopping 8 lbs 6 oz (a whole half pound bigger than our previous biggest baby -- where was he hiding?), and was 21 inches long. We are blessed by his sweet demeanor, his laid back "go with the flow" persona (what else can a 4th baby be?) and by the presence of our completed family. His big brothers and big sister absolutely ADORE him, and we couldn't ask for a healthier baby. We are truly so blessed!

To show the world our newest love bug, we put this together...enjoy!!! (Be sure to pause my music player on the left side of the blog down below so you can enjoy the lovely music with the slide show!)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

That little thing to the right....

Okay, so do you see that "Baby Namey" box to the side? The one that counts down the days to my impending due date? (Which I'm not entirely sure is COMPLETELY accurate?)

See the cute little pregnant girl...and those great legs that go on forever underneath that perfect little round basketball she's warming? Why, oh why, can I not have legs that look like that? I'm having one of those "I'm so fat" pregnant days, and my husband, bless his heart, says not to worry -- I look great he says, and I'll be back in tip-top shape in no time once the baby is born. Easy for him to say -- he does not have to don a swimsuit 8 weeks after he gives birth in Aruba! (Yes -- 8 weeks! More importantly...ARUBA! Most importantly....SWIM SUIT!!!!)

You see, I seem to be dispersing my pregnancy weight very evenly ALL over the body that I worked so hard to tone and shape prior to the creation of our beloved baby #4 in July. And don't get me wrong -- I know that it is all worth it. I mean, come on...I've done this a few times before. I entered into this state known as "pregnant" willingly and with a clear conscience, knowing full well that I would gain a few LBs. And I also thought that gaining the weight this time would not ever...not in a million trillion years...bother me. It never has before. But it is really bothering me this time! And you, my dear, blogging readers, are the ones that get to hear me bathe myself in self-pity.

I am not one of those pregnant women who feels great the whole time she's pregnant. I actually really hate the way I feel when I'm pregnant -- but again, having kids is SO worth it and such a blessing that I think it's worth the pain, discomfort, and body-changing challenges you encounter. Having said that....I'm just not lovin the whole body-changin' challenges part today.

So....the countdown is on...for lots of things. (1) Of course, the arrival of our newest blessing (we are SO excited and cannot wait to meet him or her!). (2) the end of the gestational era of my life...baby #4 is our last. (3) the opportunity to work this bod out again so that my legs have a fighting chance at looking like THAT....and vain or not, working out (with or without the goal of those legs looking like that) actually makes me a better mommy because I feel so much better. Physically, emotionally, all over!

So until this little sweet pea decides to see the sun for the first time (around Easter -- in 8 weeks or less, please!), I will be trying to stave off the feeling of impending "faintdom" that occurs every time I walk up the steps (or to the mailbox...or to the bathroom...or buckling kids in the car...or....), and the mirror will no longer be looked at except to make sure everything is tucked in (and untucked) in the right places, and finally...I will be trying, with every ounce of being in me, to enjoy these last weeks of being pregnant. Because I know, as much as I despise the way that I feel, I will never ever again feel a life growing inside of me. And that's enough to quickly put an end to the pity party that I have thrown for myself.

Here's to less than 60 days!!!!!

Babycape giveaway!

Okay, so I have had 3 kids in the bitter Nebraska winters where we could never find a good way to bundle them up in car seats...and NOW I find out about the product that Life Starring Ellie and Eve is giving away!

If you are in need of baby product, go here for a great giveaway!!!

Happy Thursday!

A blog givewaway!

Okay, who doesn't love a great giveaway? And who couldn't use a new tote? I know I could -- especially this cute monogrammed one!

Check out Monogrammed Teacher to enter, and tell her I sent you!