Fair?

I went for a run after lunch today. I was gone for about an hour and Brian said Will cried a little but then he laid down with Grant and Will for a nap. When I got home I cut the grass. Brian went for a run at about 4:00 and was gone for about 40 minutes. In that time Will pooped three times, I fed him, Grant pooped and decided to take care of things himself ( I will let your imagination tell you how that went), I gave Grant a bath, and I cleaned the upstairs bathroom (Grants location), and I took a shower. For Christmas I have requested a super woman cape!

Update

I still don't have my computer back so I can't update pictures but here is what we have been up to...

1. We went to our first Rascals games. The boys had a blast! It was a lot of fun to watch them enjoy themselves so much and what a great atmosphere. It was not crowded at all and we had a huge section to ourselves which allowed Grant to run around and play as well. Jack even got a ball at the very end which was thrilling for him to say the least. We watched the fireworks from the parking lot so Grant could get in the car because fireworks scare him.

2. I am on leave until October 5th and LOVING it. I love walking Jack to school and just moving at a slower pace as I heal both physically and emotionally.

3. Grant is going to be tested on Friday for speech services through our school district. I feel pretty strongly that he needs it and I am hopeful they will agree. He says plenty of words but it is very difficult to understand him. I feel like I am his translator.

4. Will is doing awesome. He is sleeping about 5-6 hours at night which means we feed him around 10 pm and then not again until 3 or 4 and then again at about 6am. He is getting big and I am excited to take him for his 8 week appt. next week and see what he is weighing. He and Brian are still struggling to get along but I really think that is because he is more used to me since I am with him more. I keep reminding Brian that this phase will not last forever.

5. Jack is liking first grade. He still talks more about his beloved Mrs. Heberlie but seems to be coming around to Mrs. Leslie. I had parent night this evening and it was good to hear about what she has planned for the year and all the stuff he is going to learn. He has a spelling test on Friday. Sitting in that room I could not help but wonder how I became old enough to have a first grader and also how did he grow up so fast.

6. I am tired. Going on 8 weeks of getting up at night is catching up with me. I have to work at times to be patient with Grant and Jack and Brian also!

7. Jack and Grant are still in swim lessons. Grant is crazy man and Jack is swimming laps. Brian took the boys this evening while Will and I went for a walk. I asked Brian to keep an extra eye on Grant because I worry that he will fall in or get away from his teacher and Brian told me that was why he was putting on gym clothes in case he had to jump in the pool. Seriously!

8. I went to KC to see Erin, Bob, Jett, and Maggie on Saturday. My mom and I drove just for the day about got to spend a few hours with them. It was not enough time but better than nothing. We took Will with us so Erin could meet him. He was a champ in the car but then did not sleep Saturday night because he slept so much in the car.

9. I am running more and more each day. It is hard on me to be heavier than I am used to right now but I just try and take it one day at a time keep exercising. I lost it twice before and can lose it again. The most I have run is about 4 miles. I have also started Pilate's, my arm weights, and jumping rope. I also got a pull up bar this weekend and Erin brought me my bike trainer for winter. There is a race in October that is a 10K I might sign up for.

10. Bruce is a good dog. He loves to cuddle with Jack and Grant and this morning I caught him curled up next to Will while Will was laying under his play gym. I took pictures.

11. Football for Jack starts September 12. He gets to wear a mouth guard and is super excited.

Lunch

I packed Jack's lunch for school tomorrow and cried. When did my baby get big enough to have a lunch box and eat at school?

Stadium Tour

We headed downtown this morning to tour Busch Stadium. When we arrived we found out they were sold out of tickets for the day. We decided to head over to Union Station and it turned out to be a fun day. We road the paddle boats, looked at a few trains, and had some lunch. Will slept the entire time and Grant was terrified of the paddle boats and the life jacket so he sat on the dock with Brian or I as we took turns riding the boats with Jack. We also figured out were the new City Park was and are going to try and head to it soon. I did not have dry clothes, towels, or swimsuits otherwise we would have done it today. I know Jack was bummed about the stadium tour but we think it all turned out okay.

1st Annual Slumber Party

Last night we had our first annual back to school slumber party. I spread out the sleeping bags and the boys all slept in our room. It felt good to go to sleep with all 5 of us in one room (Brian thought I was crazy). Grant lasted a few hours before we carried him upstairs to his room but it was still cute to see my two boys cuddled up together on the floor. I have pictures but still waiting on my computer to get fixed.

Jack

Jack starts first grade next week. I can't believe it. I feel like it was just yesterday I was finding out I was pregnant with him. Brian and I were in shock. I took a test and nothing appeared so I went to the gym to work out. I was on the treadmill and my phone rang. Brian was calling to tell me that the test was positive and he thought I should come home. I did. We stared at it together and it was very quiet in the bathroom. My dr. had told me it would take six months at least and it took a month.

Jack you are awesome. I am so lucky you are my son. You are so smart, funny, silly, serious, and the best thing ever! I love that when you know I am calling you answer the phone with "whats up!" I love that you negotiate everything. I love that you can eat an entire container of tomato's in one sitting. I love that you rub your feet together when you watch a movie. I love that you know how to operate the tv and dvd player so we can watch movies. I love that you sleep with two night lights and the hall light on. I love that you love presents. I love how silly you become with Pawp and Mamaw. Really Jack man I just love every little thing about you. I know you are a little nervous about first grade. You told me this evening that you don't want to go. I promise it will be okay and before you know it net summer will be here and you will be telling me that you liked first grade and you don't want to go to second grade. I also promise to help you with your homework that you are worried about. I love you buddy. I am your biggest fan!

Love,
Mom

Mom of Boys

You know you are a mom of boys when cleaning the bathroom floor you have to wipe down the baseboards because they have pee on them.

Scavenger Hunt

I have to work Tuesday and Wednesday this week (teacher meetings) in order to get my sick/personal time for the year. I am choosing to work the first three days of school in order to get my classes started and then I am taking 8 weeks off. When I go back Will will be 14 weeks old. I feel very lucky to have this time with him. These are days we use family to watch the boys because our school year babysitter always takes these two weeks off to get her own family ready for the school year. Last year Jack was very upset I was going to be going back and declared he would be staying in his room until I came home. I created a scavenger hunt on a whim the night before and he loved it. This year I have had more time to prepare. For memory sake here are the clues...

Dear Jack, Grant, and Will,

I have loved being home with you this summer and am looking forward to more weeks into the fall. You are the best boys a mom could ask for and I love you very much. I have had fun at the zoo, Purina farms, botanical cards, Zachary's playground, swimming, going to parks, grants farm and everything else we did. This summer we got a new baby brother and just think of all the fun we will have in the coming summers together.

Clue 1
Look in the play gym for these new things that you will love to color with (new markers)

Clue 2
I know you guys love to punch each other. Feel free to punch with these but don't hit daddy's TV. Look for these were we keep the band aids. (punching balloons)

Clue 3
You guys grow everyday! These grow capsules will grow right before your eyes. Look for this prize in the place we will measure how big Will is getting. (grow capsules)

Clue 4
After lunch you can enjoy this little snack. Find it in a place we keep Mommy's favorite cleaning tool since I might have to clean up your crumbs when you are done. (oreos)

Clue 5
This is prize you will share! I know you will have tons of fun making farting noises and we can blame it on daddy! Look for this prize were we keep toilet paper. (Whoopie cushion)

Clue 6
The Rolling Turd...Do you know what this prize is?? Find it someplace were we will keep it after it is opened. (RV Movie with Robin Williams)

Clue 7
This is another prize to share. If you jump out of an airplane you would need a...? Find this prize on our 2nd floor near a window. (parachute men)

Clue 8
Save these treats for after dinner and we will make our own ice cream sandwiches. Look for these with what we use to scoop our ice cream. (cookies)

Clue 9
These are not eggs you eat but rather eggs with little prizes inside. There are six total so you will each get three. Look for these in a place we clean our bodies. (Imaginex Eggs)

Clue 10
This is another prize to share. It will help with your batting. Look in the place we keep the woofle balls. (woofle ball batting machine)

Clue 11
Since Grant broke our hockey puck...Look for this prize in the place you guys play hockey. (hockey puck)

Clue 12
Your last prizes...Look for these under your beds. (Grant: bat and cars/ Jack: lego and GI joe guy)

(Will was kinda let out of the loop these year but I figure at 5 weeks old he might not remember)

1 Month

10lbs 14 oz and 22 inches long

Dear Will,

We can hardly believe that you are 5 weeks old. You have been such an added joy to our lives. You are sleeping pretty good and a few times have slept for six hours at night. You cat nap most mornings and usually take a pretty good late afternoon nap. By evening you prefer only to be held and we pass you back and forth between us. You have smiled at me a few times and are starting to look at us more when you are awake. You like your swing and bouncer but don't really like the car seat. You HATE to have a wet or poop diaper and I feel like I change you about every thirty minutes because you pee so much. You like to look at your older brothers when they get close and you just stare at them when they talk to you. Jack likes to hold you and so does Grant. You like getting in the bathtub with me and Grant and calm down when I hold you close and use the washcloth to wash your hair. Speaking of your hair - we can make it into a mow hawk and when it is first clean it all stand up all over your head. Jack and I call you Spike. We are so glad you are here Will. You are awesome and we love you so much.

Love,
Mom and Dad

I have taken lots of pictures but still don't have my computer back. I am taking monthly pictures in our football chair as well!

Update

Our home computer broke about a week ago and is off getting fixed. I can use Brian's work computer to check my email but that is it. For my birthday (today) Brian got me a HP mini netbook. It is small and is going to take some getting use to but it will allow me to check email, blog, and shop online much like a laptop would but with out the huge expense of a lap top. It is going to take some getting used to and I will still have our home computer for other stuff and a bigger screen when I need it but so far I think I like it. It will be nice to sit on the couch in the evening with my boys and have it. So here is a quick update of what we have been up to...

1. Will is going to be 5 weeks old on Thursday. I can't believe it. It feels like he has always been here but of course I have known him since last October.

2. Jack starts 1st grade in about three weeks. My baby is a big first grader! Look for a letter to his teacher in the near future.

3. Grant is still crazy but awesome all at the same time. He thinks he does not need naps since we took away the binkie but I am determined to prove him wrong.

4. I have to work 2 days next week and the first 3 days of the school year but then I am off to mid October. I am looking forward to maternity leave!

5. Will is sleeping about 5 hours at night and then 3 hours. For the most part I get up around 3 am and then around 6 am. Sometimes I get about another hour of sleep after the early morning feeding until Jack and Grant get up. I will not lie - I am tired but I also know in the blink of an eye he will be sleeping until 2 pm and he won't like me so I am determined to enjoy even the exhaustion of a newborn.

6. Swimming lessons are going really well! Jack is swimming across the pool with out help and Grant is getting a lot more confident and even going under water. We are signed up for another session.

7. Jack is going to play flag football this fall. He will have practice one night a week and then games on Saturdays. He is SUPER EXCITED!!

8. I am loving my van. I know it is not really a cool car but it holds all of us with room to spare and the doors open with a press of the button.

I am sure there is a bunch more to share and I remember many things over the last week I wanted to blog about but they escape me right now. Maybe once I get my computer back and I upload pictures I will remember.

Night!