Poop

Will has a little stomach bug. On Tuesday he pooped 17 times. It got to the point we quit using diapers and just carried him around in a towel or let him lay on a towel. Today he has only gone 7 times. He is so happy, no fever, and really just his normal self plus a lot of poop. He does have a pretty bad case of diaper rash so we air him out as much as we can.

He rolls

Will rolled over (back to front) for the first time this evening. Way to go Will!

Memories Sake

Just for memories sake...

Jack: Found out I was pregnant with him on July 6th 2002. We told Brian's side of the family at his birthday dinner on July 9th at Outback Steakhouse. We gave his twin brother a card that said "Uncle Ryan." On July 10th we went to my parents house and I gave my mom of list of things I wanted for my birthday and on the list I had put "baby diapers" Went into labor with Jack early (3 am) of July 10th. I spent the entire day in labor, went to the mall to walk b/c it was cold. Ryan and Maria came over about 5 pm that evening and stayed just a few minutes because they could see how much pain I was in. I kept getting in and out of the bath tub and Brian ran around timing my contractions, talking to my sister (since she was in Columbia and trying to decide when to drive in), and lining the car seat with towels and plastic bags in case my water broke. I kept saying I wanted to go the hospital but Brian thought we should wait since Dr. Radley had told him that this could take a while when he had called her earlier in the evening. We got the hospital about 9pm and I was told I was 6cm. At this point I said...Does this mean I am having a baby? (Feel free to laugh - the nurse did). I was in an amazing amount of pain. I got my epidural about an hour later and felt much better. EVERYONE came. My parents, Erin, Brian's parents, Brians siblings and spouses. As it got later most left except for my mom, sister, Nick, and Lindsay. Only Brian and I were in the room and I only had to push for about 20 minutes. Jack Brian was born at 2:19 am and weighed 8 lbs 1 oz.

Grant: I found out I was pregnant with him on September 24th 2005. We told family on October 16th because that was the day we were moving into our house and I would not be lifting or helping much due to pregnant and nauseous. I was induced with Grant because Brian was scheduled to take his masters exam the day after my official due date so my dr. induced me on my ultrasound due date. The hospital called at about 5:00 in the evening of June 1 and I got pitocin when I arrived. I labored all night and Grant arrived the next morning at 7:57. I was about 6cm dilated and Brian went to the cafeteria to get some breakfast. While he was gone I felt Grants head move through the birth canal and I felt a ton of pressure. The nurse came in and check me and told me to NOT push the head was right there. Brian and the dr. were not though Brian got back and quickly realized he would not be eating breakfast at that moment. Dr. Radley arrived and I pushed for just a few minutes. Grant came out with the cord wrapped around his neck. His heart rate kept dropping while I was pushing as well and I remember Dr. Radley getting really firm with me that I needed to get him out otherwise her arm was going to pull him out. I think I just pushed a few times total and Grant Matthew (means Great gift from God) entered the world at 7lbs 7oz. We did not have any family there this time...but they arrived shortly after.

Will: I found out I was pregnant with Will on October 24th 2008 and we told family through a picture email with the boys holding up signs that said big brother and middle brother about 3 weeks after that. I opted to be induced again with Will. I did not want him to have July 4th as his birthday. I was going to be called in anytime after 8 pm on July 1st to get some medicine on my cervix. On July 1st I went to Jacks baseball game and my contractions were about 20-30 minutes apart and had been starting about 3:00 that afternoon. They were not horrible but I could tell they were the start of something. I had also been spotting a little. We got home from the baseball game and Ryan and Maria came over with the girls to stay with the boys at our house through the night. I took a shower and packed up a few more things. The hospital called and off we went. Of course I cried a ton on the way to St. Johns. We arrived and I got the medicine and they told me I could not use the bathroom for 2 hours. That is almost as bad as the contractions that were getting more painful. I labored through the night while Brian slept. Dr. Voegtle arrived in the morning at broke my water (ouch!) and I labored for about 2 more house with out the epidural. I got the epidural at 10 am and about noon I felt a huge amount of pressure and sure enough I was fully dilated. Will Ethan entered the world after a few minutes of pushing at 12:14 pm weighing 8lbs 6 oz. He came out with a mow hawk and still has one!

Daily I wonder how I got here. How I got so lucky to be a mom to these awesome boys. Life is on big adventure!


I love you Jack, Grant, and Will. You are all my best.

Night 1

Will is sleeping in his crib right now upstairs in his room. My stomach is a mess and I am thinking I might start sleeping in his room. We (okay I) have kept Will with us the longest. I think it has something to do with him (maybe) being our last baby and my inability to let go. I must admit I like seeing him next to me in the pack-n-play whenever I want in the night. I still plan on checking on him lots but will have to run upstairs now to do that. Sleep tight big guy!

Halloween Party

Jack had his Halloween party today at school. I left work early to get to go. He had a blast playing pumpkin bowling, fishing in the green goo, and playing the pumpkin game. Of course the cookies and pretzels were pretty good also!

Photographer

Jack used our camera last night to take some pictures. He really had a fun time!

Hanging Out

Grant loves to hang out upside down. He probably does it 20 plus times a day. The other night Jack and I decided to join him. We quickly realized that I am to tall/uncoordinated to master this skill.

Dear Will

Dear Will,

It was one year ago today that I came home from Jack's Halloween party and took a pregnancy test. It showed up positive right away. I was nervous/excited/thrilled all in one emotion. I called Daddy at work and told him. He was excited as well. The phone was actually really quiet for a while and then I heard him say, "Oh Boy..." I loved knowing about you for a few weeks before we told everyone you were coming. I loved walking around school, being around friends/family, and just going about our lives having this amazing secret growing inside of me. I remember going to the dr. about 3 weeks later and getting to see you for the first time and see your little heart beating away.

Will - you are so awesome. You already have such a sweet personality and your face and eyes light up when I hold you. I miss you when I am at work, I love every second I get to spend with you and am so glad God put you in our family. You are one of my hearts desire and even though you are still so little in a flash won't be. Always know that i love you, I am on your side, and I will do anything for you!

Love,
Mommy

PS. I love your green eyes!

Rice Cereal

We tried some cereal with Will the other night. Will had been sleeping through the night (about 9 hours) and then I went back to work and he is only going about 6 hours. He is a big guy (about 16 lbs) so I thought he might be needing a little more to eat. He is not quite 4 months so it was a little early. He did okay, really not that interested but I think got some down and lots down the front of him. It did not help with the sleeping so I think we will wait another few weeks until we try it again.

Helper

Here is my new little helper! He and I made Jack's lunch the other day. I really do appreciate the help!

Football

Jack is still playing football. He is having a blast and I love watching him. We have two more games this weekend and then it is over for the season. We are taking a break for the winter and he wants to play baseball and football again in the spring. Brian is going to sign up to coach for the spring which I think is going to be a good thing!

Coffee

Grant LOVES coffee and soda. We try and avoid giving him those things but it is so cute to give him a hot chocolate and he thinks he is so cool!

Will

While waiting for Grant to get off the bus this afternoon I took some awesome pictures of our little guy.

Grant and Preschool

Grant started preschool today. He qualified for speech services through our school district so he attends their preschool program two days a week. The bus picks him up at our babysitters house and drops him off at our house. He attends from 1 - 4. I did not take him today or even go watch him get on the bus because we were afraid he would do worse with me than with out me. It seems like he did okay and had a few tears but that is to be expected. When he got home he cried a little bit when he saw me, ate a TON, and seems a little more tired than normal. I had quite a few tears about this over the weekend, this morning, and then our babysitter had a few tears when I was talking to her about it this morning. We also want to thank Wendy for getting Grant on the bus, taking pictures for us today, and for caring/loving our guys so much. We really do appreciate her!!

Pumpkin Patch Round 2

Brian had homecoming on Saturday so my parents were nice enough to come and out and help me for the day. We went to the pumpkin patch. My battery died on my camera and I did not get many pictures. Like always though the boys had a blast with Mamaw and Pawp.

Bruce

Bruce really is a GREAT dog. He is so good with our boys.

Mom of Boys

You know you are a mom of boys when after baths they spend a good ten minutes slapping each other with their towels and farting on each other.

1st grade

Jack: Hey Mom

Me: What

Jack: You said the nerd word! (lots of laughing)

Me: laughing...ha ha Jack you are a funny boy

Jack: Hey Mom...What is a nerd?

How do you explain that? I said it was a person who was funny and silly. That seemed good enough for now. Glad to see he is learning more than just reading in first grade!!

Pumpkin Patch

We took the boys to the pumpkin patch today. It was Will's first trip and he slept through the entire thing and never left his stroller. It was a little on the cold side but we still had a lot of fun. We tried out a new place (for us) called Thies Farms. They have two locations and today we went to the one in Creve Ceour...next week we are going to try their other location with my parents. Jack loved the zip line and the animals while Grant loved the slide and tractor ride. I was able to get one picture of all four of my boys - see if you can spot it!

Brian

Brian left for work this morning at 5:30am. He was home this evening for about an hour. He then went to a supervision football game in Winfield which is about 30 minutes from our house. He just called to let me know that while supervising the game some students went through the parking lot and let the air out of a bunch of peoples tires...his included. Thankfully a very nice mans truck was not hit but his in-laws and wives was so he and Brian took the tires off and are currently driving (it is 10:30) to a gas station to air them up and then go put them back on the cars and then he will get to come home.

Brian works really hard, long hours, long days, stress, crabby teachers, students that don't behave, teachers that don't behave...and now this. I feel so bad for him. Did I mention he also has a head cold, sore throat, and we have to be up early tomorrow for Jacks football game.