Monday, February 21, 2011

Ch-ch-ch-changes....

So, I'm not going to blab forever on this one and I'm definitely not posting pictures.  You'll thank me when you're done reading.

Jett is now 14 months old and he's finally decided he's ready to enter the world of walking.  Yes, he took his sweet time.  Who wouldn't with a family of servants to cater to your every grunt and cry?  All he had to do was make a sad face, pop a tear (which he can do in an instant!), and point his little chubby arms skyward, and some poor sap walking by would pick him up.  We all fell victim to it.

Unfortunately for him, we've all woken up now and we're excited for him to take this "new step" into people-hood.  It's really cute to see him stand up, look around for an audience, and then take a step forward.  That I will get on video to show you just how cute it is.  He's so adorable!  And fat!  My first real fat baby.  And my last.  Haha.

Ok, with the cuteness comes the feelings of guilt.  Why am I so guilty all the time?  What's my problem?  Does anyone else have this much guilt for random, weird things?  Moving on...so I've decided to quit nursing.  (Insert guilt here.)  I know, I know.  You're all thinking, "Gee.  Already?  He's only in 10th grade!  How will he make Varsity!!!??  (GASP!)"

But seriously, I have guilt because I was young and retarded with Hailey and Haiden and didn't know what I was doing so I stopped nursing both of them by 2 months.  Then there's the guilt with Ethan because I was working and only went until 8 months.  (Damn.  No wonder my L shoulder always hurts.  That's a huge burden to carry around 24/7.)  (P.S.- stop saying "guilt".  It's irritating me.)

It's like I have one last shot at making it the best, and now I have to make up for the other 3 who didn't nurse for a whole year.  If that's the case, and if my calculations are correct, (I never have been good at math), that means Jett would be nursing until he's 3; or 30 whichever age was easier to wean.  Really though, I think we're done.  He hasn't nursed for 2 days, even though the early morning hours are tough to fight.  And lets be real, no one wants to try to pump a dry well.  OUCH!  He seems to be doing ok.  Maybe that's because he's trying to focus on studying for the SAT's, I don't know.

He's pretty darn cute about it.  He'll make the sign for "milk" and then smile very sweetly.  I think he's transitioning into "manhood" just fine.  When I don't respond to his attempts, he shoves a hand down the front of my shirt and opts for the quick cleavage check, making sure I'm not turning him down because they're gone.  This brings a huge smile to his face and all is right in his little world again.

I think he's handling it better than me.  So, it's official.  I'm no longer a Dairy Cow.  Hallelujah!  Time to go to Vickie's Secret to give these girls a well deserved face "lift".  Ya done good, girls.  Ya did good.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Little Updates....

I just thought I'd add a few random things.  Life has been pretty typical lately so there's not many stories of wildness to share.  Oh, I did go to parent-teacher conferences Thursday night.  WOW!  Talk about shocking!

Hailey's was first and I was prepared to go in ready to fight.  We've had a few issues with some teachers this year but things seem to be straightening out.  I'm nervous for her to be in HS next year and we've had many talks with her about being more responsible.  Over the last few weeks she's turned things around and we've got less missing work and late stuff.  She seems to be taking us serious.  Finally.

Haiden's teacher usually has good things to report, except when it comes to the subject of his loose lips.  I don't know where he gets it from but the kid has the gift of gab.  Fortunately for him, he's learned to control it a little better and the teacher only had good things to say.  He's got great grades and he's everyone's friend.  Great.  Mr. Popular.

Moving on to Ethan.....his teacher LOVES him!  She said she wished all her conferences could go like his.  He's a great role model to the other kids and always willing to help them.  She's constantly looking for more things to challenge him because, as she said, things are just too easy for him at this point.  Because of this, she's going to finish the semester teaching him addition and subtraction.  She said she hates to make Preschool like Kindergarten but there's nothing left that challenges him and she's very excited for him.  In her words, "I'd like to see where this guy ends up in 20 years!"  I could go on and on but I won't.

The weather has been crap-ola lately and I keep hoping for Clint's sake they'll call him off work because of it.  No such luck so, almost all of last week was in the negative numbers and he was working his butt off everyday in it.  Freezing, I'm sure!
Even the dogs are excited for Dad to get home.

He's still cold, even with 15 layers on.

Jett has developed a new talent.  He loves to play the harmonica.  We only showed him how to do it once and I thought it would be something that took him a while to figure out but, unfortunately for me, he picked it up first try.  Now, he serenades us often and loudly.  Here he is playing a little ditty for us all.  Don't mind the background chaos.  It's just life here and should explain why I have my moments of craziness.  Haha.


I also caved and turned the car seat around.  I wasn't going to do it for a while just because I felt like he was safer facing backward but after swapping the seat to Clint's truck, and him getting a taste of some new scenery, there was no going back.  He loves it!



Hold out a few days.....I should have new things to report.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

It Wasn't Me....

So, I've done alot of posting about Jett, (of course) and Hailey and Haiden.  I'm sure some of you are wondering "What about Ethan?"  Well, I'll tell you all about him.....

He's going through a phase right now.  It's a tough one and I'm ready for him to move on.  He's not just knocking on the door of obnoxiousness, he's busted through it!  This kid is a nut lately!  I'm already having a hard time dealing with the fact that he'll be 5 this May.  That's a big deal for me.  It's like it's the age where they stop being your little baby and start being this older kid.  I just don't want to face it.  He's getting so big.

Along with getting older comes a new level of smarty-ness.  (Is that a word?  Oh well, it is now.)  I think his goal in life right now is to annoy the snot out of his siblings as much as possible.  Most of the time, I secretly laugh and cheer him on as I hear the torture.  His little giggle is contagious and you can't help but laugh at their frustrations.

On top of driving us all nutty, his favorite pastime now is talking about farts.  Yep.  That's right.  Farts, burps, gas, smelly feet, dog farts, and bowel movements.  This is fun stuff.  I'm certain it's a boy thing because I don't remember my sweet little Hailey talking about this stuff.  He doesn't even need an audience.  He makes himself laugh, which then makes me laugh.  He's a little stinker these days, but he's still my baby.

And with all that being said, he's the greatest big brother!  He's so good to Jett.  I wasn't sure how he'd react to having a little brother, and not being the baby anymore, but I've had no reason to worry at all.  He's amazing!  He's had wonderful examples to follow from Hailey and Haiden.  It's not uncommon for me to tell him to "STOP kissing him and let him sleep!"

Ethan was this little when he would sit in Katie's kitty bed.

Now he looks like this!
It's like trying to stuff sausage back into the casing....
It just doesn't fit.


This is his "trying not to smile" smile.

Being silly....what he does best.

Playing cars with Dad and Jetty.

His favorite thing is the Wii in the morning.
And in the afternoon.
And in the evening.

On a nicer day enjoying the sun.

My baby.
Is turning into my little man.
*Disclaimer:  I wrote this VERY late at night.  If it's terrible, or doesn't make any sense, that's why.

Monday, February 7, 2011

He Shoots....He Scores!

I said I would update you on Haiden's basketball progress, so here it is.

Haiden is #4.  The game's getting ready to start.
So, this last game was sooo much better than the previous two.  Haiden is so fun to watch.  He gets the biggest smile and constantly looks in the stands to make sure I'm watching.  (It's just me and the kids because Clint goes to school every Sat. from 9-12.)  They won their first game this weekend, though I'm not sure what the score was, and Haiden even made a basket.

I think the best part of the game was when Clint surprised us all and showed up at half time after he got out of class.  I wish I could've captured the look on Haiden's face.  It was the double-take of surprise; seeing not just his mom and siblings, but his dad looking at him and smiling.  I'm literally tearing up just writing this.  These are the moments I live for.  Haiden is my boy that needs constant approval.  He just wants to make us happy.  It was so great for Clint to be there and for Haiden to make that connection.  It was perfect timing.  Not long after he walked in and got comfy in his metal folding chair, a teammate passed the ball to Haiden and he made a basket.  I won't forget the elated look on his face, even when I realized he wasn't looking at me, but instead at Clint.

He's always got those arms up, ready to block their shots.

Team huddle.  His best friend Dylan is #5.

Fan Cam!

Running to get to his position

Waiting for the free throw.

It's always fun to watch and I can't wait for next Saturday!!

Growing Up Is Hard To Do....

So, I just had to share this.  The pictures are hilarious and will make fabulous conversation starters at his wedding reception.  My little Jett is learning to dislike being told "No".  Any type of gentle scolding or removing from a particular place or setting puts him over the edge.  It's hilarious to watch him lose it.  He throws himself back, lets loose a big howl, and turns the tears on full blast.  The upcoming pictures, however, paint another picture.  He's learned NEW ways to vent his anger.  If this is my precious angel at 1, I'm fearful to see him at 5, or 25.  Haha!  Enjoy...

This is how it starts.  Look at that sweet face.  How can I say "no" to him!
Let me show you what happens when I do....

Here he is biting the table.

Yes.  Very angry right now.


Still biting the table.  Wet eyes and snotty nose too.

Full blown right here.  I like the fluffy tantrum hair.

This is the view from below when he's biting the table.

"Oh, Hi!  Were you looking at me?"

This is what he wanted in the first place.

He just has to get a little chubby hand on the keyboard.

Tears on the cheek....but wait, there's more...

Round 2- throw movies out of the drawer.

Crawl back over and throw the shoes now.


This is why he's mad now.  He doesn't like when we put the gate up.

Throwing himself on the floor....

rolling around..

Look how sad he is.  Poor baby.  Haha.
I know there's a lot of pictures but I just couldn't help it.  I laughed while taking them and I laughed more while posting them.  Now that I'm an older, more "seasoned" mom, I know that this is just one of the many hurdles of parenthood and, fortunately for Jett, his siblings have taught me alot over the years.  It's no wonder the youngest child always seems to get out of trouble.  There's nothing you haven't seen; the older ones have already done it all.

Friday, February 4, 2011

If The Shoe Fits....

Wear it.  The shoe I'm referring to is "Adulthood".  If it fits; slip it on, lace it up, and get your groove on!  This has never been more true for me and I came to this realization just a few days ago while in Lowes. 

Clint and I were in the appliance department shopping for a new refrigerator.  That's right folks.  A new fridge has me weak in the knees.  There I was surrounded by all the wonder!  Chrome.  Stainless Steel.  Black.  White.  French Door.  Side-by-Side.  25 cubic feet.  29 CUBIC FEET!!  The grin on my face was bigger than when I was 7 years old and found myself in Heaven.  As a child, that was easily labeled Hershey, PA.

Back to Lowes.  I felt like I was in a musical!  I wanted to run down the aisles with my arms out-stretched while singing something off Broadway.  I was imagining myself in my June Cleaver dress, with my heels and apron, perfectly sprayed up-do, and bright red lipstick, loading my new refrigerator with wondrous goodies from the market.  I never thought in my youth that a new appliance would be more exciting than toys.

A few days later, I was standing in front of the white box we currently have with a smile on my face.  (This fridge has thrown up the middle's and said, "I'm out!"....or, is on it's last leg.)  I was envisioning my new white, 29 cubic foot, french door refrigerator with the pull-out freezer drawer and dual ice maker.

As if that wasn't enough, Clint then said he wanted to go look at washers and dryers sometime in the near future.  I don't know what I did to deserve this but I can't wait to think about doing laundry now too!