7 years

I just put Sam to bed. Well, actually like an hour ago but then I rocked Emma, searched the house for a lost bunny, walked Sam back to bed after a failed "drink of water" attempt and watched my big negotiators in a high stakes show down as their Monopoly game is nearing an end.

But now here I am. Thinking about 7 years ago.

7 years ago from this very night, I was sleepless, uncomfortable, had unbearable heartburn, charlie horses constantly in my calves, was fighting for rib space against this little kicker inside of me, felt like if the skin on my belly stretched anymore I could give birth through one of the stretchmarks, 40 weeks in and ready to be done embracing my last night of being with child.

I've heard of women who love being pregnant. Under different circumstances maybe this could have been me. My pregnancies were all high risk, and really no fun. This was my third, which meant I also had an almost 3 year old and a 1 1/2 year old trapped at home with me while I was on bed rest. By the end of this 40 weeks I was done. I not only had my doctor promise that he would induce me on my due date as not to go a single day past 40 weeks, but I also I made both he and Jud swear to never let this happen to me again... yup, one CRAZY pregnant lady!

So anyway, 7 years ago I was a mess. Not worried about the delivery or anything like that, I have a fabulous Doctor and had pretty easy (listen to me, easy? did I just say that?) deliveries in the past. I was worried because even though I had a plan for who was going to stay with Caroline and Jack from when we left for the hospital in the early morning until Jud came home sometime the next night. It was all falling apart.

The plan was for my sister to come down, but she was sick, like sick-sick. Since we don't have family close, situations like this always stress me out. Who do we call?

Up until now we were a two kid family, we didn't really use sitters yet!

My parents had left for Florida just a few days earlier (I've always thought for fear of the upcoming bris...but I can't be sure).

Well, thanks to a wonderful aunt and friend we managed to pull it off, but it did almost send me right over the edge...

Thinking about it now, I can remember clear as day. We were living in our cute blue house (like 4 houses ago). The nursery was yellow, with an incredible painting of our family including baby Sam, by Caroline, hanging above the adorable dresser that Jud stained (and I've since painted over...twice).

Life was good.

I didn't think it could get any better.

And then I saw this face!






I can't imagine our family without Sam.

I can't imagine me without Sam.

What can I tell you about Sam?

He's amazing. He's a character. He's smart. He's hilarious. He's sweet. He likes to snuggle. He's genuine. He's caring. He's funny. He's creative. He's an amazing artist. He loves to make people smile. He loves math. He loves to draw.

He is a gift!

And I am so thankful that 7 years ago he came into my life.













If you want to see some serious cuteness, this is from a few birthdays past...when I only had 4 kids and had time to do things like put together birthday video montages:) If you choose to watch, how many costumes do you see Sam in????

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday Sam! I love you!

He Talks!

Please ignore my screechy voice.

Brilliant?

Or worst purchase ever? We're still not sure.

This is a big deal folks!

The little boy who NEVER stops moving, has actually started PLAYING with toys!!!!!

Oh please let this mean that daily showers are once again in my future...

T'was the night before Christmas...

Not a creature was stirring....

Little Will, Rock'n the Locs

Sorry Bubbie, I keep trying to get pictures for you, but this boy doesn't. stop. moving.

Here's the best I can do...

We're beginning to look a lot like a circus!

a looooong weekend!

The kids were off of school Thursday and Friday... My wonderful pal Jodie had the great idea to take all the kids to a water park! Only catch was, the dads would have to join us later... Thursday night after work, and since Jud was in a Seminar all week he would have to meet us Friday morning.

I'll admit, at first the thought of taking all four kids to a water park/hotel for the night without Jud's help totally freaked me out.

But then I remembered, I have awesome kids!

And, we were going with Jodie and her awesome kids. Who my kids love and adore!!! So I figured we'd be safe...and one of Jodie's awesome friends and her 3 adorable daughters were in on this venture too, so we went for it!

Since the dads were joining us later we (moms and kids) carpooled on the way down to the water park just after lunch, which was another one of Jodie's brilliant ideas, because it made check in very easy...taking turns checking in and watching kids in minivans!

So let me break it down a little for you...

3 moms

10 kids. 10 very active, very excited kids.


Here we are trying to make our way to our rooms!




















It was a blast! I think it was just what we all needed after being cooped up so much over the past few weeks. All the kids got along swimmingly:) Not many pictures...it's a little hard to take pictures while trying to keep track of so many soaking wet kids- who knew?






















Funny quote from the trip...

Emma, in the car on the way down, "well, I don't care who started it!"

yup pretty much sums up all of our car rides!


Then yesterday, we went to Jodie's for their block party and trick or treating, it was a great day and the kids looked awesome in their costumes, although I forgot to bring my camera. Doh!

We've had their costumes for a few weeks, but for some reason on the morning of Halloween Jack decided he wanted to MAKE a different, more creative costume! So a few boxes, and a quick trip to the grocery store for 4 rolls of tin foil later he had a very cute and very original robot costume! I only wish he had this idea a few weeks ago before I bought the $40 Luke Skywalker costume! Oh well that's what we get for having creative kids I guess!

poor baby

I've always been surprised at what a tough little girl Emma is and just how strong her little body fights things off! No matter what little bug any of us pick up, Emma has rarely had as much as a runny nose!

Today she is finally sick. Down and out kind of sick!


















She woke up this morning with a really high fever and a swollen hand. We got her fever to come down a little but had no idea what was up with her hand...

I talked to our pediatrician and when I mentioned her hand he thought she should be seen right away. Of course it's Saturday and they don't have weekend hours, so that meant a trip to Children's hospital.

Emma has had a little sore on her hand for the past week, I think it started as a bug bite, but it has apparently become infected! They put her on antibiotics and said to keep a close eye on her, if the fever goes back up or the swelling get's any worse we'll have to bring her back so they can put in IV's to better treat the infection.

So for now, we wait.

And snuggle our poor little baby.

the toothless wonder turns 7 today!

I really wanted to do a montage to show all the cutness that is Jackson...but I'm really short on time these days! Instead, I'm going to let hime share his autobiography with you!

Ouch!

another one bites the dust!















This time he pulled it out himself, and he was oh so proud of himself!






















At Emma's check up today, she had to get four shots! The last time she had shots it was a disaster! But that time all four kids needed them...Jack went first, and well, lets just say he's the sensitive type. (with great lungs!) He started screaming and then they all started screaming...I still have nightmares about that day...So when the Dr. today, told me that Emma was due for four more, I was a bit worried. But while we were waiting for the nurse to come in with the needles, I explained to her that she was going to need to have a few pokes. This was greeted with a "but I don't like shots!" I told her I don't like shots either, and then that was it.

The nurse came in, Emma sat on the edge of the table and let the nurse poke her little legs...she didn't even flinch! In fact while the nurse was putting the band aids on Emma, she told her that she was sorry to have hurt her. Emma looked at her and said, "what? that didn't even hurt!" The nurse was so impressed with her bravery that she gave her some very cool new shades!


By dinner time tonight her legs were feeling really sore. For her to say they hurt, and refuse to walk...it must have been painful! So I propped her up on the couch armed with motrin, ice packs, and back to back Phineas and Ferb's, which she watched while sporting her new shades!

snaggle tooth

Aunt Jean pulled out one of the top loose teeth yesterday, now Jack is left with this one snaggle tooth!

Certainly a crazy morning!

Today was Grandparent's day at the kids' school...a day the kids look forward to sharing special projects and giving tours of all their classrooms. And then have donuts and coffee (or juice the wee ones) togehter.

Well, we don't have grandparents close by...the closest are my parents but they've had so much going on lately I didn't even call to ask them to come.


Anyway, for the kids who don't have grandparents come it's pretty sad. They just sit in the classroom while the students with granparents come in and out... I didn't want them to be left out like that! Neither did Caroline!

So, I was the stand in grandparent! The kids were fine with that idea...Jack actually kind of liked it!

But before we could all get off to school, we needed to get the house ready for a showing while we were gone! (and by we I mean me)

So in a mild panic, I raced around the house getting everyone dressed, teeth brushed, beds made, breakfast fed, dishes done....actually now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure they didn't brush their teeth, oops!

Anyway, we packed everyone in the car, along with the 3 loads of dirty laundry I hadn't quite gotten to, and the 3 loads of clean laundry that I was avoiding folding and putting away! First stop, drop off Emma at preschool. Then drop off the big 3 at their school. Then book it home to do a quick final run through the house, pack the dogs and their kennels in the car and then head back to school...at this point I was starting to sweat like a pig. Oh and it was raining, so not a pretty pig!

After the last fiasco where I was supposed to come to Caroline's class... forgot about it? read about it here Caroline was worried I wasn't going to make it, so the pressure was on!

Ahhh, it all worked out!

I made it to all of the kids rooms, got the tour and sat and had donuts and juice with three of my favorite people!

All in all, it was a great morning! I'm completely exhausted, but on the bright side, my house is spotless!

rainy days

The weather sure looks crummy outside! Fortunately for us yesterday we had some cute visitors to pass the time with!

















We've decided to start a club! Well so far there's only three of us, so I don't know if that qualifies as a club per-say...but Michelle,Rebekah, and I are going to try to have these little get togethers every month or so...with the kids of course, husbands are optional!



we'll have lots of music














live entertainment
















and of course lots of electrical cords for Quinn!





















If anyone would like to join said club, we are currently accepting applications:)

Busy Busy!

The kids were off of school for spring break so it's been a very busy week!



Monday night Jud and I took the bigs out for date night! Dinner, drinks, and a Buck's game! Perfect!

Caroline and Jack enjoying their pregame kitty-cocktails!



































Later in the week we all headed to Chicago for a few days to enjoy the big city life! The kids liked the museums, but the biggest attraction was probably getting to ride in "a real taxi cab"! My camera battery died early on the trip, so not many pictures...


Enjoying the big city view!














The Field Museum


































Wednesday night after the kids were asleep in the hotel room, I turned to my faithful friend, facebook...only to find out that Kari was in Chicago too! She was staying a few blocks away! Since I've always wanted to actually meet her in person I hopped in a cab and met the lovely lady, whom I've been emailing, facebooking, and blogging with for the past 4 years! It was an awesome surprise! Emma and Kari's daughter were likely at the care center in Ethiopia at the same time...we've been chatting for a long time. It was soooo great to finally meet her! (oh and her husband too!)

Just in case you think I left the kids alone, Jud was in the hotel room with them too:)


oh so much more to say, but I'm exhausted!

maybe tomorrow...