Monday, October 22, 2012

Pliers Please

The wait has been long.  The wonder has been endless. The question has been asked daily.  When am I going to lose my first tooth?  Why has everyone else in the WHOLE WORLD lost a tooth but me? Dentist confirmed first tooth would not be lost until the ripe old age of 7, five loooonnng months away. Ugh, it's just never going to happen.
Well, imagine the excitement when little man discovered that that one little bottom tooth MIGHT be a little wiggly.  Yes, it's definitely wiggly.  More wiggly.  Whoa, really wiggly.  Beyond wiggly - can now be folded in half (just plain creepy, if you ask me.)  Time for that little white wonder, who has served us loyally for 6.5 years, to come out.  We tugged.  We pulled.  We yanked.  We plier'd.  Yes, JT wanted this tooth out soooo bad he actually allowed me to pull it out with a pliers.  After three different plier styles, a couple of slips and a good yank, we plucked that tooth right out of that mouth.
 I've never seen a bigger toothless smile in all my life!
The loss of the first tooth was a definite mental milestone for this kid... like the official passageway into manhood.  He was one proud little man and I was one proud mama of his complete and utter plier braveness.  Such a stud!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Hey Baby...

Your crib or mine?
Now I'm a romantic, so this is how it's going to go down....
A little star gazing.
A little dancing.
Some ear nibbles.
Playin hard to get (but you know I'm into ya girl.)
Going in for the ever so gentle kiss...
 Love ya sweet girl.
Ahhh, young love!  Yeah, and if you noticed the beads, get your mind out of the gutter.  They're two!  

* The curly haired, porcelain cutie is Addison - courtesy of my dear friend Autumn.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

It's Been Three Months Since My Last Confession... er, Post.

Hello friends.  Long time no write!!!  I promised on my last post in *ahem* JUNE that I would get better about writing.  Well, clearly my very good, and well meaning, intentions didn't pan out.  What can I say, 3 boys, life is crazy!

So what's been happening with us?  

jack

He's a big man on campus now... 1st grader!  He is absolutely loving school and doing so ridiculously well.  Brag moment: he's a math whiz!  Clearly does not get that from his mama.  The big change this year was moving schools but he conquered it like a stud and handled it like a champ - no fear!  Lots of new friends and even appears to be a class leader.  

His new love is Michael Jackson.  He knows all the moves to Beat It, Thriller, Billy Jean, and a couple other favs.  He dons the sparkly black fedora, white tee, black pants, one white glove and gets his groove on more often than MJ did himself.  Photos to come soon since my little blondie plans to thrillerize for Halloween.

Jack went through a grumpy phase where most of his communication came in the form of a grunt.  He has emerged from that difficult phase in a big way and has returned to the happy, joyful, full of love, 6-year old that we know he is.  It warms a parent's heart to see such a drastic change in your child.  Big J is growing up so fast!

joshua

Middle J is still his sweet little love bug self.  I could just eat him up!  He is however, the little night owl AND early bird of the family.  In bed by 7:45pm, asleep by 9:30pm and up with the rooster's at 6:00am, along with his signature beaming smile and "Mommy, can I cuddle?"  I swear he sets his own internal alarm to allow for pre-shower cuddle time, and I love it, but it would be nice if he could push snooze a couple times.

Joshi really is the big man on campus, pre-school campus that is.  He has conquered young pre-school, mid pre, and has officially moved to pre-school, which is the last stop before Kindergarten.  It is so hard to believe that a year from now he'll be a schooler.  My heart is breaking at how quickly he is growing up but it is so fun to watch.  

Favorites these days include Soccer John, anything pink (yes, still), Toy Story, his "babies", playing dress up, and sitting on Jamison.  He has also discovered his mischievous ways but covers them ever so eloquently with his oozing, and I mean oozing, charm.  This kid is such a delight!

jamison

Doing?  Eating?  Why?  Movie on now.  Home, me.  Eat, me.  Boy oh boy, little J has become a talker!    Not just any talker though... his unique speech is contagious.  In fact, I'm thinking about trademarking "Doing?" because it has spread like a virus amongst those who spend time with him.  It is so fun to have 3 of 3 kids that can actually tell me what they want or need.  The guessing game in the face of crankiness is a thing of the past.  Hallelujah... another milestone hit! 

It is so fun to watch development at this age.  He is two going on five and I can only attribute that to being the third child.  He works hard at keeping up with his big brothers and is almost always successful.  I know when he has had enough when I get the telltale "mommy, UP" tug at my leg.  It's a great reminder that he is still my baby.  Oh baby, don't grow up so fast.

Comedian in da house!  Little J is going to be in showbiz for sure.  This child is hilarious.

the move

The boys and I moved to Eden Prairie the beginning of August to make it easier to sell the house.  We are loving our new townhouse in a beautiful neighborhood overrun with kids.  In fact, Jack's bus stop alone fills an entire bus!  It's like nothing I've ever seen.  The parents all seem to know each other and gather every morning like it's Friday happy hour.  I keep waiting for someone to roll out the beer cart.  I, on the other hand, roll up in the VW MV just seconds before (or more often than not, seconds after) the bus arrives.  If he makes it onto the bus, it's a successful morning, even though I may have forgotten to put my shoes on.

Dad is living in the old house until it sells.  The boys have adjusted so well to having two homes and almost seem proud of the fact that they get to have special time with Mommy and Daddy.  We couldn't have asked for a better transition.  

That's all for now.  I would love to promise it won't be three months before the next post... but I've come to the conclusion that my harried lifestyle does not allow for such promises.  

Kisses.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Birds and the Bees - Turtle Style

The boys and I arrived home a couple of days ago to find that our yard had been suddenly overrun with animals.  It was like Noah's arc had disembarked in our back yard and I suddenly felt like Snow White and the three dwarfs.  A bunny the size of a small pony immediately caught our eye resulting in an olympic race to the window.  After watching the bunny clean itself by dipping it's little paw (paw? Is that right... what is a bunny foot called?) in the blowup pool that has come to resemble the Clampets, the boys honed in on a turtle.  The excitement was overwhelming.  It was like they had seen a unicorn leaping over a rainbow.

As we concentrated on our new found green friend, it seemed to be doing something very odd so I told the boys "wait here, Mommy is going to investigate further."  I jumped out the patio door and walked over to the turtle as the boys lingered cautiously in the doorway, unsure of what was to be discovered.  As my eyes focused on this turtle and it's odd behavior, a big white egg suddenly popped out.  Now it was if Mommy had seen a unicorn jumping over a rainbow because I screamed at the top of my lungs "come here guys... AND RUN!"  Jamison must have been thinking "you crazy lady if you think I'm heading anywhere near you and that prehistoric creature" because he stayed contently in the door.  Jack and Josh, on the other hand, made a t-line towards me to see what the fuss was all about.  About a minute of me saying "just watch, just watch, just watch... it will come" another finally came.
This picture is less than fantastic but you can see the white egg coming out.
As that big white egg made its way out of this poor turtles vajay, Jack grabbed my arm in disbelief, took the biggest surprised gasp of air you can imagine, and held his breath for what seemed like 15 seconds.  Joshi's eyes were as big as saucers and then he promptly asked "mommy, why that turtle have white poop?"  We all chuckled and continued watching.  Minutes passed and 4 more eggs fell into the impressive hole this little creature had dug for it's youngins.  When she was done, she eloquently replaced the large pile of mud and even managed to pack some grass over the top for added camouflage.  Truly impressive after birthing quintuplets - really!

I was holding my breath but luckily no birds and bees questions came up from these curious little fellas, but I'm pretty sure that is because I purposefully and continuously referred to her as a "he", like that would somehow throw off their reproductive thought process.  Whatever works!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Come Out, Come Out...


Oh tryicycle... where are you?  Come out, come out wherever you are!
Hello friends and loyal followers.  I was hoping an ultra cute picture of Jamison would evoke a smile and allow you to forgive me for being completely MIA for the past 6 weeks.  Life has been beyond crazy, adventurous, and just plain wild.  I'm back now and have a whole lot of happenings to update you on so, stay tuned!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Nanny Tampax


Jamison is a holy terror in the morning when the family is trying to get ready, it's almost comical, almost.  The kid is smarter than a whip and knows just the right mess to get into to get some added morning attention.  Today, as he was unloading the cupboard under my bathroom sink, he discovered a big box of tampons.  It was clear by the look on his face that this was a 1-year olds version of hitting the lotto!  He tucked those tampons under his arm and took off like Adrian Peterson running for the end zone.  I thought to myself "should I get them... hell no... maybe they will occupy him just long enough to blow dry my hair."  But first I had to check out his plan for these new found treasures.  He plopped down on the bean chair in his room, carefully contemplated the unfamiliar territory, and eventually decided it was safe to dig in.  Let's see... where do I start?  Super, regular or lite?
 Regular seems like a safe choice.
 Need another.
 And another.
I headed back to the bathroom.  By the time I returned, he had clearly acclimated himself with the stick friends and was as engaged as the moment I left.  But the sight had changed a bit...
It was like a tampon massacre, but was worth each and every casualty!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Batman Wears Prada

If you've been following our adventures, you'll know I am a big believer in the "real men wear pink" theory, as only the manliest of men will go there.  I tend to buy pink in an attempt to breakdown the silly, stereotypical and utterly ridiculous gender "colors."  Why is it perfectly ok for a girl to wear blue but when a boy wears pink it might make him... shhh... gay.  Umm, first of all, I am of the camp that an infant is born either gay or straight.  No amount of pink, dolly playing or sporting Mama's high heels is going to change their fundamental being.  Secondly, as long as my children are happy, healthy and living their best life (thanks for that one Oprah), I couldn't care less if the person they choose to love is of the male, female or unknown variety.  So, after that long and unexpected rant, I'm happy to say that my efforts are most certainly paying off!

Without further ado, I introduce you to the newest member of the Batman collection, who was so eloquently styled by little man Joshua.  Batman has finally embraced his feminine side, now he can claim to be a real man.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Pure Play

Park time!  I love to take my camera to the park once in awhile.  There is something so sweet about the innocence of pure, uninhibited play.
Kids got some vertical.
What a little stud.  Can't you just see him donning the pages of GQ in a couple of decades?!?
Our little ham.
Running of the men.
Jamison hiding from a "dawggie."
Gotta take the vitamin D when you can get it.
Mr. Tough Guy.
Even though we see JT every day, sometimes I'll snap a photo that makes me realize how grown up he really is.  This happens to be one such shot.
See a worm...
Pick it up...
Get a BRILLIANT idea...
Get the lady with the camera!
Resourcefulness at its finest.
Shake your booty.
I was really digging this white fence as a photo backdrop so we made our best attempt at a little photo shoot.  Hmmm, successful?  Not this one.
Nor this one, although I do like the range of expressions.
And clearly this was not the million dollar shot.
You can't tell from this shot but this is a Culver's ball.  Jealous?  It took months to save up a whopping 10 kids coupons to buy this baby.
Whoops, pic gone wrong.  Notice how the family in the background is in focus while my little man appears to be the blurry blocker.  Oh, and gotta love the hair.  Reminds me of when my Grandpa would rub balloons on my head to make it appear I had stuck my finger in a light socket.
I'm a total sucker for head down shots.  So sweet and innocent.
Jack is convinced there is hot lava under there and is determined to find it.
Married.
Convinced Joshi to join in the dig.
Kiddo loves the slides 
BFF's.