The Big One-O

Clay....

You just have to love this child.

He is kind and tender hearted.

He is inclusive of everyone.

He smiles that lovely smile, and his dimples just melt my heart.

He loathes work, and loves to play.

He reads, reads, and reads.

He likes to build things.

He could be severely addicted to video games...{if we had them in the house}

He loves football...watching it and playing it.

He is never in a hurry to do anything.

He loves his little brother and adores his big brother...working on that with the sisters.

He's gonna go out on a limb here and say Spaghettios as his favorite food.

{In my defense...I have not bought those things in over a year, and just bought some in a desperate attempt to find something new to add to Emma's repertoir of soft foods}

With some birthday money that he got this year he bought a little football and poptarts because he had some money left over.

He designed the cake that he wanted for his birthday. {huge, elaborate, and quite specific} But of course, Greenbay Packers. I modified it to fit my skill level.

I asked him a couple of weeks before his birthday if he wanted to have a birthday party with his friends.

"no" he said. "i just want to go to {bowling place} with Dad and Sam on Saturday before my birthday"

A couple days before his birthday. "mom, i want to have a party on Saturday with all of my friends."

I laughed {at him}

They went bowling, watched a movie, and had dinner with Clay's bestest friend, cousins, and 2 siblings.

He had a great birthday!!!!!

{silly computer...this post won't let me do pictures now}

Tonsils

Emma had her tonsils out on Friday. {phone pics...not so great}

The previous Thursday we had gone to see our ENT because Emma had been having bouts of strep since January...just didn't stay away for very long. Every three weeks we were on another round of antibiotics or in for a shot. Funny though, she never complained about it. I knew something was going on because she started talking as though something was in her throat...and she would snore at night. Anyway, she was positive for strep again.

She was really funny about having her tonsils out. She asked lots of questions about how it would happen, what she would feel, how long it would take, what they would use, and how they would get to her throat to take them out. Did the countdown for this one too. When the Dr. mentioned the laser, she seemed to be contented. I think she envisioned the cheap little flashlight Sam has with a red laser light attached to it. Whatever contented her little heart...

Now it's what can I eat? Can I have my medicine? Do I have to take my medicine? When will it be better? Why can't I have my favorite food? {pretzels and ranch or hummus} Will you buy my three different kinds of ice cream? {i did...} Mia got me a puppy, Clay got me a coloring book, Mom got me a movie...Dad, why did you not get me a present yet...I want the doll with a cup and food. {he did...}

She was so brave!!! She has not complained about the pain...a few cries in the middle of the night is all. She's quiet. She feels decent if she has tylenol or advil consistently. If not, it's still not good yet. But she's eating...popsicles, ramen, bread, ice cream, pudding, eggs, raviolis...she's almost eating better than she would on a normal day...she's ASKING to eat...amazing.

Love that chick.

The Big Announcement

March 30... the day Emma was counting down to

March 30... the day Nate was going to have a secret (ya right)

March 30... the day Sam was going to rejoice or cry in distress

March 30... the day I would know if I could use my name, or struggle for the next 4 months figuring another one out

March 30... the day I could make a trip to DI or to Gymboree

March 30... the day we had our ultrasound

I know that many people look to this day as the day to know the gender of their new baby. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't anxious to know. But after Amelia's "disaster" and having taken a thyroid medication that is not compatible with pregnancy, I went into this with a little cautious optimism. I hope for the best, but prepare myself for any issues that might appear.

Thankfully, everything looked good. And we found out the answer to that ever pressing question...boy? or girl?

Emma and I made cupcakes the day before, filling half of them pink, and half of them blue. It would stay a secret until the kids bit into the cupcakes.

Sam dove in with a ravenous desire to find out. He started jumping up and down, pumping his fist into the air. If anyone was still wondering, Sam's obvious desire for a baby brother was just verified. In fact, the day before, I told Sam that he needed to prepare himself for the fact that it just may be a girl...it was a 50/50 chance.

"Mom..." he says to me with his eyes wide..."shhhhh...just think positive"

I laughed.

Clay shows his delight....

The girls were less than impressed, and the following day Emma said that she was just mad, and Mia thought it was creepy to be having another baby brother.

Nate, well we know that he was thrilled. Henry needs a wrestling partner...couldn't do that with a girl.

Lexi thought that as long as he dances like Henry, it'll be ok to have another boy cousin.

I'm happy to recycle all Henry's old clothes, shoes, bedding, and toys...no starting over again on this one. Now, to come up with a name. Eliza Jean will just not fit a baby boy.

Emma's Latest insight

We go into the bathroom to do hair. Emma & Mia with their loaded swimming bags, and Henry. It's a tight fit. I start working on Emma, Henry starts his climb from the toilet to the vanity. Last time he did that this morning ended in a big fall and a crying spree. I, not so kindly, pick Henry up from off the vanity, shove him at Amelia, and order them out of the bathroom.

Take a deep breath, and start working on Emma's hair. Emma, ever so nicely and sympathetically even, says "I can tell you don't feel very well, mom."

"Oh really, how's that?"

"Because when I'm not feeling well I'm pretty bossy too."

Two Dollars

I'm always trying to be a more patient mom. Sometimes without much luck.

The other day Clay was playing the piano. I could hear a bunch of "stop its" and "quit doing thats" coming from the basement, but I thought I would just let them work it out. Before long Clay came upstairs, clearly upset. He had that "I'm gonna cry because of what was happening to me and if I don't tell you right now, I just might not live another minute" look.

I stopped him before he had two words out...

"Whoa...if this is a tattle, you can tell me, but it will cost you two dollars."

"But mom, Sam..."

"Hey, if you want to tattle on Sam, it's gonna cost you...two dollars...go get it then I'll listen."

"But...{eyes brimming with tears}...I'll go get it...it's just that {blah, blah, blah}" {big brother picking on little brother.}

I patiently listen, tell him that's too bad, and send him to get my two dollars.

He was back a couple minutes later with the money.

Sam comes storming upstairs..."mom, Clay..."

"Whoa...if this is a tattle, you can tell me, but it will cost you two dollars."

"Hmmph" as he turns around and heads back down stairs.

Must not have been worth the money.

Quite a while later Sam comes running up the stairs. I'm sitting on the couch with the little kids. Sam has a wad of dollar bills in his hand and he starts dishing them into my hand as he says..."Clay did..., and Clay did..., and Clay is not ..."

I just started laughing. So, it was worth the money this time?

Henry Loves to Dance

Here's the latest clip of Henry doing the cha-cha slide with his sisters and cousins.

Dare you not to laugh. It's fun to watch how he has "evolved" in his dancing. At first he would just move however he wanted. Then he started paying attention to what the other kids were doing, and copying them accordingly. He has been trying to hop for months, and finally caught air the other day when he was doing it. That was a proud moment for the family. It's so great that it only takes a song to distract him, or change his mood. He definitely has a connection with music. Anytime the boys start playing the piano, he runs for the stairs. When a slower song comes on, he sways. He leads the music at church, and dances to the hymns. He is absolutely fabulous.

Heat Wave

It's so beautiful with the sun shining, the birds singing, the snow melting...well, mostly. It's a balmy 46 degrees outside. How do I keep them cooped up on such a warm winter day?

Maybe the snow will be gone by Easter.

They build a fort out of half of the living room too. Now that's a winter thing to do.

Sam, while building it says, "Mom, is it ok if I just leave one way out of the living room?"

{that is unless I want to crawl under the blankets}

He's so thoughtful.

This is totally not working. I'll have pictures when my computer decides to let me use the ones I just uploaded