Humbled

Parenting sometimes feels like one humbling experience after another.  You sort of have this idea that you kind of know what's best for your kids because, you know, you are older, have birthed these human beings, and are, afterall, THE PARENT. 

However, I can say that after three children (and I'm sure it will be the case with this next one as well), I am at a loss with the toilet training thing.  If you had asked me about it 4 years ago, I would have thought I was pretty hot stuff with very little humility in my voice.  I mean, Jack was 2 1/2, started preschool in underwear, and did pretty well with the whole thing.  Yeah, I was awesome back then.
Enter my second, stubborn (have I mentioned he's stubborn?) son to teach me some humility.  We spent about 9 1/2 L-O-N-G months working on it.  I sought advice from friends, my mom, acquaintances, our pediatrician--pretty much anyone who would listen, and, of course, everyone has something to say based on what worked for their child.  What finally worked for him was telling him he'd be back in the same preschool room with the kids in diapers if he didn't wear undies.  Hmmm...no one gave me that advice--guess it didn't work for their kid.
Now I'm on my third kiddo.  When I was dealing with Grant (which feels like not even that long ago) I remember being thankful that we finally had a girl as girls are supposed to be easier to train, right?
I think those moms of girls to whom I may have said that are now laughing at me.

I looked at checklists, decided it was time to work on it, bought the *pink* undies, and expected potty training in less than a day.  Suffice it to say, it didn't happen in one or even two days.  All that did happen was that our house smelled like we'd dyed Easter eggs based on the disinfecting odor of vinegar wafting through the air.

So after the past two experiences I will say I'm about ready to keep her in diapers until she tells me she's ready.  Like, she literally TELLS me.  I've heard this happens with some kids.  Is there any chance she could be one of them?

Given my luck, probably not.

Fuzzy Math

I've never been great at math.  I will admit that freely and openly. 

However, does 1+1=6?

Why yes it does, at least in our family!  Ryan and I are excited to announce that baby #4 is due Jan. 21, 2012 (which also happens to be the day before Grant's 5th birthday)!  Some days I'm not quite sure how we'll handle four blessings full of fun and energy and noise, but I am going to trust that God knows what He is doing by giving us another little one.  I've been feeling pretty lousy for the past couple of months, but fortunately the past few days have been better.  Thanks goodness Ryan has been home for the summer!  This is also why I've been so deliquent with blogging lately. I just have not felt good enough to sit up and blog at the end of the day. 

Yay for new life, new babies, and new adventures! 

Life lately

My poor neglected blog...long time, no write.  I would say it's because we've been so busy, but I think my excuse in the winter was that we weren't busy enough.  I guess my blog is in a no-win situation.

Because we have been so busy (a trip to St. Louis while Ryan was in Utah, an anniversary trip sans kids to San Diego, Ryan's birthday/4th of July trip to Ft. Wayne), my blog has collected some dust, and I'm too far behind to document all of these things.

So here are the highlights...



While we were in San Diego we took a trip up to L.A. and Disneyland.  I loved Disneyland.  As we walked around the park without kids I found myself sad at times, thinking, Oh, I wish the boys could see this or do this, etc.  Caroline loves Minnie Mouse lately, so we took this picture for her.  Every time she sees me at the computer she asks to see Minnie Mouse.  Of course, I know that if we actually went to Disney with her, she would be too freaked out to get close to her!  She has a *slight* fear of costumed characters.

For the 4th/Ryan's birthday, we went up to his parents' house.  It was a perfect day for swimming as it was stinkin' hot.  (I did not miss the midwest heat wave when we were in mild San Diego!  Seriously, it was GORGEOUS!)  Jack is on the right and jumping in with two of his cousins, one of their friends, and his uncle.

The boys have recently discovered the fun of Super Heroes.  So, imagine their excitement when Ryan and his dad pulled out all of Ryan and his brother's old toys from storage.  The boys were in heaven!  Ryan was fine with them bringing home a few items until he looked up how much he could get for them on some websites.  After that he was a little more wary!

Grant and Jack went to a party last weekend, and instead of buying gifts for the birthday boy they had a gift exchange so each child left with a present.  Jack's gift was a container filled with all sorts of bubble making tools, which the kids enjoyed Monday afternoon.  I love Grant's big cheeks in this one!

Caroline loves blowing bubbles and is really pretty good at it.  I think when the boys were her age they always put their mouths on the wands. 

So there you have it--a quick rundown of some of the goings-on lately.  We are busy with VBS this week, but I will try to be better about updating more consistently the rest of the summer.  I love blogging and just need to be a bit more disciplined about doing it sometimes!