Multi-Tasking...

They say MULTI-tasking is a necessity in today's world...

...Somehow, I'm not sure this is what they meant, what do you think?

Getting to Know You...

I think One of my favorite parts of being a parent repeatedly, is watching our children meet one another for the first time!

Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a Superhero. -Marc Brown

There's no other love like the love of a brother.

There's no other love like the love from a brother.

-Astrid Alauda

I sought my soul, but my soul I could not see. I sought my God, but my God eluded me. I sought my brother and I found all three. ~Author Unknown

As we grew up, my brothers acted like they didn't care,

but I always knew they looked out for me and were there!

~Catherine Pulsifer

Anyone up for a Game?

While we were busy dealing with nurses and doctors and shift changes, the older boys were fit to be tied, in their own little happy place, also known as Grammy and Grandpa's. 

They were whisked off in the middle of the night to a morning filled with cocoa, movies and finding out just how many sleep deprived hours it would take before Grammy's eyes start to bleed slumbering peacefully in bed.

While we were listening to the sounds of a newborn and taking in all that is little -J-, they were blissfully unaware of what the future holds, enjoying a great game of golf on the best putting green any ameteur pro golfer could ask for!

taking in all the info before taking a shot, makes for a better golfer...

Fore...

WHO needs a golf cart when you can walk from one hole to the next???

And caddies...those are for the guys who ride in golf carts (right?)

Sometimes using a different ball is just the right thing to get the job done...

And other times it's all about selecting the right club...

So, Anyone up for a game while we wait???

Complete...

Well we made it to one of the Cubs games, and for the second one we spent the evening at the hospital for four hours to be told that {contractions} every 3 minutes and being dilated to 3cm and 70% effaced is false labor, wha, wha, what???...thus missing seeing the entire game on T.V. from the comfort of our hospital room. 

It worked out for the best since my doctor wasn't on call over the weekend.  I did however go home wondering when to go back to the hospital since everything I knew to be true was already happenning.  Luckily, the good Lord decided to make things a little easier to decipher and my water broke last night at 11:30p, so after a quick phone call to my parents, and waiting patiently while breathing through contractions, off to the hospital we went.

(the final pregnancy shot)

This morning Little -J- made his debut and arrived at 6:54a, weighing in at 7lbs 12ozs and stretching out to a whopping 22 inches long.  He is adorable and has striking similarities to both of his older brothers, but has a look all his own.

Welcome, sweet boy!

(Dr. -G- and -J-)

( a relaxing first bath)

We are in love and off to get some rest!

9 Months...

Things are coming along rather quickly.  Our goal is to make it to the Cubs game on Friday night and Saturday night.  I am getting a HUGE belly!

His room is ready and awaiting his arrival.

-A- and -N- are as prepared as they are going to be, sharing a room together has both positive and negative points, but luckily there are more positives than negatives.  They both know change is coming, -N- adjusted quite well last time and is very excited to help out with his new baby brother and -A-, well he was the change last time, so...not sure how he'll take it, but I see quite a bit of snuggling in our future, especially with his two year molars opting to erupt now.  Timing is everything around here.

We are getting as much outdoor time as the weather will allow us.  -N-'s last day of school is this Friday and he is excited about summer vacation.  All of the bags are packed and stored in the front closet and I am quickly checking off my last minute preparations.

Being 9 months pregnant is exciting and exhausting all at the same time, especially with two kiddos to entertain already.  I am making sure to get in special time with each of my boys, hubby included, because soon, we will all be in survival mode, sleep deprived and the next couple of months will become a blur and the photos will be the only proof that we lived to retell it.

Attitude...

Sometimes going home is NOT what is desired, can you tell this one is less than thrilled?

New Faces...

This week my Aunt and Uncle purchased two new horses. After more than 25 years since they were last horse owners they are now owners again. Now since I am only a few weeks away from delivering the new addition, I am obviously not going to be partaking in any trick riding for the time being.

However, I did get -B- out there to play a bit and get a feel for these two beauties. The boys won't be {riding} with us until we are comfy with the personalities of these two.

First up we have {Monty}, a beautiful gelding. He is 16 hands and has a sweet personality and has been described as a gentle giant.

B- enjoyed the first ride...

then my Aunt...

and my cousin even joined in on the fun.

After getting a feel for Monty, -B- ventured out on Jazz, their new Mare who is 14 hands.

She has been described as calm when you are on the ground but a little more spirited when you are on her back. He can certainly attest to that, but after Jazz settled in and got comfortable with -B- on board, she proved to have potential for greatness.

And these two made sure to share the love with these beautiful horses and picked arm fulls of
sweet green grass!

I just can't wait until I can get in on the fun.

A Big Change...

Little Man is moving up...he has been in -N-'s room for a while now

...and now he is officially in a BIG BOY bed.  He was so excited to watch his Dad put it together and the maiden voyage was a restful one. 

He hasn't figured out that he can get {out of bed} and I am in no hurry to show him how!

I imagine one day, I will revisit this picture in my mind, when -A- is a teenager, and reflect on how small he once was.  So for now I will just admire how BIG he looks in his new bed!

Happy Mother's Day...

Today -N-'s class put on a performance in honor of Mother's Day.

         

It is amazing to think that just a mere 5 years ago, Mother's Day was something I spent celebrating with my Mom...

...and now I am celebrating my fourth as a Mom, all because of this little man!

This was a cute little picture he made for the special occasion, it makes me giggle everytime I read it~!

Building Confidence...

The year -A- was born, -N- spent little to know time in the pool.  After finishing the summer before as a swimmer, it did some damage when just the idea of stepping into the water made him shutter in fear last summer. 

We worked hard to gain confidence last year and now that I am almost ready to pop with kiddo #3, it is rather important for that confidence to flow from last summer into this summer!  -N- is signed up for swimming lessons at the end of June, and we aren't taking any chances, so at the first sign of heat (a 90 degree day like today) into the pool we went...

to build confidence!

34 Weeks & 2 Days...

This little one is doing just wonderfully, kicking and showing the energy that his older brother's have and I cannot believe how soon he will be joining this family. 

We were able to take a look and see how things are going today at my Dr.'s appointment.

Right now he is measuring in somewhere around 5 lbs. 13 oz. and based on norms is about a week ahead of schedule.  Last week we took a look too and it appears he was in the middle of a growth spurt as he was 2 weeks ahead of schedule in size then and has slowed down a bit.

We have been examining the ultrasound pics and he has a full head of hair,

seems to be shaped more like his oldest brother -N-

and we even think he has the chin dimple that his older brother -A- has.  We have been speculating what he will look like but only time will tell. 

The excitement is definitely building for all of us.  -N- keeps asking when we are going to meet -J- and how many days that is going to take.  -A- will point to my belly and say -J-'s name in a way only he can.

I get asked often how -J- is doing today and what he is up to by -N- and -A- enjoys making -J- kick.  He will lay his head on my belly just so -J- will attempt to kick him off.  He thinks it is hilarious and every once in a while he tries to hit back, leaving me stuck in the middle!

I am doing well and this has by far been the easiest of the three pregnancies, hope I can say the same about delivery.  My belly is getting big and the magic number is 37 weeks which is May 23rd, then he is free to join us anytime after that.  Once we hit that magic number, the sooner the better in my opinion. I have had a feeling for the past couple of weeks that May 25th or 26th will be his birth date, but only time will tell.  I am scheduled for induction on June 9th so he will be here soon enough, either way.

Finally...

This little boy has been waiting and waiting to use that coveted umbrella ever since he received it at Easter. 

 After nap time today he finally had the chance.  With no sign of lightning or thunder around, he was so on board, when I asked if he wanted to go out in the rain and check the mail.

Forgive the bed head, remember this was a small window of opportunity after nap and yo have to act quickly or the chance will pass you by in this weather.

As we waited for-N- to check the mail,

-A- got in a little practice with an umbrella too, staying dry was a concept that he wasn't quite prepared for

but he is on his way!