Bath 'n' Bedtime with Baby James

This little cutie has terribly sensitive skin so he can only be washed once or twice a week a most or his skin issues worsen. James does love to be showered by his dad. It relaxes him and he sleeps so soundly after he's been in the warm water. He has begun to sleep in his big boy crib instead of his bassinet, and he looks small and precious in his crib.

Hair Today GONE Tomorrow!

Okay- my mom and sister were checking out the blog and they both said the boys were lookin' too shaggy and that I needed to get on the ball and cut their hair. Well, I've procrastinated in cutting it because it's been cold here. And I'll be the first to admit that they look like they could be junior members of The Beatles. But the moment I really knew I HAD to get it cut came when Madison did Grant's hair and started saying she had a sister after all. I whipped out that Flowbee pretty darn quick and said goodbye to those beautiful locks!

Welcome to the house of ill fortune...

That's what I would have said to anyone who knocked on our door over the past few days because we were all sick simultaneously. It was James's first time being sick and it was very sad.

Cherish the Rare Moments

Occasionally my children entertain themselves by playing together without bickering or causing each other bodily injury. When I happen upon those moments I try to remember the feelings of contentment I have towards them, so I can try to be kinder to them when they're being cantankerous. An amusing quote I like by Erma Bombeck- "When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished I climb out."

He Looks So Innocent BUT...

WHAM! He zings me with a diaper blowout that somehow manages to spread as I futilely try to clean it up. James smiles and wiggles all the more after having zinged me. I'm not sure he's as innocent as he looks...

We love the PARK!

We love living by so many wonderful parks here in Washington. Sometimes we hang out at a park after school until Madison is done with her activities. Carter likes to turn over rocks or logs to hunt for bugs and Grant likes to check out the discoveries Carter makes. Boys, bark, dirt and various other things end up accompanying us home after a fun trip to the park.

Buddies

Grant hangs out with his friend Sam nearly every Wednesday. They love riding their scooters, staging army attacks, building with Legos, doing video games, and just being silly. It's good to have a buddy.

Fire Station Field Trip

Grant's preschool always does a trip to the fire station to learn about fire safety tactics. Grant said his favorite part was when the fire truck shot water "way up into the air", followed closely by the fireman who was breathing like Darth Vader when he was dressed in all his gear.

My Funny Valentines

Loving Siblings

Watching my children love one another brings me joy. They are my greatest accomplishments. I love being their mom!

Happy Love Day!

I got to go to each of the kids classrooms for their various Valentines day happenings. I tried to make sure that each of them felt loved. I photographed, munched, and laughed my way through the day. The only thing that was missing was a date with my love (which we'll have this weekend). Last year for Valentines day Jeremy and I found out we were expecting; I enjoy thinking about that memory.

3 months ALREADY?

Time is flying and Jamesy James is ever changing. He is starting to grab things, and will put anything you give him in his mouth (which Carter and Grant think is hilarious). He has shunned the pacifier and will have nothing to do with it because he has developed a passion for his right thumb. His expressions and gurgles delight us continually. He is the reason I have fallen behind on many of my chores because I just want to play with him all day long. Although Jeremy and I had a conversation recently that lifted my spirits about not getting as much done at home. He said we've been overly concerned about what gets done around the house and should try to redirect our focus on spending more time with our kids and have them help us out with more of the house stuff. I'm making sure I keep a record of that here for the days when the house looks really thrashed so I can have a reminder of what is truly important.