Merry Christmas!

Eariler today #2 decided we shouldn't have a fire in the fireplace because Santa would get hurt if he came down a hot chimney. Mr. Right convinced him that his "prep and landing" team would handle it and make sure everything was a-ok for the big man.

Tonight, after tracking Santa on the NORAD Santa tracker and saying, "he's in South America and on his way to Washington," #2 freaked out and melted into a frozen puddle on the floor crying.
#2: "Santa won't come to our house if we are still awake. And I'm still awake!"

His brother handled the situation slightly differently.
#1: "if Santa comes while we are brushing our teeth, tell him we're asleep."

And ...
#3: (in 11 week old speak) "Is someone going to give me some dinner? For the love ..."

A Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,
I've been nice.  I will give you a fire truck that moves by itself.  And give my parents a grown up toy like a big lightsaver (saber) -- like a grown up size.  And give my parents a fire truck, too.  They could play with it.  I want to give L a baby toy.  And R a lightsaver.  And me, a lightsaver and a fire truck, too.
Love,
#2
(As dictated to his teacher at school)

The Making of a Family Photo

My sister and her family, and Mom and Dad joined us for Thanksgiving this year.  Actually, it is more appropriate to say that my parents came to DC to prepare Thanksgiving for their daughters and their daughters families ... with some help here and there.  12 people under one roof ... 3 boys under 6 years old is enough to wake up the entire neighborhood for 4 days.  The kids had a blast together and I loved spending a little extended time with my niece.  I have only seen her once since she was born 2 years ago!  She is such a trooper of a little girl and makes me excited to see the differences of a little girl growing up in my own house full of boys.  


We tried to get a "family photo" with everyone and it just wasn't going to happen.  The husbands shot the picture and played silly to try and get smiles out of all things mini.  Here's what we got ... which pretty much sums up the long weekend.  A whole lot of happy chaos, a few tears, someone showing their best side and someone else showing their worst.  The only thing not shown here is the collection of Martinis and Manhattans necessary to sustain the adult sanity.

Thanks Mom & Dad for ... well everything.  Thanks K&E for coming across the country!

The "twins"

When you move around all over the place and end up living somewhere other than where you grew up ... especially after spending time in a horrible city where everyone expected you to have been born and raised in said horrible city ... you kind of expect to see your closest friends from childhood only back at home - or reunions - special planned trips ...not down the street (or short trip down the interstate).  Much to my delight one of my closest friends moved to the DC area a few years after I did and I couldn't be happier that she is here.  We met in 7th grade and have literally grown up together ... now we celebrate poopy diapers together.  



Our firsts are 4 1/2 months apart and have a very sweet friendship.  Miss M is first on #1s list for most events, even now that he has been introduced to Kindergarten and some "ick" that is GIRLS.  Here they are as babies, then big bad Kindergarteners.

Our seconds are 12(?) days apart.  I have no pictures of them together because they are both so stubborn they would individually find their own age appropriate way of flipping off whatever grown up asked them to pose for a picture.  But here is a picture of all of them together at the baseball game this summer (with Mags, visiting from Florida).

So when I got pregnant last January and told my friend ... I was not surprised to hear, "me too!"  Mr. Right joked that we would deliver on the same day and switch the babies if I had another boy and they had another girl.  That ended up not being necessary since I got my girl and she got her boy ... and a ready-to-play-center-in-his-father's-helmet boy he is!  Meet big man H.

I mentioned the possibility earlier, but then my own baby was born and life has spun blissfully out of control.  H and the Ladybug were born on the same day.  As the universe knows, I delivered late ... and H came a little early.  The chaos that was 48 hours in the hospital included 3 sets of Tampa grandparents and a wild dinner over Margaritas as they all looked at each other and said, "Can you believe this?"  We Mommas and babies obviously missed the party, but it sounds like it was a good one.  We shuffled down the hall to visit each other, but somehow forgot to take a picture.  We finally got a few minutes together after our 6 week appointments to snap a picture of the "twins."  

So who's surprised that our #3s are already fast friends and like to hold hands?  Mr. Right and I have waited six  long years to be able to turn the tables and start our conversation with, "do you know what your son just did/said to my daughter?"

A SIX Year Old Boy

Happy Birthday Peanut!  I refuse to stop calling you peanut ... even when you are taller than me in a few years.  Our friends, Klaus and Sophie were here last weekend and Klaus captured this picture of you.

I learned the whole "eyes are the windows to the soul," thing my junior year of high school and thought of that lesson as soon as I saw this picture.  Not so far behind those big brown eyes is a soul full of magic.  Through these windows I see a six year old who is much wiser than many adults.  Not that you use your best judgement all the time, but you often surprise me with your comments and questions and my reaction is always the same ... "you're six, why do you know that?"  


Not much has changed about you this year - you are just bigger and you do things BIGGER.  You are curious and willing to try just about anything ... and you are so much braver than your mom.  You try things by jumping in with two feet (except for vegetables) and a big smile -- and you kind of dare whatever it is to disappoint you.  The thing that has stumped me this year is that you decided to take a break from Tae Kwon Do.  After an initial love affair, it quickly fizzled into something that you needed to be talked into each week.  I think you stopped liking it after school started because Kindergarten has A LOT of expectations of a six year old boy ... and Tae Kwon Do has A LOT of expectations of your behavior during class.  And after a day of working so hard at school ... isn't a boy supposed to be able to play for a little bit?!  I think so, too.  Favorite playthings this year are soccer, swimming, football - especially tackle football, not flag football, and all other testosterone oozing boy things.  Much to my delight there are a few other favorite things that are slightly less rough - gardening with Mr. G, and ART.  You make paper creations each day while waiting in carpool.  Even though they are usually fighter jets with guns and bombs ... or just guns and bombs themselves ... they are made so thoughtfully and carefully with great purpose.  You have a big story to tell with all of them, and I look forward to seeing your face as you jump into the car so you can tell me what's behind each days destroyer.  It's nice to see the engineer and the artist come together - your Grandpa, Aunt Kiki and Uncle Mark are all cheering, too.


You are so excited about reading right now.  You really want to read and are doing lots of work to get better each day, but you are also frustrated that is isn't coming as easily as the sport of the week.  Physical coordination has been so easy for you since day one ... learning written words may be the first thing that I've noticed you getting frustrated over.  The good news is that you still love Thursdays at school - Library day.  You also enthusiastically bring homework books in your school bag each week.  Now, if we can just get you to sit still for a few minutes between getting home and bedtime to get the homework done we'd be golden!


You are an independent, fun, bold, full octane boy and I can only imagine what this year will bring.  For better or worse, since you are the first, it is always an adventure with you.  You help your dad and me figure out how to be better parents ... better people, really.  Your brother and sister will likely never thank you, but your parents do.  Happiest birthday wishes to the best - wrap your whole body around mine and squeeze - hugger in the whole world.  And thank you for still kissing me on the lips in front of your friends.  I love you, peanut.  Keep those big browns open so my view tomorrow is as beautiful as it is today.

Ladybug - 5 weeks

I know, I know ... how dare I post about the first month without new pictures.  Things just take longer these days ...

Month One

What's up with the baby?

Eating - check.  Working hard on gaining that second chin ... well on our way!
Pooping - check.
Sleeping - check (in chunks)
Happy - check and a double check if her brothers are around ... triple check if being fed!


Overall, the first month is much like the first two weeks were.  I am tired, run down and fighting off a harsh round of mastitis, but the kids are all doing well.  The boys haven't really missed a beat and the ladybug is doing what she is supposed to be doing.  Mastitis or no mastitis - I'll take it.  I have brought in some reinforcements which makes the days SO MUCH happier for everyone.  Grandma and Pops made another trip up - this time to enjoy their new granddaughter instead of staring at my belly.  And on weekday evenings, our sixth family member Ms. Anne Marie comes for the dinner to bedtime hours which are hard for everyone.  This is keeping me sane,the boys sane, most of us fed and the house free of a little yelling (although there is still plenty ... sigh).

#s 1&2 gave the ladybug her first bottle - a VERY big day in the life of a big brother. 

And of course we had Halloween awhile ago ... here are some tell all highlights.

Halloween parades at school.  The proudest Buzz Lightyear (of many!) and Anakin Skywalker ever.  

Check out the Mystery Machine - my personal favorite costume for many reasons.  First, who doesn't like Scooby-Doo?  And second, many years ago at work we did these things called "lunch and learn."  A friend did one on meter reading functionality (clearly the days when I was working at a power company) from a truck and used images of the mystery machine in his presentation.  I laughed so hard during his presentation ... seeing this little guy all van'd up made me smile on a very happy time in my life.

And more Halloween chaos at home.  If you can believe it these pictures were taken before any candy intake.  I love that they both wanted to be Buzz and was so proud of #1 for wearing what he wanted instead of what his friends wanted him to wear.  The peer pressure in Kindergarten is impressive!

To Infinity and Beyond!

Week One

Our first week as a family of five has been one long love affair ... and how wonderful that has been.  Perhaps we've overdone it with the boys, but Mr. Right and I both want them to know how much they are loved as all kinds of time - by necessity - is being devoted to their sister.  Babies also do this special thing to people - they make everyone happy.  The honeymoon will certainly wear off, but for now we are enjoying every moment of it.


We came home from the hospital last Thursday - me still loopy from the whole hormonal experience as well as some particularly fabulous pain meds.  We all were spoiled for another 2 days while G&G M were still here to make the house run - grocery shopping, school drop offs, pick ups, chapels to attend, meals to cook, etc.  All four grands have been unbelievably helpful in keeping things "normal" which has made a world of difference for all of us.


Saturday was our first day alone as a family of five ... also "family fun night." The boys chose a Garfield movie for evening entertainment and inhaled a bag of popcorn.  I would like to say that #3's eating habits are different than the boys, but it seems she's an inhaler, too.  We're going to have to move to farm country and get some land and animals in order to feed this family in a few years.  We can barely keep up with the boys as it is!  Anyway, Garfield was an OK hit ... the popcorn was a bigger hit ... whole fam on the couch together was the biggest hit.


Mr. Right headed out for work on Sunday night and I started sweating.  He was only gone for one day, but still ... I was nervous.  Sunday night storytime started a new ritual - all 3 kids in their bean bags together.  Before #3 we used to do separate stories and goodnights so the boys would settle down.  So far, this new arrangement is working pretty well.  We'll see how it goes. As you can see, #3 prefers eating to stories.

And here we are - starting week two with our little ladybug.  She has been a dream of a baby thus far - crying when she's hungry and that's about it.  The boys have been as gentle as they know how to be, but have at times manhandled her a bit and she's fairly chill about it.  She's almost back up to her birth weight and seems to be enjoying the ability to stretch out.  This is shocking to me given that all signs were pointing to staying in the belly forever. We're all (still) thrilled that she is here and fighting over who gets to hold her.

You Decide

Siblings or what?

"THREE!" Worth the Wait

Well, I just had a 41 week 5 day lesson in patience.  Not sure if I'm more patient now ... but I did survive the lesson.  Baby steps, right?  I was induced (it wasn't bad) and she arrived at 7:00AM on October 5th (her Great Uncle's birthday).  Perhaps hanging in awhile longer helped ... or maybe it is just her personality ... but she is a very chill baby so far. She fusses about not much, is very alert and just takes things as they come.

Here are the official stats - Lyle Elizabeth - 7 pounds 5 ounces 21 inches long and two very proud big brothers.  Where did "Lyle" come from?  No fancy story, not a family name, Mr. Right and I just like it and she's growing into it quite well.  The boys seem OK that her name really isn't cupcake or poopy head, although I'm sure those names will make their way back to her over the years.


At #1s suggestion we had a "birth day" party yesterday to celebrate #3's arrival.  Just as any new sibling knows, she brought presents for the boys and we had cupcakes.  #1 said, "she's a baby, she doesn't know how to shop.  Who bought these for us - Mom or Dad?"  He got part of it right ... but the part he got wrong is that she is my daughter ... she is born knowing how to shop!  The big meeting between the boys and their sister was priceless and precious.  The boys were so gentle in movement and in their voices.  They both had words of wisdom that I was surprised to hear ... "Don't forget to hold her head carefully.  Touch her gently."  They are so proud to be big brothers and so happy that their sister is here.

The Longest Pregnancy in the History of the Universe

It has to be, right?  Today marks 10 days overdue (10. Very. Long. Days.) and I will be induced in 2 days.  I was scheduled to be induced last Tuesday, but I wanted to give my body and this baby time to do things on their own, so I pushed it back a week.  But this time I have no choice.  I will go into the hospital on Monday night and start down the Pitocin path very early Tuesday morning.  I know women do this all the time and are fine, but the whole induction process freaks me out.  Especially since I had no trouble going into labor with either of the boys.  All of this waiting has given me way too much time to think about totally obnoxious "what if's" which is really not healthy for anyone.  One set of grandparents has already come and gone home again.  Our time with the second set is tick-tocking away.  And the boys ... I'm pretty sure they've come to the conclusion that this whole baby sister thing was just a mean joke.  If I didn't have days full of practice contractions or a baby that kicks me in my ribs and side all day long, I'd think it was a mean joke, too.

#3, Let's Have a Chat

So, little lady.  It's time for a talk.  You have been well cared for over the last 40 weeks ... even when I haven't felt like it and there were a lot of those days in the beginning.  There has been a steady supply of food, water, exercise and entertainment - especially from your brothers and father ... even the occasional dance party.  We are all super excited to meet you and it really is time for you to show some independence and get moving on your own.  You've cooked - and that two bedroom condo you're living in is only getting smaller.  Soon you'll know what it was like to have the studio apartment #1 grew in.  If it was a competition, you win.  You've beaten the Hurricanes, power work outs, Yoga, Massage and the full moon.  You win, you win, you win.  BUT, as your father says ... "Chipper, Chopper!!"  If you can spell Pitocin, it is coming next week.  I don't want to get to this point so please, get moving.  It's fun on the outside, I promise!

Nine!

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Right.  I'm too uncomfortable to be sappy or write about how great you are.  I'm more in the mindset of "YOU DID THIS TO ME!  LOOK AT THE MESS YOU GOT ME IN!"  Of course there is happiness on the other side, but can we get there quickly, please?


I will sincerely say I could never do this without you, so I'm glad you are with me on this ride.  I hope you've enjoyed sleeping in lately because those days are over.


xo

The Luckiest 5 3/4 Year Old Ever

Thank you, Miss AM for the "Best Treat Ever! ... even better than getting chocolate milk in the cafeteria last week."

Big Boy School

#2 has been in transition for the last month while he finished up camp, then waited for big boy school to begin (very slowly) last week.  We've been spending a lot of time together which has been nice ... and not so nice since it has caused "not fair" conversations with #1 and a bit of big boy regression for #2.  For the first little while he wanted me to do everything for him.  I'm somewhat happy to say we've swung the pendulum the other way and now there is a very adamant "NO!  I WILL DO IT BY MYSELF!" attached to the end of just about everything.  I'll take it though ... I enjoy seeing the independence and would like it even more if he remembered that independence in the middle of the night when his covers fall off or he can't find his cup of water.

#1 has the big brother thing down pat.  Especially the part that means you get to pick the junk out of your little brother - mess with him just for because - give a push that is just hard enough to teeter on the line of playfulness.  The "face paint" in this picture was courteously done by his brother (thank you Crayola for making your markers washable).  #2 is MORE than ready to share these things with someone else.  He is mostly sweet when it comes to his baby sister - he'll lay his head on my belly and wait to get kicked.  He likes to zerbert her - which always draws hysterical laughter and then zerberts all around for anyone close by.  He also likes to put both hands on my belly and try to shake the baby out ... I'm all for trying it at this point.  So far it hasn't worked.  He's also gotten in on the naming discussions.  #1 wanted to name him "Pancake" while he was in the belly.  #2 wants to name her "Lollipop."  I think it is nice that they both chose something sweet, yummy and delicious for their siblings.  It is certainly better than the things that can go with "butt" and "poop" ... other popular subjects around the house, and I'm sure about to get more popular when their sister arrives and they get a good look at what a newborn baby can do in a diaper.  

We're finally into "normal" school schedules which means both of the boys go to school together in the morning, and come home together in the afternoon.  They both are exhausted and we have lots of meltdowns over things that are just silly.  But we're all adjusting to new friends, teachers, schedules ... and there is that baby thing hanging over our heads.  "Mommy, you told us that the baby would be born when we started school again, so where is she?"  I would like to know the very same thing, myself.  


So far some highlights for #2 have been finding Milo the Mouse (his classroom mascot that hides somewhere new each day); taking his Batman lunchbox to school; riding his scooter to school with his brother ... and going to the same school as his brother; and repeating grown up things that he's heard along the way.  My favorite right now comes from me ...


#1 was playing with the staples in a stapler yesterday and I asked him to stop, told him they were sharp, said he could pinch himself ... he continued to play with the stapler.  He punctured his finger with one of them and drew blood on his fingertip.  I was in the middle of "get dinner on the table five minutes ago" and it wasn't a big deal, but #1 was in full drama and whining for a band aid.  After about 30 seconds of academy award winning song and dance by #1, #2 chimes in with "Mommy, Get #1 a Band Aid.  How many times do I have to say?"


Ah yes, this ride is never boring.

Round Three

Our #1s are almost 5 months apart.  Our #2s are 12 days apart.  Our #3s could be born on the same day.  Thank goodness I have a dear friend in the boat with me.  Some days our boat is sailing beautifully and others, sinking.  Luckily we seem to be trading the nights that one of us sleeps so we can talk the other out of drinking Castor oil.  Power to the growing gut!

K2 Frogs

(singing) It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.  #1s first day of Kindergarten was today.  #2's Nursery School teachers came to our house today to meet him and introduce the classroom mascot, Milo the Mouse.  The morning had a very rough start and an extra case of the grouchies from #1, but something at school cured the blues.  He came home with "homework" -- which was to share the contents of his school bag with his parents, and point out the special "parent information" pocket which is our responsibility to check.  In today's "parent information" was a K2 "Frogs" class picture ... #1 was front and center and smiling ear to ear.  This would be the same boy that refused to take a picture before we left the house this morning and then clung to my leg as I dropped him off at his classroom.  Thanks for the unnecessary worry this morning, Ry.

Florida Minis

My very long time friend, "Aunt Leslie," visited our fun city last weekend and we got to play, and play, and play some more.  By the time Sunday evening rolled around I was angry and bitter that I was not "playing" to the same extent the rest of the adults were.  Boo Hoo for me.  

The Dads and the Minis enjoyed a Nationals game while the Moms had some time to themselves.  We dished on who was doing what.  Aunt Leslie avoided the water since the water around here "apparently makes you pregnant."  ... and the wine tastes better anyway.  But how could you not want a zillion kids when they look like this and play so beautifully together for days in a row?!!  Aunt Leslie and Uncle Joe ... we're all telling you to move North!

Do you think #2 had to go to the bathroom?  Or just has a handle on things?

Cooked

Today is 37 weeks.  Can you say done?  When I was in labor with #1 I was very chatty with the Resident that was with me all.  night.  long.  I asked her what was the craziest hospital night/day.  She told me that there was definitely some truth to more deliveries during full moons, but the craziest number of deliveries she had ever been a part of happened during Hurricane Isabel.


It is the middle of the night and I am not sleeping for the second night in a row ... I'm wondering if Hurricane Earl will be close enough to make a difference with this nugget.  School starts next week, so the timing really isn't good for the boys, but man would my ribs and lower back really be happy.


#1 visited his Kindergarten classroom today and met his teachers.  He is super excited to start school and see his friends on a daily basis again.  He finished his visit on the playground with a friend of his - both of the boys had a choke-hold on each other with one hand, while trying to wrestle with the other.  I guess this is how boys greet each other after a summer break...  

Wheels

This has been the spring/summer of two wheels.  #1 got up on his bike early this spring and hasn't stopped since.  Weekends have turned into family outings - lots of trips along the river.  Before I got too big to hold on comfortably to the handle bars, I went too.  Brought back lots of memories from my own childhood and family outings to Underwoods Farm.  I don't think I'll ever forget riding up the super steep hill that seemed to go on forever ... to get to the top and see the farm.  Inside the farm store smelled like pumpkin doughnuts and apple cider, and they had the best candy selection ever.  Underwoods Farm is now condos, I think.  But I hope to take the kids to Traverse one summer and we'll do something similar along the Peninsula ... or ride to Bardon's Wonder Freeze - at least it is still there. 

After several weekend trips along the same path, #1 wanted longer and longer rides ... and #2 didn't complain (he pretty much gets a free ride without much peddling, so why would he).  So Mr. Right would clock their trips and he was taking the boys on 8-10 mile rides - which we thought would be enough to tire #1 out!  As if anyone is surprised - the kid is clearly an endorphin junky.


A few weeks ago after the heat finally came down to a reasonable 90 degrees (ha!), the boys took a long ride to Mount Vernon.  I dropped them off and planned to meet them for lunch at the end.  They were off and riding - I went and got lunch, had an uninterrupted phone call with my parents, hopped back in the car and passed them with just about a mile to go until the end.  Everyone looked happy and great!  I pulled in the lot and waited for them to ride in when I noticed something weird with #1's face.  I couldn't tell what it was, but something wasn't quite right.  Seems the rites of passage continue this year ... he had his first crash at mile 3 (of 10) and in the true form of his father's kind of crash.  Although, thank goodness, it wasn't hospital worthy.  

If you ask #1 today, he'll tell you he was "trying to do a triple flip and only did a double."  If you ask his father, he turned around and then lost control, flipping over his bike then rolling twice across the bike path and down a little hill.  Yes he was wearing his helmet.  No broken nose, no broken collar bone ... just road rash across the right side of his face.  A week later he was almost totally healed and seemed to enjoy retelling the story.  The kid has my ability for exaggeration!  

The good news is that this accident hasn't changed his love for riding, although he makes sure we have the first aid kit with us.

Summer Trippin

Summer vacation has brought our much anticipated annual pilgrimage to visit all things grand!

We started in Florida to visit with G&GM and got a quick and brutal introduction to the heat that is defining summer 2010. We had LOTS of fun and LOTS of pool time. Our daily schedule went something like ... wake up, swim ... snack, swim ... swim ... lunch, swim ...watch a movie inside while the daily Thunderstorm rolls through ... swim ... dinner, swim ... sleep. We diverted from that schedule only once when we headed to the sandy, yummy beach where the Gulf water temperature was 89 degrees! It was crazy warm, but still - somehow - refreshing. Who knows what the Florida beach will be like on our next visit, so we enjoyed it enough to last a long time.

We returned home for two weeks to start summer camps for both of the boys and practice breathing in 90 degree temperatures. #1 is turning into a little fish - swimming every day and working on his "real swimming". True to form he is all about the uniform and insists on having swim goggles with him at all times ... sometimes with a back up pair just in case. He is more experienced in the water than most of his camp-mates which has given him some special one-on-one instruction with one of the junior counselors. We hope this gives him an opportunity to enjoy learning strokes instead of the turbo speed dog paddle he's got going now.

#2 started "Kindercamp" and starts each day around the indoor (electric) campfire. He sings songs and plays games that are exactly what you would expect for summer camp. The groups of kids are mixed up in ages so there are 2-5 year olds working together on projects and such. He's been working on his big brother skills with the littlest guys and learning very little that his brother hasn't already taught him from the older guys.

In July, #2 got his special "big boy trip" to visit with his Grandma & Pops in Atlanta - ALL BY HIMSELF. Grandma flew up to DC to pick him up, then the two of them flew back together. Mr. Right and I have not had #1 to ourselves, as an "only child" since #2 was born three years ago. We had a fabulous time, as did he ... and we didn't spoil him rotten. #2, on the other hand was spoiled ROTTEN. He's been looking forward to this trip for a long time and has known that he had to be three years old before he could do it. So his birthday came and went in May and he said in his own way ... WTF? Where's the trip? I've never seen such a quick exchange of parent to grandparent at the airport when his Grandma flew up to get him. His bag was packed, shoes on, ready to go! I barely got a kiss good-bye.

After a few days alone we all flew to Atlanta and joined up with #2. He was happy to see us for about 10 minutes ... he then remembered that sharing was part of the deal that came with having a brother, as well as compromise and all kinds of other things that are not necessary when your brother and parents aren't around. I'll leave it at - there was an adjustment period.

After a day at the pool in Atlanta, we all drove up to the NC mountains and enjoyed some much cooler temperatures (thank goodness says Shamu - with child), family time with cousins, lots of golf cart rides, fishing, more pool time, a hike or two in the woods, a cruise on the boat and even a trip to the ER for a super bad cough. We had a wonderful and restful trip and did not want to come home. But, by the time our trip ended, I think we got everyone sick (love 3 and 5 year old germs) ... so I think we were not welcome anymore.

We've settled back into daily routines and 90+ degree days. There is still a lot of pool time to help everyone cool down and get some energy out while not turning into a sweaty, red faced mess. Some days #1 is too hot and tired for Tae Kwon Do - which is shocking to me. I get it, but he's usually so ready for anything ... especially punching and kicking. It makes me feel a little better about the pity party I throw my up 25 lb. self these days. It's freaking HOT here!

Thank you family for being such generous hosts ... and putting up with our chaos. I hope these fun boys remind you that it will be worth the additional *pink* chaos that comes with our next visit. All signs in the belly point to a female form of #1 ... I suggest you all rest up now.