proof that I need a girl

Tonight is the Father and Sons camp out. Typically I would be jumping for joy, scheming what to do with my freedom. But last night as I crawled in bed at midnight, I whispered to my husband that I don't want them to go. Please don't go, I said. Not because I wouldn't love to get rid of the kids for a night-- but because we haven't had a low-key night in weeks. Saturday and Sunday are just as busy and weekends were made for recuperation. I just can't stand sending them away when this is our only chance to hang out and be together. Is it too much to ask for one night where nothing is going on? Just one night?

I'm not sure if my pleading was enough. I told him I would make whatever he wanted for dinner, watch any movie, play any game or go on a bike ride wherever he pleased-- if he and the boys just stayed home with me. I hate to ruin all their male-bonding fun, but I just need a husband once in a while, even if that means he's accompanied with a few kids. Am I raining on their parade? A camp out like this only comes once a year. But a night with NOTHING to do is hard to come by these days.

If they do happen to go (because sometimes my husband doesn't listen to me when I whisper in his ear at midnight) then I will enjoy myself, I'm sure. I will have a baby to keep me from crying about not having any girls to hang out with... and Simon in all his 6 month glory is good enough.

Can you believe he's 6 months old today? I cannot. It's gone by so quickly and yet I can't remember my life before he was born. I can't remember being normal. The mom I was last year during the Father and Sons camp out couldn't have pushed them out the door fast enough. This year, I am different. We are a different family... different in a good way, but everything is moving at super-turbo speed. All I want is for my kids to stop growing, my husband to be home once in a while and for each of us to have nothing to do but sit around and look at each other. Is that too much to ask for? Oh, and I want a maid and a personal trainer too.

poop scoop

Simon is known around this house as Sir Poops-A-Lot... reason being, he poops a lot. I have never had a baby who eats and poops like this kid, so I am mighty proud. The last couple of times we've been in public, Simon has come home naked because I forget to bring an extra outfit and his diapers aren't able to hold the amount of poop he's dishing out. On Tuesday, I set him on my bed for a minute. When I picked him up, I had creamy poop all over my arm, all over my bed sheets and all over the remote control I gave him to play with. That was a fun mess to clean up.

Last night (Cinco de Mayo) we got together with some friends for our annual mexican fiesta... It was great weather and delicious food-- can't ask for better than that. Simon ate a lot and pooped a lot- right out of his outfit. I am beginning to think the kid doesn't like clothes and is doing it on purpose. The only pictures we got of the event were of Sy-Guy and his girlfriend, Cambria. Natalie (my doula who basically delivered Simon in my bedroom) had a baby of her own in her bedroom... Cambria is three months old and is the sweetest baby you'll ever meet.

Can you believe how flexible my baby is? When he's done with his food he starts eating his foot..

family matters

Good things are happening everyday.

My brother Kevin is engaged to a beautiful girl.

We are so excited to welcome Jen into our ginormous family. I don't know if she knows what she's getting into, but we're so glad she's committed! I am getting emotional just thinking about their upcoming wedding. It's been a while since all ten of my siblings have been together. We used to live down the street from each other and now it's special because we're spread across the country. It won't be easy for Kristy and her family to come from Atlanta (or Tim and Rachel to fly from Detroit with a new baby) but it's going to mean that much MORE to have everyone together. Congrats, lovebirds!

Aunt Cindy is coming to live with us this summer!

We have literally been counting down the days until she arrives. Every morning, Zack asks me how much longer until Cindy is a part of our family. I tell him that she IS a part of our family but it's only a couple of weeks before we see her everyday. My heart is happy just thinking about not only having an adult around to talk to, but a FEMALE adult at that! She is the last and final single sibling-- and I doubt it will stay that way for long, so I am going to enjoy every bit of her while I can. Cindy has always been a spunky blond but yesterday she dyed her hair dark! She posted pictures on her blog HERE. I'll to prove to her this summer that brunettes have more fun. PS. Vegans-- she is taking a graveyard nanny job with a family here in town (nothing like getting paid to sleep) but if you need a great baby-sitter part time, let me know. Of course, please don't ask during the hours we'll be basking in the sun at the pool. :)

Aaron and I signed up to run a half-marathon.

I wanted to do this one in Bryce Canyon a couple of years ago, but things didn't work out. This summer, my man and I will be celebrating our TEN YEAR wedding anniversary. We figured running 13 miles would be a great way to commemorate the years of sweat and tears we've spent together. Truth is, I am terrified to run it with Aaron. He's in such great shape and could run the race without the training, I'm sure. For ten years, I have witnessed Aaron vigorously exercising. It's a big priority for him and I am not as.... dedicated. I hesitate running with him because he likes to trash-talk and frankly, I'm afraid of him. Last week over breakfast, I quietly said something like, "Well, what if I am not able to keep up with you?" He laughed and said "if? IF?" I know he's teasing, but that doesn't mean I am not intimidated. After I signed up and paid, I forward him the email at work. He replied back with these words: "You and me babe. You and me. No worries. I'll help you all the way." This is why I love him. He knows my weaknesses and challenges me to be better. I am looking forward to our getaway in Bryce Canyon just the two of us, but I am more excited to spend time training with him-- outdoors. Our goal is to run the Red Rock loop before the race.. which is 13 miles. Wish us ME luck!

this morning.

I was awake at 6:00 am. I put on tennis shoes to head outside when I heard the baby cry. So I took my shoes off and crawled back in bed with my baby. He stuck both of his chubby feet high in the air as he drank his warm bottle. Every once in a while, he would smile at me and lose his suction. There's nothing like the early mornings with a baby. Especially a cute one.

After Simon was fat and happy, I heard some rustling outside my room. My older three don't usually wake up until 8 but apparently Zack was ready to take on the day at 6. I greeted him at the door. He was wearing a cute summer outfit, socks and shoes and his Superman backpack. He unzipped his pack as said, "Mom, what do you need? A claw or a sword?" I told him that I didn't needed either, but I would take a hug.

And then took a toy out for himself-- a microphone that records your own voice. He climbed up on the bed, laid next to the baby and recorded, "I love you, Sy-Guy." He played it over and over for the baby to hear. Simon liked it best in fast-chipmunk mode. I preferred it in silent mode, but didn't say so. Instead I thought about how lucky Zack is to have such a cute baby to love so early in the morning. And how lucky Simon is to have a brother with so much zest and enthusiasm for life... a brother who is dressed and ready to take on the world at 6 AM, with sword in hand. And then I thought about how lucky I am to be their mother, to stay home with them and watch their relationship develop from brothers to best friends. This is definitely the good life.

neither of these pictures were taken today... my camera has been shipped out for repairs.

FREE Mother's Day gifts!

So, I just ordered my parent's anniversary/mother's day gift on line. I will reveal it after my parents see it themselves... they don't often check this blog (they call me instead :) But I must do things the proper way and give them the gift before I let the internet world see it. ANYWAY-- back to my point.

I found an awesome printing site that I've never seen before. Just for signing up, they give you $25 credit on your first order. Their printing prices are really reasonable and from what I read, they do good work. If you are wanting to print out a nice picture of your kids (or order your own prints for yourself) head on over to AdoramaPix.

http://www.adoramapix.com/index.aspx

I printed a 16X20 print for my parents and ten 8X10 prints for my siblings and only had to pay $5 for shipping. That's my kind of shopping, yo! The offer ends on 5/7/2010, so ya better hurry.

Happy Mother's Day!