my babies

It's a little past 10 PM on a typically busy Tuesday. Aaron has been gone all night doing church stuff and it is my first night "on my own" with FIVE chilluns. My awesome auntie left this afternoon back to Idaho. (insert sob here.) Everything was going smoothly until around 8 PM. Simon was overly tired from our busy day of shopping, visiting Daddy at work, taking treats to neighbors (boo!) and spending a good hour jumping on the trampoline (the weather is oh-so-FAB!)

After trying to put him in his bed at least 20 times (I am in the process of getting a crib tent... he's been out of his crib for a couple of months and we still haven't found a solution. We tried putting him on the bunk bed with the older boys, but that no worky. Now he's sleeping in a play pen, and he escapes like a convict on the run.) Anyway, after trying to put him to sleep and failing miserably, I let him lay down by the baby on my bed. (Yes, I realize that I am the root of the problem when I give in.) The poor boy was so tired and while getting himself situated, he accidently hit Roma in the head.. Naturally, she started crying and that sent Simon into a full-out sob. This little boy is SO protective over his baby sister, and he felt terrible that he'd made her cry. Here were my two blubbering babies needing me to comfort them and all I could do was grab a camera and take a picture....

About an hour later, Roma was finally fed and changed into a nightgown. Simon had gotten on and off my bed a handful of times & ran into the foosball table once (in the dark). He FINALLY decided to give in and cuddle up to his sister again. When I saw them snoring away together, I almost teared up (for more reasons than one.) It was time to pull out the camera again and capture my two sleeping beauties.

I can't wait to see this relationship blossom as the years go by. There is already so much love.

Little People Nativity Set

I almost bought this Nativity set in the store a few years ago, but couldn't justify spending $40 at the time. Ever since then, I've been looking for it. You know you NEED something when you are thinking about it years later. Anyway, I saw this deal online (today only) and bought it. I love the idea of having a Nativity set that was made for your kids to PLAY with. It'll come to $24 with shipping.

If you're interested, go to this website: http://www.familychristian.com/shop/product.asp?prodID=59277&name=Fisher%20Price-Little%20People%20Nativity

If the Nativity set isn't showing up, search for "little people nativity" in the box at the top of the page. Click on the item, it's regularly priced at $39.99.

When you've gone through the checkout process, you will need to enter these TWO coupon codes. First, enter 125672195 to give you $16 off the price. Then, enter 1286872 to get FREE shipping.

her first bath

Roma's umbilical cord fell off pretty early (5 days old, is that early?) and I was anxious to give her a real bath and scrub her down. I don't usually buy baby bathtubs (the sink works just as well) but a month or so ago, Simon found a permanent marker while I was looking around at a garage sale and he colored all over this baby bath. So it became ours.

Simon is SUCH a big helper (not) and wants to be RIGHT next to her for every feeding, diaper changing, etc. He's a bit obsessive and calls her "my baby Woma". He is very gentle with her and will softly put her pacifier in her mouth, but if a brother comes along and tries to help him, he will slug them with the hand he isn't using. I guess I should be grateful he's not taking his aggression out on the baby...?

These pictures of all five of them in the tub make me laugh out loud. Ben hasn't taken a bath since Simon was a newborn and I took these shots. He was taking a shower while the little boys bathed. Luke got in the bath because he wanted to hold Roma... Just as I was about to take a picture of the 4 littles, I asked Big Ben if he wanted to hop in quickly with the rest of them. He kind of groaned but got in anyway, which made me giggle. The water in the tub literally went up 5 inches with him inside. Then I just kept giggling thinking about making my kids bathe together until they are in college. "I just want ONE picture!"

My bathroom is basically a war-zone on Sunday mornings. Adding a baby to the mix makes things even crazier, but luckily I have my awesome Auntie Karen here to help. She dressed the baby and got her all lotioned-up while I helped the boys get ready for church.. Roma's skin is a pretty pink color... but it looks a little scary when you put her next to her whitey older brothers. Summer is really over when the tan lines have faded. :( It makes me sad. But Fall is here and we are excited about all that is to come! I love this time of year!

**Oh, and I should write this little conversation down for keepsakes. When Luke got in the bath, Simon went to grab his package. Luke told him nicely, "Simon, you have your OWN wienie!" For the next 30 minutes Simon chanted this little tune, "I have my own wienie! I have my own wienie!"

Five Little Monkeys

Since she's arrived, we've started a new family tradition before bedtime.

It's called, "sit on mom and dad's bed and fight over Roma."

This particular night, Zack was winning.

Getting kids to smile is so much easier when Daddy is behind you with his shirt over his head.

Simon thinks Daddy is WAY funny...

Like, throw-your-head-back-and-snort funny

We sure love these little monkeys.

(when everyone pulled out their silly faces, Roma pulled out her Wolverina claws)

She has a name!

Introducing...

Roma Gwendolyn Shumway

I can't believe that my childhood dream of naming a daughter after my Grandma has finally become a reality.  We are crazy about our Roma girl.