currently

Last night I intended to give an update on the family... but those two crying babies kept me away from my important blogging responsibilities. Little stinkers. This afternoon Simon is sleeping peacefully in Roma's crib-- trapped under a crib tent. He was giggling when I put him in. After I zipped it up, he wanted a kiss through the mesh material and that was that. He's been sleeping for two hours now and I feel like a new woman! I can't wait to zip him up later tonight. Hope he doesn't mind sleeping in a purple room with butterflies for the next few months.

Roma is in our room and has been an incredible sleeper. She has been sleeping through the night (7-9 hour stretches) since she was born. Until yesterday, I was thinking she was an angel baby. Now I am starting to think her jaundice is worse than we originally thought. She's not very yellow, but she's super lethargic. And as nice as it is to get so much sleep, I am worried she's not growing like she should. My midwife is on her way over here to weigh her and check her out. Another AMAZING benefit of having a baby at home. No trip to the doctor's office with other sick kids. Hopefully we can get her chunked up soon.

We already miss Aunt Karen like crazy. She was here for 5 days and it was awesome. She is my mom's little sister and I am so appreciative of all that she has done for us. Karen has three granddaughters on the way (one due any day now) and that will total 10 grandchildren for her. We were so lucky to have her all to ourselves for 5 whole days! We watched chick flicks, ate yummy food, and talked until our faces turned blue. She was SO kind to make all kinds of goodies and keep our freezer stocked up with Sonic ice. If mom can't be here, Aunt Karen is the next best thing!! I feel bad we didn't take any pictures of her time with us. Luckily I had my camera in the car when we dropped her off... We all really miss Karen, especially Sy-Guy! He was her special errand-running buddy. (and Sunny will miss taking Karen for her afternoon walk :))

I took the two littles into Aaron's office yesterday to introduce the baby to his secretaries. Aaron will be switching law firms in two short weeks. This will be a big change for our family... especially for Aaron. It has been something in development for the past couple of months, so we were hoping the timing would be okay with a new baby. I think it will be. But having a new baby and a new job in the same month makes things a little chaotic. Aaron will not only be switching firms, but will go into a completely different field-- employment law with a big, national firm. We love our hard working man and know that he will be successful in whatever he does. Simon walked Aaron to the door this morning and said, "Bye, Hun! Good Day!"

We are spending as much time outside as we possibly can. Ben and Luke are really enjoying school and are still the best of buddies. Zack is doing awesome in his Kindergarten curriculum at home. When I tell him it's time to do homework, he gives a fist pump and says, "Yes!" He was actually tested today by his online teacher and she told me he's at a 2nd grade reading level. I emailed Aaron afterward and said, "Who knew?" He's been reading for some time, but he never really wants to do it on his own, so when he was going through his testing process this morning, I was probably more shocked than anyone else. Go Wacky Zacky! He's still as funny as ever. I need to be writing down all his crazy quotes....

I guess that just leaves me and fortunately there is no picture to go along. I am feeling pretty good, taking all things into consideration. For as hard as the labor was for me, the recovery has been my easiest (I think.) I wake up with lots of energy, I don't feel sad in the least, I am so grateful for all that I have, I am ready to set goals and get moving... This is NOTHING like I felt after I had Simon. But she's not quite 2 weeks old, so I should knock on wood as I type. Here's to hoping things only get better from here on out!

And that's the update on our family of 7. Our Halloween costumes are almost finished and we are getting excited for the big day! Two of my older sisters will be here before the month is over. We've been so spoiled! October is my FAVE. I just hope the last half doesn't go by as quickly as the first half went.. Take a chill-pill, Fall!

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)