Back From A Blogging Sabbatical

The Announcement:

The Reaction:

So, in short this is why I have been off the blogging radar. I have been sick----SUPER SICK!!!! I am currently 12 weeks pregnant, and Baby Brooks number four is doing well. Apparently he/she (but most likely "she") is about the size of a lime, squirming all around, and developing reflexes this week. We all squeezed into the examining room at my OB's office yesterday where we heard the heartbeat for the first time, and we are looking forward to our next visit (September 13th) when we can find out the baby's sex (and of course check out all of that really important stuff--like how the heart is developing, umbilical chord strands etc.)

I am happy to report that I have noticed the nausea and vomiting waning over the last week, and I haven't had any Zophran in the last 3 days. Please keep our growing family in your prayers as Baby Brooks continues to develop and we prepare for her/his birth in late February (somewhere around miss Madeline's birthday).

May Milestone #3: Mother's Day Number 7

Knowing me, I probably celebrated Mother's Day when I was pregnant with Hannah.  However, this Mother's Day was officially my seventh Mother's Day as "Mommy." The day was spent going to church, dining out, and savoring an afternoon of rest and relaxation.  Later in the evening, our family enjoyed our second annual Mother's Day visit to the rose garden.

I am eternally grateful to God for blessing me with a wonderful husband and partner in Jonathan.  I love being the mother of his children and sharing in this parenting adventure with him.

And, I am every so grateful to be called "mommy" by three little blessings from the hand of God!

Blessing Number 1: Hannah (age 6.5)

 Blessing Number 2:  Madeline (age 4)

Blessing Number 3:  Emerson (19 months)

May Milestone #2: Sayonara Second Tooth!

Just one short week after Hannah lost her first tooth, the second one decided it was time to go.  Daddy to the rescue once more!  The process was much faster the second time around and very satisfying for a certain 6 1/2 year old; because, in stereotypical fashion, Hannah was (still is) proudly missing her two front teeth!

 

May Milestone #1: Big Girl Bed

Emerson decided she wanted a "big girl bed" . . . and by "decided," I mean forced us to turn her crib into a day bed after one horrendous, awful, terrible, sleepless night!  Long story short-- she woke up crying as I was going to sleep.  She woke up angry . . . REALLY angry.  She wouldn't lay back down.  She hiked her leg over and straddled the bar of her crib.  NOT cool!  Naturally, I was nervous; but, I chose to put her back down (screaming and crying) and crawled into the double bed stationed next to her crib.  I had begun to doze off when I noticed the crying had stopped-- because she was straddling the crib rail again! Shocked and scared I put her in the bed with me.  Nobody slept.  There was crying, jumping, begging, pleading, squirming, praying, and did I mention begging???? until 5 am . . . when, naturally, Emerson finally fell asleep. 

The next day, Jonathan lowered her crib to the final level.  We put her in the crib and she immediately hiked her leg up and straddled the railing.  So, that's the story of how Emerson's crib became a "Day Bed."

This is how I found her on the morning after the first night  she spent in her "Big Girl Bed." (Which went splendidly by the way!)

Classic Emerson move-- rubbing her nose with her blanket.

Our morning routine begins with  Emerson (who has had her passy four months longer than the other girls--we're lax--what can I say, she's number three) handing over passy.  She is only allowed to have it in bed.

On A Day In May . . .

  . . . two super crazy girls had a whole lot of fun in the sprinkler!

Here it comes  . . .

. . . .I'm going . . .

  . . . going . . .

. . . gone!  Leaving poor Madeline to get hit square in the face!!!

Unfortunately one very cute (and very sad) baby was not feeling the sprinkler love.  She did not have a whole lot fun!!!

Spring Soccer 2011

April ushered in a new soccer season . . . and, a new goalkeeper!!!

Hannah had so much fun during her first season of soccer (in the fall), that she decided to play again this Spring.  The Tigers had a great season, losing only one game early on.  Hannah, a defender through and through decided to try her hand (and feet) in the goal this season.  Though it makes me a nervous wreck (way too much pressure), she loves it.  And, she's good.  Understandably she let a couple of balls through; but, this girl showed no fear even diving on the ball at times!  We are proud of Hannah for being a team player, playing her hardest (most of the time-- there was some tooth wiggling and skipping-- not going to lie!), and demonstrating excellent sportsmanship.  We are also very proud of  Madeline and Emerson, who were very supportive sisters-- sitting through games and cheering for Hannah every Saturday morning in the hot sun.