Half way there (plus a week)

I meant to take a picture last Tuesday when I was exactly twenty weeks along. Apparently, some would like to see the size of my belly. I can promise you that is not the part of my body i am concerned with growing. We are officially 21 weeks at this point and i had a check up yesterday. Baby's heart rate was in the 140s and seems to be growing fine. Blood pressure and weight were up but i blame that on the different office i visited. :) Yes, some call that denial. We still have a long way to go and a lot of changes between now and then. I hope with all we have going on time flys. Pregnancy is always more enjoyable when i look back on it. The baby is moving and Eric felt it for the first time last night. It is so exciting when you can feel they are getting stronger...... until they start kicking your ribs and bladder. I feel so blessed to have been given the responsiblity of raising these four beautiful children. We are still working on a name. My mom keeps reminding me that i should keep a girl name on hand since we all know what happened with the other ultrasound. :) Eric has conceded on some of his crazier names but has added a few others to his list. When we get them put together i will put up a voting box so you guys can let us know what your favorite is.

Note: Please excuse the fact that i have no make-up on. I didn't feel the need to put any on when i went to vote (or most of the other places i go). :)

The Brackin Monster Bash

I thought i would be the coolest mom on the block by throwing the kids a little Halloween party. Since there are only two other kids on the street it wasn't that big of a deal. I started thinking in advance what we could do. It was only going to be for a few hours and so i picked out crafts, games and treats and began collecting all the supplies. Monday rolled around and with all of my advance thinking and planning i had still failed to physically prepare for the arrival of the two other kids. Go figure, i procrastinated! I got everything finished as the first little boy, Gavin, arrived. We started on a craft and waited for the last little girl, Madelyn, to arrive. I know, i make it sound like an army. With five kids and one me... it felt like it. We started with a cute bat craft and quickly moved to the cupcake snacks. We read a cute Halloween book that then led into a game of mummy wrap. Yes, i probably killed at least one tree with all the toilet paper we used. Totally worth it. I will plant a tree on the hill to make up for it. :) We then turned on the "tunes" as Ella called it and played with balloons. The girls got crafty again with Fall picture frames and the boys just played. We took Gavin, his treat bag and craft back to his house at lunch. Madelyn stayed through the afternoon. They attempted to play the mummy wrap game again but not near the enthusiasm they had the first time. The kids were exhausted. I guess that means the party was a success.

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend was grocery shopping weekend. Since we only do our grocery shopping once a month you can imagine it is an ordeal. Two days, two stores, three kids and most of a paycheck later it is done and i can rest easy knowing i have another 4 to 5 weeks before we do it again. These weekends are always busy. Scheduling everything between Eric's work and the kids naps and eating times makes it even more stressful. Thankfully Auburn went ahead and lost on Thursday and Alabama played late so we didn't have to miss the games. After the shopping on Friday and Saturday we decided to take advantage of the warm weather and head to the pumpkin farm Sunday after church. It was a small farm but a wonderful afternoon. The kids did the corn maze, fed goats, took a hayride, picked pumpkins and even milked a cow , sort of. It was a full but wonderful weekend.

North Carolina State Fair

Our neighbors invited us to go to the fair after church yesterday. We thought it would be fun to go with them since Ella and Jack are friends with their daughter Madaline. However, yesterday was not the best time for us. I was exhausted from taking care of Eric and the kids and Eric, well, he was still walking around like a cowboy from an old western movie. I swear you could fit a beach ball between his knees. For those who don't know, Eric went for his repeat vasectomy this past Friday. We went anyway. What were we thinking??? I think having kids totally messes with your brain's ability to reason. We run home after church to change clothes and grab a bite for lunch and then....off to the FAIR! When we get off the interstate I can tell it will be awhile before we get to the fair or anywhere for that matter. We finally arrive at a parking lot. People and cars are everywhere and seem to be coming from every direction. I thought it might be slow on this Sunday afternoon. Wishful thinking. They expect a million or more fair goers this year. Finally, tickets in hand and we are in. We make a b-line for the food. That was more difficult than you think since it was in every direction. My pregnant mommy nose sniffs out the first thing on our food list.... COTTON CANDY. As i am standing in line waiting to fulfill my children's desire for this cottony, sugary goodness i am bombarded by the aroma of roasted corn, smoked turkey legs, Polish sausage, Italian sausage, hot dogs, shoestring fries, carmel and candy apples, pizza, funnel cakes, elephant ears, ice cream, lemons from the fresh lemonade, corn dogs, fried pickles and every other fried food imaginable (even candy bars and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). Warm sunlight and a cool breeze hit my face. I take in all the smells and think......this is a pregnant woman's heaven! We hit a few of the food joints and then head to the farm animals. Honey and bee exhibits, cows and their calves (even a grey cow), horses, goats, lambs, turkeys and pigs. The aroma wasn't near as pleasant. On to the next thing. We walk out of the building and there are people, games, lights, rides and food in every direction. It seems endless. Glad i brought a stroller. We find a ride. The kids are willing to go since Madaline and Elijah are going. We wait in line.... and we wait.....and wait. Finally. Ella heads up to the top of the slide. There she is at the top, she sits on the bag and down she comes. A moment of terror on her face but then exclaims "it was way fun". Good, one down. Jack's turn. Okay...go...wait....NO, NO, NO. Eric get off! Before he heeds my warning he comes down the slide with Jack. I can't help but think of the impact when he slides off the end. They made it. All enjoyed it. Even Eric. Next, a farmer's exhibit. Right up Jack's alley. We begin to walk through and look at all the plants, the basics, cabbage, corn, tobacco, soybeans, cotton, and more. Even a chicken coop. The kids got baskets to "pick" their crops and even sold them at the farmer's market. Off to another ride. A train! They even got the coveted engine seats! More walking and two Tylenol for Eric. A fun house and a few of my desperate attempts at ringing the rigged basketball goal later we find some more food and call it a day. Eric and i find the walk back to the car far longer than it was on the way in. Ella and Jack are in a single stroller snuggled together and fighting sleep. We get home at almost 7 and have some dinner. Yes, i ate dinner even after all the fair food. The kids are exhausted and still full of excitement from the day. Even Eric and i are giddy about the day we had. I guess you can never be too old for the fair. :) Today, we hurt. Not too bad but enough to remind us that we might not be to old for the fair but we are still old. :)

Today, i was a Queen.

Most of my days are the same. Get up, fix breakfast, put the dogs out, preschool, on some days the gym, lunch, naps, laundry, cleaning, dinner, more cleaning, baths, bedtime. Ahhhh.....sweet bedtime. Just to get up and do it all again with little or no variation to the routine. I love it. Even though the schedule is the same the kids make everyday an adventure. That is why i enjoy staying home with them so much. Every now and then i get a break. Usually on Mother's day! :) That is the one day i get to stay in bed and enjoy being waited on, at least for a little while. Now, that the kids are getting older there are days where Ella and Jack want to make breakfast. They are pretty good at putting waffles in the toaster. This morning Ella and Jack came and crawled in the bed with me and before i knew it both were off to the kitchen for breakfast. Ella stuck her head back in the door and said " you stay here, i can handle it" to which i lovingly replied "God bless you!". Jack comes running up some minutes later asking if he could have a race car cup and i start to get up but Ella rushes in and says she can get it if it is okay and insists i stay in bed and rest. In her words, "mom you need to stay in bed and rest because when you rest the baby in your belly rests and the baby needs LOTS of rest". I will remind her of that when she wants me to chase her. :) Finally, i get it...breakfast in bed from Ella and Jack. Served on a silver platter. The best part is they made everyone breakfast. Waffles with Cheerios (decoration i think) and a glass of milk. I think when i saw the cheerios as plate decoration i realized i might subject them to a little to much food network. It was fabulous having my two and four year old want to take care of me, only if it was for a moment. Hopefully, when i am older those feelings of wanting to pamper their mother will return and they will share that with the two little ones. I asked Ella why i got breakfast in bed and her response..... "you deserve it". So today, my babies made me feel like a queen.

I felt the need to add this little story to my blog. After my wonderful breakfast and school we headed to Target to buy some storage for the kids closets. On our way home was this conversation between Jack and Ella:

Jack: the sun is out and it is following us

Ella: that is because God loves us. He made, he made the sun to follow us where ever we go because he lives in our hearts.

Jack: Where is God?

Ella: Everywhere. He lives in our hearts and is everywhere.

Jack: Well.... well, where is Jesus?

Ella (said so matter-of-factly): He lives in our heart too. Jesus and God,(pause to get her thoughts straight) Jesus and God are a team. They are everywhere together and they live in our heart together. They go everywhere together, they watch over us together, they water the flowers together, they help us together, they wash the grass together, and they love us together. They are a team. (in her best mommy voice)Do you understand Jack?

Jack just nods in agreement. So simple. Makes me feel better than the breakfast in bed! I love days like this. God is good. :)

Haircuts

Eric has needed a haircut for a few weeks now. He decided last night would be a good time to take care of the task. The routine is simple. Into the bathroom, guard on the clippers, head over the sink, cut. Well, occasionally the kids see this and think they should all have a hair cut. Given that they all needed one i delayed my trip to Target and started cutting Ella's. Not much just a bit off the bottom. Jack told Eric he wanted a haircut like daddy's. So cute, i know. However, what i wasn't aware of was that he meant he wanted to literally cut his hair like daddy. I am sure you can see where this is going. As i was finishing Ella's hair Jack comes running to the door, Eric at the far sink (still cutting, does it really take that long??) and Ella and I by the door, and announces my hair is cut like daddy's. I glance down...i then choke on my spit. What have you done!!!! Then the I feel the laughter moving up to my mouth. Could i contain it? I hear Eric laughing....I must contain myself. I take Jack out and discipline him and explain why we can't play with scissors. I then run to my room to laugh, in all the commotion we forgot to locate the hair. Where had he cut it? He brought the scissors out of Ella's room. Why would he go in there to cut his hair? Turns out he had gone in to her play kitchen and leaned over the sink and cut his hair, just like daddy does. :) Before and after pictures...neither is good. Glad hair grows!

Jack goes to gymnastics

So, after Ella's first gymnastics class and Jack's many tears over not getting to participate I attempted to get Eric to commit to allowing him to join a class last week. Apparently, I should have given him more than a days notice on my idea because it caused him a great deal of stress. In Eric's words "he needed to wrap his head around his son going to gymnastics". I guess i should have said play group or a strength and flexibility training class. For Eric the mention of Jack and gymnastics in the same sentence brought up mental pictures of our son in a leotard dancing on a balance beam. Anyway, one week later and a lot of talks about how ridiculous and limiting Eric was being he was good with the class. Today was his first day! He was so excited and so was i. We get there and wait for all the other to come. Please Lord, let there be a boy in his class so i can tell Eric......HA! No such luck. Four little girls. :) As they start to go in i realize that their parents are going in to. Wait, what? I ask, am i supposed to go in? The lady says "yes, this is a mommy and me class". Hold up....Back the bus up for one minute....I look around at Ella and John and think we should just get in the car and go now. Too late. Jack is already in taking his turn on the trampoline. Geez, why didn't i re-read the class description??? This is more like mommy and three! Ella sits in a corner and plays and John hangs with me as i help guide Jack. They had a slide into the foam pit, talked about fires, practiced their stop,drop and roll, and then were allowed some free play all over the gym. Jack and John had a blast in the class. Even though it is pretty busy for me i think i will continue to take him because he loves it. We then grabbed a bite of lunch and back to the gym for Ella's class. Busy morning but well worth it!

What???, watercolor and a few funny stories!

I should probably make this three different blogs but i won't. :) Since announcing that we were expecting another boy people have ask what is apparently an obvious question " will we try for a girl after this one?" WHAT??? Maybe it only sounds crazy to me. The answer is no. This is it. HA! I know i have said that before but Eric and i feel like this was what God had for us and this is what we will take. Three beautiful boys and one lovely little girl. Ella has turned into a ball of excitement about another boy. Most days i think that Jack and John are going to give me a heart attack and with a third boy trying to keep up I think it will only keep me on my toes. I look forward to it. As i have grown, i have found that chaos is my groove. I work best under pressure. I love noise and nothing is sweeter than watching and listening to all the kids screaming and laughing as they chase each other in the backyard. As Eric and i watch in amazement that they are ours we try to picture the four of them. Not just as children but what they might do and become as they grow up. We try not to have expectations other than whatever they do and what ever they love they will do it to the best of their abilities ( and there will be no quiting until a season is over. you start it, you finish it). I take comfort in knowing that there will always be a full sideline cheering them on. I am blessed to say that the Lord has entrusted Eric and me to raise four beautiful babies. I get stares in the mall and grocery store when it is just the kids and i. I know some think we are crazy or that our lives must be so hard with so many kids and not living near a support system of family and friends. I don't feel like i have it hard. I think i have it pretty easy with three and a half kids. Yes, it would be nice to be able to go to dinner once a month with my husband but we will get there. Right now i am cherishing the time that i have with just us as a family. Maybe we are crazy. Maybe not. I guess i am done with the rambling so on to the water coloring. I, believe it or not, allowed my 4, 2, and 1 year old to paint with water colors while i cooked dinner. Yes, paint with no supervision. I only went in when someone called for a clean sheet of paper. I was so very impressed. They assisted each other and made some beautiful pictures.:) Jack's looks like a Picasso and Ella likes to paint a more realistic portrait. Her picture is of herself and her friend, Madeline. John ate some but still managed to get some on the paper.

Now, for the funny stories.

Jack learned magic:

I was in my bathroom trying to get my hair fixed before we went to gymnastics. I don't often get to do this so i was taking my time even though the kids weren't fully dressed. Jack came to the bathroom door only dressed in a t-shirt. I questioned him about where his underwear had disappeared to but i couldn't seem to get an answer out of him. I did notice he was scratching his "hiney" (as we call it). I tried to ignore it thinking it would pass but finally i had to tell him to stop. I asked if he needed to use the potty and he said no. Then Jack announced "look what i found!" and in his hand was a quarter! Yes, he said he found a quarter in his hiney and it was magic! HA! Any magician can pull a coin out of your ear! :) God love him!

Ella loves deliveries:

I was upstairs with the boys when Ella comes up insisting i come to the door. "Why?" i asked. She said there was a man and she thought he wanted to give us something. The delight in her eyes was too much! I was thinking it was UPS or FedEx so i run down thinking i have to sign for something only to find a man holding a three pack of Brawny paper towels! Because our door is half glass i shoot Ella a dirty look and wonder at what age it would be okay to explain to her to hide from people like this, I open the door. I am bum rushed. What, i'm sorry, excuse me???? Then i find myself holding onto a package of paper towels watching a man unpack a Kirby vacuum cleaner in my living room! UGH! Ella gets no more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for LIFE!! What was only going to take a minute takes 2 and a half hours. I still won't say yes. I tell them i have to talk to my husband. They leave only with the promise to return when he is home. YEAH! That was a promise they kept. Another 2 and a half hours later, half my carpet has been cleaned, most of my bed vacuumed and even a section of my wall and ceiling have been sucked free of dust by the Kirby. My husband buys the vacuum! So now i am the proud owner of a Kirby vacuum that looks like it came right out of the 1950s. Now i feel like i should vacuum the walls and ceilings, just because i can. Thanks Ella!

And now my little John:John has figured out how to take his diaper off. I guess he just likes to be naked. I don't normally have a problem with my kids running around naked (less laundry for me). However, i am leery when they are his age. As i was in and out of the kitchen cooking dinner i caught him in the hall.... sans his diaper. I got him pinned down and got a fresh one on. I headed back to the kitchen only to find.....too little too late! Yes, he left me a big heap in the floor. This is not meant to be a funny story! As you can tell by looking at his face when i caught him i gave him a good beat down! HA! That was just a joke!! No calls to child protective services please. His black eye is courtesy of his crib or siblings (not sure which, could be both) and the head and nose were the consequence of uncooperative New Balance tennis shoes and the road (twice). What can i say, it is a hard knock life. He is still adorable!