Crazy Lady

Well, one thing Ansley and I have been doing a lot of lately is....shopping!! Now, I really, really, really do not like to shop. Yes, I like new things. But I have 2 problems: 1--I am pretty picky, and 2--I do NOT like to overspend. In fact, if it's not on sale, there's little chance I'm going to buy it. Kevin thinks I'm a little crazy when it comes to stuff like that--he doesn't really see the point in all that stuff. But if he knew how it all added up, he would definitely care. I have been blessed and cursed at the same time with a husband that does not look at our checkbook. Okay, well, I'll just go ahead and say we don't balance our checkbook. I get online and check things out all the time, and mentally keep up with things...but since I know what bills will be paid out of what checks...I know it always works out, and I know about how much we have. But Kevin doesn't even do that. It's funny because every now and then there will be boxes and boxes delivered over the course of a few days, and like for the last 4-5 days there have been big bags in the living room and kitchen, along with a large bunch of frames...and he simply doesn't even ask! That's totally NOT how I am. I am always asking how much this cost, how much he spent on that...I am a total tightwad when it comes to that. I accumulated a LOT of credit card debt in college because I was in total denial, and when we paid that off years ago, I was a changed woman.

Well, anyway, I usually go shopping for the boys' clothes at the change of the season, buy a lot at one time, and then I'm done until the next season. And when I say "season," really it's either "cold weather" or "warm weather." And I always wait until there's a sale, or I have a great "entire purchase" coupon. And it's pretty much always at Children's Place. So if anyone else has a boy that wears Children's Place (like at our school), I pick it out real quick--b/c one of mine probably has it too!



Anyhow, on Sunday I made a trip to BabiesRUs and Kohls with my perfect little shopping partner--Ansley Elizabeth. She is usually amazingly good, and sleeps the entire time. If she wakes, it's only because she is hungry or has gas :( TMI, I know. LOL Anyway, after purchasing her a little gym, some 8 oz bottles, some liners, some clothes, and some pacis (trying to find one she actually "took"), I headed to Kohls. BTW, I had coupon after coupon, and used some rewards dollars, and saved a ton of money!

Well, at Kohls, I was on a mission for frames that I saw were 50% off. So I'm looking for some 11x14s, 8x10s, and 5x7 frames, and of course they don't fit in those Kohl's buggies. I mean, what does? So I am shopping away and put those huge 11x14 plus mat frames in the cart sort of "crooked-like." I get 3 of these, and they just look so unstable. Well, at the same time, Ansley wakes up and needs to be fed. So I'm doing the whole hold-her-with-one-arm, feed-her-with-your-chin, and push-the-buggy-with-the-other-arm dance until I get to a point that I can just leave the buggy and look around in that area. Well, the frames fall. A sales associate helps me build the unstable mess again, and of course they fall again. So I ask if someone could bring them to the front for me. She says, "Sure!" and a kind older lady comes to pick up my frames. The helper lady asks me what register I'll be checking out at, I tell her, and she heads that way with my large frames. (I'm still looking for the smaller ones.)

She comes back a few minutes later to tell me that one of the frames is damaged--it came unglued at one corner. So I pick out another one, and as she is waiting on me to choose one she tells me to be sure to have them page her when it is time for me to check out, because she will carry these to my car. I tell her that I will, and she takes my other frame to the front. A minute or so later, I'm done shopping, so I head to the front as well. As I intersect with her, she secretly gives me a 15% off entire purchase coupon. Score!! Don't mind if I do! (That phrase is for you, Steph!)

Well, when it is my turn at the register, the cashier goes ahead and pages the other lady--apparently that kind helper lady...let's just call her Carol, since I don't know her name...okay, Carol is paged. Well, the cashier...let's call her Stacy...is making small talk with me, commenting on how pretty Ansley is, asking her how old she is...you know... I purposely don't tell her I have 3 others at home. She thinks I'm a first-time mom, and I don't feel like shocking her. Then she says she has a 3 year old at home. I ask if she has baby fever yet, and she says no--that she just looks at the baby photos of her little boy and that is satisfaction enough for now. I just nod and smile, still tending to Ansley as I put her in the carrier.

So then Carol comes up to help, and we all make more small talk as they comment on how quickly I lost the baby weight...the cashier mentions how she is still losing the weight she gained with her pregnancy a few years ago... Again, I don't mention I have the other 3 at home. Just trying to keep it simple.

Well, Nancy gathers the frames and walks out with me. I tell her it's the silver van. You can tell she's a little taken aback that it's a van, but doesn't say anything. Then, as she puts the frames in my very full trunk--loaded with baseball equipment and a stroller on top (3 batting helmets to the side), she can see the car seats and she asks, "Do you have 2 other children?" That's when I say, "Well, actually, I have 3 other children. They are all boys. I have been wanting a girl each time, and I finally got one." The look on her face was priceless. She said,"3 boys??? Well...I guess you finally got a girl." And I, "Yep, finally got one! Now we're done!" (before she thought I was clinically insane and had plans for another). Anyway, just like that, her entire perception of me changed before my eyes. I went from "Sweet, young lady with a little newborn," to "Crazy lady with 4 kids" in 0.7 seconds! Oh the look on that lady's face. She walked a walk of shock to the front doors, I know ready to tell that cashier how I had 3 boys at home.

And that's what it's like. I feel like I have to say very quickly how we're done--"We're done, people!" When I go to Wal-Mart, I feel like I have a small class with me. I hear things like "Oh my gosh...bless your heart," and "Are all 'a those yours?" It's really funny! And I have to admit, a tad bit annoying at times. I mean, bless my heart??? Yeah, go ahead and bless me, I'll take it :) But really, I love my life. Each child has a special special place in my heart, and I have so much love in me for each one, that when I think about it, it's almost too much. I am overcome with the blessings that I have been given. It is very hard to manage it all, don't get me wrong--especially with such a little infant. But my goodness I love having such a full house. I love that 3 nights out of the week there were 5 people sleeping in my bedroom because Riley didn't feel well, Talan was in his bed which is in our room, and Ansley was in the bed with Kevin and me. I love that when I got up to make Ansley a bottle, I had to balance and zig zag between Talan and Riley to safely get us out of that room. I love that it looked a little like a slumber party in there. I love it. I love my children. And I think about our future, and I am so very happy to have a little girl to go shopping with, and most of all to talk with late at night maybe over some cappucino or something. I am so lucky to have such wonderful, sweet boys who have such tender hearts...and have my precious little girl too. I love my life now. And I am going to also love it when they grow up, and we have huge Thanksgiving dinners together (I hope their wives let them come here every year!) I look forward to having a full house that only gets even more crowded as the boys grow up and have friends over more often (also when we get a bigger house!!!). I am going to love it when they get older and they can really aggravate each other and play pranks on each other and all that. I can't wait to see each of their real first crushes.

Spencer has already had a girlfriend--one last year. It was a teacher's kid, and boy is she a doll. They are no longer together, and Spencer didn't get all caught up in it or anything, but it was cute. I would prefer him not to really date anyone until he gets out of high school, if I get a vote at all. I would just rather him enjoy his friends and being young altogeher while he is still in school. All the drama that goes with high school and middle school relationships--well, it's unnecessary and I don't want him getting caught up in that.

Anyway, I can't wait for all of these events to occur. But when I look around at my life now, I want it to stay the same forever. I love Ansley being so little. I absolutely love waking up with her in the middle of the night. I love those moments together. I love taking care of her. And I really really love her smiles that are getting more and more frequent. I love how Spencer is so patient (or tries to be), so loving, such a perfectionist, so creative, and so wonderful altogether. It amazes me the things he comes up with sometimes. He has such an artistic mind...We got out of the garage all of the Little People toys that I had stored in a plastic bin. They haven't seen that stuff since Riley was like 3. So it was like brand new to them. They all played together, excitedly. Guess what Spencer does? He makes a jail. He takes a box that he found, gets some tape, cuts a hole, and makes a sign that says, "Jail." Who would come up with that? He's just so neat and his brothers just look up to him so much. They fight too, of course, but they really think he is just amazing.

And I love Riley's downright goofiness and the way he has such a grateful heart for anything given to him. I love the way he's so silly and for some odd reason rhymes all the time. I love that it takes us forever to do his homework because he laughs and giggles the whole time, talking to me and enjoying my undivided attention. Okay, the homework thing can be a hassle when we're in a hurry, but really...I love those times.

I love the way Talan is so mischievous and for some reason so mature with his "meanness." I love the way he already knows how to be sarcastic, and I also love how he has the sweetest little girly voice. I love how he gives me kisses spontaneously, his obsession with balloons (he blows them up himself), cutting with scissors (he cuts balloons(?), crayons (?), paper, anything...), bubbles (not so much lately though), and water. Oh my gosh how he continues to get into trouble for playing in the bathroom sink!

I love and adore each one. I look around and I can't believe I have 4 healthy, beautiful children. And I know that I must be doing something right. God has blessed me and has allowed me to raise 4 of His children. We're not rich. We need a bigger house. But I tell you what, I would have the children over the money anyday. There is not a single day that goes by that I take it for granted. Really. I spend each day thankful for them. I have wanted kids since I was a little girl. It's the only thing I was sure I wanted to be when I grew up. And I always had a nagging fear that because that was what I wanted, something would happen and maybe I wouldn't be able to have them. I wanted to be a mom so badly, I thought it might not come true. Well, I have been blessed four-fold.

And our marriage gets sweeter with every passing year. I am beginning to realize more and more how Kevin and I are made for each other.

Tired. Going to sleep.

Thomas

Talan totally loves Thomas. I mean totally. He loves his train table, he loves to get out pieces of track and make another one of his own on the floor, coffee table, kitchen table.... He loves watching Thomas on DVDs... But the funniest thing is how he is obsessed with actual trains. We live very close to a train track, and you can see it clearly from our house from the play room. So anytime he hears a train, he drops what he is doing, desperately asks me to open the playroom door, and goes through to the other [outdoor] door, to open it and watch the train go by. He loves the "ding ding ding" thing. He does this many times a day! When driving through town, he is always turned to the right, looking for trains. We cannot make a trip without him either asking him to "go that way" to see a train [which no sane woman would do, so I of course never have. I would NOT take a complete detour off of my route simply to please my 4 year old son, putting me in a position to where he now barks directions to me from the back seat. Because that would be ridiculous....], "slow down" to see a train, or telling us to "look" because there is a train. Seriously. When we went to see Thomas in April, well...for him it was amazing. He remembers the odd route we took there (it was a crazy day and we headed there from a different city), and each time we pass that road he says, "That's the way to Thomas!" I love that he has such a deep infatuation with them...it makes him unique, and plus it's adorable!

The Monday following the party, we put together his Thomas the Train puzzle. It has really large pieces, and it was pretty fun! He didn't quite get that when you're looking for "a piece with a mouth" on it, you actually have to turn that piece to where the mouth is in the correct place. For some reason, he thinks as long as it's the right piece, it can turn any which way! LOL






When we finished, he proudly got his little trains and matched up the ones on the puzzle to the ones that he had.

Side note: One day this week he as playing with his trains, and since he has several that are the same color, and a couple that are exactly the same (4 Thomases), he was asking me "same" and "different" questions. Very funny!

Talan's Birthday Party

Well, we had a small family party for Talan's birthday last Friday. I am really liking this party on a weekday thing. Then you still have the whole weekend! Anyway, Talan's party actually fell on his birthday as well, so he was beyond himself with excitement for days! Kevin and I gave him his Plasma Car before the boys left for school. Boy, was he happy!!!








It is such a smooth ride, and he flies in the kitchen. He likes to go really fast and then do donuts!!!

Then the entire day was spent asking me, "Mommy, when is it going to be my birthday?" "Honey, it's your birthday all day long today. But we're going to have your birthday party after Daddy get's home." 30 minutes later..."Mommy, when is it going to be my birthday?" LOL

The party was a lot of fun. We had Thomas tattoos, balloon animals, and we played a few outdoor games. Talan really loves Duck, Duck, Goose, so we played it about 15 times :) Then we played the Blob. Kevin and I both had played that many many times in elementary school b/c we had the same PE teacher (but went to different schools). I tried to tell him they wouldn't really "get" it (it was hard for my 4th graders in the past to get it), but they had so much fun anyway! Everyone laughed so much! Steph, Kevin, and I all tried to play the Blob with them but nobody would get us LOL! The kids would just couple up without even being caught...it was just hilarious altogether.








The cake...well, I'm going to spare you the drama behind me making the cake, and leave it by saying that I made a desperate call to Food City that morning at 8:00 AM, and thankfully she had it ready by 5. Thank you cake lady!




Here are a few more pictures...









It was last year when my baby turned 3 that started making me think about having another one. Now he's 4 and we have a baby girl. Isn't it amazing what can happen in one year?

Talan now knows the sounds of L, M, T, and A. He can match objects beginning with these sounds to the correct letter. He can recognize the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. I introduced the 5 just 2 days ago. And he can write his first and last name. We have also done quite a bit of cutting and gluing, so he's gotten a lot better at that as well. So academically, he's doing great and I am so proud of how quickly he catches on to things. And as hard as it is, I am so glad to be staying at home!

More Pictures of the Beauty

Well, we did go back on Tuesday to take pics. We actually went to Riverfront Park, and just did her because the boys' shirts weren't pressed, my dress hadn't been rewashed yet...So here are some picture that I took of her. I absolutely LOVE the skirt that my grandmother bought her. And the ribbon was from Leslie--she gave a 2 little baggies of ribbons that I now stick on with K-Y. I still think that's so funny! You know it was totally a mom somewhere that came up with that--moms are so inventive! Well, the first time I put one in Ansley's hair and let it dry, Talan plucked it off of Ansley's head and said that he had "found it" in her swing with her. Poor Ansley--that thing dries pretty hard! She stayed sound asleep, though.

As I post this, I have decided to get back into photography for a while. At least while I'm staying at home. I just love taking pictures! I'm a little uncertain about what to do with all of these portraits of her--I love so many of them, and I can't have large wall photos of her everywhere...or maybe I could :) So anyway, if you run across someone wanting some outdoor photography or wedding photography...I would love to do it. I don't want to get my studio equipment out just yet...and I really would like to have 1 more light for it anyhow (I only have 2)...but so I guess I'm going to do like others and start a photography blog or website. I'm very excited! You know, since I'm not working now anyway...and because I am just dying to feel productive! I love staying at home, but I really just have a drive to do something. And this will give me a chance to continue being creative!





And here is my favorite....

1 Month with Ansley

Ansley at 4 weeks


Ansley is one month old today! She had her second well check appointment, and weighed in at 7 lbs, 11 oz. Her head measured an even 14 in., and her length is now 21 1/4 in. She jumped from 3rd percentile in weight to 10th percentile. We still have plenty of room to grow! Her doctor says she is looking great, and thinks she is gaining very well. Truthfully, she would have weighed a little more, because she had a long (1.5 hours+) nap before I sweeped her up and put her in her car seat to go to the Dr.. While there, she woke up, had a bm, and became very very hungry. So she was weighed with nothing in her tummy and no help at all. But, the exact same thing happened at her newborn well check at 4 days, so her weight gain was appropriately measured.

She got one shot today--her second Hepatitis B. I had the paci in her mouth and was right beside her face, talking to her, when the nurse gave it to her in her thigh. She wailed out, and you could tell it hurt her feelings so badly! Oh it was so sad because she did not expect it at all. But as soon as that band aid was on I scooped her up and she was just fine. She is such a sweetheart.

She actually smiled at me this past Friday, and smiled at my mom as well on the same day. (I'm thinking she thought my mom sure did look a lot like me :) She looks like she is about to smile a lot. But she never actually has since then. Oh well, it will come when it comes. But you really can tell she's happy. She really does smile with her eyes, and you can see her look relaxed and happy at the same time. Can't wait!

In other news, we are making the switch to formula. I hadn't planned on breastfeeding in the first place, but then decided to for a little while...and now she's 1 month and I'm still doing it. For some reason it is so hard to make the switch! Nursing is such a sweet, sweet special time for us. I love how God made mommies bodies able to nourish their babies just perfectly. It really is the neatest thing. It's the last actual physical tie to the baby. Once it's done, well...I don't know...it feels like she's a little less "yours." It's really quite strange that I feel that way. It's not very sensible. Oh well, I don't know the reason behind it. All I know is that it is one very large reason that she loves me so much, and who in the world wouldn't love being the favorite? But the switch must occur...and although it's painful both emotionally [and physically!], I will [eventually] be much happier when it's done.

I am ready to claim my body back and begin exercising to finish off the last few pounds and get back to normal. I actually think I look fine, but I apparently am not because I fit into nothing. I'm still having to wear that Bella Band thing on all my shorts/pants/capris, and that's annoying. I mean, really. I can't go on much longer not having any clothes. I used to have a few pairs of jeans that were a little bigger from just after I had Talan, but I thought I was done [with kids], and took them to Goodwill a year or 2 ago. Ugh. They were cute, too. And worn only a few times.

She wore the absolute cutest outfit today. But she has several absolutely adorable outifts. And I was going to take pics at the ballfield tonight (1st official game...still no uniforms yet), but because my camera has taken up rebellion, I realized I forgot my CF card and obviously could take no pics. That's okay though, and yes, I do blame that on my camera. It should have known better. Esp. one day after pulling the battery card.

I will get some pics of her in that outfit soon. She is growing so fast! She now wears 0-3 mo. instead of newborn sizes, and she had moved up to size 1 diapers last weekend. There are so many newborn outfits she did not get to wear! And I am so taking advantage of this warm weather as a last opportunity to get her into some of the cutest summer fashions that I thought I would never get to see her in! Yay!!!! I just love having a baby girl! I love dressing her! I love how one outfit and one hairbow can look so good on her! I love all the different shades of pink! I love absolutely everything about this little blessing!!!!

Frozen Head

We went to Frozen Head last night to take pics. We all looked so nice. Then, as I was heading out the door I checked the battery on my camera, and noticed it was low. I tried hurriedly to find my backup battery. No luck. And I was running out of light, so we had to go. Battery died within 10 minutes. I actually cried on the way home.

It takes so much effort to get everyone's clothes clean, matched, ironed...make sure no one has sweated that day, have Ansley perfectly timed with feedings to be content, and well...you know. Not to mention I have to do either an overcast sky or early morning or evening. It's hard! I got all of it together as they napped, and also got a pile of props to take. Kevin had to load of ton of things into the car because I was prepared to stay over an hour taking pics of her (not that long with the boys involved). I was even dressed up myself, looking forward to some precious mother/daughter shots to have Kevin take of us. Oh I was so heartbroken. But the bugs really were just terrible. So I will take it as a blessing, and we'll go somewhere else tomorrow. If nothing else, Kevin felt so sorry for me that he promised we would go tomorrow, and now hopefully he'll be extra patient and helpful just out of pure pity. Hey, I take what I can get :)

Fall Ball

Well, fall baseball games have begun. Kevin called a scrimmage this past Tuesday, and we had an exhibition game this past Thursday. The boys did really well! Riley's hitting is back to great, and he is currently playing 2nd base. He is really making some awesome progress at catching! He is soooo not afraid at all of the ball...it's a little shocking, how he just goes for it no matter what...and doesn't seem to care if you throw it hard. I'm so impressed! He still has room for improvement of course, but my goodness he's doing wonderfully! He is SUCH a little hustler! Hopefully by the end of this season he'll feel even more confident about his position!

Talan is doing so good, too! He's following directions, and on Thursday he made it all the way to 3rd before getting out off of one of his hits. (It wasn't a triple, but with other batters, he made it to 3rd.) I am so proud of him, too! He played in the dirt a lot on defense, but what do you expect--it's boring out there!

I'm telling you, they are both just adorable in their baseball gear. There is just nothing cuter than baseball uniforms altogether, though, is there? If so, I've never run across it...baseball uniforms are the absolute cutest! In fact, every year I find myself just gazing at my boys, loving how adorable they look in their little pants (the best is when their pinstriped) and sporty hats. We don't have uniforms yet this season, but we should by Monday. Oh, and I don't have any during the game pics because little Ansley kept me busy/confined what have you...when I would finish nursing, she wanted to be held. So I got pics afterwards.

Spencer is enjoying the free time he gets during the games. He runs around getting into stuff, plays his DS, and studies a little bit for upcoming tests. He helps Kevin when he needs it, but overall he loves not having anything to do! And I like it when he hangs out in the van with me too (Ansley keeps me hostage there a lot).








And here's Ansley during their exhibition game...after eating, of course :)

Proud Mommy

Well, Talan officially writes his name correctly! I am soooo proud of my little boy! He's doing wonderfully. He also recognizes the numbers 1, 2, and 3 and writes them in his own little way. Here are some pics of his work.




Here are some pics of Talan riding his bike--you can see him standing up on the pedals! He is very daring--loves to fly down hills without any fear at all!




And here is my Ansley again, this time in blue. Of course, on a stroller ride. It seems I'm going to have a lot of pictures of her stroller rides!

Ansley's 3 weeks today!

Where oh where does the time go??? I can't believe she is already 3 weeks old today! She has been starting to noticeably focus on our faces. She's so funny! She is a really loud breather when she sleeps, and if she does so happen to find your face and you are talking to her, she will wrinkle up her forehead, raise her eyebrows, and stare as though she is very surprised. Then she begins her heavy breathing LOL. She is so funny! And an absolute joy!

Is she sleeping through the night? Why NO! Of course not! She's too young anyway, but since I'm nursing her she conveniently wakes me up when she's hungry...every 3-5 hours--it just depends--and then I feed her a little, change her, and then feed her a little more...then it could be her or me who falls fast asleep first. I enjoy these nights with her. I just love the way she feels so safe in my arms. I love the way she likes to snuggle up to me...to smell me. I love her little cry to let me know when she's hungry and I'm taking too long, or when she's not happy about being changed. I love waking up to see her sweet face. I just love taking care of my baby girl! And I love saying "baby girl," too. It's so funny, but saying, "I just love my baby girl," is one of the main things I say all the time to her. The actual words "baby girl" roll of the tongue so well. It's fun to say! I know, it's silly. But it's really true.

She's also gotten to where she wants to hold me back by hugging me with her tiny arms or just laying her hand on my chest or even holding onto the back of my arm as she nurses or when I burp her. So precious to feel her small, perfect hand on me!

Mischief

Talan is so mischievous. He is rotten to the core! But I love it! Take tonight. Since we had ball practice, we got fast food. Long Johns, actually. Well, I initially ordered a sweet tea and then Kevin later changed it to a Dr. Pepper since we have sweet tea at home. Riley must have overheard, and when he got home wanted his sweet tea. He was very upset that he didn't get one after all. I explained that we didn't order drinks--only one for Daddy, but that we had sweet tea here anyway, so I would make him one. Then of course Talan wanted tea as well. Then I asked Spencer what he wanted, since I was already giving out nontraditional dinner time drinks. He wanted Mello Yello. Now the only reason we even have Mello Yello 2 Liters here is because some visitors brought it over with their food for us. Yes, I like Mello Yello, but I have pretty much cancelled caffeine out except for occasional use. (I have been brewing decaf sweet tea.) Anyway, I obliged and let him have Mello Yello, and told him it probably wouldn't happen again.

Talan saw the Mello Yello, which I accidentally put near Talan, and asked, "What's this?" in an excited manner. I said, "Oops, Spencer. That's your drink. Get that from Talan, please. Talan, that's Spencer's. Sorry."

Talan says, "But I want it!"

"No, it's Spencer's. I got you tea like you asked."

"But I want it!!!! Pleeeeeeaaaaase?"

"No. It's Spencer's."

"Well, I already took a drink of it!" (Knowing I'll let him have it then, so as not to spread germs.)

"No you did not."

"Yes, I did! I took a drink of it!!!"

"No you did not!"

"Yes I did!!!!" [Spencer has the drink by now, though.]

That little stinker! He did not take a drink of that Mello Yello!

Then a while later, after I had cleared the table and they were nearly ready for bed, Talan, Spencer, and I are in the kitchen...Talan saw Spencer's partially empty glass sitting on the counter and scooped it up and took a big gulp before I could react. Oh he's a mess!

A Conversation With Riley And Some Updates

We had baseball practice tonight, which means that we of course got a late start on eating dinner and all that good stuff. Well, the boys have school pictures tomorrow, so even though it was late and Riley had a bath yesterday, I went ahead and washed his hair so that it would work well with me in the morning. (We usually do baths for Riley and Talan every other night unless their actually dirty.) Spencer does showers, and sweats almost everyday...so he's in the shower almost every night.

As I was blow drying Riley's hair, Spencer asked,"So, Riley and Talan have to take a bath tomorrow, right?"

"Right."

Then Riley adds, "Yeah, it has to be tomorrow. Not the next day."

I ask, "Why not the next day?"

"Because I'm going to the Tennessee game on that day."

"Oh, that's right. So it can't be that day." (Actually, it can, if he gets dirty at the game...but I just wanted to make it easy and agree.)

"Are you going to the game, Mom?"

"No. I'm going to stay home with the baby."

"But you could take her with you."

"Yes, but it would be better to stay at home because if she cries, no one will have a good time. So I'm just going to stay at home and take good care of her here."

"Alright."

"You know, when you go to the game, and every time you go to school, Ansley and I miss you."

"Well, if it's in the game, and it's starting the second half, you can tell her I'll be home in a minute. And if the game is almost over, and it's at the end, tell her I'll be home in a second. But if we just got there, and the game's just starting, tell her I'll be home in one hour."

"Okay, Riley, I'll tell her." (I was impressed that he knew the differences in time values--well you know, from greatest to least is pretty good! When do they teach that?)

"And don't forget to give her her 2 dolls."

"Okay. Which one does she like better?"

"The one that makes noise."

"Okay."

"Just give her that one, and if she doesn't like that one, then you can try the other one."

"Okay. So is that the big one or the little one?"

"The big one. She likes the big one for me. But I don't know which one she'll like for you."

How sweet he is! I love how involved he feels! In reality, he doesn't play with her all that much. He has had a bad cough that just went away, so we've sort of been keeping them apart. Plus he has been all into the Wii lately...but he'll just smile the sweetest grin when I tell him to give her a kiss on the head and when I tell him how much she loves her Riley kisses. Riley has such a loving heart!

Oh...and both of my boys did so well at practice!!! I am super proud of Riley for hustling and getting those grounders and throwing hard throws. He's totally not afraid of the ball, and even caught a throw to him while he was on 2nd. I couldn't believe it!

Talan played a lot in the dirt, but he also did so good going after the balls! He's still working on getting his glove open wide enough and down correctly, but he hustled and did great!

It turns out that Spencer's age group will not be playing after all. He's not too disappointed. though. This is the first off season he has had since he was 4! He has been in baseball, basketball, and football...meaning year round and all the time. He will likely enjoy his time running around and just being a kid.

Spencer is so very sweet to Ansley too. He's so mature! At least sometimes :) When I picked them up from school today, Ansley was crying. He comforted her, saying, "Ansley, Ansley," over and over...and she stopped crying. He did this the entire way home, changing it to "Answey, Answey," and saying that she likes it when he calls her that. Spencer is an excellent big brother. She is going to totally love him.

SAHMs

It's official. I requested to extend my unpaid leave at school to the end of the year. Today I got the letter. I was granted the extension. Here is my list of pros and cons that I have been wrestling with in my brain for some time now. Although I wrote this earlier this week, I am actually just posting it now, 9/5...because I just got the approval notice.

Some wonderful things about staying at home (right now):

1. I get to have these precious memories with my baby...not someone else.
2. This is my last year with Talan before he starts Kindergarten. And when that happens, time really begins to fly :(
3. Babies are only babies once :(
4. This is my last one, and I want to soak it all in.
5. My personal opinion is that babies belong with their mommies when possible. Feel free to disagree. That's just how I feel.
6. I can focus on only my children for now, and I'm not as stressed out at the end of the school day.
7. Now when I pick up my boys, I have a genuine smile on my face and am eager to hear about their day and all they have to say...rather than getting onto them about getting their things together so we can leave [my classroom at the end of the school day] to go get Talan and I guess now it would be Ansley too--both at different places.
8. I won't have to argue with Kevin about whose turn it is to take off when the boys get sick.
9. I get to focus on prepping Talan for K, and I will hopefully get him reading some 3-letter words at least before school begins for him.
10. I will never get this time back. Once it's gone, it's gone.

Some cons of being a SAHM this year:

1. Lack of adult conversation. (Kevin just doesn't have a whole lot to talk about. And college football starting tonight did not help matters!)
2. No concrete deadlines, objectives, or goals...I set my own, which mean sometimes I'm the only who notices I even did anything. (I know--waaaah waaaah LOL)
3. I feel "out of the loop."
4. I'm missing out on the one chance I'll ever get to teach Spencer 1 subject.
5. Ummmm....money!!!!!!!!!!