first update in 2011

reading with his tag reader jr.

enjoying his new tag reader

ready to be done jumping

(these are low quality i was taking the pictures behind glass)
carter blowing bubbles

in the teachers arms getting ready to go under

(carter on the left) waiting his turn

at the end of class they go down the slide you can see he is still a little timid

swimming to the side after the slide, happy as can be

so much love!

my three hams!

wow, i cannot believe that it is really 2011! it is so crazy. time is flying by like normal. we got back into our normal routine around here and it feels pretty nice. carter was happy to be in preschool and to have something to do besides play at our house. it has been nice outside a few days this last week and the kids got to go out and play a bit which was nice. in new news carter started swimming lessons out at the country swim school this week. after much discussion and a convincing parent night, we decided to put him in lessons two nights a week. the place was pretty impressive. they take swim lessons pretty serious and we were able to watch what they do with the kids on our parent orientation night. it was amazing what these teeny tiny kids can do. carter did really well the first two lessons. there were a few tears due to fear but once he was in the water he was fine and stated that he loved swim lessons. he even put his head under the first lesson. i think that all of the kids have made some major changes in the last few weeks. i don't know what came over carter but he is no longer my baby but my little mature man. he decided that he only wants to do things that *big* people do. he only wants to roll up his sleeves at meals if chad and i do. he doesn't want to take a toy to bed because we don't. we made the mistake of giving him a *baby* fork the other night and we never heard the end of it. he now wants to drink water at meals because we do and wants to eat anything we are. it is cute, annoying and a little sad at how big he is actually getting. along with this other great things have come about such as him wanting to find a binky for baby callan if he is crying or getting things for me that i ask for. he likes to be *in charge* and feels big when i give him some responsibility. he also learned how to open the gate to the basement and callan's room which he thought was a huge accomplishment. i am sure some of it stems from us telling him things like "callan can't have that because he is too little or camden can't do something because he is too little" so now he thinks he is older and can do more things. he has also taken a special interest in his new tag reader. i told him it was just for him (because i don't want camden to break it) and to put it up when he is done. he has spend quite a bit of time with it. unfortunately he is used to the tag jr and isn't used to how to use this one for reading the words (but it is a little advanced for him) but he likes the independence it gives him. one funny thing he said this last week was while he was eating his lunch was "god, will you eat this sandwich for me?" and then laughs. i told him he needed to eat it to get some dessert. i guess he though god could help him.
camden found a new love for flash cards. we bought some to help carter with his letters and he is the one who asks for them on a daily basis if not more. he can name all the shapes correctly and is working on his colors. i have this on video and need to put it on here. it is pretty cute. his vocabulary just amazes me. he continues to talk loud all the time. he is used to saying the dinner prayer now and is starting to say it along with us but always ends it with a loud AMEN! he plays so nice on his own a lot of the time, especially when carter is not around. he has a new habit of getting upset when eating if he can't get the corn to stay on his fork, or if his sandwich falls apart. there are often meltdowns at each meal for things not going the way camden thinks they should. his type a ness is still if full swing. he refuses to have socks on without shoes or leave the house without his hat. he also loves it when you are done changing his diaper he will say "shake da silwees out". we always "shake the sillies out" after we are done changing him.
little callan. callan has thrown us for a loop lately but i think i figured him out so hopefully we are back on track. before christmas he was sleeping till 5-6am. then when the holidays hit and we were not home for the normal schedule he starting sleeping poorly. we also stopped swaddling him because he was always getting out. but after many bad nights i thought maybe the swaddling was the problem. it may just be a fluke but after i gave him my famous nazi swaddle wrap he slept like a baby. he slept until 6:15 which is not too shabby. I just hope that is the answer and he continues to sleep well. in other callan news he has become a professional breast feeder and on a good feed he can eat in 10 minutes. he *loves* his jumper, but more importantly he loves being upright. he spends lots of happy moments jumping and watching his brothers play. he also started truly and purposefully laughing. it is adorable. blowing raspberries on his belly or carter is sure to bring out the belly laughs. he is also able to roll onto his sides but just can't get all the over yet. he still drools like crazy, but is a very happy baby.

Christmas

watching the light show

an ok picture of the lights
(the lights changed color and went on and off to the music, it was pretty cool)

Christmas eve attire

opening presents on Christmas morning

callan joins us

the kids reading with uncle brian before nap time

my mom, erin and I

the kids find their new kitchen

Callan enjoying his new hat and his thumb

the kids being silly

baby's first christmas

the boys playing with their new capes

front view

carters nutella face

We have a very fun and event filled Christmas this year. We started out by going to see some Christmas lights put to music. It was super cool and I think the kids enjoyed it as well. Then on Christmas eve day we went to Al and Karen's for some food and opening presents. We had a great time and the kids really enjoyed playing with their new toys and their cousins. Then that night we went to church and then over to Faith and Tanners for soup and appetizers and then some gift opening. (unfortunately I have no pictures from this because I used my small camera and the memory card failed) It was a late night but the kids had fun and were excited about the next morning. We got up early (of course) and had a mini breakfast and then opened presents. Carter was really excited this year and Camden was just overwhelmed. Callan slept through a lot of it but woke up in time to open his gifts. We then got ready and went over to Erin and Brians for brunch which was delicious! The kids played with presents and then we headed over to Dale and Ellen's for naps and relaxation for the adults. We watched "Christmas Vacation" and dozed a little while some people put together a puzzle. Then we started making appetizers and the wonderful beef tenderloin dinner. When the kids were all up we opened gifts and then ate dinner. The dinner was great and the dessert was even better. It was a late night again but very worth the time we got to spend with family. The kids were blessed with many many gifts and they are happy to have new toys. We did some organization and I think we have things squared away for next week when I don't have the luxury of having Chad home with me. Here are some pictures of our week.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!! We hope you have a wonderful holiday!

A little baking

it looks like Callan just told them something funny

now Camden is saying "what?, really?"

the best of the worst

outdoor play

playing with trucks

cutting out the cookies

decorating

watching them bake

I thought I would let the kids decorate some cookies today so that is what we did. They had a great time and loved every step of the cookie making. They also went outside to play before nap because Carter begged me! I can't really use the excuse that it is too cold because he will just tell me that he will wear his hat and mittens. They both enjoyed their outdoor toys for about 30 minutes until their toes got cold. They are both very ready for Christmas and so are we!

Shaking the Christmas Crazies

goofing around

watching his brothers play

one of their favorite things to do - play at the table

waking up from a nap

my three amigos

It has been nutty over here lately. My kids are going crazy! They have lots of energy, and no place to get rid of it, except in whatever it is that *I* am trying to get done. This time of year leaves very little time and lots of things to do. I feel like every day and every evening are spent trying to whittle down the to-do list with the deadline being Christmas. I am happy to say that this weekend I was able to knock out a lot of things so I am feeling a little less stressed. I think the kids have felt my stress and tried their best to add to it. It is so nice to have Chad home on the weekends so we two sets of eyes, and two sets of patience. Another down side to this last week was that Chad got the stomach flu and then I got it. It was no fun. But we thank God the kids didn't get it. Here are a few funny or new things the kids have been saying/doing despite getting on my nerves.
While I was feeding Callan in his room the other day I didn't hear much noise in the living room which usually means trouble. So I called out to Carter and asked what he was doing. He yells back "dont' worry mom, we are just reading." Here are a couple funny words that he can't say either. He calls Barnes and Noble "narbes and boble" He calls candy canes "candy cans" and he says "muse kick" for music. Also when Carter sat on Santa's lap he asked for Toy Story. We have no idea that means the new movie or actions figures or what. He just says Toy Story.
Camden says lots of funny things. This boy talks non-stop and repeats EVERYTHING! I know I say that every post, but it is true. He amazes us everyday! You can find him singing "happy birthday" on a regular basis. He sings "happy birthday to you" over and over. The newest thing he learned from his brother is "Carter did it" or he will insert anyone's name in that spot. He is perfecting short sentences like "shut the door", "my head got hurt", "jammies on" "change diaper, it's poop again" "put coat on", and so on. The funniest thing he says is when you ask him to say Camden Parker he says "picker parker" It cracks me up every time.
Callan is enjoying his new jumpers and laughing at the kids as they play. He is being a great baby and sleeping wonderfully! I am so blessed with great third baby!
Enjoy your holidays, and I will post again after Christmas.

first preschool christmas program

Singing at the program
(he is in the front row, second in from the right)

again

in his room after the program

ready to give us his present

Last Tuesday night Carter had his first preschool Christmas program. They sang five songs with actions and then we had cookies and juice afterwards. We were not sure what to expect from Carter but he did such a good job! He was so cute with his little angel wings on. He sang and was swaying back and forth. He even did most of the actions. The songs were kind of tough with lots of words but he kept up the best he could. He smiled and stood up there and did what he had practiced. He was proud of himself afterwards. He even made us a reindeer pot with his hand prints and gave that to us after the program. It is amazing how things like this make you really feel like a parent. I don't think a few years ago we ever imagined ourselves at a preschool program.

Santa and his Reindeer

This morning we tried to go to a *free* thing at my work that was open to the public. They advertised that Santa would be there on a sleigh and that the kids could pet reindeer. They also had a free buffet and lots of goodies. Well we did not anticipate (neither did the hospital) that so many people would show up. It was difficult just to find parking and walk to the area. The line to Santa was hours long and the food was gone and we didn't find any goodies, BUT we were able to bear the cold for a few minutes and let the kids see the reindeer. Carter loved it and Camden was just too cold. It was like a wind tunnel where they kept the reindeer. I think even the reindeer were super cold. So after spending a total of five minutes there we left and went to the mall. The kids got to see Santa there and Carter asked for Toy Story from Santa. We did get the annual picture with Santa and this years is classic. Probably the worst photo ever! But something funny to look back on. Of course Camden did not like the idea of sitting on the weird mans lap but Carter was ready. We also ate lunch and did a little bit of light shopping while we were there. The kids had a good time and we didn't have to wait for hours.

Waiting for Santa

after Santa (candy canes in hand)

The adult reindeer (you could not pet this one)

carter petting the reindeer

and again

The *classic* santa picture

an apple a day...

proud of his train puzzle

little chubs

my sick boys

the new jumper is enjoyment for all (thanks Kara!)

sick baby

I found both of these at Once upon a child. Carter loves to match his brother

my little pilgrim

loving to cuddle

brushing teeth

unfortunately did not keep the doctor away. Well it did keep the doctor away but all of us got sick except for Chad. Poor Camden got it the worst. High fever, yucky cough, gagging and vomiting, and overall bleh. It started on Wednesday night and he still has his cough today. I really hope he gets better by tomorrow. Carter is better now and little baby Callan also got the yucky cough and wheezing. I think he is on the mend and just has a little cough left. That means we have spent quite a bit of time at home. Chad took Friday off and we put the Christmas tree and decorated just a little. The kids loved helping with the ornaments but it was a bit nerve racking. We also had some issues with the new LED lights we bought so we had to make a few trips to Target. The tree is up and shinning and that is all that matters. We did go to Erin and Brian's for the big 12 championship game and that is about all we have done.
Carter is really starting to become more and more independent. He is now taking initiative to wash his hands before and after meals, take his plate and cup to the counter after meals and he can completely dress and undress himself. He can put on his winter coat minus the zipper. He can help by getting Kleenexes and other little things we ask for. Some days he even does it with a great attitude. I really think he likes to please us but battles the three year old attitude. I occasionally here him using grown up phrases that he hears from me. Nothing like hearing yourself coming out of a three year old. Today I had asked Carter to get down from the table (he was messing around) and he did it the first time I asked. I then saw him by the door and told him to sit in time out (thinking that I had put him in time out, when I hadn't). Then few minutes later I told him to come see me and he said "why did you put me in time out? I was just looking out the window. That was rude to me mommy" I told him I was sorry. He then proceeded to say "don't be rude to me mommy" I will tell him that he is being rude to Camden or me sometimes and that must be where he got it. He has also said things to me like "don't talk to me like that mommy" and "get out of my way mommy". He hears everything.
Camden is about the same. Talking up a storm. We now have to try and translate what he is saying since he is at the phase where he thinks he is telling us in plain english what he wants and we don't' know what he wants. One example is when he is done with his water he yells "did it down" For along time I was stumped as to what he was saying. Then realize that he is trying to say "put it down" because I always tell him to "put it down". Even though he means "put it up or put it back" I also think he might be our type A child. He is very particular about things being a certain way. He has to have to clothes on the right way, and got forbid you put socks on and no shoes. He wants his jacket or coat zipped up and his bib has to be fastened a certain way. If it gets loose it is cause for a break down. He also likes his structure and routine. You have to tell him he has stinky feet when you change his diaper and then you can't forget to *shake the sillies out* after you are done. He is such a silly boy. Seeing him so sick this week made me so sad.

12 weeks

12 weeks and I am SO happy to report that my baby has pushed out his night feeding to 5am! This is amazing to me and I could not be happier. He now goes from 10pm to 5am! Sometimes it has even been 6 or later! I hope I am not jinxing it right now but man it has been a blessing. He has his night time routine down pat. All those early days when I had to tell myself, it won't last forever. Now the time is here. Even though the pictures don't prove it this little man is happy and smiley most of the day when he is fed and well rested. He *loves* smiling at Carter and Camden and of course they love it too. He started spending sometime in his jumpers and he really likes them. A big THANKS to Kara for letting us borrow hers. 12 weeks also marks the time I have to go back to work. I don't have any set days in December yet but will probably pick up a shift or two if they need the help.