Quinn 2 1/2 Years Old

My little blondie is now 2 1/2 years old. I can not believe how fast it has gone. He looks like a giant next to his baby sister. He is staying healthy and is very, very active. At his check-up a couple weeks ago, he weighed in at 32 lbs (80th percentile) and was 38 in. tall (85th percentile). He has really nice hair and gorgeous eyes. The above picture was the best I could find of just him. It makes me laugh because it pretty much sums up the look on his face most of the time at this age.

He loves getting dirty whether it be outside or at meals or anywhere really. He loves food and will eat almost anything I put in front of him. He loves running.... a little too much. He runs and runs and sometimes does not stop. He has never played with toys much, but enjoys sticks, water, and dirt. He loves to help his mom do the "tough work" like pushing heavy toys and furniture and killing spiders.

He is a fighter. He is very strong-willed and will fight until I am literally exhausted.  He fights naps and bedtime (I put him to bed an hour ago and he is currently banging his head on the wall) . He fights potty training and getting his diaper changed. He fights his sisters. He fights sitting and walking. He fights baths and getting his clothes on and taking them off. He fights getting in the car, sitting in his car seat, and getting out of the car. He fights every type of discipline. I keep praying that he will use his strong-willed personality for good. You may want to pray for me until we get to that point. I am tired.

I am amazed at how many ways a 2-year-old can change, learn, and grow in such a short time. I am so grateful for the gift we received a few short years ago. I will be the first to admit that strong-willed boy gives the best hugs ever!

Boys will be boys

I'm a girl (I know, obvious). I'm use to the drama of girls. So far, raising Riley has not been all that shocking. She is dramatic and emotional. I grew up with 3 brothers so you would think I would be accustomed to the aggression and the dirt. However, I have a hard time allowing Quinn to just be a dirty, messy, aggressive boy.

Yesterday, he picked up the hose while he was outside. I thought to myself, "He would love spraying his sister." Being the great mother that I am, I turned on the hose and locked them outside. Quinn looked at me as though I was crazy, and proceeded to drench himself with water.

He tried to spray me every time I opened the door to take a picture. That mischievous smile was on his face for at least 45 minutes straight.

Here is Riley explaining how uncomfortable her wet clothes were using many, many words. She changed 4 times.

I allowed him to pee wherever and whenever he wanted.

He watered every weed. Notice Riley hiding from Quinn behind the playhouse.

He sprayed Riley over and over.

The wet clothes and muddy floors was so worth it. I'm getting use to this boy thing.

Reese 4 months

Reese had her 4 month check-up yesterday. She is healthy and growing. She weighs 13 lbs (30th percentile) and is 24 1/2 in. long (50th percentile). So far she has been the smallest of the 3, but she still has the ever famous Richard baby chunky legs. The doctor thought she may have acid reflux that may be contributing to her feeding/ sleep issues. Other then that, she seems to be developing on track.

She has rolled a few times, but prefers not to most of the time. This momma is totally fine with that. I would love a laid back baby who takes her time when it comes to being mobile. My other 2 were a bit rushed in that area. She loves attention. Many times throughout the day, I have to lay her on the floor to attend to a couple other little people. The second I look at her she smiles at me. If I walk past, she pouts her lip out and gives the most pathetic cry I have ever heard. That sweet girl melts my heart. If I could hold her all day, I would. She is in love with her 3 fingers. They are in her mouth most of the day. She will not take a pacifier, but loves holding a blanket.

Reese tends to be a very hungry child. She eats often and always seems hungry and a little frustrated when it comes to eating. Since she is breastfeeding, it is hard to pinpoint why she is so frustrated. Maybe working on the acid reflux issue may be helpful. We shall see.

She also has a difficult time napping and sleeping through the night. Since she shares a room with her sister, we feel a little conflicted. She currently sleeps in our room since she wakes often and cries, but we would love to have her sleep in her own room soon. Having 3 somewhat uncomfortable pregnancies along with having 3 kids with random sleeping issues over the last 3 years, this momma is seriously considering throwing a party when all in this house are well rested.

Overall, Reese is a happy laid back baby. She smiles more then any baby I know. All she needs/wants is attention. She has brought so much joy to this family and I am excited to spend every day with that little sweetie.

Happy Father's Day!

I love how he plays, dances, and cuddles with this little girl.





I love seeing how this little boy looks up to his daddy.



I love the way this daddy's heart melts when she smiles at him.



I love to watch my husband be an amazing father to these 3 perfect blessings.

Haircuts

I admit it. I am officially crazy. I needed a haircut. Riley and Quinn needed haircuts. I decided it was just make the most sense to all go together so we didn't have to make 2 trips. Gathering diapers, burp rags, extra clothes, snacks, etc., along with getting 3 kids in carseats is always a bit much. My sister-in-law agreed to watch Reese, so I only had to take the 2 older kids with me. It seemed to all be falling into place.

I guess I forgot that my 2 older kids are still only 2 and 3. Those ages tend to be a toxic mix. I bought them a special treat to keep them quiet during my haircut. Yes, I bribed them. I decided to go first since I assumed their food could distract them for a while. After I had been seated for about 1 minute, Quinn began to turn the hair dryer on, jumped in his chair, and grabbed the glass jar of suckers. I saw him in the mirror and proceeded to tell him to stop. He didn't. He is strong-willed and stubborn. Great. What does one do when your hair is halfway chopped off. I couldn't just leave. I asked the poor hairdresser to be excused and dragged him into the bathroom to discipline him. I had to get up 5 times during my haircut. There was a trail of hair from my seat to the bathroom. Also during this time, Riley decided to poop with the bathroom door open for all to see and Quinn decided to take his clothes off because he had to go the bathroom too. Yes, he was running around naked. We should be banned from the Leo barber shop. I will never, I repeat never, get my hair cut with small children in tow. Lesson learned.

Happy mother of children

Happy, adjective.    

Definition: To be delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing. to be happy to see a person. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy.

 

Psalm 113: 9

"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord"

  

This is the scripture the Lord brought to me early this morning. I spent time praising God for all the mothers I know that had a longer journey to motherhood then most. Infertility is tough. I know that no matter how long a woman deals with infertility, whether 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years, they all know that dark, lonely feeling of longing for a child. They know that feeling of failure after telling their husband again that the pregnancy test was negative. They clearly remember what it is like to walk past what seems like a million pregnant woman. They remember the days where it was just easier to stay in bed and cry then to see the constant reminders that they are childless.

 

Today I am thankful that I am a happy mother of children. I am a mother of 3 little blessings. Many days are difficult, but there are so many happy moments in this home.

 

I am a happy mother when my baby girl smiles at me when I walk past her.

 

I am a happy mother when Quinn cuddles with me after waking up from his nap.

 

I am a happy mother when Riley dances all day long.

 

I am a happy mother when I see my husband playing, loving, and laughing with his kids.

 

I am a happy mother when I ask Riley to take a drink of water after running with some friends and she responds, "Mom, I don't need water, I need more friends."    

 

I am a happy mother when I catch a little boy who has struggled accepting a new baby sister kiss her on the cheek.

 

I am a happy mother when all 3 kids are sleeping at the same time.  

 

I am a happy mother when I realize God has entrusted me with 3 beautiful gifts that I was not sure I would ever be given.

 

Praise the Lord!  

I love summer {Why do we live here?}

I love summer. I love being outdoors in fresh air. Can you believe there are actually places where children can play outside year round? Families can go for walks and can enjoy parks during the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall? If it were not for awesome family and friends, I would move in a heartbeat.

Since Quinn is finally not running away while he is in the backyard, I can send both kids outside to play by themselves. Quinn's bike fell apart today. I loved watching him try to put it together. He told me to come outside to see his "fixed" bike. He was so proud of himself and I could not stop smiling at his skills.

I have a love/hate relationship with our play food and dishes. My kids play with them for hours, however I clean and step on them the entire day.  The mess is worth watching them have a pretend picnic.

Mark proposed cancelling our home internet soon. My phone contract is up in 2 months and he suggested I get a data plan so I can have internet on my phone. We would save about $20.00 a month by using our phone for internet. I was skeptical at first and asked, "How will I keep up with a blog?", "How will I upload pictures from my camera?", "How will I type?". His answer to all 3 of my questions was "Your phone." I guess I am a little behind the times. I forsee my children laughing as I tell them about how we used crazy things like computers, home phones, and cameras. Here is a picture of my fam watching Netflix on Mark's phone. Maybe they will remember the old days when they used a television.