Baby Shower and A New Baby.

Of course like most of my post these days this one is a little late. 
Most of you probably already know who Cynthia is {the BFF}, well at the end of February her Mom hosted her baby shower. We {her mom, sis, a friend from college, and myself} all put our ideas together and threw her a fabulous shower. Her mom really went all out with the cute little table runners she made to match the color scheme to the violinist she hired to play as guest were arriving, this was really a nice touch. There were all sorts of yummy food and sweets for everyone. My favorite would have to be the stuffed mushrooms {which I am gonna have to get the recipe for because of course I already forgot it} and the cucumber little sandwiches Kristin made. We made the little tissue pom poms to hang {who doesn't love those?!} and Vicky found out that she could use see thru thread to sew together the cute little vellum circles to go with the pom poms { I think I am stealing this idea for Bentley's birthday party} Everything was perfect.

I made some yarn wrapped letters of the baby's name,which is now in the nursery:) And one of my new favorite decorations are the little flag pennants made from fabric. Super easy and so cute!

Her mom loves to quilt and sew. SO of course she went all out again making 3 different quilts and a ton of bibs and burb cloths.

Last Thursday morning, April 18th {a few days early} baby Beckett decided it was time to make an appearance.

Beckett William 8lb 8oz and 21 inches long.

I am so thrilled for Cynthia and Joe.Cynthia has wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember and she finally is. This little dude has the best mommy. She is going to be a great mom and both her and Joe will be great parents. I am so looking forward to those chats with her about mommyhood, the ups and downs, and everything in between. I can't wait to hear her stories about screaming crying babies and crazy toddlers running wild. I will finally be the listener for once, she has been listening to me for over 5 years now:)  

Congratulations Cynthia & Joe...I love you both and couldn't be happier for you! XOXO

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter from our crazy bunch to your crazy bunch;)) We got a great picture this year with the Easter Bunny. Cameron and Easton were so excited, it was so cute. They didn't want to leave the mall. We must have waved bye a million times. We have a full day ahead of us, splitting the day up between my family and Ryan's family. I hope all of you have a wonderful day!!! Happy egg hunting!!! {I am hoping the rain holds off....one of our egg hunts is bound to be rained on}.

10 Months

Well not much has change since last month. He still isn't sleeping through the night and still really doesn't  eat much but we are trying everyday. He really loves the little pouch thingys that they suck on, he loves the fruit smoothie ones:) Oh and of course he loves all the puffs, he will shove in a couple at a time and freak me the F%$K out when he starts gagging. He is still all over the place and getting into everything. We are constantly chasing him around. And of course he is getting over another cold.....and of course he gave it to me:)) 

9 Months.

Well not a whole lot has changed since the last update. Still not sleeping all night and still not really eating much. Finally started to eat more of the puffs. He loves to gnaw on bread and it keeps him busy for awhile. He is still taking cat naps in the swing every once in awhile {so happy to finally get some use out of that swing}. He is wearing out the knees in his pj's and his pants. Several have holes and are dirt stained. 

Oh and he is still as cute as can be:)

YAY...the next update is 10 months and I will be all caught up!!! Kinda sad the 12 month update is approaching ***TEARS*** LOTS OF TEARS*** only 2 months and he is a year!!! WTF??!! Where did the last year?! 

8 Months.

Well not much has changed since last month {{once again I am a little behind and this was one of those half finished post....I am going to catch up and post 9 months within a few days and then that will bring us right at 10 months!!!}} 
He is still sleeping like crap but what's new. He got sick and had to have an inhaler and had ear infections in BOTH ears.  He is just about done with baby food, gags it up or throws it up actually.  He will eat some fruit every once in awhile. He started cutting two more teeth so that makes a total of 8 now. He is getting faster and faster these days, I turn my head for a second and he has the toilet paper roll getting ready to throw it in the toilet:) or trying to get some kitty roca......BARF!!! He loves to play with his brothers toys and especially loves the monster trucks, which they do not like AT ALL.  He is growing so fast it's so sad. I wish he could stay a baby just a teeny tiny bit longer. Pretty soon he is going to be running around acting like a wild child with his crazy brothers.

To: Cynthia-The Joys of Pregnancy and Labor.

This post is dedicated to my dearest friend.....Cynthia. 

There are just some things your mom isn't going to tell you about pregnancy, labor, and life after you give birth. That's why you have girlfriends that won't sugar coat things and make it all sound peachy. I did not mind being pregnant and had no major problems. I did miss feeling them move around inside but did not miss all the uncomfortableness that comes along with it.  But by the end of the pregnancy when your huge and fat and so uncomfortable your so ready for it to be over with. 

Some of things written in this post might be a little TMI....just a warning that I will be writing about boobs, nipples, and vaginas.

In the beginning there might be a little morning sickness or a lot. I had just a little for about the first 14 weeks or so. You will be tired and your boobs will start to hurt and get super sore. Oh and don't forget the frequent urination that never goes away and the lovely discharge.

Then you will start to feel good get some energy back and think "Oh this isn't so bad" then about 30 weeks or so all the "cool" stuff starts to happen.............................

• Your boobs may or may not have started to leak at this point.
• Braxton Hicks contractions may have started and sometimes they can be quite uncomfortable. Lots of water will help with these. 
• Of course as I already mentioned......the yucky whitish discharge, sometimes will cause you to have to wear a pantyliner:) This started in the beginning for me....just what you wanted to know...right?!
• Back pain may have settled in. With Easton and Bentley I had terrible back pain....NO BUENO!!!
• The pubic bone/pelvis pain. This hurts so bad!!! I could barely get out of bed. And then sometimes you could hear it popping. This started to happen in the last 6 weeks or so and it was only with Bentley. 
• Feeling major pressure in your area down there. Sometimes it felt like he was just going to pop out or something. It hurts to get out of bed and even walk. Not a good feeling at all. Very strange. I did not have that feeling with the first two.
• Swelling of the hands and feet. This happened early on for me with Cameron. I was not about to go without my wedding ring, so I had it sized a one whole size bigger and it was still tight. Now after 3 kiddos its practically falling off so I need to get it sized smaller again, Ryan reminds me almost daily I will not be getting a new one if I lose it:)

Now here are some great things about labor.......

• Sometimes you lose the "mucus plug", you will know when this happens. It's disgusting! With Cameron I lost it right at the same time contractions started. But it's different for everyone. With Cameron it was a ton of junk down there but Easton not so much. I have also read and heard that you can lose it over time as well. But when you do start losing it that probably means labor is near:)
• It HURTS! I believe I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. With Cameron it wasn't that bad. I got an epidural but then that slowed things down a bit {as Cynthia knows because she was there}. Well we all know with Easton there was no time for any drugs and it hurt like HELL. The burning sensation is the worst and the contractions are no joke.
• Labor can take FOREVER! Make sure to bring some snacks for Joe and maybe the Ipad:) and a pillow from home might be nice. 
• Pushing out a baby is like one of the hardest things I have ever had to do! It's different for everyone. I pushed for a little over 3 hours with Cameron and I never thought it was going to end. My back was killing me towards the end and I seriously thought I would never get him out. 
• You may or may not poop while pushing.....it happens.
• You may need an epsoimoy to get him out and if so Joe will want to turn his head {or at least that's what our doctor told Ryan} and if so your recovery time will take a little longer and you will be a little more sore in that area.....OH JOY!
• If you have an epidural it will take a while for it to wear off. You won't be able to stand up and walk for a bit but at least you really won't feel the doctor pushing out the lovely placenta:)
• Beware when they move you to the bathroom to go pee....this is not a pretty site. Lots and lots of junk coming out down there. With all three boys the bleeding lasted about 3 weeks or so.
• The nurses will give you a little squirt bottle thingy to clean down there after every time you go to the bathroom and then they give some spray stuff to spray down there to help with the burning. This will be your best friend especially if you have stitches.

One of the best pieces of advice I got while pregnant with Cameron was from one of the baseball players Mom that Ryan coached....she said to me when I was about 34 weeks pregnant or so to start rubbing my nipples with sponge {or something} to get them ready. At first I thought she was crazy but after 3 kids I can tell you this is not crazy. The nipples get so very sore, especially in the beginning. I can remember with Easton they were starting to get red and cracking when I was still in the hospital...probably because he was a giant and ate all day long:) 

And since we are talking about breasts....they will hurt like hell once your milk comes in. They will hard as rock and like 3 times the normal size. Nurse often and massage them:)

Cynthia is now 33 weeks pregnant {I think}t. I cannot believe she will be having a baby in 2 months! FINALLY!!! 

I cannot wait for her to go into labor and finally experience labor and child birth. Finally after 5 years of talking about it since Cameron was born she will get to experience it herself. She was the only one at the hospital when Easton was born and she was just outside the room and she said it sounded like my arm was being chopped off....YES i was screaming! It hurt so freaking bad. 

Last weekend was her baby shower and everything turned out wonderful. Her mom, sis, myself and a college friend all helped and put our ideas together. Her mom really went all out for everything. It was prefect. 

So tell me ladies what was the best and worst thing about pregnancy and/or labor? We all know the end result is well worth it and by far the best thing ever or why else would we do it again and again:)

Please excuse any typos.....The kids are starting to wake up and I just need to post this or it will never happen. It was one of my many half written posts. 

7 months.

Okay I just found this unfinished unpublished post....its a little late:)) this was typed up on Dec.23


Every time I do one of these post I seriously cannot believe Bentley is a month older. He is growing so fast and doing new stuff all the time. He is sitting up now all on his own and he is also pulling himself up on his knees to play with his toys. It's only a matter of time until he will be standing.
He is all over the house these days, even more so now. Before he would just hang out with me in the kitchen and roam around, well now he's gotta be where all the action is and always wants to see what his brothers are doing. I had to move the crib mattress down already and I am thinking I should have just moved it down all the way.
Oh and How could I forget......A couple weeks ago his bottom teeth finally started to break through! He's got the bottom two coming in. I am really hoping after those come he starts sleeping a little better. Even during nap time he has been a pain in the butt. He is still taking some of his naps in the swing. Both Cameron and Easton hated the swing, so its nice to finally really get to use it. I feel like we are finally getting our monies worth out of it:))

Last week we finally had his infant pictures taken. And we were lucky to get a picture of all three. 

Seriously love these boys so much!!!!

Sick.

Well my last post was two weeks ago from Saturday and I posted that we were going to Monster Jam that night and Easton was starting to feel and look and little sick. Well by the time it came to leave that night he looked like SHIT. He and Cameron both crashed on the couch around 3 and we had to leave around 5 to meet our friends for dinner. Well when they woke they were both hacking away, we seriously had no business taking them out, let alone taking them out to a restaurant to eat. But what were we going to do?! Tell them we are not going to Monster Jam....ah NO, they have been looking forward to this for months. Neither was running a fever and Easton is the one that looked real bad but once we got to the Arena he perked up and was excited and had a blast.

So Sunday rolls around and Easton is totally fine but nowt it's Cameron who has a fever and is looking sluggish. He was pretty calm all day {which is so not like him} he took a nap and ran a fever off and on all day. Oh and I forget to mention Bentley also started coughing and was getting congested Saturday {which I was not happy about because he never got over his last little cold that had lasted the last month or so} and he started running a fever late Sunday night. So Monday all three are coughing and had snotty running noses. Bentley started wheezing and it was slowly getting more noticeable and he was still running a fever off and on.

Tuesday Bentley is still running a fever and his wheezing is getting worse. He was like almost panting. I called the advice nurse several times in just a few days and finally Tuesday night I called and said I want to bring him in and have him looked at because it was getting worse and he looked like shit. Surprisingly he wasn't that cranky, not like he should have been. Oh and then when I picked up Cameron from school Tuesday afternoon he looked exhausted and fell asleep on the way home {which is only like a 10 minutes away}. We got home and he passed back out and was also running a fever.

Wednesday rolls around {the day I got my tooth pulled...eeeeeekkkk, I survived!} So after my dental appointment I took Bentley to the Doctor. Turns out he has ear infections in both ears and was a wheezing fool. His wheezing sounded so bad by this time, Ryan came home from work and was like, you need to take him now! So we got some antibiotics for the eat infection and some Albuterol for his wheezing.
Bentley started getting better within a couple of days. With the humidifier on full blast and the inhaler with Albuterol plus the Amoxicillin he was on his way to being healthy. But the other sick child....Cameron, he laid in bed for days with a fever and terrible cough. After several more phone calls to the Doctor's office once again I said we have been patient enough and I want to bring him in. So the following Monday {a week of running a fever and laying in bed} he went to the doctor. Turns out he also has a double ear infection and Pneumonia and he was prescribed Albuterol as well. His eyes were also all junked up and red so he got some eye drops too. And within a couple of days he was feeling better also. And by the end of the week he was back to his normal wild self. And can I just tell you giving medicine to a 5 year old SUCKS ASS!!! So freaking dramatic!!! Finally after a week now it only takes him a couple minutes to drink the Amoxicillin and he doesn't mind the inhaler anymore. Oh and then the same day Cameron went to the doctor Easton was complaining about his eye. It started getting red and puffy and he was saying it hurt. So back to the doctor I went on Tuesday with Easton. Nothing major just a little eye infection from being sick so we got some eye drops for him too. And now I think everyone is healthy. The kids still have little coughs but nothing like it was.  Cameron is loud and dramatic and bossy so I know he is feeling fine. I also had a little cold in the middle of all that and both Ryan and I have minor sore throats that come and go {very annoying}.

All of the meds for the kiddos.....B hated his inhaler at first but I kinda made it a game and now he laughs and giggles:))

This is what Cameron did for the first 4 days or so...then he moved to the couch in the playroom.

I am so glad they are feeling better. Even though the house was quiet for a few days and Cameron was mellow, I hate to see him so sick. We were really getting worried there when he wasn't getting any better and the fever wouldn't really go away. And then poor Bentley...my little baby....really looked like crap and he wasn't getting any better either. At least now we have the inhalers on hand just is case this crap comes back. I sure hope this is it. I know it has been a bad cold/flu season and I hope everyone in bloggy land is staying healthy:)

This and that

Well here's another this and that post if what's been going on here lately. Nothing too exciting just staying busy and wishing I had better time management skills.

*** It has seriously been so freaking cold here lately. Like for a month it seems like. We are used to mid 60's and mid 50's in the winter here but it had been down right freezing. I hate going in the garage to do laundry and the poor kids have been stuck inside. When they do go outside and play after a couple hours they are ready to come in. Well also because Easton always finds a way to find some water and get wet then wants new clothes and that's when I say time to come in and also everything is so wet they get all flipping muddy. Mud stuck to shoes all over the patio....a muddy mess!!!!

*** I just turned in Cameron's open enrollment form......SHUT THE FREAKING FRONT DOOR!!!! Kindergarten already?! Cannot believe that! Really hoping he gets in the school we want him to go....fingers crossed.

*** So two weekends I discovered I have a few kidney stones. Yes so freaking awesome. I started having some back pain and it kinda wrapped around my hip and lower abdominal area, it hurt so effing bad. I thought I just pulled something lifting Bentley but the pain started getting super bad then I started feeling ill and nauseous so I thought I was coning down with something. I got to the point where I thought I might pass out and start puking so I asked my MIL to come over. Once she was here she made me call the doctor cause she said I didn't look good at all. So I called and they told me to go to the ER. And then the pain just stopped and I felt 80% better but she still made me go. They did a scan and discovered I have kidney stones. So last Friday I had a doctors appointment and I had some blood work done and had to collect my pee for 24 hours (this was just the other day and haven't heard from the doctor yet). 
At least now I have some pain meds when I start to pass another one;))

*** I am totally obsessed with couponing!!! I love it!!! It's like an addiction!!! My SIL and I have totally lost it. Our family thinks we are nutty. We talk coupons and  store deals all day long. It's so much fun!!! I have tried setting a budget but this months budget totally went to hell. Last month I set a budget of $300 and probably spent about $350....so not too bad for just starting. 

*** High school baseball has started already and I am already over it. I usually don't mind and look forward to it but this year I am just over it. Probably because Ryan helped out with fall ball a few months ago and that lasted for like 6 weeks or so. It's never ending. And he's gone so much more. He does say that this is his last year with kiddos getting older and Cameron starting t-ball this year. I think once the season actually starts and they are playing games and the boys get to go out there and run around it will be all good. 

*** Speaking of t-ball....today I am going to sign sign Cameron up! 

*** Tonight we are going to Monster Jam with some friends. The boys are so freaking excited. There is a new truck making their debut tonight.....Scooby Doo:)) Although I am hoping the boys aren't feeling too bad.  Everyone has been sick lately. I am just getting over a little cold, Bentley is finally over his, and now Easton is coughing and so congested. My mom, grandma, SIL, MIL, and FIL all have been sick. The boys are still sleeping so fingers crossed the wake up and aren't too bad because there is no way they will want to miss Monster jam.

*** Oh and I am totally freaking out...I have a dental appointment on Wednesday and have to have a tooth pulled. I have cancelled this appointment several times (the dental office probably thinks I am nuts) so I really can't cancel anymore and just need to get it done. Ryan was going to go with me but because of the holiday next week he is off Tuesday instead of his regular day off Wednesday, so I have to go by myself:( Has anyone ever had a tooth pulled? I am freaking the F$#@ out over here!!!!

Hope Everyone has a fabulous weekend. 

Sorry for any typos.....If I don't post this now it may never get posted...LOL.

Monster Jam Party.

So a little over a month ago we had the boys'  birthday party. Even though their birthdays were still like 3 weeks away we like having their party the first weekend of December. It's a little bit away from Christmas but still in their birthday month. They wanted to have a Monster Jam party with a bounce house. Well since their birthday is in December we had to warn them that it might rain and if it rains we cannot have a bounce house. We told them that several times and they still wanted to have it at home.

So the birthday weekend comes and its pouring rain and actually it poured all week  and was suppose to let up on Sunday the day of the party. That Friday I was running errands for the party and it was crazy out. Pouring and windy. I was soaked every time I got out of the car. So Sunday morning comes around and it's just crazy out! We had a few down pours and one lasted for a while the  backyard flooded and water came into our bedroom:)) Yep water all inside our room, it could have been worse....down the street it was a river and cars were flooded, so thankful that didn't happen. SO we got a little water in the bedroom and had to pull out some of the padding and replace it. We were a little displaced for a few days but nothing too bad. And we went on with the party and the sun decided to show itself but still no bounce house. Everything was waaaayyyy too wet for that.

Even though there was no bounce house the boys still had a great time. And really that's all who really matters. I am not concerned with everyone else {I mean a  little bit}, as long as my boys have fun that's all we care about. I ordered this cool Grave Digger pinata and filled it with gold fish, graham crackers and m&m's. Instead of having your typical party favors I ordered these little monster jam boxes and the kids filled them up with the snack pack of goodies that filled the pinata. It was so funny watching the kids try and hit the pinata blind folded. So after the first time around we took off the blind fold. It was a little hard for them:)

At first I wanted to order a cake shaped like a monster truck but then after calling around and getting some quotes I just couldn't see paying that much for a cake. Then when Cameron said he wanted me to make his cake I started  thinking and looking around. I came across this blog where I got the idea for the cake and thought to myself I could totally do that.....and I did!!! The boys loved the cake and thought it was "super awesome". 
I made 3 cakes put two together and then the third one I used for the ramps. I used graham crackers and brown and gold sprinkles for the dirt. I had some posters of the invitation made and used for decorations and I also put up some pictures of the boys at a recent Monster Truck show we went to. 
I made the little fabric flag garland, I just love making these! Its super easy and looks so cute. Then afterwards you can use it for decorations around the house. I hung these ones I made for the party in the playroom. So it kinda has a Monster Truck theme now. I also took the posters I had made and put those in there too along with the all the monster truck wall decals. The boys think its so cool.

This was the awesome invite I found on Etsy.

 Eating left over birthday pizza for breakfast the next morning:))

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to this guy..........

The hardest working husband and father!!!!!!

Thank you for all you do for us. We love you so very much and hope you have a great birthday. The boys and I will be hard at work later making your favorite.......Funfetti cake:)

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Santa doesn' t look very happy but the boys were super excited, much different than last year. we waited over an hour in line to see Santa but it was so worth it for these boys. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and hope you all have a very Happy New Year!!!

3

Happy Birthday to the best Christmas present EVER.......I still cannot believe you decided to make your arrival on Christmas Eve.

Happy Birthday Easton!!!

Mom and dad love you so much, you bring so much joy to our lives with your sweet smile and your even sweeter little laugh.

This and That.

Lots of crap going on lately. I am seriously the world's worst blogger. I have a few post that are unfinished and a few that still need to be posted. One of the post would be the boys' birthday party we had at the beginning of the month:)) Anyway........

I have been so stressed lately between birthdays and Christmas that I just cannot wait for this month to be over and the new year to start.

Bentley is still not sleeping well and seems to be getting worst.

Ryan and I finally get a night away from the kids....all 3....but he has to work tomorrow so we are just going out to dinner {better than nothing....right?}

Today I am taking Cameron and Easton to Cameron's pre-school Christmas party.....that should be interesting. Oh and I hope a candle is a good enough gift for his teacher. Then I thought about all the helpers....whoops...really do you buy everyone a gift?! I don't even know all their names.

I miss all my bloggy friends. I need to do some serious catching up.

We saw Santa and had Bentley's infant pictures taken the other day and both went well. We got a couple good pictures of all three.

I still need to make Christmas cookies and wrap every single present.

Our $50 Christmas tree starting to die like after the second day of having it.....hopefully it won't look too pathetic on Christmas morning.

Oh and I totally getting into couponing....so much fun and exciting to see how much you can save. I will for sure be posting about that sometime.

Okay folks thats all I have time for now. I have to get all 3kiddos ready to leave the house in an hour for the party.

5.

Happy Birthday Cameron!

Seriously cannot believe you are already five years old....where does the time go?!
Mom and Dad love you so much.