The Playground Pack

We went to the mall playground Friday. And even though Isaac isn't crawling yet I took some posed pictures of him too, because it won't be long before I may not be able to catch him. After they played a while I went around and got individual pictures of all of them. I just love how unique and special each of them are, and I love that Brian and I made them! Today I am counting my blessings despite the 5 times Isaac woke up last night for no apparent reason because he is alive and he is my sweet son who's smile alone is worth all the lost sleep and then some. Today I am counting my blessings despite the girls both breaking down into tears many (MANY) times today due to two days of missed naps because they are alive and their hugs and kisses help me get through the tough days. Today I am counting my blessings despite my husband being a million miles away because he is alive and his faithfulness, devotion, and love are more than I could ever deserve. So today as I am posting simple playground pictures I am counting my blessings. 1, 2, 3, 4...

Here's Genna doing a little silly face action!

Genna's getting her pouty face on!

Isaac's in a tunnel posing in an Army crawl!

Isaac's in front of a tree! (I can't believe he's almost 6 months old!)

Hannah's riding a turtle! Giddyup turtle!

Only Genevieve...

would tell us she hid Hannah's socks under the couch when in fact they were not there.

Only Genevieve would then tell us she hid them under the tiger and then be totally surprised when they weren't there either.

Only Genevieve would then tells us she hid the socks in the bathroom only to discover again they were not there. (At this point, I am thinking that she hid them but can't remember where she hid them which cracks me up because this is very like her.)

Only Genevieve would then tell her sister that she hid them in the trash can and run to look for them yet again. (Hannah panics at this notion, and I say, "I wouldn't worry, she's been wrong 3 times already.") Of course, they weren't in the trash either.

Only Genevieve would have claimed to hide these socks when she really didn't. We found them when Uncle Kent stood up and they fell off the chair he was sitting on. She then admits that she didn't hide them. I would just like to know what exactly goes on in this child's head!

And they call it puppy love

I love baby hats, and this one is just too cute!

I know the lighting isn't the best here, but his smile is just too great not to post it.

Isaac is becoming a bit of a thumbsucker these days. I know I'm not supposed to, but I think it's cute! He's just not a pacifier kind a guy.

He just woke up from a nap here, and Mimi's taking advantage of some cuddle time.

Genna is trying so hard to win Isaac's heart. She even talks to him in motherese. I just can't believe how he seems to be almost as big as her.

All About Mommy!

Here are 25 things about me that you may or may not know. A friend sent this to me, and so I thought I would just post it here too.

1. My husband and I would seriously have a dozen kids if I had enough childbearing years left, and we may adopt once those years have past.
2. I am a QT/Sonic Drink addict and will be in withdrawl (again) once I get home in Germany.
3. I am an artsy crafsty kind of girl. I crochet, scrapbook, sew, draw, paint, and would like to learn how to knit better and how to quilt and felt.
4. Speaking of crafts, Martha Stewart is my hero.
5. I converted to Catholicism with my husband 5 years ago this Easter, and I felt like I was coming home.
6. I am hooked on too many TV shows...The Unit, House, Grey's Anatomy, Heros, and maybe a few more. Since living out of the country, I am way behind on all of them though. Thank goodness for DVDs.
7. I didn't learn to love reading until I was out of college.
8. My first born daughter is so much like me and it drives me nuts sometimes.
9. I love talk radio.
10. I have never had surgery.
11. I have given birth without any pain medication 3 times now and plan to keep on going.
12. My third baby weighed over 10lbs! (Remember #10 and 11, no one can call me a wuss anymore.)
13. I am a total hypercondriac and very overly dramatic, but I was worse as a kid.
14. I hate to take out the trash, and I am going to have to do it for the rest of 2009.
15. I love snow, and I miss the 5 feet that used to be out my window most of the year in upstate NY.
16. I love birds, but my husband can't stand the noise they make.
17. I love to cook, bake, and decorate cakes!
18. I am addicted to my blog.
19. I am trying deperately not to get addicted to Facebook.
20. I am an overcommiter. I volunteer too much and have a hard time saying "No."
21. I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I decided I would rather have a dozen kids and stay home with them instead. So I married a vet.
22. I wish I could remember every sweet or funny thing that my kids say.
23. As a mom, dinnertime is the hardest part of the day for me, especially when my hubby is away. I am so tired of saying, "Stop talking girls, and just eat your food."
24. I don't let my kids watch more than 30 mins of TV a day (if that), except on special occasions.
25. I am a breastfeeding mentor.

Grassy grass grass, Tree, tree, tree...

Leafy leaf leaf, one, two, three! Only my fellow Kindermusik pals will know this song I bet. It is warm and sunny here in Texas, but who knows how long it will last. We went outside yesterday and today, here are the pictures!

Isaac was enthralled with the grass. It was his very first grass experience! I had trouble getting him to look up at me. I would have never done this with the girls without a blanket down. I thought they would eat the grass or something. He didn't eat it though!

I'm going to have to say...

that Genna is daytime potty trained! She has been wearing panties all day (minus nap) since we came to Texas on the 19th of December. She has had miraculously less than a dozen accidents in that time. So I guess that means she is potty trained. I gave her a big girl gift like I did Hannah. Genna got a big super soft stuffed mouse that she has named "Cinder" or "Softie" or "Pink Nose" depending on when you ask. I got it on sale at Old Navy. She is a ways from night time potty trained, but she wakes up dry from naps smetimes. I am fine with sticking to PullUps at night until she turns three or so.

Congratulations Genevieve!

Coolest Bookmarks Ever!

I am so excited about these bookmarks! I made a bunch of my very own Kelle originals! They are going to make great gifts for my volunteers, and for my friends and family too! Here they are!

(The mini picture frames are going to have my precious children in them instead of this photo!)

I went crazy at Jo Ann's Fabric store and have many projects to come. I started on an embroidery project yesterday for a gift. I have quilts planned for all three of my kids, my frst quilts ever I should add! I have a resident expert quilter who lives in my village in Germany to help me if I need it!

All in the family!

Isaac gets some serious loving around our house! He's a lucky boy!

Sitting Handsomely!

Here's my big boy sitting up! He still isn't super steady, but he's sitting for a while all by himself. Eventually he leans or reaches too far to catch himself and falls over, but he doesn't get upset. He just rolls with it! Here's an example of that. He just fell over and chilled out on the pillow. (He loves this train, by the way! Thanks, Nanna!)

Cousins visit

I am mad at myself for not getting a picture of all the cousins together, but here is Isaac with each of his cousins that visited yesterday.

Lauren has grown so much! She is a lovely little girl! The girls and her a had a great time playing, but I didn't get a picture because I was too busy catching up with everyone, I guess.

Isaac is about a month and a half older than Carter. Carter is a cutie! They were not all that interested in playing together as can be expected. Isaac just stared at him. He always stares. Very serious boy!

Wedding Bells

All three kids and I bravely went wedding dress shopping with my sister-in-law to be, Leah, after our Chucky Cheese adventures on Friday! It was nap time, but we forged ahead anyway. The girls got to try on their flower girl dresses at the end. It ended up being a 3 hour affair, but the kids were pretty good. All three fell asleep in the car on the way home. It was so cut to see them all in a row in their carseats fast asleep.

Genna loved it and thought she was a total princess!

Hannah, of course, was the Princess in the Pea and thought the dress was itchy, especially the tags! Typical Hannah, but she looked stunning!

Lions and Tigers and Children, Oh My!

We have started this little tradition at my parent's house of taking pictures of the kids with this tiger when we visit ever since they got him. Poppa Boat bought him because Hannah loves tigers. So you may remember this picture or this picture from last year!

Ignore the dinner that is still all over Genna's face. With three kids, you have to take the pictures when you can get them or you'll miss the moment!

Pet Store

Yesterday we went to the local pet store for the kids to look at the animals, and we learned a few things too.

First, the girls both want a guinea pig some day.

Second, they think the goldfish are the coolest fish ever, with the exception of the little Nemos they had, and the fish were the highlight of the trip for them.

Third, Isaac was a huge fan of the fish too. This was what he was doing anytime we were near a tank, bending over backwards to see those fishies.

The First Supper

Two days ago, Isaac had his first meal...rice cereal, of course. He is just not sleeping like he used to. So, although with the girls I didn't feel they needed to start solids for the calories at this age, I am starting to suspect that he might. After all, he is heavier than the girls were at a year at his current barely 5 months of age. He loved the sippy cup of water! He seemed to like the cereal a lot, but he insists on helping me with th spoon. He won't even open his mouth unless his hand is on the spoon. So, it makes for a messy dinner! (The pictue above was taken after I cleaned myself and Isaac up. I'll try to remember to get a picture before cleaning him up next time.) Daddy wouldn't be able to handle the mess, I am sure. :) Brian was always wiping the girls' hands and face in between bites. Hannah has turned out just like him and can't stand to get dirty. She took one look at Isaac and said, "I not kissing that face again!" I'm sure she'll change her mind since this face is pretty irresistable when clean...

Here are a couple of bedtime fairies...