Jacob, 5 months old

How is it even possible that my baby, Jacob, is five months old already?! Jake is a hunk and a love and we are so blessed to say the least. His favorite things include his brother & sister. His eyes are glued onto theirs and he just loves having them play with him! Its so nice to have such great help with baby Jake. I can cook dinner and know he is fully entertained with his Jersey siblings.
We started cereal and baby food this month. The doctor was quite surprised that he was content just being breast fed with how big he is. He is lapping it up like he has been eating it forever! I think he was trying to tell me "FINALLY mama!" Ha.
He is rolling over and if he wasn't so heavy, I'm sure he would be crawling. He wants to, but too much weight to move around. I'm just fine with him not crawling. So not ready to baby proof the house. I think soon, we will.

Halloweeen

A VERY fun Halloween for this Jersey family! Wizard of Oz was our theme, well, until the 6 year old said no thank you and independently picked out his skeleton costume.

They had a wonderful time, more candy than one village should have. The big kids got new electric toothbrushes that they paid 20 pieces of candy each for. My attempt to keep their teeth healthy and visits to the dentist to a minimum.

Needless to say, a fun-filled Halloween for this Jersey family.

Fun on the Cool Water 2010

I know. I vowed to do a better job of bloggin', but have seemed to fail. Again! I guess I've been busy chasing three kids and all that goes with it, and something had to go. Unfortunately it was this.
A bit of recap. The kids and I ventured out west for 10 days of pure fun and giggles. My sister lake house cabin was nothing short of beautiful, as the Jersey kids were adventurous on the water with their cousins. It was "awesome" as the Jersey kids now recap their time out there to friends and family. I agree, in spades!

The good life

My good life.
How can one person be so blessed? Many years ago I set out to find my soul mate and find a life that was filled with love, passion and purpose. I have all of that, plus some!
Days like today, I try to sit back and take it all in. Nothing 'extra' special. The beautiful fall weather that includes amazing fall colors. Kids giggling from sun-up to sun-down. Hubby smiling big, working the fields where corn once stood. Looking out to his herd of remarkable Jerseys who continue to fill the pipeline and make a profitable business, home to our family and many others. We are blessed!
Now, there are days that this reminder isn't at the forefront of my thoughts.
Yesterday would of been one of those! I was parenting solo, which is more common than I like during this time of year. After a full day of writing, kids come home, snacks, homework, soaking it all up! Then off to the Y, to exercise and tumbling lessons for Cassie. Cassie fell off the mat during tumbling lessons and had a big, ol' goose egg on her head. She was tired and not feeling 100%. Lets just say the 7 o'clock hour wasn't the best hour around here. Especially, after a long, fun-filled, purpose driven day. Kids whining, baths, dinner, reading, nursing a baby. Well, everything didn't go as well as planned. I had to help kids with showers. "We can't get the water temperature just right." So, while I was up helping them, I forgot about dinner and it burnt. The smoke alarm went off, making baby Jake cry, which he rarely does!
No worries, it all worked out...we ended the night with big hugs, and everyone slept well, including me.
A day like today, especially after a night like last night, is so rewarding. I am easily reminded about my true blessings...and reminded that my headaches, are well, just that. If all I have to complain about is burnt bread, crying baby because of it and whining kids because they had a full day and handling this solo, while my husband works up the fertile soil that brings a wonderful life to us all....well, then my life is pretty, darn good.
Thanks for the reminder! Today, my smile, heart and soul widen!

Since of humor

I'm tyring to jot down cute lil' saying the kids say. Makes me smile & laugh.
Tyler has been coming home off the bus, with cute sayings or songs, such as:
"Mom, who do you hate?" I reply nobody, I don't like that word. Tyler says, "Mom you have to answer with something!" I said, "Okay, rats." Then, he says, "You're going to date a rat!" And...chuckles the whole walk home!

Next day he sings, "Mom & Dad sitting in a swing, k-i-s-s-ing. First comes love, then, came Tyler, then came Cassie, and four years later came baby Jacob. The end."

Cassie holds my hand down to the bus stop, jumping over all the cracks. She says the whole way down (and back), if you step on a crack, you gonna break your mama's back!

Can I keep them little, please?!

Summer Recap

How did I let the summer slip by without posting @ all?
I guess with the birth of my third child, county fair, west coast visitors and a 10-day vacation to Oregon, kept us busy to say the least.
Our third child arrived on June 12th at 2:20 a.m. Jacob surprised us all by tipping the scales at 11 pound, 9 ounces and stretched out to 20 inches long. He is a FAT and HAPPY baby and we are completely in love. He was very much welcomed home by us all, including his big brother Tyler and big sister Cassie. They adore him!!
My sister, Cathy, flew out surprising me to help for the week. The stars must aligned because she flew out on the day Jacob was born. She helped cook, clean and tend to the older kids, while also helping me adjust to a family of five and my postpartum state. Poor Tyler, he kept wondering "When is my mom coming home!" Cathy assured him that we would get to come home, and when we did, he was nothing but smiles!
A month later, Cathy flew back, along with her middle child, Colby, 6 and niece Rebecca and family friend Richard. There visit stretched out over 10 days and the Jersey kids loved it, as did I! The temps were hot and humid, but fun was had by all! The kids showed their calves at the fair, rode the rides, went to movies and to water parks. Richard kept everyone hydrated and fed well and Cathy snuggled with baby Jake every chance she got.
In early August, the kids and I flew 2,000 miles out to Oregon to visit my family. We were able to spend a few days at my sister's lake house cabin that has a fabulous view and the environment was amazing. Kids swam, tubed, snorkeled, knee board and laughed. It was so fun to watch them on the water and it was so much for to enjoy time with my sisters. My parents loved meeting grandchild #16 and I was so glad to spend time with them.
Now we are back in the grind of another school year. The kids are doing really wonderful at it, esp. Tyler. He absolutely loves 1st grade and is "rockin' it!" I hope the momentum continues and is contagious to those around him. Cassie is in pre-school and is doing swimming and tumbling. She is doing great, too.
A few snaps from the summer. I hope to be better at blogging on a regular basis. This will be my goal!

Moments before our life will change

I think I'm ready or perhaps as ready as I'll ever get to prepare for my life to change, yet again! Baby #3 is due today and although I'm sure today will pass with no birth, he will be here soon! I'm a mix of emotions, mostly excited.

Its just when its been a few years since you've had a baby, you begin questioning all sorts of things. Gosh, can I take the pain during labor? I smile because even though during the moment that the baby is being born is the most intense pain I've ever felt, it was quickly faded with the biggest joy and reward I've ever felt. So, I know I can!

More importantly, I wonder what is the recipe for success with my other two children? Mothering instinct is there and this baby will fall into some type of routine eventually or not. I think I've prepared myself, well, as much as I can, that this baby will be the crabbing one and will cry a lot. I was lucky with both Tyler and Cassie being good babies, its time that I get a crabby one. God will only give me what I can handle and I just need to embrace that.

Of course, the tossing and turning at nights the last month or so, have been praying that my lil' porkchop baby is healthy! I know he is thriving, estimated weight over 10 pounds, but I think its not until they come out and you can count 10 fingers, 10 toes and get the reassurance that the baby is healthy, that as a mother you can take a deep breath and relax.

I feel extremely blessed for the miracle inside me and so anxious to meet him. The Jersey kids are excited, too! AND...I know my hubby is excited, but he keeps telling me today isn't a good day to have a baby because of whatever farming he has going on. Soon, Scott will understand all too well, this isn't about us and we aren't in control. :)