BOYS!

I have had to laugh lately because so many people have asked us if we are disappointed that this baby is a boy instead of another girl. Let me answer that- NO! :) We chose to have another baby because we didn't feel our family was complete yet, not because we were hoping for a girl! I do feel a little bad for Kellie because I have wonderful sisters and she is missing out on that experience- but I find consolation in the fact that someday she'll get to have great sister-in-laws! (I'm sure my sons will pick lovely women to marry some day!)

Anyway, there are a few things I LOVE about BOYS...

*Their toys are so much cooler. I'll take Legos and Trains over Barbies any day!
*No tights to force them into when you're dressing them for church!
*Low maintenance hair styles!
*They wear what you set out for them without too much fuss. (I am amazed at how opinionated Kellie is about her clothes- and she is only 2!)
*Their protective nature! My boys are always trying to "Take Care of" me and Kellie. We are surrounded by protective little guys!
*Mischievous smiles. (I know I should be worried that they are up to something when I get one of those grins... but there is just something about that look and wink that makes me laugh!)
*There's just something about a boy standing in the front row LOUDLY singing "Jesus wants me for a SUN-BEAM!"during the Primary Program. (Somehow, it's just not as cute when the girls are irreverently belting out lyrics.)
*Overalls. (Enough said.)

I'm sure there are many more things I forgot! What's your favorite thing about boys?

(By the way, I'm a fan of little girls, too! They are special in so many different ways! I don't want any one to think I am Anti-GIRL here...)

Aaron "Teaches" at the Library

Yesterday Aaron and I went to the library while the other 2 kiddos were napping. Due to all the rain, the library was a pretty busy place to be. After gathering our books, I let Aaron play at the Thomas and Friends Train Table they have in the Kids Section. I sat on a nearby couch and listened to the following conversation. (There was another little kid, probably about 3 yrs old already playing.)

KID: Come on Thomas! Let's Go!

AARON: Um, excuse me, but that's not Thomas.

KID: It's not?

AARON: No, that's Toby. Toby's brown.

KID: Oh. Here's Thomas.

AARON: No, that's Percy. He's green.

KID: (picking up another green one) Thomas?

AARON: No, that's Henry he's green too.

KID: Who says?

AARON: I know these things because I'm an expert.

KID: What's a "experp"? (mispronounced)

AARON: EXPERT. Not experp. It means I know a lot about this topic. I know ALL about these trains. When you get bigger you can be an expert, too.

KID: I am a PERP too!

AARON: Maybe someday...

KID: I'm a PERP! I'm a PERP! I'm a PERP.

Aaron and I left not to shortly after this conversation. I had a good chuckle to myself and can't help but giggle at Aaron's expert teaching!

Seriously, I have no idea where this kids parents were, but I hope they don't mind too much when their little guy runs around telling everyone that he's a PERP! (at least he didn't say PERV...) :)

Who stole the Cookie?

When we get home after picking Aaron up from school the first thing we do is hang up our jackets and backpacks. Aaron is usually the quickest.

After helping the others, I walked up to our living room to see Aaron hiding in a corner, hunched behind a chair. Curious, I asked him what he was hiding. He ignored me. I insisted he stand up and answer me. He stood up, but refused to answer, and I could see his cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk. Clearly, he had stolen some goodie from the kitchen.

I asked again, "What are you eating?"

Defiantly, he refused to answer.

I put him in Time Out. After swallowing, he finally told me it was a leftover cookie from lunch.

I then asked him why he hadn't eaten it at school. He wouldn't answer.

Phone rings. It's Matt. I told him what was going on and he informed me that he hadn't put a cookie in his lunch today because he had Easter Candy instead.

I confronted Aaron with his lie.

His response: "You're just not listening, Mom. What you don't realize is that I got confused when I said it was a cookie... I really meant to say that it was my leftover chocolate egg from lunch..."
(That's his exact quote!)

By now I'm thinking, "Nice Try, Buddy."

I give him the MOM GLARE, insinuating that I find his story fishy.

He caves under the stare. "Actually, Mom. It was a cookie from the kitchen. I can't ever tell you the truth, because then I get in trouble."

I told him I was more upset that he lied to me. TWICE.

He told me that lying isn't as bad as stealing.

He then told me that I just gave him no choice. He needed the cookie, and he had to lie to get it.

I had a harried "Mom Moment" where I just looked at my son and thought, where did you EVER get that idea? And then we had a talk about stealing and honesty.

I'm not sure he really gets it, though. (Sigh.) I'm not ready to deal with an evasive, manipulative child. When did my baby grow up- and how do I get him back?

It's A...

I had my twenty week ultrasound done today and everything is right on schedule for our due date of August 3o. Seeing whereas I have always been late in the past, I am not expecting junior to show up until September.

This is grandchild # 20 in our family. Not counting this one, we have 12 BOYS and 7 GIRLS. September is a busy time for our family: 6 of the grand kids are already in September and all of them have been boys. (including our two boys!)

This baby does not break the streak! It's another BOY!

We've had mixed reactions. Matt and I are just happy he's healthy. Caleb is excited, and I don't think Kellie knows what's going on. Poor Aaron cried when he found out, though. He really wanted another baby sister....
(Oh well, he's got a few months to adjust to the idea.) :)

Easter Sunday Clothes

Easter Morning

8 inches

It's a little damp from the shower- but there's the new 'do.
I had my hair cut earlier this week and they took off about 8 inches.
I have been so sick lately and this cut was very badly needed.
I am loving it!

Names

Matt and I have been scouring the baby names books and are still at a loss. It is really hard to name the 4th baby. If you count middle names, we've already used our top 4 names for boys- and we just can't find another girl name we both really like.

Here's our problems:

1. Including our kids, there are 19 nieces and nephews in my family. Counting middle names, that is 38 names that we have ruled out on principle because we don't want a "repeat" name. (Although admittedly, some of the middle names are the same. Add in my 6 siblings and their spouses and that number is even higher.

2. Christiansen has 12 letters. We don't want a first name that is too long because when it comes time to write their name out we don't want the poor kid to take 20 minutes to write it...

3. Matt was a teacher. As such, there are just some names that he associates with kids he'd rather not remember. Also there are names we naturally reject because one or both of us "knew a (insert name)" and can't picture naming our child after someone we have 'bad' memories about.

4. We refuse to name our kid after a piece of fruit, or other random object.

We have our ultrasound on the 13th, and maybe that will help guide our search once we know what gender we're dealing with...

In the meantime, I thought you might get a kick out of some of the names we have come across in our books. Matt and I have enjoyed a good laugh over some of them and can't really picture anyone naming their little one some of these. (we realize cultural differences might account for some of these unusual names, but even so...)

These are actual names straight from the book...

SPANKY
SPARKY
NAG
MORPH
CORN
FACTOR
FANG
PENTECOST
SEVEN
TANK
TEDDY-BLUE
URANUS
UZZI
WHEEL
WISS
CAR
CAPER
CHICKADEE
DIJON
FLAX
L'AMOUR
LUNA-COCO
MOONBEE
POPPY-HONEY
WORSHIP
ZIPPY

(and this was just a sampling of the really weird ones... where do people get these?)

Ear infection

Ear infections are nothing new in this house. Caleb and Kellie both have tubes in their ears due to recurrent infections. Unfortunately for Kellie, one of her tubes has fallen out and so that ear has been infected more frequently this winter. We may eventually have to put the tubes in again, but are just waiting to see how the season goes.
This picture is the "day after" shot of what happens when you're up all night crying about your ears. The poor thing was so tired she just crashed, and I couldn't resist a photo. Sick or not, I still thought she looked pretty cute!

Snow!

We had snow this week! Aaron had a snow day on Friday and on Saturday the kids went outside to romp in the snow! The boys loved it, and Kellie is still deciding whether or not she is a fan. (She refused to wear mittens and didn't like cold, wet fingers!)

Basketball!

Aaron played Basketball this year! He has wanted to try for quite a while, and we finally gave in. I am so glad we did. The season wasn't too bad- only 2 months- and he learned a lot. It was really fun to watch and we were constantly amazed at how coordinated some of these kids are for as young as they are. Aaron was the smallest and youngest on his team, which was different for us, because in school he is one of the oldest in his class, and taller than most of the kids in his class. The "bigger" kids helped him out, though, and he had a wonderful season. We are so proud of you Aaron! Good job!

Triple Time-Out

We had a first in our house today. We had a triple time-out.
I realize the kids are excited, especially since Aaron is home with a snow day today- but I've had ENOUGH!
How is it that kids can manage to make so much noise? We have been trying for months to teach the kids the difference between inside voices and outside voices- without much luck.
It doesn't seem to matter what activity I offer- reading books, coloring, watching movies... it always seems to end up in a yelling match!
Today I finally snapped. After telling the kids for about the 20th time this morning to quiet down, I sent them all to time out. All THREE of them.
It is temporarily quiet. I just hope it lasts until their Dad gets home, at which point I can go hide and try to pretend that I don't hear the chaos that is my home. sigh

What Can You Do with a Crazy Husband?

Yes, you read that correctly. My husband is crazy.

We woke up to snow on the ground and wild flurries everywhere. Normally I love the snow, but I've been more worried since Matt has to drive into Longmont every day for work now. I worry until he calls to tell me he made it there safely.

All morning we had 2-3 inches fall per hour and gusty, blowing wind. I could barely see the house across the street, visibility was so poor.

Luckily about 10:45 Matt called to tell me that they were closing the office and he was on his way home. What normally takes about 1/2 an hour took twice that long.

When he got home the school had called to notify us that Aaron was being released early due to the weather. Matt shoveled enough snow to get my car (which handles better in the snow) out of the garage.

After returning with Aaron, Matt then set about trying to get his car off the street and into the driveway. This was quite the process. The snow was thick and deep enough that he just couldn't get enough traction to pull into the driveway. I suggested he shovel more snow out of the way, but he had shoveled two tracks for the wheels and was determined that it was enough. Two different trucks full of guys stopped to try to help, with little success. They were finally able to push it into the driveway a bit, just off the road, and there the car sat, stuck.

I thought he would come in and warm up since he had been outside so long. After all, the car was in our driveway, albeit lopsided, and he had been out there "playing" in the snow for an hour or more already. I was wrong. My crazy husband got it into his head that he needed new tires so he could get better traction and he needed them right now.

What crazy guy goes out into the raging elements to get new tires when there are accidents everywhere, the snow is still falling wildly, and businesses and schools are closing all over town? Did it ever occur to him that his emotional, pregnant wife might worry about his safety and well being?

Evidently not. My husband did indeed brave the elements and left the safety of our home in search of new tires. Crazy, stubborn lunatic.

I suppose, in his defense, he did make it home. Safe. With new tires. Sigh.

What am I going to do with him?

Horses on the Playgound!

When I went to pick up Aaron from school today, I was surprised to see several police officers parked around the school. There didn't seem to be any disruption going on, so I wasn't too worried. When Aaron got into the car he told me that they had been on a CODE YELLOW at school today, which Aaron told me means that they can continue teaching, but with heightened security, and the kids need to stay in the building.

Concerned now, I asked him what was going on.

Aaron responded by telling me that there were 3 runaway horses that found themselves into the school yard today. They scared a bunch of kids as they ran all over the fields and even onto the playground, near all the swings and slides. When the Principal got over the intercom to announce the CODE YELLOW, the kids were told that everything was okay, but they would have to lock their classrooms if the horses found their way into the school, since they were not invited to be there. (Can you imaging hearing that over the intercom?)

I have been chuckling ever since, trying to imagine the horses playing hopscotch on the blacktop, or even plotting schemes to overthrow the school!

Dinner with Caleb

Disclaimer: Matt and I try to pick our battles. Please don't think us bad parents...

Caleb is a very picky eater, and although we are continually encouraging him to try new foods, there are a few meals that we just don't bother trying to fight him on anymore, and we offer him cereal instead. Tonight was one of those nights. We made chili, which Caleb has adamantly refused in the past, and after 2 bowls of cereal, this is the conversation that followed...

Matt: Caleb, you know you really should try some chili.

Caleb: Dad, you should have told me I needed to try some... then I would have tasted it.

Matt: So all I had to do was ask you to try it, and you would have?

Caleb: yeah. (this was said as if he was saying "well, duh..")

Feeling Better (Hopefully...)

It seems like I have been "out of it" for a while, and I guess I really have been. Last week I started feeling dizzy and lightheaded. I wasn't too concerned, because let's face it, sometimes when you're pregnant it's not unusual to feel a bit lightheaded. I knew something was wrong last Friday when the room wouldn't stop spinning and I couldn't stop throwing up.

Matt called the doctor and took me to the ER. There we found out that I had a severe case of vertigo which is caused by fluid and congestion collecting behind your ears, which affects your balance, and causes the nausea. I was prescribed a series of medications- one called Antivert, which is basically a motion sickness pill, another called Zofran, which helps curb the nausea, and Sudafed, which is just about the only decongestant I can take since I am pregnant. After rehydrating myself on a bag of IV fluids, I was sent home, with the warning that it "may take a while" to clear up.

They weren't kidding. I spent the first few days trying to stay perfectly still in bed, since any movement at all made me sick. Matt was very patient helping me walk to and from the bathroom, since I couldn't stand upright to save me. Also, my wonderful patient husband has spent some time sleeping on the couch since the slightest movement (like him rolling over in bed) made me sick to my stomach.

The kids spent a night or two with Grandma, but came home in time for Aaron to go back to school Monday.

Monday and Tuesday I had improved enough to walk short distances around the house by myself, and to sit up a bit, but I found I just couldn't meet the demands of my 4 year old and 2 year old kids. On Wednesday, my mom and dad took Caleb and Kellie back to their house for a few days, so I could rest and try to feel better without worrying about the kids.

It has been so quiet without them here. I am glad they are safe and having a good time, but I miss my kids. Aaron is here in the evenings after school, but he is so quiet and self sufficient that I hardly notice he's home.

I am finally doing a bit better. I can walk a bit more by myself and although I still get a bit lightheaded from time to time, I am managing a lot better. We are going to go get the little ones this weekend. Which is good, because I think they are partying too much with Grandma (just kidding).

I just hope I will improve enough in the next few days that I will be able to drive again. (and I want to thank Sara and Jeff for picking Aaron up from school for me this week- you have been real lifesavers for me, and I really REALLY appreciate it.)

They said the vertigo may come and go for a few weeks, but I am praying it leaves for good and soon. We'll just have to wait and see. Also, just in case you were wondering, the lab work showed the baby was doing okay, and I go in on Monday to have a check up, so we are assuming baby is still okay through all of this.

Thanks to everyone who has helped this week, I hope to be all better soon.

Tagged!

(I've never done one of these picture tags before, but I keep getting them sent to my email, so I give in, I cave!) I am supposed to go through my picture files and find the fourth file and then the fourth picture and post it here. I actually really enjoyed doing this one, I haven't looked at this picture in a while, and it is one of my favorites.

This picture is the first time Aaron met his brand new brother, Caleb, in the hospital. Aaron was two weeks shy of being three and I love the look of awe and love on his sweet little face. He was a little nervous to meet his new little brother, so Matt was helping him take a peek and hold him. Matt and I always feel so much love for the newest little one, but it is always such a special moment to introduce the baby to their siblings, and watch the love in their eyes, too. How blessed the younger ones are to have so many people to welcome them to the family!

Awww, I'm getting all emotional now. Does anyone have a tissue, please? (I think I'll blame it on the pregnancy hormones...) :)

Picture update...

I will post a picture of Kellie's bed just as soon as I get some new batteries for my camera!

My Escape Artist

It's official. Kellie is an accomplished escapee.

For weeks whenever we'd put Kellie to bed in her crib she'd stand up and try to put her little toes up and over the railing, without much success. She'd eventually get frustrated and lay down to go to sleep. Yesterday, however, about five minutes after I put her in bed I heard a door opening and closing. I have to be honest, I assumed it was Caleb getting out of his bed to go to the bathroom. After listening to the door open and close for a minute I went up to check on him. Imaging my surprise when I found not Caleb, but Kellie playing with her door.

I think she was too scared to come out and face me because when I caught her she got a scared look on her face and immediately started crying.

Consequently, Kellie earned herself a new big girl bed! We are skipping the toddler bed size and going straight to the twin, and I have to admit, we spoiled her a bit. (It is so fun to pick out girly furniture and bedding!) Daddy didn't even flinch at the price tag, and we were able to find some pretty good sales. Matt is picking up her new bed tonight so stay tuned for photos tomorrow!

Gotta Love my Kids!

Our kids have been very excited about a new baby coming to our house. I have to laugh at all the cute comments they make and thought I better write them down. Here we go:

Caleb: If the baby comes on my birthday can we name it Caleb?

Aaron: As the baby gets bigger and your tummy uncurls again...
(as if I just keep it rolled up like a sleeping bag?...)

Aaron: I'd like a girl so Kellie can have someone to play girl stuff with...

Caleb: I'd like a boy so that I can have someone to play with besides Aaron.

Kellie: (gets a confused look on her face and goes around pulling up shirts to look at tummies; first my shirt, then her shirt, and ending in Matt's shirt)

Caleb: When you have our baby Grandma will come play with me? (he was very excited to have Grandma come play with him!) Now how soon is that baby coming out?

Aaron: I want to name our baby Maria!
(I still don't know where that one came from...)