Harry's Silly Faces

Whenever I take pictures of the baby, Harrison joins in with silly faces. I indulged him today and this is what we got:

Smiles

Baby Z has been smiling for some time now, but I haven't been able to capture it on film. Usually it's 3 a.m. and I just don't feel like getting my camera! These smiles were much more appreciated by me since they were in the normal waking hours and once I got the camera, he didn't stop smiling for a change!

Snowday at Grandma and Grandpa's

I Lub the Dinosaur Museum!

My mom and dad took the grandkids to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point a few weeks ago and as always, the kids had a great time. Whenever he sees the big T-Rex on the side of the building, he exclaims, "I lub the dinosaur museum!" Here are some of my mom's pictures....

Luke's Birthday Party

I just realized I never posted the party pictures from Luke's big day. We are planning a friend party this year for a half-birthday in the Summer since I didn't want ten six year olds around the new baby.

But we did have family over for ice cream....yes, that's an ice cream pyramid. Luke didn't want cake, even ice cream cake, so we made the easiest birthday cake I've ever seen! He loved his family party and all the gifts were a hit. Thanks to all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents who came to make his day special.

Meet Chunk...

13 pounds at seven weeks in all his glory...

He likes....

Yep. Luke liked the no bakes.

And I am going on a diet now.

To Bake or Not to Bake...

Last night I realized a craving I have had for weeks must be met before I eat every other sweet in the house. No bake cookies.

Me: Hey boys, mom's making no bake cookies tomorrow, and if you guys are good I'll share.

Luke (in full tears as if I had just ripped his biggest lego creation to pieces): No...sob....sob....you CAN'T make those, mommy! You HAVE to bake cookies! ...sob...cry....whine....

Dad: Well, buddy, mom wasn't asking for permission, she was telling us that's what she's making. Deal with it.

Me: Wait a minute, I realize you're tired and all, buddy, but do you realize you're throwing a full-on fit about a treat I am making? Weird.

Luke (with even more tears, if that is possible): I just don't even know what they taste like!

True story. I'll let ya know what he thinks of them later...

Normal?

It seems crazy that it has been more than five weeks since Baby Z joined our little group. Number three is the one that has done me in. I officially feel very outnumbered and like my life will never return to normalcy. I suppose I should just accept the lack of sleep and lack of any sense of accomplishment as normalcy at this point, but I just keep thinking a functional adult life will return...someday! I did actually get a shower before noon today....almost.

I'm always hesitant of putting up pictures of myself, but here goes anyway. My mom took this on his one month b-day. This is what I like to accept as normal. I love snuggling the little guy and appreciate the spirit he has brought to our home. We truly are blessed.

Six Things about the Six Year Old

As a little tribute to our special birthday boy, I thought I would write six little facts about the Lukester:

1. His favorite color is BLACK. I have no idea what was his inspiration for that, but it's been that way for quite a while.

2. He obsesses over the Oriental Trading catalogue. Needless to say, Partyland is a dream for him.

3. He takes about 15 toys to bed with him every night. I remember my nephews at this age, and one time when I went to visit them in California, I took pictures of their little nests in their bunks. I need to document Luke's collection too!

4. He's quite the peacemaker, especially when he's the one in trouble. Jon often tells a story about a Thanksgiving when 8-months pregnant I dropped the yams on the way out the door and during all the commotion and stress, almost three-year-old Luke was screaming in the car. Jon went out and yelled for him to stop, right in his little face, and all he did was look at Jon and say, "I just wanna hold you, dad." He still has the ability to melt our hearts- most of the time!

5. He is a chatterbox and has been since about 15 months old. Enough said. Seriously.

6. He is a super duper big brother and a great help to mom and dad, especially since we had baby. Thanks little man and I hope you have an awesome birthday and a fun year as a super cool six year old!

Happy Birthday to Luke!

It's our big boy's birthday today and he has enjoyed being six so far. He told me this morning he feels much different than he did when he was five. Happy Birthday to our sweet little buddy.

Our Little Boy Mold

They don't really look alike, do they?! Click to enlarge if you want to check 'em out.

4 Weeks

One of these days I will catch up on all the activities and fun over Christmas and there will be more than baby pictures on the blog, but for now, we're celebrating Z's four week birthday. Where has the last month gone?

He's changing so fast. He can kinda hold up his head - and those eyes are lookin' blue - so much for my "dominant" brown eyed genes! We're getting smiles here and there, but I haven't managed to capture any on film yet. Here are this week's pictures...

Amy's Day Off

My sister took yesterday off and invited us over for the day. She took some fantastic pictures of baby Z and has inspired me to work harder at my photography. Here are some of my favorites. Check out Amy's blog for more... Thanks for a fun day sis!

She grabbed a couple super ones of biggest brother. Harry didn't want his picture taken.

and here is baby z at THREE WEEKS!

We Breed Crappy Sleepers

With the birth of each of my children, I, like many moms, have had my ideals in focus - the fun and patient mom I'll be to the new one and his brothers, how I will gracefully fall into a new groove with our schedules, how much quicker I will drop the baby weight, and what an excellent sleeper I will train the new one to become.

Why I set myself up for failure on all fronts, I'm not completely sure, but one thing is certain -we breed crappy sleepers. When you run into me and ask me if Zachary is a good baby, I will not answer, like so many new moms I have asked, "He's so great, he slept through the night after a couple weeks!" or "He only wakes once or twice throughout the night." Yeah, that's not me. He is, indeed, a GREAT baby, but sleep just can't fall into that box for me.

Before anyone offers me any reading material about how to get your kids to sleep through the night, please don't bother. I have read EVERY book known to man about helping babies become great sleepers. The fact of the matter is, and I suppose I should just come to grips with it, is that my kids don't sleep through the night for months, even years if you want the truth. Harry just started sleeping through the night recently and Luke was at least three. I'm sure due to the lack of sleep around the time Harrison joined the family, my memory has failed me when Luke actually started sleeping through the night - although he was a super sleeper at five months, and at six months had his seizures, which changed everything. That story is for another time.

As for the other ideals, I am slowly accepting the fact that I'm not the most patient or fun mom right now, but I'm doing what I can in my zombie-like state. The same goes for getting my groove back and losing the weight. Unfortunately, sweet little Zachary has been the worst of my early sleepers. But it can all only get better, right?

photo courtesy of my sister amy - my cute little crappy sleeper

Mom and Z

Here's a little impromptu photoshoot my mom did with me and Z on Wednesday. These could use some photoshopping, and I eventually, like everything else, will get to it. Does anyone know any tricks to make mom look less tired?!

I can't believe our little guy is already three weeks old - that group of pictures is coming soon...

our littlest angel

this is his "chubby" face
he was actually sucking on my chin....guess someone got hungry and bored of taking pictures!

big brothers...

I just realized I never posted any of the pictures of the boys with baby Zach at the hospital. Jon did such a great job being in charge of the big boys and a big thanks to my mom and dad for their help as well. I also need to catch up on some pre-christmas activities and stuff from the holidays as well. I feel so behind in my journaling. Bear with me....three is the number that has done me in!

Here are the proud big brothers...

Two Weeks Old

Today while daddy and the big boys were at church, I decided to attempt a little photo shoot with Zach. I still have so much to learn about photography but I have a great new subject for lots of practice! Happy two weeks old, little buddy!

Official Baby Announcement

Just got these printed at Macey's. We love our little guy and he is already growing WAY. TOO. FAST.

Who Wants to Play in the Snow?!

We do! We do! The boys were very excited to get their gear on and tromp around in the several feet of snow we have in the back yard. Harry looked a lot like Ralphie from A Christmas Story and as he waddled outside, he asked me, "Mama, how am I gonna move?"

Before I could grab a jacket and get outside to take a couple photos of them, they were already done and back inside ready for some hot chocolate! We'll try for another snow day soon - complete with snowman and snow forts and longer than five minutes outside!