Already lovin having Caitlyn here. Once we got home the kids immediately ran in to play with her and then went downstairs and I got to fix dinner in peace. Then Aaron and I got to run out to the store once the boys were in bed. It is just nice having another adult body there so that we can leave together. But I PROMISE we aren't going to take advantage of her.

Thanks for everyone's support for my participation in the Susan G Komen race. I ran 4.6 miles this past weekend (I had to walk a little in the 2nd half up hills) so I figure 3.something miles on flat surface should be a breeze. Ok, not a breeze, but I shouldn't die trying.

Aaron started his new job yesterday, and so far he is enjoying it. He said he really likes everyone in the office and the atmosphere is good. I have high hopes for this job. He gets to go out to Tampa in July for a week of training - that's gonna be rough on him I'm sure lol.

Austin has been eating baby food for about 2 weeks or so now and he LOVES it. Last night he ate 2 jars and would have kept eating if I had kept feeding. He is going to get even bigger even faster now. I'm not sure I signed up for this, I signed up for having a baby, I didn't agree for him to start growing up already! But gosh darn the kid is cute, I mean I may be a little biased as his mother, but everyone that sees him just comments about how cute he is too and his beautiful eyes. The other day my neighbor was out talking to me, and after about 10 minutes she just stopped and said "you know, you really have beautiful children" Gosh.....we do make beautiful babies!

Turner on the morning of his half birthday. I let him stop and pick out his donuts for breakfast.

Hanging out with (on) daddy.

Blowing out his candles on his half birthday. Yes, there are many more than 2 1/2 candles on there, but he wanted them all on, and who can blame him. 2 1/2 candles wouldn't have been near as much fun!! :)

Austin enjoying swinging outside. I still can't believe he is already old enough for this. Oh, and I had to get out some stuff this weekend that was 9-12 month stuff, and although it is a little big, it still fits.

I thought Austin looked so grown up when i got him dressed. Had to grab a group shot. Turner has been dressing up as a bumble bee all weekend.



Austin laughing as Mackenzie gives him the tickle bug!! Sooooo cute. This will make anyone's day.

We had a good time last night celebrating. We made Turner a birthday cake and watched E.T. together. The kids loved it. Turner is very excited to be 2 1/2 now.
Nothing on the books for this weekend yet. We don't even have a soccer game, I don't know what to do with myself! I know that at least 1 day this weekend i will be either sleeping in as late as possible, or taking a very good nap - I need to cath up on sleep. I'm running near empty. I was thinking maybe one day we would try to make it to Grant's Farm, and maybe 1 night we will do a backyard campout. We need to go shopping to get Aaron a few more business clothes - he starts his new job on Tuesday!! Can't wait. We may head out to a friend's BBQ on Monday - Kel, we'll just see how the weekend is going. If we come we'll bring something along. Oh, and I almost forgot, my sister said she is planning on moving up on Monday!!! Yippee - I'm SO excited.

Happy 1/2 Birthday Turner

Can you believe my little guy is 2 1/2 today!!! Wow he is getting so old. So I'll dedicate this post to him today. Turner is quite the character. I don't really know how to put in to words to describe him. He is ALL boy. Loves playing sports, he can dribble a soccer ball down the field better than me, he LOVES playing baseball and is always using something as a ball and bat. He does love our new trampoline too. His new thing is that he comes up to me and says "Play me know?" It is so sweet, I wish every time I could just drop everything I was doing to play with him. Some other things he says "Bed time?, eat time?, bath time?" Today Mackenzie woke up crabby and was crying and he went and told Aaron "Si crying" then came back in the living room and was asking her "Si, OK? You OK Si" with those big worried eyes. I thought it was SOOO sweet. He has started throwing bigger tantrums the past couple days, and for sure the best thing to do with him is to just walk away and let him finish. He got in trouble last night while we were outside playing for yelling at me and not listening and I just told him to go inside and sit in time out. He was in there screaming bloody murder for a few minutes, but when he finished he was a perfect angel. And that is one of the funny things about him. Sometimes he can be so strong headed and frustrating, but then he is one of the sweetest boys you've ever met too. And he is just so darn cute about it all that it is impossible to not love the kid. He does get snuggly now too. At night he'll sit right next to me or on my lap before bed, and he comes and gets in bed with me in the middle of the night every night pretty much, but he is so tiny next to me, the perfect snuggle bug. Which is so funny, because this was the kid that had never slept with me from the time he was about 4 weeks old until one time when he got sick at about 1 1/2 years old. He LOVES his little brother, and is more aware of Austin now than ever. He just randomly goes over to Austin and gives him kisses or strokes his head. And him and Mackenzie still love each other and play great together. Sure they have their moments, but they are great friends. We haven't been working much on potty training, just been so busy, but I think this weekend I am going to try him in underwear. Maybe he is just the type of kid that wearing a pull-up just means he doesn't have to use the pot, so we'll see how that goes. But he has been keeping his pull-up dry through the night, so I know he is physically ready. So for his 1/2 birthday today we stopped and got donuts on the way in to Nany's. He got to pick his out, the one with the sprinkles and a blueberry donut. And when i asked him what he wanted for his birthday he gets a big smile and says "CAKE" so tonight I'll make him a cake when we get home and we'll all sing Happy Half birthday to you! Of course Mackenzie is wanting to know how long till her half birthday because she is sick of being JUST 4, she wants to be 4 and a half! lol
Turner constantly intrigues me by his personality. It is very entertaining to just sit and watch him work. I look forward to seeing the man he becomes - although he will probably put the most gray hairs on my head. Maybe it is just the wide range of his personality that make each thing so special. He will no doubt be the one to get in the most trouble and be down on his luck the most, but I could see him being the one to make the greatest achievements. He will be my biggest challenge to know how to parent, and will test me and Aaron constantly, never letting us think we've got this parenting thing down, but he will make me a better parent for it. There is something very special in Turner and I know that there are great things in his future.

Congrats Sis

Congratulations to my little sis Caitlyn who officially graduated from High School last night. Only 6 days and counting till she has moved in!! She has a good head on her shoulders and is going to do great in life.....must be in the genes!

Another busy weekend

This was Mackenzie at 4 months - remind you of anyone??!!




Austin and Sean playing together. They were smiling at each other. Isn't this cute!?






Mackenzie and Aubrey Jo

You know how I love a bathtime picture.

Look at those boobies, chunky arms and belly and that neck - just want to eat him up!

It was another good but busy weekend. Friday night when i got home I got a phone call from a good friend of mine Alisa - I loved talking to you girlie. It was so nice to catch up. I can't believe it was over 10 years ago that we met at college. And I can't believe we are still this cool and hot 10 years later! Way to go us! lol Then I got a phone call from my other good friend Cheri that she was having her baby!! She was scheduled for a c-section on the 6th, but ended up starting labor on her own so they did the c-section Friday night. So after gymnastics I went home and helped Aaron get the kids dressed for bed and then Austin and I went up for a visit. It was short and sweet, i didn't want to intrude, but I knew I wouldn't have time to go up on Saturday and there was NO WAY I was waiting till Sunday to see that little girl. Oh yeah, it was a girl - Aubrey Jo. She is SOO sweet. I didn't even hold her or anything, just wanted to see the little sweetie pie and congratulate mom. So we got home about 9:30, did a few chores and to bed. Saturday Mackenzie's game was at 8, so it was early morning getting everyone up and out of the house in time. She wasn't much in the mood to play, was being really goofy and didn't have her head in the game at all. Poor Aaron, it was making him crazy. He said he had to keep fighting back that Lively blood rushing through his veins (yes Harold, the blood you passed on to him!). Then we went to the gym so Aaron and i could work out - which felt great because I didn't make it to the gym much last week. And by the way, pat on my back, I've lost about 13 pounds in the past 6 1/2 weeks. Ideally I'd like to loose about 13 more, realistically it will probably only be about 4 more. But I'm starting to get a little more comfortable in my own skin, but still a ways to go. After the gym we went to Walmart to get some stuff for a BBQ. Got home, cleaned house, got ready, caught a little 30 minute cat nap, and then it was time to party. We had a few friends and some neighbors over and we all had a blast. I finally called it quits like a party pooper about 12:30, but I knew Austin would be waking up soon for some mommy milk and the kids would be up early the next morning. The next morning, I got up and cleaned our house, got everyone fed, made some banana bread and french toast for breakfast, and then Mackenzie and I headed out. We went over and cleaned Cheri's house. I knew especially since she went early and unexpected that she probably didn't have time to nest, but also having 3, i know that that is something that comes in very helpful. She shouldn't be worrying about anything other than that sweet little baby and getting the family newly adjusted - and taking care of HERSELF! Yes Mam Cheri - don't forget about yourself! After cleaning we had to treat ourselves and go see little miss Pris at the hospital again. Of course Mackenzie had to hold her. By the time i got home it was time for dinner, laundry, play outside, and clean up the house for a second round -- and then to bed. This morning started all too early since I had to come in to work at 6:30 so I could leave early because tonight we drive right after work a little over an hour to do my sister's graduation, and then come back home. So yes, we are running a little ragged, but wouldn't change it for the world!!!

NKOTB Baby!!

Did everyone know that New Kids on the Block have officially reunited! I can't wait to get home and watch their appearance on the Today show today....yes we taped it! I know such a dork right, it is like I'm turning into a 10 year old girl all over again. Anyways, if/when they come to St. Louis, Fran and I WILL be at the concert screaming our lungs out with our little "I love NKOTB" t-shirts on! So be on the lookout and if anyone comes across tickets they don't want, get them for me.

OK, so update on the kiddos. They have been home with Aaron all week. Tuesday and Wednesday both were still running fevers. I took them to the doctor Wednesday afternoon because Mackenzie kept saying her throat hurt and when I checked she had white blisters down the inside. But the doctor said it was just a viral thing, no strep. By that evening, both's fevers were gone. We had planned on keeping them home Thursday too since they were still contagious, but then ended up not having a choice in the matter because our babysitter called and she was sick. So they stayed home yesterday and today too. Last night I had an appointment to get my hair done, and I took Austin with me and Aaron took the kids to a movie. They went to see Iron Man. now surely somebody right now is going "what he took them to see Iron man PG-13 movie" but yes he did. He said the kids loved it. he actually showed Mackenzie the trailer for that and Horton Hears a Who, and that is the one she wanted to see. Of course she is her daddy's girl, some of her favorite movies include Star Wars and Transformers. Turner was talking a mile a minute about the movie and acting out scenes when i got home. Not sure how much was pure excitement and how much was the soda and candy that daddy let them have, but they had a GREAT time. It is funny to see the difference in the kids since they have been home with him all week. Suddenly they want "daddy" to do things, and want to sit by "daddy", man only 4 days home and suddenly all my efforts are overridden. lol

This weekend we have gymnastics,, soccer game early tomorrow, friends over in the afternoon, Sunday recover from having friends over on Saturday (lol), and Monday night after work we have to drive to my sister's HS graduation that is at 8 and then right back home. That will be fun. Who ever decided to have a HS graduation on a Monday night, I don't know, but it is NOT going to be fun, but hey, for you sis we'd drive cross country if needed. And from then it is only 1 week countdown until she is moving in.....whew hooo!!!!

Sick Kiddos

So Turner is still sick, runny a high fever still, but luckily no more throwing up. So he stayed home with daddy this morning. I took Austin and Mackenzie in to daycare, but as soon as we got there Mackenzie threw up, so we packed up and went right back home. So all the kids are home with daddy today. Mackenzie is running a high fever also. So far Austin is OK, keep your fingers crossed there. Times like this I just want to be home with my babies, but at least they are home with daddy and i know he takes wonderful care of them. I'm sure they will get plenty of snuggles today. I am actually relieved that Mackenzie is sick. I know that sounds awful, but this morning when I was getting ready and Turner was burning up, all of my thoughts of course went to worse case scenario, and by the end of my shower I was working out in my head how much I would need to keep working to keep our medical benefits while taking care of my terminally ill child. I know, it is awful and completely irrational, but these are the things that keep me in a constant state of panic as a mother. All the stories you here are, "he was a perfectly healthy boy, and we thought he just wasn't kicking a cold....." To add to it, I'm not that much of a superstitious person, but when I got the kids home I ran up to Walgreens to get some more medicine and some 7-Up, and my total came to $6.66. I just feel like I should go home and keep my family safe inside for the day.

Mother's Day

Friday night started out as normal with gymnastics. Mackenzie still loves it and is doing really well. We all went this week. Once we got home it was time for bed, so that was the night. Saturday morning we all got up together and I went out to mow the yard. No Aaron didn't "make" me mow the yard. I actually enjoy it sometimes, and it was time to myself and getting in a workout for the day. Once I was done Aaron and I went out and finally got our trampoline put together - well we started it anyways. We've had it in our garage for almost 3 months now and it just seems any time it has been nice weather we had stuff to do. So then we had Mackenzie's soccer game at noon. We really tried to talk to her about going for the ball and kicking it - and it worked a little, she ALMOST scored her first goal. Wish I had it on video because all the parents on the team were yelling for her to "Go Mackenzie". I think everyone will give her a standing ovation when it finally happens! When we got home we finally finished putting together the trampoline and it wasn't a moment too soon, the rain started coming down as soon as we were finishing the last thing. Then it was time for dinner, baths, and then Turner and I went out to do our grocery/Wal-mart shopping.

Today Austin gave me my first Mother's Day gift, he slept until 6 this morning, then I fed him and put him back to bed, and he didn't get up until about 9!! That means mommy got to sleep in until 8:30. I couldn't believe it. (Last night it was back to up twice in the night so it must have been a bluff). Turner came in about 7 but I went and got his milk and turned cartoons on in our room and he just laid there with us watching TV. Mackenzie came in a little later and the first thing she did was come over and tell me Happy Mother's Day. She was counting down the days and was so excited about it. So I got up and made us all french toast - yummy yummy. Then it started all the individual dates.

Mackenzie's - she decided she wanted to go swimming so we went up to the indoor pool a the civic center. I'm sure everyone remembers my little story a couple of posts ago about the "big stomach" comment she made - well I've got a topper to that one! I get on my swimsuit and I'm at the bathroom sick brushing my teeth and Mackenzie is standing next to me and she says "Wow mommy, you've got chubby little legs like Austin!" Guess we know where he gets them from now!! In spite of that I still decided to take her swimming! lol She had so much fun getting to make me go here then there then here then there. I think we went through the lazy river about 50 times! We swam for about 2 hours then it was time to get back home to feed Austin.

We came home, fed Austin, ate lunch, showered, threw in a load of laundry - and out I went with Austin. I took him up to Sears to get his 4 month pictures taken. I've been wanting to get a new one of all 3 kids together, but that takes a lot more effort and planning so this was a quick, cheap visit and something that we could do together during our alone time. Can't wait to send out the link. He was pretty fussy while we were there - of course, doesn't it always end up that way. So I didn't get any full smile pictures, but we did end up with cute ones nonetheless. Craziest thing...while we were there there was one other family in there with two small kids. Come to find out the other little boy in there was named Austin James too - what a coincidence huh! So got pictures done, came home, woke Turner up from his nap, changed clothes since Austin spit up all over my shoulder, and then out the door with Turner. Check out his pictures online here https://www.searsphotos.com/?shareid=S206216036l355A5EJ675

For him I decided to go to Monkey Joes. It is one of those bounce house places. He LOVES it. Just climbs all over. he was back and forth from one of them to the next. The whole day he kept asking, "Me turn mommy?" He was so excited when I woke him up and told him it was his time now. Then all he could say is "Monk Joes" all the way there. He loved the big monkeys on everything. At first I was going in all the houses with him, then I realized some of them were only up to a 70 lb weight limit. Oops! But there were some that I got to go in with him. On the other ones I had to be watching him around every corner. It was so fun to be able to chase him all over and let him take the lead. I could follow him wherever he wanted to go. He'd go through one, then come out yelling "Come on momma" and waving his hand for me to go running around after him! What fun. Aaron has never been to one, and so on the phone he asked if Turner liked it. Basically I told him that if you had Turner sitting in front of you and had to build a play place around him, this is what it would be. It is the perfect place for him.

So then we came home, Aaron had made dinner, the kids played on the trampoline, and then baths and bed. Whew, busy day, but all fun and games. I will definitely keep this my tradition.

So today I took Austin to his 4 month checkup. he is 16 lbs (75th %), 25 inches (50th %), and like 65% in head. He ROLLED OVER from back to front for the first time while we were at the doctor's office. He has been going over from front to back for a little while now. Can't believe he is getting so big. I know he will be following me around the house before I know it. he has also started cereal and will start baby food tomorrow. After his dr. appt. I went up to the gym and Aaron met me up there with the other kids. I had about 20 minutes to finish up and then I went in to get the kids and Turner had just thrown up. Took him straight home and he was running a 102 fever. I gave him Ibuprofen and he was ok for the rest of the night. Aaron will stay home with him tomorrow. Hopefully he feels ok. My poor little baby. We also had Parents as teachers tonight for the boys. Both are doing great. Turner could be talking a little better but he is coming along. I've realized that what he does is that he only says the last syllable of words. So Nany comes out Ny, Sissy comes out See.... They will evaluate him in September to see if he needs any speech therapy, but truthfully, I think he will be fine but will take any help we can. hey, if someone gets paid to spend an hour of time totally on him, I'll take it. I'm sure he would improve leaps and bounds if I'd spend even an hour a week just specifically working with him. Maybe I need to work that in. Anyways, that was our weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers.

Oh, and I need to give a big thanks to my hubby. Without him being as wonderful a father and husband as he is, I wouldn't be able to be the type of mother I want to be. Thank you sweetheart...I love you!

Plans for Mother's Day

Just wanted to share the new tradition I'm starting for Mother's Day. I figure that the kids are the only reason I even get to celebrate this day, so I really want to celebrate it with them. The whole plan for staying at home and being lazy and not having to do anything never works for me and then I end up feeling like it is any ole day. So I decided to start taking each of the kids one on one to do anything they want. They get to pick. Whatever they want to do with mom, just for us to have special time together. Of course this year only Mackenzie got to choose, I chose for Turner and Austin! I think that it will make the day really special for me. It will be nice to just be able to have fun with them and get to take a step back from having to be a rational parent. It will be fun over the years to see what they pick to do. Last night when I was talking to Mackenzie about it, we were going through choices she had, and she was saying things like going to the store. So cute that just going to the store with mom would have been a special thing to her! And I have high hopes that in the end this will work out in my favor. If the kids get in the routine that this is what Mother’s Day is, then when Mackenzie is a teenager and I never see her anymore, much less her sit and have a conversation with me, that maybe one of those Mother’s day her present to me will be that I get to choose what we do. And then I can make her sit on a park bench the whole day and tell me everything about her life!
Happy Mother's Day to all those moms out there, escpecially my mom and Denise.
Other than that we have Mackenzie's soccer game tomorrow, that is as long as it doesn't get rained out. I should have lots to post by Sunday night.

Congratulations Honey!!

Aaron got a new job yesterday! We are so excited about it. It is for being a recruiter for KForce Accounting. Basically finding companies that need finance people and then matching people in to those spots. At least I think this is what he will be doing. It has the potential to be a very sound financial move. There are 3 other people on his team, and if he makes close to what those people are on track for this year, it will have a significant affect on our lives. He has wanting to transition over to business-to-business sales for a long time now, so finally his time has come. Wish us luck with this new adventure in our lives.
As for how we are doing otherwise...Aaron is not feeling well, I think it is a combination between allergies and a cold. He was home on Monday, went to work yesterday, and was going back to bed this morning when we left. So I don't know how today will go for him.
Austin has started eating cereal. last night was the first night that he really kept any of it in his mouth. He loves being upright in his exersaucer these days.
Turner has started being even more affectionate toward Austin. He is always giving him kisses and laying down next to him. He has started talking better, but he is still probably behind schedule a little.
Mackenzie is her wonderful self. Still just as adorable and lovable as always.

Wrap on the weekend

Fran and I on our way out!

After the wedding - don't we make a good lookin' family!

Allen and Ashley during their first dance

My sisters had to leave the reception and go to Prom, so they changed there and we got to take pics before they left. LtoR: Caitlyn (otherwise known as "the sister who is moving in to my basement for the summer!!!"), my mom, and Abby - Hey, when did they grow up

This past weekend was a busy one, especially after dealing with sick kids and having to play tag team on work and staying home all week long, but it turned out good. Friday night I went out with Fran to celebrate her 30th birthday. We had fun. I couldn't drink much since I was the designated driver and I knew that the next day was going to be non-stop, but we had a good time. Of course Fran and I could have a good time just about anywhere I think. You'd swear that we've known each other from birth. thanks for being such a good friend Fran - you know I love you like a sister!

Saturday Mackenzie had a soccer game. Aaron took her by himself because it was too cold and windy to have the boys out, especially with them not feeling great anyways. Aaron said she did good. She does a good job following the play, so we just need to work on getting her a little more aggressive to go in and get the ball. She is having a blast though, and that is all that really matters. Once they got home we got ready, all dressed up, and drove down for my brother's wedding. The wedding turned out beautifully and the kids had so much fun at the reception. They were SOOO tired by the time we left to head to the hotel. Welcome to the family Ashley (officially :) ). On Sunday we went to my grandparents and had a great time visiting with family that was in from out of town. It was so good to see everyone. The first part of the day I felt great since I didn't drink or anything the night before. Then Aaron and I went for a run, and it was downhill from there. Don't know if it was just allergies or me getting the cold the kids had had, but I felt awful. We went to see the kids fish, and by the time we left there I couldn't hardly breath and was sneezing the whole way home.

Yesterday I felt a little better but not great. We got home and did dinner and I decided to go on a little run to get some exercise. So I started running, and running, and running.... Well once I got home I had Aaron go drive my route to see how long it was, and ends up I ran 3.8 miles last night!!! This is HUGE for me, I've never been a runner. And that was non-stop, no walking, no resting, nada - just going with the groove. I came up with a grand plan while I was running that I will share with everyone as soon as I get it all together. So stay tuned!

Why God made Grandpys

My dad took the kids fishing yesterday - their first time fishing. They had so much fun. Both caught a good size catfish each, and then a lot of blue gill. They were in pure heaven. Now this is what being a Grandpy is all about!