It comes in Threes

So remember our sump pump and heater going out, well I think #3 just happened, my van. Not too major, it had been drving pretty bad, so i took it in to get an alignment, and apparently our front tires were really worn on the insides. Anyways, we are just getting the tires today and will get the other suggested repairs later. Just more money out the window.
I really feel my workout from yesterday, but I like the pain, makes me feel like I actually did something.
Tomorrow me and the kids are going down to visit their great-grandparents so they can meet Austin. It will be a long day of driving and traveling with just me and the kids, so wish me luck!

Busy Weekend

This was a busy full weekend. On Saturday we had Mackenzie's birthday party. She had a blast with her friends. Yesterday Mackenzie got to do whatever she wanted, and she wanted to go bowling. My dad and sisters ended up coming up and going with us, so she had even more fun since she LOVES her aunts. I can't believe that my little baby is 4. And all she keeps talking about is how she is so happy that now she is 4 like Jacie - thanks guys for making the long trip up, it meant the world to us.

I started boot camp this morning. I had to run a mile for my assessment. Good news is that i finished the mile and never had to walk, however it took me 11 minutes 35 seconds to do. I didn't realize how weak my muscles had gotten until today either. But I really liked the class and don't feel too bad from getting up early, so even if I can't keep up with the other fit people in the class, it is still better than sitting around on my tush.

Oh, and I have to say hi to Marty, glad that you enjoy the blog!

Just Another Day in Paradise

Hope everyone had a good Valentine's day. Mine couldn't have been better. We ordered Dominos pizza, I got 2 bottles of wine, and we lit candles all over the table, so we had our "Dominos pizza by the candelight". I gotta say, it couldn't have been better. It was completely stress free, there was no preparation or cleanup needed, it was cheaper than going out, and the kids were being adorable. Aaron got me an adorable teddy bear and some of the best chocolates ever. It was just a very nice night.

not much else going on. Austin is getting so big. His rash is clearing up good. We are getting ready for Mackenzie's birthday this weekend. I can't believe that she is going to be 4 years old. I start bootcamp on Monday and am a little anxious about being able to get up in the morning. But maybe getting up and going will be better for me. And when the kids are at daycare, I'll still be able to nap...hopefully.

Not much going on here.

We had a good weekend. Mike and Chris and family came out to see Austin and we had a great time visiting with them yesterday - thanks for lunch guys!!! Also, finally got around to fixing my kitchen sink, the handle has been leaking since we moved in. Besides that not too much happening. Just starting to get ready for Mackenzie's birthday.

I'm exhausted today. Austin eats every 2 hours during the night, and although he usually goes right back to sleep, I'd like to be able to get more than 1 hour 45 minutes of sleep at a time. I have all the kids home today, but will probably send them tomorrow and try to get in a good solid nap. Of course, Austin is also up quite a bit during the days now too, so we'll see how that plan goes. I'm also getting really upset lately about my weight/size. It was fine when I was only 2 weeks out, but now almost 5 weeks out, nothing is changing. Basically I'm still the same as I was at about 2 weeks. Not trying to be vaiin or anything, it is just something that really bothers me. At least boot camp starts next week, so hopefully that will make a difference. At least it will get me off my behind and doing something about it more than just sitting here complaining on my blog.

These pictures are the ones we got taken in our living room a few weeks ago. We love our photographer and he is very affordable - comparable to going to Sears - REALLY!!. His email is on the picture in case anyone is interested. Or just contact me via posting comment or email if you have questions. The family one I am getting to go over our fireplace. - (Austin was 19 1/2 inches, have to have him update that.)

1 Month Old

The kids playing in the snow with our neighbor

Aunt Pam and Austin

The other day I had to lay him down on the carpet right next to me to get Turner dressed from bathtime, and the next thing I looked over and he was SOUND asleep. Had to take some pictures before moving him.

Wow, already 1 month old today - hard to believe. Well, I guess special for his birthday we took him to the doctor for his 1 month appointment. He is 10 lbs 13 oz (75%) but only 21 inches (25%). All my kids start out short, so he'll be getting a growth spurt soon I'm sure. The rash that at first started out just appearing to be baby acne is getting worse, so we were instructed to stop using fabric softener at all, and I am going to wash my shirts in the Dreft detergent too. I will also be applying 1/2% hydrocortizone cream 2X daily for 5 days to get rid of the rash that is already there. Hopefully it will work quickly. He had to get one shot, that he took like a champ. I had all 3 kids there by myself and it went good. Mackenzie and Turner behaved very well.

When it rains, it pours

So I guess that on monday when I left that "everything is great" post that I should have known this would be the next. So probably not more than 30 minutes or so since I wrote that post, i was cleaning more around the house. I went downstairs to put some stuff in storage, and suprise, suprise, there was water on the floor. I went over and checked the sump pump and it was full. So, we had to buy a new sump pump and wet/dry vac to clean everything up, and have the pump installed. So we got through that and didn't think it was so bad. Pam showed up and we had a great visit. She was a great help and it was so nice to have her here to visit.

So last night I woke up with Austin and thought it felt really cold, but I just kind of assumed it was just me being cold from getting out of bed and that it was really cold outside. Well, this morning it was freezing in here, so I checked the thermostat and sure enough it was about 60-65. The heater was blowing cold air! So after trying to change the filter to see if that was the problem (it wasn't), I called and we now have someone coming out this afternoon to fix it. Please cross your fingers that it won't be super expensive. On top of it, we decided we probably needed to get a dehumidifier to help dry out the basement so we don't get any kind of mold issue, escpecially in the finished section, and that was a lot more expensive than we thought it would be. So all in all, I think this week we've had about 1K of money needed to be shelled out that was completely unexpected. Ughh....but like I told Aaron, at least we had the money to be able to fix it all, and our family is still safe and healthy, so in the big scheme of things all of this is still pretty minor. So today Austin and I are trying to keep warm, don't worry about him, I have him bundled up good and laying on me to get my body heat, and the temp hasn't really dropped much more today, so he doesn't even notice the difference. Anyways, now I'm just wondering what else is going to fall through, since things always seem to happen in 3s, but hopefully it won't be anything too major or expensive.

On another note, the kids and I went by to visit Fran and kids last night and we got some really cute pictures of the boys together. They are just so cute. Sean is catching up with Austin more, there isn't as dramatic of a difference in size now. Austin has baby zits really bad right now, and it drives mommy crazy!!! Hopefully it will fade soon.

Wonderful Day

What a wonderful day. First, Aaron got up with the kids this morning so Austin and I could sleep in, then it is like 70 degrees today and BEAUTIFUL, so I have all the windows open, a book-on-tape in the player, and am getting my house clean. I've come to realize that as sick as it may seem, I think I sometimes like to clean my house, it just gives me so much satisfaction and such a sense of peace to have it all clean......or maybe i'm just going crazy! lol Always nice to be able to clean it during the day without anyone under my feet and it staying clean. Then on top of all this, my friend Pam is comming in today from Des Moines. I can't wait to catch up. I haven't seen her since October when Mackenzie and I went up to stay with her after she had has her little girl.
We had a few friends over for the Superbowl last night. It was nice to have some other people around to talk to and feel like I was geting to be a little social. My dad also came up yesterday for my birthday, and it is always great to have him here. the kids love him SOOO much, it is just wonderful to sit back and watch them all interact. Just pure love and joy come out of them all. My dad was always the strong "real country guy" type and I don't remember ever seeing much emotion out of him, but when he is around his grandkids, you can literally SEE his heart melt.
Austin is still doing great. He has a crying spell each night around 8-10, but besides that he is still an angel. I can't get over how wonderful it has been to bring him home. really, not even once have I had the moment when I was like "what the heck was I thinking". It couldn't feel any more natural to have him here in my arms, even when it is shile I'm soaping up two other kids in the bathtub or changing poopy diapers. Aaron and i are both totally taken by it, and needless to say, has made us think even more that we'll have to do this again...I mean just to see if this was just a fluke that it was this easy! lol I completely think that the vast majority though of it being so nice this time is the easy recovery that I had and no problems since coming home from the hospital (except for those pesky headaches at the beginiing, but really that was so insignificant now). I wish everyone could experience this. Maybe I'm just on the right meds this time!!!
Anyways, enough of my "it's a wonderful life story". As everyone knows there are always hard times, but life is really good lately and I'm just going to soak it all in and not be waiting for the ball to drop. Maybe reading this gave you a smile today too, and then it can become contagious.

BTW..we got our proofs but I don't have any way to scan them to post online. But we got some amazing family photos and some good ones of me and Aaron alone. Just wanted a couple shots alone as the physical reminder that we aren't always mom and dad, we are husband and wife too.