Completely outmanned...

I think it's funny that I thought I could handle 4 kids. It seems like I run around like a crazy person, and still someone is crying or angry because their needs, or wants, are not being immediately satisfied. Let me just say as a side note that I consider my wooden spoon to be a very valuable parenting tool. : )
Christmas was a huge hit, as it was I'm sure, for most children. Gage got a Nintendo DS, and this is not unusual for me to find everyone watching him play, but no one else actually getting to play.

When we left for Washington, we told all the kids that they could choose one toy to take. Lauren got this new horse, which she decided was more essential than her big sister. Sorry Joss.

And this is the last picture I took with my old camera. Tony sat on mine and it broke. But not to worry, since Santa (Mom) got me a new one. My dad went wakeboarding for the first time. He's in his 50s, so I have to give him props for even trying. It didn't turn out so hot. I'm completely surprised he can still walk. I better get him some Osteo Bi-flex. Regis uses it.

And this is the little Krewzer rolling over. He started doing this last month (3 months old). He weight 18 pounds at his 4 month well check, and is already starting to get on his hands and knees and get the vibe of crawling. I need him to slow down, because I can't handle the crawling baby stage just yet.

November is over?!? WHAT??!!??

Did I just blink and lose an entire month? Why yes, yes I did. Thanksgiving was a blast. I am now back up to my delivery weight. Yay.
School is going great and the kids are loving it more all the time. Tony still works like a madman, so it was so nice to have him home for a long weekend. (Is it just me, or is your house always messier when men are around? Hmm.) Krew has officially hit the three month mark. I wish he would slow down in the growing department. At his 2 month check up he was already 15 pounds. I'm sure he's added a few more since then. Little oinker. Luv him.
I, however, seemed to have wandered around in a daze for the last few weeks, dreaming of naps and hot baths. I did sneak in a book, or two: Dreamcatcher and Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox. Steph, Stephanie Meyer, my good pal recommended these on her website. They are bizarre. Skip them. I could barely wrap my head around the ending. Maybe it's the lack of sleep.
I put up our trees for Christmas! Now all I need is some cinnamon rolls and I'll be set!! Anyway, just wanted you to know I am still alive, but just barely. Merry Christmas and Happy Late-Thanksgiving!!

'Tis the season. . .

...for family pictures! How could a girl get so lucky? I just don't even know... My cute little man. Two photo shoots in his first 7 weeks. He's gonna be a pro. And pretty little Lauren:

Sugar

And mild spice.

Oh my Jossy. Her pictures are always hard to pick, because almost every one is usable. She is such a little shutter-bug. She'll smile and strike a pose and 9 out of 10 shots will be adorable.

This one is Tony's favorite:

When did my baby boy get so big?!?

Almost done... you can see the relief on Tony's face.

Thanks to Jen for her awesome skills!! Anybody in WA who needs a good photographer, call her- she is especially good with kids.

6 whole weeks...

Krew turned 6 weeks yesterday. I feel like we just got him, and also like he's always been here... Does that make sense? He is growing so fast! I would guess he weighs about 12 pounds now- even though he looks like he has doubled his birth weight. I'll have to get some pictures up- it's just one more thing on my list. He is still not really sleeping- he was up 4 times last night. He just wants to eat. I think I'll play along for a little while longer before I implement any Nazi scheduling that makes him cry it out.

I read one of the books Stephenie Meyer recommended: The girl who could fly by Victoria Forester. I thought it was kindof dumb. I wanted to know what happened to Piper while I was reading, but at the end I realized I would have rather had my 4 hours of sleep. Maybe I'm the one who is dumb...

Lauren is still struggling with the potty. It has officially been a year of peed pants. Why is she not catching the vision? She will poop in the potty just fine... I need suggestions.

Three weeks sure goes by fast when you can't remember it...

So. . . tired . . . must stay . . . awake.
Krew no like sleepy. Boo.
He's actually screaming right this very moment. Just like for the last 5 hours. Doesn't colic usually happen at night, not in the morning?

Still, I love him and am going to keep him. Heaven knows we're not putting him back!

His siblings adore him. It's like they don't really hear the crying until it escalates to the point where it drowns out their cartoons. He has already acquired quite the list of nicknames: Scooby Krewby, Krewser the Bruiser, Krewton (like crouton- thanks Kara), and Baby Koo (Lauren's).

He eats like a little piglet and is growing like a weed. His little double chin puts Dad's and Grandpa's to shame. Apparently it's a family trait. I had to laugh because when he was born, he had a double chin. Not enough fat to make a decent butt crack- but he had a double chin. Who knew...

Jace Leatham

Some friends of ours, the Leatham family, got some really scary news last week: their little boy Jace has leukemia. If any of you also know this wonderful family and want to help or read more about what's going on with his treatment, Amy has set up a blog for him at www.ironmanjace.blogspot.com

Pray for Jace. And his family.

Getting used to life with four...

Tony grew up in a family with seven kids. Seriously, how did his mom do it?!? The transition from 3 to 4 has been easier that 2 to 3, but still, yikes. I haven't done my hair and makeup on the same day since Krew was born. My house is also a disaster. Tony gets Gage ready for school in the morning (the bus comes at 7:30) and his hair is usually looks super.

But I do what I can, so I embrace my disasterness.

A sidenote: Krew had his 2 week check up this morning. He has gained over a pound and a half. I've been feeding him butter. And nothing else.

Another disclaimer: we are rockin' it old school. Tony sat on my camera and broke the little screen on the back that I used to cheat and see if I had a cute picture or not. I feel like I'm using one of those disposables or something. We can still take pictures, but I don't know how they're going to turn out till later so we have lots of strange pictures. Like this one:

Jossy and Lauren started dance lessons again and I thought this would be a mighty fine picture. Oops.

My birthday. Party by Mom. The first of many 29ths.

Krew was less than a week old = why I look so tired.

For Labor Day, we went up to Island Park. Even though we live really close, we hardly ever go up there. We took the kids on their first official wilderness hike, and I think they were mighty fond of the woods. I was on paranoia level 5 while on the lookout for bears. And now I should probably start worrying about wolves. There's plenty of them around now, too.

Our little hike through Box Canyon. I'm wearing shorts that do not have an elastic waist. To me, that makes the day a success.

The kids were loving it. Even Krew had a good time. I think you can see his feet. My sweet little family picking wildflowers.