I survived!!!!

We had our first outing today and I survived (as did the children!) A little homeschool group we occasionally participate with (children all around Morgan's age) started doing storytime once a month at the new local library. I thought the library would be the best place for our first outing- it has heavy doors (no kids running out!), we know the librarians and our homeschool friends that would be there and it's close to home. So..........after threatening the kids with the fact we'd leave if there was ANY misbehavior, off we went. I strapped Gracie on in the sling, had Morgan hold Raelyn's hand, tried to hold Jack's hand and then made Morgan hold both of the middles hands. It went well- Gracen slept all but 5 minutes and the bigger two girls enjoyed the storytime about Spring and made a few springtime crafts at the end. Jack 'read' a stack of Sports Illustrated for Kids magazines during the storytime and the only time he had a problem was when I wouldn't let him check out Mission Impossible the DVD (I know, I'm such a mean mom.....) That boy is drawn to anything with fire on it, guns, balls, etc. Anyways- we were all ready for a nap by the time we got home. :)

And since I'm such a picture slacker- here are a few poor quality photos for you all (y'all). :)

Here is how Gracen spends much of her day:
And just to prove that I DO school my children- here are the girls this morning- Morgan is doing a review sheet for math and Raelyn is working with the balance and the teddy bear counters. At this point this morning I think Jack was throwing a basketball around the house and then running after it just to throw it again. I don't know how you moms of more than one boy survive without re-doing the sheetrock and painting the walls every year. He is like a tornado in this house (a sweet tornado, but a tornado nonetheless)

Oh yes- thank you for all the well wishes with the breast infection. I'm 100% better!!! Yippee! No fever, no pain, no nothing. I would never wish that on anyone!

I'm trying to write up my birth story- I need to confirm a few exact times when I look at my charts next time I work, but be on the lookout for the typed out version soon! :)

Chills, fatigue and a fever could only mean....

......a breast infection. Ick! Sorry for those who think that's just too much info, but it's the truth.

I've been dealing with a breast infection since Sunday. It took until Wednesday for me to actually pin down what it was, but I finally did. I was running a fever of 102 until yesterday- haven't taken my temp yet this morning though.

On the baby note- Gracen is doing well. She's getting big and has already outgrown some clothes that fit her a week ago. The big siblings are officially obsessed. Raelyn is very proficient in picking her up and can support her very well, Morgan is a great help around the house and in getting Gracen to quit fussing and Jack just loves to pat her and kiss on her. I do have to say that Josh has been such a great husband through all this. :)

Gracie is now asleep in the sling so I better go get a little bit of work done while I can.

Introducing....

Gracen Carole Long

February 17, 2008 at 2:22am

10lbs 22 1/2 inches

more pictures here: share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Aas2jNk0cNGMc

I almost forgot Jack's newest signs....

....apple and cereal. How sweet!!! (and wouldn't you know it would be MY son to learn all the food signs first)

My addictions.....

I think I'm a pretty easy-to-please person (for the most part!) Yes, some of my friends and family (husband included) will quickly admit that I'm very opinionated about several things and outspoken regarding these things (which we're not getting into tonight) but seriously- I'm low key. :)

I don't require a lot of 'primp' time, don't require fancy shmancy clothes (but what girl wouldn't take 'em?), etc, etc.

I do, however, have my 'addictions'. They are as follows.......Route 44 Cherry Limeades from Sonics (yes, they have to be a route 44- even if I only plan on drinking a little- it's got to be the big one!!); birth stories- I'm addicted to talking to people about birth and the beautiful process (my adreneline (sp?) starts going when I even hear the word contraction!!!); trashy TV- I'm not going to lie- I LOVE brainless TV- we don't even have cable but thank goodness ABC puts all their shows online- and I'm not even going to mention the fact that I have all 10 seasons of Friends on DVD where I can just pop one in at anytime; and last, but not least, my baths. Aaaaaaahh- nothing nicer than a hot bath- my dream is a claw footed tub, but for now the garden tub will have to suffice.

Now I'm sure if Josh read this (short!) list he could come up with about 800 more addictions of mine (all better than drugs and alcohol though!!) but for now- these are my top ones.

And no sillies, I haven't had this baby yet! :)

Signing Time

My girls both talked fairly young- they were definitely talking in little 'phrases' by Jack's age (16 1/2 months). I had been told over and over that boys generally don't talk so young and that Josh didn't talk for FOREVER so I kept trying to prepare myself. I like it when they can finally communicate exactly what they want, but true to form Jack isn't much of a talker. He was grunt/screaming everytime he wanted something. So....we started a little sign language and he picked up so quickly. Now he talks AND signs, but as long as I understand him I don't care.

Here's the words he can SAY:
Ma
Da
Klack
Pop
Kitty
Light
Dog
Ball
Car
cracker (which sounds like 'cra-ca')
no
yes
hi
shoes
I think that's all!!!!!

He can sign:
more
please
thank you
cheese
water
hot
cold
ball
car
shoes
eat
cracker
and some of the obvious (like love, hi and bye)

Raelyn is 3!

And she's very proud of it! She got a special new rocking chair to rock her babies in (amongst many other presents) I just can't believe she's so old......