Spring Break 2013: Day 1 & 2

I've been gearing myself up for this week.  Spring Break with all four boys.  So far they've been very good to me and we're having a blast.  It seems like the past two years we haven't been very successful with fun outings.  I've had a wandering baby that you can't take to public places.  Or too pregnant to want to go. And newborns aren't very much fun to take anywhere.  I feel like we've finally arrived and I'm now brave enough to face crowded places with my brood.

Yesterday, we got the errands out of the way.  A trip to the library.  Originally I'd only planned for us to run in to pick up a "community exploration" pass, but we stayed and read books for awhile.  Then shoe shopping for the boys.  And then a Costco trip.  They passed the test, so we made plans to do fun things the rest of the week.

Today we went to Discovery Gateway.  We've been here many times, but I don't think Connor has been once.  So sorry third child.  It was so fun to watch him discover this place for the first time.  He would have been happy to just play all day with the balls (the first thing they see when they walk in).  Each turn we made, he got so excited.  Baby Jacob (no pictures) was happy as can be snuggled in the wrap.  Andrew & Joshy were great helpers and were good to stay close.

And here is the picture overload:

"You don’t marry someone because he’s your soul mate; he becomes your soul mate because you married him." - Julia Shaw

"Ok!"

When it gets quiet, I'll holler out for Connor, "Connor?"  "Connor?"  "What are you doing?"
His response is always, "Ok!"  And comes running to find me.  He may or may not have been getting into trouble.  He has been climbing out of his crib.  At first it was dozens of times.  Randy or I put him back in each time, no talking, no eye contact.  He tries to interact with us, "Hi!"  "Hi?"  Eventually, he gets tired or bored and stays in his bed.  Lately, though, I just don't want to play that game anymore.  So I give him a stern talking to, "Connor.  You stay in your bed."  He says, "Ok."  It just melts my heart every time.  How can you be mad at a little critter like that, he's just too cute. 

Happy Easter!

Proud Wife

Matching Shirts are Cute

Naughtiness Happening Here

He has Joshy's untouchable lego spaceship and his pants are all wet.  Naughty, naughty baby.

First Stroll

We've been waiting for this day a looong time.  Finally warm enough to get out for a stroll.

Jacob @ 3 months

Oh, poor fourth child.  It's true.  You take less pictures.  We've been having fun getting to know this sweet little boy.  Here are some of the things he's up to these days:

• He was born with hair on his ears.  It's the cutest thing ever.  The hair is still there.Randy calls them Hobbit ears.
• He was born with these amazingly long eyelashes.  They've thickened up, it's crazy how long they are!  And I'm now a lot more confident his eyes will stay blue.  We have two brown eyed babies and two blue.
• He sleeps in his swing day and night.  I don't know how parents have new babies without one.  We can probably switch him to a crib by now, but we haven't set it up yet!  He's a good little sleeper.  Usually wakes up once at night and takes good naps.  Thank you Jacob!
• He had all of his renal testing last month.  The poor thing had to have an IV and a catheter, he was not happy about that, but he did really well.  His kidney and ureter are still dilated, but the pediatric urologist said it wasn't severe and that he wouldn't need surgery.  Both kidneys are functioning almost equally, which is a good sign.  The urologist thinks that the connection between the ureter and bladder are underdeveloped.  He'll have another ultrasound at 6 months.
• He hates the carseat, making him a not very portable baby.  He is so happy when he's at home.  Thus, we don't go out very much. 
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3rd Grade Living Wax Museum

Jacob is a Blessed Baby

Today was Jacob's big day.  I love this picture, it was the only one we got before the camera died and I just know we'll look at it with fondness years from now.

I tried my best to write down the words of Jacob's blessing from Randy:
Jacob Wesley Lamb.  Heavenly Father loves you.  Your mom and dad love you.  You are blessed to have three older brothers.  I bless you to learn the gospel in your home.  That you will be healthy, that your organs will be healthy and strong and perform their proper function they were intended to.  That you will have a testimony of Jesus and who he was.  And that your days as a baby will be happy.

Andrew's 1st Blue & Gold Banquet

Jacob @ 2 months

Mommy Bootcamp

Whoa Nelly, there are moments each day when I feel like I'm in Mommy Bootcamp.  I think I've got a handle on things, then Jacob decides he doesn't want to eat (and then Mastitis and a dwindling milk supply).  Or Connor decides climbing out of his crib is real fun.  Or we need to go to Costco and I time Jacob's feedings poorly and I end up with a screaming baby with everyone staring at me.  I've tried getting into a workout routine, and it's more stress and hassle than worth it.  Homework and picking up and dropping off. Discipline!  Giving each child enough attention.  Meal planning, shopping, cleaning!  A fussy baby and a crying toddler - who do I attend to first?!  And let's not forget the being up at all hours of the night.  There are times when it's just so overwhelming.  But then I think about how far we've come as a family.  How truly lucky I am.  To have these sweet babies.  To be able to stay home with them.  To snuggle and love on them to my heart's content.  To have a husband that works hard for us and is invested in our lives.  This time, as hard as it is, is fleeting.  I'm just trying to hang on tight and enjoy the ride!

Retirement Plan

Randy calls me around lunchtime everyday, and most of the time, we don't have much to talk about.  But today I asked Randy if he realized that it's almost been 20 years since we've graduated high school (this May marks 17 years).  I think my impending 35th birthday has made me think about how old I'm getting, not that I think 35 is old, but I can't believe how fast time is going.  I mean it feels like just yesterday I graduated high school!  And I feel 18!  (But I don't feel as dumb as I was at 18).  Anyway, it got us talking about how before we know it, we'll be grandparents...and retired.  I told him it made me feel sad to think of my babies all grown up, but he reminded me that I'll still be busy with fun things.  And then we dreamed of what we'll do with our grandbabies.  We want to rent an RV (we decided owning one would be too much hassle) and go visit all the national parks.  Sounds like a plan to me!

That Works, Too

Snow!