A Short Getaway

inside the Gaylord Texan...A...MAZING!!!
Happy (alone) couple

Valentine Reindeer...cute

East Texas Winter Wonderland

Hudson

Drew

Lincoln...a little serious

Posing for Sunny

Teething like crazy!

Brian and I had a much needed ONE night getaway last Friday. Mom watched Lincoln and Paula watched the big boys. Mom volunteered to watch ALL 3 but I wouldn't do that to her!! HAHA! We went to the Gaylord Texan for the first time. It was amazing. We went to a Murder Mystery Dinner Friday night. Not sure if Brian enjoyed it but he let me plan the agenda. OF COURSE...we shopped all day Friday and 1/2 a day Saturday. Now, I did suffer a little and went with him to REI. Somehow, I managed not to get drug into Guitar Center (yay)!! He never complained once about all the stores I went into or what I bought! What a trooper! It was nice to have a dinner alone and to sleep through the night. Well, I woke up several times but at least I didn't have to get out of bed and feed someone, right? We had a great time and we will definitely be going to the Gaylord again!!

4 months!

The first 4 months have FLOWN by! My little "Booger" is growing like crazy! He loves his Bumbo chair and the high chair to play in. Doesn't like the swing much. He is liking tummy time more and more since he is getting stronger. He can now roll both ways. He can reach out and grab whatever you put in front of him. Not too good and hanging on to his toys though. He is teething and drooling like crazy and gnaws on everything. His favorite people are his older brothers; they make him laugh the loudest!

Stats:

weight: 17.11 (about the same as last month, crazy)

clothes: still some 6 month but mostly 9 month

food: taking bottle full-time - 6 oz every 3 hrs (no cereal yet...but soon)

sleep: ALL JACKED UP since he's been sick!! anywhere from 30-mins to 1 1/2 hrs 4 times a day. Nighttime: 8-7AM waking up anywhere from 1-3 times since being sick.

We went back to the Dr today for 4 month shots and the Dr said "Flat Lincoln's" head is looking better! Praise God!! He said to keep doing what I'm doing! YAY!

Flat Lincoln

My Sick Baby
A little small for it

So these last few weeks have been a little difficult. I guess it didn't really dawn on me until now that the more children you have, the more trips to the doctor you'll make. So...that's where I've been for last 3 weeks!

First, Hudson had Strep Throat. Then, Lincoln had 1 ear infection. Then Drew got Strep Throat. Then, I realized that Lincoln was not better, went back to Dr and now he has 2 ear infections. Over a week later, Lincoln still has horrible congestion and has developed a terrible cough. So...we went back to Dr today and he has upper respiratory infection. Poor thing had to get bloodwork done and an Xray. If your little one has never had an Xray, consider yourself lucky. It's awful to watch. They put him on this stool, raise his hands in the air and lock him in this clear plastic cylinder. Oh and they are naked too. They are so uncomfortable and scared. I cry every time. Luckily, he didn't have RSV.

So, here is where the "Flat Lincoln" title comes in...When Lincoln went to the Dr the first time, the Dr asked if I put Lincoln on his belly any and I said "no, not yet." He informed me that Lincoln's head is looking too flat on the backside and that if it's not better in a month, he'll put a HELMET on him! Do what???? My stomach dropped! So, needless to say...Mr. Lincoln has not been spending much time on his back!! The reason I said "Flat Lincoln" is b/c one of my friends said we should call him that just like "Flat Stanley!"

Playtime

Up in the playground

Drew

Hanging at Sunny's house

Big eyes

The boys have been going crazy being cooped up in the house so we had a little outing last weekend to Longview. We found this indoor playground and arcade that is operated by a local church. Crazy, huh? It was super cheap and the boys had a blast. Linc took a nap and then watched the boys play. He is a wonderful traveler. Of course we had to do something for the grown-ups too so we went to Jason's Deli!! hopfully, it will warmup soon!

3 months old

3 month stats:

weight: 17 lbs. 8 oz

size: 3-6 months (barely)

sleep: 45min-1 hr naps 4-5 times a day, 9-10 hrs at night waking up once to eat

food: nurses most of the time with an occasional 2-3 oz formula afterwards

- smiles at whoever is talking to him

- looks to whoever walks up to him

- coos constantly

- loves his bouncer seat the best

Lincoln has an ear infection but is taking it like a champ and still sleeping very well. We're going to dinner and to see Sherlock Holmes tonight w/o kids! Yay for Sunny watching the boys!

A Blessed Christmas

2 out of 4 of my favorite boys
Loving our new bear

1st remote control car...loved it

Santa brought this to Drew but "someone" liked it too

Sporting my new scarf knitted by my Mom

Look at that face...

Lincoln's fav great-grandma...Mer

Another crazy Christmas has come and gone. This one was a little more special considering we had a new addition to the family. I love that I am old enough to appreciate the blessing of a new life and a little sad that I didn't savor every moment of the other boys' infanthood (if that's a term). I was "too busy" and "stressed out" to enjoy them while they were little. I look at Lincoln all the time and praise God for giving him to us. I now love every minute of being with Lincoln...happy or crying, smiling or fussing...he is a true joy and growing every second of the day. So...you new mom's who are always stressed and uptight...chill, go with the flow and enjoy the precious gift you have been given!

Now...on to Christmas...we did the in-laws for Christmas Eve, my parents late Christmas morning and my grandmother's Christmas evening. I was a little worried how Linc would do with all the jumping around but he was a trooper. Thankfully, my family all have cribs so L was right at home. He took naps at every location and did fantastic! The big boys had a ball this year. They were old enough to actually ask for things for Christmas so we had to explain that they would NOT be getting everything they asked for. Favorite gifts were: Hexabugs, Batman Cave, DJ keyboard thingy, and of course their HUGE nerf guns! Mommy's favorite gift was a necklace that had all the boys' names on it!

Mom is watching all the boys Thursday night so we can go to dinner and a movie. I think she's trying to make up for the fact that she, my dad and brother and S-I-L are all going to the National Championship without me...AGAIN!!! If you'll recall...the last time the Longhorns went to the Nat'l Championship Drew was 2 weeks old...so...of course I couldn't go then either!

Hope you all have a wonderful New Years!!

Birthdays, birthdays

Happy Birthday boys

At the boys' joint B-day party

Decorating Drew's B-day cupcakes

Party at the in-laws

Little elf in Kindergarten program...love the hat!

still LOVE lil brother and constantly smother the poor thing

This post have been several weeks in making. I started posting pics and never got to finish it. So....I really don't have time for a lengthy post now. Here's the bullet point version:
- Celebrated Hudson's 6th B-day on the 2nd by taking cupcakes to his class
- Hudson got to pick his B-day dinner and chose CiCi's (got $ to play games...so happy)
- Both boys got their B-day presents that day...bikes!!
-Had a joint kid party at same place as last year...the boys'decision
-Celebrated Drew's B-day on 20th by going to CiCi's AGAIN!

Whew....that's a whirlwind month!! And I tried to fit in some Christmas present buying in between all of that. Oh...and I forgot to mention...taking care of a BABY!! Luckily, Lincoln is a wonderful baby so that is the easy part of my life!