Gabe is FOUR!!!!

My sweet Gabe turned four last weekend! We celebrated with family and a few friends. Gabe enjoyed being the center of attention, which is rare for a middle child. I must share a few thoughts on Gabe. This child has a super soft heart. Once, Justin and I kept telling Luke to stop putting his hand in Angel's water bowl. Time after time, he kept doing it, so Justin swatted his hand (gently of course, he is only a baby). Luke began to cry. Well, Gabe saw the whole thing and was VERY upset. He folded his arms across his chest and began to cry that we made Lukey cry. He was mad at us. That moment meant the world to me. I hate to see my children cry, but a lot was said about Gabe's heart in that moment. I believe I will remember that forever. Gabe is very much a "free spirit". Sometimes I wonder what he's thinking, when his head seems to be "in the clouds". He LOVES to play with his big brother and cousins. He would rather play with kids that are older than kids his own age or younger. When there is a dispute over "fairness" and I threaten to end the game or take away the toy, he is always the first to give in, just to keep the fun going. Meaning, if they are fighting over an action hero, who had it first, he will let Isaiah or whoever, have it just so they can keep playing. I think that small example says volumes, and I can't tell you how proud it makes me to be able to say that this child is mine. Many of my friends who have daughters, claim Gabe as their daughters future husband! He is quite a cutie! When he smiles, his eyes can melt you, and of out 3 children, he has THEE BEST LAUGH. He also, is the one who loves to get up early and go out for pancakes with Justin on a saturday morning. Isaiah and I cuddle in bed and are home-bodies. Anyway, don't mean to bore you, but this is like my diary. I love this boy, as I love all three. I could go on forever...

I've OBVIOUSLY been having some trouble with Blogger lately! :( I am in the process of trying a new blog with WordPress. I will leave this one up while I decide how I like them. Here's the new link:

www.3lilguys.wordpress.com


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THIS VIDEO WORKS!!!!!! LOOK AT MY BABY!!!!!!

LUKE WALKING!!!

Snow 2010 (17 photos), by Kit Forbis

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trying to make a slideshow! .......having trouble :/ stay tuned!

Once again, my kids say the "darndest" things! Gabe thought he heard a bad word in some music we were listening to. They said "shut". The kids know they are not allowed to say "shut up" but think that even just "shut" is bad. We explained to him that shut just means to close and that it's okay. He said "I know a bad word, shut-up". We said "yes that's right. That is not nice". He said "I know a good bad word... idiot". So now we have "bad" words and "good-bad" words. Needless to say, I immediately headed back to the computer to write this post! I have the best life ;)

"Guy" wars

Isaiah is now on the last day of his four day weekend. :( I love having him home! The boys are playing "guys" (a combination of starwars and gi joes) and building towers with their blocks. I brought in a handful of stormtroopers that I found in the bathtub and the fighting began. They both wanted the green clone trooper, naturally. So I tried to help work things out, but Gabe was not happy with the guy I offered him. With a pouting face he said "I don't want that guy. He doesn't kick butt". :D I love the stuff that comes out of their mouths! Always entertaining!

Adventures at Walmart

This morning I braved my weekly grocery shopping trip with all three "youngin's" in tow. As usual, I get a few stares. Some people just observe us and I can't quite tell what they're thinking. I get smiles from fellow moms who just want to share a "hang-in-there" wink. And some from grumpy folks who act like our presence is just too unruly for their Walmart shopping experience (I feel sorry for these people, life must be miserably boring). Anyway, I think I enjoy deciphering their "looks" far more than they enjoy staring!
So we're making our way through Walmart, and the boys spot a lady who looks just like my Mom. Gabe points and screams "Grandma! Grandma!". Isaiah said, "Gabe, that's not Grandma". Then he decided it would be funny to pretend anyway, so anytime we saw this lady, the two of them would point and yell "Grandma!". I tried to get them to stop because I was sure she had no idea how beautiful the REAL Grandma is and how much of a compliment it really was and we were always at just enough of a distance that I couldn't just tell her. It was quite funny though :D

Lots to catch up on!!!

Christmas

We had a really nice visit from my Mom and Hilary. Unfortunately, we ended up sharing our stomach bug and Hilary got REALLY sick. Sorry Hil! Santa was great to the kids... and so were Grandma and Hilary. One of the most popular toys they racked up were the big wooden kindergarten blocks just like Jack, Hil and I had as kids. They are AWESOME! Thanks Mom! Sooo universal. They build all kinds of different things and incorporate all of their "guys". I love watching their creative juices flow! Hilary got very creative and bought each of the boys a t-shirt of a great band or musician and a CD to go with it: Isaiah got Pink Floyd, Gabe got Bob Marley and Luke got the Beatles. This morning Isaiah said "I wish it was called Blue Floyd"!!! HAHAHAHA! What can I say, they're boys! Mommy got a great new travel mug, UGGS and a beautiful handmade necklace from Hil, straight off the California beaches! Justin scored some priceless fresh "mootz" from Hoboken's greatest deli! YUM! It was a great Christmas. Definitely a whirlwind! I guess that's how it goes with kids. All I can say is that I hope I have my act together a little more next year!









Isaiah turned 6!!!

I can't believe my little guy is a six-year-old! I have a SIX-YEAR-OLD!!! The big 3-0 is creeping up just around the corner and it's such a reminder of how time flies! I am so proud of the way Isaiah has adjusted so well to going to full time kindergarten. It's been great to watch him make new friends and have some time out from under my wing. As a mother, it's been hard to let him go a bit, but he is starting to grow his own wings and I am proud of the fruits I am seeing. I love you Spud!

Lukey walking!!! (with a walker :)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

funny Zaya

Isaiah came in from playing outside the other day and gave me these "flowers" :) such a sweetie

Gigi sent the boys home with a gingerbread house kit. There was a lot of eating going on, so I was very surprised that they had enough to decorate it this well! This is Isaiah's side.


...and Gabe's side.

Thanksgiving

We had a great time with Gigi, Old Bob, Grandma and John in Hilton Head. Mom (LIFESAVER) helped us get a hotel on the way down to split the ride in two. Luke is not a big fan of long car rides. As babies, the other two boys would sleep for three hours at a time. We are lucky to an hour out of Luke. Don't turn me in, but I did turn Luke's carseat to face forwards about halfway through the ride home. I felt like a terrible mommy, but the screaming was just too much :0 Gigi had a whole table full of toys and games for the boys, including gingerbread cookies to decorate (pictures coming soon). I must say, I sure have a lot to be thankful for. My family is just amazing. Watching them love my boys is the most special thing of all. I need to remember these things when I find myself postponing trips because of the car ride. A few hours of stress is nothing for a lifetime of memories.

So thankful I get to be a Mom : )

I will be the first to admit that being a Mom is HARD. H. A. R. D. HARD. But it is also brings me the greatest joy that my heart has ever felt. Isaiah drew this for me the other day ad I almost teared up when he presented it to me. Whenever he draws me, he always draws a lot of hearts. He takes my breath away sometimes. This pictures says "My Mon. is speshell. sh is m my mom e" I could just stop right now and go to heaven. Does it get any better than that?! I mean, really! Motherhood can be so tough, because while it can be physically draining, the hardest part is that it is emotionally draining. I am the worst at disciplining without feeling guilty. I absolutely believe that children need serious boundaries and that we are their parents, not their friends, for now anyway (my Mom and I are best friends now :) No other job on this earth could pull at your heart like motherhood. I am living everything I have ever dreamed of. (I know I just ended with a preposition) Yes, I get exhausted, yes, I get cranky, and yes, I complain, but when I step back, I am in awe. Life IS good :)

Reality check from my 3-year-old son

The other day, Gabe was messing with some glass samples I had left of my desk. I quickly said "Gabe! Don't touch those! The edges are sharp, honey! It could cut you." To this, he replied "Mommy, chill out. I hold them all the days. They don't hurt me." I was a little taken back, to say the least. My THREE YEAR OLD just told ME to "chill out"!!! And it was funny how he did it. He wasn't trying to be disrespectful. He just didn't want me to worry. Like how you'd tell your best friend to calm down. I have such hilarious moments with these kids!