Brotherly Love

Toddzilla is especially enamored with the baby. I love seeing my two brown haired boys snuggled up together.

I'm always calling the baby by my two year old's name, out of habit. Exasperated by my forgetfulness, Toddzilla suggested I write the baby's name on his forehead. In permanent marker. 

Crockett is quite taken with the whole nursing experience, running around shouting, "Drink! Drink!" when the baby is eating. I told him how the little guy is getting milk and he said, "No! Apple juice!"

Please Pray!

Our friends in Fargo and Moorhead are once again battling the elements, preparing for what could be the highest crest of the Red River in history. Please keep them in your prayers.

We've been following it all online - my children can't believe their old neighborhood may be evacuated. We continue to pray for the best!

Day 5

The Patriot is proving to be like his big brothers when they were babies - easy going and very good at sleeping. This is certainly welcome. My mom left this evening, so we're on our own. If you would have seen us this morning you'd be very worried about that:

• Crockett decided today was the day to lose the diapers. He put on Thomas underwear and put the potty seat around his neck for good measure.
  
• Toddzilla was Toddzilla. Enough said.
• The girls chose this particular morning to spring clean and organize their bedroom. A noble task for sure, but not exactly timely. Everything all over the room. 
• Wouldn't you know I'd go online to pay some bills and find that someone had conveniently bankrupted us. An unknown, very suspicious large amount of money was withdrawn. Of course we have to wait twenty four hours - and show up in person - before the bank can file a fraudulent charge and take some action. 

Thank goodness for our wonderful church family who has taken it upon themselves to cook for us for many weeks to come. 

We're thinking of getting back to some school work tomorrow. I'll keep you posted... (But don't hold your breath).

Our littlest...

Jonathan Thomas

arrived at 3 AM on Thursday morning - we barely made it to the hospital!

Pictures to follow - we're just getting home from the hospital and there's much fanfare and "can I hold him" to attend to...

The Good Old Days

Bobo, to me (the pastor's wife): Did you know it used to be a big accomplishment to be a pastor's wife?

Me: No, who says?

Bobo: Well, in Anne of Green Gables, it was a huge deal to have the pastor's wife over for tea, remember? You couldn't even say anything uncivilized!

Careful What You Wish For

Guess who scrubbed baseboards, cleaned the top of the refrigerator, and put away all our completed school work (which required climbing into our crawl space on all fours)?

Yep. Nesting has arrived. Bring it on.

I should mention that Hubby preached a great sermon on the importance of a Sabbath rest this morning. Sorry, Love, you moved me but maternal instinct is something altogether different.

Still Waiting...

My posting is light so I'm getting the "did you have your baby?" emails. 

No, we're still here. 

Friends from church threw a lovely baby shower for us today. When the rest of the clan return from swimming with Hubby, they'll be so excited to see all the little outfits, blankets, and baby gadgets that were given to their littlest brother. (After they unload said gifts from the car for me!)

I'm still waiting for some serious nesting to kick in so I can get this house clean!

More Milestones

My biggest boy - the infamous Toddzilla - 

tackled the world of no training wheels yesterday. Way to go, little bud!

Signs of Six

Elbow was so hoping to lose her second front tooth at Disney; she thought maybe Tinker Bell would play the part of tooth fairy for her. No such luck. But we finally got it out yesterday and she's looking extra toothless because she already has plenty of space between her teeth. Love that six year old smile!

Now I Can Drive In Peace

I seem to have forgotten (or am I in denial?) that I am now the somewhat proud driver of this:

It barely fits in our garage. When I back out, the top scraps against some rubber weather tape on the garage door and the antennae boings back and forth after also hitting the top of the garage. Hubby assures me no damage is being done. Great.

I've driven this behemoth around now for over two weeks without hitting anything. Until yesterday. Elbow's beautiful, new-last-summer, Specialized Hot Rock bike was lying on its side, somewhat hidden behind my mother-in-law's car. To Elbow's credit, she couldn't have put the bike away because of the extra vehicles we're currently housing while Hubby's relatives are on a trip with our church. 

I heard the crunch, saw Bobo's look of horror from the garage, and feared the worst. At first glance, it appeared the pedal might need a bit of adjusting and maybe the brakes would require some work. No big deal. Off we went to the bike shop for our free spring tune-up.

We left $300 poorer. And that was the price of a brand new bike. To repair the old one would have been more. But at least I have one happy six year old; the new bike has gears. 

Now that I have the first accident under my belt, maybe I can drive in peace. If nothing else - I think I'll get my taxes done a whole lot quicker knowing we need some extra cash.

Spring Extra Curriculars

My horse-loving girls got riding lessons for Christmas from their Nana and Papa. We just began last week. After two lessons, they're a little sore but having a grand ol' time curry combing, trotting, and cantering the afternoon away.

Toddzilla's gift was a Sports Sampler class. He's loving running around with a bunch of other little boys and blowing off some steam. (The pictures in the gym were too gritty to post). The girls and I leave Crockett at the health club's child care for the hour, then head to the cafe for coffee and smoothies -- and a completely uninterrupted time of lessons. It's phenomenal how much can be accomplished in a short time when there aren't any little brothers tormenting loving on you!

Toes and Taxes

My toes are properly pedicured (thanks to a little mini retreat Hubby gave me for Valentine's Day). That means baby is free to come anytime. This has been a pre-baby ritual all along, except it never got done last time because Crockett was almost 3 weeks early.

Taxes are not done. I'm hoping to have them done before the little one comes, but that may be wishful thinking.

Children are antsy. It got cold again, right after spring seemed to be peeking out a bit. It's supposed to be in the sixty's this weekend, though, so that should help. 

It definitely feels like Monday. Here's hoping the week picks up a bit...