Easter 2011- the weekend before Talia!

Mops Easter Party

Making a chocolate birds nest filled with eggs

Goofy Ky!

For story time, Ky asked Alaina to sit on his lap.

Bowling!

Our Easter egg hunt was on Saturday

Mission: Find those eggs!

Mission:  Eat candy in eggs!

What!?  No more candy!!!

Snuggle time....

princess on the potty (seriously, this was too cute not to post...though Alaina might not be too happy about this later.)

Easter pics

pretty princess

smile kiddos!

Well done!

Sharing candy with Grandpa

The kids had plenty of Easter celebration.  On Thursday, I took them to the MOPs Easter party where they got to do crafts and eat lots of yummy stuff.  They also had a story time and played games.  Ky was much too interested in playing basketball to do the crafts--but when he discovered chocolate was involved with one of them, he was ready to go.  Alaina worked her way slowly through the crafts and had a good time.  She painted eggs and made a lamb.  Story time was especially cute because Kylan invited Alaina to sit on his lap.  Alaina was more than happy to oblige---unfortunately for both of them, I don't think they took in account Alaina's size.  She didn't fit so well and so the moment was short lived (thankfully, I caught it on camera! :) )

Playgroup was after this party and the kids went bowling.  Ky used to be very entertained by bowling, but this last time he seemed less interested and Alaina bowled a few frames for him. I think the video game room was calling his name--kind of depressing for a mom who tries to keep her children away from these things---particularly these ones that had rifles and guns and such (not very appropriate for a lad his age.)

On Saturday, Rob and I hid the eggs in the yard and let the kids hunt them out.  We assigned them each a color of egg to find (that way Alaina's were easier to find).  All seemed to go well--except for the fact that I still (in December) cannot find one of Ky's eggs.  I really think a squirrel took off with it.  How do they just disappear like that?  Anyway, we let the kids open up the eggs and put their goods in a bowl after that.  Alaina then wanted to eat all of her candy and was quite upset when we cut her off.  Thankfully a good Daddy snuggle helped to calm her down. 

On Sunday we went to early church and then ate breakfast with friends.  I was touched by the special prayer Pastor Jeff said for us as we left church.  From there we left to Milwaukee for an early Easter dinner.  The plan was to eat earlier and then drop the kids off with Nana while Rob and I returned home for Talia's arrival the next day.  Easter dinner was nice at Pop's and Debi's.  It was laid back.  I believe everyone was excited for the new baby's arrival.  It also seemed all too short.  Time was just flying by.  Alaina loved getting goodies from Grandma Debi & Grandpa.  I believe she also got a new purse--and this girl + purses = HAPPY! 

After dropping the kids off to Nana's, Rob and I realized the time was much later than we had planned.  We had been hoping to have a nice dinner together--but instead had to go for a quick stop.  So we went to one of our all-time favorites--Copp's.  I had a yummy burger, onion rings, and ice cream...and yes I ate it all.  (Hey--I know all about the starvation factor that was coming the next day.)  I was going to be cut off at 10 pm from eating--so I had to put it all I could!  We went home and then began packing and preparing to be gone for several days (having all the kids stuff and meals out for Nana).  At some point, I believe I told Rob that we just needed to stop and actually relax.  It was our last night before the newbie and we needed to take advantage of it.  And that is what we did.  We started watching "Avatar".  I had only planned to watch part of it--but 3 hours later the movie ended and well--we still had to finish packing and get to bed.  EGADS!  Yeah--it didn't end up being so relaxing when we tried pulling our tired selves out of bed the next morning.  (Hard to sleep well when you realize your whole life will change the next day.)  But so it went.  And you can then read Talia's arrival blog to continue from this one.

I will tell you--looking back--when you are pregnant it seems like forever.  But looking back, it went by so quick!  I hope I blogged enough about all the little things so I don't forget them.  It is truly an amazing experience to be used as God's vessel for his creation.  Thank you God for granting me with such a wonderful and unbelievable experience--not just once--but 3 times!  I hope I can raise these kids to honor and glorify you.

March & April videos and tid bits

Here are a few fun videos and a few fun stories with the kids from March & April.

March-
I discovered that a child had colored on the window today, as well as two chairs, the hutch, the grandfather clock, closet door, and about 6 walls. When I asked Ky about it, he immediately told me that Alaina did it and showed me the "hidden" crayon that it had been done with. He also showed me "ALL" the spots Alaina had colored. Including the ones that were 2 feet over her head and I hadn't noticed before...I thought his knowledge of the incident was very interesting (and indicting...)

During the day, I gave him many opportunities to come forward and tell the truth. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. We then let Ky pick Alaina's punishment--which included 1.) go to bed early 2.) no videos for 2 weeks 3.) no coloring 4.) cleaning the walls, and my personal favorite 5.) putting her outside. After that we confronted him and told him we knew he had done it.  We then gave him the punishments he chose (all except 5--that is.)  Still-I think this incident is one for the baby book.
 
Four out of five days that I have put Alaina down for a nap she has *magically* woken up wearing a different outfit--and ALWAYS a dress. Seriously....whose child is this???
 
Lesson 5,873 of parenting: Don't let your son take out the recycling when his art projects and such are crumpled up and hidden in the bottom of it. Yeah--that didn't go so well.  "Oh - Kylan--that was in the trash too?!  Oh my goodness!"


On March 17th we had our last ultrasound with Talia.  We were told that she was ‎4 lbs 10 oz and was a "Perfectly Healthy baby" (Doc's words). Praise God! No more ultrasounds--next time we see this little one, it will be in person! Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

April 1st, 2011
Right about now, my poor innocent husband is wandering the VERY large work parking ramp looking for his car. He's confused, he swore he parked it on the outside of level 1 and yet...it's not there...Hmmmm....is he losing his mind? Is old age getting to him??? HA HA HA! Jessica "April Fool's LADY" is back! It took a few years--but yeah--watch out world, I am BACK!
--this was definitely one of the best April fools jokes I had pulled in a while.  I switched vehicles with him at work--and parked the van nearby, but not where he had parked.  It took him a little while to figure out what had happened.  I then left his b'day present on the front seat with a big "April Fool's" sign.


I abandoned my son today and pretended he wasn't mine when he started speaking "Spanish" to 2 hispanic men in the store today. *Please* Madison Schools! Let him into the dual immersion program! This is just getting TOO EMBARRASSING! (And now you know he did and is doing FABULOUS!)

Ky- "Mom, can I have a breakfast cookie for breakfast since it has "breakfast" in it?" Me-"Sure Ky, Would you like to eat some Feet too, since Feet has an "EAT" in it?" Ky--"No Mom, FEET has an E-E-T not an E-A-T!" Since when did my boy get so smart!

Alaina has to be one of the messiest eaters ever.  Often it is because her food comes "alive".  She has such a vivid imagination for a 2 1/2 year old.  Check it out.



Alaina LOVES dresses.  She calls them "princesses".  Here is Alaina checking out her Easter princess.





(Notice her excitement to go show Daddy at the end.)

April 2011

 Big Belly at 36 weeks

 Grandpa & Princess Alaina for Daddy's b'day

 present for baby from Aunt Lisa

 Playing cars with Cousin Dominic

My boys

Writing a letter to Nana

 Here it is..."Nana, I am so thankful God for making Nana. Nana I love you.  From Kylan"

 Birthday Lunch for Daddy including Mickey Mouse pancakes for the kiddos!

 My little sheep princess with 2 purses...

 This is a face we see quite often with Alaina

A very happy daddy with his Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

 Nana came to celebrate Daddy's b'day too!

Just another playdate...7 kids...38 weeks pregant...yeah I was crazy!

Newest members of the family--Maps, Shimber & Lava Girl

Very excited about the new family members

 Chucky Cheese!

 We introduced Alaina to Nutella...

Do you think she liked it? (notice the bread missing the Nutella).

Painting at the Children's Museum

Let's see---day before Thanksgiving and I am writing about April...Yes, I do find this amusing.  I will catch up--especially if Talia keeps giving me sleepless nights like these.  ARGH!  It has been one sickness after another since Ky has started school.  She was such a great sleeper and then with all the colds and such she turned into a lousy one.  Now I am at wits end and I think she is just going to have to start crying it out.  Sorry Love--but I believe it is best for the both of us.  And on the bright side maybe I can spend these sleepless nights catching up on my blog as well as some housework.

April came and went in a flash.  I suppose it had to do mostly with anticipation of our new little one as well as trying to stuff in all sorts of fun stuff with Alaina & Ky before Talia came.  I definitely had some mom-guilt going on.  I was thinking about the lack of attention they would get as well as how outings would most likely be fewer when the weather was finally getting nicer. 

Kylan seemed to understand the whole baby concept at this point, but I knew sweet Alaina had no idea of what a "new baby in mommy's tummy" would entail.  I think it seemed more like pretend to her. 

Rob's birthday was at the beginning of the month and we had a celebration at Pop's and Debi's.  Ky had a wonderful time playing with his cousin Dominic and Alaina ended up being the sad "third wheel" that wanted to play as well.  It's hard when your older brother and his friends don't want you to play (I remember those days...:) )  Luckily being the only granddaughter--she got more than enough attention from the adults.

Daddy's actual birthday fell on the Brewer's opening Day.  We took Rob out for lunch and enjoyed quite a treat at Monty's Blue Plate diner.  We had a waitress that took special care of the children.  She provided them with mickey mouse pancakes and chocolate milk that came with whipped cream and sprinkles.  You should have seen Alaina's eyes BUG out when she saw that chocolate milk.  What a day it was to be a kid!

At home I had made Rob a special peanut butter cheesecake.  He loved it.  Yeah--I think that recipe is a keeper! :)  Alaina loved it so much that you can see the "love" all over her face!  :)  Rob's mom & Jan also came and celebrated with us. 

In my last week of pregnancy, I was really feeling the mommy guilt with the kiddos.  We ended up having a play date with some friends at our house--and yes I, alone, watched 7 children.  It was a really good time though--and the kids were awesome and had lots of fun.  It was worth it just to hear the laughter and watch them play.  (I will definitely do it again!)  I also took the kids to the pet store and bought them goldfish.  We picked out 3 and Ky named his "Shimber".  Alaina named hers "Lava Girl".  And they shared "Maps".  (Ky let Alaina pick Maps name--which I was really impressed with.)  The kids were fascinated by these fish and were always begging to feed them.  In fact, occasionally I would catch them trying to put something inedible in the bowl just to see what they would do.  Poor fish.  In fact, the fish did not last more than a few months--with the first one passing away when I was in the hospital with Talia.  Ky was so upset about it, that he wanted Rob there to help send the fish to "fish heaven."  So into the freezer went Shimber...

I have since bought an aquarium stand and have painted it.  I plan to set it up at some point this winter for the kids.  I know they will love it!

We also managed to cram in a visit to Chuck E Cheese as well.  I really wanted to take the kids as a last hurrah.  Ky now understands that the faster he gets tokens the quicker he can play games.  I am a bit bummed about that--since we could make the tokens last faster before when he would wander and just play with things and occasionally put a token in.  However--we have still been able to hide the "ticket" redemption from him.  We have multiple ticket redemptions that we have saved.  We are hoping that the kids can use them when they get a big bigger to get something good--as opposed to a spider ring and a piece of candy....

And finally, I took the kids to the Children's Museum.  Yes--I was crazy...all in the last week of pregnancy.  I remember it was sleeting outside and I couldn't find a parking spot except on the roof of the parking garage--where it was sleeting..Yeah!  I was pretty upset.  I had to then carry Alaina down 6 flights of slipper sleety stairs.  Yeah--that was no fun.  We got the kids there though, and they had a blast.  I remember sitting a lot as I watched them play.  I was trying to treasure this time with them and at the same time treasure my remaining time being pregnant.  It was all very bittersweet. 

Bummer to me for not remembering more for this blog--but I have a feeling we are going to have more sleepless nights ahead and hopefully I can catch up.  Right now I am in a new "season" of life where I know that keeping up with this blog like I did before is just going to be hard.  But eventually there will be a new season and I will get back at it like I did before.  Right now, all I can do is treasure the time I have now with being with the kids and watching them grow.  This time is too precious for me to miss.