Another funny Dallas Comment

While delivering Christmas goodies to our neighbors, Dallas started complaining about how cold his hands were so I told him he could go back inside.

His response, "No then the boogie man get me. I have lots of boogers."

Celebrating In Style

We had a Christmas Party a few years ago where the theme was "cheesy sweaters and hot chocolate". Everyone was supposed to dress in ugly holiday sweaters and bring a mug to drink hot chocolate from. We decided to give the sweaters one more try before we all part our separate ways. The sweaters were hideous, 0ur place was crowded, the food was deliciously fattening and the company was fantastic. We had a little photo shoot as families arrived and here are most of the guests . .too bad you can't see their ugly clothes a little better.

Out of the mouths of babes.

Dallas still makes me scream and laugh daily. Yesterday in time out for the umpteenth time Dallas loudly declares, " I hate you mommy. I hate everybody in the whole wide world . .except colors."

I probably should have cried after my three year old told me he hates me, but it was so funny because he is always asking people "What your favorite color?" and then he will tell them that he loves all the colors. So eventhough he hates everyone in the world, he still wanted everyone to know that he likes all the colors.

Today . .Trenton is trying to parent Dallas and I tell him that he's not the parent-he's the brother and someday he will be the daddy. Dallas then tells us, "Yeah and someday I'll be the mommy." We already knew that though as he is planning on nursing in the future.

We're headed to Kentucky!

Dave decided that he likes checking the box labeled "student" when asked to identify his profession . . . in order to try and do this for a few more years he applied to orthodontic residency. Well, many years of hard work at school paid off and and matched at his #1 choice- the University of Louisville. So, we'll be packing up this summer and heading to Kentucky for another 2 years of school. Although sad to leave friends and family here in Portland, we are very happy that he will be able to pursue the career of his choice and even happier that we're getting closer to him being done with school!

SNOW DAY!

For once the forecast was accurate. It began snowing early Sunday morning and continued through most of the day. We ended up with about 4 1/2 inches . .which isn't that significant elsewhere, but in Portland it equals no church, no firesides, pretty much no one leaving their homes since people don't know how to drive in these conditions and the city doesn't have all the right equipment or funds or whatever to clear the roads properly. I-5 (the major interstate) right next to our home was closed in both directions for a while and there were accidents on every major road in the area. Since the temperatures haven't made their way out of the 20s - -nothing has melted and there was no school on Monday (and Dave even had the day off of school for the first time ever). And again today no school for the kids today (unfortunately Dave had to go back). I'm ready to get the kids and myself out of the house . . .but it has been fun to have snow and the boys have been loving it! Here are some pics from the first snow Sunday morning:

Of course the kids came in and enjoyed hot chocolate with marshmallows and stories by the fire to warm up.

Growing like a chubby weed

Picture #1: Lexi at 4 weeks. Picture #2: Lexi at 5 weeks (after her first full 3 hours at church).

As you can see, her face had filled out nicely. She may have been born small, but I had no expectations of that lasting.

Birthweight 6 lbs 15 oz.

2 week check up: 8 lbs 2 oz

(For those of you without kids: the doctors like to see babies back up to their birthweight by 2 weeks. I'd say she is doing okay)

2 month check up: even chubbier I'm sure.

Baby Brittany!

So, last Monday I was noting Lexi's amazing male pattern baldness and, well, it wasn't cute.

So, I get a little ambitious and put my problem solving skills to the test. My solution: shave it clean!

The after math: Now, not only was she sporting a lovely case of baby acne, but she looked like she belonged in the Spears family!

A week later her acne is almost cleared up and I am used to having a bald baby . . .nothing a cute little hat or bow can't fix.

What do your kids do for "fun"?

I know everyone thinks that his or her own kids are perfect, but let's get real . . .that was a one time occurance on this earth so I want to know what makes your kids less than perfect. Most kids will do something really funny/annoying every now and then, but I want to know the things along these lines that your little ones do repeatedly. I am going to make my own list to contribute and then when I am old and missing the days when my kids were little and cute, I will look back at this list and hopefully not miss my kids being young quite as much (okay I'll probably still miss that stage, but maybe this list will make me laugh more in the future rather than yell, cry and roll my eyes like it does in the present.

Lexi-

*sleeps all day, awake all night

*always drops a load right after I've changed her diaper, or better yet, as I am chaning her diaper . .nothing like being shot from the behind (literally)

*projectile vomit anyone? again, right after she's just been dressed in a clean outfit

Brooklyn-

*empties any diaper wipes, kleenex boxes, toilet paper rolls that she can get her hands on in 5 seconds flat


*makeup here, there, everywhere . . .there are many days that I don't ever get around to dolling up so one would think that I wouldn't go through makeup very quickly. And, that would be the case if Brooklyn didn't have a knack for sneaking into the bathroom and applying mascara to her face, hair and the floor/ eating lipgloss/ dumping out foundation and powders, etc. etc.

*whiner- she will not stop whining until she gets what she wants . .which is fine unless we're in public and then it can be a little embarassing

Dallas-

*clogged toilets . . .could someone please explain to this kid for the umpteenth time that he doesn't need an entire roll of toilet paper to wipe his behind and actually have him still remember the next time he visits the john.

*Food, food, food. this list alone could be published as a novel, but his latest was getting into unopened boxes of jello not once but twice in the same day. The second time he was successful in dumping the entire thing out on the floor of his bedroom as he gleefully licked handfulls of cherry flavored powder. His hands washed up just fine, unfortunately knowing that the second the jello on the carpet got wet the red dye would kick in . .I decided to just vacuum it up instead. The downside. . there is still a nice large spot of pink tinted carpet in his room waiing like a timebomb for a run in with liquid. The upside-everytime I vacuum our house is now filled with the pleasant scent of cherry candy.

*spills-He is incapable of making it through a meal without spilling his drink. Okay, maybe he's done it a couple of times, but our solution for the remaining 99% of the time that he does spill is give him about an ounce at a time . .which means Dave and I spend our meals pouring beverages rather than eating.

*Backwards-Dallas puts on every article of clothing backwards about 90% of the time. . . .shirt, underwear, pants, shoes. Most days I don't care, but when I do want him to look somewhat presentable. . it means 5 extra minutes of prep time getting him redressed the right way.

*wet diapers-this kid will probably wear diapers at night until he's 20 . .hopefully at 20 he won't still take them off in the morning and just leave them on the floor for all to smell and on a really go0d day step on with a barefoot.

Trenton-

*Cologne-Dave keeps his cologne on a shelf in our bathrrom that the boys can access by standing on the toilet. For some reason, both boys think this is some type of hair styling product and are forever coming out with heads drenched in Calvin Kelin Euphoria. Are you beginning to smell our house yet . .. .dirty diapers, cherry jello and now cologne . . . .mmmmmmmmmmm.

*Bully-everyday when Trenton gets home from school there is an immediate mood shift in our house. The energy level goes up about 75% and the crying spells are much m0re frequent as he constantly pesters Brooklyn by taking her blanket, doll, chair or whatever object he knows she will cry for until she gets it back and bugging Dallas with the incessant hit, push, kick, tap, etc. Isn't the oldest child supposed to be helpful in tending to the younger ones? Maybe I would have had more luck had he not been a boy and been only 5 years old as the oldest child. Is it too late for a redo?

Okay I'm done . . .surely there is more, but that is enough for now. Did I mention that I love my kids? I do. Sure I find them and their reactions and tantrums rediculous at times, but who wouldn't? Kids were meant to make messes, push the limits and test the patience of those tending them . . .that is how both the children and parents learn and grow in this life.

So, back to my original question . .what do your kids do over and over for "fun"? Remind me that I'm not alone in this.

Halloween in Costume

Lexi turned 11 days on Halloween and thanks to help from my mom and Dave not being stuck at school too late that night, we did still celebrate. My mom helped me take the kids to some daytime trick or treating at some little shops near our house and then Dave took them to 5 houses for real trick or treating in the dark that night.

Here is our lame attempt at a costume for the baby: a cute little witches hat inherited from my aunt. She did what babies do best . ..slept all day and not too much that night.Brooklyn stole the hearts (and candy) of many as she walked the streets in Multnomah Village as the cutest little cheerleader ever. Notice she had to bring her purse along to collect the goods.Dallas donned Trenton's old costume: an ugly purple dragon that reminds me way too much of Barney. He loved it all the same (really anything was a step up from wearing Trenton's dirty underwear last year, right?) Lastly, Trenton was a very proud Batman . .finally getting to show off his muscles .. . .fake as they may be.

Put that baby back in your tummy

Dallas continues to amuse me daily. While nursing Lexi a couple of days ago we had the following conversation:

Dallas pointing to the bassinet next to my bed, "Dis Lexi's bed?"

Me-"Yes."

Dallas- Why Lexi sweep (translation- sleep) in your woom?

Me-Where else could she sleep?

Dallas -Her can sweep in Brooklyn's woom.

Me- Well, baby likes to eat a lot during the night so I keep her close to me.

Dallas- Where our next baby gonna sweep?

Me-You think we should have another baby?

Dallas- Yeah.

Me- I think we'll have to get a new house. You sure you want another baby?

Dallas- Yes, I wanna boy one dis time cause I don't want fwee girls. The new baby can sweep in my woom (standing in only his underwear and pointing to his nipples) cause my miwk come out of dees things.

Me- (chuckle chuckle)

Dallas-So put dat baby back in your tummy.

Me- (chuckle chuckle)

Dallas- Put dat baby away. Put it back in your tummy. I wanna boy one.

So, if by some miracle we decide to have another child someday and it happens to be a boy (since I would be required to put the girl back in my tummy) I am off the hook for round the clock feeding since Dallas will have the nursing covered.

Big Ham Sister

Brooklyn has figured out how to cheese it big time! Here is my new favorite picture of her.
And the cake mix photos mentioned in a previous post.

Anyone want to bring me dinner?

So, after an entire week of fabulous meals being brought in by great friends, it was finally my turn to cook again on Halloween. Since the holiday is always filled with way too much junk food, I decided to make my version of Shepherd's Pie where I am able to sneak lots of food processed veggies in without my kids throwing fits and refusing to eat it. Well, it went kind of like this: (Look close and you'll see it's still steaming)

So I am not really asking for more meals, but found it funny enough to share. Sadly, I followed the 10 second rule (although it took me longer than 10 minutes to clean up all the splatter) and scooped the main pile of this up into the casserole dish, topped it with mashed potatoes and cheese and baked it anyway. Surprize Dave! Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Some like it hot hot hot!

So, we bought the boys season tickets to the family movie matinee program where they feature a different kids' movie each week and parents get to go along for free. We've been to 2 out of the 4 shown so far. Dave took the kids to Wall-E a couple of weeks ago and yesterday it was my turn and I took them to see Space Chimps. Cute movie. About 3/4 of the way through the movie, Dallas gets all panicky and starts crying. I turn to look at him by my side and find that he has shoved a red hot up his nose. I tell him to blow it out, which he tries... only in vain. I tell Trenton to stay put and quickly escort Dallas out of the theater. Out in the lobby he is freaking out, but I finally manage to milk the red hot out of his nostril and clean up the "Red Hot" snot now running out of his nose. Upon returning to our seats I got to be entertained for the remainder of the movie, not by the Space Chimps, but my OWN chimp enjoying the tasty discovery of CINNAMON FLAVORED BOOGERS.

One day down and thousands to go!

So, this will be a boring post, but if you're bored feel free to read on or skip to the diaper story under number 4. Forgive the absence of pictures, but I took the camera away from Dallas today as he was hiding from me taking pictures(a big no no since he mostly just wipes his chubby little fingers all over the lens) and hid it a little too well as I can't even remember where I put it to keep it away from him. Anyway, today was my first official full day with all 4 kids all by myself. My mom returned Dallas and Brooklyn to my care last night and it was an eye opening experience glancing in the rearview mirror of my minivan and seeing almost all of the seats filled! It almost doesn't seem real. Anyway, now it's evening and everyone but Lexi is asleep . . I survived. We had our moments though. Here are 4 in honor of the 4 kids

1. At one point Lexi was wailing, Brooklyn screaming and Dallas apparently felt left out so decided to chime in with his own very loud and fake whining . .luckily it just made me laugh.

2. I had to lock Brooklyn out of my room so I could nurse the baby without Brooklyn poking her eyes and rubbing her snot nose in her face. Brooklyn spent the first several minutes crying and banging on the door and eventually gave up. After I was all finished up, I found her satisfied by the pantry where she had ripped open a box of cake mix, chewed throught the plastic like a rat and was eating handfulls of dry cake mix (pictures to follow). Let the fun begin of what messes I will discover and be forced to clean up each and every time I have to leave the kids unsupervised.

3. My visiting teacher dropped off dinner this evening while the boys were in the bath. She's new in the ward so doesn't know us very well, until now anyway. The boys were in the middle of fighting over who knows what in the bath when Dallas starts crying and launches his soapy body over the side of the tub and waddles through his drips toward the kitchen and just as I am about to get on his case for getting out of the bath I notice the blood dripping out of his mouth. Apparently whatever Trenton had done resulted in Dallas biting his tongue. I'm just thinking please don't let this require stitches like it did for Trenton a few years back. We cure him quickly with a popscicle, but then of course Brooklyn starts crying because she wants one too. After digging through the freezer all I can come up with is a sore throat relief ice pop and decide that now is as good of a time as any and give it Brooklyn. Then Dallas wants that kind and Brooklyn still wants an otter pop so I just switch and give them each others. Meanwhile Trenton comes out in his towel as well and starts grabbing for the brownies that were brought as part of the meal and doesn't listen to me when I tell him to wait. Dallas is still sitting in a towel on the table with his little man parts in plain view all the while I am trying to "visit" with my visiting teacher like everything is totally calm and normal. Calm? Not even close, but unfortunately this is terribly normal for life in our house. She said she be calling me to see if I needed anything. Maybe I should just ask her to call Nanny 911 right now?

4. By far my favorite for the day was this (if you don't like personal stories stop reading now as I lack in refraining from sharing things that some would rather not hear:

Dallas barges into the bathroom while I am busy taking care of my postpartum body and asks "Why you wearing a diaper?"

"I'm not." I respond hoping he'll just drop it.

"Why you wearing a diaper?" he repeats again.

"It's not a dipaer, it's a pad" I say praying he'll just give up already.

Like any curious 3 year old he was clearly unsatisfied by my response and asks yet again, "why you wearing a diaper?"

I surrender, "because I just had a baby."

Dallas walks out into my bedroom and announces to Trenton, "Mommy wears diapers now cause she had a baby."

I can already hear this declaration being shared with his preschool class for show and tell tomorrow.

Clean as a Whistle

Apologies for not being too quick on some updated photos but I have been running around the country because of interviews for school (another story for a future blog, but lets just say that the airline has had to give me $300, a free night in a hotel, free dinner, breakfast, lunch, first class back to Portland, and will soon be hearing from me to pay for the rental car I had to rent just to finally drive to the city I was trying to fly to for my interview.)

Here are some "cleaner" photos of Lexi

Hello World

Say hello to Lexington (Lexi) Stacy Butler

6 lbs 15 oz 19.5 in

I Love You THIS MUCH

She's Here!!!

It's a girl!!! Oh wait, you probably already knew that. That's all we know too. No idea what the name's gonna be or what her stats are but we'll let you know when you know. Both girls are doing amazing.

Today's Theme song is...

Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo DOO, doodoodoodoodoo, doo doo doo doo doo doo doo, DOO, doodoo doo doo, doo, doo, dum dum.

guesses anyone?

Torrential Downpour

As the skys above Portland let loose their heavy burden of water... so did Bri.

Sooo Early

Due to my crazy schedule of school and interviews around the country, we were able to schedule Bri to be induced today. Why 5 am? Don't know, but here we are. We'll keep you posted.

Bye Bye Buddha Belly

The last shot of Bri's big belly. She seems to be smaller this time around so she is hoping maybe that will also mean a small baby this time. Only time will tell.

Firsts

Trenton had his first day of kindergarden including riding the bus to and from school. Dallas had his first day of preschool. Trenton had his first soccer practice and game where he scored not only two goals for his team, but two goals for the opposing team as well. That a kid . . just trying to keep things nice and even.

More summer fun! Brooklyn loves to "dance", clap and occasionally "sing" when there is music playing. She also loves to dump out boxes of cereal. Dallas sleeps in any position except with his head on his pillow lying the right way in his bed. Usually it's sideways with his feet up on the all or dangling over the side of the bed. In case anyone is wondering, no he is definitely not a fun kid to sleep with!

Bullwinkle's Family Fun Center

A summer outing where we actually took pictures. The family enjoyed a huge indoor playground, video games where they picked out really cheap toys with the few tickets they won and the kids played (including daddy) miniature golf.