And Baby Ingalls is a...

 Girl

 

Yesterday, Andrew and I found out we are having a girl.  I will say it did come as a big shock to both of us.  We were hoping for another boy to add to our family, but it looks like God has a sense of humor.  He is giving us a little girl who will have three big brothers.  I'll admit I actually cried when I saw the ultrasound.  I really was in shock.

 

We have already discussed names, but I am not ready to announce anything yet.  We want to sit on it for a little while.  Make sure we don't want to change anything.

 

Prayers will be needed I can handle a girl since I am not the 'girly' type at all.  Maybe she'll be a rough and tumble little girl since she'll be trying to keep up with her three brothers.

 



 

Her little feet

Halloween Coloring

Jackson had homework for his Pre-K class which had to be finished.  It wasn't anything big, just some coloring and writing.  Because Cullen does not like to be left out, I printed him some coloring pages.  Sawyer did not like being left out either, so he stole a marker.  The pictures were taken with my phone, so they are not the highest quality.  Homework done!

 

 

 

 

Launch Sequence Interupted

It rained much of this weekend which put all outdoor plans out the window.  With the boys being antsy, we told them to go play on the back porch.  They could get some fresh air and would be out of earshot for a little while.

While standing in the kitchen washing dishes, I notice them playing with some bungee cords.  It looked a little suspicious, so I asked Andrew to go check out what they were doing.

Andrew walks out the back door, and Jackson immediately kneels down and throws his hands up in the air.  It was one of those moves like 'I wasn't doing anything I wasn't supposed to be doing.'  Meanwhile, they had one bungee cord hooked up to a pulley cord which raises and lowers our sunshade.  The second bungee cord was hooked on the first.  Both were stretched tight and about to launch some toy.

In as calm a voice as possible, Andrew informed the boys they were not supposed to be launching anything off the porch and helped them disassemble the launch.

"Where they doing what I think they were doing?" I asked.

"If you think they were trying to launch a toy off the back porch using bungee cords, then yes.  They were," Andrew answered.

"I think the funniest part of the whole thing was Jackson throwing up his hands right when you walked outside," I said.

"It was," Andrew chuckled.

Launch sequence break down on the back porch.

Not me!

"Mom, look what Cullen did to the sofa," Jackson told me.

I glance over to see the sofa's slipcover is half off.

"Cullen did you do that?" I asked.

"Not me!" he replied while smiling.

"Yes, he did!  I saw him do it!" Jackson said.

"Not me!" Cullen said while still smiling and continued coloring without a care in the world.

"Huh uh! Cullen did it!" Jackson proclaimed vehemently.

"Cullen did you do that?" I asked again.

"Nope!" he replied.

The back and forth between Jackson and Cullen continued while I went over to fix the slipcover.  I saw a glimpse into my future of Cullen trying to get out of being in trouble with his devilish smile and char, while denying something I know he did.  Luckily, I pulled the exact same card so I know better than to fall for it.  Mine worked.  His won't.

Hungry?

Sawyer seems to have enjoyed his dinner.  This pictures doesn't really touch how covered he was in food.  We had to give him a bath right after dinner time.  He was filthy.

 

 

In the Backyard

A cold front came through our area Saturday afternoon.  It cooled it from 90 degrees to a balmy 60 degrees is a few hours.  It was so nice!

The boys were stoked about the cooler weather and wanted to play outside for most of Sunday morning.  Being the awesome parents we are, Andrew and I obliged their request and kicked them into the backyard.

I was busy packing boxes in the kitchen, and Andrew was going through stuff upstairs.  I heard the back door open and a child saying something.  I couldn't quite make out what it was.  I walked into the hallway where I have a clear shot of the back door.

I see Cullen walking into the house with his underwear and pants around his ankles.  My first thought was 'when did Jackson learn how to pants his brother.'  Because that's where my mind goes automatically.  Instead, I finally catch on to what he is saying, "I went pee pee in the grass!  I went potty in the grass!"

Cullen was so unbelievably proud of himself.  He had the biggest smile on his face like he finally accomplished something big and earned his man card.

I walk up to him and immediately start to feel his underwear and pants.  I wanted to make sure he didn't accidentally get any on himself before pulling his clothes back up.  His aim was true.

I live with three little boys and one man.  I still do not understand nor do I think I ever will understand the inner workings of their mind.

More Sickness and Delays

As I am standing here typing, I hear Sawyer at the kitchen table thoroughly enjoying his lunch.  This seems to be the first time in a couple of days he's eaten more than his formula and some Cherrios. 

Sawyer, unfortunately, caught the croup bug from Cullen.  He has not been feeling well this week.  I had to take him to the doctor's yesterday when developed a cough.  Luckily, nothing is in his chest.  He's just very congested and was running a fever.  He looks to be better today and is acting more like his normal self and not all 'I want mom to hold me every minute of the day because I don't feel well.'

I've been dealing with Sawyer being sick.  Andrew picked up the nastiness as well as I did.  For some reason whenever the kids get sick, Andrew gets sick.  His voice is hoarse, he's congested, and I get to put up with all the snoring that comes with it.  Aren't I a lucky wife?!

And let's not forget, I picked up the nasty little bug too.  Unfortunately, I get no sick days from my job.  I get to put up with cranky toddlers and babies while trudging through with my own coughing, sneezing, congestion, and lack of sleep.  I swear I am the only one who doesn't sleep in this house when the kids gets sick.

Add on top of all this, the government shut down which is delaying all home buyers from getting their needed IRS tax forms.  I realize I am not the only one effected by it.  Damn it, it pisses me off!  I will not go into my tirade, but get your shit together and open the government back up.

This week has been crazy and stressful and full of sickness.  I will be very happy when my household is back to healthy status.

Pack rat? Not so much

If anyone wants to pack up the house for me and go through all of my stuff, I would not stop you.

I'm in the process of slowly packing up the house.  I figured if I started now and didn't wait until the last minute it would make the whole process better.  I keep telling myself this lie in hopes of it coming true.  The truth is going through all of our stuff is just as much a pain in the butt as it is any other time I do it.

Andrew and I went through a bunch when we put the house on the market the first time.  The key difference is I'm going through all of our stuff by myself.  Why is this making such a difference?  I don't keep stuff just to keep stuff or because it was sentimental to my second cousin removed by marriage and it was passed down to me. 

I'm not a pack rat.  Andrew isn't a huge pack rat, but he feels bad getting rid of stuff given to him.  He doesn't want to hurt people's feelings.  I, on the other hand, don't really care.  If it was a wedding gift and is still in the back of the closet, I will obviously not be needing it at my next house.  I will not be packing and hauling it over in order for it to sit in another closet for years before it can be tossed.  There are a few exceptions.  Family heirlooms stick around.

As the packing continues, I have divided our things into three categories: keep, donate, and trash.  The system seems to be working for me.  I've packed up most of our upstairs.  The entire guest room and bathroom is packed up.  Most of our game room is packed.  I'm going to tackle the dining room and boys' rooms next.

On another note, Cullen is almost fully recovered from croup.  He still has a bit of a cough, but his voice came back.  Andrew and I both have colds from his lovely sickness.  Sawyer had a fever, but luckily hasn't developed a cough.  Jackson seems to be the only one who was able to stay healthy.  I'm just glad it wasn't any worse.