Feminine Band Aids

Cullen went into our bathroom this morning while Andrew was getting ready.  I was packing lunches and making breakfast in the kitchen.  He proceeded to walk into our toilet area which is separated from our main bathroom by a door.  He comes back out and is drumming with two of my tampons.

I go ahead and keep a box of tampons on the floor by the toilet.  It's convenient.  Plus, I don't have to do the underwear shuffle of shame to fish them from below my sink when needed

"What's this?" Cullen asked.

"They're Mommy's. Put them back, " Andrew replied.

"Are they band aids?"

"Yes, Cullen.  They're Mommy's special band aids."

Andrew comes into the kitchen and tells me this story.  We just start laughing.

They are similar to band aids, now that I think about it.  I think Andrew comes up with the best answers that come as close to the truth as possible.

Big Brother

It's nice to see the little brother/big brother and little sister/big brother relationship starting at a young age.  Jackson is a natural in his big brother role.  He loves helping out with Cassidy and will even help with Sawyer.

On the other hand, Jackson and Cullen haven't quite developed their relationship as big brother/little brother.  It's more of 'who can annoy the other the most before someone comes running to Mom to tattle' relationship.  Ehhh, it's got time to development.  Since they are so close in age, it's probably more of an equality relationship without the equality right now.  So they inevitable piss each other off all the time.  True sibling love!

Jackson being a caring and loving older brother.

Jackson holding Cassidy at 1 month old.

Helping Sawyer ride on his old tricycle.

Swing, Batter, Swing!

Teeball season continues in our household.  Jackson had a game last weekend, and I was able to capture a few snapshots.

His hitting and throwing have definitely improved.  Jackson played catcher in the first inning which he was excited about. We're still working on paying attention to the ball at all times.  But hey, it's 4U teeball.  No kid is really paying that much attention.

Happy Birthday Andrew!

It seems as though I am playing catch up on a few posts, including this one.

Andrew celebrated his birthday on April 14.  Unfortunately, it fell on a Monday this year.  We didn't do a whole lot of celebrating, but he did get cupcakes!

Jackson, Cullen, and Sawyer helped me bake Andrew's favorite cupcakes, yellow cake with chocolate buttercream icing, from scratch.  That's right, from scratch!  The kids were very helpful pouring the ingredients into the mixer.  I love my mixer!  Everyone got to hold a spatula and Cullen decided to lick the side of the bowl where a lone crumb was flung out.  Of which he exclaimed, "That's good!"  Yes, cake batter is awesome.

Anyway, Andrew opened up a few presents, but he had already received his big present from me the week prior.  His brand new natural gas grill arrived 5 days earlier than expected.  Seeing as I could not move a giant, heavy box from the front porch around back to hide it, his surprise included a bit of heavy lifting when he came home.

The kids sang Dad Happy Birthday, then we all ate some cupcakes.  Very low key, but just how we like it.  Happy Birthday to my awesome husband!

Easter Time!

Happy Easter!  (It's a little belated but technically still the Easter season)

It was a little crazy this year.  Andrew was out of the country on a business trip.  My parents flew down for a few days.  And did I mention we had some kind of bug going through the house which decided to descend upon my body Easter morning.  Fun times.

A couple of days before Andrew left, he and I took Jackson and Cullen to the City Flashlight Egg Hunt at the park.  The kids had fun, and Daddy was able to partake in some Easter fun.

 

Easter was pretty uneventful.  We headed to 8am Mass and grabbed donuts on the way home.  As soon as we entered the house, I think my kids threw off their Mass clothes quicker than I could blink.  I cooked jambalaya for dinner and baked a cookie cake for dessert.  It was pretty low key day.  My parents had fun with their grandchildren.

Here are a few pictures on Easter day.  And ignore the fact my kids aren't wearing shoes.

Happy belated Easter!

 And my mom with her only granddaughter.

 

Here I am!

I usually don't post pictures of myself on the blog for several reasons.  One, I'm usually the one behind the camera.  Two, I'm not a huge fan of pictures being taken of me.  And three, who wants to see me when they'd rather see the kids, ya know.

But after some convincing from my husband, Andrew took some pictures of me with the kids in the wildflowers.  I received the 'don't you want the kids to be able to look back at pictures and see you with them as well' speech.  More of a guilt trip than convincing.  Nonetheless, it worked when I handed over the reigns of my camera and smiled for a few shots.  There are no decent shots without the sunglasses.  I tried to take them off, but it was so bright my eyes wouldn't stop squinting and watering.

I had no idea Jackson was goofing off behind me.

 

Bluebonnets in Texas!

I did it!  I photographed all four children and got them in the same picture.  Yes!

Of course, the caveat is not all four children are looking at the camera at the exact same time.  It never fails; at least one child is always looking away.  I'm more than happy I was able to capture all four at the same time.  And I didn't fall or step into any fire ant mounds.  Although I did come close a few times.  Andrew wasn't so lucky.

Spring in Texas equals bluebonnets.  Here are a few shots of the kiddos in the wildflowers.

A Little Validation from a Stranger

Have you ever received validation on what you are doing from a complete stranger?  It always seems to mean something more when it comes from someone who doesn't know you.

My husband, family, and friends can all tell me I'm doing a good job raising my kids.  I always think, 'yes, ok, thanks' because it seems as if they have to say it because they know me and want to be nice.  When something like that comes from a complete stranger who doesn't know me, my kids, or any circumstances, it somehow means more.

It makes no sense, but in a weird way, it's true.

A few months ago, when I was still pregnant, I was leaving the gym with my three kids in tow.  I was trying to get everyone settled into the car.  Jackson kept asking to go to the park.  It was in the 40s outside, the wind was probably around 20-25mph, the kids weren't properly dressed to play outside, and I was exhausted.  I told him no, we weren't going to the park.  Cue meltdown.

He started arguing with me and talking back to me.  It was along the lines of yes, we are going to the park, I want to go to the park, etc.  He was adamant about going and would not take no for an answer.

I leaned over Sawyer's car seat, got in his face, and said in my mean mommy voice, "No, we are not going to the park.  You do not talk to me that way.  I am the parent, you are the child, and you are being rude and disrespectful.  You will sit down, be quiet, and buckle yourself in.  If you continue arguing with me you will regret it when we get home."  And he did; he wasn't happy about it, but he  did it.

As I unfolded myself from the car, an older woman was walking by my car.  She was probably retirement age.  Of course, I was mortified this woman had heard my child bitching and me reading him his rights in the parking lot of a gym.

She walked right by me, turned to me, and said, "You tell him mom.  You're doing a good job!" with a big smile on her face.

I was still mortified, but I did feel better about chewing my child's ass off.  He did deserve it.  I refuse to have my kids disrespect me or any adult.

This woman, who didn't know me, gave me a huge boost of confidence.  Maybe I'm not screwing my kids up, too much at least.  She has no idea how much her statement meant to me at that moment.  I wish I could thank her for showing me kindness and giving me a little validation when I really needed it.

SI Swimsuit Edition

I have a subscription to Sports Illustrated.  I bought something and received a free subscription for a year.  Random, right.  I happen to have perfect timing and received the Swimsuit Edition before it even hit the stores.  Unlike some people, I don't really care if my husband looks at the magazine.  Honestly, it doesn't bother and never will.  He's a man; that's what men do.  No big deal.

Jackson loves getting SI, as well, and considers it his magazine.  He loves looking at the sports pictures and has even asked me to read him an article.

This past weekend, he brings the latest SI edition to Andrew.  He hands Andrew the magazine folded in half to show him the add for the Swimsuit Edition.  If you haven't seen it, it's three models in very high cut cheeky bikinis holding onto each other, backs turned, looking at the camera.

"Dad, they're showing their butts," Jackson says upon handing him the open page.

"No, son, they are showing us their swimsuits," Andrew answers.

"Oh, ok," Jackson replied and walked off.

Andrew walks into the study to find me and tells me this story.  Of course, he has this cat caught the canary grin on his face.  He and I start laughing.

"Nice save," I told him.

"I thought so, but I guess he's old enough to notice now."

"Guess so."

Jackson's first glimpse of the Swimsuit edition.  And so it begins.

Birth Announcement

Cassidy's Birth Announcement in all its glory!  I've also included a picture of all three boys.  Now, my goal is to get a picture of Cassidy with all three of her brothers.  It will take some effort, but I will make it happen.  I will make it happen just to say I have a picture of all four of my kids together!

And a quick Happy Birthday to my Mom!  Even though you left all of your grandkids behind, I know you still love them.  Happy Milestone Birthday Mom!

 

 



Cassidy Birth Announcement

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