End of the Year

It is hard to believe that 2008 is almost over! I thought I would wrap up the year and try my hardest to start out 2009 with a fresh start.

Jarrek and I have quickly learned that Weston is NOTHING like the other two kids. We never had to baby proof anything for Tatum and Keaton, they just didn't get into things. They were content playing with their own toys and staying out of trouble (as babies). Weston on the other hand has gotten into everything that he is not suppose to and he is only 7 months old! Lord help us! He is starting to pull up so that posses a whole new set of issues. He will crawl over to the TV stand and pull all of the PS3 and Wii cords off the shelf. He just crawled over to the shelf and turned off the movie we were watching. He is constantly attacking the cat, but surprisingly she doesn't mind. He has checked out every visible outlet in the living room area (don't worry they are all covered). I'm going to say that by the time he is 9 months old he will be walking!
Tonight I put him in his bed...he seemed tired. Well, I was wrong. Jarrek heard a funny noise on the monitor and went in to check on him. Weston was standing in the corner of his bed banging the monitor against his crib railing.

Tatum is now 6! I cant believe that my little girl is not a little girl anymore. We are having her party on Jan. 10. She wanted a sleep over, but I wasn't sure about having a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds sleeping over. I really didn't want to have to take anyone home at 1:00 in the morning. So, we are having a Pajama party. We will do all the sleepover activities and then when it is time to go to sleep...mommies and daddies come pick them up.
For her birthday, Jarrek and I got her a digital Dictaphone to record all her songs and stories. She has already recorded 20 songs/stories. We had to have a talk about what she could and couldn't record.

Keaton is very anxious for school to start back. I told him he could have a playdate with some of his friends. He has already come up with their activity...Nerf gun fight. They are all going to get a Nerf gun and run around and shoot each other. He has enough guns to arm a small army. Here is the run down (most of these he got for Christmas): a semi-automatic Nerf gun, a Star Wars dart gun, a dart gun shot gun, a Nerf gun rifle, and a Nerf gun pistol. Needless to say...Keaton likes Nerf guns.

Santa brought me a sewing machine that does embroidery! I am so excited to enter this new phase of my life ;-). I have already made a poodle skirt and matching purse for Tatum. Jarrek helped me embroider it. I also made her a bow to match.

Ok, now for the New Year's resolutions:
* Lose Weight!!! 20-30 pounds
* Stay organized (once I get organized)
* Write at least every other day

Things I've learned in 2008:
* It doesn't matter how big the baby is, I get fat when I'm pregnant
* Jarrek and I make pretty darn cute babies (there will be NO more)
* Keaton is a pretty awesome kid and knows alot more than he lets you know he knows
* Tatum is still an enthusiastic learner and is a great friend to those who are 'different'
* 1 baby is easier than 3
* Being a stay at home mom is hard work
* watching 4 and 5 year olds play an organized game of soccer is the best way to spend a Saturday morning
* Jarrek is an awesome husband (this was just reinforced this year...I already knew that)
* It's great to have great friends!

See yall in 2009!

Christmas!

We have had three Christmas and it's not over yet! A few weeks ago we had Xmas with Jarrek's sister and her family, Jarrek's mom and grandparents. The kids had a great time and loved getting to see Meme and cousin Brody.
We had our Christmas with the kids on Christmas morning...it was great! As you know Tatum asked for rocks from Santa...she got two bags of polished rocks and a box of 'learning' rocks. Jarrek and I got her a Geode. She was totally thrilled! Santa also brought her the My Little Pony Ponyville Roller coaster...another hit. Keaton got his dart gun...a massive, semi automatic dart gun. He also got a talking parrot that "passes gas". What was Santa thinking? Weston got a little music center which everyone enjoys. Jarrek got a remote helicopter and I got a sewing machine...we are both still learning how to use them.
On Christmas night we went to Houston and had Christmas with my family. It was kinda chaotic...4 babies under 7 months. Everyone had a good time and we got an awesome telescope from my Grandmother. The kids are so excited to look at the stars. Mom and Dad have to figure it our first.

Tomorrow is Tatum's birthday. I cant believe she is going to be 6!!!

That's all for now.

Vacuum Cleaner love

Weston is now extremely mobile. He army crawls all over the place. Most of the time it is in search of a tiny speck of dirt or grass. Other times he is in search of his first true love, the vacuum. Weston will stop the most ear piercing screaming when you turn on the vacuum. He just sits there and watches it go back and forth, back and forth. You can just leave it turned on, sitting there and he will stare at it. If he can hear it, but cant see it, he gets upset. Twice today I had to move him away from the vacuum...he had crawled over to it and was laying there holding on to the cord. Oh, my baby's in love!

This past weekend, Tatum's dance class did a little recital at Central Park. It was to the song "I ain't getting nothing for Christmas". She did a great job. She is such a pro.
We also had Breakfast with Santa at our church. Santa asked them if they ever fought with each other...they were honest and said yes. He then asked who started the fights and they both pointed at each other and laughed.

In the car today, Tatum asked Jarrek and I "How do you get a boyfriend?" What?! We asked her why she wanted to know and she said she was just curious. There was alot of conversation about what a boyfriend means when you are 6 and what it means when you are 16. I was hoping I had another 5 or 6 years before I got asked those kinds of questions.

WOW

I haven't posted in so long! Right now I feel like POOP...I hate allergies. So, this will be short and sweet. More to come later

Keaton's class had a Thanksgiving feast that Weston and I attended. The class made Stone Soup and decorated the tables with handmade Thanksgiving items. It was really cute and Keaton thought it was cool that Mommy and Weston got to spend time with him and his friends.

For Thanksgiving we went to Marc's house. It was much easier for everyone to go to them than pack up stuff for three babies. Anyway, we all had a good time. Turkey was fried, food was eaten and lots of pictures were taken. Oh, and babies cried...what do you expect when there are 4 babies under 6 months old! Tatum and Keaton had a great time playing war in Uncle Marc and Aunt Stacy's backyard. I am sure the neighbors were wondering what was going on. The kids had made guns out of sticks and were running around the yard yelling "POW POW POW" at each other and anyone else who ventured out into the 'battlefield'.

One of our annual trips to Santa's Wonderland was made on Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was cold, but everyone had a great time. They got to see Santa and make their official requests. Neither list has changed! Although when Santa asked Keaton what he wanted he just looked at him and shrugged his shoulders. Then as Keaton was getting off Santa's lap he said very loudly and very quickly "a big dart gun". Mind you, he has been rehearsing what to say for about a month now. Santa just looked at him and smiled.

We have begun to decorate for Christmas! It is so much fun to see how excited the kids get when we bring out something new. Yesterday we were out front adding some items to the yard and the kids were helping (Weston helped by napping). If you have seen our yard you know that we have two of the saddest looking Magnolia trees EVER. One got knocked down and the other is just barely holden on. Well, Tatum and Keaton love to pull branches off and play with them. While Jarrek and I were decorating they pulled branches off and hammered them in random places all over the front yard. Why you might ask. I am not real sure! Maybe they thought it looked pretty. Now along with our festive lights we have Magnolia branches randomly sticking out of the ground all over the yard.

Weston is now crawling! AHHHH! He gets into everything. That little bugger is fast. It doesnt help that when ever he crawls under something, Tatum and Keaton just stand there and laugh. Weston thinks its funny.

Santa wishes

The other day I asked the kids what they were going to ask Santa to bring them for Christmas...Santa has to get shopping. Keaton's request I already knew...a new Nerf gun that shoots lots of darts, a Star Wars dart gun, a Light Saber, and a Dinosaur village. 

Tatum's on the other hand was a little unexpected...for my family to be safe, and for something from far away like Hawaii and not from College Station. What? How is 'Santa' suppose to fill that list? I told her she could ask for a toy like the Ponyville Roller coaster she wanted. Her response, "I already added that to my list online. I guess if I get another one I can tape pictures to one of them so they don't look the same. I know, I could ask Santa for rocks for my collection. He travels all over the world, like to Hawaii and Africa. He could bring me rocks from all over the world. That's what I want." OK. Now 'Santa' has to figure out how to get rocks from Hawaii and Africa.  

Shrieks and nails

I haven't 'blogged' in many days, not because nothing has happened (are you kidding me, have you meet my kids) but because I haven't had time. Sometimes I wonder where the time goes. Do I live in one of those Science Fiction Worm holes where time goes faster than the rest of the world? Are my clocks broken and making the time go faster? Did I pass out or lose conscientiousness for hours?

Anyho,Tatum and Keaton just crack me up some times. The other day Tatum was wearing a shirt with a cheetah print on it. Her and Keaton wanted to play super heroes so logically she was the all powerful "Kitty Girl". Keaton was wearing a blue shirt so he became the mighty "Water boy". They figured out rather quickly that "Kitty Girl" and "Water Boy" were no match for the bad guys. So their names were changed to "Cheetah Girl" and since Keaton likes to be just like his sister, "Cheetah Boy". They ran around the room with cheetah speed and clawed the bad guys with their 'claws of steel'. Weston was fascinated with their playing and would squeal when they were by him. Squeal...well actually it is more of a shriek. Weston started just a few days ago, belting out these ear piercing, goose bump giving shrieks. He is not in pain or upset, just shrieking. The first few times we laughed hysterically. Then we just giggled, now we hold our ears and beg for him to stop. Keaton tells Weston he is being annoying. Tatum looks at him sternly and says 'no'. Weston just shrieks louder, thrilled that they are paying attention to him. I try to tell them to ignore him, but they can only take so much. It does draw some eyes at restaurants, the grocery store and at school. I think it's cute, Jarrek thinks he sounds like a girl. Hopefully it's just a phase and he will 'talk' normal soon (insert fingers crossed).

Today the kids went to my parents for the weekend so I picked Tatum up early from school. She has been asking for days if she could paint her finger nails. Since she doesn't have school tomorrow, I said sure. Picture it...a 5 year old with three colors of nail polish and a great imagination. She finished her masterpiece and looked at me with those big brown eyes..."Mom can I paint yours?" YIKES! I now have very interesting fingernails and toenails and no nail polish remover. Good thing I'm going to the salon tomorrow. Meanwhile, Keaton is fixing my hair. He has manged to put every single clipy and bow Tatum has in my hair. I was instructed to leave it forever or until Ma and Pa get here. I'll take the latter. So, Ma and Pa get here and admire my hair and nails. I helped them out to the car and caught a glimpse of myself in the window...SCARY! The whole time I was putting the kids in the car, I wished no one I knew would drive by and see my hair. I manged to escape public viewing!

Things

Whew I haven't posted in a few days! So here it goes...catchin up!

Weston is now extremely mobile. He rolls all over the place! He has gotten himself stuck under the couch a few times. He has also started pushing up on his hands and knees. Not much happens, except some rocking, but it's a start. He is also sitting up without support, a little wobbly, but still pretty good. I'll post some pictures of these accomplishments.

Everyday Keaton surprises me with some witty comment. He has developed such a great sense of humor. I really think that his teachers have helped him grow so much! Keaton is really learning a lot and I am so proud of how much he is growing.
He has gotten in the habit of wanting to take 'sumpthin' everywhere we go. Usually it is a Ninja Turtle or a toy car, but every now and then he surprises us by choosing something like a stuffed hamster.


Friday, Tatum's school had a 50's sing-a-long. All the kids dressed in their 50's attire and the parents went to watch them sing the classics - "How much is that doggy in the window", "Yakity Yak" etc. She had so much fun learning the songs and getting to dress up.
We got her report card on Friday. She is doing Great! Her reading is really improving and she is on her way to being a 'reader'.
Whenever she is asking how to spell a word, Keaton asks "How come Tatum knows how to read and spell everything?" This is really the first time he has shown any interest in learning to read. They are always asking how to spell things or 'spelling' words then asking "What did that spell?" Usually Keaton's word is just a random chain of letters, but sometimes he will actually spell a real word and he gets to excited.

Last night, Mom and Dad took Tatum and Keaton to watch the Brenham Cubs play at Kyle field. The kids were so excited! They made posters to hold up at the game. Keaton was excited to go the Kyle Field. When they got home last night, they were exhausted and cold...the wind was blowing really hard.