Early b-day present

So I haven't been able to work out since last Wed with Sean being out of town. But even with that I lost 4 lbs!! I can't believe it. After working out for 2 weeks I had only lost 1 lb. Hummm, maybe I should stop working out. Just kidding. I know it's creating more muscle, but I can't deny the fact that it feels oh so good to get on that scale and have lost. AND I could fit into some shorts I couldn't fit into 2 weeks ago!

Education in Anatomy - The mind of a 4 year old boy

This morning I was nursing Asher and Boston had found a Cabbage Patch Kid (a little boy one that was my brother Wes' when he was young-we had borrowed it to take with us to The Florida Hospital's seminar for siblings.) So he told me that baby Asher was mine and that this was his baby. I asked him what his baby's name was and he told me "Jimney Cricket." As he's examining his baby he asks me, "Mommy, why do we have bottoms?" Of course my first response in my head was "for mommy's and daddy's to spank." But I quickly came up with another brilliant answer, "To sit on." Then he noticed that this little baby boy was missing a very important "part." Then came the question....."Why doesn't he have a 'pee pee.'" So many questions this morning. So I said that the person who made him must of just left it out. Then, as I'm feeding Asher, he says that his baby is hungry and then proceeds to "feed" his baby the same way mommy does. It took every bit of me to not do two things....burst out laughing....or quickly tell him to stop. I figured if I just ignored it and didn't make a big deal that was probably better. But I did tell him that only mommy's can feed babies like that. He just said, "Oh." He also copied me and burped the baby and talked to the baby. He told me his baby does all the same things that my baby can do.

After Boston was done playing with "his baby", Dallas came in and found him. He wanted to see if "his baby" has a belly button like his, and he was very excited to find one. Then he tried to give his baby a zerbert. After this he decided to rock his baby and sing him a lullaby. It was so cute. But the funniest part had to be that he got so upset that someone had colored on his baby! It was actually the Xievier Roberts signature every Cabbage Patch Doll has on their behind. It was so funny how he cared.

Children are a blessing from the Lord

Today I realized that I am truly loving this young stage with Asher. With Boston and Dallas the first 4 months were more difficult because they had acid reflux and would cry so much and I had to be on such a strict diet. This time around Asher is so happy all the time. He takes great naps and sleeps 13 hours a night. What a dream! I could just eat him up he's just so darn cute. I love to kiss on those lovable checks and squeeze those squishy thighs. And his smile will melt your heart. He just looks at you in the most adoring way it makes you so glad to be a mommy. I could just brag on him forever....he's the most beautiful baby (just like his big brothers were.) I love his laugh too, it's so infectious.

Today was a little more difficult with the older boys. I haven't been as consistent with discipline lately because they have been so great. So mommy had let a few things slide, gave a little too many warnings: result....disobedient boys. So I'm cracking down again and the fruits of this are already apparent. After being completely frustrated this evening the turning point came when Boston said he wanted to sing a song to me. This is the song he sang to me. I do remember it from when I was a child but I did not teach it to him, nor have I ever heard him sing it before. God was defiantly trying to send me a message. And he usually does use Boston to get that message to me....on many occasions He's done this.

The Lord is good to me
and so I thank the Lord
for giving me the things I need
the sun and rain and the apple seed
The Lord is good to me
Hallelujah Amen

Amen is for sure. As hard as raising toddlers is, it sure is a blessing.

Today we pretended we were riding a train. The boys had tickets and I was the conductor with my puncher (their favorite part...much like the movie The Polar Express). We played on here for a long time. We had many destinations, including picking up all of Boston's classmates. Imagination makes for so much fun!

Birthday Week!

It's my birthday week! Yes...in my family we don't just celebrate on the actual day. But I had totally forgotten it was already here. My dad called me this morning and said..."I can't believe my little girl is going to be 30 this week!" Ah - I had totally forgotten, which is VERY unusual for me. I usually make a big deal out of it being my b-day. And as much as I thought I was really looking forward to 30 I think deep down I'm a little nervous about it. Probably just the fact that's it a more monumental b-day than others.

My little Asher is growing up so fast already. On Friday he will be 4 months old! The last couple of weeks he's really growing fond of his little hands. He tries to put his thumb in his mouth to suck on but usually he ends up putting his entire fist in it! It's so funny to watch him. Today he actually batted at the toys on his carrier, this was a first. It was just so cute!

Today we made homeade playdough. A really awesome Kool-Aid recipe that makes it colorful and smell good. The boys had a great time mixing, playing and making quite the mess out of my kitchen.

A Box is Not Just a Box

It's Saturday! Today we went shopping for a while, and mom went with us (she was ready to get out of the house after having been sick for days). I had to go pick up the double jogging stroller that had finally come in! Ya!!! Then we went to the Family Christian Bookstore, which was having a sale on their kids items. Then I looked for some clothes as a present from my mom for my upcoming big birthday. Oh yes....it's almost here....I won't be a 20 something anymore....I'M GETTING OLD! LOL Yes the big 3 - 0!! I'm actually really looking forward to turning 30. I just can't believe I'm 30. Feels like just yesterday when I was turning 21. Where has the time gone. My 20's have been really great and I'm especially looking forward to my 30s. So think of me on the 13th!



Anyhow....back to my day. When we got home we took the big stroller out of the box so I could put the wheels on and get a good look at it. I had bought the boys the movie "Air Bud" (they had gotten "Air Buddies" from Aunt Margie months ago and we have watched it a hundred times so I figured they would really enjoy watching the first one of the series). Since it was raining outside I turned on the movie, but to my surprise all they really wanted to do was play in the big box. They played in this thing for a least an hour, maybe 2. It was so much fun just sitting on the couch watching them play in it and make it into a lot of different things. How creative they can be. It's just like everyone always says....kids will enjoy the box more than they will the fancy toy!

Making cupcakes with the boys

So in an attempt to have photos for all my recipes in the family cookbook I've been cooking a lot. Today I made my cupcake cones and the boys thought that was great! Especially since they helped me and got to lick the batter and icing off the beaters!! I remember doing that as a kid with my mom and it brings back great memories. Even the smell of some things just gives my heart a happy beat. And I love the fact that the boys love helping me cook in the kitchen as well. It might take a little longer to make things, but it's the memories that are more important. And even though Asher's not ready for "food" yet....he sure was eyeing those cupcakes!!! "Oh how I can't wait until I can eat THIS!!"

"I think I could eat cupcakes for every meal!"

More sprinkles.....more better

Hum.....I'm not sure that this is the safest way to lick the icing

Also - Stef had baby Hank around 2pm. He weighted 8lbs 8oz, 22 inches and very healthy!

Busy day in the Whitman house

Jake and Asher....super heros!

My friend Stef is giving birth to her 2nd little boy today. So her 1st born, Jake, spent the night with us last night and has spent the day with us today as we await the news of baby Hank's birth. The boys have really enjoyed having Jake over to play with. We have been reading Big Brother books all day and made mommy and baby Hank cupcakes to celebrate his first b-day. It's been a fun....yet very ACTIVE day with 4 boys in the house!

Sean is out of town in Vegas for a PPL convention and we have been missing him so much. It's so weird not having daddy at home at night. I've been working during any free time...and that's not very much right now with all the activity in the house and no daddy at home....to work on a family recipe book for our family reunion next month. I'm really looking forward to getting that finished. I think it's going to be a really nice heirloom.

Memorial Day at the Lakehouse

What a hot hot day it was! With the threat of amibas in the hot lake water the boys weren't allowed to swim in the lake. But with 102 degrees weather it was just too hot to play outside without some sort of water. So mom blew up the the swimming pool and who would have thought that this tiny little pool would make for so much fun. They had a BALL jumping and splashing in it. Here's some funny photos.

Blanche turns 90!

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma Blanche!

Today was a long day. We started out going to church and then went straight to meet Sean's whole family at Panera Bread for lunch. Afterward we went with a few of the family members to the mall to kill time before the 3pm party. The boys had a lot of fun playing on the indoor playground at Seminole Town Center's Mall. And it was great getting to talk and spend time with everyone at lunch and the mall. Then we headed over to the party (in the midst of a huge storm!) The party was great, especially getting to hang out with everyone. I got to give Blanche the book I made her with a poem to celebrate her 90 years!

The boys did surprisingly well considering it was such a long and involved day. I was so proud of them! After the party we headed to the lakehouse. We put the kids to bed and then went to meet the family again for bowling. Everyone was supposed to go and we were really looking forward to a good time. But there were only a few of us game for the excitement, but those of us that were there had a great time. Suzanne even came out with us. I really had a great time getting to know Mical's new wife Erin. I'm looking forward to doing nothing at the lake tomorrow though!

Another attempt at a family photo!

Uncle Ty and Asher

Below is a link to the book I made for Blanche. You can preview the first 15 pages and purchase a copy for yourself if you want.

For Grandma Bl...

By Love, Sean, Cricke...

Book Preview

Sean's family gathering

Grandma Blanche and Asher

Meeting Aunt Carol

Asher's first game of Skipbo

Tonight we got to visit with Sean's family that is in town for Blanche's 90th birthday party. It was a lot of fun getting to see everyone and meet some new family members. We had not seen Ty, Carol, Jenny, Zac or Karen in a while. Boston got to go swimming with Grandma for a few hours and Dallas really enjoyed playing with toys and playdough. Of course there was Skippo. You can't have a Whitman gathering without it. Asher even played his first game!!!