To The Rescue

Yesterday was my first day at home with all 3 boys by myself. There were a few bumps involving the timing of feedings and naps and involving a certain 2 year old who decided that he wanted to be a little whiny and test me throughout the day. But, all in all, we survived and learned a few lessons along the way. It feels good to have that first day under my belt! :-)

Just a few cute pictures, from yesterday morning, of the big boys playing firemen on the (couch) "firetruck" . . .









Putting out the fire with their (blanket) "hoses" . . .

Homecoming

The last time I had a baby (Holden), I had to experience the roller coaster of emotions that come from being discharged from the hospital and leaving your baby behind. Holden spent 19 days in NICU/Special Care Nursery.

One of my specific prayers regarding this pregnancy was to avoid the NICU and to leave the hospital with my baby. That particular prayer was answered, and I was/am extremely grateful! It was an experience that I did not take for granted!

Our Homecoming Day . . .






All the boys loaded up in the minivan (or as Q and H call it: the "bat-van") . . .



As soon as we got home and put down the infant carrier, Holden started sharing his toys. He wanted Fletcher to have "man-man" . . .

*He also wanted Fletcher to have "man-man's car", which is a huge contraption. Before we knew it, Holden had flung it on top of the baby. Fletcher flinched, but did not cry. I have a feeling that this child is going to be a tough guy; he really has no other choice if he wants to survive at our house! What a homecoming! ;-)

Getting To Know You

Just a few more hospital pictures of the boys getting to know their new baby brother . . .
















The one thing that interested Holden even more than his baby brother? The hospital bed and all of its buttons . . .


*I'm very proud of the boys. They seem to be adjusting really well to life with a newborn. Fletcher has been covered with hugs and kisses. If only they could manage the concept of "gentle"! ;-)

Pictures of Fletcher

As you can see, he's adorable! ;-)

Baby Fletcher!

We are extremely thrilled, proud, and thankful to announce the arrival of:

Fletcher Brant
"Fletcher"

August 25, 2010
10:42 am

6 pounds and 12 ounces
19 3/4 inches

He's healthy and perfect, and we are completely in love! MANY THANKS to all of our friends and family for the love and prayers during this pregnancy and delivery. All praises go to God!

*Pictures are on their way . . .

Childhood Favorites

One of the many joys of parenthood? Getting to share your favorite childhood toys with your kids (and, in a small way, getting to relive your childhood)!

One of Brant's favorite toys as a child? LINCOLN LOGS
*He and the boys have been building Batman's cave, Spiderman's house, and all sorts of other architectural wonders! ;-)

A Quick Little Playdate with Donna

One of my best buddies from college, Donna, was in town for a short visit over the weekend. She brought her 2 adorable kiddos, Owen and Liza Baker, with her. We managed to find a couple of hours that worked for everyone, met over at Maridith's house, and had a quick little playdate. It was great seeing everyone!


A picture of the "big kids" (Quinn and Lawson) . . .

*At the end of each day, we have started asking the boys about their favorite part of the day. Quinn's reply on this day? "Playing with Lawson!" ;-)


Owen, Holden and Wesley . . .



Holden spending a little time with Liza Baker . . .



And, then, going in for some belly "tickles" . . .

*He was really good with Liza Baker. I'm hoping that he remembers these skills when baby Fletcher arrives! ;-)

My 2 Little Monsters

Be afraid . . .



Be very afraid! ;-)


*These cute T-shirts were $4 at Target. Quinn spotted them first. And, of course, Holden wanted one, too. They both wanted to wear them yesterday. We went to a children's museum to play, and I LOVED the fact that they were dressed alike (and in such bright striped shirts!). It made it much easier spotting them across the play areas and keeping up with the 2 of them. They may have to leave the house dressed as "twins" more often! ;-)

Never Say Never

Parenthood teaches us crazy parents lots of important lessons. Yes, we're teaching our children constantly. But, I find that they are often teaching me, too! Two of these particular lessons (that I keep learning and relearning)?

1. Never say never.
2. It's not all about me (actually, very little of it is about me!).

Now, I am reminded of these lessons often. But, there was an event this week that really drove the point home (yet again).

With baby Fletcher on his way (who knows when this baby will get here?!?), I have been trying to get as much done as possible while I can. The boys both start preschool in 2 weeks, and they needed new gear for the school year. I had contemplated ordering super cute packs for them; we have looked at catalogs together with no success. But, their hearts were set on character backpacks/lunchboxes from Target. So, on Monday, we set off to buy them.

"Never say never": My children will never wear those cheesy character backpacks/T-shirts/etc.

"It's not all about me": These packs THRILLED them beyond reason. Isn't that what it's really all about?

*Now, for Quinn's Kindergarten next year, I may have to put my foot down and order something sturdier and more classic. But, for this year, it's only preschool and what does it really matter . . .










And, my darling 2 year old . . .


No precious little animals or even sweet little characters like Elmo or Diego. SPIDERMAN (or "man man") was all that he wanted! *His preschool (our church) provides a backpack for each child. We only provide a lunchbox.

Moo!

Quinn has discovered humor . . . in the form of the ever-so-classic "knock knock" joke. The following is his favorite one:

Q: "Knock knock"
Anyone else: "Who's there?"
Q: "Interrupting cow"
Q: "MOO!"

*For the full effect, I've learned that the "moo" needs to be delivered at least 5 times LOUDER than the rest of the joke! ;-)

I will admit that the joke is quite clever. I just had to do a little investigating . . .

Me: "Where did you learn that joke?"
Q: "From school" (aka summer camp)
Me: "Who taught it to you at school?"
Q: "Ella . . . my girlfriend!"

*His girlfriend? Oh, my!

Just a cute summer picture of my Quinn and Ella, his girlfriend . . .

They make quite the couple, right? ;-)

Playing Dress Up

Who says that all of the "dress up" fun is for little girls? My boys play "dress up" every day (MULTIPLE times a day)! ;-) But, instead of princesses, "dress up" for Quinn and Holden consists of superheroes.

I know that I have posted quite a few pictures of them in their superhero finest, but it truly dominates their play time. It's just the phase that they are in right now. Long gone are the days of Thomas and Cars. All these boys want to do is "save the day" and "get the bad guys"! Thanks to Daddy (and You Tube videos), they now know and LOVE Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Iron Man, the Hulk, the Flash, and Captain America. I may not understand the fascination, but it is pretty entertaining for me to watch and learn!

Down on the Farm

One of Quinn's best buddies is Aiden S. Aiden's Daddy (Robin) and a partner are currently starting their own business, a flounder farm. On Sunday, Robin and Aiden invited Brant and Quinn to come and check it out. From what I hear, it was a blast! There was a lot of running around, playing in the dirt, and "riding" tractors. For two 4-year-old boys, what could be better than that? ;-)



They even took a break to refuel with some chicken nuggets and fries . . .




Sure looks like fun, right? :-)

Azalea Gardens

On Saturday night after having dinner, we were not quite ready to go home. We wanted to find a place for the boys to get some fresh air and run around a little. We remembered our local TV station's azalea gardens. Now, with it being August, the azaleas were not in bloom. But, it was a neat little area for the boys to explore (Q kept calling it a treasure hunt) and get rid of some energy!