Play Doh Potatoes

A while ago, one of the boys received this . . .



as a birthday gift. It has turned out to be great fun (especially on long, yucky, rainy days like the ones that we've had lately). Here they are showing off yesterday's creations . . .














**Fletcher was close by, hanging out in the bouncy seat . . .

He likes to be a part of the action!

All About Quinn

In preschool, Quinn made the cutest book entitled "All About Me". Because this blog is my scrapbook, I wanted to take pictures of each page to remember the sweetness of Quinn, age 4.

*I LOVE how his teacher wrote "captions" of certain pictures, just to make sure that we knew what he drew (as if we would not be able to tell!). Ha! ;-)





*Age 4, 35 pounds, 41 inches



*Looks just like us, doesn't it? ;-)












*orange and green



*pizza



*cobra snake (Well, I guess that someone has to love this particular creature!)

Tummy Time

Fletcher doesn't love tummy time, but he does tolerate it better than his brothers did (or, at least from what I can remember!). He puts his time in and fights the good fight . . .






And, when he gives up and is exhausted, he flops his head down and chews on his arm . . . until I come to his rescue! ;-)

I Even Have Proof!

Well . . . we did it! This morning, I took all 3 boys to the pediatrician's office for flu mist (for Q and H) and then out for lunch and playtime. Not only did we survive the experience, we actually had a good time. They listened well and played hard. In fact, they are all 3 napping as I type (I am not far behind!).

I even have proof of our little adventure (please note the monster truck stickers from the doctor's office and the happy meal toys/tattoos) . . .






*I am so happy to have a big successful outing under my belt. I have been struggling lately with the adjustment from 2 kids to 3. It has been more challenging than I thought it would be; I may have been in "la-la land" before! Most of my issues have come from my own high expectations and dreams of perfection (and postpartum hormones). I have spent a lot of time praying, and I think that this morning was an answer to prayer! ;-)

Take a Hike

The past few Saturday mornings, Brant has taken Q and H out to burn some energy and get some fresh air. It gives me a bit of a break and a little time to enjoy Fletcher (and to enjoy a cup of coffee and grab a quick shower!).

Last weekend, Brant took them out for a "big adventure". They went to a local state park to hike and explore. At one point, Quinn called me and told me that he was "exhausted"! As any mommy of boys would agree, that was music to my ears! The boys were extra dirty and smelly when they got home, which means that they had a terrific time! They had no trouble napping, which made the outing a complete success! ;-)

MOM =

Nurse,
Teacher,
Motivational Speaker,
Psychologist,
Mind-reader,
Chef,
Driver,
Scheduler/Event Planner,

AND

Architect . . .





*I never had Lincoln Logs as a kid, but I must admit that they're pretty fun! ;-)

Listening Ears . . .

were the focus of Quinn's preschool lesson yesterday.



That one lesson alone made September's preschool tuition some of the best money I've ever spent! ;-)

Snug as a Bug in a Rug

This baby boy LOVES a blanket and a pacifier!



*I may regret the pacifier in the future. But, right now, it's working for us (i.e. giving us some peace and quiet)! ;-)

Hand-Me-Downs

One "hand-me-down" that Holden was BEYOND THRILLED to receive? Quinn's beloved Incredible Hulk T-shirt!



*He's had his eye on it for some time now! ;-)

A Frequent Question

Quinn is interested in spelling these days. He likes to ask, "Mommy, how do you spell _____________?" The blank is usually filled in with a superhero of some sort. Yesterday's choice?

S-U-P-E-R-M-A-N

Let's Hear It For The Boys

All 4 of them! ;-)

*And, yes, Q and H are almost always in costumes (in some form or another)! Just makes me smile . . .

Fletcher's Newborn Pictures

Just a few of my favorites . . .
















*We used "Framed Hearts Photography", the same photographer that took our family photos in May. JoAnne is fabulous! Again, if anyone in our area is interested in her info, let me know. I happen to have some 10% off cards, as well!
*My INCREDIBLY talented friend Maridith made the super cute onesie. She never ceases to amaze me! Thanks M!!! :-)

Guess Who . . .

has surpassed their birth weight and received a clean bill of health at his 2 week check-up?

Yes, Mr. Fletcher! ;-)

*The above picture is just a preview from yesterday's session. I cannot wait to see the rest! Doesn't he look like such a serious little guy? Ha! ;-)

A Little Incentive

This morning, we had Fletcher's newborn photo session at our home. I really wanted a few pictures taken of all 3 boys, while we had access to a professional, so I needed to find a day when all 3 kiddos were home with me. I was afraid that I would be a little too frazzled to handle them all by myself (pictures are always a little stressful for me!), so I hired a babysitter to help me with the big boys.

Believe it or not, Ms. Sarah was willing to come back and babysit, even after the fiasco of last time! So, she was here while the pictures were taken of all the boys, and then she took Q and H up to the playroom to play and eat snacks during Fletcher's solo time. It was well worth the money to have the time and energy to focus on the baby.

I had prepped Quinn and Holden beforehand. I promised them a "special surprise" if they did a great job for the photographer and for Ms. Sarah. Yes, I am not above bribes for good behavior! It usually works, and it worked today! ;-)

Their incentives . . .

2 new superhero action figures (H - Green Goblin and Q - Thor)! They were thrilled (and I was, too!)!

Just A Swingin'

Four and a half years ago, we purchased a baby swing. We finally have a baby that enjoys it! ;-)





* In less than 2 weeks, Fletcher has already spent more time in this swing than Q and H combined! We have finally gotten our money's worth! ;-)

Fletcher Meets the Grandparents

Mama Quinn (my mom) . . .



Papa Quinn (my dad) . . .



Mama Carol (Brant's mom) . . .


*Papa Tom (Brant's dad) is coming to visit next month! ;-)

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Guess who went to the opening Wolfpack football game with Daddy? HOLDEN! He was beyond thrilled and had the time of his life. He came home talking a mile a minute about "Go State" and "Throw the Football". ;-)

*Since having Fletcher, we've been trying to have one-on-one special time with each of the big boys. Holden had never been to a football game with just Daddy; Quinn will be going to the next home game. Tonight, Quinn, Fletcher and I stayed home and had a movie night . . . complete with popcorn and "The Incredibles".













With his little buddy, Rowan . . .