Happy 4th

Usually, I get a little homesick around the fourth. Where I grew up was so fun to walk around downtown and see fireworks over the river.

BUT.

This year, we are painting our bedroom, so my thoughts are consumed.

Hopefully, I'll post a picture on Monday. It probably won't be totally decorated. I still need some frames for some pictures but you'll get the idea.

Dear Dhavood,

Today is your birthday! You are five years old! Five is such a fun age.

I wonder what you're going to do, if anything to celebrate. I wonder if your birthday is just another day? I don't know the traditions of your culture.

If I were with you I would have a balloon for you. And a singing card. I would have presents for you to open. Cupcakes and an ice-cream cake.

I don't know much about you, Dhavood or much about what makes you, you. In the short time that I have known about you, I have fallen in love with you. Your sweet face.

I pray that you come to know Jesus. That you learn that He is your friend.

I hope that someday we can meet you, face to face.

And I would try not to cry. Too much.

Love,
Kristy

I took Levi to the doctor yesterday for his second non-well baby visit.

He's teething.

You would think that with my third child I could have figured that out. We were glad it is only his teeth and nothing more serious.

He's really throwing me through the loop. I can't figure him out. He's never been a great sleeper but he does go 8 hours sometimes. Unfortunately it is from 7ish to 3am. I was feeding him at 10 but didn't one night to see what would happen and he just kept sleeping.

I've tried not feeding him at 3. That doesn't go over so well. For him, Drew, me or the other two boys.

I even got a new book called Good Night, Sleep Tight The Sleep Lady's Gentle Guide to Helping Your Child Go to Sleep, Stay Asleep and Wake Up Happy. The jist is to let them cry while periodically going in to soothe them by patting or shushing. If you'd like, you can sit by the crib while they scream. Um, right. Gentle? Hmm. It is more like torture for my child. "Hey! You're here! You came to save me! Why aren't you picking me up? What is this patting? SHHH yourself! Pick me up!"

All 3 of my kids have woken in the night until they were about a year. This time I told myself we would just roll with it and let it happen. The problem is, I'm tired.

And. (Fair warning-Talk of nursing below!)

I think I have an infection. And it seems worse on the days that I don't get enough sleep. Which I would say we are at about 75% of the nights, he is up more than a desirable amount.

And, it hurts.

I have a call into the doctor. It is just taking a bit for us to connect to see if I need an appointment.

It has hurt for quite a while. Between the biting and the hurting, I've been ready to wean him. But then, it won't hurt and he won't bite and he's so sweet. And, it's free! A friend told me that it costs about $125 per month to formula feed. So, I made a deal with Drew. Every month that I make it past 6 months (since that is how long the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends) I get $75 in a lump sum after his first birthday. Pretty good deal, huh?

I thought that the more babies you have, the easier it gets. Or the babies are supposed to be easier babies. For some reason, that hasn't happened in our family. I joke that no one told Levi that he's the third child and supposed to sit happily in the corner and watch all the commotion. He wants in on every little detail.

And I still want at least one more.

I was trying to get Sage to pray with me for twin sisters but he says he'll only pray for boys. I guess I won't ask him to pray about it!

Why We Eat Together, as much as possible

Sitting around our table yesterday eating lunch, out of nowhere, Sage asks this:

"Why did God create the fruit if he didn't want Adam and Eve to eat it?"

Seriously? He's not even 5.

Too deep for my thinking, I turned it over to Drew.

Free Things We Do

1. Library Story Time.

2. Neighborhood Pool- we like to pack a lunch, do some swimming then eat lunch pool side. If you happen to see me dumping my water bottle full of pool water under the chair where Kolby was sitting, don't ask.

3. Splash Pad (I can't decide how often we'll do this. Levi and I got terribly hot. His poor little face. He has both his parents Scandinavian red face when he gets hot.)

4. Children's Museum. Technically, not free, but we have a membership that is already paid for. Again, we pack our own lunch.

5. The Zoo. Again, not free but paid for membership. Which I will not go back to until September. Or October. Possibly November.

Any other ideas that I'm missing?

Dear Grouchy Old Man,

It's a pool.

You're standing in 3 feet of water. Your magazine might get wet. You might get some splashes on you.

Deal with it.

Quit shooting my kids annoyed glances and shaking your head.

I know it has been a really long time since you were 4.5 but I promise you acted much the same way.

And remember, it's a pool. Say it with me now, it's. a. pool.

Lovingly,
The Mom to the 3 boys

PS. Sorry my 4.5 year old told you to get out of his way, please! That was a little rude, I talked to him about it.

Another Day at the Beach

Isn't this picturesque? Frameable even? Let's see what's really happening.

They're so cute. Does Levi have his hand in his mouth?

Boys! What is Levi doing?!

Yucky, Levi! I'm still framing it.