The End of an Era

Today is filled with excitement and sadness. At this moment, the boys are sleeping in their cribs for the last time (and for what is hopefully not the end to my much loved nap time). Jason went to pick up their big boy beds from the furniture store this morning, and this afternoon, we will be doing the big conversion. It wasn't until I put them down a few minutes ago that I became overwhelmed with emotions. My boys are growing up way too fast. They are so excited about their new beds, and while I share in their excitement, I also keep finding myself welling up with tears. We will be packing up one crib for the Just Between Friends Sale next weekend (along with a plethora of other goodies that I need to be pricing right now), the other crib will go to my in-laws so that my little niece will have a cozy spot to lay her head, and the most sentimental one, the beautiful crib that Jason built before Reid was born, will go into storage for the boys to use for my grandchildren one day. As I clean out their drawers in their dresser and the baskets of baby supplies from their changing table, it is really hitting me that this is the end of an era that I will never visit again. And thankfully Jason isn't here at this moment to see me weeping, because I think he would be worried that I have lost my mind.

I am excited to makeover their room into a big boy room. We are going with an island surf theme. I got the Island Surf bedding from Pottery Barn Kids and found a cute beachy picture from Hobby Lobby to frame. It will be a work in progress as I pick up more odds and ends for decorations, but I will post some pics as we start. And since poor Reid has been such a trooper while his brothers were getting all new things for their room, we picked up a few more grown-up decorations for his baseball room. I told him we would work on his room next, getting it to look like a soon to be Kindergartner's room.

So now, I am off to work on the packing up of one era and the moving on to a new one that is sure to be filled with even more fun. Right before nap time, my big boys even showed how big they are really wanting to be by each going potty on the big boy potty for the first time. I wonder if they realize they are killing their mother right now.... I'm going to need to pick up some more Kleenex after today.

Only in Texas...

Only in Texas can you have a beautiful day with temps in the mid 70's...







And then two days later, wake up to a continuous snowfall that brings 3.1 inches.















Give us a week, and we will be swimming. :)

Did Someone Call a Handyman?

Well it looks like I will never have to do a household repair ever again (not that I ever had before). The other day, the boys came trucking into the living room in full construction dress, with their fearless leader (Reid) giving them instructions. So, what did I do? Run for the camera, of course! It totally had me cracking up as Reid gave the boys their "assignments". Why oh why can they not listen and do what I say like they do with their older brother. It was all too cute as they filed in, though, with Reid proclaiming they were here to do some work for me. Like any good repairman, Reid first introduced his crew as his brother Sean (aka Parker), his brother Rockstar (aka Chase), and his other brother Rockstar (aka Logan)--is anyone feeling like they are on a lost episode of the old Newhart show???





And then the boss began handing out their assignments.


He sent Logan (Rockstar) to fix the fireplace--with the trowel, nonetheless.


Parker (Rockstar) was to fix the window with a hacksaw.


And Chase (Sean) was to work with the boss himself.


Jason always said he wanted to have his own company for him and his boys to run. Who knew it would be this soon??? We're open for business if anyone needs anything fixed (although we are much better at breaking things).

February Already???

Well 2010 is already soaring by in the Stewart household. One would have thought that I would have had so much time during my post surgery rest, but somehow I managed to play with the kids and visit with my parents instead of posting on the blog (which was time better well spent). My recovery, unfortunately, has been quite worse than when I had my c-section with the trio. I am still in pain, which I was hoping was going to be long gone by now. It makes me really rethink the idea of ever having a tummy tuck someday (he he).

On top of everything, last week, all 4 boys were diagnosed with RSV and bronchitis. Luckily everyone's oxygen saturation levels were within range, so we were able to treat it with a round of Z-pack times 4 and fun nebulizer treatments every 4 hours on each boy. A nebulizer on a 5 year old is a walk in the park. Doing treatments on 2 year olds is absolute hell. Chase is actually doing the best at sitting and wearing his "fishy" mask, but poor 5-second attention span Parker is not handling them at all. I just know that I could be one rich woman if I could figure out a way for a treatment to take just a few minutes (or seconds for that matter). Imagine all the mothers out there who would pay for that! I know it would be a fortune here, seeing as how we are having an RSV epidemic in town.

Anyhow...a few pictures from earlier in the month when everyone was feeling better.

Hat hair to the extreme.


My newest dishwasher. :)


Doing a puzzle with Opa.

A New Year with A New Start

As you may have noticed, I decided to change up my blog a bit, with a name change and a few additions. I learned from the change master herself (my mother), that it always feels good to start things anew. I grew up with her changing the furniture around every time the seasons changed, and sometimes a few times in between. She also was one to spend a cold afternoon reversing everything in all of the kitchen cabinets...just for a change. I can only hope and pray (for many reasons), that my father never loses his memory. One can only imagine the trouble that would ensue as he looks for a glass or a fork.

I say this as my mother currently cleans out my refrigerator, while I lay helpless in the recliner typing. I am getting to have my second feel of bedrest (although nothing like the 16 weeks I spent when I was pregnant with the trio), as I recover from an emergency surgery on New Year's Day. I will say that the ER is not the place to be on January 1. As Jason and I sat there (me in excruciating pain) for three hours, he kept alluding to the fact that we were probably catching every illness known to man. But alas, we were admitted, and I am now one softball-sized ovary, cyst, and five-times twisted tube---free. I am still laughing at the nurse who upon reading me all of the pre-op papers said, "You know this means you will probably not be able to have more children." Jason and I both replied at the same time "I think we're good."

Anyway, sitting here, watching my parents (who I can't help but mention are just plain AWESOME) take over all of my motherly duties, I am really getting to see how big the boys are in their size and what they can do. I also have to admit that they are just plain STINKIN cute! I have laughed and cried (from laughing so hard), as I watch them sing, count, read, and play. They have taken to Mommy's condition very well, and will line up with books, waiting their turn to sit next to me to cuddle and read. It is really nice to start the year with a close look at all that I have. Boy am I blessed!

Even though our New Year started with a crazy bang, our Christmas was just wonderful. I will have to do an out-of-order make up post when I can get to our PC which houses all of the pictures that were downloaded. We did get to take the boys for their 2 year check-up on Tuesday (and yes I went---drugged up on Vicoden and all). They are all doing great and are developing right on target. In fact, their pedi basically threw out the actual vs. adjusted scale (which is what is used for preemies) since the boys are falling right on the 2 year old line. Yeah! And Jason is happy to see that all of the boys have now fallen into the 50% for their height for the very first time (and I think it may even be a little higher for Logan and Chase since they were so upset to be there that they basically took any reading that they could---and you can tell by looking at them that Parker is the shortest). And so, I will leave you with all of their full stats.

Logan: Length: 34 inches (48%)
Weight: 26 lb. 14 ou. (30-50%)

Parker: Length: 34 1/4 in. (50%)
Weight: 24 lb. 4 ou. (10%)--We were told to let him eat anything and then some to try and get some more weight on him. Crazy thing is, he eats the most out of all of them (including Reid).

Chase: Length: 34 in. (48%)
Weight: 25 lb. 6 ou. (25%)

Three 2 Year OIds...

Today it is official, although Jason likes to point out that it seems like we hit the terrible two phase several months ago. But for any matter, today we officially have a house full of three 2 year olds.

Even though the days are sometimes very long, I can't even fathom my life without my three little miracles. Happy Birthday Logan, Parker, and Chase! I hope that you will always stay close to each other and Reid, that you will grow to love our Lord, that you will excel at whatever you put your minds to, and that you will always know that your Daddy and Mommy love you unconditionally no matter what.

Two Years Ago


And Now (They really were happy. They were just waiting for their slow mother to get them their cake.)

Playing Catch Up

Wow! I can't believe November flew by so fast. We were so busy, that I thought I would blog our month in review. I'm sure I will probably have to do the same for December, since I know it will even be crazier with the big holiday and the little fact that my babies are turning 2! I still can't believe that! I can totally remember two years ago, feeling completely miserable and huge (and I was huge!). I remember going to my 35 week check with my MFM specialist with my bags in tow. I told everyone I wasn't going to leave without being admitted. But alas, I didn't have any pull with my doctor. Maybe I should have threatened him with me sitting on him, and maybe he would have caved. Who knows, but I left (with my bags) and a date for December 20 (which would have been 37 weeks 1 day). Seeing as how my power over anyone is completely useless, the boys had different plans and broke my water late on December 17. They were delivered very early in the morning on the 18th, thus getting me to 36 weeks 6 days. Looking back, now, I am so glad for those extra two weeks, because the boys and I left the hospital in two days, just in time for Christmas, but if you'd have told me that two years ago, I would probably have excommunicated you.

Enough with my ramblings, though...on to our November. It started with a spontaneous trip to the zoo to see the new orangutan and komodo dragon exhibits.

All 4 loved seeing one of their own. :) (And no, I don't have 5 kiddos. It seems like we always attract a few extra children or adults when we go places.)


We never spotted the dragon, so the boys loved on the stone one instead.


The new play area was also a hit!




Trying to get a group shot


Then came opening weekend of deer season (aka the beginnning of Jason's holiday season). Reid went hunting with Daddy, while the little guys and I headed to Mom and Dad's.

This is my kind of buck.



The little boys had their first train ride on the same train that I grew up riding.


It was so funny, because Parker and Logan sat by themselves, eating the whole thing up, and Chase, while he had fun, clung to Granmommy the whole time. The boys had a blast playing on the playground and having a picnic in the park.

The little boys also had their first taste of popcorn this month, which they LOVED!


Then, Reid had his first church choir concert. He had so much fun, that afterwards he asked if he could go back and sing again.



Finally, we made it to Thanksgiving. I always enjoy this holiday, because it is the only time of the year that I get to see my grandfather (Parker's namesake). This year, we had just shy of 50 people. So fun!


All of the kids enjoyed playing outside (and staying far away from the breakables inside).


Some triple mischief out back.


And at last, one of the two "Guys", Parker Guy and Guy Eugene (my grandfather), enjoying some of Mommy's requested banana pudding.


Now, onto December! It's the most wonderful time of the year, right?!