Evan Wade 6 months

Evan turned 6 months old today and he is doing so many things, it is just crazy!!!!

We went to the doctor today and he weighs 20lbs 5oz. which is the 90th percentile and is 29 inches long which is above the 95th percentile so I have me a tall little chunk!!!

He has tried and likes all of the 1st foods and likes the little puffs and baby crackers. He still nurses most the time but will take formula when needed.

He is sitting up like a pro, plays with all his toys, loves his jumperoo and rolls from one place to another. He will often roll onto his tummy and will try to roll back but has his arm stuck behind him and he gets MAD!!!!

He is still the happiest baby ever but when something he is playing with is taken away or falls to the full he gets mad and lets you know it.

He babbles mama and dada all the time and is cooing and screaming, he's definitely found his voice!

His eyes seem to be hazel right now so not for sure yet what they are going to do.

Sitting all by himself!

He loves tummy time now, a few times he's been laying like this but with no smile and he'll stare into the distance! Well I guess he's playing dead because it has freaked out Chet & I both, we had to shake him to make sure he was okay!

The first 3 months

 4 and 5 months

And my sweet little boy at 6 months old..................

I'll be sharing Evan's birth story tomorrow so stay tuned!!!!

Do you believe in LOVE at first sight????

I do!!!!! How could I not??? It's happened to me 4 times......
Each time was miraculous, undescribable, incredible, there really are no words!!!

The first time was June 19 2002.............


Rylie Jo Michelle




Then it happened again on February 2 2005...............

Owen Andrew

On May 5 2008, I got to experience it a third time............

Katelin Rae Elizabeth

Then just 6 months ago, I was blessed to experience it yet again on August 15 2010........

Evan Wade

Each one of these moments holds a very special place in my heart...........each one was unique and miraculous and equally as special. The moment I met each of my babies, the 4 most miraculous moments of my life!

Now let me tell you........... Valentines Day is not a holiday Chet and I celebrate, I think it is a gimmicky, money making holiday and I don't need a special day to celebrate those I love. I do that everyday! I'm not completely bah humbug about it......I do get the kids each a little something. But there will not be a post about a valentines day date or anything so I thought sharing my experiences with love at first sight was appropriate for the day of love!

Monthly Pictures......

So I have given myself a new challenge..................

I want to take a picture of all the kids together each month, now I know what your thinking...........

This is a challenge???? Well I do have 4 kids and gathering them all in one spot, with decent clothes on and all in happy, cooperative moods............well, trust me, easier said than done!

My kids take pictures pretty well but getting all 4 looking at the camera with a decent look on all their faces...........again, easier said than done.

So here are January and February.....................

I love looking at these, they make me smile! I sure do love these little munchkins of mine!!!!

A Dose of Tough Love........

Parenting is tough. I am the type of parent who likes to make my kids happy. I do not like to punish them and take things away. However, I also refuse to raise kids who are disrespectful, rude, and just plain spoiled so that means that I sometimes have to use tough love........i'm sure it is just as tough if not tougher on me than on them. Or should I say on her, who might I be talking about.............

Well, actually i'm not talking about my crazy little Katelin this time but trust me she will get her dose of tough love in time.......this darling little girl of mine is going to give us a run for our money, I have no doubt!!!














I would be talking about my other darling daughter, yeap this one........

And darling she is.......she's also beautiful and smart and talented and I love her to pieces. If I am not feeling well, she is the first to make me a drink, get me a blanket, anything to make me feel better. Teachers LOVE her, she is an angel at school. Other parents LOVE her she is respectful and well behaved at others houses but............

yes there is a big but, there are times when she doesn't like what what she is told to do or not to do or whatever and the horns pop out, i'm not talking a little sassiness.............no i'm talking kicking, yelling, crying, backtalking........all out tantrum. Yes she is 8 and no my 6 year old doesn't do this, really my 2 year old doesn't even do it. It is ridiculous!

This is where the tough love comes in, she used to get punished then she would apologize and I would let up on the punishment a little, well the fact that it still happens tells me I have to be harsh. So last night, guess what???? Yeah a tantrum, she got grounded from the computer, told no sleepovers and sent to bed! She threw her fit, then went to balling and apologizing (which I could tell is a ....if I apologize maybe I will get out of trouble) but I stuck to my guns, ignored her as best as I could and then.............she shows me a sincere apology, understands she still has to have a punishment but that I appreciate her apology. We had a good talk and she went to sleep. She's been an angel today! It breaks my heart to see her so upset but as a parent we have to learn to use the though love and Rylie is definitely breaking me in on it.

Rylie has always been my high strung, high demand kid......she can go from complete angel to demon child in like 2 seconds! I am greatful my..........what's the word..........my challenging child was my firstborn she has taught me many invaluable lessons along the way. She is a beautiful, wonderful little girl and I know she will grow up to be an incredible person. She has taught me patience and how to remain calm in a stressful situation so for that Rylie.......I say thank you!

Male Bonding!

My boys have found a new way to bond..........at least the two bigger ones, the little one just likes to watch......and occasionally grab the xbox remote out of daddy's hands in middle of a game.

Their game of choice is Call of Duty........Owen feels like a big boy playing with daddy. They sometimes play with daddy's friend Jeff and Owen thinks it's really cool to talk to him on the headset.

Owen's always been a real mama's boy and since spending time with daddy playing games I have seen a change in their relationship, it's definitely been a bonding thing for my boys.

I sure do love these boys of mine!!!!

Any Ideas.........

what this is????

Any ideas on who is behind this certain incident????

You know why you should never leave a power drill within reach of a 2 year old????

Chet and I now know, Katelin says she was just trying to fix her baby, well now daddy has to sew her baby (and no that is not a typo, Chet is the one who knows how to sew in our household!)

A Little of This and.......

A Little of That!

No rhyme or reason to these pics......just a few of my favorites from the past week or so (yes, I take a lot of pictures....all the time!)

Katelin and her many goofy faces!



Owen can make some goofy ones too!



Evans new favorite game......the blanket swing!



Rylie drew this on the DS and I thought it was so good. Looks like abstract art that could be found at a gallery, that girl has some talent (she gets it from her dad not from me.)

Rylie slept in O's room the other night and Lucky snuggled up in between them!

Katelin fell asleep playing Owen's DS.



My baby boy......doesn't he just make you smile?!?!



Daddy and Evan!

Me, Amy, Mandy and Monica......it's hard to believe we've been friends for 25 years now (saying that makes me feel old!)