Levi is 3 months

Levi is 3 months old and becoming so fun!  He is smiling more and more and needing less bouncing.  He is like a regular baby now and I love it.  He even has started giggling here and there.  It melts all of our hearts.  After logging in 3 months of continual service and love, Levi is becoming very partial to me.  It seems like he is too young for this, but whenever I give him to his brothers, he often cries right away and then when I take him back he is fine and happy.  Wha?  You little manipulator!  I really thought that if the boys hold, play and work with Levi from birth, Levi would just think it is normal to be held by your brothers, even if it is a bit rough and such, and eventually be one of this cute young babies who reach out for their older siblings because they love them so much.   Well,  I have learned starting young is not the key to accomplish that.  Levi is a wee bit traumatized by them.  If Xander gets too close to his face Levi will cry - even without Xander touching him.  He even cries when Soren holds him, and Soren is pretty gentle and good with him.  Levi knows when a sketchy kid is near.  I don't know if it is the smaller frame, or the way he is held or if it is his 6th sense, but Levi doesn't like kids as his care takers.

What Levi does like is being held vertically, his back pounded (patted with some gusto), getting bounced up and down, being held by someone who is jumping, being swaddled, going on walks, music (he grins so big when you sing to him and he calms down if crying), his bouncer seat, sleeping in the swing on the highest setting, sleeping at night (he is a champ only walking up once in a 10 hr period) getting his diaper changed, a bath, being outside (those last 3 things will make a fussy Levi, chill).

What Levi really doesn't like is 100 kisses right in a row, his car seat, not moving, getting dressed, taking naps longer then 30 minutes, pacifiers, and bottles.

He is so fun to have and we love every day with him!

Christmas Rush 5K

The boys and I ran in Kent's Christmas rush. I am a fan of small city 5K's.  They are so fun because even if you are not that amazing of a runner, if you do actually run, you might place in the top 5 of your age group.  Love that. Makes you feel like a super star.  Although I have actually not placed dispute running in this thing for 3 years, I have been the 6th person in my age group, so maybe one day.  Then I can feel like a superstar!  This year however, instead of trying to make all my running races dream come true, I chose to be a trainer for my two boys.  Yup!  Our first family race!!  I had many a lofty dream of training with the boys and teaching them endurance and joy for moving our bodies, while getting fit and faster for the 5K.  The reality was we ran twice.  Soren complained a fair amount and Xander wanted to run on ahead, until a weird leg pain would come on, and then they both start complaining and it is me trying to convince them how fun it is to get fit, even though I hate running just to get fit.  Oh well. You win some you loose some.  So we only did it twice and neither time did we hit the 3 mile mark.  So, you can imagine I had no idea what to expect on race day.

Race day was FREEZING!  It was about 22 degrees and so we dressed to stay warm - not really running apparel.  But I assumed little boys wouldn't run if they were too cold so I opted for hats, gloves, 2 pants, coats - the works.  I really wanted Ryan to come out and support us racing, but couldn't justify bringing a 2 month old out in this weather.  So here we are before we begin. I try to force my boys to look chummy.  Soren is always game for a quality hugging picture, but Xander is too cool for that.

So the horn sounded and we were off.  Soren is not very aggressive, but I knew Xander would get caught up in his competitive spirit.  After the first 2 minutes, Xander wanted to run up ahead.  I didn't want Soren left, knowing he would need the extra moral and physical push, so told Xander to stay with the crown of runners and once over the finish line to wait for us next to the line so he wouldn't miss us. Although a small race compared to Seattle, there are still 1,500 people running, plus all their families, so I was a teensy bit worried we could potentially loose Xander.  But he ran ahead and I hoped for the best.  Overall Soren did really well.  I held his hand for a lot of it and he sort of trailed me.  After the halfway point, we did a bit of walking then running episodes.  In the last mile he saw a friend, Trevor Hales - a 5 year old running the race with his dad.  Soren would get bursts of competitive spirit and catch up with Trevor and then fall behind.  We eventually over took him and I could be more proud!  That is right Soren!  Crush the 5 year olds!!  We finished the race in 38 plus minutes.  Luckily there at the finish line was Xander looking relieved we meet up.  Xander beat out time by 8 minutes.  He ran 10 plus minute miles.  He was the fastest 6 year old and boy was he proud of that!  It was fun to ran with my boys and I hope to do it again in the future.

Boys in White

Soren was Baptized and Levi was blessed on Nov. 2nd.  It was such a wonderful day.  There were times I didn't know if it was going to turn out.  We liv just 3 blocks from the Stake Center - our church building.  That is were they usually do the baptisms which is very convenient for us.  Well, this was the only Saturday of the year they had to move the baptisms to another church 20 minutes away because they were putting on a play in one week and were doing dress rehearsals there.  I didn't find out until 4 days before the baptism. I was not happy.  Well, the day of the baptism we had a horrible wind storm and we lost power for several hours earlier that day.  We were planning on a dinner with my family after the baptism and knew it would be okay even without power because we have an amazing generator.  Then we realized the church the baptism was being held at may not have power.  Luckily they did, but our church down the road didn't and didn't get it back for over a day.  So if we were able to stay at the stake center, the baptism would have been cancelled due to power issues - so in the end it all worked out for the best.  So I started grumpy and ended grateful.

 The whole service was really wonderful.  During the talks the speakers would talk directly to the children being baptized (there were 4 total) and Soren wanted to answer all the questions.  He was so cute and eager.  None of the kids were as outspoken as he was.  I was really proud of him.  He beamed going in the water and and gave a great big smile after being baptized.  It was a wonderful day full of family a some friends. I felt so supported and loved and hope Soren did too.  Since we were all gathered already, we chose to give and name and blessing to Levi at that time too.  He wore the same adorable tux my mom made for Soren when he was blessed.  All 3 boys have warn it.  It was pretty snug on Levi as he was 6 weeks old, but it was so cute.

Ryan did a great job serving our family that day.  I am so proud of all my boys.

Halloween!

Halloween day was a busy one for us.  Particularly between 4pm (when the boys got home from school) and 6pm (when we went with friends trick o' treating).  I made Xander's costume - ripped up an old bedding sheet, carved pumpkins, and did homework.  Phew!  Xander kept changing his mind as to what he wanted to be.  First it was a girl, then a box, then a dragon, and then it was settled on a mummy.  I should have just forced him to choose and figured out his costume much earlier, but I have been tired lately ;)

Here is Xander debuting his costume.  It looked really cool, but you could tell I just threw it together, because the costume didn't stand Xanders big movement past an hour.  By then end of trick o' treating it had completely fallen apart.  Ooops.

I kept putting off carving pumpkins because we were waiting for dad to be around. The boys still need a lot of help with the cutting and I just couldn't help both of them carve and take care of the baby.  It takes forever to feed Levi still (a good 30 minutes, down from 45.)  Here are the finished products.












Levi was our plump little pumpkin.  He had a blow out 30 minutes after putting on the costume - but we got the picture!

On Halloween night we got together w/ friends to trick o' treat and all then men took the kids out and the women stayed behind nursing babies.  It was awesome and so easy for me. This was the first year I haven't taken the kids out and the first year Ryan has.  We stayed and chatted with friends while the kids watched a movie.  Super fun Halloween.  This was the second year the boys sold me their candy the day after Halloween (after eating way to much the day before of course.)  This is an option I give them and I love it when they take it.  I am sure to hit a store they can spend their money at that same day so they feel like they really got something.  My kids love to spend money.  They are not natural savors.  Soren got a small lego set - those are so painful to buy because you can spend 9 dollars for the smallest kit.  But Soren doesn't feel that way.  All legos are good legos to him.  Xander bought 5 goldfish and fish food.  Xander so desperately want to take care of animals.

A week earlier Ryan and I went to an adult only halloween party.  Super fun.  We borrowed James Hicks japanese costumes.  He had served his mission there and these costumes were no joke.  They were very authentic and quality. I was worried about them the whole I time we were wearing them.  Luckily we got them back unscathed.

Harris Boys - African Style

When I went to Africa 9 years ago, I saw young children taking care of their even younger children all the time.  8yo would have babies tied to their back with fabric or towels.   The babies were never crying or upset and they looked so happy to be with their older brother and sister.  I loved how the older sibling took them where ever they went and well really it was a mob of children that ran together.  Where were their mom's?  I am not sure, probably grinding corn with a stick or something, but there seemed to be no problems with this system, or so was my perspective.

When I was pregnant with Levi, I mourned at times the giant age gap between this kid and his brothers.  But instead of thinking of how things would be different in my family then I always imagined it would be, I decided to live up what this age gap provides instead.  And so I remembered Africa, and have been plotting ever since then to wrap the baby onto the boys.  The boys were all too game for such an endeavor.  

I quickly learned my boys are no Africans.  They are a bunch of American lightweights.  Soren was complaining how heavy Levi was with in minutes……Levi is only 3 weeks in this picture.

Xander was more hardy, but a lot more sketchy. I was constantly worried he was going to bang the babies head on the doorway or chair or something.  How did these African women do it?  Well, they probably didn't give the baby away at 3 weeks.  But I was too excited for the photo.  They are really cute.  Needless to say, dispite Xander's pleading, Levi has only been strapped to me since this time.  However, maybe we will try again later when the baby is older.  Hmmmmmmmm

Spa by Xander

After I had the baby, one of my midwives give me a foot massage and Xander saw this.  Ever since then, every time I scream out in pain while feeding Levi (something that is happening less frequently thank heavens), you can tell Xander feels so desperate to help or do something for me.  He use to say, "Oh I know it hurts.  I am so sorry, I am so sorry." Well lately, he remembered seeing this foot massage so now, he rubs my feet while I feed Levi.  One day he went all out.  It started as a foot massage, including soaking my feet in warm water.  Followed by a back massage with his favorite technique - the chopping method Then he wanted to do my hair.  So he got some hair clips and hair bands and put my hair in 2 pigtails plus a hair clip.  Then he busted out my make up and put blush, mascara (a little scary), eye shadow and lipstick on me.  Then he picked out earrings and a necklace that he put on me.  Then painted my toe nails.   He did all this while I fed and held the baby.  Then he took a picture of his master piece.  He has decided he wants to be a massage therapist.   He is so cute and great!  Love this boy!!

Levi's Adorableness

My good friend Kristy is an amazing photographer.  Check out these adorable newborn pictures of Levi.  I have never done newborn pictures before.  I am in love with these.....and it's subject.  Which is a good thing, because he wakes me up every 3 hrs and I am starting to crave a solid nights sleep.  

Levi is 2 weeks old now.  He has been such a sleepy baby.  The boys are known to complain, "Mom, when is he ever going to open his eyes?"  His sleepiness makes feeding hard for the first 1.5 weeks.  The kinks have been worked out and he seems to be more self motivated to eat.  Despite these challenges he has been gaining weight like a champ.  Just 12 days ago he had lost weight like all newborns do, and was down to 7# 12 oz.  Today he weighs 9#2oz - He gained just under 1.5 pounds in just 12 days.  Good Levi, suck the fat right off me.  That is my goal anyway.  We can't wait to learn of his personality, but until then I will celebrate the benefits of his sleepy ways.

Brotherly Love

Levi is so popular.  No one can get enough of him.  We actually use him as a tool of persuasion.  "Boys, once you are completely ready for school, you can hold the baby for 5 minutes."  or "If you do that again, you will loose 5 minutes of baby time!!"  Both are equally effective.  

 Xander loves to burp, sooth, smooch, sing, pick out his outfits and begs to change his diaper.  There is no baby task that doesn't appeal to this boy.  He is a true care giver.

 One of these days I am going to count how many times Xander kisses Levi.  It may be in the triple digits.  Making the rule "No kissing the baby while I am breast feeding" is not effective enough. I usually have to shove him off, followed by consequences.  The boy is addicted to kissing Levi.  He will even say that.  Sometimes Xander acts and thinks he will combust if he can't get in another kiss.  So cute/annoying!

 Soren likes to give Levi advice and let him know what life is like. I heard him telling Levi this morning, "Levi sometimes life can be really awful and hard.  But don't worry, you have everything you need.  A Mom, a Dad, 2 big brothers.  You will be okay." I wish Soren expounded on the awful and hard parts of life.  Getting into Soren's psyche is harder then Xander's.

Such sweet boys!!

Who's who?

 Soren

Xander

 Levi

Levi's Birth

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to do a home birth. In the past, I have always had midwives, and always had no pain medications, and always delivered in a hospital.  There is a hospital 2 minutes from my house and I have had really good deliveries in the past, so I felt I was a good candidate for a home delivery.  I thought it would be a fun adventure.  And I was right. I LOVED having the baby at home.  No unnecessary IV's bld draws, uncomfortable beds, bad food, starvation, pitocin post delivery, and midnight vitals.  My midwives came to me for the delivery, set up my room, started post delivery laundry and came back for 2 day baby visit.  It was awesome.

The set up

 So Levi's story started the day before his birthday.  Soren's birthday is Oct 10th and since my due date was Oct 2nd I decided to do his friend B-day party on Sept 14th, so I wouldn't have to do his party after I had a new born or have to cancel it because I was in labor.  His party went great, but was exhausting as they all are.  I was exhausted and relieved when it was all over. I was excited for the following week because I would finally get to do the projects I wanted to get done before the baby came.  That night Ryan and I went out on a date - dinner and a movie.  I originally wanted to have the date sleeping in our bed because I was so tired, but he convinced me to go and we had a good time.  During the movie I noted regular minimally painful contractions.  Nothing new as I would have this for several hours every couple of days for the last 2 weeks.  These ones didn't stop and by 3am, the contractions were every 2-3 minutes but still not that painful - however more painful when I was laying down.  Luckily I have magical sleeping skills and despite the contractions I was able to sleep about 5 hrs in 1-2 hr increments.  I called my midwife at 7am - to let her get a good night rest and because I although I thought I was in labor and the contractions were regular, I didn't think they were that impressive.  The day was Sunday and my midwife came around 8:30 am and checked me and I was at a 2cm and 75% effaced.  Because of my past delivery history, she was willing to break my water - which was really nice.  She came from Seattle and I think she didn't want to have to come back down in the middle of the night.  So it was a win win for both of us.  We waited until we could get my kids off to church with some friends.  In the past once my water was broken, my labor really picked up and with both my other pregnancies I delivered about an hour later.  My sister Janea arrived and they broke my water at 9:30.  However, instead of becoming really impressive, my contraction frequency slowed down.  Uh, oh.  I worried we just set me up for trouble.  But instead of listening to that, Janea and I went walking.  I have never gone walking to encourage my labors.  It was fun - but only because I was with Janea and we talked and laughed the whole time.  Ryan took a nap during this period, getting ready for his new life.  My midwives had to check the babies heat tones every 30 minutes, and if we weren't back in time, they would walk out and find us and listen to the baby on the street.  Talk about good service!  Anyway, by 11:30 we came in to make lunch for everyone.  Well, Ryan and Janea did most the work. I just snacked on all the food while it was being prepped.  Which was good, because once lunch was really ready, I wasn't hungry anymore.  My labor really started going and my contractions were painful enough people could tell I was having them.  I had to stop and what I was doing and breath.  So I went and laid down while everyone finished lunch.  My contractions were still quite far apart 5 minutes or so and this never really sped up.  Even though my labor was longer, it was almost easier because of the breaks.  Janea was awesome to have around because she can carry on the most interesting conversations with anyone and so I could just listen to everyone talk and chime in as pain allowed. I liked the noise.  I guess most people don't.  They rather have it dark and quiet, but I like the extra stimulation to to take my mind off of everything.  by 2:26pm it was time to push - the part I hate the most. It is so painful and I just don't like it.  When my neighbor Janine found out I was having a home birth she said, "Oh my Gosh!  I am going to leave my windows open so I can hear you scream!"  I found this ridiculous and upsetting. I thought to myself "I don't scream, please."  Well, when I was pushing this baby out I totally screamed, and then I remembered I also screamed when I had the others too.  I seriously don't like that part.  Luckily by 2:29pm he was born.  Only 3 very long minutes of misery.  He weighed 8#5oz, 21.5 inches long with a 14 inch head and was 37.5 weeks gestation.  I was very happy he came early.  He screamed like he was mad when he was born and was lifting his head and shoulders up off me in protest to his experience.  Strong little bugger.  The first thing I noticed was his dimpled chin - my fathers dimpled chin.  So we named him Levi Jeffrey Harris.

The boys were at our neighbors the Walthers and Ryan went and got them after the placenta was delivered.  They ran through our yards home and it was so fun to see them with Levi for the first time.  We have all been so excited for his arrival.  None of us could really believe the day had finally arrived! I had the midwife show the boys the placenta and umbilical cord and sack sides.  Soren was horrified and ran out after the first 60 seconds of the demo screaming "That is so nasty! I am out of here!"  Xander on the other had thought it was great and stayed for the whole thing.

Our family for the first time as a family of 5

So Joyous!

 Me and my boys!

Having the baby at home was really interesting because people would come visit and they could us the whole house, so it seemed like a open house.  Family would come and visit in the family room and come to my room in much smaller more controlled groups.  I had left a message on my Mom's machine that I was in labor and she called back right when I was getting ready to push.  So she was there 20 minutes after the baby was born.  Good thing too, because about 15 minutes after she arrived I got the worlds worst leg cramp in my left calf.  It was awful! I hadn't gotten up yet and was still bloody holding this new baby and my calf starts to charlie horse and I could n't stand up due to my messy circumstance and my mom is sitting next to me and I start screaming, "pull my foot, pull my foot"  She starts to pull back but my calf is just getting tighter and tighter. I am screaming louder now, "harder, harder!!  Janea joins mom and it takes everything they got but thy finally stretched out my calf enough. I thought the worst was over when suddenly the opposite muscle starts to cramp, "No!  Point my foot! Point my foot" I yell.  They do as they are told and as my shin muscle relaxes my calf starts to cramp again.  I scream and laugh at the same time as I bark commands, " Pull!  No, Point!  No Pull!"  I was a cramping mess.  My midwives are shuving homeopathic and vitamin pills in my mouth as my Mom and sister and pulling and pushing.  Then my mom put a hot wet cloth on my leg and the leg muscls fully relax.  After it was all over, one of the midwives said, "Wow, that was crazier then the actual delivery!"  And it was.

It was been so fun (and exausting) having Levi in out family we are adoring and loving him.

 Getting weighed

 My walking buddy

My midwives - Katrina and Cindy

Introducing.........

Introducing Levi Jeffery Harris!  Hip Hip Hurray!  We are so happy he is here!  He was born yesterday September 15th!  He was 2.5 weeks early and thank heavens because he was 8# 5oz and 21.5 inches long!  He is my longest baby by far (but not my fattest!!)  It was a home birth and it was awesome.  His story to come.  Levi has my Dad's chin hence his middle name.  He is so cute and we are all in love.  He makes the cutest squeaks and squawks.  Even his cry is adorable.....for now.  Soren and Xander are the proudest big brothers you ever saw.  This morning Soren got up and joined us in bed to snuggle Levi.  He was holding him and talking to Levi saying, "You are perfect Levi, from your head to your toes."  Yesterday was so joyous.  Feeling super lucky and loved over here.

How Soren Works

Q - Okay boys we need to do a quick clean up.

Soren - I already told you why I won't clean up.

Q - Oh, what was that.

S - Uh, well, I just don't want to.

Q - Did I ever tell you why I am not going to make you dinner?

S - Uh no.  Why?

Q - Uh, well, I just don't want to.

S- Okay fine. I will help clean up.

About one minute later

S- Oh pooh.  Now you know how I work!

2 Kids, 1 Fetus, 1 Mom, 1 Bike - 34 miles

Yesterday my boys and I took the triple tandem out for it's first great adventure.  We biked a total of 34 miles from our house in Renton to Seattle and back.  It was awesome/exhausting.  First of all I just have to say, my kids are flippin ALL STARS!  I could not be more proud of them.  Biggest highlight of the trip was the repeated sentence that came out of each of their mouths, "Explores of the world never quit!" and "We can do it, keep pedaling!"  It is this type of perseverance that really can make this Mom melt.  You see, our bike has the custom label "this bike belongs to the Explorers of the world"  which is now our group name.  Soren thought up this tittle, and I hope it will fit us accurately one day.

So, our goal of leave time was 8:30am but due to life we left at 9am - 6 blocks later had to return because I left my money in the other bag I was originally going to bring.  Then started off again.  Then 2 blocks later, my seat shifted and we stopped to fix it. In the process we got our multi tool stuck and had to bike home again to get another tool to fix it.  Needless to say it was frustrating.  But we were off for good at 9:20am for the first leg of the trip - 22 miles.  We did great until about mile 10 ish when we were suppose to get off the trail we were on and get on another one via 10 turns on different street roads.  This is were we got lost.  I had used a website called, www.ridethecity.com that gives you the best bike paths from point A to B in and around Seattle.  It was great but for the safest route we had to make 77 turns on different roads from our house to my sister in laws.  I had the road turns printed off but no real map........a thing I quickly regretted.  I ended up having to call my sister in law and she coached us to our new trail..........and this is when it got hilly.  Really hilly.  By this time my legs were tired.  I haven't been doing much cardiovascular activities since, well probably last summer, so I am definitely out of shape.  And between that, being 23.5 weeks pregnant and having a triple tandem where my stroker are 7 and 5, I am not sure what was the biggest handicap.  Well, whatever the reason, I have never spent so much time in gear 1:1 as I did on the last half of this ride.  Gesh!

 The boys at our lunch spot.  You can kind of see the hills in the background.  Why can't my boys ever take a normal picture?

 After 4.5 hrs we reached Cousin Theo's house.  I was hoping to make it in 3hrs.  Ooops.  The boys never complained so I thought over all it was quite a success, however, Theo had to go to a wedding at 2:15 and because we left late, got lost and all the hill, we didn't get there until 1:45 - bummer!  Luckily they let us stay after they left.  I was ready to take a nap but played some board games with the boys instead and after 2 hrs Xander was rearing to go.  We biked 2.6 miles down some steep hills in Seattle to Pioneer Square to pick up the light rail.  The station was underground so we had to carry the bike 6 flights of stairs to catch the train (and another 6 flights when we got to our end destination).  But the up side was the whole 10 ft bike was able to fit without taking it apart.  That was cool.  It also felt great to miss all the hills back.  We were dropped off at Tuckwilla were I thought I would have to call a friend to pick us up (Ryan was working that day) but the boys felt good and wanted to bike the 9 miles back.   The sun was shinning and I was feeling good again so we decided to go for it.  We biked on some busy roads with no shoulder for about .5 miles which was probably the sketchiest part of the whole ride, and I prayed the whole time we wouldn't get hit.  Luckily my prayers were answered.  I'd Hate to wipe out most family on one trip - Ryan would be sad.  The boys did get a little antsy at one point when we hit a trail again and started bugging each other, but since the sun was shining I could see exactly what they were doing by our shadows.  It was awesome.  "If I see your shadow touch another persons handlebars or body, then you will loose one spoonful of your victory ice cream to your brother for each offense!" I threatened.  Problem solved.  We were doing pretty good until we hit the massive mile long hill just below our house.  My legs were so tired, I just couldn't bike anymore and we walked it, which was hard in of itself.  Xander seemed to be doing the best physically......he also pedals with power the least frequent I think.  Either way, I was impressed with him.  I was impressed with both of them.  Their sprits were high and they did awesome!  We made it home at 7:30pm.  It was a long day, but oh so fun.

Us finally making it to our Seattle destination.  We had tied dyed matching shirts for a triple tandem adventures a few months earlier.  This was their debut outing.

Most interesting things

• On the Cheif Sealth Trail there we all these gardens that looked like pea patches for immigrants.  The way they used sticks and ropes looked straight out of mexico or Africa and the few people I saw working them fit the profile. It was interesting.
• A man who looks like he has had a hard life, commended me on being a great mom to my boys.  He said, "look, you even make them wear helmets. You are such a good Mom.  All they did when I was a kid was.....well, beat us - chuckle chuckle"
• I stopped in downtown Seattle for directions briefly and 2 people passed me and wouldn't respond because they had earphones in their ears - these are 40 plus year old men.  I had to wait for someone with nothing in their ears so they could hear me. It was strange.  We live is such a plugged in world.  
• Hearing lots of "No way!  Look at that!"  comments.  

       

Me 34 miles later with my overly large 23.5 week belly.  I mean seriously, don't you think I should be 30 weeks with a belly looking like that?  It is going to be a rough 17 weeks.  The future looks grim.

Well, we did it.  It was awesome and I feel so lucky to do adventures with these boys.  I must admit there were some moments (like when we were lost) I wondered if we were going to even make it, but I am glad we did.  I seriously couldn't be more proud of them.  They never complained and they always kept pedaling.  There were times they were goofing off behind me and I seriously wondered how hard they were pedaling, but their happy giggles with each other made me carrying their weight all worth it.   I hope they have good memories of their adventures with me.

The moment I have been waiting for, for years!

I have day dreamed of this day.  A day where I get to share one of the most special things to my boys ever.  I was told repeatedly this day would NEVER come and to get over it, but alas, after 4 years, it finally came!!

Minutes after we told the boys that we are going have a baby and the whole thing was sinking in, Xander flopped on me and Soren, yelled while pushing him, "No Xander, don't squish the baby."  Then he ran and got me a glass of water.  Then Soren asked if I was hungry.  If the baby needed anything to eat.  "Yeah, I am sort of hungry" I replied.  Soren then got all wide eyed and said, "I know you need to eat only healthy food for the baby.  What should I get?"  Then Xander chimes in, "I know!" and ran off to return with a satsuma orange.  That is when I started to feel there might be a couple of health police I would have to avoid if I ever got a sweet tooth craving.

Later that day the boys shared some cotton candy they got from a school function.

Xander:  "Did the baby want Cotton Candy?"

Quinae giggling:  "yeah"

Soren:  "Mom!  You shouldn't eat cotton candy!  That is not good for the baby!"

Quinae:  "Are you ever going to let me eat junk food while there is a baby in my tummy?"

Soren:  "Well, occasionally, but just a little bit."

They have been grabbing and hugging my tummy and kissing it for the last few hours.  Xander hugged and kissed my tummy and then said, "oh she is just so cute!"  The boys mostly call the baby a she.  Sometime they try to correct them selves and say or boy, but mostly is is a girl pronoun.

Some of my other favorite tidbits were Soren saying 5 minutes after he found out that he was so excited to have a little brother or sister because if anyone gives them trouble he would protect them.  "If anyone is mean to them I will come up to those mean kids and say, hey, you be nice that is my little sister."

This is the best day ever.  A day I have been day dreaming about for sometime and I can't believe it is actually here.  But the day that I am really REALLY excited about is October 2nd plus or minus  few weeks.  I am so impatient for this baby to come!  I just can't wait to hold him or her in my arms and know it is actually REAL.  Please work.  Please work. 

Why It Takes a Village

Why it takes a village

We had 4 cousins over for a sleep over last night.  They range in age from 5 to 12.  Xander adores the oldest girls (11 and 12) and they are so sweet to play with him.  Well today while playing Guess who with Kamry I over heard their pre game conversations - about smoking and drinking coffee and alcohol.  Xander has been asking lots and Lots and LOTS of questions about these things.  He notices everyone who is doing it along with people with tattoos and boys with earrings.  He tattles to me about anyone doing or having these things.  I have to play with this strange balance of guiding him away from these things for himself, yet trying to teach him not to be judgmental about others.  It is a tricky balance that I don’t know if I am doing right.  Like today when Soren and Xander was giving hypothetical situations.

Soren “what if everyone in the whole world went to a kids birthday party?”

Quinae “Well that would be a lot of gifts.”

Soren, “No, no one brought gifts.”

Quinae, “Well that is selfish.”

Xander, “No, they just forgot.”

Quinae, “That is still selfish.”

Xander, “Well Ulysses forgot to bring a present to Soren’s party.”

Great!  Now I have just taught Xander to judge others as selfish if they don’t give him things.  You know he is going to remember that for forever and he is going to bring it up often.  Of course I back pedel saying we forgive other and don’t expect thing from people otherwise we are selfish, blah blah blah, but I am pretty sure I have doomed myself for a repeat of this conversation.  

Anyway back to the village.  Today as Kamry and Xander was discussing smoking and coffee.  I came into the middle of the conversation. 

Karmry, “Yeah, you can get addicted to coffee and will need to drink more and more and more and more.

Xander, “Did you know smoking is bad?”

Kamry, “Yeah, it destroys your body.”

Xander, “Yeah, my friend Elizabeth’s Grandma smoked 85 smokes a day and then had to breath out of a tube with a bag but would take the bag away and would still smoke.”

Kamry, “Are you ever going to smoke?”

Xander shakes his head.

Kamry “are you ever going to drink coffee?”

Xander shakes his head, but it is more in a circular motion.

Kamry waits and smiles.  

Xander then admits his thoughts. “Uh, well actually I really want to try smoking, just once.”

Then Kamry launches into anything gruesome and awful she knows about people who smoke.  

With all my conversations with Xander he either admits or gives the impression by his questions he would really like to have earrings, tattoos, smoke and maybe drink alcohol and coffee.  Pretty much if you are encouraged not to, he would like to do that thing.  I don’t know why this is surprising to me. He is a major victim of reverse psychology.  So what do we do about this??  All I know is I am glad I got a village to raise this kid.  Thanks village!

Angry Birds - Christmas Style

This Christmas was a Thompson year.  What that means is we get together for our most beloved Christmas tradition - the gingerbread competition.  It started when I was a teenager and has mutated over the years to adapt to the ever changing needs of our ever growing extended family. This year Angry Bird style. 

 We were given a limited of resources - a box of graham crackers, a couple of bags of frosting and some candy.  Our mission: to build a little city or town that can hold up to marshmallows that would be slingshot at it.  We worked in teams of families and we had two strips of cardboard to fill up with our creations.  Once dried, then each family would pick a name of another family.  that would be the family's creation they would attempt to destroy with marshmallows for 5 minutes.  Each vertical face of their creation would receive a point value. When a vertical wall was destroyed then the point would go to the destroyer. If a vertical remained standing the point would go to the creator.  The winner with the most points would take home the beloved gingerbread trophy to flaunt until the competition. 

These are our creations.

It looks like Xander has been electrocuted.  Ha ha, but it was what he wanted his hair to look like and hey, it is Christmas.

 Here is us with our game face on.  WE WILL DESTROY YOU COROM AND FAMILY!  No mercy!!

 And the time begins!

End Result:

Victory is OURS!! - I love Xander's expression. I wish we had more of his face. So funny!

 Here one is a picture of one going down.  Who knew marshmallows could be so destructive!!

 All in all it was an awesome night.  Zaron's family came out victorious.  We were a close second.  Our creation was the most indestructible I believe, but we also had close to the most vertical walls.  Oh well.  there is always next time!

Here is our whole Thompson clan.  We are lucky enough to be so big that it can create problems, like where to gather.  This is our second family party at the church and it works out so well.  We feel so blessed to be apart of this church and to know of Christ and especially to get to reflect of him during the Christmas season.