October Update

I just feel like doing a little update tonight…so we can look back and remember what's going on during this wonderful crazy time in our lives!

Jamie

Jamie is working for People Media (owned by Match.com) designing websites, mobile apps, emails, and all things Creative for them.  He loves the more relaxed schedule and environment of this company compared to the agency he used to work for.  It leaves more time for other interests--spending time with the kids, running (with Boston), going to the gym, iPhone photography, and designing t-shirts.  He often can't sleep at night because he has so many ideas running through his head! He is getting used to the gluten-free diet, but still misses baked treats the most. He has been serving as the 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric for the last year.  It requires a lot of his time, but he has grown and gained a new perspective on leadership and serving in the church.

Ashley

I am working 1-2 days a week in the Adult Intensive Care Unit, and spending the rest of my week being a wife and mom, which is exhausting and wonderful.  I am really getting into yoga! It is so good for my body and mind.  I take a class once a week and try to also practice at home.  The kids love to join with me in practicing poses, but Avery always ends up on top of me when I'm on the floor so it's hard to get much done! I love being involved at the kids' school, so I joined the PTA board this year and try to volunteer in the classrooms once a week.  Jamie's new diet restriction has forced me to change the way I meal plan, grocery shop, and prepare meals.  I am starting to hate those chores a little less (but not much). I would do all the laundry and deep cleaning in the world if someone would just shop and prepare meals for me! I am learning a lot through my calling as Relief Society Teacher.  I love studying the words of the prophets and teaching one Sunday a month.  I am also the Ward Music Chairperson, coordinating the music for sacrament meeting.

Boston--8

Boston is doing well in 3rd grade, although he says all they do is reading and math, and more reading and more math.  This year is all about preparing for the standardized tests. I think he is a little envious of all the fun things Cade is doing in Kindergarten! He continues to be very kind, obedient, and responsible.  I also see him becoming so much more independent. He loves Cubscouts and looks forward to that every week.  He decided to take a break from baseball and focus on running.  He and Jamie are training for a 5k together.  He is crazy about animal science, ninjas, and dinosaurs.  He says he wants to be an inventor or engineer when he grows up.

Cade--almost 6

Cade is thriving in Kindergarten! I love hearing the fun things he's doing and learning at school.  He loves the rotations most of all--PE, music, art, computers. He is definitely making strides in his emotional and social development, but still is very attached to his family.  As long as he's with Mom or Dad or Boston, he will generally feel comfortable.  But he does have a serious fear of taxidermied animals! Cade and Avery have a special relationship; he is very sweet to her.  Sometimes with the boys it's survival-of-the-fittest, but with Avery he is gentle and likes to help her and share with her. Cade has always been our most "sensitive" child and still is.  But I see it becoming more of an asset as he gets older, rather than making things harder for him. He also loves animals and dinosaurs like Boston.  He can tell you the most obscure facts about dinosaurs…just ask him!

Hudson--3

Hudson's personality shines so brightly.  He's opinionated (don't try to tell him it's time to leave until he's ready!) and quirky and silly.  He still loves his gloves.  He has a batting glove he mostly prefers, but also a gardening glove or knit Wild Kratts glove will work.  He loves cars and trains, and usually has one with him at all times.  He recently earned a new Gordon train by staying in his bed all night long for five nights. (Nevermind that it took him about 2 weeks to get the five stickers…baby steps.)  He is not a good sleeper.  He wakes up at least a few times a night.  If he sleeps through the night it is cause for serious celebration! He is taking a Super Heroes class at the rec center.  Mostly they just play with super hero figurines, color, and make capes! He generally likes his Nursery class at church; every now and then he gets in a weird mood and puts up a fight.  But usually he goes happily, and comes out smelling like old-lady perfume from his teachers hugging on him!

Avery--almost 2

Avery is as girly as they come.  I have wondered if she would be a tom-boy since she only has brothers, but she loves all things girl.  She is very attached to me; always wants to be on my "yap" if I am sitting down, on the bathroom counter if I am getting ready (where she insists on putting on lotion, perfume, and "yips"--lipstick--just like Mommy), on the kitchen counter if I am cooking. She is very vocal, probably more so than the boys at this age.  I can understand most everything she says.  As sweet as she is, she is fiesty.  She and Hudson get into some knock-down-drag-out fights sometimes.  She does not back down when she wants something or doesn't get her way.  She eats like a little bird. I don't know how she is as chunky as she is; she rarely eats a plate of food.  She is pretty much sustained by fruit snacks and goldfish.  I am DREADING taking away her pacifier, which should probably happen soon since she turns two in five days.  But for the sanity of the family, I may just put it off a little longer!


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We enjoyed a family reunion/cousin's wedding in Natchez, Mississippi this weekend, which I will share more pictures from soon! We are looking forward to going to Austin next weekend for Jackson's baptism.  We have Avery and Cade's birthdays coming up next week as well! October will be a busy, fun month! Maybe we will get some fall weather??

Fall is my very favorite time of year.  This year feels especially good.  With Jamie's better job and the boys' lack of baseball involvement, we are able to spend more time together as a family than in the past, which feels right.  I am feeling tired, but content.

My heart is full of gratitude for my little family and the ways that we are blessed.  We are always telling our kids that when you keep your covenants you make to Heavenly Father and do your best to love and serve Him, He will bless you.  We have seen that over and over in our lives, and we are grateful.  Our lives are not perfect by any means.  We have stresses and quarrels and melt-downs and worries like everyone else.  But we try to make the most of what we have and keep our focus on gratitude for our blessings.

Happy Fall Y'all!

February Phone Dump

February has been weird, in terms of weather.  Anywhere from ice and snow to 80 degrees and sunshine. Looking through my pictures reminded me of how much it has fluctuated, too: you have everyone bundled up in all the warm clothes we own one day, then Hudson naked in the flower beds a few weeks later.  Good times.  I'm not at all ready for the blistering heat of summer, so I like that we get a little taste of spring, but then a reminder it's still winter. 

February Phone Dump:

Home Depot Kids Workshops on the first Saturday of the month:

 Jamie and Boston ran in a black light 5K. Their team name was the Black Light Ninjas and Jamie made them some masks.  Boston ran the whole time and they had a lot of fun together.

Erin shamed me into cutting Avery's hair!  I have actually trimmed it a little before, but it was starting to get bad again. It grows somewhat in the back but not so much on the top. Here's a before & after:

We have had several snow/ice storms this winter, which is unusual for this part of Texas.  This particular day I drove the kids to school and stayed to volunteer for 2 hours, then found this when I came out:

When it snows here it tends to freeze into ice immediately and the roads get bad, so I turned around and went back to check Boston out of school so I wouldn't have to drive back to get him later in the day.  He was thrilled, obviously. We came home and the kids went straight outside to jump on the trampoline.

After about 5 minutes they were whining it was too cold...

And after about 10 minutes, they were back inside and I had a mountain of wet clothes.  We are just not cold weather people!

These two...a couple of hooligan peas in a pod, that's all I can say:

Avery had her 15 month well-child exam, where Dr. Harris commented on her "impressive growth curve!" She has been steadily climbing the charts since she was a newborn (just 5 lbs 12oz when she was born!) and has now almost caught up to her big brother.  She weighs 25 lbs, just three pounds less than Hudson.  She did lots of "chatting" and waving to Dr. Harris.

Making cupcakes and buttercream frosting.  Can't remember why exactly, but you don't really need a reason to bake treats around here.

As my Valentine's day present from Jamie, I got my hair cut and highlighted! I have needed a change for a while, so this was such a treat. (Cade photobombed my selfie I took to send Mom and Erin.)

One morning I was doing something in the garage and the little ones (of course) followed me out.  It was too nice of a day to stay inside, so I let them play outside for a little bit.  Clothing was optional that day.

The kids have been playing with goggles in the bath lately, and sometimes Hudson insists on wearing them to bed.  

Avie likes to get in on the action too:

Everyone likes to "help" Boston do his math homework on the computer.

This guy lost his first top tooth! It has been hanging by a thread for weeks, and I have been teasing him that I was going to pull it out in his sleep.  He finally lost it biting into a hamburger this weekend. He didn't even realize it had fallen out until he went for the second bite and bit down on something hard...his tooth in the bun!

Summer Recap

I haven't been blogging as much this summer...just living life and spending my days with my little shadow and the three stooges.  

Trying to 'catch up' gives me anxiety so I'm just hitting the highlights:

The kids and I spent a week in Austin while Jamie was gone on a High Adventure with the young men.

We went swimming at NRH2O at least once a week.

Hudson and Boston had birthdays! We celebrated with cousins and friends.

Several potlock get togethers with old and new friends.

Trips to Plano and Corsicana to spend time with grandparents.

The crowning event of the summer was deciding to take our house off the market after three months. It was not without some complaining about how much work and stress I had gone through to keep the house clean and staged all summer...but Jamie started to get the feeling that we are not supposed to move right now.  After more thought and prayer, I agreed.  We took our house off the market last Monday.  Tuesday we went to the temple, and Wednesday Jamie was called to be in the bishopric in our ward.  We know that we are supposed to be here a while longer.  I'm excited to have Boston back at his school, which we love. And I am happy not to move away from our wonderful friends!

Rather than post a hundred pictures from our summer...a video!

Summer Highlights from ashley walker on Vimeo.

Checking In

I have wanted to get back to this little blog so many times over the last 7 weeks, but my internal dialogue always goes something like this:

morning: I have too many things to do while the kids are awake, so I'll blog during naptime.
naptime: Do I blog or take advantage of the quiet time and take a nap myself? zzzzzzz....
nighttime: I'm too tired to put any thoughts together. i'll get to it tomorrow when my mind is fresh.
lather, rinse, repeat.

I've been in survival mode.  Can't remember how long this phase lasts, but I'm looking forward to consistently feeling like I've got a handle on things.

So today, a few random things:

1. The Baby K'Tan carrier is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I have never "worn" any of my babies as much as I do Avery, but this has been a life-saver.  She sleeps so soundly as soon as I tuck her in the sling and then I have my hands free.  I can prepare meals, pick up Hudson, rock him to sleep, vacuum, shower, etc.  (Just kidding, I don't shower while wearing her in the sling...but practically everything else!)

2. Seventeen-month olds should not be left unattended near Christmas trees.  At least not before you check to make sure there are no "snow" filled ornaments within reach.

3. I cannot possibly do everything I want to do.  This is a hard lesson I seem to have to relearn each time I have a child.  Just when I think I have a good balance going...juggling everything nicely...all the balls come crashing down and I have to figure out how to balance things again.  Church service, volunteering at school, projects, errands to run, activities with the kids, time for myself...so much I feel like I should be doing, but I just can't do it.  My days consist of taking care of little ones.  All.Day.Every.Day.  Then at nighttime, all I want to do is collapse in bed because I'm so tired.  It is the most fulfilling and draining job at the same time.

4. I watch the clock in the afternoon, waiting till Boston gets home.  I love when he comes in the door and immediately asks where all the little ones are.  I want to know all about his day: what he learned, what was the funnest part, who he sat by/played with, etc.  He usually just wants to launch into some game with Cade.  I get my school updates in snippets throughout the evening whenever he wants to share.  We miss him when he's at school, but I love that he is learning so much and having fun and thriving there in public school.

5.  No matter how many toys we have in the playroom, whatever seasonal decor I put out is way more enticing to little ones.  The boys have been playing with a plastic nativity and some decorative boxes for 3 days straight.

6.  I was in the process of weaning Hudson from his binkie this fall.  Only for naptime and bedtime was the rule.  Then Avery was born and I got a little lax.  I would leave it in his crib with his blanket when he woke up, but if he cried for it, I'd give it to him.  Then he got sick, and well, desperate times call for desperate measures.  He basically carries the binkie and blanket around the house with him 24/7. Whatev.  There's always New Years for starting fresh.

7. I never thought I'd say this, but I am kind of, maybe, a little bit, starting to miss my job at the hospital.  Don't get me wrong, I have major anxiety about starting back at the end of the year, and I hate leaving my babies, but I miss the adult interaction and the patient care.  I feel like there is so much more I want to learn in the field of critical care nursing.  I want to get my CCRN (critical care RN certification) next year.

And some of my favorite phone dump photos from the past few months:

Trampoline fun!

Bossy and me at his "Running Bear" performance

Halloween 2012 (before Cade saw a scary costume and all hell broke loose.  He spent the whole night crying in the car, poor kid!)

My gift to myself: all my babies on one necklace.

Trying my hand at making flowers and headbands

I could stare at that face all day

Classic Hudson the last few days: removing all the ornaments at the bottom of the tree.

Waiting

I haven't posted in 2 and 1/2 weeks...blah.  I feel like life is standing still and moving quickly along at the same time.

I'm just going to put this out there: I really expected to have delivered this baby by now.

I'm fighting the urge to turn into one of those crazy pregnant people who's miserable and ready to be done.  The truth is, I'm not at all physically miserable.  I'd say more mildly uncomfortable and irritable at times.  It's the anticipation and anxiety of not knowing when she's coming that has me on edge some days.  I know I'm not even technically due until October 24, and I KNOW every pregnancy is different, blah blah blah...but come on...when you have 3 babies that are all born between 13-17 days early, you start packing your bags around that time, you know? If she's not born in the next 2 days, that will be the longest I've carried any baby.  After that, I make no promises (specifically to my husband) about my emotional state.  It could go either way.

So on the baby front, things are just in hold mode.  Meanwhile, life goes on! Wanna see?

Haircut
I got my haircut after a few years of growing it out with just a few trims here and there.
Before:

 And after:

 Sidewalk Chalk
We have been taking advantage of this beautiful fall weather and spending time outside.  Sometimes the little boys and I wait for Boston to get dropped off (we carpool with a friend) and pass the time doing sidewalk chalk.  Well, Cade and I draw; Hudson eats the chalk.

Saying "uh-oh" after dumping out the bucket of chalk

T-ball

Thankfully, t-ball is going so much better for Cade.  He still usually says he doesn't want to play, but the last several games there have been no tears! Hooray for succeeding at new things!

Girls Night

Friday night Jamie took the boys to a dirt track race, and I spent the evening with Mom, Nelwyn, Melinda, and Hudson.  We ate at Jason's Deli and browsed around Pier One.  Love those ladies!

Doctor Appointments
I love my doctor, but I HATE her office.  I have to go weekly, and I almost always have to wait an hour to an hour and a half.  Luckily this week Jamie was off on Monday so he and Hudson came with me.

Not sure who was more into the Baby Einstein movie, Hudson or Dad...

Lobby popcorn...score!

Cousins
Monday Mom and Dad took the older boys to meet up with Erin and her kids in Waco.  They had such a fun time at the zoo and celebrating Jackson and Harper's birthdays.

So yes, life goes on while we wait for little missy to make her appearance.  I'm off to jump on the trampoline...

September Happenings

Y'all, fall is finally here.  

Right now I'm sitting at my kitchen table with all the windows and back door open feeling very...content.  Not in a "my life is perfect" kind of way (cause it's obviously not), but in a "life is good" kind of way.  Who says life has to be perfect to be great, anyway? 

This is all sounding very rainbows and unicorns, I know, but bear with me.

I love the changing seasons, but especially summer to fall.  I look forward to the excuse to make pumpkin bread (although I'm the only one who eats it), visit pumpkin patches, burn spice-scented candles, layer my clothes, change the decor around the house, and start planning for the three holidays coming up.  

Of course with our growing family, fall also means a huge change in our daily routine.  That has been a welcome change as well, for the most part.  Boston is thriving being back in school, and I am settling into a nice daily routine with just the two little boys (for now!) at home.  Both big boys are playing t-ball, Jamie recently got called to the Young Men's presidency so he has activities every week, and I am nesting like a crazy person.  Baby A will be here in just a few weeks (if she comes early like all of her brothers...heaven willing!) and I feel both ready to not be pregnant anymore and not at all ready to have four children at the same time. 

And in phone-dump style, here are the day-to-day happenings lately:

Hudson learns to climb

At 14 and 1/2 months old, Hudson is still not walking.  He takes after both his brothers in this area! He is a speed crawler and can stand on his own (even standing up in the middle of the room), but isn't ready to take a step on his own yet.  He can, however, climb any object with a ledge.  

Exhibit A: the kitchen chairs

 

Exhibit B: the podium at church.

Exhibit C: the windowsill 

Not pictured: the changing table bottom shelf, Cade's bed, the dishwasher, the bottom drawer of any dresser, and the most impressive (and frightening): the kitchen counter.

Often his climbing escapades are not witnessed, but in every case he climbs up and then immediately starts yelling for me to come rescue him because he usually can't get down.  He's not too happy about me snapping his picture instead of retrieving him right away.

Hudson eats everything in sight
He out-eats his brothers sometimes.  He is getting picky about what he likes, but if he likes it, he will eat it in large quantities.

Cade and T-ball
Two things:
1. Is there anything cuter than little boys in over-sized baseball pants and caps?
2. Cade is not a fan yet.

With one practice and one game behind us, I am learning this:  It's hard for me to see my children upset.  It's hard to know how much to push them outside their comfort zones for their own good.  Trying new things is hard for Cade until he feels totally comfortable with them.  But it's through trying new things and succeeding and conquering fears that we stretch and grow.  Cade needs a lot of encouragement to come out of his shell, but once he does, he thrives.

The first game went about as well as the first practice...lots of resistance and tears at first, but little glimpses of this may turn out alright in the end.

With lots of moral support from his Daddy, he did eventually come out of the dugout for one inning and cautiously went up to bat.  He hit the ball and walked the bases with Jamie.  (Actually, technically, Jamie had to kind of drag him to first base, but after that each base got a little easier!) I wish I would have gotten video of him coming home.  He was actually running and smiling! I was too busy chasing Hudson around!

I was proud of him for participating in spite of his fear, so we went to QT for icees on the way home.  That definitely erased any bad feelings about t-ball!

Let me just say, thank goodness we decided to put off pre-school for now.  I think we can only handle one major new thing at a time! 

First Grade

Boston told me recently he thinks 5th grade will be the best grade.  Why? Because first grade is even more fun than kindergarten, so each grade must be better than the last! I love his enthusiasm for everything he does!

Last week he got to bring a teddy bear to school on Friday, and the parents were invited to attend their "teddy bear parade"as the culminating activity in their unit on teddy bears.  The unit focused on families, communities, being good citizens, etc.  Part of that was practicing both public speaking and being a good audience member, so each child got to go up to the mic and introduce himself and his bear.   

 You would have thought bringing that bear to school was the best thing that ever happened to him, the way he talked about it all week and debated which bear to bring.

Nesting

I think it's a combination of the changing seasons and my due date growing closer...but I am definitely in full blown nesting mode.  August brought some serious purging and organizing of all the closets in the house.  September has been all about cleaning, projects, and decorating.  

Printing off pictures from the last few months and updating some frames around the house:

Baking (these brownie bites with Reese's peanut butter cups did not last long):

Going through piles and piles of baby girl clothes from my baby shower and hand-me-downs from Erin:

Making a mobile for Baby A, which hung over her cradle for half a night before Jamie ripped it down because he could not tolerate the rustling noise...now it's over the changing table in Hudson's room!

Getting the cradle and changing table ready (and organizing all the bows and headbands...because sister's going to be wearing an accessory at all times, of this I am sure.)

Jamie was there too

Whenever I write an update like this, I always feel bad leaving out the hubs.  He is, of course, around too! He is serving with the youth now and learning to love the boys.  He has been the driving force behind the boys and their t-ball teams.  He is an assistant coach for Boston's team and basically Cade's personal coach=) He tolerates all my projects without too much complaining when I get rid of something important or ask him to get something out of the attic at 7am.  He's just not around during the days for me to photograph and document!

It's going to be a good fall, for sure.