go away

For awhile now when Logan gets mad at Mike he tells him to go to work.  A little over a week ago he started telling me to "go away" when he gets mad at me for something.  I asked him, "Where do you want me to go??" wondering what in the world he would come up with since I can't "go to work".  He told me to go to the grocery store!  Ha ha!  I would love to!  :)

Friday evening Mike and I went to a party with our class from church.  Another friend from church wasn't going to the party since her husband had to work, so we dropped all of the boys off there (they have three kids, as well) and left her with the craziness for a couple hours.

Saturday morning Mike took Caleb and Logan out for a little while.  When they came home Caleb and Logan came running in the house and said something like, "We just talked about you died, Mommy!"  What in the world?!  I guess Mike had driven through a cemetery and they were asking what it was.  Mike explained and then they pointed to a spot and said that's where they were going to bury me, and then they were nice enough to say that they would bury Mike right next to me.  So thoughtful!  :)  A couple days before that Caleb had said something about being sad when Sadie dies.  They still talk about Macy alot, but they never seem sad about it.

Saturday afternoon Mike and I carved the boys' pumpkins.  Caleb and Logan weren't all that into it (it's not like we can let them work with a knife anyways...), but they were pretty excited once we were done and later that evening we could put candles in them.

Some of my favorite words that the boys say:

• "basek" (basket)
• "efelant" (elephant)
• "hockuhlopter" (helicopter) - Caleb says this

They do so good at remembering things!  Sometimes things end up just a little bit jumbled.  Mike was having a discussion with them the other day about various relationships (wife, husband, co-worker, etc.) and the next day Logan said something to me about Brad being Daddy's "working-co".  :)

Levi has been down to four feedings for about a week now and for the most part it's working pretty well (how did I manage to feed him 8x/day when he was a newborn??).  Some of his naps are great, some are just so-so, but he still sleeps awesome at night, which is wonderful.  Today he was extra spitty (which I can hardly believe is even possible with him...).  This morning we took a little walk and I had him in the Baby Bjorn - thought maybe he'd like that view better than when I carry him in a sling, but it didn't take long and my back was KILLING me!  The sling is much better for my big boy.  I'm about ready to retire his infant car seat since he's almost too long for it.  I'm kinda having a hard time facing the fact that he's about grown out of it, and it makes things harder that I can't have him in a car seat with a handle to carry him around...

fun stuff

On Saturday (after pumpkin shopping and a quick lunch) Mike dropped Levi and I off at the craft fair in Hudsonville and then took Caleb and Logan to the park.  I just love going to something like that, and my manly man hubby just doesn't get it!  :)  Thankfully, even though he doesn't understand it, he supports it and works it out so I can go.  (He understood a little better after I asked him if he would enjoy just walking around looking at various pieces of heavy equipment...)  It was a beautiful day, and Levi were able to check out the crafts for an hour and then walk over to the park where the boys were playing.  Caleb and Logan were busy chasing a bunch of squirrels around.

In the evening after naptime, we headed to downtown Grand Rapids for the Mexican Festival.  GOOD food, and the boys had fun playing in a bouncy house.

Sunday morning we had one of those great parenting moments in church.  Caleb and Logan were doing really well in the service, but right before the sermon was going to start Caleb was just starting to get a little restless so I asked him if he wanted to go to nursery, he said he did so I started to take him out.  Well, he apparently changed his mind and right when it was nice and quiet he very loudly says, "No!  I don't want to go!"  Nice.  I just got out as quickly as possible.  Otherwise, compared to some of our other Sundays, the boys did pretty good.

Monday afternoon Caleb and Logan went to a friends house to play.  Our friends Scott & Edina have a little boy almost exactly a year older than Caleb and Logan.  We then went over there for supper in the evening - Edina's an awesome cook.  When we were about to leave I thanked Edina for having the boys over and she said "Anytime...well...maybe in a few weeks..."  Ha!  She said the boys behaved well, it's just kinda crazy keeping track of three of them!  :)  Levi and I had a nice time running some errands after we dropped Caleb and Logan off (I love going to Hobby Lobby, but can really only do it if I have one child or less with me...), and then for the rest of the afternoon I got a few things done but not much since my little stinker wasn't going to nap well.

Tuesday morning I dropped Caleb and Logan off at Grandma's for the day, and first Levi and I headed out to a photo shoot!  And, no, not me being the photographer, him being the model.  :)  A girl I know from high school owns a cloth diaper company and asked if Levi would come be a model for one of their new diapers.  She was going to have about 8 babies in all (ranging from newborn up to 2 years) and when we walked into her house it was just crying, unhappy babies - things hadn't been going so well so far.  When it was Levi's turn I got him changed and he just stole the show with his million dollar smile and big, beautiful smile.  And, I'm not just biased either!  :)  He really did do well, didn't fuss at all (didn't even spit up!), and they got what they needed with him in just a couple minutes.  Seemed like he was the turning point - from what I saw things were going better after his turn.  (The company is Smart Bottoms - check out their facebook page for some behind the scenes pics from yesterday, there is one pic of Levi.  I don't know when the actual photos will be out on stuff.)

Once we got back home I had a chance to get some work done.  I've been wanting to paint a few of our doors for a long time, and finally got around to it.  I've been debating and debating on color and finally just went with gray.  I made the wreath on the door, too.  Look at me gettin' all crafty.  :)

Yay!  Levi napped great and is just waking up now!  I actually had a chance to get some blogging done.  :)  Gotta run.

pumpkins

I think it was early last week Caleb and Logan noticed the pumpkins at Palmbos' (I usually get in there 2-3 times a week for produce) and were pretty excited about them, so on Saturday we went there to pick out their pumpkins.  Caleb had his picked out before I could even get over there, and Logan didn't take long either.  For now the pumpkins are just sitting on the porch - I had intended to get away with just painting their names on or something, but apparently Mike talked to them about carving the pumpkins and putting a candle inside so that's what they've been talking about - thanks, Honey.  :)  And, they both picked out a little gourd for Levi.  Oh yeah, before getting there Caleb said he was going to choose a white pumpkin, which concerned my dear Mr. Traditional, but Mike was very pleased when Caleb chose a completely normal, traditional orange pumpkin.  :)

 Caleb's pumpkin.

 Logan's pumpkin.

Logan changing his mind on his pumpkin...

peace & quiet

All three boys are sleeping right now - a rare and much needed treat!  It's been a busy few days, so Caleb and Logan needed the extra rest.  Our morning started out nice, but really went downhill and I had them in quiet time by 12:30pm (much earlier than normal).  I had a chance to talk to Mike for a few minutes (another rare and much needed treat!) and was wondering what I'm doing wrong with these kids - feels like we're CONSTANTLY dealing with behavior issues (and not just little stuff - big tantrums, fighting, biting, disobedience...) - he reminded me that sure, we're not perfect and there are things we can do better in our parenting, but we're also dealing with a very challenging situation right now.  Having two almost three year olds and a baby is not for the faint of heart!!  I know there are always going to be behavior issues no matter their age, but I think I'll be very glad to get through the tantrum throwing age.  Kinda stinks, though, because there is so much that is fun about this age, too - I'm doing my best not to wish it away.  :)  I LOVE my boys, and our good times are a blast, it just seems like there are so many behavior issues that they crowd out and overshadow the fun moments.

In general Levi has not been napping well.  He goes to bed great at night, but we've been struggling during the day (which is great when I've got two other boys that are downstairs either: a) fighting with each other, or b) doing something naughty together...).  I'm trying to adjust the schedule to see if that helps things.  He went down good for a nap a little over an hour ago, now let's just hope he stays asleep for awhile!  Levi had his first cereal feeding yesterday.  Of course he didn't actually ingest much of it, but at least he didn't scream through the whole thing - I think it was Logan that screamed through his first cereal feeding.  Partway through the second time we did it, Levi was already doing much better.  Still figuring it out, but before long I'm sure I won't be able to get it in him fast enough.

laugh

Kinda hard to record nice when I'm holding the camera AND trying to get Levi to laugh, but it's still pretty cute. :)

moves

Caleb and Logan were dancing on the boat where we had lunch in South Haven.

noodle

This was from last week sometime.  Once in a while, if I remember, I try to record the boys being upset about something.  This'll be great to have to show them when they're older...  :)

chomper

Levi's first tooth is coming through today!  I was a little suspicious yesterday that it would be coming soon, and this morning I could see it and by this afternoon I could feel it just a little bit.  It's a bottom middle tooth, and the other one isn't far behind.  My baby is growing up!  :(

This past Saturday we spent the morning in South Haven and had alot of fun.  It's nice to go somewhere close to home and still feel like you're on vacation.  Walking around downtown we stopped at a bakery (Caleb and Logan each chose a donut with chocolate frosting and sprinkles), looked in a fun toy store, and met several dogs (the boys want to pet EVERY dog they see - we got to meet one lady walking with her two dogs who moved up here from Louisiana after Katrina).  We ate lunch on a boat (Mike and I actually ate there when we were in South Haven for our first anniversary) and the boys had fun looking at the ducks in the water, one waitress even brought them crackers to feed to the ducks.

 Donuts.

 Lake Michigan in the background.

Lunch.

Saturday night we made our annual visit to my brother's who were both camping with their families at Holland State Park.  The boys always have fun with their cousins, and were VERY upset when we had to leave.

Sunday morning we headed south again - to Benton Harbor for one of Mike's new niece's baptism.  We did actually get to see her baptized, but that was about it.  I had to feed Levi, and the other boys only made it through a few minutes of the service and there wasn't really an 'official' nursery, so Mike stayed out with them.  Good thing, too.  They were not on their best behavior.  Overtired, I suppose, plus being in a strange place.  They fought over a toy and Logan bit Caleb pretty bad, so Caleb was just kinda off after that.  Sunday night  there were baptisms at our church, too - pretty interesting for the boys.  

I've still been recovering from my cold this week and Mike's had longer days at work again, so we're just doing what we gotta do to get by.  Just now Mike took Caleb and Logan and Sadie to work for a few minutes before the rain comes to get a pallet moved inside that has cardboard on it.  I've got just a few minutes before Levi wakes up and wants to eat again...

more

Just a few of the questions I got from Caleb in the last few minutes:
You drawing ABC's?  (writing in my planner)
What's that?  (x10 while making grocery list)
Our car have gas?
It going to run out?
We go to gas station?
Where Papa?
Where Grammy?
Where Boden?
Where Heidi?
Where Caleb?
Where Logan?
Where Levi?

questions

If only I had a quarter for every single question I get.  I love it that Caleb and Logan are so observant and inquisitive, but, boy, sometimes I could use a break!  "Where's Levi?  He sleeping in his room?  You going potty?  Did he poop in his diaper?  Where you going (when going from one room to the next)?  We gonna have quiet time?  What's his name (asked about anyone or anything)?  Where's Daddy? "  And the list goes on...endlessly...  :)  Yesterday at lunch our discussion was all about doctor's (because I told them I was taking Levi to the doctor in the evening) - they went through quite a long list of people and animals they know and asked if they had a doctor, and what their doctor's name is.  That's been a big one lately - asking people and animal's names.  Logan does this especially and he hasn't figured out yet that Mike and I don't know EVERYONE - although Mike comes pretty close.  :)

We've been sick this week and it has not been fun.  It started with Logan and he's still fairly snotty and has a cough - he has been terribly cranky, too.  Today has been a little better.  Caleb still has a cough.  I'm congested and tired from being up with Levi the last two nights because the poor guy has been really congested, too.  He seems somewhat better today, but yesterday he was super sneezy with a runny nose, watery eyes, and cough.  It's worse at night, of course.  Thankfully I think Mike just has a bit of a cough, but doesn't feel too bad.  It's been a busy week, especially because of their food safety audit on Wednesday.

Last night was Levi's 4 month check-up with the doctor.  My little guy is starting to be a little more normal on the charts.  :)  He's 92nd percentile for height (26.5 inches), and only 75th percentile for weight (16 lbs 5 ozs).  Caleb and Logan were about that size when they were 9-10 months.  Levi checks out good and healthy - the doctor doesn't think he's going to be slow to move either.  :)  We can start feeding him cereal anytime - I may hold off for a bit because I certainly don't need to complicate things, but I'm gonna have to do it sooner or later.  He did get a few shots last night, and his lungs definitely work fine!!  He does seem a bit extra sleepy, probably thanks to both the cold and the shots - doctor was fine with giving him the shots while sick, said we might as well get him feeling yucky over with all at once.

stomach

Well, I guess Levi has turned into a stomach sleeper.  Kinda drives me nuts, but he's doing fine with it.  Last week I wrote that he was rolling from back to tummy and getting mad about it, now he's content with it and as much as I try to keep him on his back he always ends up on his tummy.  At the cottage on Saturday, when he was hanging out on the living room floor for a while, he rolled all the way over a few times, so now I know he really can do tummy to back, too.

Just the way he's always acted (even in the womb!) I don't think he's going to be slow to crawl/walk/run...  I've already got my hands full, this guy is supposed to go easy on me!  :)  He's quite the little stinker at diaper change time - always wiggling and pushing back with his heels.  He is super smiley and it's just the cutest thing - I especially love watching him smile at Caleb and Logan.  He totally watches them and gets a kick out of what they're doing.  Caleb is good at getting him to laugh.

Because I like to look back at this kind of info...Levi is currently eating 5x a day, and napping between every feeding.  Sometimes he doesn't nap much between the 11am and 2pm feedings or in the evening because of being out and about or whatever, but I don't think he's totally ready to drop those naps.  He started sucking on his bottom lip the other day - it's pretty cute, but maybe he's teething??  And, anything within arms reach goes in his mouth, watch out, he's pretty forceful about it!

Caleb and Logan are both sick right now.  :(  Try keeping two snotty, sneezy, coughing two-year-olds away from their baby brother!  I'm also working on teaching them they can't just wipe their nose on anything in the house - blankets, pillows, couch, chairs...  They each have a hankie and do decent at using it, just need to be reminded once in a while.

Saturday was our last cottage day of the year!  Hard to believe summer is over already.  Mike and I got to take Caleb and Logan out on kayaks, which they enjoy.  Logan did awesome swimming - I love seeing him enjoy it and do well at it.

Sunday Logan was too sick to go to church at all, so Mike stayed home with him in the morning while I went with Levi and Caleb, and then in the evening I stayed home with Logan and Levi while Mike took Caleb to church.  In the afternoon while Logan and Levi were napping I took Caleb to the park - Mike needed some peace and quiet to do some paperwork (food safety inspections coming up at work this week...).  It was fun, and a rare treat, to be with just one - hope I get a chance to take Logan out soon!

Yesterday was Labor Day and Mike didn't have to work.  I was able to take Levi and go run a few errands.  We borrowed one of my parent's vehicles so that Mike could still take the boys out for a bit, too - they went to Schreur's and walked around.  There was a fair bit of crankiness yesterday due to being sick - so thankful Mike was around to deal with it.  Now today he's back at work and it's rainy out, could be a long day...  :)