HappyMom :: October

I am beginning to side with nature in the nature vs. nurture debate. My degree is in Child and Family development, and I heard many lectures on this issue. I will have to say that before becoming a mother I would have sided with nurture for the most part, but I’m not sure that is the case.

Everyday in our house we have “quiet time”. Though it may not always be quiet, as Laney signs her next hit at the top of her lungs, and Brayden bangs his trucks together. It is an hour of the day I have to my self. These days it is usually spent napping. Our kids have grown to enjoy quiet time. Laney enjoys time alone to color or play doll house without little brother over her shoulder. Carley sleeps for two or three hours. Brayden gives me the most trouble with this time of the day, but has finally realized it is going to happen.

So this brings me to Tuesday of this week. It was quiet time as usual, and they were actually quiet for about an hour. I told Laney she could get Brayden and come downstairs because quiet time was over. Brayden’s door opened and Laney said, “Mommy you have got to come see this.” Many things went through my mind. Brayden has been known to break his pigging bank, rub poop on the floor, take everything out of his closet, in general just make a mess.

I sighed and started up the stairs. What I found actually was pretty amazing. Brayden had taken everything off his bed including the plastic cover that his mattress was wrapped in. He then pushed his mattress off the bed up against his chest of drawers, and removed the slats from his bed. I know you don’t believe me. Fortunately I have pictures to prove it!

Pretty amazing. Don’t you think?

Where have we been? I know it has been a while, but hear me out. Shortly after my last post, I began to feel a little tired and sick. Come to find out we are expecting our fourth child. This is a wonderful thing, but for those of you who know me know that pregnancy and I don’t exactly agree, especially in the first few months. Late June, July, and most of August were filled with nausea and vomiting not to mention trying to keep the house and church responsibilities under control. Somehow I have survived, and I am now 22 weeks along with our sweet baby boy. We are excited to have another boy for many reasons; the teams are even, Brayden will have a brother, everyone has a brother and sister, and it is going to be lots of fun. I am going to attempt to blog about the last few months. Here is what has been happening. Enjoy!

June was mostly spent at the neighborhood pool playing with the kids.

David went to Jordan for 10 days in July. While he was gone, we went to the lake for the 4th of July.

After the lake we went to Aunt Jan’s house for some fun in the sun.

On July 19th our little Laney turned 4. She wanted a Little Mermaid party. So we had some friends over to play water games and enjoyed a beautiful cake and goodies made by our good friend and neighbor Rebecca. Laney cried after she went down the slip and slide and asked if we could turn the sprinkler off because it was getting in her eyes.

The next weekend we headed to Savannah for David older brother’s wedding. Aren’t they cute?

The next weekend, August 3rd, little Carley turned 1.

This summer the kids took swim lessons. The lessons were called ISR, Infant Survival Resourse. They were amazing. The kids learned what to do if they were to fall in the water. Even Carley learned to float fully clothed. I would recommend the lessons to anyone.

September came and many of Laney’s friends started school. I was planning to keep Laney home this year, but she asked repeatedly for me to take her to the church around the corner for school. So we checked it out, and she started a few weeks ago. She loves it! What a big girl.

It’s football time, and they are ready!

And finally we took a vacation. I am feeling better and not too big at this point though I feel like my belly is growing each day. We just returned this past Monday from Orange Beach. It was beautiful, not crowded, and 85 degrees every day. Carley loved the sand and water. Brayden loved the sand and kind of liked the water. Laney preferred the indoor pool, but put-up with sitting on a chair under an umbrella as we enjoyed the beach.