Grateful

Bryan went out of town. But I am grateful he is safe. And I am grateful we are safe. And I am grateful I have a couple awesome friends for a support system while he is away.

Of course yesterday, while Bryan was out of town, the van broke down. But I am grateful we were in a safe place. And I am grateful that I had my cell phone and could call my knowledgeable dad. And I am grateful to the banker who offered help, knowledge, and skills. And I am grateful that my kids handled it so well. (I am grateful I packed water and snacks.) And I am grateful for my friend who stayed with me until the tow-truck came. And then paid for it. And I am grateful for another friend who left her kids with a neighbor so she could come and give Joseph and me a ride home (there wasn't space in the first friend's car for everyone and their car seats). And I am grateful that we arrived at the car repair shop twenty minutes before they closed so I could drop off the keys and make an appointment. I am grateful they could fit me in today.

My friend (the first one) had been planning to take me and the kids to dinner and a movie. But since we had to deal with the van, we didn't make it to the matinee. But after we dropped off the van, she took the two older kids to an early dinner and a later show time. Joseph and I went home. I am grateful Joseph ate his dinner. I am grateful I could bathe and take care of him without interruption. I am grateful he went to bed early.

Then Caleb and Savanna arrived home, a little after bedtime. I am grateful they had a good time after the whole ordeal. But then Caleb said his tummy was hurting because he ate too much popcorn. But I am grateful that he threw up in my bathroom sink and not on the floor.

But then the ickiness wouldn't go down the drain. But I am grateful that I had plenty of plumbing liquid on hand. And rubber gloves. And bleach. I was especially grateful when it finally drained and I could clean out the sink. I am grateful for the good ventilation in my room so that I could still sleep in my bed.

But then Caleb woke up early in the morning and threw up again, so maybe it wasn't just the popcorn. But I am grateful he made it to the toilet this time. And I am grateful that I could turn off my alarm because I knew Caleb would not be going to school. And I am grateful that I got a little more sleep than normal (unless you count the interruptions).

But then Savanna woke up with a sore throat and terrible cough. So while she was crying for a drink, Caleb was crying because we wouldn't be able to go his last swimming lesson, and Joseph was crying because he wanted breakfast. But I am grateful that within ten minutes everyone's needs were met and a sort of calmness ensued.

And I am grateful for TV. Specifically PBS Kids.

But then the car repair shop called and told me that an inevitable repair would cost $400+. But I am grateful that I had set aside an extra $400 for our student loan this month. Not too tricky to wait until February to pay off the loan completely, instead of January. I am grateful that while $400 hurts, it doesn't hurt as bad as it could.

But then the car repair shop called to tell me that my car was fixed. During nap time. All three kids are asleep. (I should be napping too. Oh, well.) But I am grateful that the car repair shop will come pick me up. And they will wait until I call them to tell them I'm ready. So I don't have to wake up the kids.

But I should have gotten flu shots for my kids. Shame on me. But I am grateful that I got my flu shot, so at least one of us is healthy. And I am grateful that I can take care of my kids.

And I am grateful that Bryan is returning tonight.

And I am grateful that sicknesses never last forever.

The end.

Show me how much I love you.

(For those of you who don't know, Bryan and all his brothers are particularly fond of back-scratches.)

Bry: Can I please have a back-scratch?
Bri: Only if you really love me.
Bry: Then this is going to be a long, lovely back-scratch! Show me how much I love you.

Happy Halloween!

C

Little Man

Joseph wants to help. He is very curious, and he likes to get his hands into whatever anyone else is doing. If he hears the crinkle of a wrapper, he'll come running to make sure he gets his share.
Here he's helping Daddy assemble a kitchen chair.

Everybody tells me Joseph looks like a little man. They also use the words "hefty," "sturdy," and "healthy." He is not chubby anywhere, just completely solid. Weighing in at over 29 pounds, you can imagine how strong his mommy's arms are!
The other day, Joseph got into the toothpaste. After I cleaned him up and while I was on the phone with Poison Control (one swallow, no big deal, cup a milk, all good), he drew all over himself and the couch with a green marker. And then he has the sweetest smile and you can't get mad at him.

He is learning all kinds of words: break (from our family cheer "One, two, three, break!"), knock knock, hands, tickle, cool, wow, woah, mine, me, and no. All the important ones. And you've never met a more polite 18-month-old, saying thank you (which means thank you, no thank you, mine, and gimme) and sheez (please) all day long.

I love this boy!

It's a...

Healthy baby!

Okay, so those of you who don't know the gender yet may not even know the question was to be begged.

This is partly because we waited a long time to tell family.

And then there was the awkwardness of how to break the news. Most of the time it was like this:

"Yeah, I'm feeling really sick because I'm pregnant."
and
"Yes, thanks for asking if I'm pregnant before I tell you because if I wasn't you'd be in real trouble right now."
and
In response to people looking sideways, and sometimes even bending over sideways to get a better look, "Yes! I'm pregnant, okay!"

Really, I'm very excited to have another baby! And I'm not even bothered by the asking. I just never could come up with a fantastically clever way to share the news, so then it became more and more awkward as time went by. And the only way I could come up with to blog about it was to just wait a little longer until we actually had news of the gender.

We had an ultrasound today. And our families have already been informed. So now I can finally present to you the news of the day:

It's a boy!

I don't have a scanner, so for now I can only describe to you the relaxed state this baby was in. I mean, he was very active and even had hiccups. But there was one shot of him with his right hand under the back of his head, while he was trying to suck on his left hand. And then a shot of his two femurs in a very wide V-shape, spread eagle. The kid was chillaxin'. I've never seen a baby in anything but fetal position! Ha!

And everything looks normal and right on schedule.

And while I can now begin sorting boy clothes, I'm realizing that many of the clothes we have may not hold up much longer.

And I have put off thinking about names until now. And I think I will need some help. Here is the criteria:

1. Nothing that rhymes or resembles any of my immediate family's names.
2. Nothing that starts with B or Br.
3. L names are iffy.
4. Names ending in ie, ee, ey, or y are iffy.
5. James, Michael, Joshua, Callan, and Thomas are out.
6. Gordon, Bruce, John, Adam, Robert, Nathan, Bryan, Eric, and Andrew are out.

Go!

My Little Couch Potatoes

My Boys

Yes, the hoop is 4 or 5 times taller than Joe, but does that stop him? No way!

All set with all his gear: His well-used backpack from last year (that will need some duct tape here shortly) and his incredible lunchbox.

This boy was so excited to start first grade, he was up at the crack of dawn. Caleb completely dressed himself and got himself breakfast all before I was out of bed. A few people told me that first graders get so tired transitioning to all-day school. That wasn't true the first day, but on the second day it proved true.

Savanna, Joseph, and I have enjoyed a morning play date and some shopping. And while Joseph has been napping, I have been organizing!