Crosby's 1st Snowfall

I finally understand why so many 3rd children complain about having a lack of pictures from their childhood. Not only do we have so much less time to snap pictures but most of the time it is down right dangerous to leave him on his own with his two big brothers running around! We took advantage while the big boys were napping last week and got the camera out:) 

Time in Stillwater

Tim rejoined us after 5 LONG nights apart! It was so good to have him back! We spent some time in Stillwater and had lots of fun outings.

 The boys loved running around in the dome. They both have some natural soccer skills and it is amazing to me how they can just keep on running! 

 Uncle Mike and Aunt Sherah got to meet their newest nephew!

 Celebrating Steve and Bev's 40th anniversary at the Lake Elmo Inn. Mike and Tim shared and affirmed their parents and there wasn't a dry eye at the table. What a sweet night to honor such incredible people! We love you Mimi and Gramps:)

Cooper loved Mimi and Grandpa's play horse.  Man could he get that thing rocking!

 Gramps found some of Tim's old tools from when he was a kid. Carter had so much fun building things in the workshop with Gramps!

 Grandpa even found a tool belt for Carty man! 

Such sweet bonding time!

Mimi planned some fun things for the kids. She took them to story time at the library as well as to the Giggle Factory in Hudson. Here she is being such a trooper and climbing around with the boys! You go girl!! Thanks for such a fun time in Stillwater. Rest up because we'll be coming back for Christmas!

Tool time with Grandpa

Cooper riding the horse

Time with Sawyer

The boys got a lot of time with their cousin Sawyer this week. We tried multiple times to get a good pic which proved impossible with 4 kids 3 and under!

Such a serious bunch!

 At times it felt like we were running a day-care!

 Another try-without much luck

 Now there is a good picture! I guess it is easier with just 2:)

We had such a good time (even though Carter needs to learn how to treat a little lady) and  it will be so fun to watch them all grow up together!

M.O.A.

3 kids. Mall of America. This is how we roll*.

 *Right after this pic was taken, Shannon took the big kids and I just got to carry Crosby and my latte!

 Nana took us all to the Underwater Adventures Aquarium...so cool!

 My pictures didn't turn out great but Carter was especially excited about the sharks.

Cooper and Sawyer are becoming buds:)

 Who doesn't need a snack after all of that walking/strolling?

 Carter loves his cousin...just doesn't always give her much space:)

Lego Land

 Love those smiles!

 And one more snack before we head home! What a fun morning out!

Laughter

This video is from before Crosby was born (maybe late August). I forgot about it but love hearing their laughter and wanted to put it on the blog.

Blessed with Boys

Our boys are LOUD! They are wild and aggressive and rambunctious. A hug can often turn into a take-down tackle move. After a 9 month wrestling hiatus during pregnancy, I came back to discover they are much more physical and can take me down already. Our grocery bills are soon going to be ginormous! It seems we are often inches or seconds away from stitches and trips the ER. Every hallway is an opportunity to run. Every ball is kicked or thrown. They go all morning until they crash at nap and then go all afternoon until they crash at bedtime. The house is always a mess and I do laundry almost every day. BUT I have to say I am so blessed with these boys! There are so many reasons but here are seven that are on my mind today:

1. Practically we didn't have to buy any new gear or clothes.

2. Selfishly it has been easy to lose my baby weight as I try to keep up with them all day!

3. I was being a bit dramatic the other day and Tim called me on it. Then he said, "I guess you are the only girl in the house so you can have an extra measure of 'drama queen'". I'll try not to take advantage of this:)

4. I woke up the other morning and Carter informed me that I am the only princess in the house and there are 4 princes. It is their job to take care of me! I'm loving that!!

5, 6 and 7. See the adorable pictures below!

We are truly blessed with boys!

Community Fair

Nana's friend told her about a fair at the convention center on Saturday.  They boys loved it! There were a dozen inflatables, pony rides, a petting zoo, live music and Larry and Bob from the Veggies Tales.  

Three Amigos

Crosby is one lucky little boy-his big brothers love on him all day long!

 I'm guessing he will also be pretty tough as their affection can get quite physical! 

The big boys play together a lot more lately...

...and when they aren't playing they are fighting and when they aren't fighting they are kissing!

Guess Who-Crosby Edition

Crosby is definitely a Spark:) See if you can guess which of the following pics are Crosby, Cooper or Carter.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Crosby is 1 Month

 In some ways it feels like you were born just yesterday and in other ways it feels like we've known you forever! We love you so much Crosby Charles. The boys can't stop hugging and kissing you (I guess dad and I too). You don't seem to mind at all though. 

We took you in this past week for a follow up visit with the Mayo doctors (who came up to Grand Forks) about the small hole in your heart. They can still hear a murmur but aren't concerned at all. It will most likely close up in the next year or two and won't affect you. Your poor tummy is giving you lots of pain and gas. It's really hard to see you hurting and we've tried some different things that haven't helped too much. Hopefully you'll feel better soon (for your sake and because we'd love some more sleep at night!). 

We just took our first road trip to Minneapolis and you traveled like a champ! 

So far you seem to really enjoy baths and don't cry at all.  Also, you love being carried around in the Baby Bjorn or Moby wrap. You have only peed on us twice which is incredible for a little guy! Especially since right when you were born you peed on the doctor and nurses! 
We thank God for you, sweet boy, and look forward to getting to know you more this next month!

Say What??

Carter just asked me why he didn't have a sister.  I told him God that has given him two brothers. After a long pause he informed me that he is going to start asking God for a baby sister! 


Oh boy... 

Story time with Carter: David and Goliath

Carter loves books and memorizes them very quickly.  Lately he will pick up a book and "read" it to whoever will listen...it is quite adorable!
(Notice that he is still calling us Casey and Tim)

Carter is 3 Years + 3 Months!

 

A couple updates from our Carty-Man. He LOVES helping me bake cookies and make smoothies. 

I'm not sure where he first watched it but he loves the PBS show, Word World.  He has learned all of the letters and loves pointing them out and sounding out words.  It has been so fun to watch him learn...what a sponge!

He is at the stage where anything he does he'll ask us, "Did you SEE THAT??!" If we missed his jump or dance or whatever, he'll have to do it again:)

A new quirky thing is that he puts his blanket over his head sometimes when he drinks his milk...not sure where that came from

He LOVES trying to translate for Cooper!

And some funny things he said this past month:

-When I got home from the hospital he asked me where the baby went from my tummy.  I told him it was Crosby in my tummy and he gave me the most confused look!

-One morning he informed me that I was the only person in our BIG family that didn't have a penis. Hope that one doesn't leave the house!

-He overheard Tim and Mimi in a little argument about who would sit in the backseat of the van with the boys.  He started to cry and let them know they were talking "too rough". He is our sensitive little guy:)

-One night it was getting late and I told him it was time for bed.  He looked at me and said in a very serious voice, "Mom, I'm not tired.  I'm too wild and fun.  That is my problem, I'm just too wild and fun!"

-Lately when I ask him what he wants he will say, "I prefer..." So cute!

-Also, he has started say, "Aww that is so sweet" and calling girls his age "sweeties". Oh boy!

Cooper is 1 Year + 9 Months!

Cooper has become our music loving man! He hums/sings his way through the day and although he can't say many of the words, it is obvious which song he is singing.  He also is so quick to dance when we turn music on or sing to him. His dance move lately is to spin in a circle until he falls to the ground. 

His favorite book this past month is called Nursery Songs and he often will be adamant that we read/sing a particular one depending on his mood.  

He has become quite a great wrestler and can keep up with his big brother! 

My favorite thing lately has been to watch Cooper interact with his brothers...

He is full of kisses and hugs for Crosby and will cry at nap and night time if he doesn't get to kiss Cros first.

He still doesn't have many words but it is so fun listening to him and Carter interact.  Carter will play multiple choice with him waiting for him to say 'yes' or 'no'. At the dinner table if Cooper gets fussy, Carter will begin to ask him what he wants and name the most random things until he figures is out.