Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
February & March 2011
Jack is in the middle of his baseball season for Willis High School. He has hit 2 homeruns in the last week!!!! Not a day goes by when he isn't practicing, working out, or playing. He eat, sleeps, and breathes baseball. This makes his Dad very happy! Recently we took the 3 babies to a game to watch Jack play. Campbell and Cooper were so excited to see him on the field that they stood at the fence yelling "Hi Jack" over and over! The guys in the dugout gave him a hard time. I guess it takes some of the pressure off us as parents. We don't have to worry about embrassing our teenagers because their brothers will do it for us!
Alex has been spending a lot of time practicing with his band. I haven't heard them play but I have learned a few things. Like... Alex is the "clear singer". I thought the goal in all singing was to be a clear singer..? The other singer is called the "screamer". This is not the music on my ipod! I am supportive of positive activities that keep them out of trouble! Bonus: His grades have improved because he was given a "No pass no play" rule at home. It's a win-win!
Conversations with a teenager:
Alex: "Hey, we thought of a name for the band."
Me: "Really? What?"
Alex: "We Read in Braille"
Me: "What does it mean?"
Alex: "Nothing it just sounds cool."
Me: "Wow that's really profound! Don't people read BY Braille?"
Alex: "I don't think so."
Conversation with a blonde teenager:
Me: We have rice crispy treats
Alex: Don't they make those from termites?
Me: What are you talking about?
Alex: The rice crispy treats. Aren't they made from termites?
Me: The name says what they are.
Alex: I know but what are they made of?
Me: Are you kidding? Say the name again.
Alex: Rice crispy treats. (With the question still in his eyes.)
Me: Alex they are made from rice....
Campbell has gotten shy recently which is quite a change for him. When we meet people in public or when we have visitors at the house he takes a while to warm up. This goes for anyone that he doesn't see on a daily basis. He is LOUD. I feel like I say that every blog update, but the boy is really loud. Sometimes my ears ring. Really. I'm not kidding. I haven't thought about decibels since science in high school but I recently googled it. Normal conversation is about 70db. A rock concert is 115 db. I put Campbell at about 120db. The level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss is 95dh. I worry about the health of our family's hearing! I love to hear Campbell and Cooper on the monitor in the morning.
Cooper: "Wake Up!"
Campbell: "No bubba. I sleepin"
Cooper: "Bubba, wake up"
Campbell: "I sleepin"
Cooper: "Bubba"
Campbell: "NOOOO... I sleepin' Bubba. You time out."
Campbell yells "No" quite often these days. We are working on it. He has a very strong idea of what he wants and does not have any problem letting you know what that is. Both boys like what they call "Mommy's drink" which is gatorade. We mix the gatorade with water which was fine until Campbell figured it out. He gets mad when you add the water now and stands in front of the fridge trying to keep you from adding it! I love that he has become a snuggler again. He loves when I hold him like a baby and give him one on one attention. Basketball is his newest obsession. I bought him a goal that hangs on the back of the door and he will play for 10 to 15 minutes non-stop. He still loves baseball. He talks about it sometimes when he goes to sleep. I can hear him on the monitor saying "I play baseball".
Cooper loves to color. I can keep him happy for long stretches of time with a coloring book. He can sing his ABC's all the way through and will count to 10 on occasion! He sings songs to himself all of the time. His favorites are "ABC", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and "Baby Mine". He a mischevious little man these days. He often pushes the limits to see how much he can get away with. If I tell him not to do something, he will watch me to see if I am looking before he does it again. I am constantly telling him not to close the doors. He likes to close the door and keep his brothers in or out of a room. Recenlty he was trying to close the back door when Campbell and Finley were making their way inside. I told him not to close the door. HE responde by put his finger to his mouth and shushing me. I said "Cooper... don't close the door your brothers want to come inside." He said "shhhhhh." He doesn't seem defiant when he does it. It's like a I've got it under control shhhh. It's hard not to laugh when he does it. I have to turn my back or duck behind something so he can't see me chuckle. I talk to him on the phone when I am at work. One day he said "Mommy I sad." I asked why he was sad and he said "Mommy is bye bye." I have two words. Mommy guilt. I had it really bad that day. I love that now he gives me kisses and says "Mommy I wub you" without being prompted.
Conversation while changing Cooper’s diaper:
Cooper: “There’s a monster Mommy.”
Me: “Where?”
Cooper: “Right there. There’s a monster.” (pointing at his rear end)
Me: “What monster Cooper?”
Cooper: “There’s a monster in my bunghole.”
Me: “WHAT?”
Cooper: “There is a monster in my bunghole.”
Me: “JACK!”
Apparently Jack thinks that telling him there is a “Poop monster” in his bunghole is how you keep him from “exploring” while changing his diaper. I simply tell them they will get poop on their fingers but I'm sure his way is the right way to handle it....
Finley refuses to be the baby. He can put phrases together. He tries to sing his "ABCs" and he sings "Happy Birthday" to himself. When we see him next to toddlers close to his age he seems older. He acts and moves more like a 2 year old than a 1 year old. In the morning he wakes up and gives me kisses. Not the baby, slobbery, open mouth kisses. Real puckered lip kisses. He still says "Me" when he wants something. New words in his vocabulary are Hot dog, Sarah (sawah), Jan Jan (dan dan), Jack, no, agua, and bubba. He answers when you ask him a question. If the answer is no, he says "no". If the answer is yes he repeats the last word of your question or says "me".
Mommy: "Finley, do you want to go inside?"
Finley: "No."
Mommy: "Do you want to play oustide?"
Finley: "Outside!"
I'm amazed everyday how big all of the boys are getting. I now talk with my toddlers and they talk back in sentences. Such a short time ago Alex and Jack were sitting in car seats. Now they are ready to drive me around!
Alex has been spending a lot of time practicing with his band. I haven't heard them play but I have learned a few things. Like... Alex is the "clear singer". I thought the goal in all singing was to be a clear singer..? The other singer is called the "screamer". This is not the music on my ipod! I am supportive of positive activities that keep them out of trouble! Bonus: His grades have improved because he was given a "No pass no play" rule at home. It's a win-win!
Conversations with a teenager:
Alex: "Hey, we thought of a name for the band."
Me: "Really? What?"
Alex: "We Read in Braille"
Me: "What does it mean?"
Alex: "Nothing it just sounds cool."
Me: "Wow that's really profound! Don't people read BY Braille?"
Alex: "I don't think so."
Conversation with a blonde teenager:
Me: We have rice crispy treats
Alex: Don't they make those from termites?
Me: What are you talking about?
Alex: The rice crispy treats. Aren't they made from termites?
Me: The name says what they are.
Alex: I know but what are they made of?
Me: Are you kidding? Say the name again.
Alex: Rice crispy treats. (With the question still in his eyes.)
Me: Alex they are made from rice....
Campbell has gotten shy recently which is quite a change for him. When we meet people in public or when we have visitors at the house he takes a while to warm up. This goes for anyone that he doesn't see on a daily basis. He is LOUD. I feel like I say that every blog update, but the boy is really loud. Sometimes my ears ring. Really. I'm not kidding. I haven't thought about decibels since science in high school but I recently googled it. Normal conversation is about 70db. A rock concert is 115 db. I put Campbell at about 120db. The level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss is 95dh. I worry about the health of our family's hearing! I love to hear Campbell and Cooper on the monitor in the morning.
Cooper: "Wake Up!"
Campbell: "No bubba. I sleepin"
Cooper: "Bubba, wake up"
Campbell: "I sleepin"
Cooper: "Bubba"
Campbell: "NOOOO... I sleepin' Bubba. You time out."
Campbell yells "No" quite often these days. We are working on it. He has a very strong idea of what he wants and does not have any problem letting you know what that is. Both boys like what they call "Mommy's drink" which is gatorade. We mix the gatorade with water which was fine until Campbell figured it out. He gets mad when you add the water now and stands in front of the fridge trying to keep you from adding it! I love that he has become a snuggler again. He loves when I hold him like a baby and give him one on one attention. Basketball is his newest obsession. I bought him a goal that hangs on the back of the door and he will play for 10 to 15 minutes non-stop. He still loves baseball. He talks about it sometimes when he goes to sleep. I can hear him on the monitor saying "I play baseball".
Cooper loves to color. I can keep him happy for long stretches of time with a coloring book. He can sing his ABC's all the way through and will count to 10 on occasion! He sings songs to himself all of the time. His favorites are "ABC", "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and "Baby Mine". He a mischevious little man these days. He often pushes the limits to see how much he can get away with. If I tell him not to do something, he will watch me to see if I am looking before he does it again. I am constantly telling him not to close the doors. He likes to close the door and keep his brothers in or out of a room. Recenlty he was trying to close the back door when Campbell and Finley were making their way inside. I told him not to close the door. HE responde by put his finger to his mouth and shushing me. I said "Cooper... don't close the door your brothers want to come inside." He said "shhhhhh." He doesn't seem defiant when he does it. It's like a I've got it under control shhhh. It's hard not to laugh when he does it. I have to turn my back or duck behind something so he can't see me chuckle. I talk to him on the phone when I am at work. One day he said "Mommy I sad." I asked why he was sad and he said "Mommy is bye bye." I have two words. Mommy guilt. I had it really bad that day. I love that now he gives me kisses and says "Mommy I wub you" without being prompted.
Conversation while changing Cooper’s diaper:
Cooper: “There’s a monster Mommy.”
Me: “Where?”
Cooper: “Right there. There’s a monster.” (pointing at his rear end)
Me: “What monster Cooper?”
Cooper: “There’s a monster in my bunghole.”
Me: “WHAT?”
Cooper: “There is a monster in my bunghole.”
Me: “JACK!”
Apparently Jack thinks that telling him there is a “Poop monster” in his bunghole is how you keep him from “exploring” while changing his diaper. I simply tell them they will get poop on their fingers but I'm sure his way is the right way to handle it....
Finley refuses to be the baby. He can put phrases together. He tries to sing his "ABCs" and he sings "Happy Birthday" to himself. When we see him next to toddlers close to his age he seems older. He acts and moves more like a 2 year old than a 1 year old. In the morning he wakes up and gives me kisses. Not the baby, slobbery, open mouth kisses. Real puckered lip kisses. He still says "Me" when he wants something. New words in his vocabulary are Hot dog, Sarah (sawah), Jan Jan (dan dan), Jack, no, agua, and bubba. He answers when you ask him a question. If the answer is no, he says "no". If the answer is yes he repeats the last word of your question or says "me".
Mommy: "Finley, do you want to go inside?"
Finley: "No."
Mommy: "Do you want to play oustide?"
Finley: "Outside!"
I'm amazed everyday how big all of the boys are getting. I now talk with my toddlers and they talk back in sentences. Such a short time ago Alex and Jack were sitting in car seats. Now they are ready to drive me around!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Finley is One!
Finley is one...
My baby is already one? Where has the last year gone? He is a walking, talking, playful toddler. There I said it. He is a toddler. Phew. That was a tough one. Just a year ago we were holding this sweet little bundle. Now we are watching him turn into an independant, little, person.Finley is doing everything he can to keep up with his brothers. He wants to feed himself. The only way he lets me feed him is when the food is off of my plate. Otherwise, he wants to pick it up and feed himself. (I think that this is why he skipped baby food.) He started walking at 10 months. He doesn't want you to hold his hand. He wants to walk ahead of you all by himself.
He is talking so well. We will be having a conversation and hear him repeat words or phrases. We all look at eachother and say "Did you hear him?". One morning he woke up and looked at his Daddy and said "Daddy get up." Should a 1 year old be putting words together like that? It's all happening so fast! He has a number of words in his regular vocabulary:
"Me", "mine", "daddy", "momma", "Alex" (he makes such an effort to get the "x" sound. so cute.), "down", "kitty", "get you" (while being chased around by Daddy), "hello"...
He says hello a like Elmer Fudd. "Hewooo!" His JanJan recently gave him a little keyboard with a microphone. He uses his "monster voice" whenever he talks into the microphone. It's so funny. He will say "hewooo" in the sweetest baby voice but give the boy a microphone and he becomes scary Finley!
Fin loves to brush his teeth. As soon as I walk to my bathroom sink he starts saying "Me? Me? Me?" If I don't respond quickly he says it louder and louder until he has his toothbrush in hand.
He has really started coming into his own. He is beginning to react when you take him away from something he wants. He knows how to arch his back and scream in protest. Is this instinctual for babies or do they learn it from eachother? All of my boys have pulled this maneuver on me! His first birthday was a lot of fun. The whole family came over and helped us celebrate. When it was time for his cake he didn't hesitate for a second before sticking his hands in the icing. He picked the whole cake up and had fun making a mess!
My little Finley has been the best baby and the last year has been so much fun with him. I love that he is always discovering something new. He will lay on the floor and look up at the room around him in wonder. Then he is off and running again. He is happy playing alone and even happier toddling after the twins. He has taken a few beatings from them but they love their little brother. Last night Campbell, Cooper, Fin, and I were sitting on the couch and I was trying to get him to sleep. Cooper and Campbell sang "Baby Mine" with me and he went right to sleep. It was one of the sweetest moments that I have had as a mom. Cooper was really close to his cheek sort of whispering the words and Campbell was holding his hand. When we were done singing and he closed his eyes both of the boys gave him a kiss. The part that made it even sweeter is that I didn't prompt them to sing or kiss him. They just did it. It's one of those moments that I want to remember and hold on to. If I could time travel I would revisit that momemt over and over again.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
January 2010
I decided to make a blog entry about some of the insanity that is my life. I know one day I am going to be sitting in a bubble bath, drinking a glass of wine (preferably at the Four Seasons in Costa Rica) totally taking for granted "me" time. I want to remember this time in my life. I want to remember so that I can appreciate boredom again one day. I want to remember because it's fun and crazy at the same time. So here goes...
If you know me at all, you know that I am always busy and on the move. I am constantly trying to stay ahead of the game so that even if there is a curveball thrown at me, I can still smoothly progress through my day. Example, I like to restock the diaper bag before I put it up. That way if I have to rush out the door unexpectedly, I don't have to worry about grabbing more diapers and wipes. I like to have clothes out the night before if we have plans to go anywhere. I like backpacks and lunches done in advance as much as possible when we have school the next day. (I have been slacking off on this and letting Jack take over. It's not easy letting go!)
I am particular about my house. In my efforts to try to keep my house somewhat clean, I have become the queen of multi-tasking. ( I only minored in the art before the 3 little ones joined us!) I like to cook dinner in a clean kitchen. I have a hard time sitting down to enjoy my dinner if there are dishes, pots, and pans that need to be washed. I eat most of my meals these days standing in the kitchen while cleaning. Tonight, I browned ground beef while feeding Fin his bottle. On Saturday mornings I mop while the boys eat breakfast in their highchairs. I almost hate to admit it.. but I have even caught myself wondering how to make better use of my time in the bathroom, assuming it is one of those rare times when I don't have an audience of toddlers. Seriously. I wonder if it was a mother of multiples that created the extending grabber thing. I really think it was. I know the infomercial shows people with disabilites and extremely high cabinets using them. But if I stuck a rag soaked in cleaning solution on the grabber end I know I could clean baseboards while using the potty. I haven't gone out and bought one but I've thought about it. Crazy right?
I have also discovered why moms wear "house shoes". I have always loved the moment when I walk in the door, kick my shoes off, stretch my toes, and plant my bare feet on clean floors. I don't enjoy it as much now as I did when my floors where mopped 3-4 times a week. I am lucky if I do it once a week these days. I now have "house shoes" too.
I am a complete lunatic I know! I have never really thought of myself as a control freak.... more of a time manager. (I know, I can hear the snickers now.) Now I know that life is trying to teach me a lesson. I'm trying to sit back and relax a little more. Sometimes I find myself trying to hang on to bits of control with at death grip. In the end, life is winning. I am giving in little by little. Rather than the smell of Mr. Clean and the feel of barefeet on a cool clean floor, I have a cluttered, somewhat clean home with happy memories of playing with my kiddos. It's how it should be. At least until I win the lotto and can pay someone to clean while I make memories!
If you know me at all, you know that I am always busy and on the move. I am constantly trying to stay ahead of the game so that even if there is a curveball thrown at me, I can still smoothly progress through my day. Example, I like to restock the diaper bag before I put it up. That way if I have to rush out the door unexpectedly, I don't have to worry about grabbing more diapers and wipes. I like to have clothes out the night before if we have plans to go anywhere. I like backpacks and lunches done in advance as much as possible when we have school the next day. (I have been slacking off on this and letting Jack take over. It's not easy letting go!)
I am particular about my house. In my efforts to try to keep my house somewhat clean, I have become the queen of multi-tasking. ( I only minored in the art before the 3 little ones joined us!) I like to cook dinner in a clean kitchen. I have a hard time sitting down to enjoy my dinner if there are dishes, pots, and pans that need to be washed. I eat most of my meals these days standing in the kitchen while cleaning. Tonight, I browned ground beef while feeding Fin his bottle. On Saturday mornings I mop while the boys eat breakfast in their highchairs. I almost hate to admit it.. but I have even caught myself wondering how to make better use of my time in the bathroom, assuming it is one of those rare times when I don't have an audience of toddlers. Seriously. I wonder if it was a mother of multiples that created the extending grabber thing. I really think it was. I know the infomercial shows people with disabilites and extremely high cabinets using them. But if I stuck a rag soaked in cleaning solution on the grabber end I know I could clean baseboards while using the potty. I haven't gone out and bought one but I've thought about it. Crazy right?
I have also discovered why moms wear "house shoes". I have always loved the moment when I walk in the door, kick my shoes off, stretch my toes, and plant my bare feet on clean floors. I don't enjoy it as much now as I did when my floors where mopped 3-4 times a week. I am lucky if I do it once a week these days. I now have "house shoes" too.
I am a complete lunatic I know! I have never really thought of myself as a control freak.... more of a time manager. (I know, I can hear the snickers now.) Now I know that life is trying to teach me a lesson. I'm trying to sit back and relax a little more. Sometimes I find myself trying to hang on to bits of control with at death grip. In the end, life is winning. I am giving in little by little. Rather than the smell of Mr. Clean and the feel of barefeet on a cool clean floor, I have a cluttered, somewhat clean home with happy memories of playing with my kiddos. It's how it should be. At least until I win the lotto and can pay someone to clean while I make memories!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The End of 2010
It has been a year of growth and discovery for team Ashley. Finley joined the chaos in February. Jack E. turned 15 in May. Campbell & Cooper turned 2 in October and Alex will be 17 on December 30th.
February 8th, 2010 we welcomed Finley James Ashley into our lives. He has been the best baby ever. We really expected a little monster but he is an angel. Jack always says that Finley is made of sugar and that is what makes him so sweet. He thinks he is a triplet and is determined to catch up to the twins developmentally. He has four teeth (two on top and two on bottom). December 23rd he started walking and he started BIG! 17 steps! Seriously. One second he was crawling and the next he was walking across the room. He has gotten very vocal lately. He says "Dada", "Mama", "hey", "kitty Kitty", and "ball". He tries to repeat everything. I especially love it when he tries to say "disgusting". You would be surprised to hear how close he is to actually saying it. He has become "Ninley" thanks to the twins. I'm sure it's a name he will love when he gets older!
Jack E. is still playing baseball any chance he gets. The day after Christmas he played on a Nicaraguan team in Houston. There were 40 yr old men playing with him who have played baseball all of their lives. Jack C. says it is a good way for him to gain experience. Jan Jan and Gramps signed him up for driver's education for Christmas! He is really excited. We are really scared! The idea of having just one teenager on the road was enough for me. Now instead of taking turns sitting in the front seat, we will have to take turns driving??? It just seems so strange!
Cooper is such a loving little boy. I can always get a hug, kiss, and snuggle out of him! His vocabulary grows everyday and he speaks in full sentences now which catches me completely off guard. I will be standing in the kitchen doing dishes or some other chore and he will walk in and say "What are you doing Mommy?" clear as a bell. He is sensitive and is always concerned when someone gets a booboo. He is always quick to volunteer a kiss to make it better. Cooper is his Daddy's mini-me. He looks so much like Jack. His blonde hair has gotten really curly and I refuse to cut it! He is stubborn. All of our boys are. He has started demanding to do things for himself. A few days ago I was going to help him into his chair to eat and he pulled a Stewart (from SNL). He put his arm up and said "Let my (yes my...not me) do it!" Moments like that are when I wish I had cameras running in every room so I could watch and share them over and over.
Campbell is sure to be an athlete. Give him a ball and he knows what to do with it (yes I know there are jokes here but I'm keeping it clean). He can throw a baseball for sure. We recently went to Chuck E Cheese for a birthday party and there was a pitching game for bigger kids. I stood him up on the machine so he could reach and let him pitch. He was accurate at least 1 out of every 3 pitches. Not bad for a 2 year old. Campbell is loud. It doesn't matter if he is happy, sad, sleepy, or mad. He is just loud. He expresses himself at top volume at all times. I guess this will come in handy when playing sports? I tell him in a whisper to use his inside voice and he yells "OK MOMMY" in his outside voice. His favorite word now is "No".
Me: "Campbell do you want to go potty like a big boy?"
Campbell "No."
Me: "Do you want to eat lunch?"
Campbell: "No."
Me: "Do you want to eat ice cream?"
Campbell: "No."
Me: "Do you want to play outside?"
Campbell: "I go outside."
It's a game we play. I keep asking questions to see what will make him say yes!
Alex will be getting his truck this week! So, Hide your wife, hide your kids, hide your husbands because he will be running the roads! Kidding!! He is a very cautious driver so far. Sometimes too cautious. He will be a great driver once he gets some more driving time in. We took him to look at the truck on Christmas day and he was excited. It's a 2003 Ford F150. It's a nice truck and I am so happy for him! He turns 17 in a few days so he is ready to hit the roads. He will be happy to have some freedom I'm sure! I'm just glad that we have technology on our side with him driving. The cell phone must have been invented for parents with teenage drivers!
Jack and I are constantly busy. There is always something to be done. Sometimes I get to the end of the day and I can't remember if I ate or took a potty break all day! I guess it works out! No water or food = fewer trips to the potty! :) I love our boys and the chaos that comes with having five kids. Sometimes I wonder if I look like a mad woman to the people around me. I try to maintain my composure and I feel like I do most of the time. I crack up on occasion but I think that is to be expected right? I know that having 5 kids is life's way of teaching me to relinquish control at least a little. I used to vacuum and sweep my floors every day. Now I try to mop at least once a week. I was once organized and on time. Now I am cluttered and late! I had no idea 5 years ago that my life would be so full and busy. I think if I spent a day in my old life now I would probably be bored out of my skull! I love my boys and my life. There is never a dull moment! I expect next year to be just as full as 2010 and I look forward to every second I get to spend with my family!
Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
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