My kids are normal!

The other day the kids were outside playing in the backyard on the swing set. The weather has gotten nicer so they have been playing outside more. Like any kid they decided it was funner to play on the swings rather then swing on them. I was sitting inside feeding the baby watching through the window when I saw Nichole swinging the hard plastic swing at JT he was laughing but I was thinking to myself, "please be careful." Sure enough just like I had been afraid of JT put his hands down instead of catching the swing and it hit him smack in the face. He came running in to me and I could see blood on his front teeth when I had him open his mouth I was terrified his front tooth was pushed back. It didn't move but it looked awkward and out of place like it is sitting back from the rest of the teeth. It was already late in the evening and so I called the dentist but he never called back, who knows in my panic I may have never even left a message. Anyway I called the next morning and they got him in. They took x-rays and showed the tooth has been knocked out of place. The dentist said there is really nothing to do right now but keep an eye on it. The good thing is he is young and the tongue might push it back into place, and since it isn't affecting his bite then it isn't really a problem. All we have to do is keep an eye on it to see if it starts to change color which in that case it may need to come out. My poor little JT, and Nichole, she felt so awful for letting that happen. Hopefully she'll never do that again and hopefully JT's tooth can stay put. It was funny though because the dentist asked JT if he got hit with the swing and I commented that his sister swung the swing at his face and he said back with a smile "oh, your kids are normal then?" I guess they are!

Main Street Days

Last Friday we took the kids to Main Street Days in Grapevine, TX. It's just a little festival they put on in downtown on Main Street. There's vendors selling food and various items as well as a carnival and little shows. Last year we went and we remembered really enjoying it. This was our first big outing besides the mall with the baby. Well big mistake, we weren't quite ready for it. It was in the 90's that day but ridiculously humid. The sun was beating down on us and that was at 6 pm. The kids were fussy and the place was packed. I had some bottles for the baby but I am still nursing. Bryce decided he did not want a bottle at all, I tried my best to give him one but he refused, and if anyone has ever nursed a baby then you know that in 90 degree humid weather it is just not possible to cover a baby in a blanket and try to nurse. I tried over and over again to nurse as well but I was literally smothering the poor thing in the heat. So poor Bryce proceeded to cry and fuss the last hour we were there. We had a bunch of tickets so we decided to take the kids and let them go to the carnival. JT loves rides but was only able to go on a small train ride that they even said he was too small for but we coaxed them into letting him on and the long slide with me as well as the merry go round. We had enough left for each of the girls to choose a ride and so we proceeded to let them go on one. When JT realized he was not able to go on the last ride he decided he was going to have a melt down in front of everyone, and mind you I'm holding Bryce who by now is screaming, but were waiting for them to start the ride for Elizabeth. JT flipped out he was banging on the gate around the ride we tried everything to calm him, he threw himself down on the ground so there he is kicking and screaming hysterically on the pavement his face painting is smearing all over. We couldn't get him to stand up so we had to drag him to the grass so he wouldn't hurt himself. So there he lay rolling around on the filthy grass amongst cigarette butts and Russ and I were helpless. People were staring, we were mortified, we finally managed to get him in the stroller and buckle him in, where he continued to throw himself around. We have never seen him behave so horribly. But things have been tough on us. And we had to sit there amongst everyone because our girls were on a ride while this was taking place, and there were no restrooms just port-o-potties. And our car was parked streets away. I now understand all those parents I criticized before. I used to think there was something wrong with their parenting when I would see a child throwing a major tantrum, but we try our best. Russ and I do everything we can to discipline properly and to not allow the kids to get out of control but you can only do all you can and hope for the best. Throw in a new baby, multiple children and the terrible 2's and there is bound to moments of insanity.

Dance time

Recitals are almost here. My girls are so beautiful. I was a dancer myself for 9 years doing tap, jazz and ballet and I'm so excited to see my girls following in my footsteps. Yesterday was recital pictures at their dance studio so we had to get them all dolled up. They then did a little run through of their dances. Elizabeth is performing just one dance for tap and Nichole is doing both a tap and ballet number. Her other costume is so pretty, it's a brown and turquoise tutu. And Elizabeth is awesome she performs with such attitude, she really gets into it. One of the moms even came up to me after they did their little dance and said she thought Elizabeth was the best. I love these beautiful little girls!

My Birthday!

On Tuesday May 12th I celebrated my 29th birthday! Nothing too special just a nice evening with my husband and kids. We sat down and had dinner together and then enjoyed cake and gifts.


My Hubby brought me home roses and the most amazing cake, it's from a place called "Nothing Bundt Cakes" and they are to die for. They are so delicious, and come in different flavors with the most incredible homemade cream cheese frosting and they decorate them so cute. Being that I am a dessert fanatic this was the most awesome gift. It was a decadent white chocolate raspberry cake and he picked out the cutest decoration.


My girls did awesome with my gifts as well, Russ let them pick out some cute little jewelry because I like just cheap bracelets and earrings and it was hilarious because he said he let them do it all themselves. So it was very obvious I got a taste of what it was like to be 5 and 6 again. They had picked out all kinds of 1980's era sparkly bright pink bracelets and earrings. I was even given a pair of purple glitter sunglasses, something out of the golden girls. It was hilarious but oh so adorable, I just asked Russ that maybe next time he should insist mommy likes more of the black, silver, or gold jewelry.

And of course my husband is the sweetest gift giver. He surprised me with a beautiful citrine princess cut ring surrounded in champagne and white diamonds. Man I'm so lucky to have these beautiful and loving kids and such a giving husband in my life.

Our "Little Catholic"

On Saturday May 10th we baptized our precious little Bryce! This was such a wonderful and celebratory day as we not only celebrated the baptism of our son but also Mother's Day, my brother Thomas' 23rd birthday as well as an early birthday for me. My mother-in-law was able to schedule a private baptism for us which was so wonderful. All of the kids were on the best behavior which really surprised me, not that they are bad kids, it's just that they are seldom so quiet and reserved. I was sitting in the front and it dawned on me that I hadn't asked anyone to look after the kids and it was so quiet, I turned around and saw everyone including little mischief maker, JT, sitting very quiet and paying attention, thanks kiddos! It was such a beautiful experience and it was made all the more special by the fact that we had the same priest, Father Henry, whom married Russell and I and has baptized all our children officiate the occasion. Father Henry has been a big part of our life from marrying us to baptizing our children. I would even contribute our good fortune of being able to have the family we have somewhat to him. When we got married Father Henry laid his had on my stomach and blessed me saying, "may you have many children." I was told once when I was a teen that I may never have the capabilities to carry a child, but I have proven that wrong and have had four very beautiful and healthy children. Russ, brother Jeff and his wife Lesley are the Godparents to Bryce as well as all of our children. We picked them because they are good Catholics and the most loving people. They would make the most wonderful parents and we know that they would always treat our children as their own. It was just such a wonderful day and we are so proud of our little boy and can only hope and pray that we along with our faith will steer him in the right direction in his life, to know that we along with God will always stand by him and will love him eternally.