The Right Stuff

So, remember back in 2008 when I went to the New Kids on the Block concert with Tom?  Well, it was so much fun that when I heard they were touring again, this time with Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees, I knew that I had to go!  I talked my little sister into it and then sat back and let her recruit the rest of the group, buy the tickets, and do all the planning.  That's how I roll.  It's like when I wanted a squirrel for a pet so I caught one, but I made my sister carry it home because I knew that it wasn't safe to carry wild animals. Sure enough, the squirrel bit her thumb and I got mad at her for dropping the squirrel and depriving me of a new pet.  Hmmm, this analogy isn't quite working.  What I am trying to say is that I like to come up with brilliant ideas and then make my sister execute them.

I was a little nervous about leaving the baby for so long with Tom, but really, nothing was going to stop me from going to this concert.  Not even engorged breasts.  I brought my breast pump along for the car ride home.  Do I know how to party or what?

Anyway, we got all dressed up in our version of 90s gear, which for me is apparently 80s hooker.  We had seats directly behind the stage.  It was so neat to see the performers come out and get ready and watch all the backstage action.  Plus, they would turn around and waye or point to us periodically.  So maybe it was really loud and the music sounded terrible with all the feedback from the instruments due to our location, but they were still AWESOME seats!

My only criticism is that NKOTB played too many new songs that I didn't know.  They should know by looking at their audience of women all dressed in neon that we wanted the old stuff.  This was just a flashback concert for us and they were trying to be all serious artists!  Thankfully, they did throw in their oldies so we could sing and dance to that.

After the concert, we went to the 59 Diner where a waitress asked if we had been out drinking.  I guess you have to be drunk to dress like us?  Our waitress really liked my gloves so I gave them to her.  She was wearing them when I left.  I am glad they are getting a little more mileage.

Trying to look all "Hanging Tough," but actually just look sad.

Fun with comparisons

When Ellie was a baby, Tom bought her an Astros' outfit that looked like it belonged on a boy.  She wore it once and then it was set aside until Jack made use of it.  This morning, I told Ellie to go get me an outfit for Sam and she came downstairs with the old Astros' outfit (which is no longer their colors, by the way).  I was excited about the photo opportunity so I put him in it.

Here are the pictures of Ellie and Jack wearing the same outfit:

So, I apparently lost the bib somewhere along the way and now that I have 3 kids, I don't have time to get out the real camera for pictures. Hence, the decline in picture-quality of poor, chubby Sam. Sam is about the same age as Ellie in this pic and a month younger than Jack was. 

The 'No TV' experiment

We just successfully completed a week without television in our home. And when I say no TV, I mean for the kids...no way are Tom and I going without TV. What triggered the whole TV thing is Jack. He has been awful lately. He says really mean things and is crazy emotional. I, of course, blamed the devil television because no way my son learned that kind of behavior from us. Tom and I are perfect, you see. So, I took away TV and it was surprisingly easy. The kids really didn't complain or seem to miss it that much. I also noticed they played together MUCH more and seemed to be fighting less. Jack's behavior also improved. I mean, he still had his meltdowns and behavior issues, but not as bad. However, I also have to admit that without the TV to rely on as a babysitter, I was forced to spend more intentional, quality time with him and that probably helped way more than the lack of television influence.

I grew up without TV. In high school, my dad did buy one, but it was only for movies and it didn't get any channels. I think for the summer I am going to continue my ban on television and just let the kids watch movies on it...you know, for when I REALLY need a break.

My boys

Here I am, playing blog catch-up again.  Tom was in Austin the past few days, so I took the kids to my parents' house in Beaumont.  I love being there.  We spent a lot of time in the pool.  I think if I had a pool in my back yard, I would live out there.  What a great way to keep kids entertained and wear them out.

Jack has been challenging lately, so it was nice to have my parents around to jump in and help with the kids when I was occupied with feeding Sam.  Speaking of Sam, he is huge!  One of my mom's friends came over and thought he was closer to 7 months than 2 months.  Not only does he have more rolls than a shar pei puppy, but he is crazy long!  I can't love on him enough.  Except for at around 8pm when he just starts screaming until I can put him to sleep.

Jack is still giving us trouble with his attitude.  He is so dang moody.  One minute he is loving and sweet, the next he is stomping around declaring how angry he is.  He is also racking up the bills lately (though, of course, we don't begrudge him this).  We had to take him to a pediatric cardiologist for his heart murmur and a pediatric dentist for his teeth.  Next month, he is getting two extractions and two fillings.  And, of course, I don't have dental insurance because we have always gone to the dentist (aka Mark) for free.  But Mark doesn't do sedation, so pediatric dentist it is.  Jack also failed his hearing test at his well-child exam so we are supposed to take him to an audiologist.  The pediatrician also wants us to take him to a dermatologist about some moles she doesn't like.  Oh, and he needs speech therapy.  Naturally, this would all occur on the summer when I am no longer getting a paycheck. At least he doesn't need glasses, although he looks pretty darn cute in them!

p.s. Good thing I have gotten caught up in the Instagram craze or else I would have no photos of my kids! As it is, I have no photos that don't have weird editing applied to them.

Summer is here

Now that I am living the stay-at-home mom life, I get to do things like playgroup. Today the playgroup had a potluck at the splashpad. I thought Jack would love it, but he gets intimidated when there are a lot of kids around,  especially if they are older. My friend finally coaxed him out into the water,  but he didn't exactly look thrilled. 

Sam, on the other hand, seemed to like being out in the heat (especially when held by his auntie).

I could get used to this stay-at-home mom business 

Dear Sam: 2 months

Dear Sam,

Today you are 2 months old and I have a confession to make.  I completely forgot to write you a 1 month letter.  I never forgot for Ellie or Jack, but I guess this is what happens when you are the 3rd child.  You sometimes get forgotten.  I was the 5th child and my parents once forgot me at church an hour away from their home.  They left my brother (the 4th child) at a grocery store.  I think once kids outnumber their parents, these things happen.  Now where was I?  Oh, right, your first month. Well, to be honest, you were not a happy camper your first month of life.  That is probably why you didn't get a letter.  Because I was having to hold you nonstop.  It was like you didn't like being here very much.  Something changed this month, though, where you suddenly decided to chill out.  It has been awesome.  You recently graced us with some smiles, but, like your brother Jack, you make us work for them.  Speaking of Jack, you were smiling at him this morning and he was so excited about it.  He always begs to hold you and I snapped this picture of the two of you early this morning:

I think you are pretty lucky to have Ellie and Jack as siblings because they both adore you.  You have recently shown some interest in them, your eyes following them as they bounce around.  You don't like to make contact, though, and avoid it at all costs.  This has led to some interesting Google searches on my part, but a recent visit to the pediatrician reassured me not to worry til 4 months.

You are incredibly strong and have been since birth.  If someone is trying to do something you don't like, you will fight and squirm and flip yourself about.  Doctors and nurses have all commented on your strength.  You still like to be cuddled and you like to grab my hair tightly in your little fist while I snuggle you.

You are an okay sleeper, waking up every three hours to nurse, but sometimes in the wee hours of the morning you don't want to be put back in your bassinet so I usually end up bringing you to bed with us.  This makes your daddy very nervous, but at 3am I am willing to do whatever it takes to get a couple more hours of sleep.

Sam, you were our surprise baby, our little April Fools joke.  I thought our family was complete, but now, when I hold you in my arms, I feel such an overwhelming feeling of love for you and I realize you were the final piece to the puzzle that completes our family.  I am so glad you are mine and I want to keep you forever. And I promise to never forget you at a public place.

Love,

Mommy