March Madness

It's March and we still have snow! The kids have really enjoyed it and went sledding for the first time. Emma absolutely loves it and Noah closes his eyes the whole way down the hill. I even joined Emma once which surprised Ethan. He doesn't think I know how to have fun anymore...don't know what happened except that my free time has decreased rapidly since gaining the title of Mom, especially Mom of three. Guess I need to have more fun and prove him wrong...

We've been watching some Cyclone basketball and are excited to see them in the NCAA tournament again. We may have watched too much though. Emma was discussing who she could marry the other day. Ethan and I were trying to explain to her that we would want to approve of the person and make sure they had the same values as us. She replied, "You mean they need to believe in the Cyclones?" Oh dear...we have some work to do. A Cyclone fan would be a bonus though :)

Noah, Grant, and I have spent lots of time indoors staying warm. It's been nice but we are definitely looking forward to spring. Grant is starting to get into a routine and I think he may be growing out of his fussy stage. The doctor told me that he thought by 3 months, it would be much better. He's been smiling which is so much fun. He especially loves the kids. Emma puts his hand over his heart and says the Pledge of Allegiance. For some reason, he loves it and smiles every time. Noah continues to shower him with affection and calls him "buddy."

We are getting carpet upstairs this week so Ethan and I can move up. Emma will get her own room which she already has plans to decorate. I'm very excited to spread out and have more space. Things are getting a little cluttered with three kids in one room. Ethan plans to build a bookshelf on one wall and we will have an office space to share.

Emma is on spring break this week so we plan to have some fun. She wanted to know which hotel we were going to. Guess her classmates have been discussing where they are going. Maybe next year...I think WDM will be the furthest we venture this year :)

Sledding

Noah needs to take a break and warm up



Emma loves sledding!

Grant "chills" inside with me.

Helping Dad shovel snow

Making a fort

Mr. Smiles

Trying to talk

We love this little guy!



Big brother loves to help

Brotherly love



Noah treats Grant like his blanket at times. Such a snuggler!




Handsome fella

Photo shoot

Thanks to my lovely cousin Rebekah Stephenson for taking these pictures for us. I meant to post these awhile ago but finally got around to it. We also want to thank Aunt Amanda for the adorable stocking hats. We love them!

And then there were three...

People ask me how it's going with three. The first month went pretty smoothly, mainly because Grant slept most of the time. Well, he's awake now...

Here's some glimpses of our new life:

Grant cries a lot...pretty much every minute he is awake. Ethan told me the other day that "he's really not a fan of Grant yet." He wants to be held all of the time and sometimes that's not even enough. Our other two were fussy so I know he will get better in a couple months.

I have now shoplifted at Target...not only once...but twice. Items seem to get hidden somewhere behind Grant's car seat. It doesn't help that I am so distracted by corralling the other two, the crying, whining, the items falling out of the cart, my list, and just trying to get out as soon as possible. The ironic part is while I'm at customer service paying for an item found after our last trip, I discover a new item that slipped by after I had just checked out...talk about embarrassing. Note to self: only take all three shopping if it is a dire emergency.

Our house...well let's just say there's a new standard of clean around here. I am attempting to get my toilets and kitchen floor cleaned each week. Other than that I'm just trying to clear a path through the clutter and laundry.

Leaving the house...this is so much work now that most of the time I choose staying home. I used to love getting out but now that involves so much preparation that it's just not worth it. I did find myself volunteering to pick up the pizza the other night just so I could have 15 minutes of alone time in the car. I even sat in the garage upon my return to get an extra 5 :)

Ethan and I have found ourselves so tired some nights that we could be in bed by 9 if the kids would let us. On multiple occasions we have looked at each other both thinking "how did we get here?"

So that's our new life. I only write this all down so that I remember what life was like with three young children. I know this is only temporary and I love them to pieces. They do grow up and it happens fast. One day they will all be grown: the baby who needs held, the little girl who leaves scraps of paper and crayons all over my house, and the little boy who asks me everyday to make cookies "with the mixer."

I have been meditating on Psalm 103 lately,

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all His benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

 May I continually remind myself of all His benefits!

My boys

You better like kisses with Noah for a brother!



 My passenger most days...he's a fan of the Baby Bjorn

I think it may be time to upgrade to a king...

Mr. Chubby

Looks a lot like big sis here

Buddies

GO CYCLONES!!

Thank goodness for big sis. She has been a huge help!