I have.....a new baby!

Well, not the people kind of baby, but MY baby LOL. I got this:


I LOOOOOOOVE it!! Although I haven't had a lot of time to play with it (the kids and I have all been sick...fun stuff), I finally managed to get some shots that I love. :) (Click on the pictures to see the whole thing) :)









Now I just need to get my boys to cooperate so I can get some good shots of them! :)

30 things this year

To help me achieve the goals I've made this year, here are 30 things that I want to accomplish this year. To read more "30 things" go to Lolly's.

1. I will practice the piano much more often.

2. I will go on more outings with my kids.

3. I will make cards for birthdays for loved ones--and send them out

4. I will make a blanket for ME.

5. I will hopefully start a photog business, or at least be closer to that goal.

6. I will make strawberry jam.

7. I will drink more water.

8. I will make more time for each of my children independently.

9. I will plan a romantic getaway for my husband and I.

10. I will do Family Home Evening.

11. I will read the BOM.

12. I will make time for friends. (which is never easy when you have small children, let alone 4 small children).

13. I will go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier without complaint (HA!--no promises).

14. I will learn to cook healthier for the whole family.

15. I will call my mom more just to chat. (I know she's probably thinking...Ohhhh great LOL).

16. I will have more pictures framed and on my walls.

17. I will take more pictures.

18. I will start a school scrapbook for Lexi.

19. I will learn to say no.--always a work in progress for me

20. I will sing more (no american idol auditions from me, but I love to sing, especially to my kids).

21. I will go puddle jumping with my kids.

22. I will keep up with my laundry, even tho I hate it.

23. I will make my bed when I get out of it in the mornings (well unless Rob is still in it).

24. I will make curtains for the house.

25. I will learn to sew better.

26. I will laugh more.

27. I will blog more. :D

28. I will exercise more.

29. I will try something new.

30. I will jump up and down 30 times if I get everything done LOL!

ok, I admit it...

My name is Erin and I am a closet American Idol fan. There I said it.

BUT in my defense, I think Simon generally is rude and a lot of times way too personal when he tells someone their horrible. It's one thing to say you're bad but quite another to say you're bad AND you look like a bush baby....even if you do.

The thing that I just don't get is this: (well besides the large amounts of people who can't sing who REALLY thought that they WERE the next American Idol.) Last night there was a kid on (I think he was 16 or 17) and he really couldn't carry a tune in a bucket (that's my professional opinion). After receiving the no-go, he proceeded out to his family where he cried. He said "I just wanted to start out famous". And his mother (well I assume it was his mother anyway) told him "You will be famous...you will!".
I know you want to help your children reach their goals, but I think there has to be some kind of reality check in there somewhere.

Is it similar to when you have a baby and you think it's the cutest baby in the history of ALL MANKIND? Does she really think he's destined to be a singing legend?? Or will she look back to this and think what the heck was I thinking?? Much like the funny newborn pictures that, while cute, are a little funny looking to you now. :D

There. My secret is out.

a mother in training

Alexis has always the motherly type. Perhaps it's because she was only 13 months old when she had to make room for a sibling. Maybe it's being the oldest child. Whatever the reason, it's times like today when it tugs at my heart at the love she shows her siblings.
David is sick with RSV and croup and has been pretty miserable today. He has basically sat in my arms dozing off and on most of the day. When I was trying to make dinner, I had to put him down and he was fussy. So without saying anything, she picked him up and just held him. Pretty soon she was calling me into the living room to show me this:


She is always so happy that she could help out, particularly with David and Haley who are younger. Robby is a little older and doesn't need as much "mothering" although she's been known to mother him around from time to time. :)

A huge milestone....BUT

Haley has always had a hate relationship with the potty. It always been me begging her to wear panties and bribing her to go potty. I thought eventually she'd just take it from I left off, but she really just doesn't care.
Today when she woke up, without any discussion, I put her in panties as soon as she got up. I always have put her in a diaper for naps because she takes a pretty long nap. And everyday, she willing takes the panties off and says "I don wanna wear my pannies anymoie". Today I was running late to get Lexi from school, so I didn't bother putting panties back on her, but as soon as we got home, I bribed her again LOL. So, she willingly put panties back on to get some juice.
Somehow tonight, we were talking about diapers (Rob was making a big deal that she was wearing panties--you know praising her for doing a good job) and I told her we'd have a party when she was all done with diapers. So she excitedly told me she is done and she is not wearing diapers anymore (and even told me that only David will wear diapers now). I am overjoyed that she's so excited to be done with diapers, BUT she refused to wear one to bed, and I know I'm not THAT lucky. But I didn't want to dampen her spirits so I let her go to bed in panties. I'm sure I'll be kicking myself when I'm washing sheets in the morning, but what can I do!?! ACK!

My only thought was to take her potty when I go to bed. Guess we'll see....Any advice is GLADLY welcome (sought after) :D She's by far my hardest potty trainer.

...and the boy had his cake

I should have posted these earlier, but better late than never, right?
He thoroughly enjoyed (as did mom) his chocolate cake, but had to have some help blowing out his candle. ;)

Rainy days and rainbows

This was the view outside my house this afternoon.

It rained on and off all day today (mostly on). After a long day indoors except for a short outing to get Lexi from school (where I got soaked), it was a great surprise to see not one but 2 rainbows. I have NEVER seen a rainbow so bright (the picture doesn't do it justice). You could clearly make out each color. It was so bright and just beautiful. I made all the kids come outside and look at it too...and there we stood until it disappeared. It definitely made all that rain worthwhile.

One year ago today....

David James was born on January 4th, 2006 at 2:36pm weighing 7lbs 15oz and 21 inches long.
I feel a little like the mom in Fiddler on the Roof when I say "I don't remember getting older, when did they (or in this case HE)" This year has absolutely flown by and I feel like David really wasn't a "baby" very long at all.
As it approaches 2:36 today, I find myself looking back over the past year. It's just incredible how much they change in one year, and how much they learn and grow. I've put together a "year in pictures" montage to share.

Make an online slide show at onetruemedia.com

***wait, are those baby twinges I'm feeling???***
On a side note, this is a first.....at all my other kids' first birthday, I was already pregnant with the next kid. It's a little weird that I'm not this time. :D

Happy birthday, little man. I love you.

Stepping out of my shell!

Recently, K, a scrapbooking buddy asked if I'd be willing to take some family pictures for her. I was shocked and in awe that she would even ask me! I agreed, even tho I was REALLY nervous considering this is the first time I've taken non-family pictures. It was a great learning experience, and I'm so glad that they asked me. I am really pleased how the pictures turned out, and hope they like them as well! Thanks K for letting me practice on your sweet family. And thanks for having patience with me!
(some of the pictures are cut off, you can click on them to see the fullsize :D)




I couldn't resist a couple of their sweet daughter. She really did well considering how much we were asking of her! :)


Thanks for looking! :)

School starts back on Friday

I had to look up on the county board of education website to find out what day Lexi goes back to school. She goes back this Friday. Why in the world do they resume school on a Friday. Lexi has wanted to go back to school, well pretty much since the day she got out, and now Friday will basically be a tease since then it'll be the weekend. I just don't get it. School started this year on a Thursday or Friday as well, and I thought it was dumb then too!
Granted, I'm glad she gets to go back...she gets so bored at home and wants to see her friends, but still Friday?!??!

Goals for '07

After reading several blogs about resolutions or goals being made for this new year, I decided that I might as well do the same!

1. Lose at least 20lbs.....baby steps right??
2. Read at least 4 non-kid books...wait do those even exist anymore?! Might have to go to the library, I don't think I have any.
3. Learn to sew better--i know i know...practice makes perfect. :P
4. Make a blanket or afghan for myself. I've made several for other people, and even Rob commented that it'd be nice for US to have one. heh. He says that but I don't see him pickin' up a crochet hook now do i?! ;0)
5. Be a better cook. I struggle with fixing the same old foods week in and week out.
6. Learn to step out of my shy nutshell and be more aggresive for the things I want.
7. Learn to say NO. (ok not all the time, but I have a hard time EVER saying no.)

So there you have it, 7 goals for '07 (how cheesy, right?!)

Well it seemed like a good idea...

The first day of '07 and what do I decide to do??!! I had the insane idea to change around the kids' rooms so the girls' room is now the boys' room and vice versa. I kept telling myself it would be easy to do, blah blah blah. Well boy was I wrong! It's taken FOREVER, but it's actually starting to look great! I still think it was a good move, considering we had to make room for the kitchen that Santa brought Haley for Christmas. It is a good feeling to have something organized....even if the rest of the house is now even MORE unorganized since I've neglected it to do the other rooms. I can't win!
Maybe this is a sign that in 2007 I'll be organized! HAHHAHAHAHAHHA Ok, I tried. It's good in theory tho, right? :D