iLane 1.0

iLane 1.0

Release Date: 11.22.11

Specs: 18 lbs. / 27 1/2 inches high 

Features: Macaroni Lover. Prefers milk to anything else. Including juice. Any kind of juice. Forget about it. Favorite pastime: getting into trouble. Never leave a phone or remote unattended. Enjoys eating playing in the dirt and playing with her brothers. 

That is when they don't lock her out of their room (can you believe they are doing that already??).  And she has to have everything they have (can you believe she is doing that already??). She hates anything in her hair. And having her diapers changed. And sitting in a high chair. Or a cart with a seat belt. Stealing smoothies and iced coffees at cheer practice or the dance studio has become something of a game to her. She loves to dance. She has the funniest little dance she does in the carseat. I can't tell you how many accidents I've barely avoided because I was watching her in the rear view mirror instead of watching the road. Current vocabulary is limited. Words include mama and all done. Although we swear that last night she said: Hi Michelle. Expect vocab to improve with updates. 


Cost: Priceless. Duh. 

Reviews: 4 out of 5 stars. HA! Just kidding. She's like 10 out of 5 stars. A definite "must-have" for the season. She is the love of our lives. I can't remember what life was like before her...oh wait. Yes I do. Life was a little easier. Okay. A lot easier. But it sure wasn't as fun. Or as pink =) However, we suggest the iLane 2.0 like to sleep a little more. Just a smidge. 

The Middle Child Syndrome

My poor, poor Trey Bird. It's not your fault. It's my fault. You didn't ask to be born second. You didn't ask to have a little sister. You had no idea that being a middle child could change your life forever.

I'm so sorry.
I wrote Drake's birthday blog.
I just wrote Lane's birthday blog.
I forgot your birthday blog. Ugh.

I googled "Middle Child Syndrome"...it's awful. So many people calling it a fate worse than death. Middle children are lonely. Are left out. Are withdrawn. But you my son, are none of those things. You are full of life. You are your brother's best friend. You are the little boy that Lane loves to constantly bother. I look at you like the meat of our baby sandwich. You're the good stuff.

As a big three year old, here are a few things I want to remember about you:
1. Movies are your FAVORITE thing. You would watch movies all day long (and night) if we let you.
2. You love to nap. So much so, you often go to bed after mommy & daddy.
3. Bubble....bubble, bubble, bubble. It's what you call candy. And you want it all. of. the. time.
4. Chocolate milk is still your drink of choice. You still call it CoCo.
5. You don't like breakfast.
6. Green is the ONLY color option.
7. Hair cuts are not your favorite thing. Hence the reason you can't see anything at the moment.
8. Cuts and scrapes are a major deal. They must immediately be covered and you do NOT want to talk about them. You will hide them at all costs.
9. You are obsessed with playing with guys...but the miniature guys. And you call them babies- like "Baby Green Lantern". It's a-freaking-dorable.
10. You are hands down, the grumpiest kid I know. But I don't care. I think it's cute. I'm kind of grumpy too =)

Anyway. My vow to you as your mother, is to make sure you never feel left out. Or are lonely. You will always be my little man. My snuggle-bug. My Trey Bird.

Love ya babe. Happy belated birthday.

Draker Baker

I am more than a little embarrassed that I haven't blogged since February. February? Come on Michelle. You can do better than that! I mean, I know the problem. When I go to blog about something, I think: Okay. Let's do this. But then I think- well, I want those pictures I just took off of the camera (5-10 minutes). Then I'll want to tweak said photos (and let's be honest here- once I start it's hard to stop- so let's estimate at least an hour). Then I have to actually WRITE the post. This is the easiest part, but the stuff leading up to it seems so overwhelming when I've only got, oh I don't know, 5 SECONDS to myself at any given time, that I just decide not to do it at all. Then I've missed a moment to document all of the amazing things my kids have done. Then I feel incredibly guilty. Then someone needs their butt wiped and all is forgotten until another blogging moment rears it's head. 

So, this is me, turning a new leaf. Succumbing to the fact that sometimes, the pictures do NOT need to be perfect to post. That sometimes, it's okay to just blog about the little things that I never want to forget. Please hold me accountable =)

Now...onto the main show. I missed blogging about an incredibly special day. June 14th. Five years ago it marked the best day of my life. The day I became a mommy. I will never forget the feeling of that little person leaving my belly (no worries- I'm not going to go into any gory details) and being placed into my arms (after all of the gunk was cleaned off of course- daddy wouldn't have it any other way!). I knew that my life would be changed forever. 

Drake, you are the funniest little kid. One day I'm going to write a book, and son, your one-liners are going to be a BIG part of that book. You are incredibly imaginative. That's important in life...and will make you an amazing father. You are smart. You never forget a name or a person you've met or what someone said. I swear you NEVER forget anything. However, when you get into trouble, your go-to line is "I forgot I wasn't supposed to do that!" Guess what? We know you didn't forget =) You love waffles. And soup with bread. You only like spiral macaroni and will tolerate chicken nuggets- although you are over McDonald's- which I am immensely grateful for. You love chocolate milk and root beer. And candy. And you have the cavities to prove it! 

You love to listen to music. And sing and have dance parties. You know the words to ALL of the top 40 songs. You can sing "Call me Maybe" front to back. It's really cute. Keep up this talent son- trust me on this. Girls LOVE a man that can sing. You are an awesome swimmer. Michael Phelps and the rest of the US Olympic team inspired you this summer! You love to do "Boy" things, like climbing trees and fishing. But most importantly, you are a good person. I'm not going to pretend that you aren't nasty once in awhile, but as a whole, you are so so good. You are always concerned about your siblings, making sure that if you get something, they get it too. You never want anyone's feeling to be hurt. You have such a sweet heart. You make me so proud. 

I read a quote the other day and I immediately thought of you. "My child is simultaneously the most amazing, frustrating, terrifying, awesome creature alive." I can't wait to see what's in store for you. Big things....big, big things. You just wait =)

Beach Day

Went to the beach today. With three kids. By myself. 

What in the **bleeeeeeppppppp** was I thinking?

Yes. I brought this much stuff. And yes, the tent poles are on the wrong side of the tent. Don't judge. **Side Note: I have a few words for all of the old men who just watched me do this. Thanks for the help. 

But then I see them playing so, so well together...and for a moment, all of the work is worth it. 

This makes it a little worth it too *sigh*...

Power Rangers go everywhere with us. 

And what about the look on those faces?? 

My cup runneth over...

And Over....

And Over.

(In his defense, after he made his heart, he told me that it looked more like a toilet. I agreed.)

Needless to say, I'll do it all again. And enjoy every minute of it. Sand fleas and all. 

Too Fast

Because it's all going too fast....

Laner Tuna Gangster

To My Sweet Baby Lane,
If I'm going to be perfectly honest with you (and I always want to be, perfectly honest with you)...I never envisioned myself with a daughter. From the day that I decided I wanted to be a mommy, I always saw myself with boys. I guess it's because I was never a fan of all of the drama or the fluff that so often are part of the territory when it comes to girls- little and big. So when I had your brothers, I was in my comfort zone. I don't remember being nervous one single minute about raising them...being a mommy to them. I've always trusted myself and your father (ahem) to teach them to be strong, polite, charming and smart little boys. But when the doctor (after a few tries mind you) finally figured out that Daddy and I were having you- a little girl- my heart nearly leaped out of my chest. I literally said- "What am I going to do with a girl??"!! Everyone assumes that because I work with girls nearly everyday of my life, that I would be over the moon about having a girl. But that's not exactly how I felt. I was nervous. Scared. What if you didn't like me? What if we don't end up being the bestest of friends when we are old and grey? What if I don't raise you to be a strong, independent and loving woman? So many questions wandered through my mind for the next 4 or so months.
As tutus and tights and all things pink made their way into our home, I kept trying to picture how you would change our family. I had no idea how the boys would react to you inserting yourself into our lives. All I could do was hope and pray that God knew what he was doing. 
Well guess what?
He did. He totally knew. He gave us you. Beautiful, wonderful, special, little you. From the moment I saw you, all my worries flew out the window. I took one look at you and knew that you were what was missing from our little family, even if we never realized it. I can say with confidence that you and I will be the bestest of friends. Your daddy will be your knight in shining armor and brothers will be your best protectors. You will be loved to the moon and back. And chances are, you will be one tough cookie. And that my love, will make you an amazing woman.....with the nickname, Laner Tuna Gangster. Sorry. You can blame your brothers for that one. 
XOXO,
Mommy