I love this BEACH

Feb 2012 -Blue Mountain Beach, FL

Silly Perry

typical Yorkster

Our view from the room... A M A Z I N G

We took our last family vacation before Ramsay arrives.  I am put on "travel restriction" earlier than normal because of my preemie baby history... so we took advantage of Wesley's off weekend and headed SOUTH.  We had an absolute blast and it couldn't have come at a better time.  It was the perfect way to relax and enjoy our boys at these ages.  They both loved the beach and could have stayed all day long if we would have let them.  York actually told us to "throw the Birmingham house in the water because this condo was our new home" then he proceeded to kiss the wall and give it a hug while announcing "I love this beach".  I feel ya York-man... I could have stayed forever.  Glad my boys harbor the same love for the water and sand that their Daddy and I do.  Mark my words faithful blog followers:::: We WILL end up at the beach ONE day.  That is Wes and my shared vision for our future.  We are not sure when that day will come but we are certain it will.  We will enjoy life until then... these days are so fleeting and so fun.  Perry really enjoyed the beach and followed brothers lead of shoveling sand, crashing castles, and driving tractors on their "sand" roads.  We enjoyed a Doggy Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, a Mardi Gras country broil on Sunday, and live music on Monday!  The weather cooperated on Sunday and Monday and made for 2 marvelous days on the beach.  It truly is one of the most beautiful beaches you will find anywhere and just takes my breath away each time I look back at the pictures.  I think we Alabamians take our beaches for granted sometimes because we have all grown up going there... they are really a treasure!  Perhaps I never realized how much of a treasure until I saw my boys enjoy it. . . pure happiness. 

BABY UPDATE (19 weeks)
By the way I am almost HALF way done with this pregnancy... What?  I sometime forget that I am actually "with child" (when my head isn't in the toilet or suffering from hormonal hot flashes) then realize there will soon by another little munchkin joining our gang.  Perry has decided that is a monkey and is climbing out of his crib... so transition to toddler crib/bed will be happing this weekend.  (in his new room) I guess this is as good a time as any to prepare the nursery.  I need the walls painted, new furniture delivered, and new fixture hung in babies room.  I guess we can begin the "change"... and make it more REAL that another little life will soon be arriving!  My clothes are getting tighter and I can feel him moving all the time... Last night York was able to feel him kick!!  That was exciting... he was too young to understand or care last during P's pregnancy.  York was really happy and said "Wow her is STRONG!  her kick my hand!"  Yes he still thinks its a GIRL... I guess I will just let that go until he gets here then show him the boy parts to confirm.  York is adamit about the gender and will get angry if you try to argue.  Oh well.. pick your battles?!?!  This baby moves alot at night and early morning and Wes has been able to feel him from the outside since around 16 weeks.  Much earlier that with the other two.  FYI... his name is Ramsay (not sure If I've mad that BLOG offical) that is Wesley's grandmothers name and would have been the name regardless of gender.  The other name is undecided and I dont even have 2 front runners.  Believe it or not naming 3 boys is hard!!!  That is 6 boy names... by the way!! Most people only like 2 or 3 boy names- try coming up with 6 PEOPLE!  Very hard.  I may not name him til I see him... is that terrible? I may have to look at his little face an see if he is more of a Napoleon or Vitamaude? (unfortunately neither are in the running but both are FAMILY names -you didn't think I could just make those up did you?  afraid not)  Other that that I have my "official" anatomy scan/ultrasound Friday where I will do my best "surprise" face as the tech shows the goods.  I will update with evidence... Hope everyone is enjoying their Ash Wednesday.  Much love -Ev

the day for LOVE

My sweet boys enjoying their LOVE SUGAR!

The adorable gifts the boys gave Wes and I!

Sweet Tascha (one responsible for the SUPER CRAFTS the boys made)  She is so creative and just loves my boys to death... Thanks T for being such a kind and compassionate person in our lives!

2012 brought my BEST Valentines Day yet... York walked around shouting about "Valentines day" and his Party at school!  He told me it was the day for LOVE and that he really loved his P-dawg.  I heard him tell Perry last night..."Do you know how much I luv you P?".  Wowzers.. talk about MELT this mommas heart!  To see York's face as I opened the gifts he so delicately made and kept a "secret" for 2 days was priceless.  I love that he enjoys giving as much as receiving.  What a gift in itself.  Perry of course was ALL SMILES as he inhaled one sugar cookie after another.  Perry is at such a sweet age... he adores everything York does and encourages his wacky behavior.  I hope York will always look at Perry with protective love and that P will appreciate it.  I try even now to teach the two that there is no bond like a brothers and how important it is to love them with all of our hearts all of the time.  I hope I can help their bond strengthen each day so it will never unravel... the closeness of siblings is so incredibly important.  I hope they will work to nurture that relationship as long as they live. 

A BOYS WORLD: Food for thought

 Boys Boys Boys... I try hard to understand them and relate as much as possible but it isn't easy.  Like why do boys stink? (if your a girl mom you will not appreciate this statement)... I can pull them out of the tub and they smell like a wet dog.  Not their fault... its just BOYS!  And what is with their continual need for pain or is it plain stubbornness?  If I tell the boys not to put their finger in the drawer because it will shut and HURT them and they continually do said behavior multiple times- shouldn't they learn a lesson?.... don't girls learn the first time that their action provided a unsavory response therefore they shouldn't do it a second time?  NOT the case at my house. "Boys will be Boys" is that saying finally registering with me?   I think so!  And what is with the need to growl or make "vicious" sounds at one another when they aren't 100% happy...?? Is that just my kids?  Is it really fun to sound like a character from Nightmare on Elm street?  It is really that intimidating?  Does it make mom want to growl back... is that the intended response?  And that FUN-Happy violence... you know the kind... the I'm so excited and having such a wonderful day that I feel the need to headbutt or tackle someone!  Maybe jump from couch to couch on top of parental target or climb the outside of the stairs because that isn't nearly as dangerous as ascending the more traditional way!  hmmm... thoughts?  Lastly... why does one crying child lead another down the same tearful avenue?  We have to cry in unison?  Do we NOT need a reason for waterworks?  I always thought so... 

For now I will continue to observe the weird behavior and actions of one "all knowing (because he asks WHY every other word)" handsome 3 year old and his "precious lil mimic/sidekick".  Until next time -signing out from BOY-verse

Jabber Jaws is on a R O L L

"How old are you York?" -mom

"I'm TREE!" -York

"That makes me do BAD things momma!" -York

(culprit: loud music)

"Look at the Chii- new on TV" -York

I look at the screen to see a Chinese gentleman

There is an African American man that narrates York's movie .. Big Rigs.  At one point in the show he exclaims "I'm a NATURAL!" as he drives a large tractor.  York watches this show nightly... to say he is obsessed is an understatement.  Recently we were watching the news and York notices...

"Mom he is a natural" -York

"huh??" -mom

"That man is a natural!" -York

((Then I realize it is an African American news anchor... York now thinks all Black people are naturals! This makes me laugh!))

"I'm hard mommy... I'm made out of WOOD" -York

I was applying my make up when York asks "WHY?"

"So I dont look ugly!" -mom

"I love you ugly momma" -York

At dinner the other night Perry began his "I'm done with my dinner so I'll scream until someone picks me up" fit and York looks over at Wes and says, "What are we going to do with this child?"

We were driving down the interstate and hit several pot holes and York yells, "You almost knock my teef out of my mouf!"

"Don't be lazy Daddy... be healthy" -York

(Trying to get Wes to play outside with him!)

"That's how I roll... in the street" -York

The other night in the car Wes says to me... "I thought Baklava was Jewish"  As I explained that it was not ... York chimed in with "I thought blocklablob was juuwich! and Jewish is a girl!"



BABY 3 UPDATE

I will be 16 weeks tomorrow and am feeling this little guy all the time.  Although I am yet to "pooch" I am reminded of this tiny miracle throughout the day with his somersaults!  It's such a sweet time ... watching my boys grow into little men and experiencing the physical and emotional growth/ change within my own body.  Each stage is as exciting and challenging as the next.  I will begin my weekly shots tomorrow along with continued prayers that this babe will stay put as long as possible.  The shots are not the easiest but the benefits far outweight the weekly pain!  I am feeling good other than the occasional "vom" session... which is becoming further and far between!  I am CRAZY tired and cant remember being this tired with the other 2.  I feel sure that I will pop soon because I can feel the hard mass migrating out of my pelvis.  Pants are getting tighter and my hormonal rages are ramping up.  (sorry Wes)  I am already thinking about how much our Power Bill will be come July! W O W... need to start saving now.  I am already one hot hormonal mess and it is only January -granted we are having unseasonably warm weather.  I am trying to keep my miles up but some days it just isn't happening ... I am learning to cope with that.  All in all this has been an uneventful but blessed pregnancy and hope it continues that way!  Updates soon...

Happy 14 months little P-baby!

Perry is such a happy baby and enjoys being loved on.  He is happiest when he is on your hip!  He likes to follow York and me everywhere including the bathroom.  I'm convinced that he will be potty trained before York!! He loves to sit on the little potty while we are in there.  (What is it like to use the facilities without children pulling the toilet paper off the roll, slamming the seat lid up and down while you wash your hands, or flushing while you are still going?... hmm)  He loves to snack but refuses to eat REAL food.  His daily diet includes: oatmeal, bananas, fruit cups, yogurt, an occasional chicken and stars or turkey and rice meal, and vegetable pouches.  Yes he is 14 months and I have to do the veggie pouches mixed with fruit.  He adores all fruit, fresh and dried.  Any type of snack food: gold fish, teddy grahams, ritz, crackers, peanut butter, nutella, etc.  He will not even try new food... I try to give him pieces of meat here and there and he spits it out and make the biggest mess.  I even try to get York to feed him because he loves all interaction with his bubba.  NOPE.. he clenches his teeth and shakes his head.  He is such a turkey.  Forget trying to sneak in a real vegetable at dinner... NO WAY!  It ends up on the floor or smeared all over the table... FOOD ART!  It is the most irritating thing in the entire world.  Luckily he loves his milk and drinks it without a problem most of the time.  York NEVER turned away food... N E V E R!  So this is a completely different ball game and I'm loosing!  I have spoken to our pediatrician and she suggest only offering the real thing at meal times and he will eventually eat.  I can't do it. . . I have to feed my little runt!  Even if he goes to Kindergarten with spinach and pear pouches... hehe!  He sleeps great and has since about 10 weeks! No complaints there!!  I guess you cant win them all!  He loves trucks and makes the best "truck" noises while driving them all over the place.  He also loves to point and thinks it is hysterical when you point back at him... ie the E.T!  He runs after his brother everywhere and loves to tackle him!  He will imitate A N Y T H I N G his brother does and that is D A N G E R O U S.  He recently attempted the outside of the stairs ... thank you Brother!  When York is put in time out and crying ensues Perry is right there with him... sympathy cries!  (or a symphony of cries to be exact)  Oh the sounds of LIFE!  This sweet life that I'm so blessed to lead.  The precious moments when its just me and my boys on the floor laying together... those moments can't get better.  The joy that explodes from my heart when Perry reaches over to touch his brother or York leans over for a kiss without my prompting.  The amazing things these little boogers pick up on each second.  It is truly a once and a lifetime experience that is going by entirely to quickly.  I hope that when I read these words 10 years from now the sweet feelings will spill over me and take me back to this unforgettable time.  Life with 2 boys... life that doesn't slow down, life so overwhelming it brings me to tears one moment then exploding laughter the next, life that can't be measured in words, life that proves how great our Creator is in the simple things -like looking into the eyes of your child and seeing your own, feeling their tiny fingers as they hold your hand or pat your back, or hearing the sweet words, "mommy I need you!" or "do you know how much I love you?".  Wow.. what those simple words do to a momma!  They make each diaper change, meal made, grocery trip, and mounds of laundry worth the hassle.  Truth is there is nothing like raising children... Truth is each milestone and moment is affirmation that this is what you were born to do.  I am blessed to be a mom and take incredible pride in raising the best boys I can!  I love them to MARS and back!  (( stole that from York))

I'm all JACKED up!

"Dad.. I can't fire you!" -York

"York why did you poop your pants?" -me

"God told me to!" -York

((Perry is taking EVERY toy York has in "his area"))

"P that's NOT cool!" -York

"How long have you been sitting in poop?" -me

"umm... just a couple of hours" -York

"York... what is P doing? -me

"Uh.. he's just chillin" -York

"Daddy... please shave your wis-jers" -York

"You look great today... that outfit is so cute" -me

"Yea... I look FANCY" -York

"Perry is such a ras-cer" (rascal) -York

"York, look at those birds on our hill..." -me

"Oh that's cute! just adorable!" -York

"Dad... dont grab my ear LUBE!" (ear lobe) -York

"York.. your pants are falling down!" -me

"You need to buy me a belt!" -York

"York.. you are going to have a NEW baby brother!" -me

"No... I already have a bruder, I'll take a sister thank you." -York

and this weeks FAVORITE.......

"York that is too much sugar" -Dad

"Yea... I'm all jacked UP!" -York



Adding another B O Y...

to the Harless roster!

Our sweet family friend who normally takes a little "peak" around 15 weeks gave us the news on Friday.  We are thrilled to be welcoming another precious BOY to the mix come summer.  I think it is the perfect fit for our CRAZY life and I couldn't be happier.  York still refers to the baby as her... we will work on that!  I have decided on buying a new baby bed and moving Perry upstairs in his... he isn't quite ready to take the "big boy" bed plunge.  I found a sweet new bedding for Perry's new room and baby 3 will inherit the same bedding both boys used before him.  Poor little guy... hand me down baby!!  At least little boys wont care... right?  Since Perry also used it I felt is was time for him to get something of his very own.  Once H3 gets a little older ... he to will get new bedding as well!  (just keeping it fair) 

Oh that is a whole other blog... how do you keep things FAIR?  I remember growing up with 2 other siblings and the "fair" discussion was raised frequently.  You want each of your children to feel special and treated as individuals ... but how hard is it to find a happy medium?  Does that even exist?  I remember my mother telling us that we were each different children with different personalities that needed discipline and rewards accordingly.  I never thought that was FAIR!!!  I guess you get older and get over it...?  I will do my best to make each of my boys feel special and make it my mission to establish some sort of FAIR-ness amongst them.  Whew... I better start anticipating certain situations!

Looks like I will have my hands full...

On another note... my best friend delivered a beautiful healthy baby GIRL! (the first of her "kind" within our group)  I was able to hold that perfect baby for a while today and visit her family in the hospital!  Prayers for mom and baby to come home safely!  Congratulations and Much love to the Henderson Family!