Happy Valentine's Day!

I just got the boys' pictures taken for Valentine's Day.  Brayden is 3 1/2, Landon is 1 1/2, and Gavin is one month old.  It always turns into a whole day event.  First I bribe Brayden and Landon with a soft pretzel and "special drink" from Auntie Anne's if they smile nicely.  Then we spend awhile running around the play area at the mall until they are nice and tired.  After pretending to ride the rides (yes, I'm cheap, I make my kids pretend to ride), we head home for nap time!  Yay!  I hope you and your family have a great Valentine's Day!  

Tiny Troublemaker

So now that we have three kids, it's become almost impossible for me to keep an eye on all three at all times.  Landon has figured this out quickly.  He has realized that I'm not always watching and takes full advantage of the opportunity to get into something.  Today I was doing something with Brayden and Gavin, and I noticed that Landon was missing.  Never a good sign.  I walked downstairs, and there he was, surrounded by Raisin Bran.  He had taken the entire box of cereal out of the pantry and dumped it at his feet.  He enjoyed the snack!  See that little sneaky grin on his face?  He knows he's doing something wrong, but he's always just one step ahead of me!  He sure keeps me on my toes!!  

Snowmobiling

Yesterday the boys enjoyed their very first ride on a snowmobile.  Friends of ours from Harvest invited us over to brave the 7 degree weather and take the boys out for a ride.  I warmly stayed inside while Ronnie took both Brayden and Landon out with Brayden's friend Luke.  It probably took more time to get them bundled up than actually out on the snowmobile, but I know they had a good time anyway.  Brayden was sure to instruct Ronnie to go "super, super, super, super, super soft" (aka slow).   He's always our cautious one.  I think his favorite part was the red helmet, which probably weighed as much as he did!  We can't wait until Landon actually talks, because we have no idea if he enjoyed it or not.  He really couldn't move much, though, so body language was out!  I know for sure that Ronnie enjoyed the ride, though.  Once he took the kids out, he and his friend Aron took a nice long trip and even got the snowmobile close to 100 mph!  Yikes!  It was a fun day and we are thankful for good friends and fun.  

Three's a Crowd

One of the boys favorite activities is tub time!  They could spend hours in the bath.  Now that we've gone from 2 to 3 in the tub, it can get quite crowded.  Brayden loves to drink the water (gross, I know), Landon loves to squirt and dump water on his brothers (especially unsuspecting Gavin), and Gavin hasn't quite figured out if he likes the bath or not.  The boys will probably hate that I took these pictures later on, but too bad!  

Newborn Photo Comparison

So remember those awful infant pictures taken in the hospital?   You know the ones that everyone seems to have?   I have purchased two of these awful photographs for both Brayden and Landon, because I wanted them to have a 'professional' picture of themselves when they were first born.  

Well, to my surprise, there was a new photographer at the hospital this time with Gavin!  It was a woman from a company called 'Bella Baby Photography', and she took the most adorable pictures of Gavin right there in the hospital.  Here are 2 photos: one of Landon at 2 days old, and one of Gavin at 2 days old.  What a difference a professional photographer makes!!

New Years

So the adjustment to having three kids is going very well.  The only thing is, I rarely take any pictures!  Poor Gavin.  At his age, Brayden probably already had 200 pictures taken of him.  Gavin probably has 10.  Oh well, I guess that's how it goes when you are the 3rd kid.  I'm just too busy running around changing diapers, wiping up messes, and calming tears to take any photos!  

Here are a couple pictures from New Years courtesy of Corey's website.  We spent the evening at my parent's house.  Very low key, which is what we needed this year.  Next year, Ronnie and I want to go out for a big New Year's bash somewhere.  Maybe in the city?  I guess we have a year to figure it out!  Or, we should do a roomie reunion for New Years!   What do you think girls???    

2009 Resolution:  Take more pictures of Gavin.     =)

Brotherly Love

It has been way too much fun to watch the older boys bond with Gavin.  Brayden has been super excited from the get-go and was ecstatic to hold him in the hospital.  He used to kiss my tummy and say "I love you baby!".   Now, Brayden loves to share his blankies with Gavin, kiss him, hug him, and rub his head.  He repeatedly says, "I love the baby, Mommy!"   

Landon, on the other hand, went through a brief period of jealousy.  Whenever I was feeding, changing, or holding Gavin, Landon would climb all over me and whine or cry.  I think now he's gotten used to the fact that the baby isn't going anywhere, and Landon too constantly kisses, hugs, and pretty much smothers Gavin.  They both love to shove his pacifier in his mouth, bundle him with blankets, and rock him.  

God has truly been good to us and has blessed us with 3 amazing little men!

Batman

Brayden and Landon got tons of new costumes for Christmas this year.  It seems they are wearing a new costume every day.  The other day I walked upstairs and found Landon in this mask.  Too cute!