Happy Birthday!

Adam is finally 30! He took a break from studying for his big test to celebrate his big day with us. We are all sick, but kids love a good party! Happy Birthday Adam! We love you!

Just in case I forget...

They really do love each other.

Before & After

Kayleigh really wanted to cute her hair short, again.



Goodbye, long and tangley. Hello to cute and manageable. We are hoping that she can wash it herself.




She loves it right now. Let's just hope she still loves it in a month, and doesn't want her old hair back like last time. For the record, I love it!

Boo!

Just in case you thought we didn't celebrate Halloween, here is a picture of my trick-or-treaters, Wade and I manned the door, while Adam took the kids through the neighborhood. The not so high light of the night was when my neighbors brought their snotty nose kids that had H1N1 by. Nice, right?

One street over a man grows giant pumpkins and displays them every fall. Aren't they fun?

Wade sleeping

Don't you just wish that you could just fall asleep whenever you wanted to, no mater where you where at?

Is that snow?

Yes, yes it is! The forecast on Friday was for a rain, maybe a mix of snow, and no accumulation. Boy were they wrong. Not that the kids minded a bit. It was the wet heavy kind, the kind that we hardly ever get here. Kayleigh built a snowman all by herself, and I managed to get my car stuck in the snow. Fun times here.



Kayleigh made her first snow angel of the year.


Blake made half an angel. He didn't want to lay in the snow.



The building of the snowman.


Our cute little frosty!




We ended the afternoon with Blake screaming because he was cold and our power being out for a few hours. Someone ran into a phone pole, and knocked down a power line. The snow is all gone now, but it was fun for a day! I'm sure we will have more than enough soon!

MEA

Last week was fall break for Minnesota for an education convention. So, we packed up the kids and headed for the Wisconsin Dells. We had a great time. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge, and it was so much fun. Our kids, like most, love to stay in hotels. When it has a built in water park, they are ecstatic. With 3 full days of fun, we were actually able to wear Blake out. He was tired. He wanted to be carried everywhere and sat still (that never normally happens) the whole last day. The baby slept pretty well. He and I both had colds, that bothered him more than sleeping with all of us. Adam and I made a pact not to take pictures of each other in out swim suits. We both have post baby figures that we are not very proud of. But, here are a few pictures of our fun time!



Kayleigh loved all the slides that weren't dark. But her favorite part was the wave pool. She loved jumping and bobbing in the waves. She was fun to watch.



Blake really just wanted to stick to the baby pool most of the time. He really wanted to try the body slides, but he couldn't work up the courage. It was weird for me to see him afraid, because he is usually fearless. Next time I am sure he will be out of control. He love riding the slides where he could sit in the tubes with us. My arms were so sore from carrying the tube up the stairs.

We also saw a man that had to be the hairiest man alive. I couldn't help but stare. I would have taken a picture, but I thought it would be rude, You will just have to make a mental one.

I'm always behind

This is only a few days worth of laundry. Isn't it gross. I can never seem to get all caught up. I can't decide what I hate more, the folding, or putting it all away. i can't imagine doing the laundry for any more people. I'm in awe of my friends that have 4,5, or 6 kids and manage to get it all done. Any tips for me? I obviously need help.

Fall Colors

I spent the afternoon raking leaves with the kids. It was such a nice day. 60's and a pile of leaves to jump in. Does it get any better?

Elder Childs

"Uncle Phil" is leaving on his mission. After a short stay in the Provo MTC and a MTC in Peru, Phil is headed to the Lima Peru South Mission. He will be missed by us all, but mostly by Kayleigh. She is quite upset by his leaving. She thinks that he will be gone FOREVER, because she will be 8 when he comes home. We are excited to be able to have another missionary to write to again.






We love you Phil!

Blake's Blankie

When Blake was about 5 months old we noticed that he was easily soothed when he was wrapped up in his soft, blue blanket. My good mother went and bought 2 more so we had a few to spare. Thanks to her smart thinking, Blake is is never without his ”Blank”. He is still quite attached. We never take it out of the house. But, it is always with him at home and he always needs it to go to sleep. No matter where that might be. He is such a cute boy. Can you believe that he is almost 3?

Look at her go!

Kayleigh learned to ride her bike today!

Guess Who?

Can you guess which baby is Wade, and which is Blake?




I love having 3 kids, but I'm swamped. I'll try to get back to blogging soon.

Welcoming Wade

After only 2 1/2 hours of really intense labor, and a really bad epidural, we welcomed baby Wade into the world. Weighing in at 9 lbs. 12 oz., he is my biggest baby. Our hospital stay was mostly routine until we were about to go home. My beautiful baby boy turned blue and went limp in my warms. It was the most terrifying moment of my life. I am grateful that my husband and a nurse were in the room with me. The nurse grabbed Wade and ran him back to the NICU where they were able to revive him with some oxygen. After a few more similar, but less intense scares, Wade had to stay in the NICU for a few days for IV antibiotics and lots of tests. 3 weeks and 10,000 dollars later, they assume he was just choking on all of the fluids that he aspirated during delivery. His pediatrician assures me that is shouldn’t happen again, but I confess I still lay awake at night listening to him breathe. He is beautiful and we all love him very much. He loves to eat, and doesn’t sleep very much. It makes for some very late nights of mother and son bonding time. We still can’t tell who he looks like. He is just Wade. So far we are all adjusting well, and we are all very happy that he is here.


My precious boy.


The two of us.


Blake and Kayleigh come for visit.



Sleeping in his bed in the NICU.


We suprised them and finally came home! This picture cracks me up. They have been very excited about their brother since he came.



I'll post current pictures later when I charge my camera battery.

Wade Michael Childs

Wade was finally born on May 19 at 9:05 p.m. He weighed in at 9 lbs. 12 0z. He has to spend a few extra days in the hospital, and he was just released last night. He is doing very well now. We are so glad that he is finally home! I'll put up more pictures, and blog more about it when I get some rest.

Now I am ready!

My friend Marissa suggested that she watch my kids, and I treat myself to a pedicure. Of course I said 'YES, please". It was literally the best pedicure that I have ever had. She massaged my poor swollen legs and feet for at least 20 minutes. It was fabulous. It was so nice to be pampered. Aren't they cute!



Well, as cute as my feet can be at this point. Kayleigh is very jealous and wants me to paint a flower on her toes too! Now I can have cute toe nails when my cute baby arrives. Do you know how hard it is to get a picture of your feet when you are 10 months pregnant? I had to really stretch. This is what I normally see.

Any day now

I'm sore. I'm tired. I'm grouchy and, I whine all the time. I can hardly breathe. I don't really fit into any clothes anymore. I even wore flip flops to church today, because I can't fit into dress shoes. I just keep waiting. I think that I am being punished for bragging about having my babies early. I have definitely learned that every baby is different. Although, I am still just as huge. Kayleigh keeps asking me if I am sure just one baby is in there, and Blake gets so confused when he is laying on me and the baby rolls over. Hopefully my next post will be of a much smaller me and a cute new baby!


Here is a picture of just the two girls. Adam swears it is like looking at a five year old me. Personally, I dont think I was ever this cute.

Still Pregnant

Just thought I would give everyone an update. I don't know about you, but I feel like I have literally been pregnant FOREVER! I keep hoping I will have the little guy soon. I would have had Blake by now, and Kayleigh by this coming Thursday. So I am starting to feel pretty ready. I mean ready as in "I really want this baby to come". My house is a mess and I really need to go grocery shopping. We still haven't come up with a name either. My new car seat did come in the mail today.
Anyway, if you want any of my stats from my appointments, you will have to call. That is something that I just can't blog about. I'll post any news when the big day is here.

Oh, any suggestions on how to bring on contractions are greatly appreciated.

Kayleigh's Big Day

Everyone in Kayleigh's class had their own special day. Since her birthday was in the summer, her day was on Wednesday. She was so excited and really enjoyed having the spotlight. Blake and I went to spend the day with her. We brought rainbow cupcakes, she was the star helper, and got presents from her teachers. All very exciting when you are 5!



She got to change the date on the calendar, and choose the weather of the day.( it was sunny and windy, but NOT snowy! Yeah!!)



Everyone sang Happy Birthday! Even though it was her "Unbirthday", as she kept telling me!



Blake had a great time! He loved playing with the big kids, and never sat still the whole time. I was very tired by the time to go home. I dont know how her teachers do it!

The bunkbed

Here are a few pictures of the kids new bunk bed. They are sleeping great together so far. I think they spend less time worrying about what the other one is doing, and they just go to sleep. I'm sure this phase will end soon and they will start to play. The only real issue that we had was Blake falling out on to the floor a few times. We borrowed a roll gaurd from my friend Marissa, and he has been fine since. We still need to hang up pictures, put up curtains, finish the pillows, and a few other things. I'm tired and in no hurry though.





Here are a few shots of the rest of the room.




This is a closer shot of K's duvet. We made them reversible. Kayleigh loves to rearrange things in her room. She flips it over all the time. It is perfect for her.



Kayleigh has to make her own bed now, no excuses. I am NOT climbing up there.


Isn't my friend Denae great for helping me make them! She is so nice to let me bring my wild kids to her house and use her serger. She is moving to West Virginia soon, and I am so sad. She will be missed!

I'll be back

My computer is going to the Mac Doctor to be fixed. I'll be off the internet for a few days. I'm sure I will get lots of things done around my house, and spend some qualitly time with the munchkins. Take Care.

P.S. Does anyone else remember the days before the internet? I remember when I first started using it. Weird, huh?

If I had a pony....

The parents were invited to Kayleigh’s dance class to observe this week. I was able to get a little video clip of some of it. I’m the very large women in the mirror wearing the stripped shirt. It always shocks me when I see myself on camera. I’m Huge! It’s for a good cause though :)

Progress

The walls are finally painted. I really like the color. It's bright, but perfect for a kids room. The duvets are mostly done, I just have to add buttons to the top. I haven't even started the curtains, or pillows. But, those aren't necessary. Hopefully that will happen on Thursday. Frankly, it can't be done soon enough for me. Kayleigh has been sleeping on the floor in our room since Friday. She has started to think about it as her own room. Their are dolls, barbies, and dress up clothes everywhere. She thinks it is great, but I am going NUTS! I am so ready to have my own space again. My house is a disaster. Their are books and clothes shoved in every spare place and they are starting to overflow. I am really ready for some order again. Hopefully, Adam will get her closet put back together, and her moved in tonight. I'll post pictures soon!

6 weeks till full term

Check List Number One:


1. Paint over the pretty purple paint and fairies in Kayleigh’s room to make it more gender neutral.

2. Put together bunk bed.

3. Finish sewing the duvet covers I started last week.

4. Convince my two year old that he is a big boy now, and it will be fun to sleep in a big boy bed.


Step 4 is the hard part. K likes the door open with a light on. Blake needs it dark, with the door closed. She talks in her sleep, and he is a very light sleeper. It can be done, right?

Here are a few pictures of the very cute and ultra girly wall murals I will have to paint over.




I just realized that I have never taken pictures of the inside of my house before. Maybe, the next time I clean, I'll do that and then post the pictures, It will be my online tour for those of you will never be able to visit.

Saturday Sledding

Adam came home a bit early last Saturday and took the kids sledding. They had such a great time, together. I have given up all snow activities for the rest of the year, and I had a much needed hour of "alone" time. Here are a few pictures.

It was a bit cold, and windy, but they loved it.

Blake is ready to go. He loves to ride on his tummy!