As January zooms by...

We often say “Benner Benner Benners” when we are messing around with Ben. Now he’s using it back to us. I should try to catch it on video, it’s pretty cute. “Mama Mama Mama”. He does it for everyone but the cutest is definitely “Sammer Sammer Sammers.”

Ben is growing up fast and still wants to be just like Jake. Drives me a little crazy (or A LOT). Jake and Ben get into one anothers hair often. Jake is always trying to be Ben’s boss, Ben is constantly trying to do whatever Jake is doing, when Ben is doing his own thing then Jake is too snoopy to stay away. Needless to say – makes me nuts. Oh don’t get me wrong they do love each other so. If Ben asks for something he always makes sure to get one for Jake (though Jake does not return this favor), when Ben is in trouble Jake is there trying to make things better. I can only imagine how things will be in 2 years when all three of them can get into it together!

Ben is our little movie watcher. For a loooonnnnngggg time we had to watch Bolt every day, multiple times. He finally got a little tired of that movie and now we are watching Up. It totally amazes me that a child can watch the same thing over and over and not tire of it. I know the parts of both movies simply by hearing the background music. We have managed to get him to watch Racing Stripes a few times. I'm hoping this interest changes soon. I don't mind watching movies with him but it would be great if we could at least rotate between 5 or 10 of them!

Sam is cute as ever. He’s ‘talking’ so much now and can really let you know when you forget to stop by and chat a while. He loves to watch his brothers and loves it even more when they talk to him. His sleep pattern could use some work but I think it is his belly most of the time waking him up. I’ll chalk it up to this phase of life and hope for better sleep in the years to come. He can reach out and grab things now and is always looking for something to chew on.

Jake is enjoying school and is getting excited about the kindergarten talk that is going around. On February 5th they get to spend the morning with the kindergarten class. It is amazing how much he’s learned since starting school. Before school started he wasn’t interested in numbers, letters and certainly not writing. That has all changed now and it is so much fun to watch him master new things. He’s always loved to learn new things and constantly needs to know the ins and outs of everything but school learning is a new interest (and a relief to me!). The other thing that Jake has been doing a lot of these days is singing. He is constantly talking and if he isn't talking now he's singing. I kind of enjoy it because it doesn't require me to answer him (gives me a short break). The only thing is that his songs of choice are Rudolph and Jingle Bells. I'm hoping that they learn a few new ones in school.

Other than the everyday stress of trying to get things done, trying to get to work on time, trying to figure out how to have my boys play rather than fight and trying to get everyone to sleep, things are great around here. I must say we are very blessed with 3 great kids. I need to slow down and enjoy everyday a bit more – it scares me that they are growing up so fast.
So, about that time issue, I still haven’t posted anything about Christmas. I do plan to get to that one of these days…




Sam relaxing in Jake's recliner.

Jake made this by himself from one of the toys that Ben got for Christmas.

SO, I guess Santa didn't bring enough toys. The boys just got this new skid steer and they love it. Daycare got one and it seemed like a better idea to have one at home. Ebay really is a great thing.

Robot 24

We really don't know where it came from but when Jake plays robot, he always calls himself "Robot 24." Here's a few pictures of the boys being robots - the Christmas presents were awesome but the boxes were definately a huge hit. I doubt I'll ever be allowed to throw them away!

Happy 5th Birthday Jake!

Our first born has turned 5. I can hardly believe it. Somedays it seems like he should still be a baby and other days he acts like he's 15. I already hear things like, "I don't want to get up, I'm too tired." Boy can't wait until the teenage years.

We haven't had an offical birthday celebration but we did have a small one at home. Since his birthday is so close to Christmas (and I'm still trying to dig out of that mess) we decided to hold off a bit. We had birthday cake and Jake's choice of meal to celebrate.

Grandma and Grandpa Feldewerd stopped by for cake and a visit. He scored with a rocker recliner just for him. It really is just for him because a matching one arrived for Ben as well. Sometimes it is just easier having two - a mama can only take so much. You'll see from the pictures what happens in a house full of boys and recliners.

This is a bit out of order, our Thanksgiving and Christmas updates will follow at a later date.

boys boys boys...

Just wondering what all of you parents do with your kids at night if you don't have a couch where the cushions come off or if you don't allow your kids to use your couch as a launch pad. Here's some photos of my boys having themselves a great time.

Sam just chillin'. Imagining when he'll be able to join in the fun.

Yeah for Jake!

Big news of the day...

I was talking with Jake today at naptime and caught a glimpse of his fingers. He has fingernails that someone could cut! Now, to most of you that may not be a big deal but I've been after Jake for at least a year to quit biting his nails and can't remember the last time we used a fingernail clipper on him. I said, "Jake you quit biting your nails!" and he got the biggest smile on his face. I asked him why and his answer was "because I don't want to get sick anymore."

I am very proud that my 4 year old managed to kick a habit by himself. Constant nagging didn't help for a year so I know that I can't take any credit for it - seems to be similar to the way he potty trained!

Pictures

Jake, Ben and Sam enjoying a project one afternoon at home.

Our form of stadium seating...

Jake with his friend Eli at their Halloween party.

Jake's preschool class.

Enjoying the cookie that he decorated at school.

Sam on Halloween. We were going to put a costume on but I decided it wasn't worth it since we had to get in and out of the car every time. He didn't think Halloween was that great anyway.

Jake as Optimus Prime.

Ben as Ben. He was supposed to be Thomas the Train. I also offered the monkey costume and clown costume that I had at home but he didn't want anything to do with them.

Here are Grandma, Jake and Ben having "Happy Birthday Cake" in honor of Uncle Mike. Ben loves birthday cake, well at least the idea of it (especially the candles), so we decided that we'd celebrate Mike's birthday even if he couldn't come to the party.

This is Ben relaxing while reading the paper. If you can see it you'll notice that it is the Truck paper - the classifieds. He looks at them often.

Finding Time

Sorry for my lack of updates. It seems that finding time these days is hard to do.

Sam is changing fast. He is 10 weeks old now and has been smiling and cooing for about 4 weeks already! He really loves to be talked to. The two older boys try but they seem to think he can hear them better if they are only 2 inches away from his face. I can't seem to convince Jake or Ben that he sees much better a little further away!

Ben is doing great too - he still hasn't mastered 'gentle' when it comes to Sam. I don't think that he really WANTS to hurt him but he is really pretty rough most of the time. He always apologizes when he does something not so nice, but it would be a lot easier if he just left him alone. The worst one was in the car when he grabbed the side of Sam's face and pinced him. He even drew blood!

Ben is talking non-stop and busy learning about everything. He loves to do whatever his older bother is doing and rather enjoys destroying whatever it is that Jake might have just created. He's my challenge but he's also the one that everyone else call a 'cool kid'. He has been enjoying some combine and tractor time as well, he's been waiting a long time for it. Our lovely Minnesota fall made the wait even longer.

Jake is getting so big. He is STILL loving school and is ready to go every morning. I noticed today when he and I were playing Chutes and Ladders that he is starting to recognize some of the numbers. This is a big step for him since he's never been interested before. He has one really good friend there - Eli.

I'm going to post some pictures of various things. I didn't take many at Halloween - Ben wouldn't wear his costume and we got going pretty late. Next year Jake wants to 'walk' trick-or-treating so I guess we will find some friends to go with. That isn't something that I've ever done before.

I go back to work on the 19th, I'm not ready but I guess it is time. The boys are going to start going to daycare on Friday - we are going to work back at it slowly. Jake says he is ready and excited and sick of me, another sign that it's time for work.