Are You Being Eaten Alive?

I have always been a mosquito magnet. Every summer (especially since we moved to Georgia) I have dreaded the inevitable itching and bumpy legs and arms. The constant scratching because the cortisone cream is either missing or doesn't last long enough. I have always wondered why I seem to get more bites than other people, especially Adam. We can be at the park for the same amount of time and stay the same area the whole time and I will come home with 50 bites and he'll have none.

Last week Adam was at work and a friend of his was being eaten alive and Adam was unscathed. Adam said, "You must have O- blood." His friend couldn't believe he knew that! Adam was just joking- because that's why my blood type is and that I attract the bugs. That got us thinking...do mosquitoes prefer a certain type of blood?

I did a little (and I mean like 5 minutes) of research this morning and it turns out he was right! Type O blood is, for some reason or another, more appealing to mosquitoes. Type A (Adam's type) is the least appealing.

I thought this was really interesting. Oh...you didn't? Weird.

Summer = Swimming!

Today we went to the neighborhood swimming pool for the first time as a family today. It was Penny's first swimming experience so we were pretty excited about it. We couldn't wait to see her squirmy shocked face. We got her in her cute little ruffly swimming suit and loaded all of our floating devices, towels, sunscreen, and our trusty portable baby swing and headed over to the pool.

This is the look that says, "I look goooood."

We were a little disappointed, but also thrilled that Penny LOVED it. No funny faces, no screaming or whimpering. She just enjoyed the refreshing cool water. And the fact that she looked so amazingly adorable probably made it all the more enjoyable for her.

Brody and Bridger were fighting over this *baby* floater the whole time. They need swimming lessons bad. They are both afraid of the water.

After Penny was in the water for about 10 minutes, she was exhausted and passed out.

Penny Love

We Just Had to Celebrate

Happy National Donut Day!!!

Krispy Kreme is giving away free donuts today if you want to celebrate it too!

Brody is weird.

Warning: This blog post contains poop material that may not be suitable for all viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

So, Brody is Five. That was our last post. Yay! Right? Well I'm going to tell you three stories that have all happened in the last week or so and you tell me if Brody is normal or if we should be worried.

1) I heard this conversation between Jessica and Brody a few nights ago at bed time while I was bottle feeding Penny on the couch.

Mom: “Brody, why don’t you have your jammies on?”

Brody: “I was going poop.”

Mom: “Did you wipe?”

Brody: “no”

Mom: “Why not, Brody?”

Brody: “Because I don’t care if my bum hurts a little bit.”


This same conversation has repeated itself at least twice since then. He claims that because he "can't get all of it" that he shouldn't have to deal with the hassle of it at all. We claim he is gross.


2) As I was opening the gate to go into the backyard on Friday when I saw bridger approaching with his jean shorts unzipped.

Me: “What are you doing?”

Bridger: “I’m going to go pee in that dump truck” (indicating his toy dump truck)

Me: “Bridger, you can’t pee in there. If you need to, go by the tree or something.” (Yes, this is Adam writing)

Bridger: “But Brody went poop in it yesterday.”

This fact was later confirmed by Brody himself who apparently had no issue with it and could not see what the fuss was about. What possesses a little boy to go poop in a dump truck instead of coming inside to the toilet? I mean it makes sense to drop a load in a loader, or take a dump in a dump truck, but seriously? The house is like 5 feet away.


3) One night this week after dinner I took all the kids for a walk around the neighborhood. When we got home I got on the computer and the boys sat on the couch to watch a show before going to bed. Jess was sewing at her craft table (something she has found to be quite relaxing and that she is quite good at. I love that girl.) Anyway, so after the show was over Jess and I got up and walked out of our "office" and into the living room to get the boys.

Jess: "Alright, its time for bed, go up stairs and get your jammies on."

Brody: "pooped." (sorta high pitched like)

Jess: (thinking he was joking, she talked to him kinda baby like) "Did you go poopoo in your pants?"

Brody: "On the walk."

Jess: "Seriously?

It was quickly discovered that Brody was not joking. At. All. At some point during our walk (30 to 45 minutes before this time) he had pooped in his underwear and then had come home and just plopped onto the couch to watch TV. Now our couch was indeed covered in poop juice where Brody had been sitting.

Jess: "Brody!!! Why didn't you come in and change your clothes?!"

Brody: "I wanted to watch TV."

Makes perfect sense right?

So there you have it. Three "funny-if-its-not-your-kids" stories for you to mull over and decide: Is Brody just a normal kid, or is his brain "Abby Normal"?

I Have a Five Year-Old

Five years ago today, I was at the hospital meeting my new little Brody. It was my first day as a mom. It was terrifying and exciting at the same time. I had no idea what was in store for Brody and me. I was clueless as to how dang hard being a mom would be. How frustrating and how maddening it would be at times. But I also had no idea what it would feel like to watch my child do wonderful things that would fill me to overflowing with happiness and gratitude.

Now I know.

For some reason, five seems a lot older than four. It's like the beginning of a new stage of life. Kindergarten, riding the bus, becoming more independent. Not having complete control over what influences him. It's scary and I don't really like it but I'm also excited to see what Brody will do and become.

So here are a few things about Brody:

His favorite food is quesadillas (he calls them tacos).
His favorite color is blue.
His favorite tv shows are science shows. Anything on the discovery channel or science channel, including Mythbusters, How It's Made, and Build It Bigger.
He is terrified of riding his big boy bike. ("I wish I could be like Bridger. He's not afraid of anything.")
He love love loves counting and spelling and is learning how to read. He will count to a hundred when we're driving around in the car.
I'm so grateful that Brody was sent to me. He is so innocent and forgiving of my failings and shortcomings. He loves me even when I'm impatient and short with him. His smile melts me.

Happy Birthday Brody. I love you.

Lately

Things are starting to feel more normal here. Penny is getting on a schedule (kind of) and I am feeling more human. School is about to get out for the summer, which I have mixed feelings about. It's nice to have Brody gone for a while during the day so I have one less child to spread attention to, but I am done with driving to Brody's school every day. Penny is not a big fan of her car seat (meaning she screams every time we're in the car) and it's an inconvenience to have to take Bridger and Penny into the school to have to get Brody.

So here's what's been going on in our house lately:

Brody is getting better and better at reading every day. He loves to learn and do puzzles and activity books. He still has the sweetest smile and still loves to snuggle and hug and kiss. He sure is turning 5 this week which is kind of freaking me out. 5 is old. And he's mine. It's just weird.
Bridger is the best little "Penny helper" as he calls himself. He will do ANYTHING for me if it involves Penny (not so much with anything else). He loves to put her binky back in, tickle her, and try to make her smile. He also loves to put his foot on her face and poke her in the eyeball, which we're trying to teach him is not really okay. His face lights up when I bring her into the room and he immediately runs to be by her side. She's going to have a great friend when she gets older.
The boys' new favorite thing to wear to bed is one of Adam's shirts. They think it's so cool. They also have a hard time going to the bathroom in the middle of the night without soaking their big shirts in pee.

Penny is the sweetest baby EVER. The boys were cute and cuddly as babies, but also really fussy and they didn't get the whole "sleep is mandatory" thing. Penny is just what I needed- a baby who loves to sleep, eats quickly, and doesn't cry hardly at all (unless we're in the car). She is a perfect little mini person who we all love so much.

Adam is always busy with his job, the Navy reserves, his calling at church, and being the best dad ever. He is always willing to take the boys somewhere if I need a break and he pretty much takes over when he gets home from work. He's nice.

I have been a sewing fool lately. I sew a little every day to relieve stress and to remind myself that I am capable of doing more than changing diapers and breastfeeding. Having a girl has awaken the craftiness in me once again. There are so many fun things to make for little girls. Fabric flowers for headbands, dresses, shoes....I love girly stuff.Here's a dress and some shoes I made for little Penny.

I just realized that this sounds kind of like a Christmas newsletter. How embarrassing. Oh well. You didn't have to read it.

We're pretty excited about our trip to Vegas next month. We can't wait to see everyone!