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A study in procrastination

mark - in my own defense — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:35:37 +0000

I've heard the grumblings. "Where's Mark gone?" "Is he back yet?" "What's he up to now?"

Okay, maybe you didn't care, but we have been busy. More accurately, Karen has been busy.

Little boy #4 showed up on Tuesday morning, just before lunch. Well, he didn't just "show up," he had to be forcibly cut from Mommy because Monday night he did a somersault and turned breech. He's the fourth child, the fourth boy, he had to be the first at something. So he's the first c-section. Wonderful. At least there's not going to be a #5 (sorry Bennie) thanks to the other procedure they did Tuesday morning.

"Yeah, yeah, what's his name?" His name is Nathaniel. After my contest I'm sure I had my mother in law worried that he'd never have a name. And with good reason. He didn't have a name for the first 27 hours. We introduced the boys to him that first night and told them "No, he doesn't have a name yet." To be honest we probably won't call him Nathaniel much. He's already been graced with a few nicknames. I've been calling him Mr. Cheeks.

We finally brought home mom and baby on Thursday at lunchtime, and everyone is glad that they're home. Ben seems the happiest though. Many posts later dealing with his reactions to baby brother.

Ben is getting big

mark - in my own defense — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:44:18 +0000

It's funny. There have been a lot of people telling us that Ben is "growing like a weed." It seems that we hear it at least twice a week. We smile and nod, but we had Jonathan. Jonathan was 27 pounds when at six months old. Ben is two years old and 16 pounds (give or take). Ben isn't really growing like a weed, it's more like a bonsai.

But every now and then we are struck by just how much he has grown. For example, Ben's physical therapist first brought a gait trainer for him back in February. I thought it was way cool so I took some pictures.

Lately Ben has really liked getting in the gait trainer so we've been putting him in it more often. This past Sunday I took some more pictures.

It may be a little misleading because he is wearing sandals, but he is definitely growing.

He is getting longer (taller? When do you start saying "taller?") this summer. Why is it that kids always grow the fastest in the summer? He's too long (tall?) for his 9-month sleepers that I bought him in May. I'm having to go to the attic to find some 12-month sleepers for him. And I'm very glad to do it.

Ben was having such a good time in the gait trainer on Sunday that we kept him in it for a while, and I guess he got tired.

A very comfortable position, wouldn't you agree? Yes I took him out of it after I snapped the picture.

Daddy! I'm Squidward!!

mark - in my own defense — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:36:30 +0000

What happens to the Bumbo seat once the older brothers start messing with it?

Next will be the toilet seat I'm sure.

The real reason cameras were invented

mark - in my own defense — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:48:07 +0000

Watching people fall down is pretty funny. Watching your kids fall down can be funny too, as long as nothing gets broken. So when Isaac got an invitation to a birthday party at the roller rink I made sure the batteries were charged and the memory card was empty. Big photo op since it's been over a year since Isaac skated, and Jonathan has never skated before. I was sure Jonny wouldn't do it, but once he saw me lacing up Isaac he demanded a pair of his own. He hesitantly stepped out onto the rink just in time for the hokey-pokey.

Standing still on skates is easy, right?

Isaac did really well this time around,

for a while.

Jonathan took my advice to cling to the walls for dear life.

He did venture out quite a bit, and had a ton of fun. Benjamin had fun too; someone bought him a new toy.

And when I got him out of his stroller he was laughing and giggling doubled-over. He had a blast.

It was a surprisingly enjoyable birthday party, which is quite an achievement. Usually I'm stabbing myself in the neck with plastic knives halfway through. A great time was had by all, and the kids fell asleep instantly at bedtime.

Isaac asked to go back the next day.

...and one more on the way

mark - in my own defense — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:43:39 +0000

Life is very interesting when you have all boys. I have three, very soon to be four.

Life with boys includes, but is not limited to:

I have also made some observations along the way:

1. Never say "okay" if you weren't paying attention to the question.

2. Fighting over the baby brother can quickly turn into fighting on the baby brother.

3. A single baby fart can entertain the older brothers for hours.

4. So can a baby booger.

5. Boys have the coolest section in the toy store and the Disney store.

6. But not the clothing store.