Soooo Easy!

Griffin, Jaxon, and Finnegan!

Quick update on the potty training with Finnegan. Uhhhh, there is nothing to tell because we're FINISHED! YES! YIPEE! WAHOO!!! The kid did it in just a few days. He is wearing underwear, and goes all night without an accident...NO DIAPERS! I can't even begin to explain the weight that is lifted from this mom's shoulders just by having one kid left in diapers. Lets be honest, diapers are a pain to change...take up space in diaper bags, cars, houses, garbage cans, and they are FREAKING EXPENSIVE! So, now we have only Griffin in diapers, and I can't believe how much easier it is to take the time to change him, just by knowing that I won't have to chase Finnegan down and change him too! So, I am going to continue to bask in the glory of Finnegan's accomplishment, and heck, I figure that at this point I deserve at least a little pat on the back for a job well done, too! :)

Happy Birthday Eric!

Yep-he's 32! Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband today! Ironically it is also appropriate to say Happy Birthday to his cousin Heidi, and my cousin Emma! Popular day! We celebrated a bit last night by going out to eat, and are having a small family party tonight with just the kids and his mom. So, happy birthday to my husband...I love you so very, VERY much!

Bathrooms...

Let the Potty Training Begin!

Kids bathroom

Bathrooms have become even more of a focus around here this past week. I have FINALLY finished the kids bathroom! I painted it blue and then painted different sized polka dots all over the walls (feels like it took a year out of my life!). The sink/cabinet was a really dark/dingy brown, and rather than spending the money to replace it I painted it white. It really brightens up the room and makes it looks nice. So, in other bathroom news (I know that you are all on the edge of your seats), Finnegan is starting to potty train. Right now it is still the early stages, but he is using the regular 'grown-up' potty, and we've put the training-potty away after only a few days...I hate those things! He is peeing and sometimes pooping in the toilet with hM&M's as a reward/treat for a job well done!:) Knock on wood, but of all the boys so far he is doing the best. Claire forever spoiled me as she went from diapers to panties with NO accidents in 1 day...is it any wonder that I love her? :) So, right now the name of the game is consistency. Every half-hour I break out the M&M bowl and Finnegan makes the trek down to the bathroom of his choice with Griffin and Buffy in hot pursuit...yes, in this house using the bathroom is a spectator sport...for all of us! I'm proud of him and am freakishly excited at the prsopect of having only one child in diapers. To all of you reading this have a great day...use your'big boy pottys', and please don't forget to wash your hands! :)

Sleep...GLORIOUS SLEEP!

Sleepy morning smile!

Is he breathing???

Drool...lots of drool!

As crazy as life can get, and as frustrating it can be at times to keep up with everyones schedules, dishes, laundry, naptimes, homework, dogs...etc., there are some things that make you smile. When the kids were younger I was convinced that NONE of them would ever sleep. Today I had to wake-up every last one of them! :) :) :) What a nice break to get the morning going BEFORE they all desended upon me! Trust me there are kids who are morning ready (Cade and Griff), kids who do okay once they eat (Claire and Jax), and there is always that one child who the minute his feet hit the ground, down in Hell the Devil says, "Oh crap, Finnegan is awake!" So today I got a break and it was fabulous...who knows what tomorrow will bring...knock on wood, quick!

Griffin is 1! He made it...and so have we!

Monkey Cake

Such a neat eater!

We reached a major milestone for Griffin this past week. On Dec. 31 (New Years Eve), our youngest turned 1! Griffin is such a good baby...I guess that I can't call him a baby anymore, huh? We had a party on his birthday, and a big celebration last night with all of the family. We've called Griffin 'Monkey' for a long time, so I made him a monkey cake. There were also cupcakes with little banana runt candies on top. He got many great toys, and it was so fun to visit with family and friends. I am so proud of all the little things that my littlest man has accomplished, and take delight in every new thing that he masters. So, in answer to the question "How do you know you are done having kids?"...my answer is that when he rolled over for the first time, sat up, said "Mama", took his first step...followed by RUNNING, I was so excited for the next accomplishment in his future. I didn't regret that these were the last times that I would see these things in one of my children...I just delighted in the fact that I am blessed enough to have seen these things.