our little artists....

every once in a while I just don't care what kind of messes the kids get into--(actually, I *usually* don't care....things wash, right?) so I found some face paints at the store and let the kids go nuts---here's what they came up with---pretty, huh?!it did come off. but the pink stained a little bit. so did the blue. and the black. and the purple.

Natty had strep for the 5th time in 10 months. One more time in the near future and we'll be seeing an ENT specialist to see about having her tonsils out--she tried to bet me a milkshake that she'll need them out. I bet against her even though I have a nagging suspicion that she's right. Guess I better get my $2.00 ready to take her for a milkshake. Which reminds me of Better Off Dead..."$2.00....I want my $2.00"....remember that?? Still cracks me up!

And I have a brag-on-Dallin story now. His teacher told me they were out playing jump rope and a little girl was taking a turn- she missed the rope and was very embarrassed, so she ran off with her hands in her face, crying. Dallin ran over to her and put his arm on her back to make sure she was okay...I do love that boy.

Madison is 97% potty-trained. I'll spare the details, but let's just say: we're almost there! Can I get a "woo-woo"????? Her diapers have accounted for 10% of our budget it seems, so this is huge!

Brooklyn is sleeping 5-7 hour stretches at night now! Can I get a.....just kidding. I won't make you raise the roof twice in one post...although it's totally justified. GOOD TIMES.

School Daze....

So last week school started again. Natty and Dallin were redistricted to a new school because of overcrowding at our previous school. It's a lovely school (even though it's not finished yet--it's safe enough for kids to attend, but the gym's not done, the library's not done, no playground, etc., etc.) and the principal and teachers are wonderful from what we've seen so far.
The day of school, about 10 minutes before my alarm went off for the morning, Natty and Dallin came running into our room fully dressed, backpacks on, and were ready to go out and wait. I explained that the bus was not coming for another 45 minutes and that we could just fix some breakfast and chill for a bit. Dallin was *WIRED* so he ate about 2 bites of breakfast and then told me how full he was! I still remember the first day of school butterflies, so I felt complete sympathy for him! Natty was nervous as well and has been anxious because this is the 3rd school she's been in since Kindergarten.
Here are a couple pics from the big day:This is what a 7:00 a.m. bus pick-up looks like....it's much darker in the winter....

When it was time to get on the bus, Dallin didn't even look back--he was just all business..staring straight ahead...I *almost* cried....but then he looked out the window with natty and he had a big grin on his face!

Funny story. When they came home I asked how their days were. Here's my conversation with Natty. (Background info: she likes to say words backwards and calls herself Eilatan (Natalie) around the house or when she's playing games..
N: The teacher asked if anyone liked to be called something different than what was on the rolls.
Me: Uh huh....? (skeptical)
N: I told her I like to be called Eilatan.
Me: You did?! What did she say??
N: She said we'd have to talk about it.
I'm so grateful for such a diplomatic teacher!!

The other day Natty came upstairs looking for scissors, so I took some down with her to see what she and Dallin were doing and this is what I found:
She was making Dallin into a butterfly with bubble wrap complete with wings and a smiley face drawn on with Sharpee marker.. (yes, he could breathe; and yes, I told her NEVER, EVER to do that again), but it was a little bit funny, right??

I put Brooklyn on her belly for a little tummy time and she screamed her guts out. Madison got on her belly and watched her for a couple minutes and Brooklyn fell fast asleep. But Madison just stayed there watching her like this....see...when she's not saying "I hate you Mommy" or "No, no, idiot doctor", she can be very, very sweet! (Yes, she really did say that to the nurse when the nurse was weighing Brooklyn and taking her temp...it made B cry, so Madison felt the need to protect, I guess??)
Natty's always saying that Brooklyn doesn't like her because she cries quite a bit (I think the colic is subsiding though, thankfully!), but when Natty was holding her the other day, Brooklyn was as content could be and this was the expression on Natty's face...I was melting...I realized I don't have any good Dallin stories really this time...I think this 6:15 wakeup time is zapping his energy.
Hopefully I'll have something funny for next time!

Ash and Em plus 8.........

Friday a friend called and asked if I was interested in an impromptu trip to the zoo, so I said "absolutely". I was going stir crazy and if I didn't get out of the house I was going to blow a fuse---so off we went- she with her 3 kids and me with 5 (my 4, plus one of Natty's friends).

The babies

In the gorilla house. Can you smell it?? My nose still burns....

Last week we took a trip to Beboo's for a couple of days. Swimming was the favorite activity....
Beboo was able to convince Lou-lou that she really DOES like swimming!

dallin getting the hang of things...

Our little Gene-Simmons-wanna-be...(except not so freakishly nasty...)

Brooklyn chillin' in the shade--

Speaking of Brooklyn- she's getting bigger (9lbs 12oz at her last appointment) and this gal loves her baths-this picture cracks me up--she reminds me of a littlest pet shop animal--(which I happen to think are *adorable*!!)

What day is it??

**DISCLAIMER** I have tried and tried to format this post so the pictures look nice and neat and are aligned with the text, but I'm out of patience, and I'd rather be sleeping.....
As anyone who has experienced the joy of having a newborn in the house knows, all the days start to blur together and personally, I often have to concentrate to remember what day it is. The past 3 weeks since Brooklyn's arrival have been wonderful and difficult, exhilarating and exhausting. But I've realized exactly how lucky our family is. Between a constant stream of delicious meals and visits from friends, both sets of grandparents, a great-grandparent, an aunt, uncle and cousin, we have been truly spoiled. Only over the past 4 days have I had a true glimpse into life with 4 children. (And I've only had ONE total meltdown...a few close calls, but they don't count!)
While we were in the hospital, mom and dad took Natty and Dallin to the Farm for a family reunion.
After they returned, my brother and sister-in-law and their beautiful baby girl and my grandma came to visit for a few hours...which wasn't nearly long enough, but it was SO appreciated- it took serious effort for all of them to get here! It was so, so, so fun to see all of them!! And did I mention my little niece is BEAUTIFUL and so flippin' sweet? (Katy-do you like how I leeched onto your post so I didn't have to write all about it??)




























Then Tim's parents were able to visit for about a week- it took serious effort for them to get here too---think airlines, canceled flights, and an unexpected hotel stay....you get the picture.... We didn't do anything extraordinary while they were here. (Unfortunately as good as I feel, I still get wiped out after an hour or two of running around). But we did get in some shopping and lit some firecrackers. Madison sat with her ears covered for 99% of the time saying "Ees yowd. Ees yowd." ("It's loud"). The boys (Tim and his dad) got the basement bathroom completed, and were just able to catch up and visit...we LOVED having them here! (I'm waiting for the blessing pictures with *them* in it so I can post them, but they're not on my camera...grrr).
Here are just a few random pictures that I've taken over the past few weeks.....

INTRODUCING.......

Brooklyn Ann Bingham. Born 6/19/08 at 3:25 p.m 7lbs 6oz 20 inches


sweet cheeks


l'il mama


lou-lou's a big sister! (laughing her head off!)


with auntie cari


snuggling with daddy

After a short 4 hour labor start to finish, we are so blessed and so happy that she's here safe and sound. For those who care about the birth story- I went in at 10:30 and was hooked up to the pitocin by 11:30- I was able to get an epidural after only a few hard contractions, so I was one content girl. Brooklyn's heart rate kept going lower than it should have, for longer than it should have, so after an hour or so of that, they came in and did an amnio-infusion. (The way they explained it was, when they broke my water, that took away all the cushioning and so her cord was getting compressed. So they basically had to put water back to see if her heart rate would come back up--and it did.) But when Brooklyn came out, the cord was around her neck twice, which explained everything. Gratefully, all was well :)
As a side note, interestingly enough, my cousin's wife , Anita, delivered their baby girl on the same day, within 9 minutes! So they're twins!! sort of.

I'm always amazed with the miracle of birth, but sometimes I think I've taken for granted the fact that we have 4 healthy children and that I've been able to get through deliveries without any serious complications. That said, I know that it's not just coincidence; that it's absolutely a blessing from Heavenly Father, and that it's the direct result of many prayers and priesthood blessings. I just heard that my Grandma literally prayed for 6 hours straight that both babies would get here safely and that the mothers would be protected as well. (Yes, 6 hours. People would call her and she'd say, "I can't talk right now. We've got babies coming", and hang up!) I LOVE that!!

Anyway- we're all doing well and are loving this new addition :)

NEWS FLASH to myself...I am NOT in control!!!!

If I didn't know it before, I sure do now! Since the beginning of this pregnancy I've maintained that this little girl would make her appearance between 37 and 38 weeks. (Natty was born at 39, Dallin at 38, Madison at 37; so it made sense). Well, 37 weeks came and went. I was disappointed because I'm just flat-out-tired. But within that week, Madison came down with a nasty stomach bug that lasted a full 5 days. Then I got it. (Luckily it only lasted 1 day for me...I'm still so grateful for that!!!!) So I decided maybe Heavenly Father knew something I didn't and that's why our baby wasn't here yet.

So I thought- well, maybe she'll come at 38 weeks. That's perfect! 38 weeks came and went, but my Dr. asked if I wanted to be induced on the 19th. (today). Of course I said yes!! Well, yesterday morning I was getting ready for the day, and was going to get my labor-pedicure and 30 minutes before I was to leave, Madison tripped, hit her mouth and knocked a chunk off one of her front teeth. So pedicure got rescheduled and we took a trip into the dentist. Luckily they were able to just smooth it down because the nerve wasn't exposed (still so grateful for that, too!!!) Fast forward to the night before our 6 a.m. induction: all the bags are packed, kids are ready for the trip to the farm, we're getting ready for family prayer and I get a phone call from the hospital. All their labor beds are full and they need to postpone the induction until at least 10 a.m. the next morning, possibly later. So of course, I was completely deflated. But after I had a mini-hissy, it occurred to me that the sooner I realize and accept (that's the hard part) that I'm truly NOT in control, but Heavenly Father is, the better off I'll be. It sure takes the stress off :)

Pictures to come someday. My camera's packed in my hospital bag and I'm too lazy to unpack and repack it....

Finally....an update......

Due to popular demand (okay, so only 2 people have asked), I'm posting an update after almost 3 weeks... I'm pregnant, people. Give me a break. And yes, I intend to use that excuse for the next 1-3 weeks. After that, I just gave birth, and *that* will be my excuse for the next 10 years. So there.
Anyway- the past 3 weeks have been busy- soccer season for Natty and Dallin finally wrapped up; Dallin cut his own hair and "graduated" from preschool and I've finished the majority of my To Do list before our little girl arrives.
Here are a few pics to entertain; and sorry for the blurry soccer shots. My camera is pathetic (although I'm grateful to own one!)

Also, not to brag, but just to document, I finished my mega-cooking session. It took a solid 5 days, but I have at least a month worth of dinners stored in my freezer, so it was worth it. I made meatloaf, spaghetti sauce, baked spaghetti, lasagna, chicken noodle casserole, Southwestern Chicken roll-ups, chicken pot pie, eggrolls, and chocolate chip cookie dough balls. It's killing me to not use them yet, especially when I get so tired and sore by the end of the day...but I will resist!

About Dallin's haircut- it was very quiet in the house (very abnormal), and when I found him and asked what in the heck he was doing, he was smiling and said he was tired of his hair being in his eyes. After I stopped crying from seeing his cute, long hair trimmed to the scalp, I told him I'd just have to give him a buzz cut to "fix" his hack-job, and THAT is what caused all the tears- he didn't trust my skills as a barber. So I told him Daddy could do it and then he was happy as a clam. Luckily, I didn't take it personally.

Tim won 6 tickets to the Louisville Bats game a couple of weeks ago, so even though it was kind of drizzling before the game, we braved it, took natty out of school for half a day (educational field trip), and took one of dallin's buddies with us. They had a blast and the seats were right along the first baseline, 3 rows up. So we had a great view- It was no St. Louis Cards game, but it was fun all the same!

And as embarrassing as it is, I had to include a recent pic of myself in all my pregnant glory:
Every pregnant gal gets comments from friends, strangers, etc. And for a couple of posts, I'd paste a pic of a whale every time someone commented on the size of my belly. But then I decided my whole blog would end up a series of whales, so I gave up. So here are some of my favorite comments this go around....names have been omitted. And truly, I'm not torqued. I just thought they were pretty funny....


1) Man: Are you pregnant? (he knew I was!- I was 7 months along and it was painfully obvious)
Me: Yep. A little bit.
Man: HOLY smokes!

2) Woman: Girl, we need to get you a four-legged walker to put under your belly!

3) Woman: When are you due?
Me: June 28th.
Woman: WOW. You are HUGE!
Me: Thank you.

Needless to say- that pic explains *why* people would say such things- and Weight Watchers will know me very well in about 6 weeks.... and that's all I have to say about that.