Starting Out...

Okay, okay, I give in.  I'm starting a blog, just because I think then maybe I can keep everyone updated on our family happenings.

I've been motivated to start this blog by two of my younger sisters, who, along with the other girls in the family, are light years ahead of me (in many ways).   

So, what's happening in our house? 

Well, we just had our third baby boy (Aaron) in February.  He started smiling about a week ago - he's doing that earlier than our other two boys.  But, I think he has a lot to smile about... His brothers love him and love when he's awake.  In fact, Jacob loves him so much, he's often found practically sitting on him.  Adam took a while to warm up to Aaron, but now loves to hold him and talk to him.

Jacob is potty training.  That's all that I'll say about that.  Potty training is not my favorite part of being a mom.  He's a goofy kid, loves to run around with Adam, doing whatever Adam does.  We're surprised he's such a silly kid, because he was such a serious baby.  His favorite things are anything to do with the Disney Cars movie and candy.  (That's his favorite part of potty training.  He loves to sit on the potty about 20x a day, as long as he gets a treat!)  Oh, and he also likes to pretend he's characters in movies.  When I say "Jacob - it's time to clean up," he'll tell me he's not Jacob, he's Ducky.  I'm sure Karli will remember Ducky from one of her childhood obsessions, the movie 'Land Before Time.' And, he's started calling me Mommy Ducky.  

Adam is growing up fast.  He's learning to speak better, and has lots to say.  In fact, at mealtimes, we often spend 20 minutes or more before he even eats any food, because he just talks.  Adam just started playing teeball (Kelli, he's #9).  He's having so much fun with that-- maybe he'll be a baseball player like his Uncle Spencer or Grandpa Parsons.  He's part of a co-op preschool (with 4 other kids) and loves that as well.  Anything to be around other kids!!  It's hard to believe he will start kindergarten in a year from September.  I really think I'll cry the first day he's gone at school.  

John is busy with school and Scouts.  He's finishing his third year as a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University.  Things are going well; he expects to finish in about 2 1/2 years (Dec 2011).  He is planning on taking his Graduate Board Oral Examinations in mid-June.  If all goes well with that, all he'll have left is his dissertation.  

Who knows what I do all day!!  Take care of kids, that's about all.  But it's so worth it!  In my very little spare time, I like to cook and collect recipes.  I also like to play sports and play outside with my boys.  I also like to organize.  Ask John, I'm a nazi organizer.  And, if I'm bored, I reorganize.  Don't ask me why... 

I have started trying to learn how to sew, not to sew clothes (can you imagine??), but to sew things for the home (curtains, etc).  Our latest project is re-upholstering some dining room chairs we got on Craigs List.  We'll see how that goes.   

Plans for the summer - not really anything special.  We'll just try to stay cool in the hot, humid Baltimore weather.  Adam and Jacob are looking forward to camping this summer, probably May or June, depending on the weather.  We'll also try to keep our garden going.  John has worked hard on our garden, and we hope to get some vegetables this year!  And Adam is proud of his little flower he's growing...

I've written an essay, but one last thing: some friends of ours do this thing on their blog where they record funny things their kids say.  I'd like to start doing that, if for no other reason, so I can remember the things that brighten my day.

Favorite Kid Quotables:

Okay, can't think of any off the top of my head, but I'm going to start that for my next post.  And, I'll put pictures up then, too.