Chills and Tears

Last night was one of my favorite nights with the kids in a long time.

Hubby was away catching up with his brother who came to the mountain to ski, and so I had the five littles on my own.

I rented Frozen II from redbox -- the first day it was released (I can't remember the last time I made a point to see any movie the first day it was released -- in theaters or on video), and I picked up pizza for dinner.

Simple as they are, those are two huge things for me with the kids.

I cook dinner for the kids nearly every night.  I make sure the leftovers don't go bad in the fridge, and I try to prepare them in a way that my kids will eat them night after night.  And some night's they're just told to eat it even though they think dinner is a disappointment.   If I order pizza for the kids, its usually for when a baby-sitter is here, not for myself to enjoy with the kids.

Then, the movie.  Lee Lee, Hunter, and I had not seen Frozen II yet.  Howard, Caroline, and Tracey saw it in theaters with Hubby, but they saw it once and have been asking to see it again ever since. 

The movie was SOOO good... and the night was really great.

Lee Lee is still a little too squirmy for movies -- especially movies that I actually want to see and pay attention to (she spilled some pizza sauce and some ice cream because I was focused on the plot of the movie and not on her)... but WHAT A GREAT MOVIE!!!

I'm really excited that its rented because I really want to watch it again tomorrow -- with or without the kids.

The music was, of course, wonderful... and the kids and I have been listening to the soundtrack ever since the movie came out, but seeing the songs of the movie made me notice a line of one of the songs, that I never paid attention to when I just heard it.

The words rang so incredibly clear... and I may be borrowing them frequently.  I could even potentially see them painted somewhere on one of the walls of my house... seriously, these words gave me chills and tears:

These days are precious

Can't let them slip away

I can't freeze this moment

But I can still go out and seize this day 

WOW!

I feel like that is the song of my heart and my motherhood philosophy poetically summarized and four beautiful lines.

And that's exactly what last night was.

A night with my five wonderful children.  An average Friday night... but such a special, enjoyable, memorable Friday night.

I can't freeze this moment.

But I can still go out and seize this day.

...

and I will.

Happy Anniversary

Happy 39th Anniversary to my wonderful parents.

Wishing you many more happily married years together.

 

 

Hawk

Howard: I want a mohawk

Lee Lee:  I want a unicorn-hawk

The Twins On Religion

Howard with a phone to his ear: Hello God?

What are you doing in the sky today?

(To Caroline) God's doing magic in the sky today. 

Caroline: He put powers in my heart. 

Howard into the phone: Did you give Caroline powers in her heart?

(To Caroline) He said no.

Hunter Nicholas -- Three Months

Hunter turned three months about ten days ago and he is becoming so much fun!

Here he is at three months

Here is Lee Lee at three months

Here is Caroline at three months

Here is Howard at three months

Here is Tracey at three months

Weight: 

I'm not sure... but this month he has gone from a tiny little fragile newborn, to a little solid baby with a kissable belly.  He's certainly not a chubby boy yet, but he's getting solid, which makes it a little more comfortable for his siblings and friends to hold him.

Length:  

Too long for 3 month sleepers.  He's moved on to six month or 6-9 month sleepers.  They are too long for him, but there's no point in making him squash into sleepers that are snug when I have the next size of clothing sorted and ready to go.

Clothing size: 

Well, 6-9 month sleepers, as I said because of his length.  Also, he's in 6 month pants because 3 month pants were just too snug around his little belly.  Also, it's just so easy to move him up to the next size of clothing because I have it ready to go than try to bend his little arms just right to squeeze into clothes that he's outgrowing.  No need for him to be uncomfortable when he can wear clothing with a little wiggle room.  He is still wearing 3 month onesies and they are not too snug yet.

Eating:  

Hunter loves milk but his feedings are nicely spaced now.  He gets several bottles of pumped breast milk while I'm at work and he seems to have adjusted to bottles well.

Sleeping:  

Hunter sleeps in a bassinet next to our bed.  He usually sleeps very well from about 10:00pm to 3:20am.  He's asleep before 10, but usually sort of fitful.  10:00 is when he is usually sound asleep for the night.  It is wonderful.

New things/discoveries: 

• First laugh
• First time at the baby-sitters
• First time away from mom for more than an hour or so
• First Valentine's Day
• First time sitting in the panda seat
• Enjoying tummy time more

   New Accomplishments: 

• Smiling
• Holding up his head more and more
• Sleeping in a little longer stretches at night
• Playing peek-a-boo -- I really don't remember my other children enjoying peek-a-boo nearly as much as Hunter does.  There are times he will literally jump when I say peek-a-boo, and then he laughs 
• First ear infection
• First time on antibiotics (Also first time eating something cold)
• First trip to the emergency room
• Mama started working out again... not really a new accomplishment for Hunter... but it is for me

Likes: 

• Being held
• Pacifiers
• Sucking on his fingers
• Nursing
• His siblings
• His Mama -- I really am his favorite right now
• Warm baths with his siblings
• Being worn or held
• Laughing
• Peek-a-boo
• Music

Dislikes:

• Being hungry
• Being cold
• Spitting up
• Stuffy noses 
• Ear infections

  Places He's Gone:

• The Emergency Room
• The baby-sitters

Special Memories:

•  Meeting Uncle Trent for the first time
• Attending the Twin's birthday party
• Tracey's sixth birthday
• Grammie and Papa visiting

Nicknames:

• Hunter
• Hunt Buddy
• Buster
• Buzz Buzz
• Buzz
• Buzz Boy
• Master Hunter
• Hunt
• Buddy
• Little Man

Pictures from this month: