Pirate Hudson

This is Hud's new favorite thing. He talked Gregor into this pirate outfit on our trip to target yesterday... guess we aren't fading out swords like I thought we were. He loves it though. He even wore it to dinner (we got quite a few looks I must say).

Brooke's First Food!

Brooke had her first food this morning. After weeks of begging me for food, I finally gave in and let her have a bite of cereal with pears. Thanks Auntie Cat for the fantastic Happy Baby Cereals. These Happy Bellies cereals are all organic and have probiotics in them for the little tummies. Cat loves their frozen baby foods as well, but I've been unsuccessful in finding them in stores around here. I checked it out on the website though, and it looks fantastic. The website says they sell the frozen food at Target, but I sure didn't see it. Anyhow, Brooke seems to prefer bagels and teething biscuits to the cereal goop I gave her this morning, but all-in-all I think it was a success. She Loved the spoon and the attention. It's so funny... with Hudson, I couldn't wait to start him on food. It seems like such a fun step for a baby. Now that I am on to the third baby, I was just dreading the "mush food" stage. It's messy! They get that food everywhere and it stains. I think babies go around with baby food goop in their hair and in the creases of their neck everyday for months while they are eating cereals and pureed fruits and veggies. The poop gets stinky. You have to start toting food and spoons around everywhere not to mention the bibs and more wipes. You have to sit there and spoon them food for what feels like forever. And, the grocery bill goes up. It is cute though to watch their faces as they experience the new flavors and textures. I love how they wrinkle their nose like the taste is really gross, but then beg for more and more until they finally smile with delight at the new taste. I'm hating my high chair right now. Brooke can sit in it yet without falling over (I can't wait for the sitting stage!). I'm noticing the food funk in the crevices from the two previous kids and the wooden tray is a pain to clean. They've come out with so many better high chairs these days!

Favorite Things #7 and #8

So here are a few more of my favorite things:

#7: Go Baby Blanket (you can buy it locally here)

We use this blanket every day (note that is not us in the picture). I LOVE it. It folds easily into a zippered pouch with is great to throw over your shoulder or hook onto the stroller. I can even fold it and zip it while holding Brooke. It is waterproof/resistant? on one side so you can put it on wet grass. It's big enough for Brooke to lay down/roll around and have the other kids eating lunch on it. I pretty much use this blanket every day. You can wash it easily as well. I haven't washed mine yet, but it really needs it. I just use it so much I don't want to have a day without it.

#8: My visor: Gregor makes fun of me for this one, but another accessory I can't live without this summer is my visor. I can throw it on when I'm out in the sun to keep the sun out of my eyes but not scare Brooke (she gets a little freaked out by my sunglasses). I'm trying to keep the wrinkles away by not squinting. It doesn't give me hat-hair or make my head really hot like a baseball cap does. I can still wear it with a ponytail. I just love it.

Thanks Aran!

Thanks Fairy Godmother Aran for the adorable tutu for Larkin! She was so excited to get this in the mail yesterday, and has seriously not taken it off since she opened the box.

Family Photos

This is the best picture of the kids recently. It's so hard to get everyone smiling. I also included one of the rare photos that actually has me in it (although it is missing Brooke). It's the best I can do.

Mint Springs

We decided to change up our usual summer pool day today with a trip to Mint Springs "beach" out here in Crozet. This picture makes it look so pretty! We packed a lunch and met friends here for quite a nice afternoon. I have to say (and I know this is terrible for a coastal scientist that studies beach sand...) sand is totally over-rated! What is it about kids that allows them to continue to run around and be comfortable with 5 pound of sand in their bathing suit! I mean really, doesn't sand in all those little creases hurt! The kids had a blast looking at the fish and playing in their tubes. Brooke wasn't so fond of the sand and sun. I think she prefers the pool where her toys stay clean and she can play around a little easier in the water. Larkin made "friends" with this little girl named Julia. Julia was 11 and I think too polite to tell Larkin to buzz off. I just kept overhearing their conversation which went something like: "Hi, my name is yarkin, what's your name... your name is Julia... will you make a volcano? Your name is Julia... I'm 2... will you make a volcano.... your name is julia.... will you make another volcano... i like your bathing suit julia... will you make another volcano??" This went on and on and on. Larkin just kept bossing around this poor 11 year old girl. It was just too funny. Being the good mother that I am, I totally ignored the whole interaction and just let Larkin probably annoy the crap out of this girl. If I had a $20 in my pocket I would have slipped it to her for what she put up with... Thanks Julia, wherever you are. Hudson and his friend Luke played really well together today. I was proud of Hud. Last year he was scared to go into the water because of the fish and animals, but this year he was in there swimming in the deep end in with his goggles trying to catch the fish... Go Hud! He really is growing up so fast. So, all in all, it was a nice, relaxing day at the beach (minus the freaking beach sand that was everywhere when we got home... why can't there just be grass or something!).

Favorite Thing #6

Favorite thing #6: Wee Sing Together DVD

It was a monumental day yesterday. Larkin actually... get ready for this... watched TV for more than o.5 seconds. My little sister Mollie (9 years younger than me) and I used to watch this video when she was little (which was cool for her at 3 years old and, when I think back on it, totally lame for me as a 12 year old to be watching!). Anyhow, after Mollie and I were singing the songs all the way home from Hilton Head, I decided to order the DVD as a way to reminisce. I mean... this is the show that taught me to sing my ABC's backwards! So, I actually found it on amazon... gotta love amazon... and it arrived yesterday. I popped it in and guess who was instantly enthralled. Larkin, miss I hate the TV... I can't sit still for 2 seconds or play with something for more than 2 minutes. Once they sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" she was hooked. I think she watched it for a good 15 minutes. Isn't it sad as a mom that I get so excited when my child actually watches TV. I just have such glorious visions of car trips where she isn't talking to me for 10 hours straight with Why question after Why question. It was fun to watch this for myself as well. I just ordered one for my sister... I think she'll get a kick out of it now too!

Bagels, Blood and Poop

So today is another one of those days where I have to laugh at the absurdity of events because if I didn't I would surely cry. So the day started off fine... we decided to go to bodos (our awesome bagel place for those of you not in C'ville) for breakfast. Gregor thought he could join us, but alas he had to go to work 2 minutes after we got there. So it's me with the three kiddos. I order... fine... I get our straws, napkins, etc... fine... I go to pick up our food and all the sudden Hud is screaming. I look over and he is gushing... and when I say gushing I mean GUSHING blood from his mouth. What happened?? He was hot dogging at usual and fell off the booth and bit is tongue on the side and the tip. I though he bit it off there was so much blood coming out of his mouth. On top of that, Larkin then falls off the booth and hurts her knee- not nearly as dramatic, but you'd never know it from her scream. They keep calling my order number, I'm sweating, so this nice guy with an 18 month old next to us goes to get my food... thank you nice guy! I finally get hud settled (a bit) at least he isn't swallowing pints of blood anymore... and who gets ticked off... Brooke. I pick her up on my other lap (yes, with three kids, somehow you develop additional laps to accommodate everyone) only to discover that she has had a blowout poop. So now, I'm sitting in Bodos with blood all over my shirt and yellow poo all down my leg and arm. Somehow, I manage to change Brooke's entire outfit and poo diaper on my lap with hud under my arm. Finally, we get somewhat settled enough to eat our bagels (well, not hud... he can't eat anything with a big swollen tongue poor guy), but what should happen next... the guy next to me who helped me get my food is shocked to find that his daughter has thrown up all over the table and floor... at that point the guy and I just laugh... seriously is there another bodily fluid that we haven't covered yet! After that it's off to the gym so I can at least change my nasty clothes (into equally nasty old gym clothes. Hud and Larkin have breakdowns in the gym day care when I try to drop them off, but I guess they get over it because I just leave... sorry guys, mom needs a little wind down time or I'm going to cry. I come back 45 minutes later and everything seems to be settled down. Hudson is feeling a little better (although his tongue looks like it really hurts!). We decide to head to a new park for lunch (McGuffy Park... awesome for those c'ville moms out there). We had a great time there. I'm thinking the day has taken a turn for the better. But, no. We get stuck in 45 minutes of traffic on the way home, with Brooke crying pretty much the whole time and Larkin talking the Entire time, "go mom... why aren't you going? what's traffic? go mom... I said go? why is Brooke crying?... and on and on and on.." So we get home finally and what next.... grace has gone through the trash and spread it all over the freaking house!! Damn dogs. So that's where I am now. Hudson is asleep in the car, Larkin is asleep upstairs, Brooke is crying because she's only has 20 minutes of a nap today and is refusing to sleep, and the trash is picked up from around the house. I wonder what the rest of the night has in store for us. I'm going to call the neighbor and see if she can babysit tonight... mommy needs a break!

Another Haircut

Hudson had to go and get another haircut today. His hair was so filled with tangles that I couldn't brush them all out. So after 20 minutes of what Hud describes as "screaming like a girl" we decided to cut the knots out. He seems to like his new 'do. It's going to be so much easier to deal with during the summertime. Larkin was ticked that she didn't get to have a haircut as well. Maybe next time.

On another note... I had the winner mommy moment on hilton head with Larkin (not really!). Ronan bumped over an entire bottle of water on a coffee table and I ran over with a rag saying "Oh... SH**." Who comes up behind me with her own towel mimicking my words and tone exact;u... Miss Larkin Lina... "Oh, Sh**"... we were all laughing so hard we couldn't breathe... seriously, she had my inflection and articulated those words so clearly! I just hope she soon forgets those "potty mouth" words. Gregor's been warning me for awhile now that they are going to pick up my dirty words... the time has come I guess.

cute bath video

Back from Hilton Head

We made it back from Hilton Head yesterday after a week full of fun in the sun. The drive is so long and seems even longer with Larkin talking the ENTIRE time. Here's a snipit: "Excuse me debi (who was sitting in the back with hud).

Debi... Debi... can you give me something please... Debi... I said please... Debi.... I said excuse me... debi." This went on over and over again for 9 hours (one hour of the drive she was thankfully asleep!). Hud is a rock star traveler... as is Brooke. We had such a wonderful time back home. Cat and Ronan were there along with Mollie. It was actually really fun not to have the boys along. We missed them of course, but each night was like a girls slumber party full of pee-in-your-pants laughter, gossip, and general "girl" talk. I had so much fun. Larkin and Ronan had their first bath together, which was totally cute. The kids went on the boat with grandpa Mikie and saw a dolphin, which came up to the boat and blew water on them... the highlight of Hud's trip. They ate junk, made a mess cooking (and when I say mess... I mean a total spray the kitchen down mess) and had a total blast with their Debi. Thanks for everything mom! We love you all. We can't wait for our next trip.

Welcome Brooke!

Well, for Miller's 5 month birthday we decided to officially change her name. We've tried to embrace the name Miller for 5 months now, but as her mom, deep down, I just don't feel like it's her name. It always felt weird to say her name. Gregor and I found that we were always calling her "the baby" or other nicknames; the name Miller just getting caught on our tongues. So, for the last couple of months we've been trying out other names like Cora, Heidi, Ingrid and Logan. None of them seem to fit her either. Finally, one day we called her Brooke and it just fit. She smiled and we both just felt that we had finally found her name. Brooke fits her girlish personality, goes along with our nature themed names, and it's my middle name so it's already family. We are going through the legal process of changing her name so it's official. Now we just all have to get used to calling her baby Brooke. Larkin's the only one to really have it down. Hudson even likes it although we calls her Brooke Miller, which is funny. So, yea it's weird... it's going to be funky for a little while as we transition. But deep down it just feels right. Welcome Brooke!

Really?!?

I had to include this picture of Larkin. I always get a little worried when she is quietly playing by herself... usually she's using a crayon to redecorate the rooms with her own artistic flare (aka drawing on everything she isn't supposed to!). This morning, she had taken off all her clothes, put the baby in the sling and was "cleaning" in the living room... note the vacuum and the broom! The look she gave me when I caught her was just classic... like "what are You looking at mom!". She must have gotting this idea from all those times I'm running around the house cleaning inthe buff! yeah right! I just had to laugh. I just discovered this weekend that the vacuum actually works a little bit... the little dust buster thing on the front has some dirt in it! Yea! I'm really going to start putting her to work.

Miller is 5 Months!

Happy 5 Months Miller Marylou!

Miller is getting so grown up these days. She is laughing, rolling, pulling my hair out (not that it needs any help right now... it's falling out by the fist fulls...blah), using a sippy cup, playing with toys, and pulling everything off the table. She is so incredibly active already... kicking her feet, using her voice, and reaching for everything. I think I'm in for it once she starts to crawl (and eat solids for that matter!)... I think I'm going to have another maniac on my hands. Miller had her first beach and pool experience this month. She is loving the water... especially in this 100 degree heat! I did the no-no and put sunscreen on her yesterday... I have to think that a sunburn is worse than baby sunblock... we're close to 6 months! Miller still has three states of being- happily entertained, full on screaming, and sleeping. She still has the drama queen in her. We can't wait to see the changes this next month!

Favorite Things #4 and #5

This is a favorite things post about things I never though I would get excited about but that I seriously love and would hate to live without. #4 is my new cordless vacuum. I went to Target with a gift card intent on getting a cordless, lightweight vacuum for the wood floors downstairs (yes, I have a $100 gift card to Target to use just on myself and all I wanted was a vacuum... sad I know, but true). I sweep these freaking floors multiple times a day, but the job requires two hands and Miller is always screaming when I do it. I've tried to bring the big vacuum downstairs but that is a job in itself and it just seems to blow the dirt out of the back. I don't know how that happens, but it does. I tried to get this Bissel vac that has been recommended by other people, but Target didn't have it... and I had the giftcard... so... I ended up with the ErgoRapido. I LOVE IT almost as much as I love saying the name... ergorapido... say it out loud... it just sounds awesome! It's light, has a super power suck (and a light suctions option as well) and it can also be a dust buster. Never in my life did I think that I would be so excited about a little vacuum. I just can't say enough. I use this thing multiple times a day. It hold its charge and can be operated with one hand. I can even get it under the couch! Wow!

Larkin is Modeling the vacuum in yet another dress... she's obsessed!

My #5 favorite thing is the Honda Odyssey. Again, I never wanted a minivan... never though I would get a minivan. I used to drive a bright yellow convertible superbeetle and then an old defender 90 (pictured)... I was always more attracted to the "fun" cars! I never thought I'd see the day when I would be so excited about a new minivan. That said, I am totally in love with the Odyssey. It has such mom friendly features. I can walk to the back and feed Miller if necessary on road trips, I can carry multiple strollers at once, the kids all have their own space, there are so many compartments and places to put the millions of things you need with three kids. I just love it. Gregor has our emergency storage packed with all kinds of "emergency" gear. I just love it. We checked out pretty much all the other vans, and I think this is the best one around. The price isn't bad either. We have the base model with added roof racks. It doesn't have the fancy self closing doors and trunks (which would be nice... ) but you really don't need them. I don't think I'll have the minivan forever, but for now, with three kids, I don't see how you could do it without one.

Larkin's dresses

I forgot to include this picture of Larkin. She's developed a new love of dresses in the last two days. Before I couldn't get her to put on a dress. Now we are going through 3 dresses a day because she just can't decide on which one she wants to wear. Girls are so funny! She loves this one pictured (thanks Debi) because it has a matching barrett... and Larkin LOVES the accessories.

Has it been a week already!

I can't believe it's been a week already since I've last posted! Summer just flies by. I don't know why the days seem to go faster in the summer, maybe it's the heat. This last week has been busy. Last Thursday we went out with friends for dinner and drinks. Kami, our neighbor, babysat all three kids and Gregor and I had a much needed night out! We went to the blue mountain brewery which was fantastic! It's definitely a place to take the kids sometime. They have a great lawn and a beautiful view. We also tried Three Notched Grill where I had the most amazing steak... man, I love a good steak! So all in all, our first real night away was a success. Miller woke up 15 minutes after we got home... perfect. Friday we left for Ocean City, MD to get in some beach time and visit Gregor's parents. Fun Fun... It was a great weekend other than the fact that I got knocked out by a golf ball at the mini golf course across the street. I'm fine... luckily Miller was in the sling and I didn't land on her when I fell. Other then that excitement, the weekend was fantastic... quality beach and family time. We got back on Monday. Tuesday was Hud's last day of school. We had his "graduation" today which was really cute (although a little bit on the long side). The photo of Hudson above is in his "special" outfit. The girls are in their matching outfits which Auntie Cat and Uncle Brandon sent (thank you ... we love them!). The photo above is the best family photo I could get. I think getting one where all three are looking at the camera smiling is going to be impossible... almost as impossible as getting a photo with me in it! After graduation we hit the pool and now naps. Another busy day in the Patsch household. I included the picture of Hudson in the sprinkler from last weekend because I just love how it epitomises the feel of summer.