Long time no post...

Holy moly...I have had a HARD couple of weeks. Three kids under three is madness. Oftentimes at the end of the day I think to myself, one more day closer to a little bit of independence. Independence for them and for me. I'll be honest. There are plenty of times when I feel imprisoned for being couped up in my house for lack of energy to pack everyone up and all that they require me to carry along just to leave to go anywhere. Or for having a baby stuck to my body for most of the day on his fussy days. I know that these days will be missed someday when I forget how hard they are and I do feel guilty about those times when I am wishing them away (hardly ever but it does happen) but I can't help it! I have not had a moment to myself to indulge in any of my many adult interests in so long. I honestly don't think it would bother me so much if I didn't have to stare at bare walls that I so desperately want to paint and windows that have no decent treatments. I actually have many of the window treatments but no time/energy to shop for hardware to hang them. Instead I am forced to look at the mess that is inescapable living with four children. But now that Christmas is over and things are getting back to routine I have found a few minutes to at least update my blog. So here it is...

Greyson rolled over for the first time recently. It's sad to say that I can't remember the exact day. It maybe was a week ago? Maybe longer. We were upstairs reading to Hunter at bedtime. He oftentimes joins us because he cries if left behind being the little social baby that he is! We were on Hunter's bed waiting for him to pick out a bedtime story when it happened. Hunter was upset that he missed it because he was looking for a story on his bookshelves. Greyson has since done it on the regular floor as well (front to back).

Hunter lost one of his big front teeth about three days ago. He looks like the cutest little hillbilly around. He was eating breakfast when it happened. After he left for school Tyler and Brody kept holding up little pieces of their cereal saying, "I lost my tooth!" over and over again.

Speaking of those little monsters (typed with a smile), the big news with them (and I mean BIG!) is that they are well on their way to being fully potty trained. They are waking up from naps dry and Brody has even woken up dry from sleeping all night for three days now. The best part is not having to clean up poopy diapers. Oh! And saving the diaper money. But their cute slim butts in big boy undies is a close third!!! They have had only a few accidents and I have even ventured out with them in public a few times and they have remained dry. Hooray!! I have to admit that I do spend most of the day in the bathroom though, passing out M&M's and supervising handwashing. They both love to play with the soap and fill up the sink with water, splash in it, as well as other shenanigans that require intervening.

On a more positive note (than the start of my blog post) our family has joined the local YMCA this week and I am more than thrilled! Not only will I be working to get my body back to the state it was pre-baby #4 I will be taking advantage of their "Kids Corner" on those days when Mommy just needs a break. I went for the first time on Wednesday and it was heavenly. On the way over there Brody asked, "Where going Mommy?" and I responded, "The Y." Mind you, to them the "Y" is just a letter. They have no idea what it is and had never been before. Very matter-of-factly Brody said, "Oh. That exciting." And was it ever!! I didn't hear anyone cry for a whole hour and a half! And when I picked them up I missed them and was a much happier (and cleaner) mommy for that little break. It was so nice to be able to leisurely shower after my workout without having to worry about what kind of trouble the boys were getting into while unsupervised. A much different experience from the lightning speed at which my normal showers at home occur. Upon entering the Kids Corner to pick the boys up I saw Tyler and Brody joyfully playing with building blocks. A lady approached me and asked who I was there to pick up and I said, "Tyler and Brody." And when she looked at me curiously I realized that in my calm post-workout and showered state I had forgotten I had even had a precious little fourth child who was waiting for me to bring him home. So I quickly said, "Oh my gosh, AND GREYSON!!!" How could I have forgotten that sweet little pumkin?! Then I spotted him being rocked by a lady in the back. They were all very happy with the gym experience, which in turn makes me soooo happy and excited to return!