Thanks Grandma and Daddy T

Immediately when I saw the shiny red plastic through the packaging, I knew it was a fire truck and said, "She must be joking!".

My mom and dad had a larger than life package delivered to Connor today that turned out to be a 21 inch, remote cotrolled, water squirting, SIREN SCREAMING, fire truck. I laughed the whole time I untied the 9 million metal twist ties that held it in the box thinking, "they mnust be joking...they are trying to torture me...did they not hear I just had a baby?..." After Liam pushed the siren button for the twelth time in a row, we set it aside until after supper. With Liam and Novak fast asleep tonight, I took Connor out on the back deck to let him explore his new prized possesion. He was enthrawled with every buttons movement(there are 10 total!) and concentrated hard to make the truck do what he wanted it to do. I completely underestimated his ability to play with the fire truck, instead of push the siren button over and over again, like I thought he would do.

My initial annoyance with the choice of gift quickly subsided as I watched my newly 3 year old manuveur the fire truck across the deck, swing the ladder, raise the bucket and squirt the water in order to, "put out the fire on the grill!!" Thanks Mom and Dad...we love it!!!

Quick Pics

I forgot to post my favorite picture from my sister's visit with her boys.

The rest are Connor's bday celebrations...yes, that is plural. We celebrated with his best friends Zoey, Myla and Isaac and all their friends on Thursday in a BIG way. We rented an inflatable castle for all of them to enjoy. It was a blast to watch and jump with all the little kids. Every so often, Connor and Liam would emerge from the castle doors sweaty and flushed, ready for some hydration! It was awesome!!

Saturday we had "the best birthday present ever(Connor will tell you that!)" delivered to our driveway-a backhoe!! Our friend loaned it to us for the day. Connor played out there for hours, quickly coming inside to take a bite of cake and tear open his presents. Thanks Billy!! A cook out with friends and family was last night and today was filled with hours of backhoe play and whatever else Connor wanted, but mostly low key. He received tons of awesome presents that will keep he, and Liam, entertained for hours.

Thanks to everyone for celebrating with us!!

As you requested...

4 days old!

So many of you have been asking for more pictures and updates about Novak and because I have all three sleeping(yes, I am quite happy right now!), I will post. Novak has lived up to all the hype we heard about BIG babies. He sleeps, eats and poops...literally! He was back up to his birth weight after just one week and hasn't slowed down the "gain train" since. He has been amazing at night, last night sleeping from 10pm - 5am!!! He stays content during the day, tolerates the boys somewhat roughness and has yet to get really, really upset with us(time will bring that one out!). Overall, life has been pretty mellow around here.

Dan is still home and that has been great for all of us. The boys are doing well with the changes of having another one in the house. They want him to do everything they do. Connor keeps asking when he can play tractors with him, take walks with him, eat snacks with him...he is such a loving big brother.

I am doing and feeling wonderful. Recovery was quick and painless, stress levels are low, sleep is decent and I am soaking up all that comes with having 3 under 3...that is, until Sunday!!

More later!

BIG News

We welcomed Novak Lewis into the world on 7/8/09. He weighed in at a whopping 10 pounds 6 ounces and was 20.5 inches long-chubby baby!! Labor was fast and furious(good thing but that left him a bit bruised on the head and face) but Novak and I are both doing wonderful. He is an eating machine and, thus far, sleeps a lot. the boys adore him. Connor wants Novak to eat with him, take naps with him, sit with him, and play excavators with him...he can't get enough. Liam gets all giddy when he's around, smiling and jabbering "baby". It has been great having Dan home to help care for the boys, keep the house in order and get me what I need(what a blessing in disguise).

Both Dan and I were shocked when he said, "It's a Boy!" but it feels just right around here with 3 boys. He fits right in!

And now I get to go spend all the money I would have spent on girl clothes on myself...I'm one blessesd and happy mommy!!

Still sportin' a belly!

The past few weeks have been some I will cherish. When mid June rolled around, I was so prepared(physically, emotionally and strategically) to go early with this baby that I stopped enjoying my last weeks of being pregnant. Over the past few weeks we have taken the time to spoil the boys and enjoy doing everything together. Walks, swimming, backyard play, the Lakewalk, movie nights, picnics and cabin days. The boys have grown up so much this summer already: getting more brave in the water and on water toys, at the park, exploring further on their own and entertaing/playing with each other outside each day. I am so glad I was able to take the time to focus on them and witness their milestones.

Over the 4th, we were at the cabin with Dan's family, just roughin' it! It was so awesome to relax, play with the boys and enjoy time with Dan...without having a little newborn to care for as well. We savored our(potential) last weekend of man-to-man defense!

I honestly didn't think I would make it to my due date, but now that it's here...I'm more prepared then I was three weeks ago!

Ok, come on baby!!