Toothless!!

(click to enlarge photo)

Oh, the awkwardness of it all! Brooklyn's mouth is full of holes and she is building up quite the piggy bank stash from tooth fairy visits!! Tooth #4 came out early this week, her first top tooth gone. I couldn't help but laugh and laugh because it made her instantly look so different to me!!! She took a look in the mirror and declared that she looked like a witch. Haha!

One step closer to big boy-ness!

Up until two weeks ago, Gavin was still in his crib with the crib tent on top. Although it was starting to get a little ridiculous because he could open the tent and all of a sudden started climbing out again. That crib tent definitely makes my list of top five baby related item must-haves! I was finally to the point that *I* was ok with switching him to a toddler bed (we already had them from B&B). I was so terrified to make the transition with Gavin after the H-E-double-hockeysticks we went through with Brooklyn and Blake, especially with having a new baby. Gavin has always been an excellent nap taker and I was afraid that that would go right out the window once he had complete freedom.

My beansy-boy proved me wrong!!!!!! It's been about as seamless as I could have hoped! There have been one or two missed naps because he doesn't stay in bed and a few nights of all three kids running around like wild animals after we put them in bed for the night, but nothing that I can't handle.
Next item of business, NIX the THUMB!!!! I'm placing an order for this stuff next week!!

I'm a plain mom

As we were pulling out of the school this afternoon, Brooklyn pointed out a little girl she knew. I told her that I knew that little girl's mom and that her and I went to school together too. She asked if we were best friends and I said no. Then she asked if Daddy and I were best friends at school. I told her that we didn't know each other when we were little but knew each other in high school. Then she asked if I wanted to be a plain mom after that.

HUH??!?

I asked what she meant and she said that I don't go to work so I'm a plain mom. Oh, ok!! Plain mom it is then! :)

Let's hear it for Blake!!!!

So there have been lots of goings on in our family since Christmastime, but I just can't drudge up the energy to blog about it all. I seriously have a list of 5 or 6 things to blog about, but then 5 or 6 more things happen that I want to blog about and I get majorly behind and consequently, give up on the whole idea.

BUT!! I think Blakey deserves some attention for a sec. :)

Matt had a little over two weeks off when the baby was born so he decided to devote some of that time to teaching Blake how to ride his bike minus the training wheels. We had tried last year, but weren't successful. This time, it took all of about 30 minutes before Blake was riding around like an old pro!!!

Sometimes we fall....

Dust yourself off and try again!!Go Blakey, go!!

In January, Blake had an opportunity to go shooting with Daddy, his uncles Derek, Mike, & JJ, cousins Andrew & Spencer and Grandpa Palmer. I'll be the first one to admit that guns make me a little nervous. Matt wants our kids to become familiar with guns and how to safely handle them, which I am fine with. Just don't ask me to shoot a gun or I might throw a tantrum! ;) So the dudes went out together and Blake had a great time shooting a gun for the first time. :) No pictures (men!) but I do have another video!

While his twin sister had already lost three teeth, Blake's were holding solid as could be. I always thought since they teethed together, they'd lose teeth together, but that hasn't been the case. FINALLY, Blake had a loose tooth. One night, about a month ago, I was brushing his teeth before bed and noticed that the poor tooth was barely hanging on, so I made Matt pull it out. I can't do it. I just can't do it!!! The tooth fairy visited Blake and left 3 gold dollar coins. :) None of his other teeth are wiggly yet.Another sign my babies are growing up!! *sniff, sniff* Blake is READING!!!! Since Blake knows 80 sight words, he is able to check out two books from his class library. The goal is to have the kids read 100 books on their own by the end of the school year. Every school day, I get excited to see what books Brooklyn and Blake picked out and enjoy having them take turns reading to me while I feed the baby. Blake hardly stumbles over any words these days and it's just amazing to me to see how far both kids have come since starting kindergarten six months ago!!

Blake loves Transformers, playing with his Leapster, riding his scooter and reading books. At his 6 year well check, he weighed a whopping 38 lbs and is 45.25 in tall. The kid eats and eats and eats, but still remains skinny as a bean pole!! Blake is very touchy feely, especially with me if he is sitting anywhere near me. He has been banished to the opposite side of the bench from me at church because he just can't keep his hands off of me!! LOL! Blake loves to be in the kitchen helping out if I am cooking meals or baking. He is as stubborn as can be and everything has to be just so or he can't let it go. Wonder where he gets that from! ;) I love my Blakey!!!

Baby Burrito anyone?

This is my Preston.

Preston likes to be swaddled.

Preston likes to be swaddled up TIGHT!!

Preston does not sleep well unless he's swaddled up TIGHT!

Super-duper dinky receiving blankets are no match for this wiggly baby!

Whoever the genius is that invented these swaddle blankets is my new found hero!!!

Preston sporting his array of Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe blankets in the cotton knit variety ~~







We own 6 of these nifty blankies (2 fleece, 4 knit) and they are worth every penny!!!! I highly recommend these blankets for ANY new mom!! These may just be my new baby shower gift!

Matt's 6 minutes of fame

I mentioned here that Matt had an opportunity to represent the company he works for, Southwestern Eye Center, on television at the end of last month. My announcement probably got lost in the shuffle amidst my hospital updates on Preston, so if you missed it the first time or aren't a resident of Arizona, here's your chance to see him in action! :)

He was a little nervous at first but warmed up quickly. The kids were so fascinated to see Daddy on tv and especially to see the picture of them too! Be sure to stay tuned for another tv appearance by Dr. Palmer for another local channel in a couple weeks.

Like Father, Like Son

I think the picture speaks for itself! ;)

Happy Birthday, Brooklyn and Blake!!

I can't believe these guys are SIX YEARS OLD!!!!

We started the morning off with banana pancakes for breakfast. YUM!! It was a busy day for me and I was actually hardly home at all. I did manage to pick up their birthday balloons, which Brooklyn was awfully disappointed they weren't there first thing in the AM. LOL!

After I picked them up from school, I got to work making dinner (Matt's parents joined us) and baking cakes from scratch. Blake and Brooklyn were seriously eager to open their gifts, verging on the edge of spoiled rotten brattiness! I threatened that if they continued begging for presents, I'd start lessening the amount they got by one gift for each offense. Mean mom, I know, but it worked. ;)

Another kids' birthday gone by with no awesome fanfare, but it warmed my heart to hear Brooklyn proclaim, "Thanks Mom, this was the best birthday EVER!" when all was said and done. :) We promised them a fun family outing instead of having a birthday party, which seemed to do the trick.

The spoilsBrooklyn and her loot, Blake and his lootMake a wish...............

Reminiscing ~~ awhhhhhhhhhhh!

Me and my babies

We're so glad that Heavenly Father sent you, together, to be the first to join our family here on Earth. Mommy and Daddy love you very much and are so proud of all that you've accomplished thus far in your short lives. We can't wait to watch you grow even more and experience new things in the years to come. Happy 6th Birthday!!!