Thanksgiving Thanks

This Thanksgiving is the most unusual one in recent memory.  No turkey, stuffing, or any of the fixin's.  I'm boarding a plane with my three children and leaving Texas.  Although I am incredibly sad to leave my family and friends here, I am most grateful to once again be a complete family. 

Cannon 5 Months

 You and your brothers.  You three are what get me out of bed in the morning.  I mean literally--out of bed-- there is no sleeping-in with you boys. And, although getting up so early is not my favorite thing to do, it makes it a lot easier waking up to your three smiling faces.  I couldn't ask for a better baby.  You are the sweetest, snuggliest, patient-est, happiest baby boy!

 You have your first cold.  It was kindly passed from Gavin to you, and to Harrison, then to me, and finally anyone else within a twenty mile radius.  The snot I'm getting from your nose is snot funny. 

 You have found your toes!  

 I am putty in your hands when you look at me like this.  You seal the deal when you reach for my face and pat my cheeks. 

You smile and we all smile with you.

It Was Time

 It's no secret that I'm in love with Gavin's hair.  When those dark blonde curls started forming at nine months, it was love at first sight.  But, something has happened to his hair over the past year.  Those curls faded and left me dying for them to come back! Sometimes I'm a little slow on the pick-up, it takes me a little longer to see what others have noticed for a while. Sure, my first clue he needed a haircut should've been when I was questioned if he was a boy or a girl.  My second could've been the rat's nest I've had to tame every morning for months. When I got this picture back, I couldn't believe what I saw!  There is but one lone curl left on the left side of his head. How have I allowed my son's hair to look like this?  And why hasn't anyone stopped me??  He is going to hate me when he sees this picture (and a bazillion others just like it) as a teenager. 

  I finally said goodbye.

With the promise of two Dum-Dum's, he patiently let G-Jo get to work.

New and maybe not-so-improved Gavin!

This is his 'man pose.'  I've tried to tell him men don't put their hands on their hips like that or sashay their other hand, but he doesn't listen.  So, Gavin, when you're older, I'll take the blame for the hair, but the questionable posing?  That's all you, son. 

Homecoming and Halloween

 Papa Bruiser came home Halloween weekend and life was just how I remembered it, only sweeter.  We were all so grateful just to be together.  The boys wrestled and played video games, they had their buddy back doing their boy thing again!  Anytime Steve left the room Gavin was left looking around saying, "where my daddy go?" The homecoming reaffirmed what I already knew, that life runs smoother and is copacetic when we're together.

 With Captain America, Spider Man, and Flash to take care of me I will be protected for life!

 Our trick-or-treaters patiently sat for a picture before before getting started.

 

 We went trick-or-treating in G-Jo's neighborhood again this year.  The neighborhood really gets into the spirit of Halloween--making it so entertaining.  A couple houses even turned their garages into mini haunted houses!  G-Jo made a picnic in the backyard so our little monsters would have some nutrition before eating copious amounts of candy. 

 Cannon's Flash mask was his low-light of the night, but his highlight was getting a ride on Daddy.  

 Scary monster! This freaked out Mario and Luigi (Evan and Ian)

 Sweet baby!  Trick-or-treating is exhausting.

 I don't know how many houses we went to, but after every single house Gavin would run towards us screaming, "Mom, Mom, I GOT CAAANNNDDY!!!"  That pure, complete excitement is what makes kids the best and so fun be around.  It was definitely my highlight of the night.  

 We told Harrison this was his one day a year he could eat as much candy as he wanted.  And eat he did!  He ate and ate and ate until he finally pushed away from the table and said, "I have a belly ache."  I told him that he was probably going to poop a Snickers bar the next day. 

 Even Cannon got in on the action having a couple licks of a Dum-Dum.  

Spidey was worn out and had to be carried into bed by Dad.  Steve left before the kids woke the next morning which was a good idea, I don't think either of us could have handled the tears.  Our visit was a reminder of how bonded our family is and how truly thankful we will be when we're all together again.

Free Agent

I had my last weekend at work.  Retiring from my job of ten years.  Saying goodbye to my beloved coworkers who have seen me through a wedding and three pregnancies. They have helped me raise my babies with endless advice and lots of laughs.

a small sample of those beloved coworkers

So, I'm officially a free agent.

What's that you say, South Carolina?  You don't have a need for an experienced NICU nurse? 

I'm willing to work nights....weekends....holidays...still, no?

Oh, you have hospice and home health.  I see.  I suppose there can be similarities between the very old and the very young; diapers, soft foods, repeating yourself over and over, stubbornness, but my passion is for babies.  

Well, South Carolina, maybe you'll come around.  I suppose I'll be in retirement until my services are needed again. 

.....Please let my services be needed again.

Cannon 4 Months

 Oh, my sweet and peaceful baby.  What a difference this month has made for you.  You are now sleeping nine to ten hours, waking only to nurse and then quickly back to sleep. An added bonus--given the opportunity, you'll take three naps during the day. The sleep for me has been ah-mazing!!  You are a go-with-the-flow kinda baby, nary a time have I said, "Well, that won't work with Cannon's schedule."  You are often pulled out of a dead sleep and loaded into the car or feedings are cut short due to crisis with your brothers--and you just go with it.  Now, there are some things that you stand your ground on, like you hate riding in the car and you make sure I am aware every time we're in the car.  Being put down in the evenings is a no-go, too--you want to be held and then held some more. But, for all you give in to, I think these are reasonable demands.

You have found your thumb!  I know this is only cute until your first dentist visit.

 Cannon, you are the only baby I know who has toe jam and finger jam!

 I don't want to throw the word 'advanced' around, but, come on, what other four-month-old sits up unattended for 4.2 seconds?! 

 You continue to look so much like your oldest brother, Harrison, with a little bit of Gavin thrown in the mix.  I think your favorite part of the day is in the evenings, after the older boys have gone to bed and it's just you and me.  I prop you up on a pillow on my bed and we Skype your Dad or we just play and giggle.  Sometimes when you are restless, I'll put you in your baby bath hammock and we'll take a shower.  You'll lay in your hammock for as long as I'll let you, you are so peaceful as the water just pours over you.  You fall asleep almost instantly after a good shower. 

 Going....

 Going....

Gone is my baby who was three months old and is now four.  

Slow down, baby, there is no rush to grow up!

Pumpkin Patch

 We made our sixth annual trip to the pumpkin patch.  The shirts that Gavin and Cannon have on are the ones that Harrison and Gavin wore in 2008.  Harrison didn't seem to notice he was the only one not festively dressed and I surely didn't bring it up, I would've had to confess I just forgot about getting him a new shirt. We love this place, it really gets you in the spirit of fall.  Bales of hay, a bazillion pumpkins, lots of character cut-outs, bounce houses, carnival food, and hay rides!

 Always a good  time when you're with your friends.  These guys have been playing together for years!

♫ Which one of these is not like the other? ♫

 Gavin has already developed quite an affinity for the ladies.  He spots 'em quick and hooks on like a tick.  Ava kindly allowed him to stay steady on her heels.  

 I'll be honest, Cannon didn't love the pumpkin patch. I guess I'm not surprised, what's a four month old going to enjoy at one of these things?  Not even the hay ride or all the bouncing did much for him.

 He did pass a little time looking at hay.  

These friends have been playing together for years, too.