Growing up Grotegut

My poor, sad, neglected blog…

Published on January 26, 2012 in Everyday-nesses. 1 Comment

Since discovering facebook my blog rarely gets the attention it needs. I want to go through and update it so I can have a hard copy of the going ons of my three knuckleheads. I am completely sure no one reads it anymore, so I can take my time. I just need to do a couple of updates a month to catch up. Life is moving at the speed of sound. Ollie’s getting big and making me nuts with his energy. He took his first steps on 1/24, the day he turned 15 months. Keaton’s the best reader in his class and has all the little girls swooning over how handsome he is. He’s still loving the Wii and currently obsessed with Minecraft. Gavin is Mr. Confidence and excelling so far above his peers in academics its ridiculous. He’s still obsessed with America and knows WAY more about it then I would ever care to learn. The older boys just finished their first semester in Hip Hop dance with a recital last Saturday. Its caused them to both fall in love with Justin Bieber. When they are 15 I am going to tease them relentlessly over how much they loved Justin Bieber. John and I are still alive. Nothing that exciting going on with us. Oh, and the biggest news is probably the haircuts they got back in October. All short haired studs now!

I’ll leave you with this photo of my three Stud Muffins:

Happy First Birthday Biscuit!

Published on October 24, 2011 in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

Happy birthday! You are one year old today, and it’s been the most joyful, exhausting, funniest and fullest year of my life. It seems a little surreal to me that as I write this letter to you that a year has already passed since the first time we saw your little face. After the months of anticipation you finally arrived in our lives and things have never been the same.

In the beginning things were rough. Don’t get me wrong I loved you from the minute I laid eyes on you. Just ask everyone who had to hear me dribble on and on during my drug induced love fest. You were just a tough newborn. You liked to use your lungs to make your point be known. In fact, high-pitched outrage was your default setting. Most of that wasn’t your fault since we later found out you had reflux, and after the right dose of medicine your volume was turned down a little. Although the medicine did nothing for your demands that we hold you at all times. I do mean all times, naps, bedtime, while using the bathroom. Literally, ALL THE TIME. You were so attached to us that I worried I might have to carry you in a sling till kindergarten.

But then, gradually, almost unnoticeably, you began to change. You started to smile, then laugh. You sat up, you rolled, and then you began to crawl! With crawling came your independence. You now spend hours crawling around, exploring. Most of that crawling time is spent crawling into troublesome situations. If I had a nickel for every time I said “NO! stay out of the trash!” or “No! Stay out of the cat water” or my favorite “NO! Don’t put your mouth on the toilet” , I’d have enough nickels to hire a nanny. I swear anytime you hear a door open I can see you speed crawling over to investigate what portal it has opened. Especially the door to the backyard. You love going outside. If one of your brothers goes out the door you sit by the door and cry or call out their names. You’ve escaped many times when the door is left open for longer than 4 seconds. The other day I went to the bathroom. When I came back I found you outside eating rocks covered in dirt with a big smile on your face. You’re such an adorable and naughty baby.

I’d have to say the real turning point in both our levels of happiness came when you were just a tad over 10 months old. That’s the magical month when you began to sleep through the night! And it’s a good thing, because I was seriously beginning to lose my will to live. I almost considered donating you to the Duggar family to make them an even 20. I kid, I kid! Though I really can’t exaggerate how much your sleeping ten straight hours at night endeared you to us. It also seemed to make you a happier baby, so we all win.

You’re a big talker. You babble all day and yell what can only be described as obscene gibberish at me when you aren’t getting your way. You’ve got a dozen words you use on a daily basis. My favorite would have to be when you say Nom Nom Nom when you are hungry, or if you’ve found something to eat. I always know you’ve found a crumb of some kind because you will announce it with a loud “Nom, Nom, Nom”. Then I know to get up and check to make sure it’s actually food and not a rock. You’re by far our most verbally advanced child. I can’t wait to hear you express yourself even more in the coming months.

These days, you are a jolly, laid back, silly, energetic, busy baby. You love to eat paper, crayons, and legos. You adore emptying out cabinets and your toy box. You, just like your brothers, LOVE the cat, and a little more than he loves you. Mister Kitty runs from you and you chase him as fast as you can until you catch him and pull his tail or whiskers. Well and Mister Kitty just lays there and takes it because he was raised with two wolf like boys who did the same thing to him just a few years back.

I love you so much Oliver! I can hardly remember what our family was like prior to you coming in to complete it. I feel so lucky to be your Mama. I’m grateful for you every day. Although sometimes it seems like time is speeding by way too fast, it’s been so much fun to watch you grow and change over the past year. You are such a joyful boy. I love getting to know you and watching you get to know yourself. Before you arrived we never knew what our lives were missing. You have brought our family together in ways you’ll never fully realize. You’ve made the last year of all of our lives so incredible.
Happy Birthday Ollie Mikes! I hope your day is filled with love, laughter, cupcakes, and maybe I’ll even let you splash in a little kitty water today.

All my love,

Mama

Cake Smash

Published on October 23, 2011 in Uncategorized. Closed

Ollie’s Monster Mash

Published on October 22, 2011 in Oliver Year 1 and Pictures, Pictures, Pictures. Closed

Ollie is turning one on Monday (Shocking right? Where did this year go?). We celebrated his birthday today Monster Mash style. It was so much fun! The party planning was stressful, but it all came together just fine with only a few minor glitches. I decided on a monster party after I bought his halloween costume. I thought it would be cute to have him wear his costume at the party. He wore the costume for about 10 minutes before he started trying to pull it off. He looked to be roasting in it too. So he didn’t wear his costume but it was still a monster mash . Ollie made out like a bandit with all of his gifts. We have such a wonderful family and friends. Thanks everyone for coming and making it so special!

Oliver’s Birth Video

Published on September 30, 2011 in Oliver Year 1. 4 Comments

So its about a year late, but I finally made a little video about Ollie’s birth so he can have one just like the other boys. Its bad enough the kid never got a nursery, can’t deprive him of this

Photo Sharing – Video Sharing – Photo Printing

Seven years – Happy Birthday Gavin!

Published on September 22, 2011 in Gavin Year 8 and Monthiness. 9 Comments

Dear Gavin,

So, here we are, another year later—and today’s your birthday. I am now the mom of a seven year old. Can it really have been seven years since you came into this world? Seven years of you as a part of our everyday life? I see little changes in you every day. Changes that I guess I’ve ignored because suddenly I realize you are taller, thinner, you’re your hair is darker, and your face has lost a little more of that little boy look that always made you such an adorable toddler. You’ve become a full-fledged child now, the stage that will take you to your teenage years in just six years!

It’s been a big year for you. You’ve started first grade last month. You had a rough go of it in the beginning. Sometimes Dad and I forget that you have a special set of challenges when it comes to new experiences. You’ve overcome so much in your life that when some of your old behavior pops up, the wakeup call to reality is brutal for all of us. You have a lot of courage though Gavin. You don’t give up. First grade was a tough transition for you, but you did it! You stuck with it and your old behaviors slipped into the distance. Now each day is a new adventure for you, and you’re thriving.

This year marks the year I stopped knowing everything. I used to be the person who could answer any question you had. I enjoyed living in that facade. Now? I get a lot of “Well, you don’t even know that.” coming from your mouth. It’s been rough. I will miss having all the answers. I figured I’d have at least four more solid years until you came to the conclusion that I was not “all knowing”. I guess I should have known it would come sooner, seeing that you’ve been programming since you were five.

This year also marks the year you stopped calling me Mommy. At this point I am just your “Mom”. You don’t even allow me to refer to myself as Mommy when I talk to you. I am not sure why. Maybe first graders are too cool to have Mommies? I am definitely going to miss being your Mommy. I know I’m not ready to let go of the comfort that comes with that word. So bare with me as I continue to refer to myself as Mommy until you are 57 – it’s just too hard to let you grow up.

You started expanding your hobbies into sports this year. You started soccer this spring, and continued this fall. You promise me you love it, even though you’re not the star player. You still make me so proud that you get out there every game and run with your team. You finish each and every game even though it’s hard for you to keep focused. I’m proud of you for having the guts to get out there and take pleasure in every single game.

You’re still a computer genius. You write programs every day. Bill Gates is going to get a run for his money in a couple of years. For now he is your greatest hero. You dream of growing up to be just like him; a computer genius by day, and a philanthropist by night. You’ve already got plans to give all your money away to Homeless people. For that I am overwhelmed with delight. Amazing can’t describe you adequately – you are mind blowing.

This year has been hardest for me. I’ve had to learn to let go, allow you to make your own choices, learn to success and fail all on your own. It’s been a difficult ride. There are times your choices make me so angry and times you frustrate me with things you do. Although some of my frustration are due to my own shortcomings. I am more often proud of you, because quite often, when I least expect it, you do something remarkable that astounds me or fills me with the kind of joy that only a parent can know.

You have taught me many things about myself, Gavin. You have shown me that I am capable of being a mother, despite my faults and shortcomings. I am learning with you every year buddy. I hope that when you are old enough, you will one day be able to look back and say, “My Mom may have had her faults, but not letting me be myself wasn’t one of them.” I hope you will always know that no matter where your life takes you, no matter what you achieve, no matter what mistakes you might make, that you will always, always, have my love. Happy birthday to the best little boy in the world!

You are one of a kind, Gavin—and I’m not just saying that because you’re my son. You are so much fun to be around; your passion for life is contagious. I am the luckiest and proudest mom of the most beautiful and hilarious seven-year-old in the world. Everything I do in my life, I do for you and your brothers.

Happy Birthday to you Gavi-Goo!

Love,

Mom

Look what Ollie Learned to do

Published on September 12, 2011 in Uncategorized. 5 Comments

Photo Sharing – Video Sharing – Photo Printing

Ollie’s 10 months old!

Published on September 5, 2011 in Oliver Year 1, Pictures, Pictures, Pictures and Videos. 1 Comment

I am a little late in posting. I ended up losing Ollie’s Biscuit hat for a few weeks. It apparently fell behind my bed and I finally figured that out today. So his monthly biscuit photo was saved, but it did set this post back a little. I was so relieved to find the hat I decided to put together a little collage of photos instead of just one .

Ollie is now officially sleeping through the night! I hesitate to even post this because I don’t want it to jinx the situation. It started two weeks ago. I decided to take a melatonin to sleep. When I heard Ollie get up and cry I was psychically too tired to get up and make him a bottle. So I decided to wait and see if he’d go back to bed. Within five-minutes he was quiet again. Every night for a week he would get up once or twice, I’d ignore him, and he would settle back down withing 5-10 minutes. This week he’s been sleeping from 7-7 (or even a little later) every night. Hallelujah! I just pray he keeps it up.

He’s still not crawling. Well technically crawling that is. He manages to get around by scooting backwards and rolling everywhere. He will roll to something, over compensate, and then crawl backwards to get to it. He gets into the crawling position constantly throughout the day. Nothing ever comes of it though. Its like he hasn’t caught on to what he’s supposed to do when he’s in that position. He also does a ton of “push-ups”. Today he was in the push-up position and managed to roll over like a somersault. It was pretty impressive. If he’s not crawling by next week, he’ll officially be our latest crawler. Gavin army crawled at 9 months and was full out crawling by 10 months. Keaton did his cute bum scoot crawl when he was 10 1/2 months. Ollie is almost 10 1/2 months, so he needs to get his game in gear!

Where Ollie lacks in movement he makes up for in words. The kids is crazy! He all of a sudden had a language boom. He’s by far our earliest talker. Keaton had a couple of words by 10 months. Ollie has probably fifteen. He doesn’t use them all the time. Mama, Dada, Te-ton (Keaton), Da-din (Gavin), Hi, Bah-bah, and Um (up) he uses frequently. On prompt, and when he feels like it, he’ll say Kitty, Ball, butterball, hug, out, yum, Ow!, and he’ll meow like a cat and make monster noises. He jabbers all day long. Constantly making noise, squealing, and lots of complaining. Its so fun to hear his little voice.

Photo Sharing – Video Sharing – Photo PrintingHe’s still a redhead. His hair has stayed red the longest out of all of our kids. I think it might be because we have never shaved his head like we did the other two at 4 months. It seems to be growing in blonde at the root. It will be exciting to see what color it ends up being.

Ollie is Mr, Moody. Some days he’s happy and content to play with toys. He’ll spend the whole day smiling and jabbering happy songs. Then he has days where he won’t let me put him down. Cries hysterically if I even dare think to put him in his high chair to eat. Naps in 20 minute increments. And overall drives me insane. Thankfully his bad days are few and far between. Although lately Mr. Moody has been visting a few days at a time. I think he must be teething. Right now he only has two teeth. The same two teeth he got in at 6 1/2 months. I can’t remember if Keaton had more teeth at this age. I know Gavin had his top teeth in before his first birthday. Hopefully he gets them soon.

Lastly here is his every 4 week side-by-side photo collage. He’s just getting so big. Only two more photos to add and he’ll be one. Its so hard to believe!

To Kindergarten you go!

Published on August 28, 2011 in Keaton year 6 and Kindergarten. 3 Comments

Dear Keaton,

Tomorrow is your first day of Kindergarten, ever. It seems strange to me that this day is already upon us. Life seems to go into warp speed when you’re a parent. Just yesterday you were this baby asleep on my chest with your little chubby hands tucked under your chin. Now you’re five and starting elementary school. I do have to say I am not quite as nervous for you to start Kindergarten as I was for Gavin. Maybe its because you are just wise beyond your years, or maybe its because Gavin survived it and paved the way for you? Regardless, here we are, and I am so excited for you!

Keaton, while our lives have been flying by, you’ve grown into a beautiful young man. You are so well behaved, smart, funny, and you have a heart so big it can’t be described tangibly. You’re just one of the kindest five year old’s I know. But because your heart is so big I’m not ready for the world to influence you Keaton. Its going to be hard to see that protective bubble I’ve created around you, burst. I know from experience that life can be cruel. There will be people in your life who aren’t nice. You’ll be teased just because they’ve deemed you different, or sometimes its just for no good reason. They will try to bully you and belittle you. There’s not much you can do to change these people, all you can do is not let their insults get to you. Don’t let them change you. Let these pains become stepping stones to better things in life, and learn to use them to make you stronger. You need to love yourself Keaton. While others may criticize you, learn not to be so hard on yourself, to not think that you’re ugly or dumb or unworthy of love, but to think instead that you are a wonderful human being, worthy of happiness and love beyond measure, and learn to love yourself for who you are.

You are going to find kids who make you feel good about yourself too. Those are the kids you want to keep around. Let those kids be your influences, your guide. Remember to treasure them, always be kind to them, and most importantly love them. Always be a good influence for them too Keaton. You are one of best people I know and I want you to use that to make a difference. You are a natural protector Keaton. Look out for kids who are being bullied. Those kids who have no friends to sit with, and never have anyone to play with at recess. Be a friend to them even when others think its the uncool thing to do. You’ll learn later in life its one of the coolest things you will ever do. I want you to be a shining example to other kids in your class. Love should always be your rule Keaton. If there’s a single word you should live your life by, it should be to love. It might sound cheesy, I know, but trust me, there’s no better rule in life. I’m excited to see how you change this world.

While you are one of the brightest and most determined five year old’s I have met, I want you to know that its okay to make mistakes. In fact I want you to make mistakes – lots of them. Just try to learn from them and never make the same mistake twice. Know that you are going to fail many times. Don’t allow that to stop you from trying. If you do you will miss out on the amazing feeling of success once you reach new heights with your accomplishments. Remember that failure is a stepping stone to success. We all live our lives in phases. When one ends, another begins. Change is constant and life is short. So seize the moment and live life to the fullest, have no regrets Keaton.

Most important of all Keaton, I want you to have fun. This year your success will not be measured in grades. Instead, I’ll know it’s been a good day when I pick you up and you’re smiling, exhausted, and sweaty from a day of fun. Enjoy this great adventure with every fiber of your being. Spend as much time laughing, running, skipping, coloring, and playing as you can. Life is so short, embrace every single second.

Your Kindergarten teacher is going to be very lucky to have you in class. You are such a good boy Keaton. I can’t imagine any joy greater than being your mother.I can’t wait to see what your future holds, the joys and challenges that await you, and legacy your life will create.

Happy First Day of Kindergarten!

All my love,

Mom