She has the best brothers IN THE WORLD!

Some note worthy talents of the best big brothers:

* sticks his fingers in baby's mouth to chew on

* calls her "the most beautiful in the world!"

* makes up cute little songs to keep her happy

"twinkle, twinkle little toes. Toes. Toes. Toes."

"Baby don't cry. Baby don't cry."

*rigs up cool contraptions on her carrier for her to look at

Brynn Leigh is 3 mo. Old

Look what I can do:

* girl talk: coo, caa, giggle, and lots of babble

* say cheese: smile, smile, smile

* love the swing, bouncy seat, go pod

* fist bump-grabs hair, ball, toys, my ruffle shirts

*nom.nom.: chew on my fingers

* sleeps about 12 hrs!

* I'm not a boy, but boy do I drool!

Talk Among Yourselves: Cleaning and Work

At Kelly's Korner she is doing a "chat" series and this week it is cleaning and work.
WITH A WISK:
I'm OCD and love a clean house. However, it's not always that way. Exsp since we have moved. In the last 6 weeks I have done more cleaning than I was able to do before while pregnant. That has been giving me peace! But my arthritis has been crazy bad post baby I am really struggling with chores.
My cleaning schedule:
I have none right now. Tuesday and Thursday I do the most since I only have 1 kiddo home, but her cries dictate how much gets done! Right now I just run in the same circle of laundry, meals, clean. It all is done every day and needed to be done again the next day. We also share jobs in our house. Michael is in charge of the dishes and bathrooms.
I rarely make the beds. One thing I appreciate, but just don't do.
Most of my cleaning happens after 9pm. I sweep, clean kitchen, tend to laundry, ect.
I usually stay up till 1 or 2 working on my chores-right now it's 2 am and its laundry time.
I can't go to bed with a messy kitchen.
TO WORK:
I am a teacher! I have been in the classroom for 9 years teaching Kindergarten, Pre-K, Intervention Pull Out for Pre-k.
I love the classroom, but home is where I need to be right now.

So how do you clean? And what is your job?

Brynn Leigh is 1 month old!

Brynn Leigh can:
* holds head up a lot
* tracking toys and people
* eats every 3 hrs
* weighs 8lbs and 2.2oz
*20.5 in long
* sleeps in bigger chunks at night sometimes 6 hrs!
* loves hearing Daddy on the phone
* loves playing with her brothers. They can always make her stop crying
* is just pretty awesome!

Jello Jigglers

4 weeks out and I feel like a jello jiggler.
When I walk everything shakes like jello.
Oh, the post baby bod. I can't wait till I can be cleared and work on the jiggle. Even if the jiggle stays (and I'm sure it will bc I don't lose weight. It just doesn't happen.) I'm looking forward to having that time to myself. I need that "what women want" movie moment where the world stands still while she's running in her nikes.
I feel like I need a medal for being a stay at home mom and having babies.It's super hard for me bc I'm no super mom. I have to take deep breaths a lot, I have baskets of laundry everywhere, my kids have eaten quality meals like easy Mac and pb & j the last few weeks, and I am blogging at 12:15 am bc it's my only time alone. Nursing is hard work and I frankly hate being so tied down pretty much every other hour right now. My chest is larger than the mama gorilla at the zoo and I feel like the new Daisy Cow.

Good thing the prize is so special!

One Month New

We survived one month. PTL!
Here's what HOT and what's NOT this month:
Brody:
HOT: Cheetoes, Easter candy, Grandma time, STar Wars, shopping for new toys
NOT: sleeping in his own bed, vegetables
Dylan:
HOT: Star Wars, being protector of his girls-Mommy and Sister, singing
NOT: lying about washing his hands
Michael:
HOT: sleep at any time, cheeseburgers with bacon
NOT: not getting sleep
Leah:
HOT: chocolate, tv, and fb-all things That are connected to me nursing all.the.time!
NOT: my sleep schedule, my post baby bod
Brynn Leigh:
HOT: eating every 2-3 hrs (this is a not for me), playtime with my brothers, snuggles with my daddy, calling daddy and hearing his voice, bath time, NB clothes, being held, fp rock and cradle
NOT: the car seat, night time exsp 9pm-3 am when she screams, cries, grunts, and is unconsolable, pacifiers, baby carriers,

The Birth Story

We woke up ready to do this thing on March 7th. The boys got a goodbye kiss and Mimi took them to school while we went to the hospital.
Check in was a breeze. The poor nurses had a horrible time getting an iv going and I had 4 AWESOME bruises to show for it.
We visited with the drs and I relayed my concern about being awake for the c-section. ( Last time I was and felt too much for comfort so they put me all the way under.) I also have terrible arthritis right in the usual spots of an epideral.
He told me that sometimes arthritis can cause it to not take all the way. Hmm...is this the answer to what went wrong 5 years ago?!
Once we got in the or the most pain I experienced The entire time was him pressing on my arthritis. Once he went a tad higher for the epideral it was fine. The whole operation I looked at Michael and said, " I can't believe this is how it's supposed to be?! It's so different from the boys!" I had no pain and felt nothing other than stuff that felt like her kicking. Our dr popped Brynn Leigh over the barrier and it was perfection! I told Michael " so this is what it is like to see the baby like this. This is special!"
Recovery was great. I was amazed at how much more aware I was and how little pain I was in compared to the boys. Still had some swelling, but not near as bad as with the boys.
Overall, the delivery and recovery has been soooo different and soo much easier than the boys!

Party of Five

Since she is almost a month old...
Introducing our sweet promise
Miss Brynn Leigh
6lbs 7 oz
She's adored by all!

Twas' the Night Before Baby

Tomorrow morning is the day! I can't believe the Fab 4 will become the Fab 5! 

Mimi flew in yesterday and we had a "last meal" while we were in town.

And what did I choose????

Luby's!

I love Luby's and it is somewhere I can eat and not get sick.

(I would love queso or pizza. I have been talking to God and before I die I want to be able to have those things again. Of course, when I do eat it I want to die it. Ha!)

I have just been enjoying my boys and the last few days of the "3 Musketeers!"

Which means nap time all together! 

Not long ago naps used to look like this:

(note the young, but ex-hausted mom!)

We have been enjoying lots of snuggles, games, pushing on the swings, and books.

I had been incredibly anxious, but yesterday felt at peace with things finally.

I am still nervous about the actual c-section. Who doesn't love being sliced from side to side?!

Of course, my eating issues make things harder and we are having to plan meals to be brought to me because the hospital doesn't have food to accommodate my needs.

But, I am ready.

Peacefully Anticipating!

(Last belly pic of my life tomorrow!)

Uncharted Territory

Here I am...38 weeks. (really 38 1/2 weeks. But, let's get real-I am rarely out of elastic pants at this point!) Never been to this point before.

I saw this and thought it described me perfectly: a busted can of biscuits!

My comparison pic looks more like this:

(Yes, I was totally unprepared for their preemie size! They were projected to be 6.5 lbs and were so far from that-5 lbs 10 oz; 4 lbs 15 oz. So for awhile until I was able to get up and out they swam in their newborn gowns. They wore preemie clothes for 2 months!)

And in less than 3 days we will have something new to compare it, too!

And because I never posted our 4 year old Birthday Interview (OOPS!)

Q: what is your name?

D's A: Dylan. Dylan Mercer

B's A: Brody Mercer

Q: what animal do you like?

D: Ollie the Elephant

B:. Monkey!

Q: what is your favorite color?

D: Green

B: My favorite color is…PINK!

Q: where do you like to go?

D: the zoo! The zoo!

B: HEB to buy food

Q: what store do you like to go to?

D: HEB. HEB, Mom. HEB.

B: Target to buy toys

Q: what do you like to play?

D: umm, Skip-Bo.

B: Imaginext Men, Cars 2 EYES,

Q: what do you like to do outside?

D: play football.

B: play outside. Play basketball.

Q: what do you like to do with daddy?

D: wrestle with him

B: tackle!

Q: what do you like to do with mama?

D: make cookies

B: help you get your smellys (Scentsy) ready

Q: what do you like to do with brody?

D: play Thomas.

Q: what do you like to do with dylan?

B: play toys with him

Q: do you know bible words?

D: not yet. No, not yet. When I am six I will know my bible words.

B: yes, I do.

Q: what do you do when you are four?

D: PLAY!

B: play some games like “who it is?”

Q: where do you sleep?

D: In my plallet.

B:  in my bedroom all night. We go to Mommy and Daddy’s room when it is 4 again.

Q: what food do you most like to eat?

D: cookies

B: My favorite dinner place where I get food is Rosa’s.

Q: what do you like to drink?

D: Orange Juice

B: cranberry. Cranberry juice.

Q: where do you go to school?

D: at Abilene.

B: The 3 yr old class.

Q: who are your teachers?

D: Miss Julie.

B: Miss Julie and I don’t know.

Q: can you count?

D: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,-28,30-38,40, 41, 42, 43,40-40,45,50-56,78,5ie-1-5ie5

B: 1-29. Now what? (30) 31-39 Now what? (40) 40-49 Now what? (50) 51-59 Now what? I think 100.

Q: who are your friends?

D: I just like 2 boys. I don’t know.

B: DD, Peter,

Q: who is in your family?

D: Mommy, Daddy, Brody

B: Mommy and Daddy and DD

Q: what do you want to do when you get bigger?

D: Play and sing really loud.

B: Play with Dad.

I'm a BIG KID NOW! Interview with a 5 year old

Q: what is your name?

D's A: Dylan Mercer

B's A: Brody Mercer

Q: what animal do you like?

D: Oh, uhhh…I like elephants. But usually my favorite animal is Monkeys!

B: Monkeys, and Bears. I like Monkeys and Bears because I like bananas and I like Bears because I like them roaring.

Q: what is your favorite color?

D: My favorite color? Oh, I have 3 colors: red, blue, green

B: BLUE! Blue is my favorite color!

Q: where do you like to go?

D: Like to go? I like to go to the toy shop and buy some toys.

B: to the yellow pepper place. (Moe’s

Q: what store do you like to go to?

D: Ooh. Store? I like to go to buy some clothes at Old Navy.

B: The Toy Store @ Little Rock

Q: what do you like to play?

D: Like to play? Oh! Legos!

B: Legos! Little Legos I really like to play dress up. I like to be a knight.

Q: what do you like to do outside?

D: I like to exercise!

B: play sand table

Q: what do you like to do with daddy?

D: I like to go eat dinner with him. I mean Lunch.

B: play tickle monster!

Q: what do you like to do with mama?

D: color pictures

B: just cuddle with her

Q: what do you like to do with brody?

D: I like to play with him. What do you like to play? Legos

Q: what do you like to do with dylan?

B: I like to play ipad with him. We both play our ipads.

Q: do you know bible words?

D: Bible words? I just talk softly and quiet. I don’t remember them.

B: Nope! Uhh, Great Joy!

Q: what do you do when you are five?

D: I like to take care of baby.

B: I like to hold Baby Sister. I’d like to her to hold my finger.

Q: where do you sleep?

D: I sleep in my bed.

B: in my bedroom!

Q: what food do you most like to eat?

D: oh…CHIPS!

B: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches!

Q: what do you like to drink?

D: I like to drink lemonaide. No, water.

B: Something that has fruit in it. Fruit Punch.

Q: where do you go to school?

D:I go to my own one.

B: I don’t know.

Q: who are your teachers?

D: Oh, I can’t remember. My brain is turned off so I can’t remember!

B: Miss Angie

Q: can you count?

D: 1-19, 21, 22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35

B: 1-10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28, 29, 30, 31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39

Q: who are your friends?

D: Aiden, Adassa, Caden, Mat, Baylor, Bentley, Brent

B: I’ll just say one friend. Mat

Q: who is in your family?

D: Mommy and Daddy. Michael and Leah

B: Mommy, Daddy, and Dylan

Q: what do you want to do when you get bigger?

D: I want to sing songs on my trumpet.

B: Be a policeman!

37 Weeks and Birthday

Then: Feb.22, 2008

37weeks

The BEST day of my life!

The Day we became The Mercers

Now: Feb. 23, 2013

37 weeks

(only 2 weeks to go)

Clearly, I grow kids out. As far out as I can go!

The singleton difference is she is in the middle only.

The boys were out, wide, and way high to way low.

Not all heroes wear capes!

So it is finished.

At 37 weeks pregnant (just 2 wks away from her delivery date) we managed to squeeze out a FUN,FABULOUS, FIFTH birthday for 2 very special boys!

They told me what they wanted-Brody wanted a policeman birthday and Dylan wanted a fireman birthday. They also ha other great plans, but I was able to simplify!

This was the simplest birthday I have ever done for them. It was VERY HARD to let it go. But it was also VERY HARD to even do what I did! Seriously, y'all- I was on the floor tracing a poster size badge and had to have Michael trace the bottom side because my belly wouldn't allow me to bend anymore! (Then I couldn't get up off the floor!)

Even with the simplicity, the boys LOVED it! They were sooooo excited! It was so different then the past parties because they actually were not to embarrassed for the Happy Birthday song and enjoyed all the details of the party!

Bonus: Our party pals ran the party. They had the cupcakes, ice cream, napkins, bowls, table cloths, lemonade, and a whole lot more energy than me! It was awesome! Just the kind I party I needed this year!

  

  

 

My Valentines

I love my special Valentines!

How about you?!

Almost like Christmas Morning

Sunday we had our shower for Sister. I brought the boys with me as my "muscle." They did really well and were excellent present unwrappers. In fact, they were so quick and fast I felt sorry for my poor hostess that was frantically trying to scribble down the gift! (Also the reason I had no time to snap more than 2 pictures. Sorry, Sister.)
It was too cute to watch the boys excitement over these things for Sister. I think one of my favorite comments was by Dylan when he pulled out a dress. " Ooh a pretty church dress!" lol!
She is already a special part of our family and we haven't even met her. Even All the art pictures have had Sister in them!