The good, the bad, and the CUTE.

Tristan has crossed into a whole new level of cute. His new favorite word: Hommy. (Otherwise known as Tommy!) In the morning and after naps, it's the first thing he calls out from his room. They are best buds. I can't even describe the level of joy I feel seeing them play and love each other. When Landon was born we moved Tristan upstairs right across from Tommy's room. That has been a mixture of good and bad. Good: Tommy goes in there to play with Tristan when he wakes up in the morning which means I don't have to get him out of bed right away. Bad: Tristan wakes Tommy up at unholy hours of the morning which in turn means wakes up the rest of the house. Their laughter and chaos is LOUD. We're all tired, but they're happy. Give and take, right? LOL

Tommy is really sad that soccer season is over. We had the award ceremony a couple weeks ago and Tommy was so excited to get his medal. Justin got a trophy for coaching too. We sat with Justin's team and all the boys were grabbing Tristan and fighting over him. Tommy didn't like it, he kept telling them "That's MY Tristan!" 

I didn't get very good pictures, just what I could capture with my phone. He loved his medal but I'll admit, it was broken the next day. lol

Tristan being ridiculously cute.

Landon is going 7 weeks, I can't believe it. Didn't I have him like, yesterday?! He's started smiling and kicking his legs a lot. He used to love being bundled up, but now he can't stand it. He likes being free to wiggle. He is the first of our kids to have dimples on both cheeks and I love it. I'm enjoying this time as much as I can. I know I'll miss being able to cuddle with him after he starts crawling. None of my boys are cuddlers. :( 

Justin and I are making plans for when he gets out of the army next summer. It seems so weird to think about. I just can't imagine it yet. So many changes coming up! We've been in Germany so long it's going to be weird living anywhere else.

So very thankful for our lives! ♥

Getting Healthy

After having a baby, there is always extra weight to lose. After having Landon I felt pretty depressed about my weight but have lost 20 lbs. so far. It feels amazing. I wanted to share what I've been doing. I did a lot of research online about the best way to lose weight and read a lot about smoothies. They're filling and depending on what you put in them, extremely healthy. I looked over a bunch of recipes but usually just throw whatever fruit and vegetables I have in the house in a blender together and it always turns out delicious! 

1 small bag baby carrots

1 handful of spinach

1 apple

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 cup frozen cherries

1 banana

I drink two large glasses of it and feel really full. My biggest rift with diets is that I always feel hungry. This smoothie keeps me full for a long time. I usually have a smoothie for breakfast, a regular lunch (like a chicken sandwich), a snack like crackers sometime in the afternoon, and a smoothie for dinner. I also exercise for one hour 5 days a week. It's not easy, but it's worth it. I want to be in the best shape I can be in to run around with my kids. (Which is no easy task, they're crazy!)

Landon's Baby Pictures

Welcome Landon!

One of the sweetest things about welcoming a new baby boy

 is learning how you fit together...

The way his sleepy weight 

fills your arms so perfectly,

and how that place where neck and shoulder meet

 suddenly seems made for him to snuggle his head into.

But even more than that,

it's discovering just how beautifully he fits into your life,

how there was always a place right in the heart of your family

just waiting for this precious boy 

to come and fill it with so much love.

Welcome Landon James Brooke!

September 30th 2011

9 lbs. 10 oz.

22 inches long

Tricky Tricky

Tommy calls trick or treat "tricky tricky". He is the cutest. Enjoy our Halloween decorations. :o)

My favorite Halloween candle.

This oven mit glows in the dark.

Tommy's First Game!

Tommy had his first game today! His team is seriously so cute, it was so much fun to watch. They did so well! There were a few times they kicked the ball into the wrong goal, or started kicking the ball towards the baseball field next to the soccer field. Tommy had a blast! They didn't keep goal, the games and practices at this age are just for fun. 

Tristan enjoying the snacks, as always. lol!

Do you have to keep taking pictures Mom?! Yes, yes I do. :)

Tommy couldn't find his soccer shorts, so he stuck out in blue. At least it's easier to spot him in the pictures, right?

Tommy so close to making a goal!!

...until he face plants. LOL

He was okay and we still got the goal!

The kids lined up and gave high fives. Good sports, especially for 4-5 year olds.

No words for this one! lol

More baby updates.

A lot of people have been asking me if I've had Landon yet. No, I haven't! I'll have pictures up asap when the little guy finally decides to arrive. I'm just a few days from my due date and even my doctor is shocked Landon isn't here yet. He thought for sure I would go at 37 weeks, but no such luck. Here I am 3 weeks later still as big as a house. :)

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. I'm dilated to a 3 (like I have been for weeks now) I'm having regular contractions (that apparently aren't doing anything...) and the baby's head is engaged and he is in the right position for birth. We're just waiting now. He says if I haven't had him by next week, he will strip my membranes and we'll see if that gets labor going. He's guessing the baby weighs about 8 Lbs. now. Same as Tristan and Tommy when they were born.

So, that's all for now! Can't wait to write a post about our new baby boy! :)