I blog again

Well, it's been over a year since I posted on our family blog, and since it was named J and B plus THREE, it's totally outdated now that there are four of our offspring in the world.  So, the name had to be changed too.  I never EVER planned to have any cutesy name theme for my kids, but we sort-of-almost-accidentally did, but not really.  We have Aurora, Brigham (who's first name is actually Joseph after his great grandpa), Colton and Davin.  Well, look at how cutesy we are now.

A LOT has been going on since my last post on the old blog.  Obviously the addition of another baby boy is the biggest.  In general we are pretty much the same as we were a year ago, except older, more tired and maybe a little fatter too.

She's getting SO big!

Rory has been enjoying 1st grade and is just as super-smart as ever.  There is definitely a blessing/curse type relationship to having smart children.  For example, we can no longer spell out things we are trying to avoid the kids knowing details about because she's got that stuff all figured out.  (And she JUST turned 7!)  I think along with the smarts also come the sassy-mouth.  NOT my favorite part of having kids!  She is a great friend and the BEST big sister we could ask for.  She loves to hold Davin and help me out with him.  Sometimes she's a little too helpful, especially when it comes to bossing around her other two brothers.

Here he is modeling his "Keaton hair" (his friend from church)

Brigham has been in preschool this year and is LOVING every minute of it.  I trade babysitting my friends 4 year old son (who teaches the preschool) for the afternoons to get the preschool for free!  He and Brig are only a few weeks apart in age and have become very fast friends.  Good thing too, or this mama would run out of energy and patience if there were ANY more bickering going on at our house.  He is really sweet and tender hearted which can be frustrating sometimes when his little brother gets a hold of him.

He "helped" me cut his hair

  Colton is as adorable and sassy as ever.  He is ALL boy and hard to keep up with.  He's inventive, mischievous and persistent.  A difficult combination!  His sweet little grin and sparkly blue eyes have saved his hide more than a few times.  He has the most infectious laugh and LOVES having tickle fights with anyone that will join.  He also loves to beat up on his big brother and "hug" Davin (which is what he says when he wants to hold him).  His other favorite thing right now is to say "I want talk you"... = him wanting to talk to you, but usually not having much to say. You're just required to acknowledge him and ask what he wants to talk about.

Our sweet little man

Our latest and greatest is "baby Davin" as the kids call him.  Davin joined our family VERY late on October 23rd.  He was born 3 weeks early via c-section at Arrowhead hospital and has been the most amazing little guy ever since.  Unfortunately he had a short stint in the NICU to receive some IV antibiotics for the first 2 days of his little life, but at 8lbs 5oz he wasn't in any immediate danger of a longer stay.  He's been growing steadily and is our chubbiest little boy ever and I'm so completely in love with him!  He is getting wiggly and talkative and he's ALMOST laughing.  He finally started giving us consistent smiles on Christmas day and usually gives us one "grunt" as he's smiling.
I love that he's so peaceful and calm.  He's not very needy at all unless he's hungry or has a dirty diaper.  I think the Lord knew that I needed him to be my "calm in the storm" around here if he was going to send us another one.  He's sleeps through practically anything too which is a huge blessing with 2 older brothers who have hit the punching and fighting stage.

Barry is still working long hours as a PA in Goodyear.  We have been working hard at trying to be grateful for his job.  It may not be ideal, or his dream job, but it pays the bills and we have steady work in a time where many others are struggling.

About 30 minutes before going to the hospital to have Davin

I am pretty busy staying at home with 4 kids and an extra one (or two) almost every day of the week.  I am learning to love my role as a "stay at home mom".  There are definitely different challenges that come from staying at home versus working full-time outside of the home.  In all of this I  haven't been able to find the 15 hours a week the spa is now requiring us to work in order to stay there.  I am kind of sad because I really enjoyed both my time there (out of the house doing something I LOVE), and the extra cash it brought in.  I am hoping that I can find more clients to work on from home or doing house calls so that I can continue helping us make ends meet and start saving for the 100 things we need (like a newer family car and grass for the backyard!).


I have also recently re-discovered my love of being crafty.  A friend of mine turned me on to some blogs that have lit the fire in me.  I have been making nursing covers, Boppy-type pillows, hooded towels, binky clips and aprons.  Most have been for gifts so far since I have a TON of friends having babies right now, but many of my items are also up for sale.  Let me know if you need anything and I will gladly custom make something for you too!  I have started a blog for all things creative so you can follow me there for my latest sewing/crafting projects and what I might be cooking up in the kitchen.

I know this one was sort of long, but at least I'm caught up for now!