I REALLY wanted to take a nice, relaxing bath this morning

This is what happened instead. My relaxation time lasted about 5 minutes. Then my crazy kids got their swimsuits on, and jumped right in. If we were in my mom's gigantic bathtub at her house, it would have been a pool party!

Baby #3 is another CRAZY. . . .

BOY!!!!

And, for all those nay-sayers out there, who don't believe that I'm getting to be abnormally large, here's your proof. I do have 2 shirts on, and ate a lot of pasta for lunch (and Rohne's milkshake from Dairy Queen), but here is the baby boy belly in all its glory. We were not supposed to find out the sex for a couple weeks, but we went into the hospital today to have a few extra tests done, due to some possible complications. Thank you to my wonderful parents, sisters, and close friends for all of your thoughts, and prayers. I have felt your support the past couple weeks, and love you all.

Behind a Closed Door

As a mother, I have learned to be extremely wary of my kids going into a room, together, and shutting the door. Yesterday, while I was busily doing the dishes, and listening to "Spice Girls, Greatest Hits" (Thanks Nat), I realized I couldn't hear the hustle and bustle of 4 little feet. I walked to Tay's bedroom, and the door was closed. A bad sign. . . When I walked in, I saw them both sitting on the bed smiling mischievously at me. Rohne, for some reason, had no clothes on, and Taylee was in her Ballet outfit, which is no surprise. They were both holding sharp pairs of scissors, and cutting away at some white paper, thank goodness. While she whispered to Rohne to hide the scissors behind his back, she said to me: "Mom, we are just playing swimming, that's all." Yeah right. I was very fortunate that no fingers, or hair got cut in those 10 minutes behind a Closed Door. I am witnessing every day, how they are more and more growing to be true "partners in crime."

Pluggin Away

We seem to finally be coming out of the sick haze that has been plaguing our household. Rohne has been really grouchy, and his stomach still gives him trouble once in awhile, but we are on the upturn. We were all starting to go crazy staying in the house all the time. One day, I decided to brave the park, but the kids just cried the whole time because they were too cold. Then, the next day, I took them to the new play place in the Belle Square Mall. Anyone who knows me, will reaffirm the fact that I usually stay far away from these kinds of places. But, after days of crying and whining, I didn't know what else to do. I was shaking in my boots the whole time we were there, but the kids, of course had such a great time. They stayed by each other's sides the whole time, and this place was packed!!! I sanitized, washed, and re-sanitized, and so far, so good.

Jake has been so busy with work lately, and I've been struggling with things of my own, so it's been kind of stressful around here. Let's hope that this week goes a little better.

I thought we had Dodged the Bullet

There has been a nasty stomach flu going around, and I was gloating (ever so silently) that we hadn't gotten it yet. Well, yesterday, it caught up with us. I had gone out to do some "Me" time, and I got home to a sick boy, complaining about his tummy. I tried to pass it off as just one too many cookies, because Daddy was doing the watching, but, alas, 20 minutes later, the upchuck started. It was mainly all over me, him, and the floor. While I was cleaning up the mess, we changed him, and got him to bed, while Jake went to the store for sickly necessities. When Jake was gone, I had to change the bedding, and his jammies twice. For some reason, he didn't want to aim for the bowl. I slept by him on the floor last night, nursing each heaving session. I lost count after about 6. At 5:15 this morning, Taylee comes into me crying, saying her tummy hurt. I took her into Jake, gave them a bowl, and said good luck. Her sickness followed shortly after, but didn't seem to be as severe. They haven't eaten much besides Gatorade, and saltine crackers today, and we've watched a lot of movies. Jake made it really fun by putting our little TV inside Tay's Rose Petal Cottage, so they had their own little theater. (Demonstrated in the pic above) I took it out before bed, just so they wouldn't get any ideas! So far, Jake and I are fine. Let's hope it stays that way. I'm kind of doubting it though. YUCK!

Our daughter, the Model

Monday, I decided the kids deserved a special treat, and we ate at McDonald's in Factoria. They were actually very well behaved, and it was a fun time. As I was cleaning them up to go home, a lady approached me from the other side of the restaurant. In a very thick Asian accent, she started talking to me, and the kids, and praising Taylee on her beauty, especially her beautiful hair. Of course, Taylee loved it, being the princess she is. And, who doesn't want to hear that their children are gorgeous? She proceeded to tell me that she runs a business, and has been looking for a little girl to model their latest hair accessory, and would I be willing to let Taylee do it? Of course, I was a little hesitant, and told her I would have to talk to my husband. Then, she told me she would pay $50/hour, and I listened more intently. She was such a nice, genuine lady, I didn't have any bad feelings about it, and Jake said okay. Today was the big day, and it went great. We just took pictures by a big window, and Tay was such a good little model. The lady was so so nice, and we all had a good time. She mainly just took pictures of her hair, with only a few shots of her face. I told her to e-mail me all the pictures before she uses them, so I can approve them. I signed a very official contract, and she was so professional, and fun to get to know. I don't know if there will be any more modeling "gigs" in her future, but I'm sure our little girly wouldn't mind.

Here she is posing for me. She was just about 2 in this picture.

Ready for life to get back to normal

We took the kids to their first movie at the theater. We saw "Tale of Despereaux." Not a great movie, kinda cute, but Rohne got a little bored, until the action at the end. It was a fun experience, but expensive, after popcorn, and such. We will probably do it once a year. . . .

Rohne is still not napping, but falling asleep on the couch very regularly. We have been doing lots of fun things, and it seems like we all feel like this lately. Jake has been on vacation for awhile, and I am ready for him to go back. Not that I don't love having him here, it's just that I can't seem to get anything done when he's around. We are always going out to do things, as a family, and my house is showing the results. And. . . . his job is largely commission based, and when he doesn't work, he doesn't make any money.

A little taste at what we have done over this break:

1-Played in the snow a lot, and shoveled out more than that. Thank goodness Washington rains are starting to take over
2-Listened to the "band," which consists of Tay playing guitar, and Rohne banging on his drum. If anyone else has a little boy who wants a drum set, just say no!!
3-New Year's Eve we went to our friend's house, and partied all night. Well, the kids played, the boys played, and the girls chatted. But, we did stay out until midnight. Tay crashed on the couch at about quarter to 12:00, when Rohne was still rearin' to go. Welcome 2009!
4-Jake played lots of Flag Football, and hosted a Ping Pong party. While I hosted some children at my house. I was exhausted.
5- I went shopping with my good friend, Lori, while we left our kids, including her newborn baby, home with the husbands. It was a fun break, even though we didn't buy that much.
6- My favorite Christmas present was the movie "Mamma Mia," which I have been watching daily. Taylee really likes "The Dancing Queen," and Colin Firth is the greatest at playing a gay man. The more I watch it, the more I love it.
7-Taylee has been sleeping in her Rose Petal Cottage. I don't know if her bed will ever get used again, other than for jumping.
8- I have officially POPPED, and drug out some of the old maternity clothes I had stashed away from 3 + years ago. They look a little outdated, but I absolutely despise spending money on clothes you only wear for 3 or 4 months. I am also starting to feel the baby move a little, which is fun. Can't wait until we find out we are having Hamblin grandson #10. (Yes, I'm pretty sure it's a boy. Otherwise, why would I feel so stinkin' huge?)
9-Jake is dieting, starting today, and I am officially going back to the gym after recovering from my First Trimester sickness. I hope those New Years Resolutions stick!!