I stayed up way too late

I went to bed at 2 am last night and then I woke up at 7, just out of habit. How unfair is that??? And even worse was when I walked into the bedroom to find this:I'm the one whose butt is dragging -- I should get to be cuddling in the bed!!!

Usually I spend Conference weekend deep cleaning and organizing (I listen best when my hands are busy -- some people scrapbook, I clean), but today I opted to sit and hold a baby. Last night we threw together a little girls night and got some holiday crafting in, which is great since I put up my holiday decor two weeks ago (I've been saying, "October's almost here" since September 5th, so I got a little jump start on fall).
Notice how out of date my picture wall is? Yes, I've had TWO more kids since I've updated it.

Thanks to my crazy fantastic friends I came home with some cute stuff. SPOOKY blocks (Molly)
Advent Blocks (Sarah)
I did a fun little house after I saw my friend make a Valentine's Day one out of a Goldfish box.

And Meredith had some really cute clips. I spent all afternoon session of Conference working on these. Ellie even made two of them.

I did steal this from Molly's blog -- if you look REEEALLLY closely, you can see my fabo green PJ bottoms. Also, I want it to be known that I was going to do my hair until our power went out RIGHT as I walked into the bathroom.
It was a LOT of work, but still a LOT of fun. And that's why I am now diligently trying to stay awake.

True Confessions

Yesterday was CRAZY and I spent the entire day in my PJ bottoms. They don't scream pajamas, but they're green and plaid and a bit on the brighter side, so I sort of cringed every time I realized another person saw me in them.

After school we had plans with friends to come over and hang out and ride bikes. On the way to pick the kids up from preschool Ellie reminded me that I had promised her a trip to Target to buy some new sidewalk chalk and then Nate reminded me that he wanted to make cookies for his preschool snack and of course we were out of eggs and butter. . .

What's a mom to do? I mean, I'm in my pajama shorts. Most of you would probably 1) never leave your house in your pajama shorts or 2) run home and change but 1) I'm lazy and 2) I really didn't have time to run home and make it back to the store before our playdate (I was late for them as it was).

So I told the kids we could go to Wal-Mart, but not Target.

And speaking of the cookies -- here they are. One of my favorite things about Nate is his ability to get REALLY REALLY excited about things. His favorite holiday is without a doubt Halloween, so he really wanted to make Halloween cookies. Well, Vampire cookies, but seeing as I don't have any Twighlight cookie cutters. . .

In case you're wondering about the face -- he fell off his bike and didn't even cry. He's such a tough guy. Sometimes.

Moving On

The end of my twenties is quickly approaching. I think I've been counting down to this day since I turned 29, but my sister gave me a great idea of a way to say Good Bye to my youth (ok, only being slightly melodramatic here). She's sending me a something every day for the 30 days before my 30th birthday and I love the whole "thirty before thirty" theme. So in honor of that, I'm going to do 30 new/fun/crazy/relaxing. . . things -- one a day, for the 30 days before my birthday.

The good news is, I'm feeling uncreative lately, so I need your help to write the list!! Throw out some ideas of things you'd like to do, things you'd love to see me do. . . whatever. They can be as simple as making a certain recipe for dinner/dessert (get a pedicure will definitely be on the list). Or something challenging for me, like sewing something I cannot guarantee that everything will make the list, but at least TRY to make them doable.
I think Nate was trying to give me bunny ears, but I ended up with Devil horns. And by *think* I mean *hope*.

My 30 days start the end of October, so put your thinking caps on! And remember, this is all in good fun, not one of those crazy serious lists where people write things like "Make a wish on a falling star and have it come true" or "Find the love of my life." I feel pretty accomplished in the "grand accomplishments" of life scheme of things.

Mt. Washmore

Do you ever get around to folding the laundry and wonder what on earth your children have been wearing for the last week?? I can't believe they have any clothes left in the closet. I'm constantly telling Dustin that I would be a happier woman if we decided to become nudists.

So that's where I've been -- buried under a never-ending pile of laundry, driving 4 different car pools, school stuff, speech, soccer, dance, two different preschools, play dates, dates with friends, planning birthdays/holidays, cleaning, the gym, feeding people, reading, FHE/family scriptures/family prayers, trying to squeeze in some adult time, baking. . . add in a husband who traveled pretty much every week in August and September and if he was in town spent it at Church meetings, YM camp outs, mutual. . . and a baby, who may be super adorable and easy going, but still demands a lot of time. . .

And I know you all understand because you're all in the exact same spot and sometimes just buried under it all.

The only pictures I've taken in two weeks are from Nate's soccer game. But since every post needs a picture. . .

Somtimes I'm fun

My kids refuse to eat an apple if it has a brown spot anywhere on it. I can't blame them, because I'm the same way. At the same time, I hate to see them go to waste but I'm waaaaay to lazy to actually cut the spots out.

Unfortunately my brain works this way: Too lazy to cut up apples? Let's make a HUGE mess instead.

I got out our melon baller and balled around the brown spots. Then I melted some chocolate and got out some sprinkles for dipping and the let the kids have at it.
Good bye healthy snack, helllllooooo dirty PJs. I thought it would be cute to put lolli-pop sticks in them and have them as snacks when friends are over. And of course, I had strawberries and caramel cookies dipped in chocolate as my snack. So I should also add, helloooo chubby tummy.

And just a cute little picture from last night. I put Nate to bed first (trying to console him after I popped his balloon because he would not stop playing with it during prayer -- yeah, I wasn't so fun lat night, but I digress) and then went to tuck in Ellie when I found her snuggling with Luke.
Look at my cuties. I just can't get enough of those sweet pink cheeks and those gorgeous brown eyes. See those eyelashes? Could he be any more adorable? Let's all just oooh and aaah over my baby for a minute more. I just love his chubby little baby legs and feet. I think I could eat him or at least squeeze him for a good solid hour or two. However, he appeared to be happy where he was at, so I decided to smother him with kisses another time. Which was exactly 5 minutes later.

A Glimpse of Stardom

Friday Night Sadie got her first shot at making a name for herself. She *starred* in our Ward Talent Show. And I literally mean *starred*. She was so dang cute; she even spoke into the microphone and took a little bow. And what was her talent? She did a somersault.Love that little girl!

Saturday Nate had his first soccer game. There are no pictures because it was 106 out and his game was at 1, so I stayed home with Luke and Sadie and Dad forgot the camera. I think I'm glad I missed it since this was Nate's recap after I asked him how the game was. "It was good. Actually, it was not very good. I cried like a baby." Poor Nate. He promises me next week he'll try his best. Crossing my fingers. He's still a star to me. At least he told the truth, right?

My girlfriend Katherine's in town from Utah which warranted a little GNO! (Sorry Kris and Heather, I totally forgot to take a picture till we were all leaving. I feel really badly we missed you in the picture). It was so great to see all my old girlfriends who have moved. It's not like they moved super far away, but I miss all those girls being just a house or two away! Thanks for sticking with me Casey. Katherine and Scott have to come back in November, so we'll have another excuse to get together then -- this time with husbands. Jill we missed you so much! Pita Jungle and Golden Spoon. . . yummmm. The perfect night (plus BYU trounced Tulane -- note I'm wearing my blue and white)!

Dear Brother-in-Law

You're the BEST! No seriously, the BEST!

Nate decided that this year he would like to have a Superhero birthday party (yeah, we plan parties early around here). I remembered that Hayden once upon a time had a Superman birthday party and Molly made capes as the party favors. I thought this was a brilliant idea and way better than handing out a goodie bag full of junk that would probably break, get eaten or get lost within a week.

The problem: I can't sew. Luckily I know lots of people who can, but making the capes would mean harassing said friends and generally just feeling like a mooch. Dustin's mom also sews, but since she's making Ellie's baptism dress and Luke's Christmas stocking (plus Christmas stockings for Chris and Shauna's new little twins) I figured I'd let her off the hook.

I searched the internet and seriously considered paying some Etsy lady $8 a cape just so I wouldn't have to be a burden. Then reconsidered and figured the kids could settle for dollar spot gems. Until. . .

The Solution: Kyle sews. If you haven't seen his talents, he is in the process of making my sure-to-be-adorable niece Livy (as in Olivia Madelyn) a ruffle track suit. Or should I say, he was in the process of making a track suit until I offered him a nominal fee to make some super hero capes for me. Ten to be exact.

We couldn't decide if they should be Superman or batman or 5 of each, so we settled on reversible. Making my brother-on-law even awesomer! So Kathleen and Kyle are now knee deep in felt and cotton and superhero logos.

This is the point where you a)wished you had a boy b) wished you lived closer so your son could come to Nate's party or c)jump for joy because you know you're kid will be getting one of these capes-of-fun!

The Superhero himself.

I love Monday holidays!

It is so nice knowing you get one whole extra day to play! Plus having Dustin back in town and no huge pressing plans for the weekend. . . so we decided to PLAY! IN case you doubt how much -- I used an entire POUND of BUTTER making treats this weekend.

Saturday
After our rockin' game night, I slept in. It had been a looooooooong time, but I slept until 8 am. I then lounged around in my PJs and sat on facebook all morning long. It felt really good. Dustin and I both made it to the gym at some point and then I got my hair done, which I had also not done in a looooong time. Good bye grays!! Bad angle on Luke, but he's so cute anyway!
Lazy Saturday morning before we lost Ellie.

Ellie spent the evening (and then the night, and then Church) with her besties Lindsay and Caroline, so we were down to just 3 kids. It's amazing how easy it feels to just have 3 kids now. We watched the BYU game, which meant Dustin watched the game while I was attacked by small children who can only cheer for so long.
But we WON! WOO HOO!!!

Sunday
I slept in AGAIN! 8 am!!! Once again, getting the 3 kids ready for church seemed like a breeze, getting through sacrament meeting with 3 kids seemed so much easier. . . We picked up Ellie who was appropriately tired which meant -- NAPS for everyone. While they were sleeping I made peanut butter white chocolate chip cookies. More butter.

Monday
OK, you might not want to know this, but I slept in AGAIN!! Gym and general lazy-ment ensued and the afternoon/evening was spent at the Jones' for a swimming party/BBQ. Somehow with 20 kids running around in there we managed to play Nertz and Farkle while the guys watched football.

Tuesday
Nate starts his other preschool today! HOORAY! I wanted to take some pictures of him, but it turned out Sadie was more cooperative.

Happenings

So I slacked last week. It was a little non-stop and I'm sad I didn't get my camera out until Thursday.

1. Dustin was out of town which meant I had to cook dinner 4 nights (OK, McDonald's was in there once). I was making meatballs one night and didn't have bread crumbs, so I thought I'd just use the leftover cornbread. BIG MISTAKE. Meatballs with cornbread do not taste delicious.

2. I took Luke in for a 3 month weight check and GERD medicine upgrade. He's up to 12 lbs 3 oz and in the 25th percentile. I know it's not as big as some people's babies, but considering he was once below the 5th, we'll take it! He's still a stinker when it comes to eating, but everyone has to have one flaw right?? He's so sweet and smiley and easy going. I love his little laugh and coos. I'm so sad every time I realize he's my last baby.

3. Nate started soccer this week. Because Susan and I waited until the last minute to sign the kids up, we had to "play up" to get them on the same team. They'll be the youngest kids on the team, but I figure at this age it doesn't matter much. His team is so cute and his coach is amazing. During a water break I looked over at and the coach's daughter was giving Nate a little back massage. I wish I had snapped a picture of that.
We may be soccer newbies, but we do have a large number of ROMA soccer shirts due to my family's seemingly obsessive need to travel to Italy. Why has everyone been there recently except for me?

Nate LOVES his uniform and had to put it on as soon as they got it. He even wore the socks to bed. He also has had a haircut since this picture where he wanted his hair to "look like fire."

4. Ellie had her first sleepover of the school year with Caroline and Lindsay while their parents were in Utah for a little R&R. Dustin was off at a fantasy football draft so we had the Haymonds over for dinner, a movie, popcorn and cookies. I made 45 snickerdoodles and while Karen, Luke and I were in my bedroom hanging out, they ate EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. 8 kids, 45 cookies. No wonder Sadie was up until eleven!

The next day we went over to Molly's and did it all again. Swimming, dinner (even did pizza again), movie and cookies. So I found it funny when they whined about #5.

5. This Friday was the first night in over a month where we didn't have 2 or 3 things scheduled. We ended up having a bunch of friends over to play games last night. The kids got put to bed at 7:30 (with only one cookie this time, but at least they got the beaters). Well, Luke got to stay up and party because he was a great distraction during Mafia.

We had so much fun. I just love my friends! We played Mafia, Telephone Charades (anyone else have awesome Union Square memories of those games?) and when the crowd dwindled to 8 we got out Saboteur. I'm always looking for new fun party games. Anyone suggestions?? What do you love to play when you have a people over?

Wonderment

In case you were wondering if Sadie ever officially potty trained. . . YES! The other day she asked if she could sit on my lap, "I promise I won't pee on you." No, in all the training she never peed on me, but I did remind her not to every time she sat on me.

In case you were wondering what Nate would say if he saw someone in a speedo. . . it's embarrassing for sure. We were walking to the bathroom at the pool when Nate wondered very loudly, "WHAT is him wearing?" The guy hears him and simply explains, "It' a swimsuit for swimming." Nate:"Yeah, but why it so small? And what is that round. . ." I apologized profusely and hurried him off hopefully before the guy heard any more. Definitely more embarrassing than the time Nate asked the very short lady at the Target returns desk, "Hey you small. Why you working?"

In case you were wondering what Little Ponies eat . . . I happen to know. Sadie and I were playing with her Ponyville set that she finally got to open when it was time for them to eat lunch. I told Sadie that ponies love to eat carrots and apples. She then tells me, "Noooooo Mom. Ponies like cupcakes, and lollipops and piiiiizzzzza." I plan on starting a line of children's toys where the characters only eat healthy foods. Healthy foods with organic labels. And they never have fun.

In case you were wondering what my sister is having. . . we found out this morning. And by "we" I really mean she. I know a lot of you have had the chance to meet my sister or read her hilarious blog and have been asking me if she knows what she's having yet. It's a GIRL!

2 out of 3

Monday marked the 2nd "1st Day of School" for the Rogers kids. Nate is going to 2 preschools this year (in an effort to get him ready to go 5 days, all day next year) and his first of the two started up this week. He actually went to Becky's last year too, so he wasn't nervous or weepy. Just happy to be freed from Sadie and me! He was so excited to get going that he picked out his outfit about 4 days early.

Picture taking sessions with Nate are always crazy because he can't stand still.

NATE! Look at ME!

Look at me and look HAPPY!

NO guns!

My sister's personal favorite -- Magic Hands

How about some teeth? OK, no teeth.

While he was at school Sadie played at the Ray's with Lindsay and I managed to get all my Visiting Teaching done. After school he went home with Brady and played the afternoon away. We're so lucky we got to keep the Krassows on our street.

So what. I am a rock star.

I got my rock moves! I really love that song, especially when my kids it.

Ellie is off at a Hannah Montana Rock Star party as we speak. Girl theme parties are so much more fun than boy theme parties. At least to this mommy.

In other Rogers' Rock Star-ness

Sadie is really doing AMAZING at potty training. Finally!! We haven't had any accidents in 3 days. Tomorrow will be the first venture-out-of-the-house-in-panties day for our day of McGuire festivities. Crossing my fingers because there's no turning back now.

Luke is really sleeping like a champ now -- he slept until 8 this morning!!! He is also settling into being just the sweetest little baby EVER. I love it when all the other kids are asleep and he just sits with me and we stare at each other. We smile and coo and I contemplate ways to shrink all of my children back to this age. . . We're not the only members of our little Mutual Admiration Society. Don't you think he is actually starting to look (dare I say) BIG??

And Nate starts his last year of pre-school on Monday. He is so ready to get back to school. OK, we all are.And yeah, that's a Halloween shirt and it's only August. What can I say -- he loves that holiday.

I love structure and routines, so I'm glad everything is finally starting to settle back down into a pattern. It's going to be a busy but fun weekend!

Teacher vent

It's probably just me, but I spend about the first month of every grade being disgruntled with Ellie's teachers. I don't know if it's a natural thing or it's just the teacher in me thinking, "That's not how I would do it."

The first few weeks I will call my girlfriends and give them my latest beef. For example Kindergarten:

1. Ellie wrote her name on her homework with a heart over the "i." Teacher CROSSED IT OUT! It's her stinking homework for heavens sake.

2. She had to pull a stick for talking in the bathroom. DUDE! It's her first week in school and she's never gotten to go to the bathroom at the same time as a friend before. Of course she is excited. She's never gotten a stick pulled again in her entire school career.

I signed all of my e-mails for the first month as "Madelyn Rogers." In my mind, it was some sort of bizarre punishment to not let her call me Maddy.

First Grade:

1. She wasn't getting her peg moved up on the reward board. Would she ever make it to Lunch Bunch? My daughter is perfect, how can she not be moving her up? She made it to every lunch bunch

2. Why does she hate my daughter's handwriting so much? It's the first week of school lady, relax on the penmanship, it's not the end all be all of the academic world. Ellie really does have sloppy handwriting.

3. WHY DOESN'T SHE USE E-MAIL!! It was so much easier last year when I could e-mail the teacher all day, we even called each other by our first names. We were BFFs, I will never like this teacher.

Of course I then went on to LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE both of these teachers. In fact I would even say I ADORE them both and wish they were going to be around for the rest of my kiddos. They are amazing teachers and I know they loved my daughter beyond measure.

So this year I *promised* to myself that I would relax and give this teacher a little time before I made any judgment calls. And just like every morning when I wake up and tell myself that I'm not going to eat dessert, I can't resist!

Second Grade:

1. Ellie says she yells. Scout Burley says she yells. Why would a teacher need to yell?

2. The A/C in their class went out. No explanation came home, just a note telling us to send water bottles and dress the kids in skirts and shorts to stay cool.

Ummmm, it's Arizona It's a 110 out, I think I want to know when this is going to be fixed. So I e-mailed her wondering what was up and also why the passwords she gave for the book orders were wrong. She e-mailed me back a day later with a cut and paste answer about the A/C (which was out for a week and a half after I called the District and found out the PO was sitting on the desk of someone who was OUT OF TOWN so no one even knew) and no answer on the book order thing.

Over a week later, she e-mailed about the book order password thing. Thanks for being on top of it.

3. Today, after school, she e-mailed out her newsletter announcing that the kids would have their first spelling test on Thursday, August 20th. Yeah that's today. Thanks for the advance notice. Also, the first phonogram test will be on Thursday, August 20th. "Will be" or did you mean, "already was?"

Then she sent out a separate e-mail to 'ensure' us that the word 'attatchment' was just a typo on the newsletter. How about all the other mistakes. Like saying there will be no school on Monday, September 1st??

Gads, I feel like such a mean person getting all picky like this. I'm sure I'll love her by the end of the year, but why do I do this to myself the first few weeks? Is anyone else exceptionally hard on their kid's teacher???

Blah blah blog update

Apparently I haven't updated this recently. Main reason: no pictures. Who wants to read a blog with no pictures?? So I'll try to keep the sentences short in order to keep your attention.

*edited* Oh lucky you, after Luke ate, I pulled out the camera JUST to take pictures for your entertainment!

1. I am trying UNSUCCESSFULLY to potty train Sadie. Since Sadie is such a child genius, I thought once I set my mind to potty training her, it would be a breeze. Well it's been almost a week of my half-hearted attempt and she is such a child genius she's figured out to just whine for a diaper.

(Insert picture of Sadie holding Ponyville toy I'm trying to bribe her with, so she's never going to get here)
2. While I'm attempting the impossible, I decided to try to get Nate to stop sucking his thumb. The bribe: Star Wars Legos.

3. Dustin and I celebrated out anniversary at Kai -- where I couldn't even go to the bathroom by myself. I also ate so much food that I made myself ill, but that chocolate souffle was worth it.

4. Luke is sleeping great, but I am still waking up at all hours of the night. Last night I took Nyquil to help me sleep causing me to be the world's crankiest mother this morning. I think it sounded something like this, "Nate, you're chewing loudly." "Ellie! YOU'RE chewing loudly." "SADIE! YOU'RE SLURPING YOUR MILK LOUDLY."

cue cute pictures of Luke:




5. The Halloween catalogs are starting to arrive and Nate is in heaven. He's bummed because Sadie does not share his vision of turning our home into a haunted house.

And now you all luck out because Luke is awake, so I will abandon this really boring blog for now.

Ten Years -- Lucky Me

Today is our ten year wedding anniversary. Since we decided to count Cabo as our big celebration seeing as we would have a newborn when it rolled around, and we are forced to attend Curriculum Night at school AGAIN this year I still wanted to do a little something to celebrate the actual day. So please induldge my sappy little post.

When I married Dustin, I thought I was pretty lucky. Well after 10 years, I don't just *think* it, I KNOW I am lucky. There are just some things that get better with time and being married to Dustin is one of them. I definitely think the first few years of marriage are bliss, but love is even better after all the newness fades and the struggles and responsibilities come. I can honestly say I love Dustin more today than our wedding day.

In honor of our ten years, here are ten fantastic things that Dustin does to make being married to him so easy. And don't worry -- these may be sappy, but they're pretty light hearted. I'll save the deep and serious stuff for just the two of us.

1. He does 90% of the cooking. And it's really good cooking too. People are always asking to get a recipe of something he's cooked for them. Every now and then I may make a meal -- like Father's Day or when he's out of town -- but even when he's gone on a business trip, he'll usually cook up a few meals for me to re-heat. And now that he works from home, he'll even make me lunch if he gets a chance.

2. He jumps at the chance to help me with my day. If he doesn't have a morning meeting, he'll offer to drive carpool for me or make everyone breakfast. On Saturdays he's been known to take all of them grocery shopping so Luke and I can nap and clean. If the laundry gets piled up he'll take a basket or two to fold and iron my Church clothes.

3. Dustin is a great friend to everyone -- including my friends. He offered to watch a friend's kids so we could run a race last year while her husband took the LSAT and he's watched another so we could throw a baby shower. He's gone and jumped a few cars, made plenty of meals after friends have had babies, and he never complains if we end up with a few extra kids helping a friend out.

4. He doesn't sweat the small stuff. When I got my first (and only) speeding ticket, Dustin was out of town. I was so upset about the whole thing and when I told him, he just told me not worry about it because it happens to everyone. There have been so many times I've made a mistake and he never gets mad and he never harps on it. He just lets things roll of his back. I've never had to hide a receipt or justify a purchase and he's alwasy generous when it comes to splitting the bill or treating a friend.

5. He has no guile. I don't think Dustin has ever met a person he doesn't like. So many times I get riled up about a person or a situation and Dustin can always help me settle down. He has the incredible ability to focus on the real issues and see the best in everyone.

6. He works hard to provide for our family. I'm so grateful for how hard he works at everything -- his job, his calling, taking care of our family. Dustin has never gotten anything but glowing reviews from everyone he works with.

7. He is willing to sacrifice sleep. He wakes up at 4:45 every morning so he can fit the gym into his busy schedule and is still willing to stay up to put Luke to bed, or make a late night run to the store for diapers, milk, or my Golden Spoon cravings.

8. He is partially responsible for the cutest kids EVER. I love my kids big brown eyes and sweet little dimples (except for poor Luke) that I know they got from their Daddy. Our first and our last weren't planned and Dustin always was so excited no matter what. His positive outlook and love for them from the get-go always helped me get over the shock and frustration.

9. He is a great Dad. Dustin knows all our kids' friends, their teachers names, their schedules, their favorite foods and toys. . . He's the one to take them to Urgent Care or the ER. He never complains about a night home alone with the kids while I go out with friends or when I was always running around for Church meetings. There isn't anything that our kids need that he's too busy for.

10. He loves me. Despite all my craziness and high-strung moments, he still tells me multiple times a day that he loves me. And I know he tries hard every day to make me happy

I know everyone thinks their husband is the greatest, but I think we can all agree that Dustin is pretty fantastic. I'm so very lucky because I'm pretty sure if I ended up with anyone else I'd be in trouble. I love you and thank you for making me so happy!

2 months today!

Since it's Luke's 2 month birthday today, you will be subjected to random details of a newborn's really uneventful life and some really bad pictures I took.

Like these from Sunday morning
Just hanging out waiting for Daddy to get home from meetings. Nate was so concerned as to what class Luke would be going to at Church.

The bad idea where I thought I should squeeze my kids into one tiny chair. Guess who got squeezed in the chair last? By the time I noticed Nate was a foot shorter than Sadie the kids were done.Nice glare from Ellie and Nate looks like he's in pain There's also Sadie with the mad-eye wink smile. In case you've never noticed, my kids have the weird genetic disposition to smile with one eye closed. My sister even made a collage of it:
Luke is sleeping pretty well at night. I say "pretty well" because the kid is so unpredictable (and because the other 3 kids were all sleeping through the night by 2 months). He'll usually wake up once a night, sometime between 3 and 5 am. But then every few nights he doesn't wake up until 6 or 7. Guess who DOESN'T sleep until 6 or 7? Me! I'll usually wake up around 4 and just lay in bed waiting for him to wake up. The later it gets, the more I'm convinced he's going to wake up at any minute so it would be pointless to go back to sleep. And then I get mad at myself for not sleeping. Dustin thinks I'm crazy but I have assured him that all moms do this -- right?

He's smiling now, which is always so much fun because you realize they actually like you. I also enjoy his little Zoolander faces
The kids all love Luke and fight over who gets to sit next to his head when I'm feeding him. If it were up to me the answer would be NO ONE! They like to cuddle his hair and keep him distracted from the task on hand -- fattening him up! As soon as he is awake they all have to crowd around him and coo. Nate especially likes to force toys into his hand so he can teach him to play. I think he's just so excited to finally have a brother. Doctor's appointment is later this morning. Cross your fingers that he's at the 10th percentile for weight.

*update* OK so he weighs 9 lbs 13 oz. So so tiny! But the good news is -- he is in the 10-25th percentile (previously he was at exactly the 10th percentile, so we moved up a notch). This means he's off the high calorie stuff while we figure out if he can maintain his weight on his own. He's also on some reflux medicine to see if that is what is causing his aversion to eating (there are some other indicators of reflux as well). I've never had a baby so tiny, but he sure is cute!!