Oh, June

Hey ya'all!!

 Wish I had some time to blog, but unfortunately I don't. It's a good thing though. During this busy part of my life where I'm not writing anything down or blogging about anything, I will look back and know I was crazy busy and that's why. Thank goodness for this little girl, otherwise we may forget to pull the camera out once in a while.

 Happy Fourth!! It's been miserable hot. We typically spend our mornings trying to find a pool. I usually bring a fan for the babe and the boys are pretty independent when it comes to swimming. Joey prefers no floaties in the shallow end and Ray uses his puddle jumper and will do about anything in the water.

 We still contine to obsess over Louisa. She has spent so much time in her car seat being sheltered from toy trains being chucked across the room, we have forgot to practice rolling over. She is about 17 weeks and we almost have it down. Louisa has been pretty easy for the most part. She's been sleeping through the night since 6 weeks, takes acid reflux meds on a regular basis and gas drops with every bottle. She's pretty flexible and will take her morning nap in the car seat whereever we are and takes a huge afternoon nap with the boys.

 Joey will go to school 3 days a week starting first of August and Ray starts going one day a week. I may just have one morning a week with baby Louisa, and I CAN'T WAIT!

 Finally our summer will start to settle down. June has been awesome, awesome, awesome!!! I went out to Laguna Beach for my best friend, Tiffany's wedding. I forgot my camera out there, but if I come across some pics I'll be sure to post. It was on a beautiful rock ledge and the waves were minutes from sweeping us away. I went out there by myself, and it was fun to let go and have a timeline of my own. I missed the fam for sure though!

 Last week we got to celebrate Katie Matis and Liam Smith getting married!!!! It was aaah-mazing!
The ceremony was at St. Patricks and the reception was held at Lucas Oil Stadium. We had pictures on the field and danced the night away with Caesars. The boys were in the wedding and their white tuxedos couldn't have been any cuter! Joey was a champ getting down the aisle, but Ray needed a little shove from a few people in the pews. Thanks Carla and Gail!

 We are so very excited to have Liam part of the family. He is from Canada and it has been great getting to know his sisters and family. Katie and Liam just bought a place around 57th Street in Broad Ripple and it's going to be a blast setting that up with them. My boys couldn't love Liam (and Katie) anymore. Liam has spent hours and hours and hours with them and anyone who knew them would say Liam is on the top of their friends list.

 The new and improved Matis fam is above and Katie and her Goddaughter Louisa after the rehearsal is below. Unfortunately, Louisa didn't make it to the wedding. My Aunt Donna watched her the entire day and due to the heat and the anxiety I had of getting the boys down the aisle, it was best to leave baby girl at home. THANK YOU AUNT DONNA!!!

 The boys are getting huge! Some days they love each other and play incredibly together, and other days I split up about 50 fights. Usually it ends with Ray pouncing on Joey and Joey crying-- funny where they get their toughness and sensitivity from. At the end of the day I feel ok about this though because they stick up for each other big time if anyone is roughing them up at the park. I can't wait to show you pics of them from the wedding--- eeeehh, so cute!

 Oh, there they are. The cutest little couple eva!!!! Welcome welcome welcome Liam!! We love you!

 My pics are all out of order, but mid-June we took the boys to meet Thomas. What a super set up they had in Connersville, Indiana. We went on a train ride, played putt putt, jumped in a bounce house, rode more rides and ate for $15/person. It was the perfect age to see Thomas!

 Oh hey baby girl!! She doesn't seem to have much emotion in these pics, but if you say one word to this girl, she lights up!!! She's starting to chuckle and her rolls on her legs are getting bigger by the minute.

 Below is a pic of Katie Matis with her Man of Honor. Yes, ladies and gents, no maid of honor for her... but Willie Matis (cousin) was an amazing Man of Honor. Even though the entire church lost it when he held her flowers and fluffed her dress, he couldn't have had a better attitude and did an incredible job.

I think I'm going to try and do more frequent, shorter posts.... these posts may be less of an update and more about something funny that was said or done. When thinking back, these are the things I'd really like to remember.

I will leave you with something funny Little Joey said today.
 "Mom, it smells like I'm going to poop." -LJ, 4 years old.

Happy Birthday To Me!

For some reason, I have zippo pics of myself. It never really bothered me until I realized my kids may want to know how tired I looked when they were little. So... for my birthday, Joey took some quick pics of the kids and I in our pj's (fitting since we tend to be in our pj's more than any other outfit). They may not seem that special, but it has been impossible trying to get pics of all the kids. These pics are special to me. These pics make me happy.

Sweet Baby Boy

Joey, Joey, Joey- where has the time gone??

I have sat down to write this blog 3 times, but there is so much to say and never enough time to write it all down. I'm going to try and hit the main points between some of my favorite pics from this past weekend.

 We always thought you would be an introvert. Since the day you were born you haven't taken well to strangers and have always chosen to be the quiet, timid one. I think I may be wrong. Last week during your spring program at school, they had you front and center and you were one of the most animated little kids in the show. From the beginning to end, you sang loud and showed off those jazz hands your Mama gave you. The Dance Refinery would have been so proud. You beg to go places and love love love carrying on convos with waitresses, ticket takers and grocery checker outters :) You are so proud when you talk about being a big brother and taking care of Ray Ray and Louisa, and it makes me feel so happy inside that you have embraced being the leader of the 3.

 We go to the doctor this Friday, and I will put money on it that you weigh about 50 lbs. Anyone who attempts to pick you up claims you have bricks in your pants. You and I are packed solid, and even if you choose not to play sports I'm happy you will be able to give a good forearm to that kid that is giving Ray Ray a hard time on the playground.

Below is what happens when I have 3 kids and forget to take a pic of the cake before it was eaten.

 For your birthday we had a family party. For months you begged for a Wiggles theme and a magic show and that's exactly what you had. When I promised you a Wiggles themed party, I did not know most of their products were discontinued since 2005. For weeks your dad and I were bidding on paper plates and balloons off of ebay. 6 plates for $6.99 with outrageous shipping costs from Australia. About 14 days before your party, the Wiggles relaunched their website and announced they were going on tour this summer. All of that work for NOTHING! We expressed delivered several Wiggles "things" to our house from Australia, and would you believe they had a Wiggles groupon for their performance in August?!! Half off!! We got so lucky!!!

 Everyone loved the magic show, and the weather turned out to be beautiful.

 Grandpa even traded some magic tricks afterwards. I can't wait until he takes you to magic shops. I have so many memories of sitting in hot magic shop hallways for long periods of time while dad traded magic tricks.

 I was sooooo proud of you as you opened up presents. You read cards first and made eye contact and thanked everyone individually. You have come a long way buddy.

 I feel like these past few months, you and Ray Ray have switched roles. I have always felt that having Ray Ray was one of the best things we did for you. Ray has always been so adventurous and such a risk taker and he has really brought you out of your shell. For some reason, these last few months Ray has decided to become shy and you are helping him feel comfortable. It is such a blessing you will have each other. I pray you guys remain best buddies.

 Nannie's Grandpa and Grandma's Grandpa is what we call them. Oh, and there is Ray Ray being a stinker, like usual.

 There's the Ray Ray we love!!!!

 We decided to decorate your room this year when you woke up on your birthday. I remember growing up my brother requested my parents threw his presents on him when he woke up. I thought we would steal that tradition. It makes the day so much better!!

 There she is ladies and gents- our $69 Wiggles Big Red Car collectible figurine set  straight from Australia. We wrap it up every night before bed and sleep with it, just in case Mr. Wiggles come in the night to take it back.

 It melts my heart how you treat Louie. You beg to hold her and babysit her all day long. You even taught her the peace sign this week.

 She loves you and she lights up when she hears your voice. She is so lucky to have you.

I love you sweet baby boy, and I thank you for molding me into the Mom I am today. I'm so excited to see what this year has in store for us and I'm so proud of you for getting through school this year, making new friends, and embracing new situations. Keep it up little man!

5 days old pics

 I think it's a combination that I'm worried Louie will be my last and that she is a girl, but we splurged on super fun pics done by Annie Syers. Above is my favorite- go IU!!

So far, we are hanging in there... by a thread. We are every bit of exhausted, delirious, and in love. Every day is tough right now, and I think to myself how I need to give up something in my life to make things easier. It's too hard to eliminate anything, so I pray it gets easier with time. Louie has been fairly easy (knock on wood). She takes 4-5 bottles a day and has been sleeping 8-5/6am since she was 6 weeks old. She still sleeps in a car seat next to our bed, but it's working. The boys love her to pieces, although I get tell they are getting tired of being home all of the time. I feel lucky we have made it to 8 weeks without too much drama. Please continue to pray for us. We thank our lucky stars and wonderful God every day. Once things settle down, I can't wait to share more pics.

Best Days of Our Lives

Good Morning Baby Louisa!

Life is crazy and I can barely get through a single day,

but yes, these are some of the best days of our lives.

Why? Because we melt when we watch Baby Louisa breathe.

Easter was fun, but exhausting. Getting 3 kids dressed up, church and Easter festivities is for the birds. I decided it was too much for us to handle this year.

But we did see family, which always gives us a happy face.

Above is Katie Matis, who will soon be Katie Smith.

Lots of the Matis fam.

Racing for eggs with cousins.

Uncle Mikey helping his Godson find some eggs.

Crazy, crazy, crazy kids!

Funny, funny story: When LJ came home from preschool last week with a cross with Jesus on it, he hopped into the car and yelled "Hey Mom, look who's stuck on the cross!" Really!

He is at that age where the craziest things come pouring out of his mouth all day long...

I think I'm loving his age more and more every day.

Trying to get a grandkid pic with Nannie was impossible.

Props to Sloanie who did a pretty good job holding Leo up though.

Easter may be Ray's 2nd favorite holiday with Halloween the 1st. CHOCOLATE!

Ray Ray has turned into a little boy. His verbal skills gets better every day. He can count to 10, do most of ABC's, sing and do a choreographed dance to The Wiggles and loves coloring circles and triangles. He continues to be tough as nails with a sweet, tender soul.

Aunt Donna came to visit bearing some of the cutest dance apparel for baby L.

Some how I managed to get a pic with Grandpa and kids,

but never could get a family pic on Easter.

Pretty impossible.

Pledge sisters, Carrie and Em came to visit and brought sweet baby Elena.

Soooo good to see their sweet faces.

Found this at the Children's Museum.

He asks to hold her all day long and when I run to go get something, like a diaper, he says "Mom I'll hold her while you get that." We are a few days... maybe months away from actually doing that, but every day he gets better at taking care of Ray and L. He definitely is first born.