Landon at 3 weeks

Okay, I do realize that he is actually 4 weeks today, but I haven't posted his 3 week picture yet! This was taken at Grandma's the day after Christmas. Isn't he a doll?!!!! He is growing so fast and enjoyed spending the day with his cousins. Okay, maybe he just kind of stared at them, but I think he likes them.

Merry Christmas

After 10 years of marriage, we finally had our "own" Christmas at our house. I have to say, it was really nice. There was still all the excitement, but a little bit less craziness as there was just the 5 of us. Landon slept through most of it. Santa found our house, ate some cookies and left us lots of toys. It was a perfect morning. Brayden is an enthusiastic present opener. Brooklyn just wanted to play with her toys! Billy surprised all of us with a wii. My favorite thing this year, happened on Christmas eve. After we left Grandma's house, we were taking the kids up the stairs to bed. They have been excited about Santa all month. Brayden looked up with me with the sweetest face and said, "Momma, I believe! I think everyone should believe!"

Landon at 2 weeks

Last Friday Landon hit his 2 week mark! Can it be? I feel like the time is just speeding by and I can't seem to quite capture the moments in my memory to keep forever.

It is just amazing how once these little ones enter my life, that I am just so in love with them. Really, they are sort of strangers in the sense that they just enter my world and I know nothing about their personalities etc, but as soon as I hold my babies I am just so enthralled with them and amazed that I get to keep them and that they are all mine.

Brayden and Brooklyn love him, though its been a little hard sharing mom's attention, but they don't seem to begrudge Landon for any of that.

Their hearts have grown as well to include Landon into our family. I couldn't imagine life without my children. Oh, I'm so sappy, but so grateful I just can't help it :)

My Sleepy Little Burrito

When Landon decides he wants to sleep, he SLEEPS! A couple days ago, he hadn't really had any awake time during the day. This concerned me a bit because he's been a pretty good kid most nights (except when he's gassy) and I wanted him to keep his days and nights separated. So, after he ate, he was really sleepy and I figured getting him dressed would give him some awake time. Well, he KIND OF woke up while I dressed him. As I was putting away his clothes, I came back, and he was OUT! So, I gave in and wrapped him up in his little blankie. I don't think he moved a muscle as I took him upstairs. If only getting him to sleep was always this easy!

Snow Day!

These are actually from last week, but we've had lots of snow here in Boise- and its actually sticking around!!! Yea for a white Christmas!!!!!! Brooklyn didn't quite know what to think when I put her in Brayden's old snow boots that were two sizes too big. Brayden was a big helper making the snow mountain. Billy is a great dad- instead of just pushing the snow to the side of the driveway, he always scoops it to one place so the kids have a "mountain" to play on. I remember my dad doing the same thing at our old house in Lewisville, but he used a tractor :) After they finished shoveling, they went to the park across the street and sledded down the little hill there. It was fun watching them out the window!

Landon at 1 week

Here are some pics from Landon's one week birthday. Isn't he adorable?

Brayden taking care of his baby brother. We are having to supplement Landon with formula, but it is working out great.

Me and my three musketeers.... notice Brooklyn and I have the same hair-do. poor thing.

Welcome Ellie!

Billy's sister Jamie had her baby girl, Elizabeth Sally (Ellie) on the 10th. I am really excited for her and Landon to grow up together. It has been fun going through our pregnancies together- even though I looked huge compared to her!

Jamie is really into decorating for Christmas, so while she was lighting the christmas tree, she decided to light up Ellie for the holidays as well! Okay, really it is a light to help get rid of the jaundice. Hopefully it works quickly so they can "unplug" my sweet little niece.

Decorating the Christmas Tree..

Daddy and Brooklyn putting up decorations "up high, up high!" Check out that awesome hairdo!
Landon in his little retro football jammies- I almost wanted to hang him up, he's so gosh darn cute!

Brayden was a big help this year- he liked putting the decorations in bunches. The kids especially liked the ornaments that had their pictures in them. Each year, we pick an "Event of the Year" and select an ornament to symbolize that year- such as buying our first house, each kid, or a vacation. It is a lot of fun going through the box, and I can't wait for all the years ahead of us!

Boogies and Baby Brother...

Poor Brayden and Brooklyn... whenever they want to touch Landon they hear, "Have you washed your hands?"
They both have had boogie noses, not just runny noses, but they icky yellow guck. Brayden is trying to remember to use Kleenexes and not the back of his hand, but Brooklyn just runs around occasionally licking them away when we don't get to her soon enough.
Here is a pic of our two BIG kids with our little baby. They love him and have been very patient about having to share their mommy. It helps a lot that Billy is here to help give them the attention they need. I don't know what I'll do when he goes back to work. He is a lifesaver and has been so great to have home these last few days.

The Name Game

After much debating, we've finally named our little guy....

Landon Tanner Smith

We're still trying to decide if it really fits him, but he sure is cute!Although, late last night, Meg did refer to him outloud as Brevin. So, subconciously we are still reconciling our brains to Landon.

(And apparently I didn't post this when I wrote it a few days ago, we really didn't wait this long to name him!)

And now you know the rest of the story....

Again, I apologize for this being so long...

When we got to the hospital, they admitted me right away. I even got to skip the "let's see if she is really in labor room." The nurses were great, and contacted the epidural superman quickly since I was already dilated to an 8. I had some really intense labor and was near tears when he walked in the room. He asked Billy to go around the bed to help me while he inserted the needle. Billy politely declined due to the fact he almost passed out when I got one with Brayden. So, the nurse stepped in while he did his work and told me he gave me 99% of the medicine and now we were BFF. I had to agree. Dr. Agrusa showed up during that time and checked on me. After my epidural was in place and had taken effect I had a few minutes to rest and then we were ready to give it a go. There was some meconium in the water when they broke it, so they brought in the respitory therapist. I didn't feel any pain when pushing, which was great since I was totally wiped out from the labor. He delivered after a few pushes, Billy cut the cord, and I got to hold my darling little boy.

It was just amazing to see this little person that I'd been talking to for the last 9 months. He has a such a sweet little face, big long feet and super long nails! He even had some chubby on his legs. He slept a lot all day and didn't want to wake up to nurse. He still can't decide if he likes it or not.

When he was first born they were a little concerned if he had enhaled any meconium, but his oxygen levels were really good, his breathing was just a little on the fast side, but it slowed down.

The kids came down last night to see their baby brother. They were really cute. Brayden loved holding him and Brooklyn just wanted to put his blankie on him and play with him like he was a doll. She would point at him and then look at me. We'll probably head home tonight and let the real fun begin!

He's here!!!!!!!!!!!

Notice: This is really long since this is kind of like a family journal :)
Our little guy (yep, no name yet, so that is what he is going by) is here- 8:15 am, 7 lbs 12 oz, 20 3/4 inches long.
He started his arrival at approximately 2 am this morning with amazingly painful back labor. I pulled myself out of bed at 3 since I was so uncomfortable and didn't want to wake up Billy with my huffing and puffing breathing. My contractions were at 10 minutes so I watched some 30 Rock and My name is Earl and the local news- someone's house caught on fire in Boise- until I realized they repeat the exact same news over and over. Soon I was at 7 minutes apart with really bad pain. I told myself that when they got to 6 I would wake up Billy. Then they jumped to 4 minutes apart. I was about to go get Billy (a bit before 6) when I hear this beeping. Apparently the Lord knew that I didn't want to try to walk down the hall so he set off the low battery alarm in our bedroom smoke detector. I told Billy we needed to head out, so he fixed the detector, took a shower and we headed off for the hospital. My sister Angie was a lifesaver and came and stayed with the kids. I only got after him once when he stopped at a yellow light- I mean isn't being in labor a good excuse for running a yellow light?
Well, I'll finish the rest of this later- I'm going to bed :)

Happy Thanksgiving belated!

I've got so much to be thankful for, but it probably is the same list as most people's. So I won't bore you with all the details. I do have to mention however how thankful I am for my dear family. I couldn't imagine more beautiful, fun children and am so thankful for a great hubby to raise them with me. I'm also grateful for Billy's mom for sitting at the kids table so Billy and I could eat in peace. (and I didn't even ask her to, I just looked over and there she was with them!) She is such a great grandma!

Festival of Trees

Billy and I took the kids to the festival of trees this last week. There is nothing like looking at fabulously decorated trees to get you into the Christmas spirit! Brayden's favorite was the Star Wars tree. He asked us to PLEASE buy it for him, luckily for our budget, it was already sold! It had to cost a fortune since it was covered in star wars figures and even had a signed plaque by a bunch of the Star Wars people. As a bonus, we even ran into Santa in the hall! -no waiting in line for us! Grammie (Billy's grandma and the kids' great-grandma) came with us. It is always nice having her along as the kids adore her, and we had an extra pair of eyes on the kids. The ropes around the trees were right at the top of Brooklyn's head, so she had no problem walking right up to touch all the pretty things. Her favorite was a pink "princess" tree. As soon as she saw it she went running for it. I don't know which was my favorite- which was why I didn't even fill out my people's choice ballot. Billy carried his around the whole time so he could vote for the Star Wars tree, but then forgot to turn it in. Afterwards, we were all starving, so we went to Applebee's and got a bite to eat. All in all, a very fun night out with the kids.

I also had to post this picture of Grandpa S. with his girls on his birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!

It's raining, its pouring

My wonderful Aunt Becky (Billy's aunt) decided to throw my sister-in-law and me a family baby shower. I felt a little silly as it is my third child, but I appreciated everything so much. I really inherited a great family when I married Billy. I got several beautiful quilts and blankets and cute little outfits. Thanks Becky and everyone who came.

Here is Brayden showing off the blankets!

37 1/2 weeks

Time is flying by, but going so slow at the same time. Dec 11 is my due date- yikes- I better get moving!

Bye, Bye Pink

I loved Brooklyn's nursery. I loved the decorating it, the colors, everything. When I would go in her room, it felt so peaceful. But, alas, she has moved on to her big girl bed and sharing a room with Brayden so it is time for me to move on too. I had to take a few pictures to remember it. The baby's room will basically be the same, only with blue and boy stuff. I'm mostly sad to change it, but I just would feel too guilty putting a baby boy in such a girly room.

Here are Brayden and Brooklyn "helping" me change the room. I'll post pictures when I get it all finished.

Addresses Needed

I'm updating my address list and realized that many of you that I've gotten back in contact with, it is through this blog and I don't really even have your addresses, or email addresses, for that matter.


So, I would love it if you would email me your info. I put up a contact link over on the top right of my blog that should link you to my email. I didn't want to type it out because I think it might lead to a bunch of spam. Anyway, please email me your info- you might even get a christmas card out of it! :) What an incentive!!!

Brayden- 5 years ago

I have to have a pic in my post!

Boo! from the Smith Crew

I've so enjoyed seeing everybody's wonderful halloween pictures. I love halloween- everything about it. I have to credit my dad with that- he is a holiday junkie and always made the holidays fun by really decorating the house. I still remember a time when our whole driveway at our old house was lined with jack o'lanterns. If my memory serves me right, and I was less than 5 years old at the time, I think the news even came to our house and used it as the closing credits one night. :) So- HOLY COW Daddy, thanks so much for giving me your love of the holidays! Hey, if you've got it, flaunt it! And yes, that is a little tiny dog crab costume I'm holding. Yeah, we got to watch Brutus again.

Brayden was Optimus Prime for halloween. If you don't have boys, that is a Transformer. He looked so cute, but didn't really wear his mask on his face since the holes were totally in the wrong place.

Brooklyn was a fairy princess. Isn't she adorable? She picked up on the trick or treating very quickly. I loved watching her run as fast as she could in her little tutu! She really did look like a tiny fairy! She even used her charms to collect the most candy. It wasn't until the end of our rounds that I realized what she was doing. After she and the other kids had gotten their candy, Brooklyn would hold up her bag and say, "Wone mowr, Wone mowr." Of course, she got another handful. Good thing she is young and sweet or else she might have seemed like quite the stinker. As she would leave, she would yell, thank you, happy halloween, have a good day!" She really is a sweet fairy princess with a I major sweet tooth!

We especially enjoyed trick or treating with our friends, the Perry's and the Coburn's and Aunt Tess and Uncle Ryan! Now it's time to start making plans for next year!

The Great Pumpkin...Fieldtrip, that is!

Boy, it was cold and windy this morning as all the kindergartners from morning and afternoon headed out to Linder Farms for a fun fieldtrip of pumpkin picking! Notice how my scarf ended up around Brayden's neck? I must say he looks adorable.





We started out with the corn maze. I thought I had it figured out, until we ended up back at the entrance, but hey, the kids didn't care, so out we went the way we came.









Then it was time to pick our pumpkins- the only rules, the kids had to be able to carry them out. It was kind of funny that it was just the boys complaining about how heavy they were. Maybe it was that the girls didn't try to get the biggest pumpkins out there. Brayden found a beauty with a really cool stem.

Then, off we went on the hay ride to see the animals. They even had a camel and zebra!




Here are all the kiddos. Aren't they adorable? They were real troopers and enjoyed the adventure of it all.







Thanks to my mom that is in town for the week, for watching Brooklyn so I could go with Brayden's class.