quin wears undies!

For the first time in almost 5 years, diapers are off of our grocery list!!! That's right, Quin is potty trained! This past weekend, on Saturday morning, he took his diaper off (normal) when he went #2 (sorry if TMI, this is what mom's deal with!) and he came and told me. Ryan said, "I think he's trying to tell you he wants to be potty trained!" And I couldn't have agreed more. Really, he couldn't have been more clear except to write it on my forehead --- "MOM PLEASE POTTY TRAIN ME NOW!" So we did. We went straight undies Saturday morning and he had no accidents that day, even at naptime. Very proud. We ran several long errands, went to a basketball game of Johns, and he stayed dry. Sunday was the same story, church with no accidents, etc. He has had an accident during the night everynight so far, but I can handle that, and I think it will get better, but I don't believe in pull-ups so we will deal with it. 2/3 nights I think he had an accident as he was waiting for us to get him out of bed, so when we make his crib into a big boy bed (soon, as soon as potty training is not "new") he will be able to get up and go as soon as he wakes up. We are soooo proud of Quinny! This was the easiest potty training ever....but I shouldn't expect anything less from Q, he's been SO easy from day one about everything. He's the cutest little thing in undies too, he fills them out better than his 4.5 year old brother! ha! We do still give him 3 m&m's after every successful potty trip, but it works and that is great! Way to go, QUIN!!! You're awesome and we love you and are so proud of your BIG boy milestone you've reached!

Whew! 2013 is Here!

2013 has started off with a bang, and hasn't let up yet. It's been a busy couple of weeks, and I have totally neglected this here blog. Time to catch up!

1. On the 2nd I started keeping a sweet newborn baby. Ryker is almost 3 months old, and sweet as can be. Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE newborns, or babies any age for that matter, so I was excited to tell our friends I can keep him until June. The boys love him and still can't quite get his name right. He's "baby titus" to the boys 90% of the time. One day he will always be Ryker! They are so sweet to him and have kissed him more times than I can count!

2. I tried to potty train Quin the first weekend of 2013 and failed. Not because of Quin, he did really good, but because of me. I did the '3 Day Method' and the first 2 days weren't half bad. Accidents, yes, but that is to be expected. Day 3 is usually when it clicks. Well, day 3, I woke up SICK AS A DOG. Tummy bug was here, along with a severe pounding headache. I couldn't get on my feet without getting sick to my stomach, so I stayed horizontal on the couch most of the day. Potty training wasn't happening. So, we postponed. He still asks to wear undies everyday, and I let him. He does pretty good, but I just need to get serious and do it. He's ready.

3. Speaking of undies and related items. Every night, and sometimes during the day, Quin will take his pj's (or clothes) off at bedtime (or in the middle of the day) and take his diaper off! Do they make jammies with a combination lock on them? Seriously. We will put him down in bed, and think he's off in dreamland, but 20 or so minutes later, he cries the "something is wrong" cry, and I'll go in there and he's stark naked, freezing, and usually has TT'd in his bed. This is fun, and is getting old. Keep your clothes on kid!!!!

4. Back to tummy bug day, my mom came over at lunch and saved my life. She brought me 2 Zofran and a sprite from Jess (amazing) and fed the boys and took Braidy for the afternoon. Seriously I am forever indebted to her for this.

5. School has started back, and John has been named STUDENT OF THE MONTH! He makes us so so so proud. He's also been chosen to be in the "Citizenship Club", and also only missed ONE question on all of his 6 weeks assessments combined. This kiddo is smart and is such a good student. Super proud of you, John!

6. I got away last weekend for Erica's Bachelorette Party! She's getting married next weekend in Cabo, and sadly, I won't be there. But we did have a great time at her Bach weekend. We went to my dad's house and hit up some of San Antonio and Greune, TX! We had a blast. It was so fun hanging out with a bunch of girls for a couple of days! Erica is going to be the most beautiful bride. I can't wait to hear all about it and see pictures! Keith, you're a lucky man!

7. Braidy has been quite the character lately....or always, I should say. Yesterday as Quin was coloring allllll over John's closet walls (I knew it was quiet in there), Braidy was coloring himself green. Yes, you read that right. Face, feet, arms, hands. I asked him what on God's green earth was he doing. Duh, mom, I was being the HULK. Shoulda known.

8. He also has begun drawing. I remember John was really into drawing at about this same age. I love it. He drew the sweetest picture of him and I, and of he and Ryan the other day. He has brought home many pictures of bears lately. Almost everything he draws has eyelashes, except boys. It makes me laugh. He said he put some "makeup" on me on the picture he drew. Too sweet. Here's me and B:

 Daddy and B:

OK, I feel a little more caught up. Now back to the NEVER ending to-do list.

Christmas with Lulu and Papaw!

Last but not least, the 26th, we celebrated Christmas with Lulu and Papaw....but not before my mom, sisters and I made a little Christmas candy...because it's NOT Christmas without a little divinity. We made a PERFECT batch our first try, and the second and third attempts were a total fail, due in part to me being distracted by several small human, but our first batch rocked. If you have ever made divinity, you know it's a pretty exact science, and you have to be on the ball to get it just right. My Memo would have been so proud of us....one of my most favorite memories is making and eating divinity with Memo. I'll carry on this tradition forever!

Onto Christmas (the 26th) night....Mom and Rach cooked a fantastic Mexican meal, and we all enjoyed sitting together, eating and visiting! After dinner it was present time! The boys were super excited but, surprisingly, very well behaved! ha! They opened in order at first and then just started tearing into the rest, but it was fun to watch them and see what everyone got. I must say that Ryan and I's gift from my mom and Les was the MOST special gift I might have ever received. It was a framed drawing of our 3 boys, and it's so so so special to us. I love it and cannot wait to get it on my wall. It is something I will have forever, and it will hang in my house when I'm 75 and my boys are all grown, married, and daddy's to their own children. Such a wonderful gift, I have such a thoughtful momma!

The night was a great time to be together. We are all so very blessed with wonderful family all around. We have had the best week with the people we love the very most. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas than the one we had this year. I loved every minute of it. Merry Christmas...one last time!