the beach in march

We had a beautiful 85 degree day last week when my parents were visiting and we decided to spontaneously head to the beach for the afternoon. Snacks, toys, and towels packed we headed off.  We decided to try a local beach that's on the bay this time.  I had heard that it's a great place for families - lots smaller waves.  And it was - it was PERFECT.  The kids were able to splash around and play (although we thought the water was freezing, they didn't mind at all!)  and it wasn't so scary since the waves are much smaller and don't knock them over.  I think this will be a regular thing for our family...if I can convince Titus that sand is not a food group.  Here's our day at the beach in photos:

lately

Just a random assortment of what we've been up to lately...

Titus is perfecting standing - he loves to pull up on EVERYTHING! The last few weeks he has even tested out letting go a few times...crazy to think we may have a "walker" soon!

 Boden had "Character Day" at school - where you dress up like a character from one of our favorite books and then bring the book to school to share with the class.  He dressed up in his baseball uniform (t-ball t-shirt under his Cardinals jersey- had to wear them both) and took the book "Froggy Plays T-Ball." He had a lot of fun with it - he was so excited that he got to take his glove to school!

Boden is such an artist - he amazes me every single day with the elaborate drawings he comes up with - he will sit and draw for an hour sometimes - I asked him one day what he was doing and he said

 "oh,  I'm just using my imagination" - I love that kid!

this pretty much sums up Claire....sitting on the counter, crazy hair, hollering about something, with a dumped box of crayons...yep, that's pretty accurate.

Titus got ahold of a chocolate chip pancake I left unattended for about 10 seconds - lucky duck...

Boden read his first book! He is having fun learning to read and it is such a joy to see him grown and learn.  I love getting to see the lightbulbs pop on when he figures out a new word or concept.

It's been a pretty mild winter here - we had snow one day for about 20 minutes.  We've had a lot of days to play outside which the kids love and so does mama.

Boden's artwork was featured on the entrance wall at school - I just happened to take him to school one day that week so I got to see it and snap a picture.  He LOVES art!

in addition to standing Titus is constantly exploring the stairs.  I knew the day would come that I would dislike that double staircase...it's here! He makes a dash for the stairs every time I put him down (as long as the dishwasher is not open.  If the dishwasher is open he prefers to try to crawl in it instead). :)

Tea party with my favorites.  There is no photographic proof...but I was dressed up too! 

So that's a bit of what we've been up to - in between my kids catching every single virus and cold that comes near them. I'm so ready for spring and warmer weather to come!

They're getting it

Every once in a while I have one of those days where I wonder why in the world I am a stay at home mom?  My kids are driving me crazy.... I'm pretty sure I'm driving them crazy.... and once in a while I have the thought that they would be happier in daycare with a more consistent structure, playing with their friends all day.  I know from talking to other moms that I'm not alone in having this feeling occasionally (or everyday).

It's a big task.  Being a mom is not the most glorious job on the planet, and sometimes I think it's quite possibly the hardest.  And I'm not always confident that I'm any good at it.

Because the kids are fighting....and I'm yelling. Sometimes I feel like I'm the professional time-out enforcer. They're whining...a lot. Claire refuses to use the toilet.  And has no desire to learn her colors (really, she just says everything is pink so we can move on. lol)  I don't always provide the most structured day.  And sometimes they watch more cartoons than they should.... and I begin to wonder if I'm qualified to do this.

 But every once in a while something happens that reminds me that even in the midst of all that....they're getting it.

Today, Boden ran out to the curb as the bus was pulling up and Claire ran after him and they both got there before me.  I grabbed Titus and followed.  I looked up and nearly started crying at what I saw.  Claire had her hand on Boden's head and was praying for him.

I couldn't make out what exactly she said (because I was scrambling for my iphone to capture the moment) but it didn't matter.  What mattered to me is that she's getting it.

And then it no longer mattered she thinks every single color is pink...or that that she has no desire to potty train.  What she does know is that she should pray for her brother.  She has watched me pray over him before he gets on the bus everyday.  She has learned something from me.  And it's way more important than colors or numbers or reading or writing, she'll get to those eventually.

I'm reminded today that I know I'm here for a reason.  God put me here to raise up these little children to know and love the Lord.  To be a reflection of Christ to them everyday.  And I'm so thankful for these reminders that God gives me once in awhile to show me that even though I don't always feel like I'm doing a good job - I am on the right track.  They're getting it.  Thank you Jesus.


Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

the birthday ferry ride

July 15 marked Boden's 4th birthday.  Its hard to believe it's been 4 years already.  It's been interesting to have Titus - he looks so much like Boden that I'm flooded with vivid memories of Boden's baby days.  Some days it feels like it was yesterday, other days it feels so long ago.

To celebrate, we decided to go for a Ferry ride.  There is a pedestrian Ferry here that goes between Portsmouth and Norfolk.  None of us had been before, so we thought it would be a fun adventure.

leaving Portsmouth - looking towards downtown Norfolk

we thought Boden would be excited about riding the boat and seeing the ships...but I think he was a little  nervous.  I asked him if he wanted to come to the railing and look, but he kept saying "I can see them from here!"  He was content to sit on the bench and enjoy the ride.

Claire however was very curious!

when we arrived in Norfolk we looked for a place to eat dinner.  The first thing we saw was Joe's Crab Shack, right on the water, and Boden decided he wanted to eat crab for his birthday dinner.  Sounds good to us!  

waiting for his crab legs


turns out he LOVES crab legs!



the view was beautiful.  I kept trying to take pictures of all boats passing, but the sun was setting right in front of us and it was too bright for my cell phone to get a good shot...and the nikon was tucked away in the stroller, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

I did get a shot from the Ferry as we were leaving Norfolk to head back home


Claire with Daddy & Bubbe watching the Paddlewheel on the back of the Ferry. 

Finally a shot of all 5 of us...even if not everyone is looking, I still love it!

Happy 4th Birthday Boden! We love you so much!

the beach

I mentioned before that while Nana and Poppa were visiting we took Titus to the beach for the first time.  I thought he would really enjoy the nice day, being outside, change of scenery, etc.  

But, as you can see, he was not a fan...

Bo and Claire, however, LOVE the beach! Its so much fun to watch them play and explore.

Michael spends  a lot of time "playing defense" when we go to the beach.  Boden and Claire have no fear of the water at all.  They will run right out into the crashing waves, get knocked down, sand in their face and get back up and do it all over again.

Tactic #2 to keep Claire out of the waves for a few minutes...snacks!

Pretty much the only thing that kept Titus from screaming was nursing.  So, while I didn't get to do much playing in the sun, I did get to enjoy the view and the breeze and just relax.  I'm sure it won't be long and Titus will be charging out into the waves with his sister and brother and there won't be much relaxing happening, so I will enjoy it while I can.

a whole month already?

*warning: prepare yourself for photo overload!*

I can't believe it, a whole month has already passed since Titus was born.  It's been a busy 6 weeks with lots of family and visitors and learning and adjusting to being a family of 5.

Titus is a sweet baby and is so loved by his big sister and big brother.  They always want to be near him, kissing him, talking to him and holding him. He loves to smile at them, and we love to see his toothless grin.  Every one of those smiles is gold to me...a sharp contrast from the screaming.  He has been a bit colicky, so evenings are a little rough around here and there isn't much sleep happening at night.  But, hopefully that won't last too long and we'll all begin getting a little more rest soon.

He is definitely growing well...at 6 weeks he weighed 13lb 7oz and was 23.5 in long! He has gained 5 pounds since birth!

Bubbe & Zeyde (Michael's mom and stepdad) stayed for about a week after Titus was born.  They were a huge help with the kids and with meals while I was resting and recovering.  Then Grandpa and Grandma (Michael's dad and his wife) came for a few days.  The kids loved having them here.  They also made it possible for me to make it to church just one week after Titus was born....there was no way I could have made it out of the house with all 3 kids and have been dressed and presentable in public so soon!

Claire, Titus and Bubbe

The 4 Brueseke boys

Claire and Grandpa

Then a few days later, Nana and Poppa (my parents) arrived.  Poppa helped us out with some projects around the house - a new garbage disposal (yay!), some painting, a new bathroom vanity/sink, and started some grass growing in the back yard.  And Nana helped out with the kids and the LAUNDRY...which I had been completely neglecting.   We did have a little fun too - we took Titus on his first trip to the beach.  Although, he didn't quite enjoy it like we had hoped...he pretty much cried the whole time. :(  

After about a week, Poppa had to leave for a business trip, while Nana stayed another week and a half to help me adjust to life with 3 kiddos.  I loved getting to spend this time with my mom and she was a huge help to me.  I think she might have enjoyed spending time with her grandkids too :)  Poppa then came back for a few more days before they made the long roadtrip back to to Nebraska.

It was so great having family here to help us through the first month.  I was able to rest a lot, the kids got the extra attention they needed, and the house didn't fall apart....we are incredibly blessed and so, so thankful.

Nana and Titus

Claire helping Nana play Sudoku

Poppa meeting his newest Grandson

Here's a few more pictures of what we've been up to for the past 6 weeks:

Brothers

swimming

lovin' on babies

multi-tasking

Mama and her boys

hard to believe Claire and Boden were once as little as Titus

my parents brought my old guitar for Boden to play - he LOVES it!

playing at the park

this is how moms lose the baby weight...we don't get to eat! 

Daddy and his babies

Frozen Yogurt Bar

Bathtime

apparently Claire is more interested in texting than in the story book

a little chutes and ladders

Bubbles!

It's still so wild to me that we have 3 kids!  They are such an amazing blessing.  Thank you Lord!