Rascals

The Friday before the stomach bug began to worm its way through our home, we had made plans to go and play with some little friends of ours.  As we were leaving the house, we were running late, so I had decided the boys would eat their breakfast in the car . . . and, it was a little cold, so I went to start the car before I loaded the tiny people into it.  And, well, the car didn’t start.  This was the third or fourth time that the car {which we’ve had for 1.5 years} didn’t start in the last 3 months or so.  Now, in the grand scheme of things, if the car wasn’t going to start, this was an ideal place for us to be:  we were home, no one was in the car but me {ie:  no laborious loading up just to turn around and unload}, it wasn’t raining, my friend was able to come to us instead, and Mr. Alex from AAA came and gave us a new battery—thank you very much!  While I was on the phone with Hatch and then calling AAA, the boys were playing.  And, we have a rule about the yard, since we live in the city and park on the street, and since babies go into the car one at a time:  you can play in the yard while you wait to get in the car, but you cannot go onto the sidewalk or near the street.  So, my rascals were abiding by our rule, and when I looked up, I saw them snuggled up and playing in our big blue chair in front of the house . . . with waffles in hand, of course!  I have a feeling that if our neighbors had seen these tiny people eating their waffles in the blue chair at 9:30 in the cold, they would have thought I had lost my mind!

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Alex came and worked his magic.  I headed outside {with baby and bottle in hand} to talk to him, and I intentionally unlocked the handle of our front door so I could get back inside:  I left the boys inside.  When I went to reenter the house, I realized that they had turned the bolt and locked me out!  RASCALS!  Fortunately, Mr. Alex of AAA had my keys and I was able to get back inside without a problem.  I’m sure he thought I was crazy.

And, this picture, below, is from November.  I can’t remember if I posted it, and I am too tired to check the archives . . . this is the boys on the screened porch examining the every move of a cricket.  It was the highlight of their entire day, no doubt.  Unfortunately for the cricket, his life did not last very long.

+++

And, in other news:  Annie Bananie {as she is fondly known by her father} slept in her bed until 5am on Saturday morning . . . then she slept in her bassinette until 6am . . . and slept in bed with us until 9am.  She loves being close by, and I don’t mind that right now! 

Last night, she only made it to 3:30.  We had laid her in the center of her big ole bed {which, seems especially huge to me since my boys are SO big and in mini-cribs smaller than Anna’s!} only to find that she had wormed her way across the bed in a 90 degree angle—she was picking up her feet and throwing them to move her swaddled-self around!  So, today, we put her nearer to her bumper pad so that her feet could touch it.  She is such a snuggle-bug and just loves being wrapped up in blankies and snuggled in close to things.  Maybe this is why Hudson, my 2 year old in a 3T body, is just starting to complain about being “stuck” in his mini-crib?  These babes like being in small spaces!  As for me, I can sleep just about anywhere, but my bed is my favorite {followed by the big red couch, you know}.  And, with that . . . a good night!

The Facts of Life

This was the conversation that we had tonight at dinner:

Me: "William, are you a girl or a boy?"

W: "Boy."

Me: "Am I a girl or a boy?"

W: "GIRL!" {very proudly!}

Me: "Is Hudson a girl or a boy?"

W and H: "BOY!"

Me: "Is Daddy a girl or a boy?"

W: "hmmm. Boy? Um, Daddy not a boy."

H: "Daddy a Daddy."

and then . . .

Me: "Is Anna a girl or a boy?"

W: "Anna a girl Mommy. Anna a baby. BABY. BABY ANNA."

***

Also, let the record show that Mr. Hudson tinkled on the potty before his bath on Wednesday night. I simultaneously wanted to cry and shout for joy! {Shortly following this miracle act, both Hudson and William, separate from each other, tinkled on the floor of their bedroom. We may have a ways to go before they master this whole potty thing. Perhaps now is not the time for us!!}

***

Yesterday, I went into the boys' room during their nap because William was screaming about the unmentionable: there was no longer a blankie covering his toes. {Tragic? Yes.} So, I covered his toes, and I told him to lay down and close his eyes. He continued his screaming fit and outrage while pointing to his brother. Despite the fact that he was sound asleep, William was horrified to find that Hudson's toes were no longer covered by his blankie. If my children sleeping weren't such a massive priority in my life, I would have taken a picture of sweet Hudson . . . his bare, blanketless feet up to half of his calves were hanging out of the crib between the slats {perhaps my tall boy is outgrowing his mini crib? he does tell me at least once a week that he is "stuck" because his head and feet touch the top/bottom of the bed. Hatch says "he's fine," so I'm going with it!}, and he was laying on his mattress without a sheet {he pulled it off in a fit of pre-nap fury} and his mattress was folded ontop of itself {another downside of the mini crib: thin mattresses} thus leaving his head and chest on a single layer of mattress while the rest of his body was on a double-layer with shockingly bare feet poking out the bottom . . . and, he was sound asleep . . . paci dangling out of his mouth and all! I did appease William and draped a blankie through the slats over Hudson's toes . . . fortunately, he didn't wake up; and, thankfully, William was satisfied enough with the extent of the blanket coverage to finally fall asleep himself!

***

And, my baby Anna Kathryn is sleeping in her crib for the first time tonight. It's just a trial run--which basically means that I reserve the right to put her back in my room at any time . . . and, I told Hatch about this, so he is aware of the rules of the trial run, and he knows he may have to run and get her at anytime. She has been there for a few hours . . . we'll see how long she {really, I} makes it there! Oh, my heart! My babies are growing so fast!

Ni Night, and may your toes always be covered as you sleep!

Babe {Anna} in the City!

At the beginning of the month, Hatch, Anna, and I packed our little selves up and headed to the Big Apple for the surprise party of the year!  Our sweet friend, Allison, was turning 30, and she had no idea that people were coming from far and wide to celebrate her!

Allison is the type of friend that you pray your little girl will one day have.  Friends who know you inside and out and still love you anyway, are few and far between.   Just a little history . . . Al and I went to UVA together, lived out in “the country” together our 4th year, and Hatch and I did some intense recruiting for her to relocate to Richmond after graduation . . . our spunky strawberry blonde boy shares her name {Hudson} and when hearing that he and his brother were born, Al hopped on a plane and landed in my recovery room just minutes later. 

Owlie {as the tiny boys call her} is so dear to us!  It was SO MUCH FUN and such a treat to celebrate her 30th!

So, we hopped on a plane . . .

Turns out that Little Miss love to fly . . .

And, we headed to the par-tay!

Anna did great with New York nightlife . . . she slept right on through it!

Anna was able to meet Summer!

 

And Sue Mary Andrews arrived in NYC via Mexico!   

We wined and we dined, with baby in tow!

And, we may have done a little shopping, too!

John Clyde was able to give Baby Anna some love {she had felt neglected since her brothers weren’t able to love on her that day!} 

Anna also met the youngest of the Garth House babes . . . Anna Charles!

  Meanwhile, the rascals kept their Sugie very busy!  {excuse the poor picture quality—cell phone pic!}

And, a quick flashback to Al’s 25th . . . we celebrated in Hotlanta!  We like to go big when we do birthdays, I think!  :)  

 

We love you so, Owlie! 

Way to welcome the big 3-0! May we all be so graceful!  

An update

While this could change at any moment {I do have three babes in the house after all}, I wanted to report that we are so thankful that our little William is all better . . . and, for the moment {despite colds}, I think we are all healthy. 

So with a babbling baby in my lap who is about to finish her bot, and two sweet boys nestled in their beds {with their lion, boo baby, moxy and lion lovey for one and zebra crisferfer, tiny penguin, squirrel, and eff-e-lant lovey for the other . . . and, yes, blankies on their toes}, this is my chance to rest.

Night night!

This just in . . .

William:  Mommy, what on your face?

me:  What?

W:  Right Dere . . . (pointing at my forehead)

me:  (wiping forehead) . . . OHHHH, Poop.

W:  Poop?  On your face, mommy?

me:  (wiping again) Is it gone?

W:  Um, yittle bit right dere mommy, on your head.

AWESOME.  THANK YOU, STOMACH BUG!

And, the best part is that I called my husband at work to tell him of the atrocity of all atrocities—poop on his beloved wife’s face—and he just said “mm hmmm,” like “yes, I know the chaos.”  No sympathy, no horror. 

Please excuse me while I go and bleach wipe my head.

***

Also, from lunch:

Hudson:  Mommy, I want more water, Please. {did he actually say please?  let's pretend he did}

William:  NO, HUDSON.  IT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

{W wasn't allowed to drink water after being so sick for so long.  He had to work is way back up to water, and it seems that he will make his brother suffer along with him!}

Please keep praying . . . we are not out of the woods yet . . .

Oh, poor, poor Valentine . . .

And, no, I do not mean my husband, who went treat-less this year due to our unexpected afternoon activities  . . . Our sweet Valentine, William, woke up from his afternoon nap on Monday with the stomach bug—four days later, he still has it.  And, so do I.  We have been within the walls of our home {and yard} all week {which, as a sidenote:  this may be the first week since Anna was born that I have been home all week by myself with all three babies.  whoo!}  Hudson has been a tremendous helper to me{what a blessing to have 2 two year olds!  one can help take care of his brother!} as I try to care for William {who is quite a snuggler when sick . . . we’re hearing lots of “Uppy, Mommy!” around here} and Anna {who has a really bad cold, and who we are praying and praying will not get the bug.}  Hudson has been into giving spontaneous kisses to us all, which is so sweet . . . and the pediatrician says he has a 99.9% chance of catching the bug.  Does that mean next week will look like this too?  If so, I need some BIG prayers for energy and endurance.  I have taken a few pictures this week, when I could . . . our days have ups and downs, and the ups have had some sweet time together, thankfully.  But, before the pictures, we need some prayers:

-please pray for Jesus to fully heal William and me and for both of us to stay hydrated {so he can improve and so I can keep nursing}.  It is hard to make William drink and hydration has been really difficult for him and it is scary for me to watch!

-please pray for Hatch, Hudson, and {especially} Anna to be spared of the bug.  We want this out of our house and fast!

-pray for healing for Hatch and Anna of their nasty colds and coughs.  I don’t do well when my babies are sick and my husband isn’t well either!

Since I’m asking for a lot of prayer, I thought I’d mention a few ways that I have been encouraged this week . . . first, Hatch has been so helpful in being flexible with his work schedule to help as we’ve needed;  Bumps and the neighbors have made gatorade, jello, etc., runs for us;  I’m realizing that my boys really really love playing with me and that it doesn’t matter so much if we are home or not {this is big for me since I like to be out and about a lot!};  sick two year olds tend to have a tad less of the two year old attitude when they are sick, which is a good thing; and, the boys are really taking care of each other well, which I love.  I’m also grateful that these arrived last week . . . fully stocking our supply!

Day 2 of the bug held a perky morning for us!  So, we made some stomach bug Valentine’s cards!  The boys are really into Richard Scarry books right now, and we’ve been learning about the Post Office in Busy, Busy Town, {despite the fact that Hudson’s favorite page in the book is of the Grocery Store—“More Food, Mommy!  See Food, Mommy!} so we decided to send some {belated} stomach bug Valentines . . . {note:  I am told that the stomach bug cannot be contracted through mail!}

Day 3 of the bug held a good pre-lunch window, so we decided to make some stomach bug cookies!  If we’re already exposed, then who cares, right?  And, I figure 375 degree temps should kill any bug . . . That said, no one has eaten a single cookie!  But, we did have fun making them!  Thank you, Nonna, for our ‘prinkles!  

Hudson’s cookie sheet

William’s cookie sheet

Precious Little Miss put herself to sleep for a cookie-making nap while we decorated.  I walked into the den to check on her, as she had been playing, and this is what I found!  Oh, she is such a sweet girl!

While checking on sissy, Hudson decided to make a “tower of wims” {translation:  tower of worms.  YUM.} with his cookies

Meanwhile, brother counted his cookies.  1-3-6-7-8-9- 10!

Shortly after this picture was taken this happened:

Hudson put his feet on the table, which is a punishable offense in the Reppard home.  I saw it happen, but was doing other things and this is what ensued:

William:  HUDSON.  YOOK AT ME.  YOOK AT MY EYES!  PUT YOUR FEET DOWN!  NOW!  YOOK AT MY EYES!  NOW, HUDSON!!

{OH MY.  I MAY HAVE A TINY BLONDE MONSTER LIVING IN MY HOME WHO REPEATS MY EVERY WORD!  SCARY.  THIS IS VERY SCARY!}

Day 4:  Mommy was not feeling great on day four, but William was starting to be able to eat a little and drink {finally!} some, too.  The boys watched some “einstein” while I did some much needed laundry.  {And, yes, poor Hudson is still in the same jammies as yesterday.  They asked me to keep wearing jammies . . . and, well, showering and clean clothes for show has not been at the top of our list right now!}

Overheard:  William asking me for water. And, Hudson saying “Mommy, Dr. Powell says NO WATER FOR WILLIAM.”  :)  Which was true, yesterday, but thankfully, is not true today!  These boys will keep me straight, that’s for sure!

Although I have zero pictures of it, we started the day by watching the Recycling Truck collect the recycling outside . . . we saw it from the boys’ window, and it was THRILLING!  They loved it!  I decided that we’d had enough of watching life from our windows, so we strapped on Baby Anna and headed out back for a little romp in the yard before Daddy came home for lunch-backup-help!

The boys had a great time with the chalk, kicking the ball, swinging, going down the slide, and, of course, digging!  I feel certain that the fresh air did us some good!  And, can anyone tell me if it is too late for me to plant crocus bulbs?  Being outside reminded me that I have some tiny ones that need some tending .  . . 

Someone got some chalk on his teensy nose!

I love this sweet boy in his amazingly trendy outfit!  I mean, who doesn’t wear red fleece reindeer pjs with green frog boots on a 65 degree day in February?

I found myself SO VERY THANKFUL for our deck, sandbox, and swingset today!!  

And, when we came back in, this is how I found my sweet girl.  I could EAT HER UP!

When William first started getting sick, he would cry and Hudson would just boo hoo right beside him.  They are so sweet together!

Here the boys are trying out the new picnic table on our deck!  Please notice how close together they are despite all of the room on the benches!  I have a hunch that Hudson’s percentage of getting the bug may be a little higher than 99.9% . . . 

Watch it wiggle!  See it jiggle!  I can’t remember the words . . . you know!  JELLO!  {and, no, William would not eat it, but fear not:  Hudson is well hydrated!}

SO, THANK YOU for your prayers for our tiny ones and their {our} sickness.  We appreciate it!  NIGHT NIGHT!

 

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A quick flasback, for their Nonna, of the boys opening their special Valentine’s Day treats!  

Socks! ‘Prinkles!

Stickers!!

More stickers!!!

Oh, the fun!  It’s endless!

Muffin tins!

OHHHH!

Anna Kath-Kath loved her prizes too! 

Hey Valentine!

Seriously.  GOOD NIGHT!