Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

My little Claire and Mason could put the WWE to shame. In fact, a little boxing ring exists within the walls of my home. Anyone who has seen Mason in motion wouldn't be too surprised that he is a little ornery. Claire, on the other hand, spends most of her day primping and dressing up in her pink frilly princess get-up or playing with baby dolls and her play kitchen. Don't let my petite little princess fool you, though.
It never fails, when I am unloading the dishwasher or performing any of my other domestic goddess duties, a knock-down, drag-out fight between my two littlest sluggers is a guarantee. It seems to happen the same every time: Claire screams - and not just any scream. It is a shriek that puts the highest note Mariah Carey has ever hit to shame. It is glass-shattering, blood-curtling, eardrum-bursting loud. I have found that this shriek is usually the result of a toy being taken away, a twin brother stepping too close to her, or just a glance in the wrong direction - her direction. Then, she'll shove Mason away, motioning for him to get out of her room or to leave her alone. This, in turn, ignites the ticking time bomb that is my Mason Edward. My two-year-old little cuddle bug has a swing like Muhammad Ali. He has knocked Claire square in the jaw on more than one occasion. There is nothing like a fist in the face to piss Claire Bear smooth off. Because the previously mentioned scenario happens within a matter of seconds, I am usually in the room pulling Claire off her brother by now...but not in time to get her before she gives him a few good slaps on the head.
How, you ask, do I know this is what happens? Because Big Brother Cade is there to give me the play by play as I'm running to prevent any blood-shed. Too often have I heard, "MOM! Mason just punched Claire!" or, "MOM! Claire's hitting Mason in the face with her doll!" Thank goodness for my little mediator...

Hooray for Modern Medicine!

...without which I would not have had the joy of seeing my youngest babies go from this:



and this:



and this:



and this:



and this:



and this:



to this:



Thanks to the St. Francis NICU, all the doctors and nurses that helped us along the way, and most of all, Thanks to the Lord for the power of prayer.

The McTank

I knew that having children, boys especially, would mean plenty of bumps and bruises along the path to adolescence. However, I did not plan on this...



Or this...



In short, my dad's nickname for Mason, my youngest boy, has always been "Tank." He never stops for anything. He either runs over or runs through the next obstacle. This time, the concrete stopped him.

Little Miss Madelynn

Madelynn Nicole,
My dear sweet niece, I am ready for you to come out and play. Your mommy has done an excellent job of giving you a good home for the past 35-ish weeks, so I'm thinking Memorial weekend should be about right. ;) I'm guessing you'll weigh about 6lbs, 13oz, just like your daddy, and because I know you don't want to make getting you here difficult for your mommy. I dream that you will have your mommy's beautiful eyes and smile, and your daddy's perfect skin tone and tiny ears. However, it would be really neat if you look like your Uncle Kyle or Aunt Cole, simply because your cousins looked just like your daddy or their aunts when they were first born. No matter what, I know you will be beautiful, because you come from great stock on both sides! So, since we've had this conversation, hopefully you'll think about coming soon, because there are so many people that cannot wait to meet you and hold you and love you for the rest of our lives!

I already love you more than you will ever know!
Love,
Aunt Cole

Free Fallin'

I do, for the most part, agree with the old grammatically incorrect saying, "If it aint broke, don't fix it." This is one of the few exceptions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLW6G6LYLt4

P.S.
Tom Petty,
You rocked this song, but John Mayer's version makes me want to relax in a hot bubble bath with a glass of wine. Don't be sad. You are still on my iPod.

Love,
Nicole

I've Come to Realize...

1. That no matter what you say, someone is always going to be displeased.
2. That the number of recesses is very high-ranking on the concerns of a soon-to-be first grader.
3. That every day, I look at my children and love them more and more, even when I already felt like my heart was going to explode.
4. That Mom and Dad were right about that, too.
5. That I am that luckiest woman alive, in that my husband truly is exactly the man of my dreams, and that nothing will ever change my love for him.
6. I am actually getting older every day.
7. I will probably never wear a size 2 again, and I'm okay with that.
8. That I might not be on time for anything for at least another 16 years.
9. Sleep is overrated.
10. Number 9 is a complete lie, but it's how I get through my day.
11. Coffee is definitely underrated.
12. Number 11 is complete truth.
13. If I had my life to live over again, I wouldn't change a darn thing. You live, you learn.
14. Growing up with my brother helped prepare me for my sons.
15. Claire might not ever be able to dribble a basketball and run at the same time, and I'm okay with that. Pretty dresses are fun.
16. I am happy.