Time Is Flying By

I can't believe how quickly our new little man is growing up. I didn't want to post again until I had Collin's birth story ready to share, but that's taking a bit longer than anticipated. It's certainly tougher to find time to write when you have three kiddos. So our latest happenings will just have to be shared first.

Baby Collin has been an absolute JOY the last four months. We are so very, very blessed to have him, and I can't seem to put him down when we're together. My mother has pointed out that perhaps that's the reason why he hasn't rolled over yet. Oh, well. He's super close, and I love his snuggles. :) These days he's reaching for objects, squealing when we make silly faces at him, and has been (HALLELUJAH!!!) sleeping through the night for five weeks now. Life with baby #3 is good.

McLain started the fifth grade (oh my stars!) last week. His teacher said, "Ashley, I've been waiting for years to get my hands on him." Love that! He's thrilled that tomorrow he gets to use a Kindle in his reading group. My how times have changed since I was elementary school! McLain hit a growth spurt this summer and is as tall as my shoulder. Thankfully, when no one else is around, he still wants to crawl in my lap and be rocked and requests every night to be tucked in and kissed. I know these days are numbered, so I'm doing my best to appreciate every minute of them.

Keaty Peaty is still my sweet, wild man but has settled down a bit over the summer. He now shares his big brother's love of Legos and the computer; either of which will entertain him for long periods of time. Keaton has proved to be a very good big brother. He loves to kiss his brother's bald head. However, he does have ear plugs that he likes to use when Collin's fussing starts to get too loud. Can't blame him!

I love being a mom to my three boys more than anything else in the world. I'm very blessed that they are such sweet, healthy, and loving boys. Can't imagine my world without their smiling and often dirty faces!

Baby Boy #3 Has Made His Debut!

Our little Collin Xavier made his early arrival on April 17th at 8:38 am. This was a very special day because not only was it Palm Sunday but also Clay's Dad's birthday. Our new peanut weighed 7 pounds 2.7 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long, the smallest in weight and height of our three boys. He is such a sweet blessing that we cannot imagine life without him. We're so glad you're here, Collie! :)

The Count Down Is On

I can't believe that I am FINALLY in the home stretch. It truly feels like this pregnancy has lasted twice as long as my others. I am ready to get rid of my not so sexy cankles, back aches, leg cramps, and my horrible need to potty at least four times a night. Only about 32 days left...

More importantly, I am ready to meet my new little man. His crib, clothes, diapers, and bottles are ready. I am so very far past ready to hold him and smother him with mommy kisses. Hurry up, baby Collin! Your family and mommy are ready to meet you! :)

Spring Is Almost Here...What?

I can't believe that spring is just around the corner. It seemed like it would never come, and now we're just a few days away from March. I'm a little nervous that baby Collin will be making his debut in just 9 short (sometimes longish feeling) weeks. I have diapers and bottles, but I also have a very long list of things to check on, organize, and buy before he gets here. I can feel my blood pressure rising by just typing that. Better get on it!

This pregnancy has definitely been very different from my first two, especially the second and third trimesters. I'm altogether way more exhausted. Thank you anemia! The nausea that finally went away after 5 months has started to return in the morning. What's up with that? I've also had to take an unexpected trip to the women's center for stress induced preterm labor. I'm working on limiting any extra responsibilities, but work alone is enough to stress me out! Fingers crossed and lots of prayers that baby Collin stays put for a good while longer.

In recent McLain news, my boy wonder competed in his class spelling bee, which he won. Then, he competed against the top two fourth and fifth graders from each class in our school spelling bee. He placed first runner up, and we were shocked and so very proud of him. I knew he was a strong speller, but I didn't realize how good he was. All that reading has really paid off!

Next week, McLain will start his third season of soccer. He's really excited, but I'm a little less than thrilled to have to run him to practices and games. However, maybe that will make the time until the third manly Brooks arrives go a little faster.

In November, Keaton started going to Cheatham Hill ES for speech services. I have been worried about his speech since he was about 12 months old, so I am very appreciative of his being able to work on his articulation well before he gets to kindergarten. So long Curious George/Caveman talk!

On February 7th, we celebrated Keaton's fourth birthday with the family. His big request for the day was to go to the "Beans Re-Ta-Want." The boy really loves refried beans and would eat them three times a day if I let him. We are planning on having his actual birthday party with friends this Friday at an aquatic center. He loves to swim almost as much as he loves beans, so I know he'll have a great time. Who wouldn't want to swim in the winter?

It's a Boy!

On Friday, Clay, McLain, my mom, and I went to my OB/GYN to have an ultrasound done of Baby Brooks #3. When we got in the room and I was climbing on the table, the technician apologized for being behind schedule. I told her not to worry, that I knew it was a boy, and that I just needed her confirmation. :) While she was scanning various body parts, she zoomed in on two tiny little feet with precious little toes and then up two skinny legs. After about three seconds, I asked, "Is that the penis?" Oh, yes. Mama called it! Brooks #3 is a boy! We can't wait to meet our Collin Xavier. Hurry up April 27th!

So Much To Be Thankful For

This fall has flown by in so many ways and just crept along in others. The boys both started school in August. McLain is in fourth grade (wasn't he just in kindergarten???), and Keaton is in three year old preschool. Both boys love their teachers and are doing well despite the changes that are about to occur in our house. We are really grateful for how much they love their schools and teachers.

In late August, we were grateful and happy to discover that I'm pregnant with Brooks Number Three. Yes, we were trying for this addition, but it was still a shock that it actually happened. Because we knew this would be our last baby, Clay and I decided to surprise our families with the news. One afternoon after church when I was eight weeks pregnant, we went with Clay's parents, my parents, my brothers, and our boys to Los Bravos. While waiting for our lunch to be served, Clay and I passed out envelopes that had a baby announcement in them. They said, "We are excited, joyful, and blessed to say that Brooks #3 is on the way!" Needless to say, our families were in shock and very emotional about this unexpected news. In true Brooks' fashion, my in-laws cried while my parents sat in stunned silence. :) McLain was ecstatic and immediately began rooting for a baby girl, along with my Dad.

These past 17 weeks have been rough. My mornings have been filled with a lot of dry heaving and vomiting. I finally was prescribed a medication last week to help with these pregnancy side effects, and words can't explain how different and BETTER I feel. God bless the person who invented this fabulous anti-vomit pill! :)

We are on the count down to find out what Baby Number Three is. Just nine more days! Fingers crossed that this baby will not be modest, so I'll know whether or not Clay has to repaint the nursery. While of course a girl will not hurt my feelings (I could buy pink!), I will be equally as content to have another boy. I have this Star Wars and Legos thing down.

This Thanksgiving we realize that we have so much to be thankful for: two healthy boys, another mischief maker on the way, steady jobs, great friends, and wonderful families. God's blessing are so abundant in our life. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Almost Over...

Sadly, our relaxing summer is coming to an end. I go back to work on Thursday, and the new school year starts in a week and a half. While I love my job, it just doesn't seem right to be stuck in a classroom when the weather is perfect for the pool. Too bad I can't teach poolside! Oh the possibilities...

McLain will be going into the fourth grade (oh, how time flies!), and Keaton will be headed to three year preschool every other weekday morning. They both are excited to go back to school, and I'm grateful they are.

We've had a fabulous summer filled with the beach, lots of swimming at my Mom's and friend's pools, and our traditional morning trips to White Water. Hopefully, my boys have made a lot of good memories that will last until we can do this all again next summer!