Mad Marchness

As you have seen, all my boys have their birthdays in March. Super good planning on our part, huh? In addition to 3 rowdy boy bdays, Jeb and I have our anniversary in March. What that means is that all the boys in my life have come to me in March. What that means is that March is my favorite month. It's a crazy, busy, exciting month, but it's even better than Christmas.

Who'd have thunk it? I can see Jeb and me sitting in my parent's living room on the multi-color couch in front of the big window, the bird dive bombing Jeb's head (since he was the newbie), with a calendar on our laps. My brother and his girlfriend were there, as were the rest of the family. It was my parent's anniversary and also the day that Jeb proposed. We were picking a date. We needed a little bit of time, 6 months maybe? We check the school's schedule and see spring break on March 22nd. That gives us 5 months to get ready and time off for a honeymoon. March it was.

Fast forward 15 years and now in addition to my guy, I have 3 more boys plus 2 girlie girls to count as mine. My engaged self would never have believed that this was in store. Also unbelievable would be the absolute bliss that would come as a result of it.

Oh, little newly engaged girl. It is so good. So incredibly good. You have no idea. Just you wait.

H.R. Fluffinstuff

One year ago, we welcomed the biggest of our babies and things have been as big of a surprise every day since. It seems like when Holden was born something in the universe cracked, and he and I have been working ever since to repair it. He is a chubby cheeked, big blue eyed baby, and with every new chin or roll of leg chub came a new adjustment we made together, my Fluffy and I.

He is a soft, quiet boy, who was meant to be in this big family of ours. He loves to be in a crowd, mostly because that means he's being held, but just sits back and takes it all in. He is loving, and sweet, and cuddly, and just wants to be in mama's lap.

He loves to laugh, loves to smile, and loves to eat (anything except baby food peas. Real peas are okay, but don't mess with the baby food ones. It's a no go). He blows kisses, claps, waves hello, and also waves bye - which is completely different than the hi wave, by the way. He says mom, and just this morning started saying uh-oh. Ask him "Where's Fluffy?" and immediately he disappears with a cover of his eyes. He then reappears with a huge smile on his face to show you "there he is!".

I love my big boy. I could eat him up all day long, if he'd let me. Heaven knows there is enough of him to last that long. But I wouldn't change one thing. Not one roll on his wrists, chubby dimple on his hands, or day he's blessed us by being here.

Hudson turns 3 (although he won't admit it).

My Buster Blue is now 3 years old. But, as much as we try to tell him that, he is adamant that he is still 2. Ask him how old he is, and he'll tell you 2 all day long. Which is just fine with me.

This kid has grown so much in this past year. Too bad his tiny little bean pole body didn't get that message, though. He's my runt, and I love it. But he has learned to talk, and boy howdy, he never stops. In the car he is constantly singing songs to himself, or calling out all the trucks! cars! and GARBAGE TRUCKS! he sees. Garbage trucks are his thing. He absolutely goes nuts for them. The bigger and louder the better. And any construction, moving, or big truck of any kind is categorized as a gah-bahge dwuck. But, the real live green stinky kind are definitely his faves.

He absolutely hates it (HATES IT) when Leah plays the piano during the day. I'll just hear him loudly demanding "Boo! Get off the pa-doh!".

He still says some funny things like topper-topper for helicopter, jump-a-bean for trampoline, riggit for ribbit, and, our favorite, cycle moto for motorcycle.

He is very intrigued by everyone's full names right now. His baby brother is Ho-den Woodof; biggest sister is Agabell Mree, and the aunt he loves is Ambo Kevin. And if you call him the wrong name by mistake (or not by mistake - it's super fun to tease.) he'll let you know "I'm Hudson-no-Mitcho!". I love it.

He goes to nursery now and loves it. He has 2 men who are his teachers in there with him. He calls them "the dudes". He definitely has a favorite between the two dudes, and we have to check through the window in the door if he is there before he can go inside. When he spots the dude, he gets all excited and proclaims "the dude's home!". Then he will run inside and love the next 2 hours.

When put to bed, he must, MUST have 3 things said to him. Sleep can not and will not come unless these things are said. Love you (to which he replies wuv you), night night (nuh night), and buh-bye (whispers buh-bye).

He still sticks out his tongue when he eats. But now, in addition, he spits it out whenever a word has the letter L in the middle of it. He says b-lah-ue, and pi-lah-ow with a big sticking out of his tongue.

Hudson is a crazy monkey, for sure. He has a sound effect for everything. He loves to hang out with the big kids and manages to keep up just fine, thank you. He is our wild, curly haired, dramatic weirdo, and he makes every day an adventure.

It Really IS Great!

This was a big year for my Bubba Lubba. He has finally, no I mean FINALLY, made it to his baptism date. And he would tell you that it has taken way more than 8 years to get there. This kid has been ready for his big day for quite some time now. The only concern he had was if the water was going to be cold. He asked the Primary presidency. He asked his friends. He even wrote a letter to his cousin serving a mission in Missoura (no, not Missouri. Missoura. He's really immersed himself in the work down south). It said "Dear Garrett. I am getting baptized!! Was the water cold for you?" But no matter the temperature of the water, he was ready.

We had a beautiful day with all our favorite people. We are so proud of our Bubba Lubba, and can't wait to see what is in store for this sweet, tender hearted boy.

Bubba's Birthday

With the blowing out of those candles, suddenly my chubby, happy baby with the giant mouth and smile to match, is an 8 year old.

Harrison is my sweet boy. He's rough and tumble, for sure. And he can pull some faces that will make everyone at the table do a spit take during dinner. But inside that goofball is a tender heart that just loves to make others happy.

Bubba is smart as a whip, and loves to be his teacher's helper in school. He has some really good friends and is so happy to be able to go to scouts with them (finally).

His favorite things are Legos, reading, and the show "Wild Kratts" about animals. And, if left to his own devices, would turn into a Wii zombie. Gotta watch that kid around video games.

Happy, happy birthday, Bubba dear. Thanks for being such a good brother and a good friend. We love watching you grow, but would love it even more if it weren't going so fast.