The Big 4-0

Tom turned 40 on Friday. We know, he doesn't look it.

 Some highlights from his special day....

I stuck this sign in our yard Friday morning while he was in the shower. He saw it as we pulled out of the driveway.

Last year I managed to sneak into his office to put up a Happy Birthday banner and some balloons. This year, however, we are down to one car in anticipation of our big move, and it is VERY difficult to sneak and do anything. So, I enlisted some help from two ladies at Tom's work. They did an outstanding job.

I surprised him and took him to KFC for lunch on his birthday. Yes, for him, KFC was a treat. Long story.... Anyway, he was surprised with an Oreo ice cream cake when we got back. He is not much of a cake eater so an ice cream cake was perfect.

And when he got home, he got to open his presents.

This was Daddy's favorite card. I told daycare that it was Brendan's dad's birthday and asked if they would make something with his handprints. Daddy loved it. 

These are Lindor truffles, and they are our favorite chocolates. I bought Tom a bag of them for his Christmas stocking last year and he made a joke that I bought them for myself. He had never had them before. He ate his first one and could not believe how good they are. If you have never had them, go buy some now. You won't be sorry. Or maybe you will, if you're like us and have a problem stopping at just one.

These two are always in the middle of everything.

We were both so full from lunch and cake that we didn't want to go out for a big dinner. We ended up running out to rent a movie and stopped in our favorite Mexican restaurant. It's small, service is always quick, and you can order just a taco if that's all you want. Well, after we ate, Tom asked me to hand Brendan to him. As I was pulling him out of his seat, my arm hit a big glass of iced water. And knocked it right into my lap. FAIL.

I know nobody reads this blog to see pictures of Tom and the cats. I'm sure my sister, especially, is ready for me to get to the good stuff. And here he is. In all his glory.

He has been SO happy since he got the tubes in his ears. What a difference. Last night was the first night all week that he woke up during the night. And even that was just long enough to get a small bottle and he went right back to sleep. He had been falling asleep holding onto his little ear. Not anymore. And this morning? He fell asleep in my lap. He was dead asleep and LAUGHED out loud. How precious.

This kid LOVES to get the remote in his hands.

So Tom said that his best birthday gift was getting Brendan's ears fixed. We are both so happy that he is feeling better. And his next best gift? Finding out Friday that all three kids will get to trick-or-treat together. Brendan is going to be a tiger. We're so excited.

Happy birthday to the best husband ever. I love you so much, and I'm so excited to begin our new adventure together!

Fabulous Weekend

At 5:50 Saturday morning Brendan decided he was ready to start his day. Which meant it was time to start mine as well. After getting a bottle for him and coffee for me and doing some (very loud) playing, we went for a walk so that everyone else could sleep for a little while. I was SO excited to have to put a jacket on us. Finally, the weather is cooling off! I have spent my last summer in Valdosta. Thank goodness.

After we got home it was time for some real breakfast, which Makayla wanted to feed Brendan. It was highly entertaining.

 

This one is not a morning person. As evidenced Sunday morning when she announced that the baby screamed "all night long" and she didn't get ANY sleep. Not totally true. He did wake up once during the night and he did scream for a few minutes until I made my way into his room with a bottle. And he was up, screaming happily this time, at 6:45. But that was it. Anyway, I laughed and told her she should look somewhere else if she wanted sympathy because she sure wouldn't find any here! She asked how I could be so cheerful after getting up with him during the night. I told her that you get used to it. And I made sure to emphasize that she needs to remember these times when she one day decides she wants a baby.

This one could sleep through a herd of elephants stampeding through her room. Literally. And she almost always wakes up chipper.

Having older siblings definitely has its perks. Example:  The baby wakes up from his nap. "Kirsten, can you go get the baby and bring him in here?"

We were the first customers at the pumpkin patch (and I use the term "patch" loosely) this year. We actually got there as they were unloading the truck.

We went bowling with our friend Mary and her four (!) kids, who are very well behaved, and a good influence on our girls. Not everyone wants their kids plastered on the internet so I am not posting those pictures. Brendan was good at the bowling alley. And the bowling trip ended with ice cream. Before dinner. Good thing we were invited to tag along with Mary and her troops or the Jones family would not have gotten any ice cream.

Makayla asked if she could ride the electric scooter and her dad told her that she could but that she had to go inside and put on socks and shoes instead of flip flops. This is what she came out wearing on her feet. It. Was. Hilarious.

He meant tennis shoes.

And then she said she was trying to break a world record for the "one leg." I didn't know there was a record for that....

Before anyone asks, no she did not bust her butt. Surprisingly enough, I don't think she has ever bit the dust while riding that thing.

This guy came out for a visit while they were at the playground.

Brendan likes the cats, although I don't think the feeling is mutual. They don't mind him unless he pulls their hair. But when he sees them lately he grins really big. It's adorable.

We had such a good weekend together. Everyone behaved and there were no meltdowns. We are looking forward to the next two weekends. SOMEBODY has a birthday Friday, and the next weekend we will be in Florida for Kirsten's soccer game. Brendan got the tubes put in his ears today. No, I did not take the camera. It was more traumatic for Tom and me than it was for him. But he was fabulous and seems to be feeling just fine now. Thank you, God, for getting our baby (and us) through it.

New Find

I was reading other blogs and stumbled upon a website for creating photo collages. Check it out.

I think I've found my new best friend.

Not Meant To Be

I uploaded approximately 30 pictures (which took forever) and then when I began to post, I lost them all. I have no idea what happened, but I do not have the patience to upload them all again. Obviously, blogging was not meant to be tonight. So all you get for tonight is one picture. But it's a good one.

Shame on us, Tom and I eat dinner at the coffee table. While we watch TV. This will change once Brendan is big enough to sit at the table and eat with us. For now, this is what we see while we eat....

Yes, Brendan, we are still here.

Maybe I'll have a chance to post over the weekend. Highly doubtful since Tom is on his way here with Kirsten and Makayla. Let's just hope that this weekend is not as eventful as last weekend, which they spent with Grandma Weber. I sure hope nobody ends up with any broken bones in the next 48 hours.