FYI

Just in case you were planning on fighting anything...

Ryan: Mom, robots are the easiest things to fight.

Mom: Oh, really?

Ryan: Yeah. All you need is a big sword or a gun to break them into pieces.

Mom: That's good to know.

Ryan: And skeletons. You can use a big sword to break them.

Jelly Beans

This happened back in March right after Andrew was born. I wanted to write it down so I wouldn't forget.

We had a package of Starburst jellybeans and Zach decided they were his new favorite treat. He asked for them often but was only allowed to have some every once in awhile. One night we had just finished dinner when Zachary did something to go to time out. I don't remember what it was, but I know that he was in trouble in his room. In the meantime, Ryan was crying a little because his legs were achy. Kevin offered him some jelly beans to "help." All of sudden we hear a wailing coming from Zachary's room. It was the end of his timeout anyway, so I went in to find out what was wrong and he informed me that his legs hurt too. Smart boy. I had to hide a smile when I asked him what we should do about it. He told me that he needed some jelly beans too. Kevin heard the conversation and told Zachary the only way he could get jelly beans was if he hopped from his bedroom to the kitchen. Zach and his "sore" legs jumped all the way there to get his jelly beans. As he was eating them I kept asking if his legs were feeling better and he continued to respond in the negative until they were all gone. I think he was afraid we would take them away if we thought they were working too soon. When he was finished he flashed a big smile and announced that he was all better.

Easter 2011

Heading Home

Here's a few pics from the hospital. I sure love this little boy!

His outfit said "Hoppy Little Guy". I love the cute froggie feet.

The boys were so excited to see him, but we got home late at night and I forgot to pull out the camera. It sure was nice to be home. Too bad Andrew didn't feel the same way. Not such a Hoppy Guy!

Baby Andrew

I knew I was far behind on the posting, but I didn't realize how much I need to catch up on until I started going through pictures the other night. It's been four months since our little Andrew was born and it feels like he has always been part of the family.

Here's a condensed version of the birth story. I went in for a doctor's appointment the day before my due date. They checked me out and of course nothing was happening any time soon. A few days later I got into that last minute cleaning mode - scrubbed the bathrooms, kitchen, vacuumed, etc. to get the house ready so it would be clean in case something actually decided to happen. Well, I guess that got things in motion. I was having some contractions here and there all day, but nothing too out of the ordinary. We put the kids to bed and I was lounging on my bed trying to rest after such a busy day. The real contractions started around 9:30 pm. I started timing them - too far apart at 10-15 minutes each. I have to admit at this point I was not very happy that we were going to have another all-nighter labor, so I thought I could hold them at bay and sleep until the early morning. Around 10:30 pm I told Kevin I was having contractions about 7 minutes apart (Nope, hadn't told him about the contractions yet. I figured what was the point unless it looked like we were in for the long haul.) We put the family on alert and sure enough the contractions continued to get closer together. We called Kevin's sister at 11:45 pm to come and watch the other boys while went to the hospital. The contractions slowed down a little in the car, but once I got out and started walking again they were back to normal, about 3-5 minutes apart. The nurse checked me and I was dilated to a 5! Hallelujah! This was around 1:30 am. Around 4:20 I started feeling pressure, so the doctor got all set up and in two pushes the little guy was out at 4:50 am. We were so excited to meet the newest little boy of the Tams family.

Baby Andrew

The oldest brother Matthew - Wasn't he just born yesterday?


Ryan was especially enchanted with his newest little bro


Zachary was not so sure

Mom and her boys

ALL of the boys. What a great looking crew!

Patterns

I told Ryan one morning it was time to make his bed. He didn't want to do it and kept insisting that I help. I told him he had done it by himself lots of times before and that he could do it again.

Ryan: Nuh-uh.

Mom: I know you can. You are a great bed-maker.

Ryan: But Mom, I need your help

Mom: I know you can do it by yourself.

Ryan: I did it by myself yesterday, but I need your help today.

Mom: Why is that?

Ryan: Because it goes in a pattern - Need help, don't need help, Need help, don't need help. See?