Christmas with the Thomas'

We had a wonderful Christmas- complete with several adventures we didn't count on.



We spent Christmas Eve with Patty and John. Our children are so lucky to have Aunt Patty and Uncle John. They love them and spoil them rotten! The kids loved opening their presents and Uncle John taught Philip a new trick or two. It was a wonderful way to start our Christmas celebrations although I know that Patty missed Candace terribly. Maybe next Christmas we'll have our girl home.



We went home and got the three little cubs settled. They were reminded that Santa WOULD NOT come until everyone in the house was asleep. Randy and I started working on peeling the potatoes we were taking to Mom's on Christmas Day when Grace appeared on the stairs and asked when we planned on going to sleep. We told her soon. I think that we finished in record time because we were excited about Santa coming.



Christmas morning came and surprise of all surprises, Grace was the first one up! She had tried to sneak downstairs to see what Santa brought, but couldn't thanks to the baby gate we had put at the top of the stairs. The children loved seeing what Santa brought and then they opened the gifts we had given them. The living rooms was packed with gifts and wrapping paper.



We got dressed and loaded in the van to head to Jan's house. Randy turned the key in the ignition and ...... nothing. The battery was just about dead. So we had to push the van out of the garage so we could jump it off with Randy's truck. Simple enough except it was pouring down rain. 5 minutes later, we are on our way to Jan's house with two soaking wet adults.



We had a wonderful breakfast and enjoyed spending time with Randy's mom and sister. The kids enjoyed playing with Hunter. We left Jan's and had to go to the hospital so Hope could have her 3rd Rocephin shot. I took her in while Randy stayed in the car with the older two.


The staff at the hospital were wonderful. It just took such a long time to get her registered, get the medication from the pharmacy, get the shot, and then wait 15 minutes to see if she had a reaction. One of the nurses said that she was sorry that we had to be there on Christmas. I told her that is was fine. I was able to leave with my baby while there were plenty of families that couldn't leave the hospital. We are so blessed to have three healthy children that a two hour stop at the hospital on Christmas wasn't that big of a deal.

Then it was off the Yadkinville. When we got there, we ate and then enjoyed exchanging presents with my family. The kids had fun being with their cousins and unwrapping presents. We enjoyed our visit there and headed home after dark.

We were just about home with two of the three children fast asleep, when we came upon some cows that had gotten out of their fence. The farm is a family operation so we stopped at the house to let them know the cows were out. I went to the door while Randy went across the road to shoo the cows out of the road and back toward the barn. Unfortunately no one was at home so I took the car and went to the next house up the road while Randy stayed with our bovine friends.

I got out of the van and was greeted by a beautiful weimaraner that wasn't too sure he wanted me to visit. I stopped walking and just talked to him and in a few seconds he relaxed and let me pet him and walk past. Luckily the folks at this house were a part of the family and were able to come and put the cows up.

What a way to end a Christmas Day! Our best gift on this day is the baby who was born to set us all free. Even on our worse day, there is a God who loves and cares for us and promises us a place with Him. Randy and I feel blessed to know this Lord and are thankful for all the gifts we have been given; our three beautiful children, each other, and our family and friends.

Merry Christmas.

Hope is 8 Months Old

Hope is growing soooooo fast! She remains the easiest baby around. She is fairly content most of the time and has accomplished several new things this month.



- She sits well by herself and loves to play with her toys. She doesn't roll or crawl because she doesn't want to. I read that a baby uses the same muscles to roll over that she uses to sit up unassisted. Hope can sit up by herself for 30-45 minutes at a time. She can roll over; she just doesn't want to. She does turn herself around while sitting using her feet and one hand.



- She eats very well. We are doing a combination of baby food and table foods. I give her table food when we are eating something healthy. So far she had loved mac and cheese, chicken and dumplings, green beans, blackeyed peas, toast, biscuts, and several others I can't think of. She does drink out of a sippy cup. She nurses well when we are together and gets breastmilk bottles when I am at work.



- She still doesn't sleep through the night:( She takes two naps during the day and does a great job of putting herself to sleep in her crib. I have mixed feelings about this. I've given myself a deadline and if she's not sleeping through the night by then, I'll get serious about sleep training.

- She is been plagued with ear infections. We have tried all kinds of antibiotics and even had three Rocephin shots to try and clear them up. We have an appointment with the ENT the 2nd week in January.

- She talks. And talks. And talks. She loves to babble and there have been several times when all three of them are talking at the same time. Randy and I just look at each other and shake our heads.

- She loves her pink blanket, Honey Bunny, and her Bees.

Hopie, we love you so, so much. You are such a great baby and we love watching you grow and change.

Hope is 5 Months Old!

Sweet, Baby Hope!

Hopie in her ExerSaucer. She loves that thing.

Philip and his sister. They sure do look alike.

How I love that little grin!

       I should be a big sad face on this post. I can't believe that Hope is five months old. She is growing up so fast and I am desperately trying to enjoy each and every minute of this.

       What is Miss Priss up to this month? She's been busy.

• Hope has been to three NC State Football games. She actually went into the staduim for two games. The third game was spent in the car with Philip and Mommy because we don't do rain.
• She switch sitters and didn't miss a beat. She loves Ms. Steph and has adjusted beautifully. Mommy is really glad about that.
• Sleeping at night is still off kilter. She has gone from waking once a night to waking twice. Both times, she eats quickly and goes right back to sleep. I think it started as a 4 month growth spurt and now its due to the amount of milk she takes during the day. 
• When Hope is with the sitter, she will only take about 8 ozs. The minute we get home, she wants to nurse and as mentioned above, she will get up twice a night to nurse as well.
• Hope has laughed and laughed this month. What makes her laugh changes daily, but she will laugh for each one of us. She adores Grace and Philip and they make her smile from ear to ear.
• Hope started talking a whole lot. She loves to hear herself talk.
• Mommy can put my finger in Hope's mouth and she will immediately start making a noise. I move my finger and the sound is something like, "a ba, a ba, a ba." She loves this and figured out how to use her arm to make the sound herself.
• Hope rolled from stomach to back for the first time this month. She only did it one time and I think it was just an accident.

    A typical day is Hope up at 5:45 or 6:00 am. Nurse around 6:30 am. Nap around 8:30-9:00 for about 45 minutes to an hour. Nurse/bottle at 10:00 am. Nap at 12:00 for about 1 to 2 hours. Nurse/bottle at 2:00 pm. You may take a brief nap in here somewhere. Nurse around 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 and then go to bed around 7:00-7:30 pm. You usually get up around 1:30 am to nurse and then again around 3:30-4:00 am.

    I "know" I should be working on her nighttime sleep, but I'm too tired right now. We are working hard on getting her naps down pat and she does put herself to sleep for naps and at bedtime. She just likes to eat.

     She weighs around 14 pounds and is in 3-6 month clothes. She loves her Bee and likes to pull it out of her mouth and tries to get it back in on her own.

      Hope, you are just so full of character. You have the easiest disposition and I am totally in love with your big blue eyes and sweet, drooly smile. Daddy and I love you so very, very much!

Wolfpack Football

Randy and his baby girl.

My three babies all together!

Notice the rabbit ears behind Philip's head!

   Football season is here! I absolutely think my husband turns into an excited five year old when this time of year rolls around. He just can't wait to get to that stadium and watch football. The first home game was on a Thursday night this year so we didn't go. However it was on TV. 15 minutes before the game started, I told Hope, "It is officially football season honey. In 15 minutes, you, me, Philip, and Grace will drop down to #2 on Daddy's priority list. Football will be #1." Of course I'm kidding. Sort of.

    We got to go to Murray State game. The kids were all decked out in their NC State wear, including our cute little Hopie. Our parking place is quite a hike from our seats so I had sweat rolling down my back by the time we got into the stands. But it was worth it. Just look at the cute pictures I got!

     We lasted until halftime for that game. Philip and Hope were ready to leave. It would be nice if I could stay in the stands are really be able to watch the game, but these years will go by quickly. At least we are all there together; One big pack of Thomas.

Hope at 4 months

Hope at Davis' birthday party!

Hope in her swing at home!

  Hope turned 4 months on August 23rd. The time is slipping by too fast. She started at the sitters the week of our Teacher Workdays and did wonderfully. She wasn't too fond of the bottle at first, but got the hang of it quickly.

    The struggle we faced at that point was getting our new "normal". Pumping wasn't giving me enough to make her bottle for the next day and I was dipping heavily into the freezer stash. Not to mention she just wasn't satisfied nursing. Having to give her a bottle instead of nursing her was heartbreaking for me. 

   I am not one to give up, so I started taking More Milk Plus and really stepped up my pumping. During the weekend I would pump after each one of her feedings and then again before I went to bed. At work, I pumped three times during the day. It all paid off!

   Randy started calling me Bessie and my supply has really gone up. Now I can usually pump what she needs for the next day in two pumping sessions and I'm able to put some extra in the freezer. 

    Hope really enjoyed the ExerSaucer this month and has really enjoyed her playmat. She loves the playmat so much, I found one just like it on Craigslist and bought it for the sitters. She still smiles all the time and is a very easy baby. She still isn't sleeping through the night, but that's ok. If it means I get to hold her and nurse her, I'm good with it.

     We adore you Hopie. We never imagined how much joy and fulfillment you'd bring to our family.

Happy 3 Month Birthday, Hope!

Our sweet baby Hope is three months old. She has grown and changed so much over the last three months. Here is what you've been up to, Baby Hope:

• You love to eat. It seems like nursing is FINALLY the way it's supposed to be.




• You love to watch your brother and sister and always smile at them.




• Your schedule is basically wake at 6:00-6:30 am, go down for a nap around 8:00 or 8:30 am, another nap around noon, and then a short nap around 5:00 or 6:00 pm. You still cat nap some and we haven't been able to get your afternoon nap to last too long in your bed. You'll sleep in your car seat or the swing for that nap though. Every night you get a bath (which you love), put jammies on, nurse, read a book, and then I put you in your bed. You put yourself to sleep and then get up around 3:00 am to eat. You have slept through the entire night a couple of times, but nothing consistent yet.




• You smile, smile, smile. It is the sweetest smile around.




• You love the Helen Oxenbury books. Especially the I Hear one. There is a picture of a baby on the last page that makes you smile just about every time.




• You are standing up on our laps. You love to do that so you can see things that are going on.




• When Daddy says, "Are you a pretty girl?" you smile from ear to ear. You love your Daddy and always grin for him.
• Your nicknames are Hopie, Hopester, Sweet Pea, Pumpkin Pie, Princess Poopy Pants, and a few others.




• Of course you love your Momma too. It melts me to see you smile at me and when you move your arms and legs when you see me. You also know how to get me to pick you up!




• Your hair is really coming in. It is a light brown color and your eyes are still blue. We think you look just like Philip did when he was a baby.




• You are still wearing some 0-3 months clothes and some 3-6 month clothes.




• You weigh around 12 1/2- 13 pounds on our home scale.




• You love your Bee (paci).




• You still aren't fond of tummy time.

Hope, you are such a blessing to our family. We adore you and thank God for giving you to us to love and raise.

A Visit with the Miller's

Saturday we met the Miller's at a place called KidSense in Rutherfordton. It is a children's museum with exhibits that are interactive for the kids. It looked like a lot of fun and boy was it a good choice.

We started out having lunch at a nice little resturant. It was fun to watch Grace and Zhanna. They sat there and talked and played the entire time. Randy and I talked later about how neat it is that they just pick up where they left off. It is like they are next door neighbors or classmates.

We walked down to KidSenses and paid our admission. The older girls seemed to enjoy the bubble room and the news studio the most. They loved using the microphone to talk and seeing themselves on camera. Abby and Philip both enjoyed the store where they could pick up all kinds of groceries and then scan them at the check out. Philip also enjoyed a climbing apparatus that went from the bottom floor to the top floor. He was hard to keep up with!

Once we got home, Grace and Philip played outside and by the time they both came in for the day, Philip had fallen and skinned his knee and Grace got herself stung twice by a yellow jacket. Talk about drama- didn't you all hear wild screaming on Saturday afternoon. You would have thought the child lost a limb. But she survived it and we did too.

Where was Hope, you ask? Just hanging out being a cutie.

Poop, Poop, Poop

   That seems to be a recurrent theme in our house these days. Lucky for you all, there are NO PICTURES.

    Tuesday, Philip and I were upstairs and Grace was downstairs with Hope (who was in her swing). I heard Grace talking and thought something didn't seem quite right. I went downstairs and found Grace standing over Hope who was buck naked on the changing table. I go into my Mommy lecture about picking up the baby and how it isn't safe, etc. and then help her finish getting Hope's diaper and clothes back on. When I got back to my bedroom, Philip says, "Mommy, I think I pooped in my underwear." He had......while he was laying on my bed. So I had to strip down the 4 year old and my bed.

    Randy was holding Hope before supper today. When he handed her to me, he asked if she was wet because his hand was wet. I told him that she just sweats a lot. We all sat down to supper and were chatting when Randy noticed a mustard stain on his pants. We're having pizza- that's not mustard! It's poop. I pick Hope up and sure enough she's leaked- on her outfit, the boppy, and her Daddy. Randy starts "eewwwing," and talking about cloroxing his hand and puts his hand towards Grace. She screams and runs for the hills with her Daddy hot on her tail. Philip and I laughed and laughed. After a baby clean up, we all sat back down and enjoyed our poop free supper. Tomorrow is a brand new day.

Philip's Mask

This past Monday, little man came into our room at 2:00 am with a fever of 103. We gave him Motrin and then listened to him talk utter nonsense for the next two hours. Yes, he was in our bed. Ok, he and Daddy were in my bed; I was on the floor. He finally fell asleep and yes, you guessed it, Hope woke up. But that isn't really a part of the story.

Off to the doctor's office we went. The front door had a sign that said, "If your child has a fever and cough, please ask for a mask." So we got the mask. Philip didn't want to wear it. It was too big so I had to tie the sides to make it fit for him.

Flu and strep tests were negative so the diagnosis was a virus. Yep, it's the third virus he's had in 2 months. His fever finally broke late Tuesday evening and he's been right as rain ever since.

Do you think he looks like a future doctor?

Hope's Baptism

You should have seen it! The wild cubs were wild and Hope slept through the whole thing. Seriously, it was a nice service and the older two did ok. Grace even got to participate by reading a part of the service. Hope looked beautiful in her Christening gown (it was the same one Grace wore) and it was a perfect Father's Day present for Randy. Here is a picture of her on her special day, just not in her gown. I'll have to get pictures of that later.

Sing It Again, Sam!

Philip and Miss Diann
Philip and Miss Mandy

Philip had his 4 year old program at preschool last night. He seemed pretty apprehensive the day of the program and told me that he couldn't sing his song. "I'm too shy." Of course, his music teacher mother kept encouraging him and telling him that he could do it!

All the kids go backstage and then come out when it's their turn. They had to pry Philip off of me to get him to go backstage. I told Randy to not plan on seeing his son on stage singing. I didn't think Philip would do it.

Surprisingly, our son came out on stage and sang not only his song, but stood in for a child who wasn't there. He was such a HAM! Randy said, "I told you he would do it." Don't you hate it when they're right.

We don't have pictures of Philip performing but do have pictures of him with his teacher, Miss Mandy and the director of the preschool, Miss Diann.

I have to put in my shameless plug for his preschool. Grace started there when she was two. She loved it from day one and I found a place where my child was loved for who she was and also where she was exposed to academics in a Christian environment. She went to kindergarten ready. Philip started as Grace aged out and he also loves this place. He has learned so much! We are looking forward to Hope starting next summer. And while I'm sure Diann and the teachers will never read this blog, I have to say thank you for everything you've done for my family. You all are a blessing to us.

Alison "Hope"

Our sweet Alison Hope arrived on April 23rd, a whooping two days before her due date. Needless to say, I was ready for her to arrive! She weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 21 inches long. The last 6 1/2 weeks have flown by.

She is the easiest baby. She rarely cries and is actually sleeping a good 5-6 hour stretch at night. She loves to nurse and snuggle with Daddy. Both Grace and Philip think she's wonderful. We can't believe how very, very blessed we are by her presence.

Bad Blogger

   I'm so bad at this. You'd think that I'd just use it as a journal and be able to keep up with all the cute kid stories, happenings, etc. Nope, not me.

    We are almost to the kid's birthdays. All of them. Gracie on April 4th, Philip on April 2nd, and Miss Hope who should make her appearance sometime after April 4th. I can't believe that Grace will be eight and Philip will be four. Time is flying and my babies are growing up so fast.

    I've hit the bad part of pregnancy. I'm old. I'm tired. And I'm just to the point where I want to meet and hold this baby. I do want her to hang on until she's term, but I just don't seem to remember being this ready when I was pregnant with Philip. I'm not as big as I was last time so you'd think I'd be more comfortable and able to handle it, but apparently not. I'm just pooped.

    But then I think about all the families I've read about who have sick children or whose children have passed away. I think about my friend who is battling lung cancer and has three children under the age of five. I think about all the folks who would love to have a baby, either through birth or adoption, and are still waiting. Who am I to complain?

     She is also my last baby. I should revel and treasure every moment. But I just can't when I get up every two or three hours to use the bathroom and I can't roll over in bed without grunting. 

      Here are a couple of recent pictures of the children. They are really getting so big.