who says girls are the only ones who dress for the holidays?

When you have a baby at the end of November, you tend to receive  A LOT of Christmas outfits!  Here are just a few that Zeke has received this year or as hand-me-downs from Kalen who was also born at the end of November:)  More will be forthcoming!

This is an outfit from Sheri Blunck!

This Santa outfit is from Cindy Floyd.  There are Santa faces on the feet and tush!

This is from Sheri Blunck

This is an outfit that Penny DeFino bought for Kalen.  It is super warm!

Zeke's first bath

Gotta embarass him when he's older:  Zeke's first bath was Thursday.  He slept for five hours afterwards so from here on out we will be bathing him at like 10pm!

On my own....

It's been a little over two weeks since Zeke was born and I am spoiled.  Since Sammy was a c-section (and all my other children have been born by c-section), Kurtis has always taken two weeks off of work and stayed home with me.  Part of it is to allow me to heal and part is b/c I'm not supposed to drive for two weeks.  It's hard to get around when you can't drive.  It is so nice to have my husband around for two whole weeks after giving birth esp. since I have a hard time moving the first week at least.  I know I'm spoiled.  Most women don't get this luxury!  But I find that when it's time for the hubs to go back to work, I'm scared out of my mind!
As of Monday, Kurtis goes back to the daily grind and I find myself now fully responsible for four kids without my tag team partner.  Now the positive is that Sam and Izzy will be at school for part of the day but even that is only for three days before they are on Christmas Break!  I will now be responsible for picking up and dropping off for school and managing the rambuncitious three year old and newborn!  Can I do it?  Probably.  Will it kill me?  Let's hope not!  Will I pass out from sheer exhaustion by the time Kurtis walks in the door at night?  Most definitely!  But I am thankful for the time I've had his help.
Allow me a moment to brag about my husband's unbelievable-ness!  Not only has he taken the two weeks off of work.  Not only did he stay in the hospital with me the entire four days.  Not only has he helped me in and out of the shower.  Not only has he taken Kalen everywhere b/c I'm not allowed to pick him up.  Not only has he done the grocery shopping and household chores.  Did I mention that I have yet had to feed the baby in the middle of the night b/c Kurtis has gotten up with the baby for EVERY nighttime feeding since he was born?!  He's just unbelievable!  He's for sure and certain a keeper and yes, I'm spoiled!  I know it!
So let's be honest..I'm the mom of four beautiful children and I have a hot and hunky husband who does way too much for me!  I must've done something right in my life to be soooo blessed:)

Today's Isabel-ism

Isabel, while coloring, "hey Mom, is this Nico?" 
Mommy: "is what Nico?" 
Isabel: "you know, Nico! in the rainbow!!" 
Mommy: "you mean 'indigo'?"
Isabel: "wait!  Nico is ingo?  how do you say it?"
Mommy: "In-di-go"

flying through the air with the greatest of ease!

So Kalen has shown a tremendous amount of interest involving Zeke. I've tried to encourage it b/c we were worried that Kalen would be jealous, etc.  Every single day he asks to hold the baby at least once.  He'll say things like "baby's eyes open" and "he likes me!"  All which make me laugh at his enthusiasm.  Last Friday Kalen asked to hold baby and I said yes.  He assumed the position on the couch with his legs sticking out and his arms outstretched ready to hold the little guy.  I stood in front of him for when he got tired.  But even as I stood there, I was not prepared for Kalen to say "I done!" and then proceed to fling his little (one week old) brother into the air!  Luckily, Zeke rolled over onto the couch cushion beside Kalen instead of landing on the floor in front of the couch!  The truly sad thing is that had this happened to my first child, I would've been mortified.  As this is my fourth child, I laughed it off, grateful that Zeke landed on the couch and I was nearby to rescue him immediately.  I'm learning quickly not to sweat the small stuff.  After all, kids are made of nerf!

Zeke the old man

Isabel says that when Zeke wrinkles his forehead he looks like an old man.  "But he's not really an old man; he's just a baby.  But he looks like an old man."  She's right; he kinda does:)

favorite sayings from coming home from hospital

Isabel: "mommy, your belly isn't big anymore." 
Mommy: "no honey, they took the baby out of it."
Isabel: "it's still bigger than mine but not so big."

Kalen: "I just miss you Mommy!"