Playing Catch Up

It's been awhile since I've updated my blog, but I have come to the conclusion that I'll get to it when I get to it.  One thing that being a mother of three boys is teaching me (or trying to teach me) is that I need to loosening up.  I can't control everything and there are only so many hours in the day.  I really do love to commemorate special occasions in our family and share current pictures of the kiddos, but getting it done is next to impossible.  So, I'll share the pictures I have on this camera. I'll get the pictures off of my phone and David's camera someday soon...no promises on when it will actually happen.  

Fall has been a great time for our family.  We've visited St. Louis, Orlando, Tennessee, and GA.  We've been able to have lots of time with our extended family as well as hang out at the house and watch some football.  David's run 2 races and 3 mud runs (and lost close to 20 lbs.).  Levi is a super sweet 5 month old.  He's a horrible, I mean horrible sleeper, but what can you do.  At least when he's awake, he's an absolute joy to be around.   He is rolling over, loves his jumper and is starting to reach for things.   Noah looks more like a big kid everyday and is really enjoying school.  Gavin's favorite toy is Noah or anything Noah likes.  He is starting to enjoy academic activities and loves to practice writing his "G's".  We have had some intense coloring contests around the kitchen table and some mean games of Go Fish!  Levi just woke up from his nap...I'll be back...

Here are a few photos from Thanksgiving.  David took half of the pictures with his camera, so forgive me for my limited selection. 

Noah dressed as a Native American for his Thanksgiving Feast at school.  

His name was Lightening Horse. 

 The Boyle clan met for Thanksgiving in Smithville, TN.  We had a great time eating, hiking, playing cards, and laughing.  Boy, did we laugh!  There's nothing like being with your family!

Noah headed out on a hike.

 The best shot I got with Mimi and Paka and the kiddos...

 Family

 I have so many precious pictures of my dad with Gavin.  He's so good and patient with him.

 Forcing a smile after a long hike.

 Two pictures of Paka!  That's a record.

Hopefully I'll share some more special memories soon!  Until then, let me go tend to a hungry group of kiddos!

The Cottage and Soccer

Every time we go to the pediatrician for a well-check he asks me if I am taking enough pictures.  Well, Dr. Stewart, I say that I am, but alas, I stink at taking pictures.  Time is flying by and Levi will be 3 months old on Friday!  What!!!  I did manage to take some pictures at the cottage and I have two (so far) of Noah playing soccer.  There were plenty of pictures taken in NY, but I have to hound the photographers for copies!

Our trip to NY was just perfect, as always.  I love it so much.  We headed up the week before Labor Day this year because Noah started school the Tuesday after the holiday.  It was the perfect week to be there.  They weather was great, and there was a lot of "quiet" time, so the kids and I were able to spend good quality time with my aunts, cousins and Grandma.  Grandma even joined in a few games of Go Fish with us.  The boys love George and Michaela immensely, so their presence was also a special treat!

The boys got right in the (cold) lake and enjoyed swimming to the raft like old pros.  They loved to go on the kayak, fish with Paka, play with George and their other cousins.  Grandma was up and about a ton this year...she even got in the lake a few times!  Levi was perfect (as usual) and particularly loved taking naps in his swing outside.  My family is super special to me and this time is such a necessity for my spirit.  I couldn't ask for a better family and look forward to my favorite trip again next year!

Grandma heading for the lake in her new swimsuit purchased for the occasion!

 The whole crew enjoying the water.  We have been going to the cottage for over 20 years, but this was my Uncle Frank's first time to the raft!

 I love the smile on her face!

 It's easy to nap at the cottage.  If you know my dad, you know he really was asleep!

Team sports have begun at the Odom house.  Noah really wanted to play baseball, but soccer is the only sport offered in the fall.  When we asked him, he said he would like to play soccer, so we signed him up.  Seneca soccer was full, so he is on a team in Clemson.  This worked out great because they do small-sided soccer, so there are only 3 players from each team in the game at a time.  All of the kids actually get to play and have contact with the ball.  He scored one goal his first game and THREE goals his second game!  David is the coach and loving every minute of it.  The season lasts for 7 weeks...just long enough!  More pictures to come!

Life With The Boys

Obviously, my blog has been thrown to the wayside lately!  Levi is supposed to be eating right now...but I'm going to let him sleep a wee bit longer, so I can update this thing!  Our days have been filled with swimming, playing Candyland, napping and trying to relax.  Levi has fit nicely into our routine!  We've moved him into his room, so we are all sleeping a bit better.  I feel like both the big boys have grown up on me over night.  They are both swimming without any floaties, buckling themselves into the car, picking out their own clothes... It is so helpful that they are independent, but at the same time, it's sad that they are needing me less.  Kindergarten is right around the corner!

I have been lousy with my real camera lately, so here are some pictures captured by friends and family!

My little fish

 I LOVE this picture of Gavin!

We visited with my Uncle Garry and his family to celebrate his 70th birthday.  His oldest granddaughter ( which I think is my 2nd cousin) is an excellent photographer at the age of 13.  Here are some of her great shots of the boys!

Happy Summer to all!  We are headed to New York in 13 days!  We are pumped and hoping little man learns to like his car seat!

 

Letting Go

My baby baby baby boy is one month old!  These past few weeks have gone by so quickly!  Levi is a perfect fit for our family, and I've (mostly) enjoyed every bit of these past 4 weeks.  I've also been spoiled rotten.  My mom was with us the week before Levi's arrival and the week after, David's parents came the week of the 4th, and then the boys have been at Cousins Camp #1 and #2 these past two weeks.  So, reality is right around the corner.  It's just the 5 of us now.  I am super excited about figuring out our new normal, but I have to admit, I am a bit overwhelmed about how it will all "work".

I am a bit of a neat freak. I like a clean house and specifically want my toilets to be clean just in case a friend shows up for an unexpected visit!  With our new addition and two rowdy little boys, I know I am going to have to let some of it go.  Cleaning will happen, but it is not going to look the same as it did 2 months ago.  The toys will not stay organized, and though Pinterest has a lot of great ideas, most of them don't factor in the ups and downs of real life.  I'm going to create some sort of schedule, but I am praying that God will teach me how to be content in this moment, regardless if my floors are clean.  I was looking at baby pictures of Noah...it goes by too fast.  God is truly going to have to teach me what this new normal looks like and that it may look different each day...but my toilets will always be clean!

Here are some sweet pics for you to enjoy!

Our sweet little man just a couple of minutes old.

The Boyles made the trek to GA to visit with Mimi and Paka and to meet baby Levi.  A fairly descent attempt of a group photo!  What sweet kiddos!  

Levi looks like an old man in this picture!  This is his favorite way to be held!

Sweet feet!

Peek-A-Boo

My Three Sons

The other group of cousins coming for a visit!

   

Baby, Boys, Bath, and Bagels

The littlest Odom was born 12 days ago on Thursday, June 21st at 2:15 am.  Our third son!  I definitely had a feeling the baby was going to be a boy, but it is still hard for me to believe I have THREE sons.  Though I don't know why I thought this,  I can remember saying I wanted all boys when I was younger.  Needless to say, Levi is perfect.  He really has been fairly content these past 12 days.  He cries when he's hungry, tired or needs to go the bathroom.  I love predictability, so we are quite a pair.  He eats every 3 hours or so, and a few nights we have stretched it to 4 hours.  I feel adequately rested, but usually end up falling asleep on the couch shortly after we put the big boys to bed!

Oh the big boys!  Both of them have adjusted really well to the addition.  Noah is still sifting through his emotions about the change.  I can tell he's trying to figure out his new role, becoming a bit more independent, and testing his behavioral limits. Gavin has been super gentle with the little guy, loves to hold and sing to him, and continues to go a million miles a minute.  I am trying to keep them somewhat occupied, but with the ridiculous heat and the new baby, movie days, the Wii, and eating are some of our favorite time killers!

David is a the champion dad!  He is just what the boys need at 5:15 pm, deals with the dog, and holds the babe when I need a break. He is the master bather too!  I can't do the slippery new born bath thing.  It scares me to no end.  David handles Levi so confidently when he's covered in soap suds.  He also cleans the umbilical cord...just like a loose tooth...I won't touch the thing!

As for the mom, I'm adjusting fairly well.  I can cry at any moment, always want David to be with me, and could eat bagels for every meal.  Other than that, I am super blessed and so thankful for my healthy baby boy.  I guess it gets "easier" the third time around...I do feel like I am enjoying this newborn stage so much and I am sad to already see him change.  I'll do a photo dump soon, but for now, my blessings...

I Can't Sleep!

Good morning all!  I am closing in on my 38th week of this pregnancy...which means I can't sleep!  I wake up a few million times a night to use the restroom, but when that 5 am potty break comes around, I am up for the long haul.  No complaints on my end...I know it comes with the territory.  This morning, I've paid bills, ordered stuff off of Amazon, sent a few emails and spent some sweet moments with this active baby.  Hopefully a nap will be in my future today!

So, in the interest of time and convenience, I'm going to go for a photo dump from my camera, so I can be caught up before Baby O arrives.  David has tons of AWESOME pictures on his camera from our beach trip, so I'll blog about that once I get his photos downloaded!

David and I enjoyed our first (of many) Mother's Day and Father's Day celebrations at school this year.  It is so special to spend that one on one time with our kids and the preschool did a really nice job of honoring the parents.

 Since Noah's birthday is in the summer, we had a "school birthday" for him in May!  The kids enjoyed the cupcakes and Noah enjoyed a little extra attention!

 My good friend Rebekkah threw me a diaper dinner in May.  We had a great time chatting about all things baby, and David and I got a great start on our diaper collection!  I am so thankful for my friends!!!!!  Notice how many of my friends have baby bumps.  There are going to be so many newborns around these parts!

 My baby boy's last day of preschool.  He'll turn 5 this Friday.  I don't want to talk about it!!!!

For Noah's birthday, we took him to Georgia Aquarium.  We will do a little pool party on his actual birthday, but we wanted to make this 5th birthday extra special.  He loved the aquarium!  I mean, the kid was upset when we had to leave. It was so nice to see him interested in every fish there.  He was a bit concerned before we got there...he doesn't like the unknown, but he settled right in and enjoyed every minute of it!

The sharks were the on both of the boys' priority list.  Noah really wanted to see the shark's teeth.  There were plenty of sharks for them to enjoy!

 Waiting for the 3D Show!

 My big boy!  Gavin was done at this point!

Our aquarium group and our family photo op!