7 Quick Takes - #8

--- 1 ---

We made it through Birthday Week!  Amelia is 3.  Simon is 1.  (And Owen is still 4...until March at least).  In between potty breaks, laundry, and cooking I have fleeting thoughts of how our family has changed in the past 5 years.  It baffles me really.  Even though there was a time when all three of our kids didn't exist, it's hard to remember that time.  I don't know quite how to say what I mean.  Having 3 kids is normal.  To think about life when we only had 1 or 2 though it did exist and was normal seems not normal.

--- 2 ---

Ok, moving on.  Maybe it's the time or maybe it's my brain teetering on the edge of sugar coma, but that first take of mine was just too much. Anyway...Halloween!  Here in Northern New York has been pretty in the forties for the past several days.  Well, temps creeped up close to sixty!  However, it came at a wet, rainy price.  It worked out ok, but the it was a bit touch and go for the first hour of trick or treating.  

--- 3 ---

Costumes!

Jack Frost

Full discloser.  I prefer homemade costumes to store bought ones. Actually, it's not so homemade vs. store bought.  I just don't want to run into several other kids with the same super hero costume.  So last year when Owen despreately want to be a Power Ranger I was a little bummed.  I was a little surprise at how cute I thought he was.  I mean, he's always cute.  I was just shocked that I was excited to see him dressed up as his favorite character.  I still prefer a less popular costumes.  Chris and I fully admit that we plugged this Jack Frost costume.  We had grand plans that we didn't fully execute.  I know for me it was fear of "messing it up".  Anyway, it's hard to see, but there is frost on the hoodie and Chris made the staff.  I am happy with how it turned out.

Ready for her school parade.

I bought this monster costume last year after Halloween.  This is an example of a store bought costume that I prefer.  I think it's adorable and she is less likely to cross paths with another kid wearing the same costume (though it is possible).  She actually only wore this to her birthday party and her Halloween parade.  For actual trick or treating she chose to be Snow White.  And yes she was beyond precious.  And yes we ran into other Snow Whites.  And no it was not the end of the world.  And YES I am neurotic and totally over-thinking Halloween costumes for these kids.

Simon was Frankenstein.  I had saved this from Owen's first Halloween.  And he was just a cute as his brother was four years ago. 

--- 4 ---

Crossfit update.  So if you know me a little you about know my love for food and doing a whole lot of nothing.  Any time I do anything health related I am good for 3 months...Then I'm not.  So I hit 3 months and mentally I was/am/was having a hard time.  I didn't/don't/didn't want to do it any longer.   CrossFit is great.  Gracey is GREAT.  My problem is ME.  I let Gracey know that mentally I'm struggling just getting to the gym.  Once I'm there is not the problem.  So things seem to be turning around.  I had a great week last week at the gym.  The WODs were my type of WODs....Then this week happened.  I haven't been at all this week!  CWOC, Halloween festivities for the kids, All Saints Day activities and mass have clashed with gym hours.  I actually felt/feel/felt like I am coming out of this mental sump.  So I hope this unexpected week off does not hinder the up swing of this slump I was/am/was in. 

--- 5 ---

Back to Halloween for a minute.  So I had plans with my friend to take the kids trick or treating.  We did.  Our neighborhood was difficult.  First, it was hard to see if porch lights were on because of how the houses and garages are laid out.  And more importantly,  only a few people were handing out candy.  So we drove to another neighborhood.  It was easier to see porch lights and there were more porch lights lit.  So I parked the car leave the hazard lights on, and move the car as needed.   Well, my van died. 

--- 6 ---

I am looking forward to November!!!!  The hope is to be in NC for Thanksgiving.  As always, we are still waiting on leave approval, and nothing major popping up.  We haven't left New York since November last year.  We have only left Watertown once and that was to Niagara when my in-laws visited this summer.  I'm looking forward to seeing our family. 

--- 7 ---

I am praying for our family right now, and I am asking for prayers if you will.  Without going into tons of details and what if scenarios, it is unclear which direction we are suppose to go.  I know where I want us to go, and I hope that is where we are headed.  But I don't know if that is truly what's in store for our family.  So yea, if you can help out with this vague prayer request it would be appreciated.  Sincerely appreciated! 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Simon is 1!

Well, birthday week has officially came to a close.  I had a post all typed up and ready to post on Simon's actual birthday just like I had on Amelia's, but it was lost.  So here we go!

Simon, like all of the little Lockharts, has been a perfect addition to our family.  His smile is contagious.

Editing props to Elizabeth DeJesus!

And his cry is blood curdling.

And his love for nursing is real!

Milk coma

He has been the best newborn, but my toughest infant to date. He loves to be held by anyone, but he is partial to his mother.  He loves to clap, take baths, crawl, stand, play with cars, being startled, and play with his siblings.  He hates shoes, socks, clothes, and sometimes diapers.  The boy does love to be naked.

At birth Simon started as large as the other two weighing in at 10lbs 10oz, but he has had a slightly slower growth rate in his first year (roughly 22lbs 8oz).  He is not walking yet, though he has been attempting for the past couple of months by standing unassisted and managing a couple of steps.  We are hoping for fully committed walking any day now.

Simon, you and your siblings have proven to be very different people.  We look forward to see what your second year of life has in store.  Your curiosity and independence will likely grow faster than your lexicon which will lead to many meltdowns. Bring it!  It will be worth it to watch you learn.  You swell our hearts,  Happy Birthday little man.  You bring us so much joy!

Amelia is 3!

Amelia is FINALLY three!!! With my boys I'm in awe of how quickly the time has passed, but with Lady A not so much.  I'm NOT complaining about this!!! But time moves at steady pace so it just seems weird that I would have these conflicting feelings about my kids' rate of growth.  I will say, I'm sure this feeling stems from her ability to communicate (and age two was a little tough...not gonna lie).  The girl has been speaking in full sentences since she was 18 months, and she hasn't shut up since :)  Really, her comprehension and understanding still surprises me.  She's a smart cookie.

While eating breakfast
Amelia: "I'm going to eat all of my food.  I'm going to grow big, big, big.  I will grow as big as the house.  And I will crush it.  And I will put the freezer in the oven."

She's imaginative.

While using the bathroom
Amelia: "I pooped my energies out."

She's a scientist

Caught drawing on the wall
Me:  "What are you doing?"
Amelia: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

She's an artist


She sings Happy Birthday to everyone (not because her birthday is approaching just because she likes the song and everyone gets a turn)
Amelia: "One, two, three, four....Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday dear (insert name), Happy Birthday to you."

She's a musician

Me: "Amelia, you're such a mess."
Amelia: "Yeeeaaahhhh!!!!  HAAAHAAAAHAAAA (in her weird honky laugh)

She's self-aware.

In the mornings
Me: "Let's get dressed."
Amelia: Growls "I can do it."  while snatching the clothes from my hand.
Me: .....
Amelia: Pleasantly "I need help."

She wants to be independent.  

Wakes up crying.
Me: "Amelia honey, what's wrong?"
Amelia: "I want to go trick or treat."
Me: "You will get to go on Halloween.  Who said you can't go?"
Amelia: "O...O...Oweeeennnnn." 

She trusts her brother, even in her dreams. 

Trend setter..notice the shoes on the wrong feet.

Favorite foods: pizza, french fries, cake

Favorite colors: Pink and purple

Favorite past times:  dancing, singing, drawing, eating, drinking, making her brothers cry, playing teacher, being a helper, watching others clean up

Favorite letter: A or O

She is a fiery spirit filled with curiosity.  She keeps us on our toes, for sure.  She is funny and kind.  She knows what she wants, and sometimes she just takes it (hide your drinks, hide your food, yo!!).  She is her brothers' biggest fan, next to Chris and me of course.  She is clumsy.  She is loud.  She is dramatic.  She is joyful.  She reminds us to pray before meals.  She loves silky fabric blankets.  She is loveable.

I am so glad that we were chosen to be her earthly parents.  She busted into this world in 2 quick hours and our lives have been blessed since.  Happy Birthday my sweet girl. 

Birthday week

Birthday week is upon us.  Amelia's birthday is Wednesday and Simon's is Saturday.  I almost feel like I should be 9 months pregnant and ready to pop.  If we are blessed with another baby I would like to give October a break...January has a beautiful birthstone :)

Anyway.  We are having a Halloween birthday party.  I suggested it to Amelia and she was all for it.  She loves Halloween.  She pick Halloween books year round.  I suggested it because it would give the kids another chance to wear their costumes.  Owen is being Jack Frost from Rise of the Guardians.  Amelia is being a purple monster princess.  Simon will be either Darth Vader or Frankenstein. I think for trick or treating he will definitely be Frankenstein because it's a warmer costume.  It's Owen's first costume too.

We are going to try am make this happen.

2009 Owen's first Halloween

Amelia showing off her costume a few months ago

I have a few goals this week for the blog.  I am going to try and write Amelia's and Simon's birth stories (here's Owen's) along with some notes about what they are like as we approach year 3 and year 1.  They are both awesome additions to this family.  Their wild antics keep us laughing, loving, crying, yelling, and cussing (striving for sainthood is hard!)  But mostly they keep us laughing and loving.  A friend posted that with each kid your love is multiplied not divided.  So true.  I hope the love keeps multiplying.  These kids, Owen too, make me want to love more.  I don't think domesticity/parenting comes naturally to me.  Order most definitely does not.  But the swell of my heart watching each kid sleeping as a newborn to putting on their clothes independently is like a drug that I want more of.  The plan for our family is being revealed one day at a time, and we will do our best to happily accept whatever is in store for us.  Right now we are blessed with 3 wonderful children who fill this home with joy.