Thanksgiving Protection

We were at my sister’s church last Friday because her ward was having a Chili cook-off with a talent show. After the great food and entertaining entertainment we were in the hallways socializing while our children were playing.

Now you must remember that our 3.8 year old girl is very petite, shy, and non-violent. Our 2 year old boy is very boyish and always ready to do anything and tackle anybody. They were happily playing with their older cousins and some other young kids just running around and such.

To set up the story there was one kid in particular who was a rather large 3 almost 4 year old boy, who we later learned was the nursery bully. (And he will from henceforth be referred to as the bully for identification purposes).

I had my back to the kids, and then all of a sudden I hear my kid crying. Yes one is a boy and one is a girl, but their cries sound identical. I turned around and saw my 2 year old son standing over the bully. The bully was sitting on the floor, back against the wall. My son had the bully by the neck/shoulders and was slamming his head into the block wall. The whole time I hear crying.

So I am thinking that the two are rough housing and my boy does not like it, is upset, and crying.

So I walk up to the boys, grab my son, pull him off the bully, and look at his face. To my surprise he was not crying but had a very different look on his face; a look I didn’t quite understand. Suddenly I felt confusion as not only was my son not crying, but neither was the bully. I then looked to my right and saw that it was my little girl on the floor crying.

I scooped up my second child and asked what happened. My little girl said “daddy that boy (the bully) pushed me down and jumped on me”. At the answer my mood went from concerned/confusion to down right funny/proudness.

My son saw his sister was getting hurt and jumped into protect her.

I still laugh when I think about my son, half the size of the bully, standing over him pounding his head into the wall. This was the first time I didn’t get onto my son for being aggressive, but let him know how grateful I was that he protected his sister.

I am grateful for children who love their siblings and refer to them as “my best friend”.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Holloween Commedy

So Bella grabbed some Lemon Heads and began chomping down.

Bella Says, "Daddy these candy are making me sleepy"

Daddy says, "What?" (thinking someone has drugged his little girls candy) then looks at here and sees that she is squinting her eyes and fighting back tears.

Bella says, "Yes daddy the candy is making me tired"

Daddy says, "Oh you mean the candy is sour and making you squint, and you associate your eyes closing uncontrollably with tiredness".

We all laughed.

BTW Pics

We had pics taken of Tana if you want to see them you can email me. There on a special website that you need apassword for. Or you could just wait and we'll eventually post them. Mainly mom this is for you if you want to buy one that we're not buying.

Jee Willicers!

First, I would never kill my kids! Second, I received an email from my mother in law and it was so funny. It basically said that boys will be boys. Someone also mentioned that I should blog a list of why I love them.

Bella

1.The phrase "I want to do it." Sometimes still comes out of my mouth. Sorry mommy;)

2.Have you ever seen this child sleep. It reminds me of a pic my mom used to have on her desk. We look the same when asleep.

3.Her boundless energy isn't so boundless when she wakes up early and gets no nap. She's asleep before 9. Yea!

4.She's potty trained.

5.She has that unique childs perpective. When I say clean your room, she just puts everything on her bed. I mean EVERYTHING!

Rowan

1.He's still got that baby fat line on his thighs.

2.The sound of his voice.(When not crying or screaming.)

3.I love the fact that I can do anything with girly stuff and he wants in on the action. ie makeup and tutus and nursing lol

4.His smile. Just like his dads, melts in your heart not in your hand.

5.How he can crash anywhere, just like my father in law.

Tana

1.Who am I kidding, she's a baby the only you don't want to hear is them cry endlessly.

Nick

1.How he lets me talk and talk and talk sometimes even with a headache.

2.The way he looks holding one of our children. Especially Tana!

3.My very own pool guy. (He thinks its weird that I'm scared of water I can't see through.)

4.His beard.

5.The way he loves his job. His hugs...and passionate kisses...the way he says he loves himself too...and since I'm done with Tana I'll finish here.

Ever wanted to give your kids away?

Well I'm officially crazy now! I have found myself saying things that my mother told me way too often to count. Not only do I sound like my mother but I also have to admit that she was right. Those buggers hate me and want my distruction. They don't listen to me, they are always bugging each other and or hurting each other, and all I want to do is sleep. News update is that Bella gave herself a broken toe. Now she cries everytime she bumps it which is often enough. The nail isn't all that attatched. Maybe I should ask the doctor to remove it? Rowan now talks back and get into everything in world record speeds. I can't keep either of them occupied for the amount of time that I need to deal with Tana and am very unhappy with the way I raised Bella. She's teaching Rowan all the nasty habits that I taught her. I'd mention a nanny to Nick but he would just laugh. So I sit with Bel in my lap waiting for Tana to fall back asleep, but Rowan keeps messing with her through the crib bars.... so I'm done. Nothings new with us.

Storm Alert!!!

Had you worried, didn't I?
We are just fine. Nothing happened except getting flooded into the subdivision.
Next baby announcements are going out. I know that the family wants pics of the kids so if you would prefer pictures only let us know I only made so many birth announcements and I'm not making more;)
Also you might want to send me your address.
Other than that nothing else is going on here. Thank Heavens!

Tana's Stats

Name: Cortana Rose
Date:8-8-08
Wieght:7lbs 3oz
Length:20 3/4 in
Head:13 1/4 in
Time:11:17am
Hair:red
Eyes:blue
Birthmarks:Angel kisses on upper lip
Personality:Alert

Pics of Cortana

Marti these pics are for you! These are the dresses I made.

Pretty

I was working on teaching Bella colors today when I said we should play I spy. So I would say a color and she would find something in our room that matched. She's actually doing pretty good. Then she points to the ceiling fan and asks what color it is. I said it was gold. Then I pointed to my rings and said they were silver. Bella proceeds to lift my hand to her face and ask what the thing in my ring was. I tell her that it is a diamond. Its clear with sparklies in it like a rainbow. She then looks at me and asks me if she can have a diamond. I laughed and said if you find the phone we'll call daddy and ask him. She raced out of my room just to come baack and say she couldn't find it. I laughed at the innocense of my 3 yr olds eyes as she looked at me and then admired my ring again for all of 2 seconds before asking for some candy. Something she probably thought she could get right away.

Induction info!!!

Don't call us, we'll call you! Haha, Sorry about the joke. My induction has been scheduled for the 8th but one of my doctors has been out of town for a month and they wish to dicuss this date to make sure the baby is mature enough. So if your not called on the 8th with good news then you will most definitly be called on the 15th. Yes I know a whole nother week but I think it would be cute if all my children are born on Fridays...don't you? As to the sex Nick still is guessing so no telling! Now advice on how to get this thing to stop moving so I can sleep. Please and Thank you to all of you who read this thing.

Hot in Here...So take off all your clothes...

Yesterday the YW/YM had a great activity at Ichnetucne. We decided to go bc this was the first time we would see Nick in a week. He's been helping DT and Alicia with bathroom remodeling. So we wake at the butt crack of dawn... btw no one is up then, we proceed with kids in tow to the function, and I have to say it ROCKED! We got to spend time lounging in a boat and I actually got out once or twice. It was great for the kids too! Bel actually ventured out of the boat and only had one scare. Ro litterally slept off and on for the first hour and then conked out and nearly mooned everyone in the process. His swimmy was ripped down one side. It was so cute. Nick found out just what the kids look like when they go out for fun in the sun. In which a pic is coming soon. But I am a paranoid mom. So said pic looks kinda like this Ro with sunglasses and hat and life preserver with crocs and a swimmy. Bel with life preserver and bathingsuit with hat. We forgot her sunglasses at home. Me on the other hand slathering said kids in sunscreen and trying to get myself covered as well. Nick was a good sport and made a joke about it. We found out that Ro while adventurous in a pool didn't really like the cold water. He only got in a couple of times and if you can imagine the shocked look of a baby, you know what he looked like. Bel just liked looing out of the boat and riding daddy's back. Of course upon arriving home we saw just how sun burned we all were. Ro is slightly pink. But it doesn't seem to bother him. Bel is tan, we're still wondering who's kid she is. Nick has some pink about everywhere but his back is the worst. I on the other hand look like some weird mutant. I'm bright red on my knees and a lighter shade on my the rest of my legs, my arms arm somewhat tan with a slight pink hue. My nose is of course the worst and is one shiny becon for Santa and my chest and back have that weird tan pink color as well. We, as in me and Nick are bothered and therefore are using aloe. While I have put it on Ro, he's just amused that I'm putting something on him. Otherwise we will overcome this short lived obsticale. On a short note Ro is up and wants to be held so I'll say adeau and proceed to bed. If curious ask how the sleeping went after ich.

Just another week!

Nick thinks he knows the sex...still don't tell! He wants to be surprised. We haven't done much other than paint the living room. The baby has finally turned head down. Yea!!!!! Actually I gotten to where the weight up front gives me rib cramps and back aches so that I have to lay down or bend over to relax. Nicks just getting over a virus and had to endure scout camp with it. EWWWWWW! But I think he'll make it. Otherwise my babyshower/birthday party went well. Almost noone came but that was ok I wasn't expecting that many. Got Diapers???? Yeah!!! Nothings happening on my birthday but seeing you mom! We hope that everything goes well this next month so that Nick can have time to study for the PE and I can take care of the kids. Also we'd like to say a warm goodbye to the Mechams. We love you guys come back and visit! Marti your in our prayers we hope you have gotten better and that you are able to be the great mom again. Mom we hope you get back on your feet enough to do a jig. Rumor has it that Wendy's on the move...welcome back. David you poor schumck you all alone for a month...enjoy your vacation! Otherwise pics are pending of me preggers cuz I'm just that darn picky about pictures of me.

Baby shower Announcement

It will be held at my house at 11 am on the 21st of June. Thats this month. I'm registered at babys r us. If you don't know what to get try diapers I like pampers swadlers. And try different sizes especially after size one we like huggies. We don't care which kind of wipes we get this time. If you want to buy clothes and know the sex feel free. I don't care what size you get although I know we're short on 6m and 9m clothes. If you want to get Ro anything he's a size 2t and needs dress clothes or Bel she's a size 3t or 4t and needs plain colored t shirts. Other than that YOU DON'T HAVE TO BRING A GIFT! IT IS NOT REQUIRED! I will be pleased enough if you bring yourselves. Feel free to car pool although there is plenty of parking and you can bring your children. Thank you Alicia you are da bom!

and yet another week goes by

Nothing new happening in our house but the usual. Ro's interested in the potty. Bella's interested in being a victim of Ro's invasion of her bubble. And I am still preggers and ready to live some place cold. All my tests came back normal and the baby is not yet head down. Give it a few weeks. Nick is ready to get rid of his car. And we're all doing okay. Of course a little more sleep would be nice and a little less mess would be nice but you can only hope for so much. So tata for now loved ones!

Quiz Time!

A-Attached or Single? Attched for 5 years woohoo!

B-Best Friend? Alicia

C-Cake or Pie?- why not both?!

D-Day of Choice? saturday nick cleans

E-Essential Item? diapers

F- Favorite color? clear

G-Gummy Bears or Worms? bears of course I like mutalating them

H-Hometown? Jax

I-Favorite Indulgence? my mom scratching my back

J-January or July? Jan its Bels bday

K-Kids? One girl-Bel One boy-Ro One on the way

L-Life isn't complete without? someone to listen to me complain

M-Marriage Date? May 22, 2003

N-Number of brothers and sisters? 3 sisters 2 brothers 1 half brother

O-Oranges or Apples? apples with caramel dip

P-Phobia and Fears? anything to do with my kids and rape

Q-Quote? "He didn't say it would be easy he said it would be hard."

R-Reason to smile? When Nick tells me I can spend money on just me or the kids.

S-Season of choice? Winter its cuddle weather.

T-Take a moment or smell the roses? Take a loooong moment

U-Unknown fact about me? I don't like to be wet unless its all over. Pool time!

V-Vegetable? aspearagus

W-Worst habit? LAZY!!!!

Y-Your favorite food? Larrys animal, stuff crust pizza, pasta,applebees oriental salad and onion peels, oreos double stuffed, milky ways...and the list just goes on cuz I'm pregs

Z-Zodiac Sign? cancer

Baby Names

Since the question has been asked I will tell (this is Nick by the way). If it is a boy we are naming it after our fathers, Charles Robert.

If it is a girl we have two names we like, we have recently switched but these two are in the running: Katharine Cortana or Cortana Rose.

Nick has changed his mind...I think?

This month was our 5 year anniversary and we enjoyed a night out at the towncenter thanks to my mom (she baby-sat). I also will pass the 30 week mark in my pregnancy and am looking forward to a little teeny tiny body to love on. If you don't know my kids are way over the "love on me mom" stage. Now its just "love me when I want it mom". Ungrateful heathens I tell you. I had more blood tests done and am awaiting the results. We also bought bunk beds for the kids room and painted it yellow (the room was painted not the bunkbeds, dangling participle).
Now Nick tells me that he thinks its wiser for us to refinance and stay in this house then move. Although there is a house for sale thats big enough and would hold us until the kids are gone or we have the money to move. Who knows? With the market the way it is refi'ing would be cheaper and less of a hassle. But I still want to finish decorating this house.
Other than that my birthday is coming up...hint hint I want a pedi huney (you mean honey, right sugs), and I thought we could have a paint party! Yea!!! Just kidding we're painting this weeekend, Unfortunatly (but we painted last weekend). BTW on one last note I am registered at Babies R Us and I didn't need anything expensive unless someone wants to buy us living room furniture or a new closet (how do you buy a closet?) for the kids, so feel free to look and or tell me I'm out of luck! HaHa!!! I don't expect gifts this time around but just remember guys diapers are always needed! Especially since I will have 3 in them.

"another week at the banner household"

I have made it to my 6th month of pregnancy and have yet to reveal the sex of the baby. Woo Hoo!!! Everything is ok and I go to yet another doctors apt tomorrow, btw Nick apparently they had to reschedule for a delivery yesterday. I should get my shot in the tukkus next month and have to take more blood tests as well. Yea. The baby is active and never happy to stay away from my bladder. On the other hand Rowan has burned his finger, the reason is he was testing the stove top. He learned his lesson and hasn't been back since. Bella misses daddy so much and asks when he's coming home everyday. Its real cute.
The revelation of this week or month is I have to spend on average 110 dollars every 3 weeks on just diapers. Man oh man... Nick needs to potty train Rowan. Any tips on potty training little boys? He doesn't seem to get that he has to aim at the toilet...tmi it must run in the family. HaHa hon love you and I'm just kidding.

Moving???

As to the many questions from friends who don't live right next door. The answer is yes we are moving. We are preparing our house for next spring. Which gives us plenty of time to adjust to 3 children and the PE exam(which is in Oct). Which Nick WILL pass the first time. Nick wants a shorter commute which is the whole of it. I could care less I just want whats cheapest but I wouldn't mind a new home either. We wont stay in the Atlantic Ward, Sorry Atlantians, but its just not possible for the area in which Nick got relocated(by South Baptist Hospital). So there is the jist we hope that we can stay in touch with our friends and that they understand.

why does everyone want to know the sex of the baby?

I have recently attended a friends baby shower in which I didn't know the sex of said baby until I walked in the door. So it struck me odd that as a mom of soon to be 3 why people ask if you know the sex of your baby? It occurred to me that most people ask but its used more in a conversational way to chit chat. Soo if your not buying me a gift thats geared towards the sex why should it matter if you know anyway? Am I making sense? I don't want to be mean but I did happen to ponder on this for all of a few seconds. I needed to think about something other than buying a new house! AWWWWW anyone else want to pull out my hair for me? Oh btw Nick still doesn't know....YEA me! I sooo rock!!!

Pegs sewing 101

hi everybody! for those of you who care or are curious(Marti) I started working on the kids shorts for summer pj bottoms and 3 dresses. everything is sew easy stuff and I'll post pics if you want to see them. BTW the fancy dress is done and so is the jumper but someone decided to eat chocolate and wear it to. Pics will be on the way as soon as I get it out.

He Speaks Out

Ha, I have hacked into the Blog and I will say something. Well we get to have another kid. And per the last Blog, my Sug’s (nickname for wife) is keeping it a secret from me. The story behind this is when she first got pregnant she decided she wanted to be surprised at birth. We have a girl and a boy already so we are prepared. Well a few weeks before we found out the gender, Sug’s started acting like a kid a few days before Christmas. She decided she could not wait and decided to find out. Basically she wants a girl and didn’t want to be disappointed at delivery.

With that I decided it would be fun not to know and see if she could keep it a secret from me. So every time someone asks to know the gender, I have to leave the room, and she goes through the spill of making sure they don’t tell me. I understand there are some people she won’t tell because they would tell me. So I am having a kid, a boy or a girl. To me it doesn’t matter which because I like both my kids now and I am sure I will like whatever we get.

We have names for both picked out but due to the privacy of the internet I will not reveal their names, we will send out birth announcements (probably) and will fill you in then.

Peace
~the man

Hi yall see what we've been up to!

This past week I was able to keep the secret of the sex of baby#3. Another 18 weeks to go. Anyone going to bet I can keep a secret? I also have gotten ready to make 3 dresses and tons of shorts for Kid 1. Other than that just active somersaults and booboos or owies. Kid 2 going to have a black toe nail again! Umm...we have been thinking of moving but we are still on the fence as to what will be better for us family and money wise. Mostly money wise! If you have an opinion please share we're very open to suggestions right now. Since we have about a year and a half left to make up our minds.