Manic Monday

Mary Colette decided the other day that the stroller was just not cutting it for our walks. She needed to be a big kid with a set of wheels of her own. 

This is what happens when one gets a bit too much confidence!

Just her pride was hurt.

Measuring Up!

 There is always one special item that all of my children have: a blanket. No one knows the value of a good blanket as well as Avery. He started off with a green soft fuzzy blanket and has loved it so much that it is now very pale and rough and perfect!

Knowing the importance of a proper blanket, the boys and I set out on a mission to find George his blanket and boy oh boy did they have some great ideas! We settled on a handmade one off of Etsy. When it came the first thing Avery said was, "Hooray! Lets measure it!" He ran and got his blanket as the standard in measuring perfect blankets.

Avery's blanket in front.

Now George's.

"They're the same size! Yay that means George is going to be my brother!"

Whew! Glad his blanket passed the brother test!

Oh Avery, how I love you and your joy!

What a honor!

It's not everyday that a five year old gets to pick out and keep the name for a new little sibling. No, we did not keep his popular suggestion of Bucket Flapper, but we are using his other one.

We, Gia and myself, were looking through our family albums (aka saint books) trying to get some inspiration when Paul Thomas walked in from the other room and said we should name our baby George for St. George. He was holding this picture up to show me. I was impressed that he could identify St. George and the name just fit. PT found St. George in another book and showed his Daddy and that sealed the deal.

Philip and I have wanted to name one of our boys after Grandpa Hoelscher for sometime now, however it hasn't been the right time or fit before now. We are pleased to be able to included Grandpa Hoelscher (Melvin George) on to the list of special people to pray with and for our little George.  

George will take the middle name Vianney as special thanks for the many works St. John Vianney is working in our lives. We are blessed to have two brothers actively discerning the priesthood in our family. Matthew is set to be ordained a transitional deacon in May and Stephen is finishing up his first year of seminary. We feel incredibly blessed to have such examples of faith and love for ourselves, and more importantly for our boys.

After visiting the Mount a few years ago I was struck by the clear influence and perpetual prayer St. John Vianney has over those men of God and the seminary. I knew he was praying for my brother and since that point have asked him to pray for my boys as well.

We can hardly wait to meet our little George Vianney.

St. George-pray for us.
St. John Vianney-pray for us.

Friday Photo Favorites

A few weeks ago I got a special glimpse into my littlest one's life. 

He was pouting because the technician used a tool that sent vibrations through my womb in hopes that he would put his hands down for a clear face pic. Now seriously how could anyone say that this little one is not totally and awesomely made in the image of God. At 32 weeks gestation, he clearly knows what he likes (hands in face) and dislikes (vibration tool)! 

These 3D sonograms are highly impressive and with the other pictures and views it is clear that our little one is most defiantly a Blaxton! He favors his brother Avery at least in sono pics.

PS: My arms are beginning to ache for you, My Love.

Created by God...

As a Mommy of a boy first I was in absolute awe that my little boy was born with both the ability to make a motor sound and weapons to defend anything within range of an imaginary throw or finger point. My boys are, well, boys. What does that mean? It means they can play all day with each other with no need for names or much communication other than sound effects... and oh goodness do they have sound effects. Paul Thomas would "beep, beep, beep" any time someone around him backed up, just like an oversize truck. Yup, makes a Mommy feel good about her rear end when her two-year old feels the need to warn everyone else around that she is in reverse.

I am blessed to witness first hand this strange and wonderful creature call "boy"; and in the past 20 months I have been doubly blessed to see its contrast with girlhood.

My little girl can and will keep up with her brothers and no matter how thoroughly "tomboy" she is, she is authentically and wonderfully female. No matter how many times she joins in with the boys she is female and God made her with a different nature. As impressive as a boy's ability to make one motor sound for a car and another for a helicopter, it has been even more amazing to watch her be social and engaging in a juxtaposition to her male counter-parts. Without prompting, she is more affectionate. We end up being the one's patted when trying to comfort her. If one of her brothers is sad or in trouble she goes and fetches their blanket and then wants to stay and comfort them. She gives the sweetest kisses and hugs. Recently, without any encouragement, she found some baby dolls to nurture at Gia's house.  Seeing these beautiful feminine traits blossom, we decided to get her a baby of her own. The other day she spent over half an hour doing this.

 

 

She changed baby doll's diaper and then tucked her in with her favorite stuffed animal. She used every single cloth wipe to ensure maximum comfort and then rocked her to sleep.

Watching this take place warms the heart and leaves me humbled to witness God's creation, male and female, unfolding in my life.

Manic Monday

What happens at Geegee's hopefully stays at Geegee's!

This little girl is determined to give me a heart attack!

She is smart too, she knows not to try this unless their is carpet on the floor.

Great combination, smart and fearless!

Friday Photo Favorites

Pictures of a new four-year-old.

These turned out to be a huge hit, glow balloons!
My nocturnal boys love all things that glow.

Four for four.

We used sparkling candles thinking to add to the effect of a landfill cake. Well...

this four-year-old was quite worried.

Blowing from a distances.

He is four all too soon, and yet he still bounces. I hope that never changes.