Amazing!

My kids are just absolutely, incredibly, amazing! I know, all moms say that, and all moms are right! Anyone who knows my kids doesn't need to be convinced that they are freaking rock stars, but that's okay, it's my blog and I'll brag if I want to!

I'm going to start with Ms. Mylee. That girl...oh that girl! "She is somethin' else," I always say. Since the day she was born she has had a mind of her own. She was colicky and lactose intolerant so the first few months of her life were a complete struggle for both of us. The only way we could get her to sleep was to play jungle sounds on a CD player in her room, complete with very loud monkey screeching, at FULL VOLUME. This is how she got her nickname, Mama Monkey. I have no idea how we figured that out to be honest, but it was a life-saver for all of us. That was probably about when I realized that I had created my mini-me. She is so strong-willed. She knows what she wants and she is smart and creative and will find a way to get it no matter how many times she's told no. She's a sweet and caring child, too. My mom passed away when I was 3 months pregnant with Mylee (my mom's name was Myra Lee and that's where we got Mylee's name) and her birthday was this last Saturday. I told Mylee and Austin that it was Grandma Myra's birthday and Austin said, with a very sad face, "but grandma is dead." Mylee said, "that's ok, we can still sing to her, she'll still hear us." And so they sang. She is sassy and can have quite the attitude at times but also has a tender heart and would never intentionally hurt anyone, emotionally or physically. She is extremely smart! She reads and does math way ahead of her grade level and enjoys letting people know that she is smart.

Next is Hailey. Oh my dear, sweet Hailey. She is my sensitive child. She feels all the emotions around her. She had a boy in her class that was autistic when she was in kindergarten and she was trying to help him do a puzzle. The little boy got frustrated with her and pushed/hit her to get her away from him. A few days later some other kids in the class weren't being very nice to him and my sweet little girl stood up to them and said, "everyone needs friends and he deserves friends too, so be nice to him!" Still to this day she has no problem standing up for what she knows is right and has a damn good moral compass for an 8 year old. She's also extremely smart. She has almost finished the Harry Potter series, she only has the seventh book to read, and that's only because she got into the Percy Jackson series and it deterred her. She's currently on the third book in that series. She always gets her homework done on the bus on her way home from school and gets excellent grades and reports from teachers. She's also pretty funny. She comes up with some pretty good original jokes. She's super helpful, too. If I need help with something, she is always right there. She loves to bake and help with her little brother. She keeps her things nice and neat which is great since she's the only one in the house who does!

Little Colton James is getting so big and fun! I cannot believe he will be a year old in 3 weeks! His nickname is Evil Knievel, this child wriggles his way out of everything...the walker, the highchair...if he's in anything long enough he will fall out on his head. It's scary for sure! He said his first word the other day! He's been making the "mama" and "dada" sounds for a while now along with random yelling all the time, but the other day Bj went outside for a minute, which really irritated Colt, and as soon as he walked back in the room Colt's face lit up and he said, "dada!" very excitedly! He's said it to him a few times since as well so I am officially calling it the first word. He loves his walker and scoots everywhere in that thing. He's even gotten to the point that he lifts it up when he gets caught up on things. As soon as he gets the standing/balance thing down he's just going to start running, I'm pretty sure. He's convinced that he's way beyond being fed and that he needs to have foods that he can feed himself so we are working on that. He's a super happy baby and makes having a baby really fun and easy!

Last, but certainly not least, Mr. Austin! He is so sweet! He tells me at least 20 times a day, "mom, I love you!" He is obsessed with everything Spiderman right now and thought that he was the richest little boy in the world when I bought him two of the movies at the pawn shop for about $5. He told everyone his mom bought him Spiderman movies for $100 at the store. He is not at all shy and makes friends everywhere we go. He is pretty funny and has the most adorable laugh! He's also quite sensitive and thoughtful. When I asked him what he wants for Christmas he told me about a couple toys that he wanted and a blanket then said that he wants a rose to give to me. He adores his big sisters and misses them like crazy all day when they are at school. He learned the pledge of allegiance at school and messes it up in a few parts and it's actually completely adorable. He loves to be a big helper to mom with the housework. He really loves to hear stories, especially about Spiderman or Cars. He gets so excited over everything and it is so fascinating to me to see his innocence and amazement at the things that we take for granted.

They are certainly not perfect, but, like I said before, my kids are absolutely, incredibly amazing!! This all makes me super excited to meet the new baby and nurture and guide him or her into becoming the amazing person he or she is going to be! Even with the crappy attitude I've had lately, I can see that I am a very lucky woman and I have so very much to be thankful for!!