So I decided that I wasn't going to beat myself up over those things that I just couldn't get to or get done while trying to keep my head above water with our 3 wonderful, busy, crazy boys. But really-forgetting to take and post about the 1st month of Clay's life-that may be unforgiveable! I have always loved those cute "month" cards that my fellow bloggers pose their babies by and thought "I am so doing that with Clay" yeah-not starting out so well....sorry Baby Clay-you will have the sweetest pictures by the respective monthly card starting at month 2! Hey you are still ahead of your brothers on this one-they didn't have any:) Though I do have some pretty cute snaps of the 6wk milestone (taken immediately after I realized about the 1 month thing :))



And he also had his 1st experience out on the golf course!



Clay is getting huge! Not sure on his weight at the moment-but he has to be closing in on 13lbs or so! Its funny how we as Mom's worry and worry about them not getting enough to eat, then all of the sudden worry about them getting too much (that worry stuff never ends, huh?) He loves to be held and fed, and as long as those 2 things are happening, he couldn't be sweeter. Though we have been seeing more and more temper if at least 1 of the above things aren't happening-darn guess I will just have to keep holding him ALL the time:)
Snuggling with Daddy



With Grandma Sally



Jack finished up with swimming lessons (he passed to preschool level 3) though they said he should practice going underwater without his goggles. I told Jack this and he said" Why? Then water gets in my eyes!" Hard to argue with that. A quick video of him singing and demonstrating the need for goggles!



He is also done with bible school, he did ok and made some new friends who will be in his new preschool this fall. It prompted lots of discussions about faith and Jesus. Its hard to explain some things to such a literal child-he really thought that a man was living in his heart after they learned a song about carrying God in your heart... And then while riding in the car, we saw an older man with a white beard walking with a walking stick and Jack yelled "there's God!"
He got to go with Grandma Sally and his cousin Sara to Nordicfest in Decorah on a "big boy" trip. He did great and had a wonderful time! This is him with the famous "troll"



Quinn's jealousy of Clay has now turned into Mama love. He is always on my lap or running to find me in the house to give me a "love" He also started kissing me on both my cheeks-so sweet and I am not complaining about the extra love one bit!


Potty training is another story-I hate this part of child-rearing! Anyone who knows Quinn knows that he has a stubborn streak a mile wide, and we just can't convince him to go on the potty. August 1st is our "get serious" date. Wish us luck. He got a little "Mom and Dad" time while Jack was gone, doing one of his favorite things-throwing rocks in the river with Daddy!



Hanging out with Grandpa Stu




We had a great time in Holstein 2 weeks ago. Matt and Amanda threw a great party!



The "go-to-back-work" countdown has begun, how sad. Though I do think that it will do me good to get out of the house a bit. Looking forward to the next few weeks-Mom and Dad come to visit, picnics in the park, Adventureland and the fair!

Aaaahhhh I am so behind in blogworld! Can't seem to get the time management part of 3kids figured out yet! (or the sanity part :))

We have been busy with Jack's swimming lessons(he LOVES them) and Bible school (not so much loving it.) He has been such a good helper these last few weeks, and can sit forever holding his baby brother or entertaining Quinn.

Quinn is just a busy boy-he loves his baby but has been forgetting about being gentle lately. I think that it has finally hit him that Clay is here to stay, which means a little less attention for him. He calls Clay "Baby Clay Thomas" or when that gets a little long to say, he calls him "Bubba"
Quinn comes up with the funniest things to say. The other day he bumped into the couch and said "whoops-a-daisy" Hilarious!

Clay continues to be such a sweet baby.



Though we have definitely heard some loud cries at feeding time-or rather when feeding time is a minute behind schedule-this boy needs his food! Weighing in at 10lbs at 4 weeks he is growing like crazy. I did have to put away most of the newborn clothes-so sad...

Anyway, I figured I better get it together and post about the 4th and our great family weekend before we headed to Holstein later today, and made a million more memories to post!

My whole family was here for the 4th of July, it was WONDERFUL! The weather, of course, did not cooperate, but nothing a Wii bowling tournament couldn't cure! I think that Mariam was the grand champion, but I can't qute remember since I was having my first(and second) margarita in over 10months :)
So much fun, laughs and great food was had! (and lots of pics to show for it!)