Gingerbread House

Yesterday at Sams Club I found this gingerbread house set for only $7. I had to get it! The boys (including Shaun) had so much fun putting it together and then eating decorating it. It is definitely one of our new traditions! Hopefully the boy's skills improve over the years and I won't have to flinch every time they just throw the candy on and don't make perfect color patterns. ;)    

Totally safe to say they only wanted to eat the candy. They thought decorating with it was crazy! When they were done they asked for dessert! Oh my!

Shaun put frosting on the gingerbread man and told Isaac to stick stars on them for buttons. I encouraged Isaac to use whatever candy he wanted so I told him to be creative. So, Isaac thought outside the box and instead of giving him buttons he gave him eyes! It was funny!

What a cute little elf!

Smiling for a picture as he continues to eat the fondant!

The final product! My only regret is that I didn't have them in their Christmas pjs!

Merry Christmas from the Higgins' home!

4 months

Our little Blake Tyler turned 4 months yesterday! Can anyone tell me where the time went?! Didn't it seem like just yesterday that I was complaining about being pregnant forever!?! I really do NOT like this growing up so fast thing! Blake may be my third boy but, he is unique in so many way! Here are his stats and special things about Blake that I never want to forget!

Weight: 19 lbs
Height: 26 7/8 inches

Blake rolled over all by himself yesterday! He has been so close all week  but finally had success. What's even more amazing is that he is already a pro at it. This kid will not stay on his back!

Blake will smile at anyone that smiles at him!

He will not take the pacifier. He prefers to sooth himself with his fist. Oh well, it works!

Blake likes to grab his right foot with his right hand and to roll to his right side. Does this mean anything? Isaac and Parker are both righties but, Shaun and I, Both lefties, were really hoping to get at least one lefty!

He is easy... He just goes with the flow!

Blake chows on his hands, which makes for a lot of drool. Not sure if he's teething or just entertaining himself. Hes found his thumb a few times and seems pretty pleased about that!

It's Blake's fault we didn't go to church last week. Shaun was working and the boys slept in, which meant we were already running late. As we were sitting enjoying a rushed breakfast Blake made some... um... well... inappropriate noises at the table. These noises led to needing a bath and a good cleaning all the way down to the toes. By the time I was done washing him, it was too late. I threw up my hands and said, "Forget it. We're staying home!"

He goes to sleep at 7:30, is up at one or three (I know, weird) for food and then back down 'til 6:30ish. That's when I pull him in bed with me and he sleeps 'til 8ish. Not bad if I do say so myself!

Blake laughs every time we take his clothes off. It's the cutest thing!

When he wakes up from his naps I roll him over (he's a tummy sleeper) and he is all smiles and giggles!

He's definitely a water baby but, loves it even more because big brothers bathe with him!

Today Parker and Blake bonked heads so I told Parker that even though it was an accident he still needed to apologize. Well, he wouldn't so I put him in time out. He played the poor me card and started crying. I took Blake over to him and Blake started laughing at crying Parker. It was hilarious! Parker knew it was funny too but, he fought back the smile and continued to pout.

When he nurses he just want to "talk" to me. I find myself having to put my head up as high as I can because he wants to smile and interact. Not so good if I'm trying to rush a feeding because we need to go somewhere!

Mama's man!

His concentrating/I'm learning something new/completely entertained look.

These two have had a special bond since day one!

Our rockstar!

I, of course, missed the best and longest laughs at the beginning but, with how happy this kid is I'm sure there will be plenty more chances!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy 31st birthday to the coolest daddy in the world! When people see the energy that my boys have and then realize they get it from their daddy, they always say, "Wow! It must be fun all the time at your house!?" The answer to that is, of course, yes! There are always darts flying and bodies dropping to the floor. The acting is so good that I never know if someone is really hurt or just faking it! Needless to say, Shaun is just as tired as me by the end of the day! BUT, his boys love him and that makes it all worth it!

Some say these two look a lot alike! I'm still undecided!

No, the boys lips aren't bleeding and no they aren't wearing lip stick... It's just red frosting from the cupcakes!

Happy birthday to you daddy!

In this video you'll notice how much Isaac loves Blake AND if you watch 'til the end you'll see Parker trying to attack the camera! These boys make me laugh!

Behind

To say I am behind in blogging is an understatement. I have so much I want to share! Like, I'm having to make a list...

Like our last two trips to Disneyland...

Or that Blake is soooo close to rolling over but, gets distracted every time he tries! Wonder why!?

Or that this little cutie (that is now 18.8 lbs) will be four months on Sunday!

I want to share about the special relationship that Shaun has with his boys and how much I love watching them interact!

I also want to share real life with you. I have had some rough mommy days lately! Maybe it's because I've been trying to do too much. I love Christmas but, trying to shop while running a house and taking care of three little boys is tough stuff! Shaun's really the one that keeps us all together! 

I have to admit why I'm behind on blogging. The laptop died again... Shaun killed it this time. Yes, I take half the blame because I'm the one that put it on the floor. BUT, he's the one that stepped on it and broke the screen. Can you believe it!? I feel like we just got it back from the shop. Repairing it is cheaper than buying a new one but, it sure stinks putting money into something you already own. Especially this time of year... Christmas also isn't cheap! So, we're supposed to get the laptop back Saturday and then I have my work cut out for me! Note to me: I also want to share about Isaac's first dentist appointment, our Elf on the Shelf, the LeapPad hunt, comparison pictures of all the boys at three months, Blake's room, and Super Preggo Strength (that one sounds interesting, huh?!).

Until then, Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Tradition

 I've heard it said that you have to do something at least two times for it to become a tradition. Well, this was our third year going to see the Thoroughbred Christmas lights so I'd say we're well on our way to making this a tradition! Thoroughbred is a street in Alta Loma that is decked out with lights and decorations! The houses are absolutely amazing! We love getting our picture with Surfer Santa everytime!

Christmas 2009

(Parker was only a few weeks old)

Christmas 2010

(I'm a few weeks pregnant with Blake... We hadn't told anyone yet though)

Christmas 2011

(Parker is now wearing the Hurley jacket Isaac wore in the years past)

Thanksgiving

So, I've been meaning to post about Thanksgiving for a while... Just hasn't happened. I'll have to push pause on the Christmas season and rewind a few weeks.

We spent Thanksgiving in Arizona. I can't remember the last time we were there for Turkey Day. The week before we flew my mom out to help with the drive. She entertained the boys and I drove. Shaun took off to Glamis the same day and then had to come back home to work. He didn't fly to AZ til Thanksgiving morning. The drive there was smooth and we only had to stop once (unlike the drive home that took an extra 3 1/2 hours due to accidents and holiday traffic). My brother flew in from LA and my Grandmother came from down south. We were all together!!! We enjoyed a great meal at my sister's house!

We had family pictures taken (for the first time ever) and the guys had to carry the props. I'll post the pictures when we get them back.

Look at my parent's massive cat, Emmy!

Four blue-eyed cousins

Iso reading to the boys before bed. He had to be the one to put them to sleep. If I tried Parker would just cry when I left the room.

Cuddle time

G.G. Mom with her 19 great grandchild

My turkey baby

Parker took a few pictures. Not bad but good thing he got his own camera for his birthday.

We had another birthday party for the boys. Kyle and Ryan came over to help celebrate. It was funny because Isaac thought he was already turning five!

They were thrilled with all their new presents!

A Year Later...

A year ago today, I found out this handsome little guy was on his way! I surprised Shaun by hanging a 5th stocking over the fire place. It was hard keeping it a secret for several weeks but, it made Christmas even more exciting when we shared the big news with our families! It's amazing to think that last year Blake was only a speck in my tummy and this year he's a big, blue eyed, chunky monkey! Wow!!! From poppy seed to this... In ONE year... I'm blown away! We love you so, so, so much little man!