Pregnant with #4

It's been about 4 months since I have blogged.  That's about right for my pregnancy blogging breaks.  Praise His Holy Name that the funk of the 1st trimester has lifted.  It was bad....REAL bad this time!

 

Here is the new babe at 8 weeks...

 

Here is that baby at 22 weeks...

I'm sure my face looks the same, no need to see it again.  See above for reference...

 

Here is the baby in my uterus...weird.

 

Well, I have three boys already and I just assumed we may have one more.  The odds were ever in my favor, right?  Here are the little boys waiting to find out if they will have a brother or a sister.  Graham thinks sister, who we should of course name Brynn (his BFF) and Track thinks boy, which we should of course name Monkey Hat (his love). 

 

Here is my awesome homemade reveal cake to tell our community group...why I thought I should attempt this on my own is beyond me.

 

To our shock...

 

We were STUNNED.  In reality, I think I knew the Lord would bring a girl into our home at some point.  I know I need refinement in the area of "being a girl".  So now starts a new chapter of learning to shepherd another heart and an unfamiliar gender.  Honestly, I'm processing and adjusting - but I know this is exactly what the Lord has for me.

 

The due date is February 19th - so our kids will span every season.  To answer the questions you are asking...NO we don't have a name and likely won't until she is born and NO I may not be "finished". 

 

Lets Hear it for My BABIES

Hummel Happenings...

We have been "doin stuff" over here.  Coop is close to dropping his first nap, which will make us even more flexible in the mornings.  He is just the cutest, beefyist, baby ever...

 

 

This guy has started potty training...of course he picked out a "monkey lego set" that is for 7 year olds as his prize.  No changing his mind...poop is poop - his choice.

 

My oldest guy can read...legitimately read.  He is 4.5 and for him reading makes complete sense.  He enjoys learning and doing flash cards and we have been practicing through readers every day.  He loves to read so this is a real gift for him.  As a side note:  I TAUGHT A CHILD TO READ! (well the Lord did, plus help from my MIL, my grandmother and just his general aptitude) - but still many an intentional hour was spent and it might be the most rewarding thing I have ever done.  Seeing the excitement on his face and learning a lot of the rules with him...these moments and memories I CAN take with me.  It was worth it!  Next up - math.

 

Lets Hear it for Brothers

Easter 2014...

Easter seemed so late this year.  Last year, I had a fresh little boy babe and Easter came a few days after.  Any who, HE IS RISEN INDEED!

 

This year we colored eggs with the big boys.  Please someone tell me why they give you such flimsy egg holder things.  I mean I don't really want the boys putting their hands in red dye number 5 and blue 7 or whatever it is, but in reality I cant even keep my egg on the terrible metal deal, so...

 

Cheese it up, ham bones...

 

 This guy had laser focus on dying his eggs...

 

Careful and well thought out... 

 

This age (2) may be the best.  Their little features and squeaky words... 

 

 Can you just see the toxins soaking into their little skin...BLAH...maybe I will make my own next year or splurge on the Whole Foods Kit for $30 or some ridiculous price.

 

 

I miraculously got some Spring Décor up...my new trick it not to reinvent the wheel.  Find something on the world wide web I like and then shamelessly copy it exactly how it is - no changes...change does not go well for me.

 

 

 

We had our Community Group over for the Easter story, lunch and a fun egg hunt...crazy that this picture is missing four more babies...all one and under!

 

 

So excited that the hugs are getting harder and harder... 

 

This guy gets the most comments on his eye lashes...they really are long and stunning...but I think it is really his fun demeanor that draws people in.

 

Easter morning rolls around, baskets are set... 

 

Coop is up first...hey, buddy bear - you're going the wrong way! 

 

Then big bro wakes...love the miss-matched jams and Beethoven hair... 

 

I think we had to wake up the middle child to not miss the action...he is still in the zone... 

 

 

Finally made it to the baskets... 

 

Wild Success over the dollar store pinwheels or penny wheels as the boys call them... 

 

 

Also, extreme excitement about Pete the Cat...

 

Nothing new here, classic... 

 

 

Coloring whilst mom and dad whip up some special holiday b.fast... 

 

Check out the intensity... reminds me of his daddy. 

 

We had lunch with Mike's family...pretty good pic for having 3 families and 6 kids... 

 

Another great family pic for us... ha.

 

Obligatory bunny ears pics... 

 

 

Ah yes, this is very Track Hummel... love his personality...

 

All in all, Graham "got it" more this year.  He can articulate that He came to die for us and that He rose again so that we could have life.  He seems so close.  I have glimpses of the Lord drawing him in and I am thankful for the tiniest hope.  He is faithful.

 

Track really got into saying "He is Risen" which I love and he also allowed the donkey to drink from the chalice in the resurrection eggs.  He was thirsty. of course.  I would have to look back, but I think this happened last year also.  Kids are hilarious and amazing.

 

Praying for all my guys to know and live the transformation Easter brought.

 

Let's Hear it for Christ who Has Risen Indeed

RIP Landry...

Landry (I should have used this name for a human child) Hummel

May 10, 2007 - May 16, 2014

 

Mike and I got Landry as our 3rd anniversary gift..."go big or go home", so Great Dane it was.  She was our front runner to kids...a little taste of reducing our selfishness.  Over the years, she ate through the carpet, ate a bed spread, ate our dinners off the counter top (more times then I would like to count), she welcomed three boys into her life, she loved them with gentleness and protected them with her sheer girth, she walked faithfully with Mike on many a morning, she kept Mike company in his office day in and day out.  She was a part of our family...although it was "touch and go" in the love arena during some of the longer tiny people rearing days, but the reality is we loved her well and she loved us.  She was a wonderful first dog and a great companion to all five of us.

 

Some of my favorite Landry pics...

 

Eating our guest room down comforter...

 

Lazing around in the spring...

 

Here she is just a few days ago on her 7th birthday...you can see the bone cancer in her back leg...it grew from almost nothing in January.

 

This is a typical Landry/ Hummel boy pic.  Coop wont release the bone, she is fine with just sniffing his diaper, Graham is concerned about her not getting the gift and Track is in the zone.  Nothing new to see here...

 

We all said good bye to puppy last Friday.  The boys were sad, especially Graham.  So far, he is ok with the explanation of she just couldn't stay with us anymore - she was too sick and not getting better.  I think soon enough we will have to say that she died, even though he knows she is not coming back.  We have steered clear of the she "returned to the dust" convo ...so far.  I am super weird (no surprise) and don't feel like I should say she is with Jesus, because I just am not certain on the eternity of pets, although I might say something along those lines because it's age appropriate, any who - sorry pet lovers.  Feel free to prove me wrong in scripture, please.  Sweet Trackers thinks she is at the doctor getting a cast on and not coming back.  His only experience at the doc played out in puppy form...

 

 

Here is our last picture together....the way she came in is the way she went out...just Mike and I...

 

We miss the everyday...watching the toob together, playing outside with the boys, clippity clopping down the halls, scaring the delivery men, standing in the way...but it was just her time.

 

We get asked if we will add another puppy to our brood.  Maybe one day, but I think we will have more baby men people first and then when the boys are older get another Great Dane.  On another note, my favorite name is Landry - why was I so short sited when I named her (oh yes I was young and dumb)...too soon to name a baby Landry?  I mean naming your next son after the dog cant be that bad, right?

 

PS.  No I am not pregnant right now.  I'm just trying to speak another boy into existence...

 

Lets Hear it for Landry Dane Hummel

Coop is One - 03.27.2014...

Coop tuned one just a few short weeks ago.  We already had his party, but I still wanted to make his actual birthday special.  Mike cooked a special breakfast, while the big boys and I setup a few decorations...

 

 

These boys were PUMPED...Tracks face (amazing)... 

 

Around 9a, we ALL marched into Coops room and woke up our sweet one year old.  He has the best sleepy eyes and can be counted as the easiest and least grouchy Hummel to wake from slumber... 

 

The big boys greeted him with a lot of violent crib shakes and giant punching balloons.  Any other child might be terrified with all the action, but not this steady 3rd born... 

 

All of the boys looking at the camera AND smiling...a birthday MIRACLE... 

 

Celebrating with Coops favorite food...nothing says we love you like a mound of eggs in place of a cake. 

 

This is a sweet face I want to remember forever (that's what pictures are for right?...although, its just not the same as locking eyes with this guy).  Cooper has these kind eyes and this peaceful spirit about him.  He is a joyful, peaceful and easy baby (I mean he is still a baby...enter hard work stage right...).  This babe loves his brothers and doesn't just tolerate them, but desperately wants to be part of the tribe.  Praying they will be best friends. 

Of course Track was HAPPY to blow out the candle for Coop...

 

Typical breakfast craziness... seriously, this is what breakfast at our house is like EVERY day, sans décor.

 

Who knew the party hats would be such a big hit... 

 

Coop with favorite person mom... 

 

Coop with 2nd favorite person dad... 

 

Coop- I knew from the moment I got pregnant with you that you were a Divine gift.  You have been loved deeply and easily named our family peacemaker.  My guess is that you will fold right in with your brothers without hesitation.  You are easy going and flexible (two things I need constant refining for).  You are always good for a smile or laugh.  You are like a strong tower...sturdy, sturdy, sturdy.  When you started standing it was immediate and in the middle of the floor.  You have just started walking this week and it won't be long until it is a full run.  I can't get over what a sweet baby you are.  The Lord has blessed us with you.

 

Happy Birthday Sweet Cooper Seth

 

Lets Hear it for My Baby