Family vacations

Some of my favorite memories as a child were during family vacations...all 8 of us piling into the van and driving to the beach, I loved it all...the chaos and arguing over who got what seat, the drive and scaring Uncle Jon when we went over the big bridge, daddy waking us up to see the tunnel or bridge, mom planning out the day or renting bikes or buying all of us matching OC sweatshirts, the condos or hotels or houses we stayed at, exploring new restaurants and pools, the boardwalk, and of course the beach....oh how I love the beach! The warm sand between my toes, the sun beating down, the cool ocean breeze and the smell, the smell of salt water and sun tan lotion.....those smells remind me so much of my childhood...of family vacations! And I love love love that we have the privelage of making those same memories and traditions with you! Michael and Nicholas you have both been to the beach before but this summer was little Zachary's first time, his first experience of what family vacations are all about...one he won't remember but one that will be added and treasured with all my family vacation memories.

Our 2013 vacation destination was Ocean City, Maryland....about an 8 hour car ride between us and the beach. I packed 4 suit cases for our week long vacation. I packed 10 swim suits, 2 for each of us. I packed what seemed like hundreds of pairs of underwear, shorts and shirts, pajamas, shoes and socks! It's amazing how much stuff you need for three boys (one being a baby). I packed a pack in play, a little high chair seat, diapers wipes and sunscreen galore! I packed a portable DVD player and DVD's and books and snacks, tons of snacks to keep you busy in the car. I packed and packed and packed and of course once we were there I realized I over packed and of course forgot to pack a few things too....a few trips to CVS to get things we needed.

This year we headed to Ocean city and got a huge house in Sunset Island and we stayed there with all your cousins! It's amazing how a 4 story beach house with 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms can seem so small when you have 2 grandparents.....9 adults....and 8 kids staying all under one roof! But I have to say we all had fun, and the kiddos enjoyed each other's company AND there was hardly any arguing (between the kids or adults, lol) The whole family got their pictures taken on the beach together...a photo we will treasure forever...all of us wearing our blues on the beach! It's so amazing to capture those memories and to have a picture to keep to look at to remember this vacation....we might not all be looking or smiling or have our hair or outfits just perfect but when we look at that huge family picture on the beach for years to come, we will instantly remember that year and all the fun we had on our family vacation. We will think of playing with our cousins on the beach and searching and digging for sand crabs, we will think of that beach house, we will think of the sprinklers and popsicles and going to the boardwalk and Michael's first hole in one in Putt Putt and going out to dinner and eating crab legs, and we will think of catching a fish off the pier with Uncle David and daddy.....we will all look at the picture and SMILE!

Oh what fun we had on vacation! Michael I think your favorite part was going to Froggy's and getting frozen yogurt, we went three times that week (not to mention the trips to the ice cream shop too). But you also loved and enjoyed the beach and pool too :) You were a true athlete and amazed us all at Putt Putt when you got your first hole in one ever on your first game of Putt Putt. Oh and how could I forget " Sandy" your pet hermit crab that you bought on the boardwalk....oh how happy you were to get him! And Nicholas you were my little fishy....you loved the water and you are a great swimmer, not afraid one bit to jump in and get wet. You swam the whole length of the pool a few times with your puddle jumpers on, you just floated and kicked and amazed us at how well you did! Nicholas you loved the sand and you loved picking up and throwing handfuls of it back into the ocean and waiting for the waves to run up and get your piggy toes and you would laugh and squeal and run and then do it all over again....no joke for hours you could play this "game" with the ocean. Nicky you also loved and enjoyed the fireworks display on the 4th, you were amazed with all the colors and booms and bangs! And my little Zachary, my sweet little boy you were so good and so pleasant the whole vacation...never whinning or whimpering or making us stop, you just went with the flow and enjoyed being a part of it all! You were excellent for the car ride (you truly are the best baby ever) and you were such a trooper at the beach and pool and you loved getting wet and splashing and swimming with momma! You were so good at the boardwalk and loved looking at the lights and seeing all the action, you were perfect when we played Putt Putt and so good when we went to the movies too...you enjoyed your first vacation Zachary and you sure made it enjoyable for the rest of us too!!! Daddy's favorite part was playing with you boys on the beach, he's like my biggest kid...water gun fights, and digging for crabs and fishing and swimming and playing Putt Putt right along side of you! My favorite part was just being there...being there with all of you and watching you enjoy yourselves and watching you relive my memories of what a family vacation is all about! I can't wait to go back! I can't wait to go on more family vacations with you and to make more memories.....where should we go next?!?!?

I love you all....to the moon and back 100x and even more!
Love, Mommy

YES, I have 3 BOYS

So I have 3 boys, three sweet and adorable and cuddly little boys who play sports and wrestler and climb and jump and play in dirt.... Yes I have 3 boys. Maybe I just don't realize or see that having three boys is special, out of the ordinary, strange, awful and sad.....but others sure do and on a daily basis I hear about it! It all started whan I was about 6 months pregnant with Zachary and people who I did not know would see my pregnant belly and ask so is it FINALLY a girl???? Um No! And then I would hear ohhh you need a girl, poor you, wow 3 boys,I feel sorry/ bad for you, etc etc etc. Or once I was in line at a check out talking to Nicky and an older lady asked him so is mommy having a brother or a sister for you and I said a brother and she said oh how nice a brother, how fun, someone to play with and then I said yes he already has an older brother.....her face, her words...just hurtful, oh my 3 boys she said, she said "Sorry" (for what I thought) and said well at least you won't have 3 exspensive weddings to pay for.....but you will have 3 daughter in laws, blah blah blah blah, because I turned my back and quit listening to her!!! Who says this stuff, to strangers! My six month pregnant, tired, emotional self almost cried, right there in Kohl's checkout line....I couldn't understand why people didn't see the beauty in 3 boys, why people weren't happy for me, why everyone insisted that I needed a girl or asked me at 9 months pregnant if I was going to try again for a girl ( can I please get through this pregnancy first,ughhhh)





And now that my little Zachary is here and I have my 3 BOYS; the rude and mean comments continue....I'm not sure if people intend for them to be mean or if they even know they are hurting my feelings or if they realize that everyday and everywhere I go I hear the same comments and it gets old! Most of the time the boys are good, I think I have good control over them and they are polite and good listeners in public usually...sometimes they argue or cry since thats what kids do but usually I think my boys are pretty darn good, yet I still always get "Boy do you have your hands full" by everyone that sees me ( Are the boys worse than I think, am I freak show and I don't even realize it???) Or people at stores, post office, bank, anywhere I go ask if all 3 are mine, like having 3 kids is so strange?!?!? Yesterday a lady told me that there was no doubt that I was going to heaven because having three boys must mean I'm an angel ( really having 3 boys is the key to Heaven? to eternal paradise?)Today at the park this morning two ladies asked if all 3 were boys (my face kinda scringes up now when people ask, I try to avoid conversations at the park and stores with other moms), yup all are boys and I proceeded to tell there ages and they said how I must have my hands full and for sure there will be fights and choas in my future....so that's what I keep hearing is all I can say and then I walked away...BUT really this is what I want to say...this is what I should say...this is what I think......

" Yes, I have 3 BOYS...yes my hands are full, yes I am a busy momma!!!! My hands are full of little ones to hug, my heart is full of love and my house is full of laughter!!! I am busy, busy being a mommy, busy teaching my children to be kind and helpful. Busy teaching them to share. Busy playing and painting and digging for worms. Yes I have 3 BOYS...oh what a blessing"






But then sometimes I met someone who just gets it...who has 3 boys and says how wonderful 3 boys are, how lucky I am, how fun boys can be! It seems sometimes other moms of 3 boys single me out and come and tell me how they too have 3 boys and how fun it is,they give their advice, sometimes we chat about how other people don't get it, about the comments and looks from strangers...from other moms (moms who don't have boys, especially 3 boys).

And today at the park I got that reassurance agin (not that I need it, because I know my boys are awesome but it's still nice to hear every once in awhile) I sat down on a bench in the shade because Zachary was up and the other two boys were running behind and I told them to stay close by so I could see them. And sitting there was an older man, a grandpa and he saw Zachary and then Nicholas and Michael too and said 3 boys??? (Oh man I thought...here it comes, a comment of some sorts) Yes, 3 boys I said with a smile. He smiled too and said "I had 3 boys too." And?????? I said, because usually people of 3 boys have some sort of advice or comment or something to pass along to me. And he said, it was WONDEFUL!!! And he continued on saying now he has his daughters too, granddaughters that is. And we talked about boys being boys and he told me to let them be boys and get dirty and be a little bad because our motherly instincts just don't get it that boys have to be boys. I agreed. He told me about a few of his family vacations to the beach with all 3 boys and how fun it was, I smiled thinking of our vacation to the beach this summer and hopefully many more vacations with the boys. We talked about teaching them to be good too and how his kids went to private/catholic schools and I said how I wanted to send mine to them too and how nice they are and how they teach the same values that I teach at home and how important it is to instill those values into our children. And me and this grandpa of 3 boys talked...sitting on that bench at the park. It was nice to have someone to talk to who has gone through this, who has had 3 boys and who said it was wonderful...fun....perfect. This is my life, I have 3 boys and I am happy, I am blessed, I am busy, I have my hands full and I am OK with it....I wish others would see that! I wish other moms and grandmas too would see that. How can they not, how can they as moms not see that children (boys or girls) are a blessing and the more the merrier?!? How can other moms be so judgemental? Why do they think they have the right to comment on my boys? To judge my life or my happiness? Why do they think I care what they think, because I don't!!!!!

I have 3 BOYS and it is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our family

I love our cute little family.....I sure am one lucky girl!

Firsts

I'm always sad to see how quickly the first year comes and goes, you're not quite a month old yet Zachary and I already am putting away your newborn clothes and have crossed a few "firsts" off my list. The first year is also always so exciting and fun because I get to see and enjoy all your "firsts"...your first bath, first time you sit up, first time you sleep through the night, first time in your room/crib, first dr appointment, firsts taste of baby cereal and food, first time you crawl,first tooth, first time you walk and talk and soo soo many other little firsts that are so small but still so important. It amazes me how much you will learn and grow this first year, it amazes me that I get to teach you so much and experience all your "firsts" with you. It's hard to document each moment and milestone and every little "first" but I sure do remeber them all...as we brought you home for the first time and I put you ever so carefully into your car seat for your first car ride and your first day home, I instantly remebered the first time as a mom 4 1/2 years ago buckling Michael into his car seat and preparing to bring home, my first baby for the first time and how I felt and how nervous I was for the car ride and to be home, alone....in charge of another human being!And I remebered when Nicholas was born and how excited I was to bring him home and how his first car ride and day home I was less nervous and more excited and anxious to have him meet his Big brother and to have my family all together under one roof. And this time Zachary, even though it was your first car ride and your first day home, I felt like I knew what I was doing, it just felt so easy and so right to buckle you up and wrap you up all snuggly and to take my baby home for his first day with his family :) I hope being the third that I still make time to remeber and take pictures of your "firsts" i hope I'm not too comfortable in my role as Mommy to not take the time to soak in all your little firsts and your newborn smells and smiles and coos, I hope I give enough attention and time to you to make memories of all your milestones and moments...I hope I enjoy every momnet of your first year because I know how quickly it goes and too soon you will be a toddler and then a big boy and all I will have of your "firsts" with be pictures and memories....oh how sweet those memories are too!!! :)





Your first bath was great, you were calm and relaxed...just looking around and enjoying the warm water on your piggys. It's funny how I have to share all your "firsts" with your brothers, how they get even more excited than I do to be apart of all your firsts! Michael and Nicholas waited all week for your umbiblical cord to fall off so you could get a real bath and the day we noticed it was gone, Michael jumped up and down and yelled you have a real belly button now and mom we can give him a bath!hahah! Your brothers were so excited to help with your first bath, they poured the bubbles and each got out a wash cloth to wash you and Micahel had a special sponge for you too. Your first bath was more about your brothers helping then me, it was the first time as a mom that I didn't give my baby his first bath...I had to share you with your brothers, but I sure did enjoy watching them wash you and gently pour water on you and I enjoyed watching you as you got your first bath. You looked all around the bathroom and just soaked in the time, just enjoying all of us making such a fuss about you and enjoying your first bath.







And I just want to remind you, in case you ever wonder, even though you aren't my FIRST baby...I love you just the same, you are my first and only Zachary...my favorite Zachary :) I love you all so much I enjoy seeing all of you grow and experience new and exciting "firsts"

More Love

Zachary Jonathan Schorsten, you were born on January 26th at 4:44pm...exactly 9 minutes after getting to the hospital! You are a beautiful and healthy 7lbs 1 oz, 21 inches long little boy! We have waited so long to meet you and now that you are finally here we feel like we've loved you all along, like you were always meant to be part of our family and you fit so perfectly into our lives and our hearts. For 9 long months your brothers, Michael and Nicholas, have kissed my tummy and have talked to you and prayed for your health and safety and have asked about you and when you were coming. They helped us prepare your "I love you to the moon and back" nursery and helped daddy with little projects to add to your room. We talked about what we thought you would be like and who you would look like and what color hair and eyes you would have. As your due date got closer we guessed when we thought you would come and we talked about who would get to hold you first, Michael (being the super duper big brother) was promised to hold you first, and he did and he was so proud! So proud to be a big brother again and so proud of you Zachary for being here. Your brothers love you so much, they always want to kiss you and hold you, you are so lucky to have two BIG brothers to love you and protect you always.

Only being a week and half I can already tell that you are a wonderful baby. I had a pretty normal/ easy pregnancy....the normal morning sickness that I had with the other two and really not one single problem after that. No heartburn, little back pain, no sweeling or unusual aches. And labor and delivery was well quick, real quick...almost too quick. Once my contractions picked up and got closer and a little more painful we headed to the hospital and my water broke as soon as we got to the delivery room and you were ready to meet us! The nurses called for the dr and more nurses and they started getting supplies out and one two three pushes and within minutes you were here. No epidural (no time) and really no pain because I knew you were coming and I would meet you soon and there was no time to worry about the pain. You nursed right away and you are a great little nurser, you eat until your tummy is full and you only cry when you are hungry or have a poopy diaper. Zachary so far, fingers crossed, you have even been a great sleeper....sleeping 3 1/2 stretches at a time at night and you sleep through screaming and wrestling and playing and laughing little boys throughout the day. You are a patient little boy, almost like you know I am a busy mom with two other little boys to feed and get dressed and play with so you wait your turn and you don't mind sharing me with them either.

I rember being pregnant with Nicholas and wondering how I would have the time to give enough attention and love to both of my boys, I worried about being able to love both equally and enough but this time I never even thought about it.....I just knew that there is always enough love! I have learned through the years of being a mother that just because you have more children it does not mean that you love one any less in order to love another and somehow there is always enough time to give to each one too. We have so much love to give you, more than we even know. I love you with all my heart and I know daddy does too and you are so lucky because your brothers love you too. You get kisses and hugs all day long, I think I whisper in your ear a hundred times a day that I love you, I just never want you to forget it, but I know you know it, I know you can feel the love all around you.

Zachary, I love you so much.....to the moon and back!
Love,
Mommy

Family of 5

So excited to announce we will be having another little one this winter! The boys are both so happy and excited to meet there new baby brother or sister, I can already tell they are both going to be the best BIG brothers! They love you so much already baby and they are always kissing my tummy....we all can't wait to meet you!

MOTHER'S DAY
Thank you both for making my mother's day so wonderful and so special! I thank God everyday for giving me you both, two beautiful & healthy little boys and I am so blessed and honored to have been chosen to be your mother. I enjoy every moment we spend together, I really enjoy being a mom.....I take pride in my job and I try my best to be the best mom I can! I try not to complain about laundry and dishes and cleaning, or yell (too much) about dirt and mud and messes, I always have dinner made and beds made and run and do the errands and shopping and dr appointments and anything else that needs picked up or dropped off or made or cleaned or done and I try to do them with smiles on my face and realize as a mom those things are necessary so I can enjoy the really good and fun moments too...... like, going to the park, giving you baths and reading stories, cooking together, going out to lunch on random tuesdays with daddy too, making art projects and teaching you how to spell and write, storytime, and bounce around and eating popsicles on the deck (before dinner), playing dinosaurs with you and watching movies on a rainy day. I've learned to enjoy every moment we spend together because the really really good moments are sometimes hidden between 2 loads of laundry and a sink of dirty dishes.....in some of the most unexpected moments we have made some of the best memories! I feel so lucky to spend almost every moment of everyday with you, I have the best job...being your mom!!!!

I really enjoyed and was so surprised with my Mother's day breakfast in bed! And the cards and gift cards were a nice surprise too! I love that you each picked me one out and wrote your names on them and made them special for me! And Michael your idea for a real PICNIC was a great idea! We had so much fun packing up our picnic basket and making lemonade (b/c that's what you're supposed to drink at a picnic)and eating our yummy picnic on our blanket. We were the only ones at the park, it was great to spend the afternoon together with my family, enjoying our first "real" picnic!

Thank you both for a wonderful Mother's day...mommy loves you to the moon and back!