Mom's eye view (34 weeks pregnant)

The other day the boys and I were laying on the sofa and the baby started moving. Both boys thought it was so funny to feel her "kick" their hands. I was loving the moment with all three of my kids. As my belly gets bigger, my waddle get worse and some days I'm so exhausted I don't think I'll be able to take another step. If walking with one baby in the belly is hard, I can tell you, it's much more difficult with a baby in the belly and a little boy around each leg...but I wouldn't have it any other way. I somehow find the strength when I look down and see those faces.

Suuuuperman!

Barrett and Kyle love to pretend to be superman, but I must say I think my little men really are superheroes. Those boys are growing up and becoming such strong, nice, stick-up-for-the-little-guy, fend off evil little superheroes. I am so pround of them every day! I admire them in so many ways. (I bought them these shirts last week and they've already been worn and washed too many times to count.)

Mother's Day Interview with the boys

I found a list of questions online and thought it would be fun to see what the boys answered.

Mother’s Day Interview with Barrett, age 4
I really love it when my mom does something good
My mom likes to play and sleep
My mom always tells me, “ no no no”
The best thing she does is clean up
It makes her happy when she laughs
My mom loves to relax by having a moment of silence
I like it when she takes me to Old McDonald’s
The best thing she cooks is Peanut Butter jelly sandwiches
When my mom shops she likes to buy cereal
My mom’s favorite household chore is making the Roomba go
My mom’s favorite TV show is cooking shows
If she could go on a trip, she would go to the movie theater
I love my mom because she is so smart
My mommy weighs 14 pounds
My mommy’s age is 6 years old

Mother’s Day Interview with Kyle, age 3

I really love it when my mom lays with me
My mom likes to cook
My mom always tells me space stories
The best thing she does is tickling
It makes her happy when I am sweet
My mom loves to relax by Barrett and me
I like it when she sings to me
The best thing she cooks is cinnamon rolls
When my mom shops she likes to buy groceries
My mom’s favorite household chore is big
My mom’s favorite TV show is movies
If she could go on a trip, she would go to with me
I love my mom because she hugs me
My mommy weighs 4 pounds
My mommy’s age is 7 years old

Bluebonnets

I have been a little tired lately...okay, a lot tired...which is why I haven't posted anything in a while. But, despite being tired, I am still taking pics and so here's one from a couple weeks ago...

A baby...the little boy perspective

The boys are cracking us up with the things they say about the baby and pregnancy.

Today, Papa and Grandma came for the weekend and Papa pointed out my ever-growing belly to the boys. Barrett told him I had a baby in there. Then I saw four little eyes looking hard at Papa's belly. Finally Kyle said, "What's in YOUR belly, Papa?" Ha! I love it!

Papa likes to stir the boys up and he has found that it makes them react in a big way if he says it's HIS baby. They shout back, "NO! it's OUR baby!"

The other day, Cody, the boys, and I were driving somewhere when I realized I hadn't eaten breakfast. Cody stopped so I could get something to eat and he told the boys that Mommy and the baby were hungry. That led to a conversation about mommy "sharing" food with the baby. We learned that Kyle thinks the baby in my tummy is wearing space ship pajamas which have a little pocket for her spoon. Barrett tried to set him straight, telling him that baby girls don't like space ship pajamas. They like pink pajamas. (Nevermind that he thinks there are PJ's and a spoon in the womb...That part Barrett was okay with.)

One more little funny, not pregnancy related...Today at the play area at the mall, I heard this conversation between Kyle and another little boy:
Kyle:"What's your brother's name?"
Boy: "Ian"
Kyle: "My brother's name is Barrett. What's your mommy's name?"
Boy: "Mommy."
Kyle: "That's my mommy's name too!!"

Happy April Fool's Day!

This morning I woke up and secretly made Jello in clear glasses (all I had was green, but red would have been better) and added a straw. Then this afternoon, I asked the boys if they wanted some juice. They, of course, said yes. As they tried to drink the juice, they complained that they could not get any. That's when I let them in on my joke! They love tricks and jokes so they thought this was fun and they liked it even better when I handed them a spoon!
What April Fool's jokes did you play this year?

Red Sox vs Yankees, the bitter rivalry...Little League style

On Saturday, the Starr household joined the rank and file of children's athletic competition as Barrett took part in his first Little League game! Furthermore, what better way to be introduced to a classic game than being on a team like the Red Sox, a team that has more history in its pinky than the team from around these parts (sorry Rangers, you'll get there...maybe). In order to provide the "proud Dad" perspective on the game Jessica asked me (yep, you got Cody this week folks, hopefully I won't disappoint ;) ) to cover this exhibition of mass chaos...and I mean chaos. Witnessing my first 4-year old sporting event reminded me of what scientist call the "Butterfly Effect" which theorizes that a change in something seemingly innocuous, such as a flap of a butterfly's wings, may have unexpected larger consequences in the future, such as the path a hurricane will travel. That said, I'm pretty sure the insanity I saw on Saturday will likely result in a Typhoon striking the coast of Japan sometime soon. So here are the highlights and "video analysis". Watch the videos and I'll provide the commentary. Oh and pardon the sound quality, it was a typical spring morning where the Texas wind was howling at a constant 30 mph.

Warm-ups

This conversation is a microcosm of male bonding. Boys trying to one up each other and you have to love the runneth over of confidence from Barrett's mouth. The grass stains on the pants and dirt add a nice touch. Ice it off with a couple of well placed 'Dudes' and you have a form of juvenille behavior that will last well into their 50's.


Fielding and The Ground Rules
At 4, the rules are simple. There is no score, no outs, no stikes or balls. Everyone gets to hit, field, and run the bases. Great fun. In the first inning the boys were all a bit timid. The ball would get hit off the tee, roll into play with parents screaming "RUN! --insert child's name here--!" only to not be noticed by the dozen boys standing out in the infield - picking noses, facing the wrong way, waving at Mom, or just "zoned out" as us men love to do (yes ladies, it's a Men are from Mars thing).

When the boys came in to bat, the dad's, in our attempts to rush our kids to "The Bigs" told each of them, "Ok --insert child's name here-- , when the ball comes your way, go get it and throw it to first." The result is this (BTW, Barrett is #8, playing 3rd base):



Ok, I recall being told to "swarm" the football by my middle school football coaches but not in baseball. This dog pile of oversized pants, hats and gloves became the norm the rest of the game. Oh, and for a bonus, check out the size of the kid running to 3rd base (#12). That's a 4 year old? What are his parents feeding him? Is he grain fed?

Barrett's first at bat


Then the magic moment occurs where your child has his first at bat. I really enjoyed this moment. Here is the edited version (it took a couple of "pitches" before it happened).

Finally, a team cheer led by the coaches plus some photos from Jess...