Quotes from my Kids

Me: "AJ, what was your favorite part of the day today?"
AJ: "Well, after recess and dismissal, seeing you Mommy."
Eliana: "Don't worry about it AJ, Mommy is in charge here."
Eliana: (while Jonathan is using a drill) "Daddy, don't screw me!"

Happy Fall!

We've been busy since Mr. Marcus's birth! Jonathan and the big kids went to a campground with our good friend Jim and his family earlier this month for some hiking, fishing and rock climbing. Also jumping in the leaves, pumpkin painting and carving and of course, tricks and treats on Halloween. Check out the Princess, Wolverine and the baby Pumpkin! Oh and Jonathan and I dressed up as a Mom and Dad. ;)

Baby Pictures

Marcus and Jonathan.....the day after he was born.

Marcus 5 days old!

He's here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marcus Jonathan Burns was born September 23, 2009 at 8:13 pm and weighed in at 8lbs. 4oz. and is 20 inches long. I had seen my OB earlier in the day and was 4cm dilated. He had a feeling I could go anytime. Just a few hours later while at AJ's soccer practice I had a few contractions and knew this was it! Jonathan rushed to the field and we all got home to meet Grandma. Half an hour later I arrived at the hospital and met Dr. Spurrell who checked me out and informed me I was 7cm. So I sat on the peanut and rocked for about 20 minutes and then was ready to push. Out he came shortly after 8pm and about 45 minutes after I had arrived. Nice and quick just the way I like it! So he is beautiful and wonderful and looks a lot like AJ did when he was born. Lots of dark hair and nice olive skin like the rest of the family! So happy our family of five is complete.

Still waiting for the baby with no name.....

"Due date" is tomorrow......no contractions yet just a little pressure. I use the term due date loosely cause I really don't believe in them! At least I'm 4 cm, that's some progress although it doesn't really mean much. Guess I will just use this time to get things done and try and relax! AJ has an open house on Thursday so God maybe Friday is a good day? :)

AJ's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Here he is...the big Kindergartner! His first day was September 4th and so far he really seems to like it. The best parts so far......"Eating in the cafeteria and recess."

September Schedule

I just realized how busy we will be this month. School starts for AJ, the big kindergartner, and Eliana also starts preschool, only 2 mornings a week. She's not too enthusiastic yet but we'll give it a try and see how she does. Soccer also starts for AJ and he's very excited. Today at the playground we brought the ball with us and he was telling the other kids, "Hey you should see me play soccer, I'm really good." Uh uh, and modest too. Also the great minivan hunt continues, much to my dismay. We're hoping we get one this weekend so it can be done with! Car shopping is not very fun in my opinion. Oh and did I mention I'm having a baby in 3 weeks? That may add to the chaos a bit!

Anybody want to weigh in?

We have a little guessing game going on about how much baby brother weighs...my guess is 9lbs., Eliana's is 7 lbs. and AJ's is -1 lbs. Anyone else want to try?

Quotes from my Kids

Eliana: (when Jonathan walks in the door) "Handsome Prince, Handsome Prince!!!!!"
AJ: "I'm going to build a tower for the baby so he can knock it down."
Me: "Eliana, what was your favorite part of the museum today?"
Eliana: "The escalator."

Best Diet?

I think it's interesting the many ways people try to be healthy. I know vegans, vegetarians, carnivores and people who are always on the latest diet craze. Oh and the people who think Splenda helps them lose weight.....that's my favorite. Anyway I found this article and I think it's hits the nail on the head. Anyone who knows me knows I hate cooking but I totally agree that the absence of disease in many cultures can be attributed to eating and cooking REAL food and not all the processed crap that is shoved in our faces daily. Food for thought, no?
http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100241585&GT1=31036

Summer Outings

Jonathan has 3 days off this week! I love having him home and we've been beaching, grilling,walking, and field tripping. Here are some pictures of our fun times.

Battleship Cove

The Carousel at Battleship Cove
Captain AJ

Sand Hill Cove

Quotes from my Kids

AJ: (while watching the Today Show with me): "They show this every day."
Me: "What's that AJ?"
AJ: "Those guys pushing those flowers around." (Michael's Jackson's memorial).
Eliana: "When is it going to stop raining Momma? Maybe in 2 weeks?"

Happy Birthday Eliana!

I can't believe my baby is three!!! Here are some party pictures.

Can it please be summer now?

Things are getting a little ridiculous here in good old New England. There have been 23 days in June so far and I think it's only been sunny and warm for 6 of them. So much for "climate change." Tonight we had chicken soup for dinner and I normally don't make soup in the summer months cause it's to hot to boil a chicken for 2 hours. And my poor petunias are just not doing well with all this wind and rain. Sigh...longing for the beach and sun and 90 degrees and no, being pregnant does not make me enjoy this prolonged spring!!!!!!!!!!!!

For all you expecting moms out there....

My friend Lynn posted this on FB and I think it makes many good points!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1047180/the_lie_of_the_edd_why_your_due_date_pg2.html

Summer is here!

So AJ graduated preschool on Friday and is now a big 5 year old ready for Kindergarten in September. Even though it's been cold and rainy here I am so happy it's summer and I can't wait to get our beach pass!!!! My favorite season...sigh. During the summer I try to do "field trips" once a week and today's was to the Easton Children's Museum. We hadn't been there in a year and AJ and Eliana had such a good time (so did I actually). I would have loved to take some pictures but our camera broke a couple of weeks ago and we haven't gotten around to getting it fixed yet. Soon though, as those disposable ones are so convenient but develop horrible pictures and are totally not worth even the 5 dollars it costs you to buy them. If anyone has any other fun, inexpensive day trips/outings they do in the summer please let me know. I'm always looking for new ideas.

Quotes from my Kids

AJ: "Daddy is the best driver and you're the best passenger Mommy."
Eliana: "You're my best Mommy and the coolest Mommy."

This is a great article......

http://www.vosizneias.com/32967/2009/06/07/washington-what-obama-taught-me/

Saturday surprise!

This morning I went outside to help with the planting and AJ announced to me that he can ride his bike without training wheels. I think he's been ready for awhile based on how easily he was riding and I could tell he was very proud of himself! Amazing how kids are so cute and grown-up at the same time. If our camera wasn't broke and I knew how to post a video on here I would show you him in action.

Action-filled Friday

Today we had some friends over to play and everything was going so well until Eliana came up to me with something white hanging out of her nose. I pulled it out and it was a small bean they had been pretending to cook with. Unfortunately there was another one further up that I could not get out so off we went to the emergency room. Poor AJ was so upset, he cried almost the whole time and was so worried about her until the nurses gave him a popsicle and then he felt much better. The doctor was able to get it out pretty easily and I found it amusing that it had expanded quite a bit while inside her nose. That's what happens when they get wet right? He also said we were lucky because 90% of these kinds of cases end up going to a specialist where they have to sedate the child in order to remove the foreign object. Glad this crisis is over!

A Glimpse of Summer

Every spring New England gets a few days of really warm weather. Today and yesterday were in the mid-80's and tomorrow should be as well. As you can see we were well prepared and had some fun in the sun!

You can tell Eliana is well trained to say "cheese" when having her picture taken.

On loan from our neighbor. Thanks Litttle Jack!AJ is kind of like that kid Dash from "The Incredibles."

A Relaxing Saturday

Sometimes I think we're so busy "getting everything done" that we forget to be a family and enjoy each other. We used the good weather portion of today to cut the grass, go to the zoo, eat lunch together and then hang out outside on the deck, (Jonathan and I lounging while Eliana and AJ "painted" the deck with brushes and water). So simple just to sit there and enjoy each other's company, we need to do it more often. I learned this lesson when my dad died when I was a teenager and I guess today reminded me how important it is to spend and appreciate the time we have, not necessarily doing things but building our relationships and being together.

Quote from my Kids

AJ: "I challenge you to an arm wrestling contest Mommy and if I win I get to do whatever I want."
Eliana: "The baby's growing bigger, look at your belly Momma!"
Eliana: " Is that Chuck E Cheezits?"

Happy Mother's Day to all and to all a good night!

Hi fellow moms and the husbands who adore them! I hope you had a wonderful day. Ours was nice and simple.....church, lunch at home, games and dinner with the family. Not too different from any other Sunday but that's ok with me. AJ made me a beautiful picture a with poem on it and Eliana made me a card with stickers at Sunday school this morning. Jonathan got me some house plants and they are beautiful so I hope I don' t kill them too quickly! Thanks for being such a great husband and dad and thank you to my children for kissing me every day, telling me constantly how much you love me and all the times you've made me laugh. I love you guys!

Healthier Cookie Recipe

I thought these might turn out really badly but they are pretty good. Definitely different though since we are so used to eating cookies made with white sugar. I would add a little more oats....maybe a cup and a half rather than just one cup, too watery with just 1 cup.

Applesauce Cookies

Mix in large bowl:
1 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. your favorite nuts (we used walnuts)
1 c. quick oats
1 c. chocolate chips or raisins (we used the chips)

Mix in another bowl:
1 c. applesauce
2 eggs
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Add to dry ingredients and mix well.

Spoon onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes at 375. Allow to cool before serving.

Baby Stuff

I know it's our 3rd kid and all but I started some registries because believe it or not there are a few thins we actually need. They aren't terribly long but just a few things from each place and I figured it would be easier for people when they ask me, "What do you need for the baby?" Now I can just direct them to the lists!

Go Jonny!!!!!!!

Jonathan ran his first road race ever today. He really pushed himself and made great time. The route went right by the top of our street so we walked up there to watch. I'm so glad we set good examples for the kids and show them the benefits of an active lifestyle. We love you Papi and we're so proud!

Overprotective Mama

Yup that's me! I kept AJ out of school today. They were doing a field trip to the local library and I was nervous about the swine flu....sorry H1N1 virus. I just figure if we can stay away from public places where many people go who I have no idea where they've been or who they've been in contact with, I will feel a little safer. Just for a few days. Not to mention our incessant hand washing, which is something I have them do all the time anyway. I know, I know I'm neurotic but oh well. I planned a special art project for our time together and look how great they did! AJ's is green and Eliana's is pink.

You know your son is smarter than you when....

.....He can solve the final puzzle on Wheel of Fortune faster than you can. Last night's answer, "Buckle Up."

It's A.......

BOY!!!!!! Measurements and everything look good and we got some great pictures. In true Burns-baby-in-utero fashion, he moved almost the whole time and I had to change positions at one point so they could get an accurate picture of his heart. Thanks for all the prayers. I am always so nervous before the ultrasound and having your support means so much. Now the name hunt begins!

It stopped raining!!!!!

So what is there to do in the gorgeous 75 degree weather we've been blessed with?

Go to a puppet show (well that was indoors)
Shampoo all the rugs. (Daddy's job while we were watching puppets)
Wash 2 cars with the help of your kids.
Mow the lawn.
Fill the sandbox and clean off the summer toys.
Blow off the deck and power wash it.
Go walking (me) and running (Jonathan).
Finish cleaning out the garage.

And it's only two o'clock. Time to read on the deck.....one of my favorite spring/summer activities.

Quotes from my Kids

Eliana: "Grandma can race with us but Dave can't cause he has big feet."
Me: "Where did your bear get his stickers from?"
Eliana: "The dental hygienist."
Me: "Would you like to wear this today?"
Eliana: "Oh this will look really cute on me."

Can it stop raining please?

At least we had some fun things to do to occupy our time. Check out our cute projects.

Soccer Mania Continues!!!!!!

Signs your child is on the verge of obsession:

1. He comes into your room at 7:30 AM and asks to go outside and practice.
2. He explains to his grandmother that you need to kick the ball with the inside of your foot.
3. You come home from work to find he has gone through the dryer to find and put on his soccer uniform.
4. His almost 3 year old sister tells you she wants shin guards too!

1st Day of Soccer

AJ started today and it was so great!!!! They did some drills for about 45 minutes and then we met his coach and the rest of his team. He really seems to get it and I can't wait for next Sunday to see the actual 3 on 3 game. Now I know how my parents felt when they watch Chris and I play sports growing up.

Injury Update

Turns out I have tendinitis in my forearm. It's more of an annoyance than anything else but I can't wait for it to go away. I had a dance class tonight and couldn't move my hand/wrist very well because of the ace bandage I'm wearing and that was frustrating as well. Who knew ironing could be so dangerous! It's Jonathan's job from now on.

Happy Easter

He is Risen (indeed)! We've been practicing that with the kids for a couple of days. Yesterday we went to the annual egg hunt at church (and petting zoo, check out the goat eating Eliana's hair) and then colored eggs after dinner last night. After a great church service this morning, we had family and friends over for one of Jonathan's world famous holiday meals. Hope your weekend was as wonderful as ours!

Ironing Injury?

Twice a year I take down all my curtains,wash and iron them and wash all the windows. Since we are hosting for Easter tomorrow and I have 2 weeks off from rehearsals I figured I'd try and do at least the downstairs this week. Apparently my forearm muscles are very weak because my right arm is swollen and I can barely pick things up!!! This is very strange and has never happened before. Seriously it hurts to type. Sorry for the weird post!

The Big Announcement

We told the kids tonight at dinner about the new sibling they will be getting in September. No one cried and they seemed fine so I'll consider our discussion a success. AJ predicts a boy and Eliana thinks girl. We'll be able to find that out by the end of the month and they seemed excited about it. It got cute and funny when they started suggesting names. AJ chose "Muffin" and Eliana wants "Bumstand".......whatever that is.

Field Trip

AJ's school went to the fire station on Wednesday. We had a great time!AJ coming out of the ambulance. Eliana wasn't so sure about getting out of the stroller so we posed in it in front of the truck.