Surprise!

Well, hello there! I know this may come as a surprise, seeing it has been about 14 months since I last updated this blog. As thoughts of abandoning this blog swirled through my head, I decided to read some old posts. I had completely forgotten a lot of things written, those things I thought at the time I would remember forever. Thankfully, those sweet memories of my kids remain here.
As the Burns' family rounds a new corner in this life, I thought it would be a good time to start blogging. So, to my faithful readers (Lindsey), I'm back!

Tonight is the very first "school night" in the Burns' home. My emotions are all over the place about my little girl going to school. We went to kindergarten orientation this morning and I must say, it was overwhelming, to say the least. I'm worried about not having her with me all the time. Her walking alone into school. Her being one of 23 children. Little does Addison know, I'm freaking out!

Henry has also hit a wonderful milestone this week: he is potty trained!!! This guy has done unbelievably well. At first, he cried and cried that he didn't want to wear "panties," we soon got him in his undies and clarified with him that boys do not wear panties but "underwear." With a bribe over a dragon, he hasn't turned back. We started last Wednesday and one week later, I am happy to report we haven't even had an accident since Saturday! I don't know if there is anything cuter than walking past the bathroom and him standing there peeing with his "gun."

My little Finn (who has only made one appearance in this blog, don't worry, this little man could fill up days and days of posts!) is getting so big. While Henry is our "bear" Finley is our "monkey." This baby has been the most perfect little baby in the world. He is happy and content (unless he is hungry!). He started crawling at about 5 and a half months and was walking at 9 and a half. He is now the most experienced and talented climber in the house! He finally is sleeping through the night, much to our joy.

So my three goals for this summer have been completed: Get Henry potty trained; wean Finn; and get Addison ready for school. Now it is on to the next chapter...

Finley Andrew

It has been almost six weeks since our peanut was born. Finley Andrew weighed 6'8 and was 19.5 inches. The first thing we heard when he was born was, "we've got a red head!" I was really nervous about his delivery, but the day he was born the Lord gave me a verse that said, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him." I must say, His presence was extrodinaily there when Finley was born. His peace and presence made the c-section one that I will back on with thankfulness and joy.
Oh my, this baby is more than cute (I know I'm partial!). He is beautiful. I was instantly in love with his red hair, and am sad each day as it falls out even more. I keep examining his bald little head hoping to see if the red hair is returning. So far, he has been exceptionally easy. He never had any problems nursing and sleeps like a hibernating cub.
He smiled for the first time at Andy and then Addison last week. Addison was thrilled and now says that he smiles at her all the time. Her favorite part of that day, she says, is when Finn smiled at her. She enjoys reading to him, turning on the music in his bouncy seat, and dancing for him. Henry adores Finn as well (not a big surprise!). He constantly wants to "hold her" (he has only ever really been around girl babies, we've tried to correct it but it is still what he says). When someone else is holding him, he gets really upset. I love how he talks in a high pitch voice to Finley. These are the things I hope I never forget.
Everyone asks if going from two to three has been a hard adjustment. I can hardly believe how easy it has been. Finn has brought a sense of completion to our family, and it has been nothing but ease and joy. Not only am I in love with Finley, but I am even more in love with my other children and with Andy since his birth.

Tomorrow

I think it was at ten weeks into this pregnancy that I thought, "how am I going to do this?" I often thought over the last few months, "I'm not going to make it." How many times did I say that to Andy? I didn't have any major complications, thank the Lord, but this was an especially difficult time in my life.
But tonight I can say what I didn't think I would. I made it. 39 weeks this little human has been growing inside of me and now I get to meet him tomorrow. How crazy is that? With the other two, I didn't know their exact arrival, but with this guy I know he is coming at 7:30 in the morning. Surreal.
So Finley, the night before you are born I must say I am so excited to see your little face, your hands, your feet. Everything. I can't wait to lay eyes on the human that God has been lovingly and intricatley creating within me. The sense that you are His has never left me, His love for you has been something strongly impressed on my heart. He has a plan for you, of this I am sure.
Until tomorrow, Finley.

Five Days!

Finley is scheduled to come on Monday morning, just five more days! Henry came ten days early, so that would mean I would go into labor tonight and have him tomorrow morning. I don't think that is going to happen. It looks like I will be waiting with this little one.
We have been trying to fill our days with fun activities and evenings with quality family time. I find it is easier to keep the kids busy at this point. Although, I admit that most evenings when Andy gets home, I retire. Today, we ventured out to the splash pad. Henry loved it. He kept running through the water shouting, "fun, fun, fun!" Addison, on the other hand, was not so venturesome with the water and barely poked her toe in. She did eventually get her arm wet, which she proclaimed was "very brave."
Tonight we went on our last family night outing. We had a wonderful picnic dinner at Lake Michigan and then threw rocks into the water and played in the sand. We tried putting our feet in but the water was freezing. Henry didn't care, but for the well being of his little feet, we wouldn't let him go in for too long. Henry could spend his entire life just throwing rocks in the water and scooping them into his bucket. Addison had fun collecting rocks and playing in the sand. It was a beautiful evening, and I'm sure I will never forget it.

Brother and Sister Love

Addison and Henry have been exceptionally cute with each other. As Henry grows into more of a little boy each day, they seem to be growing closer as well. The other day, I took Addison out on a little date to Starbucks and then to Target to peruse the toy aisles. She mentioned about ten times how much Henry would love this or love that. "I wish Henry were here to see this mommy." That same day, Andy took Henry to get his haircut. After, the lady offered him a sucker. Without hesitation, he said "orange suck please." The lady then asked if his daddy wanted one. Henry replied, "No, sissy suck. Pink, please." Oh, be still my heart. The little guy knew his sister would want a pink sucker. He was so proud bringing it home to her.

Dentist

Today was one of those mornings that I wasn't able to get compleltey ready before we had to leave. Completley meaning, brush my teeth. You see, I hate brushing my teeth right away when I first wake up. Usually, I wait until after I eat breakfast. Well, we were already running late, so after breakfast we zoomed out the door. When we got home, I kept thinking I needed to go brush my teeth, but never made it upstairs to do it.
At 5 o'clock, I took Addison to her scheduled dentist appointment. I thought as we walked in, "man my teeth feel disgusting. Luckily, they won't see mine." As we walked in, the nice receptionist informed me that, I too had an appointment at the same time as Addison's. Lovely.
The called Addison back first, so we went back and I showed her where I would be and where she would be (right next to her cubicle). Without hesitation, she got up in the chair and informed the hygentist that her "bunsers are a little red right now and kind of sore." Nice.
I must say it was really strange listening to the hygentist clean Addison's teeth as I was in the other room. She is getting to be such a big girl!

Our Two Year Old

I wanted to write a post about our little Henry and what he is up to these days as a silly little two-year old. I must say, he has changed so much in the last two months. He has turned from a baby into a funny, talkative guy. His favorite things to say is, "Why? Sissy, phone, and mall, Buzz, and George." Which, I may add are also his favorite things in the world. He also loves trains and airplanes. He recently discovered slides, tunnels, and bridges at the park. He could go up and down them all day long if I let him. Of all the things he loves, I must say his greatest love are babies. He just cannot help himself when a baby enters the room. He runs over, sits down and just has to kiss it. He is so gentle and sweet with them. Henry is an exceptionally picky eater. His staples being pizza, sausage, hot dogs, apples, and strawberries. I often try new things, but he wrinkles his nose and disaprovingly hands it back to me.
Henry is the sweetest most sensitive little man I've ever met. If anyone is crying, he is right there to pat their face and say "you otay?" His sweet kisses and hugs warm my day. I can't imagine my life without him, and can't wait to see all that God has in store for him.