Little Brother

Gunner is a fan favorite.  Here are some of my favorite photos of this little brother.

Life is good.

Moeller Christmas

This weekend we got together with Paul's family to celebrate Christmas.  It was a beautiful day and great to get the extended family together.  We also took a moment to visit Grandpa Moeller.

Grandma Moeller wanted a photo of the youngest grandkids and oldest great-grandkids.

Notice the trees that were hit by the spring tornado between Grandma's house and Grandpa's final resting place.  Gammaw Karen teased that Grandpa cleared the trees so he could keep a better eye on Grandma!  Papaw also took the girls to visit Great-Grandma and Grandpa Buening. 

My Baby Boy

I thought for sure Baby Buening was going to arrive on 11-11-11.  I woke up not feeling well and having some contractions.  I went into work that day only to be told by many that I didn't look good.  My final doctor's appointment was that afternoon.  She didn't think I would make it the weekend. 

Saturday - nothing.  Paul and I took the kids out for one final dinner out as a family of 5.  I headed to Buy Buy Baby afterwords.  Still nothing.

Sunday - our power went out before breakfast, so we headed out for another final meal out as a family of 5.  But, apparently power was out all over town, so we had a stellar breakfast at Burger King, yuck!  We then ran to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things.  We ran into several teachers who couldn't believe that Baby Buening had not arrived yet.

Sunday night I tucked my three big babies into bed and called B'maw to make sure that she had her phone handy.  My contractions were now about an hour apart.  It is a good thing she had the right mind to drive to Franklin at 9:30 that night.  By time she arrived, my contractions were pretty strong and 4 1/2 minutes apart.  We left for the hospital shortly after she got to our house.  I thought for sure we would be holding Baby Buening before breakfast, so did the nurses.  Ethan, Erica, and Ellie were so excited to wake up to find B'maw at our house.  They knew they were going to find out if Baby Buening was a brother or sister soon.

My sweet baby boy, Gunner Douglas.

Gunner Douglas Buening

arrived Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:40 a.m.

8 pounds and 21 1/2 inches long

I knew he was going to have long, lanky arms and legs.  He kicked his momma in the ribs constantly, and I am sure that I felt an arm down my left leg.

Mommy #2 and #3

I am not sure if you can tell or not, but Ethan was beyond thrilled to have a baby brother.  The first words out of his mouth upon learning it was a boy, is if we could name him Jason after his (2nd) favorite FC basketball player, Jason Sibley. 

You can't tell it in this photo, but Ethan was sick.  We didn't realize it at the time, but my Buddy had pneumonia.  NEAT!  He missed the rest of the week of school and had to stay with my dad and brother, because he wasn't allowed to be around Gunner.  He was so miserable that I don't think he minded.

Ellie and B'maw checking him out.

Snuggling with Gammaw

I have a really great photo of Paul and Erica holding Gunner, but it was on Gammaw and Papaw's camera.  The best part of the day, was knowing that my happy little family isn't so little anymore and we are finally complete with the arrival of Gunner.

Stationery card

He's Here Birth Announcement

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The Tooth Fairy is Coming Again

Ethan is not one that wants you to pull his tooth.  He wants to wiggle it and wiggle it until it falls out on its own.  Often after the permanent tooth has started to poke through.  Last night I convinced him to let me put a string around it.  A few tugs later it was out.  Finally!  A week ago, Paul tried to bribe him to let Erica pull it.  He even laid $30 bucks on the table.  No go!  I would have let her pull mine.

I had to make him drink a big glass of water and wipe his face before he looked in the mirror.  He would have been even more upset. 

The silly old tooth fairy didn't arrive until this morning.  At 6:30 this morning, I went to snuggle with my Ethers.  When I entered his room he told me not yet.  I thought he was talking about getting up and going to school.  He meant that the tooth fairy hadn't visited.  Think fast Mommy.  I explained that maybe he should remove the tooth treasure box and place it under his pillow.  A short while later while we were trying to go back to sleep the tooth fairy finally arrived. 

Let's Go FC!

My girls are following in my footsteps.  They were on the sidelines at the Franklin College football game cheering on the Griz!  Erica participated in the cheer clinic.  The following day the girls preformed before the start of the Grizzlies' game.  Ellie was a little upset that she couldn't take part, but thankfully we had an in with the cheer coach.  Ellie was an honorary member that day. 

I did have to send one of my fellow teammates a message in the middle of camp.  We roomed together our freshman year.  Many nights before crashing for the night, we would lay in our beds trying our hardest to spell F-F-FRAN-FRAN-KLIN.  Go Franklin!  It took us weeks. 

with the FC Cheerleaders

Without a doubt, the BEST Little Grizzly.

Getting ready to preform

"How does this look?"

So, I think I may just eat my words about my daughters never cheering.  Erica wasn't thrilled with the idea of going to cheer camp, but she enjoyed it.  Now, all she talks about is being a cheerleader.  Ellie will randomly bust out FC cheers.  They should both know the fight song by heart.  It was one usually the first song that came to mind as I rocked them to sleep as babes.

The Little Giants

Ethan played tackle football again this year.  He has had a much more active role this year.  He really is enjoying tackling other boys and causing fumbles.  He had a few fumble recoveries and a few carries.  Ethan has grown to love football much to everyone's delight.

His cousin Beau came to watch him defeat Franklin College.  After the game they worked on a few drills. 

Ethan's #1 fan, besides Mommy!

My Ethers is getting ready to take the hand off.  He is behind his friend Carson #2.

#53 on Defense

Playing on the D line.

Ellie wanted to be a part of his team.

I didn't mind him holding hands with this girl that waited for him after the game. 

We Survived Soccer Season

We did it!

3 soccer players, 1 coach daddy, 1 mommy, and 1 VERY long season.

Ethan doubled up on his fall sports.  He played soccer and football.  Ethan really seemed to enjoy the season, especially when he was played goalie.  Mommy still doesn't quite get all of the rules, but he filled me in along the way.  E almost scored a goal off of a header in his final game. 

Erica was one of the younger players on her team this year.  She had to work really hard to compete against the older kids.

Ellie and Coach Daddy celebrating the end of their season!

Ellie liked the idea of being on a soccer ball team.  BUT when the time came to play . . . well, that is another story.  Paul had to work hard as a coach of 3 and 4 year-old soccer.  At times there were not enough players that wanted to participate and other times everyone wanted on the field. 

Erica and her buddy Kara from day care

No goals were getting by him!

Poor Ellie!  This was a common face during the season.

Today was a BIG day

My little girl has been looking forward to this day for months, possibly years.  I can't believe that it is finally here.  Today, my Erica began Kindergarten.  It was her first day of school ever.  She was very excited and each time I ran into her beautiful face today she was all smiles. 

 Ethan had a great day in second grade.  His teacher "looped" with his class.  He liked walking into the same classroom with the same teacher and friends.  He was able to choose his own seat, but he opted for his same desk.  I also looped with my class, and it made me smile as my students seemed to pick up right where we left off in May. 

Ethan was excited to have his sister at school with him.  He wanted to walk her to class, but that was Daddy's job today.  He did promise that he would walk her to class tomorrow.  Ethan cheerfully introduced his sister to anyone and everyone.  He was just happy to have her around.   Let's hope this honeymoon period lasts at least until November.

My Bear,

Goodness!  It seems like just yesterday I was snuggling you in my arms.  Today I watched you proudly navigate the halls of school like a pro.  I am not sure how my baby grew into a beautiful little girl, but time flies when you are having fun. 

I love the first day of school because of the promise that it brings . . . the excitement, the anticipation, and the sheer joy.  I saw all of that in you today.  Something tells me that I will always see that in you.  My wish for you is that you love learning each and everyday of your life.  I know that you will have an amazing school year.  I also know that you are in good hands at Northwood.  You are very lucky to be an "Owl."  It is truly the best school around. 

I can't wait to see what life has in store for you.  You can and will do amazing things. 

Love you whole bunches,
Mommy 

Summer Fun

This spring I was exhausted.  Growing a human is hard work.  I planned to blog more frequently over the summer to make up for my lapse.  But, here it is August and Erica is counting the hours before she begins kindergarten.  So, you get one gigantic blog about our summer.

Christmas in July

 Ethan and Erica were able to visit with Santa this summer at Holiday World.  They don't have their Christmas wish lists together just yet, but they were eager to let him know that they were being good.

 The spider makes me a little nausea just watching them, but they loved it.

Daddy sent Ethan and Erica down the water slide to me and then followed them down.

Bumper Boats!

Erica loved it.

Ethan had his tonsils and adenoids removed this summer.  I was expecting the worse, but he surprised me.  Ethers rested the first few days, took his medicine, and ate Popsicles like crazy.  His sisters supported by trying to match his Popsicle consumption.  Ellie also felt the need to come down with strep throat 3 days before Ethan's surgery.  She also had another bout with strep just before Ethan's follow-up appointment with the doctor.  Guess who also went to Ethan's doctor's appointment?  We have being saying little prayers and crossing our fingers for her.  Pop-O said he is skipping town if she has to have surgery. 

Erica began her kindergarten count-down.  My girl thought that she could go to school with Ethan and I after Christmas Break and Spring Break.  We finally convinced her that she had to wait until after she celebrated her birthday.  Well, June 17 she was ready for school.  She was really ready when her bookbag and lunch box were delivered.

Child labor . . . they were more than thrilled to wash my van and daddy's truck. 

 Daddy thinks I am messy cook.  I must be rubbing off on my girls. 

Homemade sugar cookies, mmmm!

Afternoons on B'maw's boat usually end with a nap.

10 year ago

Paul and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary this summer.  I remember that day like it was yesterday. I am looking forward to the many more years and memories that we will have.  I think we have had a pretty good honeymoon the last 10 years.

 C-18 Groupies

  Eleven beautiful babies

I love my summer date with my college roommates and our brood.  I think this is my favorite kid picture yet.

My dearest friends. . . we can laugh and cry and laugh until we cry.  I love our girls nights out.  They don't happen often enough, but when they do, they are priceless.

 Dale Hollow Lake

Daddy tested out the rope swing first.

Ethers was a little frightened his first go.  The fear was short-lived; we couldn't get him off of the rope swing.

My big kid!

Papaw and Ellie

Daddy tossed Erica super high.

My girls!

 Watch out Northwood, Here Comes Erica!

Erica couldn't wait to find out her kindergarten teacher.  She is in Mrs. Limbach's class with her pal Luke and Halle.

Touring the school

checking out her classroom

 Living up our last week of summer.

Ethan, Erica, and Ellie disguised themselves as Bumblebee at The Children's Museum.

digging for bones

my favorite dinosaurs

one fierce T-rex

wrestling 'gators

On to the zoo,

The newborn baby elephant . . . she is so sweet.

Daddy talked Erica into riding the roller coaster with him.

Ethan, hold on!

Not to be out-done, Buggies went for a ride.

We bumped into some pretty cute monkeys!

 It Must be Fall

I never thought I would cheer for Wabash College, but my Ethers is donning a white and red #53 jersey!