Our New President

I watched the inauguration this morning with the boys, not wanting to miss participating in this historic event in some small way. I though that President Obama gave an amazing inaugural speech and definitely renewed my patriotic spirit. I don't think Stratton quite got the message, though. I tried to explain to him that we were watching our new president and asked him if he knew who the president was. I was surprised when he said yes, so I asked him who it was and he said "Santa". I thought that maybe he thought I was saying 'presents' instead of president, so I tried to clarify that they were different and pointed out President Obama on the screen and said "This is our president" and he said " Yes Mama- Santa!" Either he has funny ideas about politics or about what Santa looks like, but either way he thinks our country is being run by someone who gives presents to everyone!

Small Victories

I just wanted to share that today I wore a pair of pants with an actual button, zipper and waistband. Perhaps some day in the next year I will make it through a whole week without wearing a single piece of maternity clothing. Oh, to be done hitching my pants up.

Life in the Neibaur House in Pictures

I know I pretty much just post pictures, but I'm proud of posting anything, so I thought that I would write my update on life in our house through some of our recent shots. We love having a house of boys!

The boys are getting to know each other better and Stratton loves spending time with Dashell, although the whole family feels like laying down in the middle of the floor and giving up alot of days!

Dashell is very worried that his parents have no idea what to do with another baby boy...just because we have one boy, doesn't mean he has a lot of confidence in us at this point.

Hanging out with our Cleveland cousin, Noah, who is just 3 weeks older than Dashell ...if you can't tell, Dashell likes to eat and is catching up to his older cousin in size pretty quickly. From that, you can probably tell how his mom spends a good portion of each day (and night!) By the way, this was on Dashell's blessing day. I don't normally dress my children, or myself for that matter, in white...we are a stain- prone family.

It has been very cold and very snowy in Cleveland!!!! We are all bundling up, but the rest of us don't look quite as cute as Dashell!

Look what I got in my stocking!

Dashell Adrian Neibaur
Born 12-24-08
7 lbs 14 oz
20 inches

I've never had a stocking stuffer like this before.

Two silly brothers yawning at each other.

Another cute boy in the family!

Merry Christmas from the Neibaurs!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We are in the final days before Baby Neibaur arrives. Every night when we do the advent calendar with Stratton I have to remind myself that it is for Christmas, not the baby's due date. We have been trying to get in as many Christmas activities as possible, so here are a few from the last couple weeks, including a trip to the tree farm and a visit to the Country Lights at the Farmpark. Let's hope this baby cooperates so that we can have a Christmas at home with our Christmas tree!

The woodsmen cut down the perfect tree!

Out to see the Christmas lights...they are a very serious business!

Even more serious, making a fire engine. If the safety glasses don't give it away, this is no laughing matter. Fire trucks are serious work!

Final touches with the hammer. We've been hearing about how he put it together using a hammer ever since.

Winter Comes to Cleveland

Sledding with Dad

Posing for our snow shot

Showing off his bubble beard...just like Dad's!

Thanksgiving Football and Hiking before dinner!
Our football boy shows off his muscles...2,4,6 hut hut

Washable is relative

I got out of the shower this morning, only to find that Stratton had been hard at work on a surprise for me....he was the newest member of the Blue Man Group. I was not the happiest mom in the world, especially since we had to be out the door in less than an hour and I quickly realized that a bath was my only option for dealing with this bout of creativity. And then I found out that the "washable" label on ink is all relative.

This is where we started.

About to get in the tub after we realized no wash cloth in the world was up to the task.

Showing a little remorse

But not really feeling too bad at this point in the washing up...notice the tub is taking on a bluish tint.

About two thirds of the way through washing up...at this point, not very happy with Mom for her repeated attacks on the face...and that is why his ear is the cleanest part.

What are you looking at? This is just about the finished product...I got a little bit more off, but yes, I am letting Stratton go through the day with a decidedly hot pink tint on his nose, cheeks and chin. He doesn't seem too concerned.