2022 Easton

 It’s been so long since I’ve been on this blood that I have so much to share! 

I am now is 7th grade almost 8th because it’s the end of the year. I always have had this question but it never gets answered. When it summer brake and you just finished let’s say 5th grade. When someone asks what grade your in do you say your in 5th grade or 6th cause 5th grade ended but 6th hasn’t started yet? What is the answer?

My favorite activities include eating, sleeping, video games, Netflix, eating, reading, sleeping, and did I mention eating? Yeah it may not look like it because of how skinny I am but I love eating. Some of my favorite foods are Macaroni and cheese, most hot dogs, and most cereal. I love when I get home from school and I just get a big bowl of Frosted Flakes, or Luck Charms. Mmh yummy. 

Now that I’m 13 (yeah ONE THREE I’m basically a teenager now) I have my own phone and I’m on it like all the time unless I’m reading or just messing around with my sisters. They say I annoy them but I think they just say that, (I hope).

I miss being 2-3 I would just run around and be silly and now I have responsibilities. I HATE and I mean HATE being responsible for things. It’s not really a hate but it makes me scared and just want my mommy. I love reading this blog when I get bored and now I get to write in it I am so excited to type my way to…. well just type. 

Little Man turned 2

Easton Beaston Buddy Boy,

Yes, I do regularly call you that. It is obviously a good nickname. It's short for Easton. Ha ha. So you turned two about a month ago and can I just tell you that your vocabulary EXPLODED. You had a couple of words before your birthday and you used them a lot. But then you turned two and suddenly you are interested in actually making conversation with people. You talk all the time. And you talk so clearly. And every day you add like 12 new words to what you say. You make sentences. You ask questions. My very very favorite is when you walk in the room and I say, "Hi Easton." You always respond with the same, "Hey Mom." It is just so cool and casual. You sound like you are 17 years old. It makes me jump almost every time because I still don't expect such a laid back, mature response from my little man. Priceless.

There are a couple of things that people always comment on with you. The first one is your appearance. You  have these humongous bright blue eyes that just shine. I can never get over how happy your eyes look. And it is the first thing everyone notices. You also have the friendliest smile. People always comment that you are the happiest kid they have ever seen. And you laugh all the time. Every chance you get. In my next life I am going to be just a bit more like you.

This is you opening gifts at Abuela and Abuelo's house. Dad, Brice and Braden are holding up iPhone's that are "Facetiming" with aunts, uncles and Gramma back in Delaware. It was really awesome (in a freakishly futuristic way) to have them be able to see you open gifts. Webcam on a cell phone. Who woulda thunk?

This is your time-out pose. Whenever we take a firm tone you put yourself in time-out by sitting down and folding your arms. Please take note of the pink shoes which have been a major part of your life!

These are the shoes you got to try and keep the pink ones off your feet!

Well, that's all for now, my rough-and-tumble little man. I would have more to say, but you and your sisters are upstairs and it is quiet. And when the three of you are together and quiet I get really nervous. Thank you for being such a fun boy. I look forward to this next year and all that you will say and do!

I love you!

Love, Mom

Just for tonight...

Just for tonight I don't care if there are dishes in the sink.

Just for tonight I refuse to do any laundry.

Just for tonight I am going to sit in the middle of the un-swept kitchen floor and listen to Paige make phone calls.
I am going to marvel at how much she has grown and how mature she sounds as she solicits friends and family to sponsor her in her school walk-a-thon.

Just for tonight I am going to spend 20 minutes scratching Hailey's back as she falls asleep. I am going to remember the silly Kenny Loggin's CD that I used to listen to when I was little that plays each night while my little girls lay in bed. And after I am done scratching her back I am going to sit next to her bed and watch her little blonde curls and sweet little button nose for another 10 minutes until Brandon gets home from work and catches me.

Just for tonight I am going to take a few mental pictures of Easton's laugh. I am going to always remember those teeth that look entirely too big for his smile. And I am going to take an extra moment or two to let him kiss each twin. Again. And again. And I will hear him say "hi" to them enough times tonight that I will be able to hear it well after he graduates and gets married.

Just for tonight I am going to watch Abigail in Brandon's arms as he rocks. I am going to see how tiny she looks in comparison to his large protective arms. I am going to laugh at how we have started calling her "the pink baby" because it makes it easier to tell her apart from her sister. I will kiss her at least 100 times every time I pick her up. And I will touch every finger and every toe and marvel at how tiny and fragile each one feels.

Just for tonight I am going to turn off the TV and watch Caitlin as she nurses. I am going to remember those desperate little eyes as she frantically gulps. I am going to remember her little 4lb 15oz frame as she lays in my arms. I am going to focus on how tiny her preemie diapers are and how the preemie clothes are still just a little bit big at times.

Just for tonight I am not going to stress about needing to buy a new car. I am not going to think about money or work or where we will be in five years. I won't joke or complain about how I never thought I would have five children. I am going to spend every second that I have loving every moment that I can. Because tomorrow I am going to worry about the dishes and the floor and the car and the money and the dance classes and.... everything else. And tomorrow I might accidently blink. And all these moments will be gone.

So just for tonight my focus is where it should be.

Just for tonight....

Easton- 16 months

Easton Beaston,

Kind of a silly name. But that is what we call you. I have been thinking about you so much these last few weeks. You are my little man for sure. And I can't really explain in words how in love with you I am. Sorry this is going on the internet for all the world to see. I don't want you to grow up, learn to read, and hate me for all the embarrassing things I say! Don't get me wrong. I have no intention of controlling myself. I will always be your mom, and therefore always say and do horrible things. I just don't want you to hate me for them!

So one of my favorite things to do right now is to watch you play. It is fascinating to me what an athlete you are already. Paige is the dancer. Hailey is wild and crazy. And you are just pure athlete. You say three words right now. Ma (which does not necessarily mean me... it can be any adult), Ba ba (which usually means you want a drink... supposed to be bottle), and Ball. Ball is unmistakable. I mean, you often make the mistake of thinking that anything round is a ball. Anything. But the word itself is unmistakable. You make sure to get all four letters in there. Sometimes a few extra l's if you are feeling playful. And we always know what you are referring to. Your life revolves around golf balls, basketballs, big colorful bouncy balls, and any other ball you come across. And the best part is watching you play with them. You know how to use a bat (sometimes). You know what golf clubs do (usually). And your favorite sport is putting basketballs into any basket you can find. It is just funny to me how all of these things seem to have come so naturally to your brain. Now the one thing I get to worry about forever is what will happen if you stop throwing with your left hand. You can chuck a ball across the house. And your Daddy is so proud that it usually happens with the left arm. He is seeing your MLB career panning out already.

I, on the other hand, have other plans for your future. You are the biggest flirt ever. I mean biggest flirt. You have the biggest, cutest blue eyes and you just bat those lashes at any female who will stay still long enough. Church is so distracting for me. Wherever we sit I hear people behind us giggling because you blow kisses and do this cheesy smile thing. You melt the ladies's hearts. I am going to need to take care of this issue within the next ten years or I am going to have a massive issue on my hands.

What else do you need to know about yourself right now? You need to know that I am so sorry you lost your lap so early in life. And by your lap I mean my lap. Snuggling you to sleep has always been one of my favorite activities. And it might just be that you are outgrowing that. But for the last three weeks you just can't seem to get comfortable on my lap with my massive twin belly in the way. And sometimes you snuggle up to the belly and kiss it and pat it and love it. It's like you know what is in there and already love your little sisters. But other times you glare at it, and smack it. Hard! Again, it's like you already know and you're trying to start the sibling rivalry already! Both reactions are cute though. And both make me one more lady with a melted heart.

Easton, your job with these twins in going to be a big one. Not that I want to clump you in with them. But you really will be almost like triplets. You are my baby! And with two more on the way I just hope I can split my time appropriately so that you always know exactly how important you are to me! But as the big brother to these little girls, you are going to have a lot of chances to be the enforcer and defender. Don't go beating up every boy at school. But I do hope you will always be there for them and be looking out for them. You three need to stick together!

I love you, Easton. Thanks for all the smiles and slobber kisses. You have no idea how much those mean to me right now.

Mom