Five.

My baby turned 5 last week.

It was so exciting. For him. For me, it was bittersweet. My baby. It just seems a bit unreal to me that time has flown by like this. He's a little boy. A jumping bean. A real live hurricane. A squirrely, sneaky little ninja-boy with a wide, slightly crooked, toothy grin and big brown eyes sweet enough to break even the hardest hearts.

"When I grow up Mommy, I'm going to be a ninja. I can't get married because my wife can't see me. Ninjas can't be seen."
"I will live in the wilderness, maybe in our backyard. So, if you suspect a ninja, it's just me."

"Maybe you can throw some food out there every few days so I don't have to live on bugs and berries."
"I can't come to dinner, Mommy, because...ninjas can't be seen!"

I can't make this stuff up people.

This boy. He breaks my heart a thousand times a day. He also cracks me up. Like belly-shaking-roll-on-the-floor-laughing. I'm so thankful for this little boy.

He's smart. He's not interested in reading but can count, add and subtract and wants to learn to multiply. (Apparently, ninjas need to know their mathematics.) He loves to draw, write notes to mommy and daddy, and do math worksheets. His favorite food and drink is pizza, yogurt and chocolate milk.

His favorite color is purple, girls are his weakness and he makes friends wherever he goes (Usually with the ladies.).

He's growing fast. If he doesn't slow down soon, he may outgrow his brothers!

At the end of the day, no matter how good or how bad, he still wants to cuddle with mommy. (Actually, he wants to sleep with mommy...)

While so different from his brothers, he was the perfect addition to our family. God just knew that we needed some excitement for ALL THE DAYS.

God bless you, my precious little boy!!

Three; Isaac.

He blew in like a hurricane. And life was never, ever, the same.

And we are blessed. 

Isaac literally means, laughter. This wild storm of a boy has given us much laughter, always challenging us not to smile at all his shenanigans.  He is a boy after his mama's own heart, full of energy, full of smiles and wild laughter. His heroes are his big brothers and he pushes himself to be just.like.them. 

A fast learner. This boy is constantly impressing us with his ability to learn quickly. When we say, "you're too little buddy", he takes that as a challenge to try harder. 

"I do it."  This kid's got gumption, strength and an independent spirit. Show him how to do something, then stand back and wait until he's ready.

Over the summer, Isaac not only moved into a big boy bed, but moved into the big boy room. He conquered potty training in November! He stopped taking naps in early Fall and sleeps peacefully for twelve hours every night. 

A friend and a ham. He's an entertainer. He loves to show "his moves" to just about anyone. He loves little babies. While he's wild with the big boys, he's quick to change his pace around little ones. Isaac's like a gentle giant and loves to care for and help with those smaller than him. 

A helper. Isaac loves to help. He's inherited his daddy's gift of organization and loves to re-organize everything. Even the shelves at the grocery store! He loves to help mommy clean and it's not unusual to find him cleaning the floor or the walls and folding laundry on any given day. 

Did I mention laughter?  It's like everything God created in him centers around it. He's a blessing through and through! Our wild little buddy keeps us on our toes, but, at the end of most days, has us all laughing and smiling.

The baby.  At the end of the day, Isaac still loves to climb into mommy or daddy's arms and have his back rubbed.      He will always be my baby.

Isaac truly completes our family. 

We love you buddy, can't wait to see what all you accomplish this year!  

Two; Isaac.

"Two, but more like three."
 
A hurricane was named after him (well, sort of). He growls, a lot. He pushes, he yells, and he stomps whenever he walks, which by the way, he's been doing that since he was 9 months. Isaac is one tough little boy, er, toddler.
He talks. Lately, it's "Are doin' mommeeeee? ARE DOIN???" (what are you doing)
My favorite is, "Hi guys!" (whenever he walks in a room)
I love hearing his sweet voice.
Like big brothers, the kid's got an arm. He can throw, he can kick, he can climb and he run. Like lightening. I blink and he's running (usually while laughing).
He laughs, a lot. His smile and his laugh will light up a room. He can bring joy to the most somber group.
One day, an old man in the grocery store had to cross the entire store looking for the little one laughing. As he stomped up to us, I thought he was going to yell at us. He said in a gruff voice,  "That laugh brought such a smile to this old man's face, I just had to find the source!" And pointing a shaky finger at Isaac, said, "Don't ever stop laughing, little boy!"
And he walked away.

Fitting, since God inspired his name. Remember the story of Abraham and Sarah? (see Bible, Gen. 21)
In my own words with my own emphasis;
Well, they were this really, really old couple who hadn't been able to have kids and one day after this really long message full of incredible stuff, the Lord said to Abraham "you're going to have a son next year."
Abraham laughed.
Sarah giggled, "No way God! I am waaaaayyyy too old!"
But God.
They DID have a baby and Sarah laughed again, probably very heartily, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me..." ...

Like Sarah, I didn't think we could have any more children. Through years and prayers, God had blessed us with the twins.
But God!
We laughed when discovering I was pregnant again and pretty much haven't stopped since (you know, when we're not crying...ha!)
Isaac is just who God intended. He's funny, sweet, smart and very, very strong.
While all our babies are growing much too fast, I am excited for their future. I am excited to witness where God leads. I have always prayed that my children would bless God's Kingdom and so far, it's been a joy watching just that.

Happy birthday baby boy. I am so thankful for you!!

One Year. [Updated to include party pictures!]

I can hardly believe it. How many times as a parent do we say, "Where does the time go?"....

Baby boy is ONE YEAR OLD today. I can hardly contain my excitement, my "oh how bittersweet, but wonderful it is!"

Isaac is a walking, almost running, car vrooming, super-hero, big-brother wanna-be, sweet, cuddly, hugs-and-kisses giving little boy. ALL BOY.

He loves to wrestle with, race with, and chase his big brothers. But he also likes to be held, loved on and read to. And eating. Don't forget the food!

I remember wondering how in the world I would handle three little ones. Now I cannot imagine my life without them. Isaac is the perfect finishing touch to our family. The one who brings smiles and laughter no matter the situation.

Happy birthday to my sweet baby boy!

On December 29, we celebrate Isaac's birthday with sweet family and friends. It was a wonderful time. We had a sock monkey party, most decorations were handmade/printed by yours truly. And a few items came from Birthday Express. :)
Our precious friend Allison of The Luckiest Photography captured the best of our day. The pictures below are her work.

 

 

 

Giving Thanks Day 3; Isaac.

It's no secret that baby boy was a "surprise" to us. Mostly because we simply thought we couldn't have any more children (I don't know why, it's just what we thought). So, the day it dawned on me that I could be pregnant and then discovering it was true (Mother's Day 2011), well that time is etched in my mind forever. I really think I heard God laughing.

....So, approximately seventeen months later, here we are. At just 10 months old, baby boy is all BOY. Very much like his brothers, but more of a storm, sweeping through our household. He keeps us all on our toes, that's for sure. He's big, tough, vocal and he's...HILARIOUS!

He's such a joy to have around, even the twins laugh and laugh at baby brother. He's growing up so fast. Much faster than I remember the twins at this age. Watching him "fly airplanes", make toy men "walk" and "talk", "VROOOM" cars down the track, and most recently, standing on his own. It's bittersweet seeing my baby baby boy becoming a "little boy". I'm thankful that when night falls and sleepiness takes over this little fella, he still wants momma. Cuddling and clutching me until sweet slumber. I just want to bottle these moments, for they are gone all too quickly.

I'm so grateful for this precious baby boy and all that he brings to our life.

Isaac; Five Months.

Has it really been five months since I gave birth this beautiful little life? This sweet joyful soul has simply brightened our lives.


My beautiful, bubbly Isaac,

     In five months, you have simply blessed each one of us. Even your brothers have come to know that being around you means being full of laughter and joy. You are growing so fast. You love to laugh and play and kick. You are constantly moving. More recently, you love playing "ball" with daddy. You can  roll all over the place, are almost sitting up on your own, and can kick your way to almost anywhere. You are such a big boy now eating your cereal and purees twice a day! Though, I still love our special alone time together when you are breastfeeding. You are sleeping through most nights, and now in your own room. Occasionally, you just need some extra cuddle time; momma doesn't mind that one bit! You are so strong and can grab hold of anything in front of you. At your last checkup, you weighed 15lbs. and were 26 inches long; tall just like your brothers!

     You are so observant and love to watch your big brothers; you laugh at their playfulness and watch so carefully as they talk and play. It's as if you are just taking note as to all that you will soon be doing! I can imagine you just running with them and joining in to all their shenanigans!

Clearly, you and daddy already have a special bond. As soon as he enters the room, you lock eyes on him. You smile and laugh as though you share a special secret. However, you still know when momma is in the room; your eyes twinkle and you give me that sweet lopsided grin.

  
You have come to know your precious Grammy and Gramps; they love you so much. We all love you so. And the days are just speeding by as you, my sweet boy, are growing and learning and blessing us. I thank God for your life each day.


Love you truly,
Momma

Isaac; Four Months.

Has four months really passed us by already? My wee baby boy has been such an easy addition to our family. He brings us laughter and lots of smiles. Sweet Isaac is growing fast, already eating cereal, rolling over from front to back, possibly teething with all that chewing and drool!, and almost sitting up on his own. I have cherished every moment we have with him, drinking up all these "baby days". He sleeps through the night in his own bed now and naps generously. He is so observant and loves to watch his big brothers; he cracks up at all their shenanigans. He completes our family and we are so blessed by this precious joyful boy.

New Life; Isaac.

On December 27, 2011, I gave birth to baby boy number 3, Isaac Franklin. Weighing 8lbs. 6oz. and measuring 21 inches long. He is a perfect, strong, bright-eyed and very mellow baby.

  We arrived at the hospital at 9:15a.m. and our precious boy was pulled into the world at 10:56a.m. His loud cries were music to my ears. I laughed. ....a song of "THANK YOU JESUS!" rang through my heart, to my head and finally to my voice. Another sweet gift of life has been given to us.

The twins met their baby brother shortly thereafter. We braced ourselves...

...But it was a meeting of pure joy and sweetness. They accepted him with wide grins and laughter and kisses. "Baby Isaac!!" ...there was a collective sigh of relief.

Coming home was bliss. Comfort, warmth and familiarity. It was as if Isaac had belonged here all along. From the moment I first held him, I couldn't imagine our family without him.

The boys have been amazing. Sweet, caring, attentive and mostly gentle to their "baby Isaac". I am so proud of them. Always in awe of my children.

The past nine days have been utterly exhausting, overwhelming and priceless. It's amazing what forget and what you remember. So much has come so easy this second time around. 

Time is fleeting. My children are growing each moment of each day. I love each and every beautiful chaotic moment. I don't want to ever forget. Even the poopy, wet, loud, frustrating times. Because even they lead to beautiful, bright, laughing, and quiet moments.

There's still lots of laughter in the Scales house. And even more to come, that I am sure of.

Here are few things we've heard from the boys in regards to Isaac:

[A concerned Z, in the middle of the night after being awakened by a crying Isaac] "Baby Issac crying! Baby Isaac crying Daddy, get him!"

[A laughing, curious E after studying his new baby brother] "HAHAHAHAHA, Baby Isaac making silly face!"

[Z, whenever it's time to change baby brother] "I do it mommy! I help!"

[Baby Isaac whenever big brothers want to play with him] "WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

[E when I told him Isaac wants to play with him] "No Mommy, he too little!"

Baby Isaac has his days and nights mixed up for now, but I cherish this time I have with him all to myself. It's extremely exhausting, but I consider it a blessing. For I know all to well that soon, this time will be gone and he will be all go go go like his big brothers.

We've been so blessed, once again, with this precious, beautiful, healthy boy.  

 

Welcome Baby Boy.