The McMillins

Well, in the beginning, life with 3 kids was easy. It was really no different than having 2 children. Why, you ask? Well... because Luke slept all of the time. I was able to keep the house clean, keep up on laundry, do school with Zach, play with both of the kids, get the grocery shopping done with yes.... all 3 kids in tow.... Then, Luke decided that he didn't want to sleep any longer. He decided that he wanted to explore. Yet, he wasn't physically able to explore what he wanted. So, what did he do? He cried.... and cried..... and cried. Grant it.... it wasn't as much as Leah cried but with Leah I only had Zach to worry about. For some reason, when that third child starts to cry it seems like the other 2 want to make just as much noise, if not more noise, than the one crying. My days began to be days of trying to entertain Luke more which in turn took time away from many other areas in my life.

As the minutes turned into hours and the hours turned into days and the days turned into months..... Luke eventually was able to play by himself (after he started to crawl) so that I could give Zach more of my attention during school. However, my middle child started to feel neglected and made sure that she got the attention that she needed. lol In turn, the house got messier, the laundry got backed up and grocery shopping had to wait. These days, I feel very behind but have made it a New Year's Resolution to not let those things bother me and to enjoy the time I have with my kids. After all, they're not going to be this little forever. On the good days, I sometimes wish I could have another baby but then the crying comes and yes..... it brings me back to reality. lol No more kids for me..... at least right now. Three is enough! But.... I feel so blessed to have the 3 that I have! :)

I painted Zach's room all by myself! It was a big job.... especially since I did most of it while Corey was at work and I was home with all 3 kids by myself. Zach is such a big help, though. I'm so happy that I painted his room. I got new curtains and a new light for his room as well. I would LOVE to build him a nice wooden bunkbed but that probably won't happen for a couple of years. He's been saving up his allowance money for a TV. He's just about ready to buy one. It will look so nice in his room. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to buy one of those semi-large dry erase boards to hang on his walls. It would be really good for school but kind of tacky looking w/ his decor.

Last weekend was our first time to the beach this year. We all love going to the beach and have been waiting for the weather to be warm enough to go. It's definitely warm enough now!! Unfortunately, Corey forgot to bring the sand toys but he did bring a shovel. So.... at least there was something to do in the sand! :)

Gretchen is back on her "fat smash" diet to try to lose weight. She wants to be able to wear all of her pre-pregnancy clothes. Corey keeps telling her that she needs to be patient since it hasn't even been 2 months yet since she's had a baby. Her doctor even said that she was skinny at her 6 week check-up. She told her doctor that she was dieting and exercising and her doctor said that was fine as long as she drank plenty of water since she's nursing. Of course, nursing should help her get back into shape also. She wants to lose 15 lbs.

Corey, on the other hand, doesn't care about his weight. lol He just bought a "big green egg" grill and is LOVING it. Last weekend he cooked a boston butt, steaks and pork chops. Tonight he's going to make a homemade pizza on it. He's also looking forward to grilling veggies and even cookies on it!! Yes.... you read that right.... cookies! This grill is like a grill, smoker and oven all in one. Gretchen likes it because she doesn't have to cook as much! :)

Leah had her 15 month check-up last week. She weights 25 1/2 lbs and is 33 inches long. She is 85th percentile for weight and 98.6 for height. We didn't realize how tall she is!!

Gretchen has made it a New Year's Resolution to save as much money on everything that she can this year. One of those ways is to get better at "couponing" and sales. There is a website that she goes to everyday called, http://www.southernsavers.com/ . This website shows all the sales ads of grocery stores, drugstores, all kinds of different stores (including Internet sites) and then coupons that you can use on top of those sales (both manufacturer and store coupons). There have been several things that she's been able to get for free by doing this. They also have a link to a coupon if it is available to print online. It's been VERY helpful.

It is very time consuming but she has fun doing it. Plus, it gives her something to do late at night when she can't go to sleep and everyone else is in bed. :)

Leah has a personality similar to Zach's. She's so funny and loves to make you laugh. Gretchen was giving her a bath and she kept tilting her head and smiling. It was too cute.