Berkeley's 8th Birthday

Her new show outfit.  Can she get any cuter?

Berkeley had her 8th birthday party on Nov 8.  We gave her a choice and she decided to invite 8 friends from her class.  She invited one boy who she has known since Kindergarten who actually ended up coming (brave little Brandon).  All but one came and let me tell you, it got a bit crazy!  We had pizza, cake, pinata and plenty of stuff to keep them busy, but I SOOO prefer having summer birthday parties so everyone can be outside instead of cooped up, going crazy.  She had fun and got tons of arts & crafts type presents which kept her busy for the next couple of weeks.  Next year we will limit the invites to 4 girls instead of 8.  
We bought her an official "show outfit" for when she goes to horse shows.  She loved it and looked so cute in it with her new, sassy haircut from Aunt Laura!  I can't believe she is in 2nd grade already and this year will go by in a blink, just like all the others.  How can she be 8 years old already???

Halloween 2013

For Halloween this year, Berkeley was "Bloom" from some show/movie that I've never heard of, Oliver was "Iron Man" and Finley was "Rapunzel".  We went to our old neighborhood and spent about an hour and a half, ran into some old neighbors and had a great time.  It didn't rain on us which was another huge bonus.  The kids got tons of candy and were tired out by 8:30 so we headed home to bed.  I've never been a huge fan of Halloween, but it was fun seeing all the kids and puppies roaming around in their costumes!  Gotta love it!

Hair cuts

Berkeley has been asking for years to get her hair cut short like mine and we have always said no because we knew as soon as she cut it, she'd lose that "little girl" look and she'd end up looking way older and we just weren't ready for that.  After having my own minor meltdown due to hormones one Sunday morning while brushing out hair and listening to the whining and crying that accompanies our morning routine (not from Berk, just Fin) and exhausted from dealing with all the hair drama I finally said "That's it, no more hair, I can't handle it anymore" and we decided to let her chop it!  I think at one point I even said that I hoped this baby was a boy so I could shave his head and not have to brush out any more tangled hair in the mornings.  Oliver said "Yeah, me too, boys never cry when they get their hair cut."  So, Laura came over on October 25 and did some major chopping.  This was Finley's very first hair cut and her hair was just about down to her bottom.  She got about 4-5 inches cut off and Berkeley got about 10-11 inches cut off.  Finley sat so still.  Laura said she's never had a 3 year old who has sat so still.  I think Fin enjoyed it.  Berkeley kept shaking her head around because she's never had short hair and it felt so weird to her.  After it was over, she couldn't wait to show Tom when he came home.  She looked super cute, but we were right, she now looks like a 14 year old instead of an 8 year old.  (She acts likes it too).  I have to admit, it is so much easier, but why do they have to grow up?  

I'm Pregnant!

Well, after a long time of being resigned to the fact that I was probably only going to have 3 kids, we discovered the fact that our family wasn't quite finished.  Oliver had been asking for months and months for a brother.  He asked why we only had one boy and two girls and begged for a brother.  I told him we probably weren't having any more kids, that dad was DONE and that we had no choice in the matter...God gave us what He did and it wasn't up to us.  So, you can imagine our surprise back in August to discover that one more little Potts was on it's way into the world!  I think we were a little stunned at first.  I can't really say it was a "surprise" since we aren't "fixed" and it's pretty much inevitable if you aren't.  

We waited until I was about 15 weeks along to tell the kids.  So, on Saturday, October 19th during dinner, we were doing knock knock jokes.  It was my turn and I said "Knock, knock"...kids said "Who's there" and I said "Knock, knock, there's a baby in my tummy and it wants to come out soon to meet you".  All of our jokes are really silly and don't ever make a whole lot of sense so they all didn't really get it and just kind of looked at me.  One of them started to tell another joke and I said "Hang on, did you hear what I said?"  They still just stared at me, not getting it.  I said "I am pregnant...there's a baby in my tummy and you guys are going to have a baby brother or sister."  What happened next was pure pandemonium.  They screamed and shrieked and asked a million questions and were so excited.  Oliver rejoiced and said God answered his prayers and he was finally getting a baby brother.  I told him we weren't sure if it was a boy or girl, so we will be excited for whatever we get.  Berkeley wished for a girl and immediately got her sketch pad out and drew a picture of a baby in my tummy, complete with the umbilical chord and a heart around it.  It is so cute and I'm saving it for the baby book.  I didn't think she'd be that excited to have to share mom with yet another kid, but she was almost the most excited out of all of them.  She wanted to tell everyone at school and at soccer practice and Tai Kwan Do.  I kept telling her she couldn't say anything until all the grandparents knew, but oh, how she begged to be the one to announce it.  Oliver asked if he could be the one to buckle the baby up in the car.  I told him of course, that could be his job.  I know once it comes, they'll fight over who GETS to do it for a week or two and then they'll fight over who HAD to do it the last time and they won't want to do it any more :) That night I was saying good night to Oliver and he asked if the baby could sleep in his room since Berkeley and Finley get to sleep in the same room.  I told him he definitely won't want a baby sleeping in his room for the first year and a half since they wake up and cry all through the night, but as soon as it was sleeping through the night, he can definitely have it sleep in his room.

Berkeley asked if we could name it "Melissa" (one of her good friends) if it's a girl, and Oliver wanted to name it "Crusher" if it was a boy (after his favorite Skylander).  I told them we have had all of our babies names planned since before we were married.  (Well, I have anyway. I've had them all picked out since high school and being the freak that I am, I made Tom agree to them before we got married.  He's a good sport!)  So, since it's a boy, his name is Cooper Winston.  I grew up playing the piano and George Winston was my very favorite pianist.  I always knew that I would somehow incorporate his name into my family.  I've always loved the name Cooper and thought Cooper Winston would be so darling and unique, a name no one else would have.  Although, I have to say, "Crusher" is growing on me and it will definitely be his nick name.  I think that would have been a fitting name for Oliver, actually, since he is a 70 lb, 6 yr, 100% BOY!

On the day of my ultra sound to find out the sex of the baby, we surprised the kids and got them out of class.  I explained that we were going to find out whether we were having a boy or a girl and that the Dr. office was making an exception for  them to come since they only allow 2 people to go in the room.  I told them they couldn't talk or move without permission because they might be asked to leave.  So, they all filed into the room and sat silently as we looked at the screen.  It was pretty funny...and they couldn't believe how "weird" the baby looked since all you can see is bone.  Anyway, the technician pointed out his "special parts" and it was a boy and we all cheered!  Oliver got his wish, his prayer was answered and he was thrilled.  He would have been devastated if it was another girl and he is so excited that our family is "equal" now.  The night before our appointment when she was in bed, Berkeley said, "Mom, I will be happy for a boy & a girl."  I said, "Well, there's only one in there Berk, so we won't be getting both."  She said, "I know, I just mean I will be happy if it is a girl and I will be happy if it is a boy".  I thought that was sweet and very big of her since she was sincerely hoping this whole time for a girl.  

I think the thing I am most excited about is watching them with this baby.  They were so sweet with Finley when she was a baby.  They doted on her and adored her, which is probably why she didn't walk till she was 17 months.  She never had to because they totally catered to her!  This poor kid probably won't walk till he's 2!  I know they'll be such good helpers and little Cooper will be very loved and well taken care of.  Berkeley got to feel him kicking a few nights ago and thought that was the coolest thing ever.  They are at such fun ages and I feel very blessed to be having our 4th and final baby!  Yes, this will be the last one.  My Dr. was thrilled when I came in and said she couldn't wait to deliver another little Potts baby.  I asked her if I would be getting a "Senior Discount" since I'll be over 35 when it's born and she said "No discounts."  I said "Well, how about a program where you have 3 and the 4th is free?"  She laughed and said "No such luck"!  She asked if we wanted to do something about the fact that we are "so fertile" after this one is born and I told her yes.  I asked her to get everything boarded up in there and hang a flashing "No Vacancy" sign when they cut me open to take him out.  I told her after this one that it's time for me to close up shop.  I am retiring!  

Disneyland 2013

In September, we surprised the kids with a trip to Disneyland!  We had planned it about 6 weeks in advance and told NO ONE for fear the surprise would be ruined.  So, on Sept. 20, we woke the kids up at 4:15 am and told them to go downstairs for a surprise.  They stumbled around and made their way down stairs, where we had Mickey & Minnie sitting on the couch with a note that said:

Dear Berkeley, Oliver & Finley, We called your dad & mom and invited you all to come to our castle for a play date.  They said yes, so, guess what?  You are going  to Disneyland!!!

So, go get dressed, hop on a plane and we'll see you a little later today!  We can't wait to see you!

Love, Mickey & Minnie Mouse

They were still slightly dazed from getting woken up that early, but squealed when they saw their suitcases packed and waiting by the door and quickly changed into their clothes that were laid out on the couch and ready for them to change into.  Within 30 minutes of waking them up, we were on our way to the airport.  They were so excited and so were we.  I think that was one of the best surprises we've ever done for them!

We had a 5 day pass for both parks, which was a bit much considering their ages.  We probably should have just done a 3 day pass, but we felt we had to pack it all in and do it all since we paid a fortune in airfare.  By day 3 they were crying, not wanting to be there anymore and just wanted to go play in the pool back at the hotel.  We all agreed...that's where we preferred to be too!  We got into a new routine where we'd spend a few hours in the morning at Disney, head back to the pool to play and relax for lunch and then head back around for more rides and fun at the park.  That seemed to work out much better for us.  We kind of needed a nice break and some down time in the middle of the day.  

The weather was beautiful, very warm, but the park was busy and  the lines were long.  It was usually a 30 min wait at a minimum for each ride.  We thought we were being smart by pulling the kids out on the 4th week of school, but apparently everyone had the same idea, which was a bummer.  That kind of trip is always exhausting and we knew it would be exhausting, but being 12 weeks pregnant was the cherry on top for me!  Plus, I had a 3-1/2 year old who still loves to be carried everywhere which made it even more tiring.  We did rent a stroller every day, which helped a ton, but she wanted to be held while standing in all the lines and it was in  the high 80's, low 90's a few times, so it was challenging for me at times.

We got through it, and were happy we did it.  Berkeley & Oliver were at the perfect ages (Fin was way too young and couldn't go on many rides, which was a bummer to see her get left out).  Oliver might have still been just a tad young...some things kind of scared him.  Jerry & I took him and Berk on Splash Mountain which he freaked out on because you go down steep hills in pitch black tunnels.  He screamed his head off the whole ride and we felt terrible since there was nothing we could do about it.  We just had to wait it out.  Overall, I'm glad we did it, especially since we're having another baby and we won't be going back for at least 6 years.  It was a good trip and I'm thankful our kids got to experience it.