That famous Marcroft smile…

I remember a while ago (think 1999ish?) when one of my sisters said, “It’s a good thing that you didn’t marry Thad, can you imagine how big your kids’ mouths would be?” (Or something to that extent?) I guess when your mom and dad both have big mouths you’re kind of destined, or doomed, to have the same feature…I figure that they’ll be okay as long as they use those big mouths for SMILING!

So, as not to be outdone by his brothers, Benjamin has been smiling for a few weeks but I hadn’t caught him on camera until now. Now I can share. He’s even got a cute little dimple! And his bright blue eyes are pretty fun too.

And this one is cute too…

But he’s so soft and snuggly too…

Christmas: Robot Pillowcases with pockets

So recently I gave in and tried Pinterest…it’s pretty cool I admit! And then I had this robot fabric that I bought last year at JoAnn’s and didn’t use last Christmas for PJ bottoms (ran out of time). There isn’t enough of it now for my giant monsters so I was trying to figure out what to do with it. I thought that pillowcases might be fun since they get used a lot more than PJs (since their favorite PJs are usually the footed PJs—year round!)

So I Googled pillowcase patterns and found this tutorial for a cute pillow, loved it and guess what… I made them! Hooray for me. And, I even finished them this past week (way before Christmas). I think that the boys are going to love them!

Here are their pillows. No telling them…shhhh! It’s a secret! I had to share with someone…someone will read this, right? Maybe Grace, or Cathy or Jen? :) Then you can cheer with me!

They each have a pocket on the front and then a letter with their name! The pocket could be for PJs..or a special toy…or whatever!

And I couldn’t forget to make one for our newest little guy…right?

And just in case you haven’t seen ol’ blue eyes lately…here you go! Can you believe he’s already four weeks old? :)

Health Update: New Dosages for Children’s Tylenol (Moms/Dads should read!)

Moms/Dads -- Just read this and if you ever use Children's Tylenol/Acetaminophen read this to see the new dosages!  Important information for parents (taken from Kaiser's website kp.org):

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) dosage change:

The recommended dosages of over-the-counter acetaminophen* (Tylenol) for infants are changing. Please review the safety tips below before giving this medication to your children.

Manufacturers of the pain and fever reducing medication are phasing out infant drops and replacing them with a lower concentration formula. The new formula is 3 times less concentrated than the old formula, so dosing directions are different.

While the older formula is being phased out, existing supplies will still be sold in drugstores. As a result, both the old and new concentrations of acetaminophen may be available for a period of time. Families may also have the older product in their medicine cabinets and can continue to use it. To avoid over- or under-dosing, it is extremely important to read labels, know which concentration you are using, and make sure you give your child the correct dosage.

Safety tips

    Know how much your child weighs. The correct dose is based on your child's weight, not age.
    Double check which concentration of medication you have: the older infant drops (80 mg/0.8mL) or the new infant liquid formula (160 mg/5mL).
    The older infant drops are still safe to use as long as you use the correct dose for your child's weight.
    Use only the measuring device (dropper, syringe, or cup) that came with the medication. Do not use a kitchen spoon.
    Always measure medication in a well lit area.

    Do not give your child more than 5 doses in 24 hours.

Recommended dosages for infants' acetaminophen

Concentrated drops (old concentration)
weight (lbs)    age (months)    dose (mL)
6-11     0-3     0.4 mL
12-17     4-11     0.8 mL
18-23     12-23     1.2 mL
24-35     24-36     1.6 mL

Oral suspension (new concentration)
weight (lbs)    age (months)    dose (mL)
6-11    0-3    1.25 mL
12-17    4-11    2.5 mL
18-23    12-23    3.75 mL
24-35    24-36    5.0 mL

How to use an infant dropper 
    Open the medication bottle and remove the enclosed infant dropper.
    Squeeze the bulb and place the infant dropper into the medication. Release the bulb, drawing the medication into the dropper.
    Remove the dropper and check how much medication is in the dropper. Squeeze the bulb to release any excess until the proper dosage is showing on the dropper.
    Administer the dose. Place the infant dropper into the inside of the baby's cheek and squeeze the bulb slowly so the infant will swallow the medicine.
    Rinse the dropper under hot water, squeezing the bulb to bring water into and out of the dropper to clean the inside.
    Dry the infant dropper before replacing into the bottle. This prevents the medication from becoming diluted with water.

*Acetaminophen is sold under several brand names including Tylenol, Triaminic, Good Sense, Panadol, PediaCare, Little Remedies, and Tempera.  © Kaiser Permanente, 2011

Welcome Benjamin Joseph! :)

During this past week I kept saying that it wasn’t a convenient time for him to arrive and finally on Sunday the stars aligned after Sammy’s talk at church and a few meetings and we went to the hospital. When my mom and sister Cathy arrived they broke my water and he arrived about 10-15 minutes later after a few pushes at 7:14 pm.

He wasn’t the biggest baby that we saw during our stay at the hospital (a 10 lbs. 14 oz. boy arrived this morning before we left) but he is our biggest so far having weighed in at 9 lbs. 9.4 oz. and 21.45” long. He reminds me a lot of his brothers at this age and is definitely ours!

The name was the hardest part. I was pretty sure that his name was supposed to be Benjamin after this experience but wasn’t sure what the middle name should be. we finally decided on Joseph after 3 great grandpas and an uncle!

The boys are sooo excited and their eyes light up when they see him! Welcome to our family Benjamin…we love you already!

  
Daddy holding his newest boy!

My mom and older sister Cathy were there for the delivery!

 
Big brother Sammy!

 
Nathan checking out his “cute, soft little ears”

Danny kissing the baby. He was pretty excited—I think that he thinks that the baby is his.

Our first family picture with everyone!

  
Even some cousins came to visit!

 
Getting ready to leave the hospital…

 
So sweet…

For even more pictures…click below! :)

Benjamin Joseph VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Sammy: Character Award Respect

Sammy got a character award this week for Respect! Hooray for him! He is a super star at school even though at home we’re working through some listening and brother torturing issues ;) Thanks Mrs. Lim!

We’re so proud of our Sammy boy!

What’s in a due date?

So I was officially due today. What does that mean anyway? I think that my kids at school thought that I would either a) be in the hospital, b) give birth in class or c) already have had the baby. I on the other hand am not too surprised with the fact that I am sitting here comfortably typing up a little blog post since Sammy was over a week late, Nathan arrived comfortably on his due date and Danny was five days late. (P.S. This picture was taken by Sammy boy but it is the most current one I have…I was busy inputting my quarter grades on the laptop while watching the boys play on the lawn!)

It has been interesting to hear the comments this pregnancy. Last pregnancy I had lots of negative comments from people about how many kids I was having (weird I thought since I was only on number 3) but this time I have had less negative comments about the number and actually less people apologize for me having my fourth boy and more people saying things like, “oh, my boys were so much easier” or “I know someone with all boys too!” It is also always very interesting to hear when walking across campus or down the hall at church one person say, “oh you look like you’re going to burst” and then 30 seconds later hear, “oh you look like you still have 1-2 months to go”. I think that it depends on what I’m wearing too…some outfits definitely make me look more pregnant! Either way I am grateful to be tall because it has got to be easier for me than for someone a foot shorter than me, I mean, really, where on earth do they stick the baby?? I feel bad just looking at some of them! I’m also very grateful for a strong, healthy body! Besides the normal heartburn, nausea, and exhaustion at times I think that I’ve got this pregnancy thing down!

With all that said he should be here sometime soon. My parents are in Cabo (remember last time they were in China) and are hoping that boy #4 is late like his brothers since they’ll be back on Saturday. Luckily I’m surrounded by lots of family and good friends!

Anyway…I really should get back to getting ready in case this baby decides to come before this Saturday. I have things “packed” but not really…maybe I’m getting too lazy…or too comfy…but I am getting excited to see this new little guy and welcome him into our family. What will he look like? What will his name be? What will the boys think? Will I know I’m in labor and make it to the hospital?

Stay tuned for more news later this week and enjoy the pictures!

Boy #1 – My skinny one Sammy who weighed in at 7 lbs 8 oz (since the others were 9 lbs 4 oz and 9 lbs 5 oz)

Boy #2 – Cute and cuddly Nate Nate

Boy # 3 – Little brother Danny-- I like this one because I can see how little Nate was back then.

And just for kicks…an old family picture!

Nateism: Nutrients

Here is what happened at Taco Bell today when Daddy didn’t order a cheese roll up for Nathan (his favorite).

Nate: Why didn’t you buy me a cheese roll up?

Daddy: Well you need to get something that has more nutrients in it since you’re growing bigger and you need more than just cheese.

Nate: Oh, so cheese roll ups just have oldtrients right? And tacos have newtrients?

Daddy: (Trying not to laugh) Yes Nate…you’re exactly right.