Just Because

Alison and Joseph

 

#11 is Getting Hitched!

...and we can hardly believe it!

 

We are all so excited to celebrate their big day.

 

It has been ten years since the last time all my siblings and all their kids were together. Ten years! As a matter of fact, one of my sister-in-laws has never even met my kids. Makes me sad but I guess that is the reality of a big family.

 

So, cheers to Gus and Kaylene for getting my 2 parents, 11 children, 8 spouses, 32 grandchildren, and 2 in utero grand children all together! I can hardly stand the wait!

Fudge

Constantine (trying to fix his broken truck): "What da hell, dis not wook!"

 

Pudge and Maisie quickly shoot a shocked look at each other.

 

Maisie (in a stern whisper) to Pudge: "Where the hell did he learn that?!"

 

Pudge raises one eyebrow and gives Maisie the stare of death.

 

Ah, hell...

 

 

In Light of the Purple

An oldie but goodie...

2010 Purple

Diapers, Beer, and Cigarettes

Understandably, my reading material has drastically changed these days from just a short three years ago. Before you would find on my nightstand (if I even had one) an alarm clock, a People magazine, and most likely a bag of Skittles/Nerds/Smarties. Now you will find an alarm clock, a bottle of Tums, and books entitled: What to Expect When You're Expecting, Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child, and The Strong Willed Child. And the most recent to join the group Toilet Training in Less Than a Day.

I feel like I have become the person I rolled my eyes at when I was single. I remember thinking how ridiculous my friends sounded when all they talked about were babies, kids, pregnancy, delivery, nursing, potty training, pre-school, cloth diapers, etc. BORING! I'd jump at the chance to get away from this conversation to have a drink and a smoke instead.

But, alas, I understand now... these topics have become important to me too. And I still like beer and cigarettes.

 

But back to topic...

Constantine has absolutely no interest in the toilet... and nor do I for him. And with another one coming in less than 5 months I actually wouldn't mind having four in diapers. Call me crazy but I guess I figure changing diapers would be less stressful than teaching and monitoring a toddler's toilet use. Yep, Mother of the Year over here.

 

However, factor in all the obvious benefits of being potty trained I do realize that I need to get with the program.

 

I am just as stubborn as Constantine.... so, please wish us luck!

Spring Additions

So, this is extremely belated but I wanted to introduce some babies to you who were born into the Knoell and Klocek family this past Spring.

 

My husband's sister Bridget and her husband John had their fourth baby boy on 2/18/13. Samuel Isaac Vultaggio. His older brothers are Jack, Benny, and Dominic.

 

My sister Clara and her husband Zac had a beautiful baby girl on 3/3/13. Alison Mary Wilk. She has a proud older sister, Rose.

 

My brother John and his wife Drea had a little girl on 3/26/13. Immaculae Dee Knoell. She has four older brothers: Ezra, Sebastian, Jovian, and Malachi.

... and 4 more babies are coming in October, January, and February...

A Glimpse

Constantine at 8 weeks old.

 

Constantine at 3 years old.

 

Hmm, not much has changed.

3 + 1 = A Group

Boy or girl who will it be?
Our new one is coming in early January!




#1 is 3!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Constantine!

 

 

 

A Wedding

Pudge's brother, Andrew, married his love, Brittany, last month. Check out the link below to see some pictures documenting their day...

*Brittany and Andrew Klocek*

 



 

A cute picture of the boys after the ceremony. I hope it is not illegal to copy and paste this picture I found from the photographer's blog. If it is... um, sorry!

Boo!

Hmm, wow, I haven't been around these parts in many moons. I don't even have the foggiest idea of what I have been up to or where I have been in the past months.

 

Have no fear though, I do remember that I have three boys who, I might add, are growing in leaps and bounds.

Joseph, our Gentle Giant. The boy is four months and is chubby as all get out. I am kind of embarrassed about it.

Heh-heh, mom, you should see what Simeon is doing...



He is sweet and very quiet and is my personal buddy. Recently, he even accompanied me to Alaska and hardly made a peep the entire trip (ok, so I remember one thing I did last month).

 

 

Our Simeon. He is like a wild horse. A beautiful wild horse. The kid is... everywhere. I can hardly tame him. His toes are made of rubber and can climb anything vertical. He has an incredible drop kick and throws a mean spiral already (ok, I exaggerate a little... but just a little).

 

 

Me thinks he will be the social one of the bunch and a classic class clown. He entertains us all every night with his tiny voice and his crazy non-stop being-ness.

 

 

Oh Constantine. He is still as crabby as ever and very particular. Try cutting his hair. He complains about every single strand of hair that lands on him. He doesn't like pictures and I rarely get him to smile. But when I do I get this...

 

 

He can be super sweet and I love him dearly.

 

I love to joke that I am surrounded by nuts! And yes, I mean this on the anatomical level.

My Three Sons

 

Baby Joseph Richard came to us one day late on a Monday night, February 11th. Constantine, surprisingly, is such a big helper and asks to hold him all the time. Simeon, on the other hand, could care less except to poke his eyes, pull his ears and and steal his pacifier, socks, shoes, blanket, bib, diaper cloth, bottle, nursing pad, blanket, etc. There have been many comical occasions when I have had to chase the little thief down while nursing and being... not so modest. And I have yet to purchase curtains for our new home... oy vey.

 

If you can believe it, we have had more questions about Joseph's name than the other two boys. They seem to be more astonished that we chose more of a mainstream name this time around and are rather disappointed that we did not follow up with say Shadrack, Meshach, or Abednego.

 

We chose Joseph simply because we thought it was cool. His middle name, Richard, is after my grandfather on my mother's side and it is also the middle name of both of John's grandfathers. My grandfather is very fond of the idea. He jokes that it took 16 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild to finally have a namesake.

 

Joseph is a wonderful little guy. So far the consensus is that he looks like Simeon but I think he is a perfect mix of the two boys. I am looking forward to getting to know the little guy!

 

 

17 Days...

... and counting.

 

Simeon and I realized that we hadn't taken any pictures to document Baby #3's progression.

 

So, here is one to mark the occasion.

 

We are all so excited to meet you!

Oh, one more thing, Miss/Mr. #3... you will be seeing a lot of that blue shirt of mine. It's my favorite and no one can take it away from me :-)

By Golly...

We are homeowners again!

We are as giddy as school children about it all.

No more tiny, brown house.

Instead, let me introduce you to our tiny, white house.

 

#2 is 1

Happy 1st Birthday to our sweetest Simeon!