What's your least favorite parenting job?

For me, it's a toss up between bedtime, and bathtime, although if I had to pick one, I'd go with the bath. For some reason I just HATE giving the kids bath--I always end up frustrated, and they usually end up crying. Luckily Dad usually takes care of both bath and bedtime at our house. (Thank Heavens!)

So, my question to you is, Do you have a parenting job that you'd gladly give up? Share here!

Introducing to you...

Jack Michael Bird. Isn't he so cute? My little sister Natalie had her 1st baby on Jan 22nd. ( Which is also Alan's bday!) He was a day late, and we were all anxious for him to get here! Nat says he is a great baby, he doesn't really cry, he just sort of yelps. We were looking at pics my Dad sent after he was born and Josh couldn't get enough. All day he kept saying, "Baby Jack come play with us? Baby Jack have lunch with us?" We are so excited to have a Cornell Cousin and can't wait to meet him!


There was also another addition to the family earlier in the week--this is Chloe, and she may rival the baby in sheer cuteness. Carlie and Danny got a little puppy and she weighs 1.2 lbs.

1/2 way there!

We had our 20 week ultrasound this week and we are very happy to report that we have a healthy baby BOY! Halle was a little disappointed--she asked the ultrasound tech to "check again," but she is coming to terms. I think she rather likes that she will be the only daughter in the house--that's more time with mom to do girly things! Rusty says he knew it was a boy all along. We feel very blessed that the baby looks healthy, and can't wait to meet him! 140 days to go!

Colorado Christmas (with a little Utah thrown in!)

We spent our first Christmas at home this year. It was so nice not to have to pack up all the presents, and the kids loved having the day just to relax and play with their toys. Santa brought Halle an Easy Bake Oven, and Josh a Geo Tracks Airplane. On Christmas Eve we had a yummy dinner with the Yates Family, played Christmas Bingo, and attempted to act out the nativity.
On the 26th we packed up for our drive to Utah. The weather in Wyoming was a little hairy, but we made it safe and sound. The kids had a blast spending time with the Grandmas and Grandpas and and Aunts and Uncles. Halle even told Michael that he was her favorite Aunt. We all got a kick out of that.
All 8 of the Banks cousins got to spend time together and we had a rockin New Year's Eve. Things get a little crazy with 8 kids 5 and under running around, but all the kids love to play together. And we finally got to meet Cory and Lindsey's baby, cute little Cohen--he is so adorable!
On our drive home we decided to split the trip and spend the night in Rawlins, WY. Sleeping in one room with our whole family is quite the adventure. Josh refused to get in the port-a-crib, so he slept with Rusty and I slept with Halle. Josh fell off the bed in the middle of the night, and I swear he didn't even wake up. Rusty hurried and picked him up, he whined for 2 seconds, then was fast asleep again. And Halle grinds her teeth SO BAD. It sounds like she is chewing boulders. I am surprised that she has any teeth left at all. So, no one really got a great night's sleep. But the kids had fun the next morning in the swimming pool (or more accurately, the hot tub) and then they slept almost all the way home. Thanks to both our families for a fun filled trip!