L2 turns seven

Happy seventh birthday to our sweet L2!!!

We got to go over to L2's school to celebrate, and then we had his first friend party! It so amazing to watch this kid grow. Things haven't always been easy and we have struggled and overcome some hurdles over the years, but he is truly thriving right now. It's amazing to watch him speak in ASL, and also to hear how much clearer his spoken speech is coming. He is learning to read his sight words and  he puts so much effort into his spelling words and homework each week. He plays soccer and baseball, and even though he's not the best or most coordinated, he is always so happy to just be out there with his friends.

He is still fiercely stubborn, but is learning to take no for an answer and to get out of his comfort zone  more and more. He loves his brothers and little sister and he loves Jello (the new puppy!) He loves to sing and tell stories and act silly. He's all boy and is usually happiest out playing in the dirt.

We love him and we love watching him grow. Happy, Happy birthday my sweet L2!!!

Camping 2018

We had our annual friends camping trip a few weeks ago, and it was another successful one for the books! We usually try to do a trip as soon as the weather starts cooling down, but between sports and other obligations, we were quickly running out of time. But we made it work and headed up to the lake after three soccer games on a Saturday afternoon. 

Unfortunately, as it usually is in the fall, the lake was super low. Usually the campsites we stay at our right on the water, but this year you couldn't even see where the lake started! So we set up camp and then drove out to another area to let the kids swim and kayak. It was kind of a pain having to drive, but ultimately not a big deal and actually kind of nice checking out another area of the lake.

Our friends only stayed for the first night, but S took Monday off so we were able to stay a second night. The boys had a blast and little miss C did a great job! It definitely harder camping with a baby whose mobile enough to want to be down and explore, but not old enough to be trusted!

So until spring, Lake Pleasant!

School Pictures

School picture time! We have third grade, first grade, and preschool! My handsome guys!

eight months

Our little miss C turned 8 months a few days ago. It seems crazy that she has gone from this little tiny newborn to this crazy, active, engaged baby in such a short amount of time. 

She is seriously the light of our lives. All of our lives. The boys absolutely adore her, and she adores them. Any worries I had about bringing a new baby into the family, and especially about how R might react, are completely gone. 

So, let's see.... C is still a super happy baby, except when we ask her to do things like nap. We are struggling to get her to nap in her crib and not sleeping on one of us, but I like to think we are making some progress. She sleeps fairly well at night. She is in the pack and play next to our bed and then moves into our bed when she wakes up to eat. She is probably up one to three times per night, but usually she is pretty easy to nurse and have fall back asleep. 

She is still exclusively breastfed, but she has also been doing a combo of baby led weaning and pureed foods. So far she seems to like everything and loves being able to sample everything we are eating! She also has officially cut two teeth!

She has been crawling for a bit now, and pulling up, but just in the last few days she has begun cruising and I don't think walking is far off. She is also into everything and pushing the limits of the limited baby-proofing we have going on.

Basically, she is wonderful, and fun, and we love her so much!

L turns nine

Our biggest little guy turned nine last weekend. Nine! I can't believe it's been almost ten years since I got that surprise double line on a pregnancy test, less than a year after S and I got married. I remember being equal parts terrified and excited. L has taught me how to be a mom, and every year he keeps teaching me more and more.

What can I say about L as he enters his ninth year? Well, he's in third grade. He is smart. Like, really smart. I'm constantly impressed and amazed by the inquisitive questions he is always asking, and how he looks at everything in the world and wonders about the how and the why. He is kind to everyone. He is funny, always working on new jokes and riddles to tell me. He is helpful and responsible, he is my child that I know will follow the rules and that I can count on to make good decisions. He has discovered a love of reading, and he is playing soccer, baseball and basketball. Basically, he is wonderful and we are over the moon proud of him.

Anyway, enough of the mushy stuff about my little boy, who is getting so big. If I keep going I will turn into a mess of tears thinking about the sweet baby we brought home from the hospital nine years ago, so instead I will leave you will pictures from his sleepover birthday party, where five boys descended on our house. It was a little chaotic, but all the attributes I apply to L go for his sweet friends too, and we love having them around!

Seven Months

This little diva is seven months!

Our girl has officially passed the half year mark. She is cutting her first tooth, which is leading to some sleepless nights and lots of comfort nursing. She is now an established crawler and is always trying to get her feet under her and pull up on stuff. 

She has started solid foods and we are doing a mix of purees and some baby led weaning. She is still nursing as often as she can. Sleep at night is OK, although she still ends up in our bed overnight and it hasn't been as good lately because of the tooth. Naps during the day are a different story. We are trying to get her to nap in the crib (instead of on me) and she is not having it. She absolutely will not be put down awake. She will scream and cry until she is hyperventilating. I can occasionally nurse or rock her to sleep and lay her down, and she will sleep for a bit, only to abruptly awake and realize she has been abandoned and be super pissed. But.... we are working on it!

She loves her bothers and thinks they are hilarious. She is going through some separation anxiety with me and doesn't like when I set her down and walk away for any reason. She loves going after the dogs and trying to "play" with them.

She's just under 20 pounds and in 9-12 month clothing. I am loving buying all the girl things for her! She'll keep on headbands, but will not keep on shoes. She does not love going in the car seat.

Basically, she's amazing. I love every second with her. I'm torn between being amazed at how she is growing and changing everyday and heartbroken as I wish time would slow down. She has truly completed our family and every single one of us is smitten with her.

Even Jello. Even though she pulls her ears and legs!

Goodbye summer

Even though the temps here will still be in the high 90's and 100's for at least a month, we are slowly saying goodbye to summer as school starts up and our schedules fill with school and sport events.

But we're still squeezing in some pool days where we can!