New Mornings

This is it. This is how our mornings now look. Though we haven't quite gotten into the routine of it being just the two of us, due to things like life, we are working on it. Now that we are out of the car, having completed all of our get life back on track and organized errands of January, and Jude is healthy, I feel like our time together has finally begun. And I love it.

This is our first morning home together and it is so different. Just he and I with no interruptions, no distractions, no toys stolen. Typing with him in my lap while he doodles on our fresh calendar page. 

I would think with free rein of the house he would take advantage and do all of the things his sisters won't allow, like ride his new dinosaur on wheels toy, but so far he hasn't left my lap. Guess he is getting used to the new dynamic also, getting used to the peace, getting used to the quiet. All he wants to do is snuggle. So we snuggle.

 And cherish each moment...

 Until the volume gets turned up and there are three again.

Wishing you a happy January, happy fresh start, happy new routine, happy new calendar page, and a happy and peaceful 2013.

Occupied

While the young child was completely engrossed in emptying the box of colorful baggies, the mother was able move freely through the kitchen to prepare dinner for her entire family without the nuance of a small child crying and begging at her feet, causing heart ache to ache.

The mother was not forced to make the harsh decision to prepare the meal one handed, while the other bicep burned from the weight of the child, or to listen to the whimpers of a boy who wants his momma.

The family was then able to eat and nourish themselves with food she made, and they all lived happily ever after.

Mad Man & Lately

Our son is a mad man. I am here typing this post with wet hair post the most eventful shower I have ever had the pleasure of taking. Jude has been way into carrying, stacking, putting away anything he can get his hands on. It's his passion at the moment. His mission. And he won't stop.

Today, while I was attempting to be a normal member of society and take a shower post workout, he was on a mission all his own. Elsa was taking her afternoon nap so I had a little window of time while I waited for Jude finally give up and sleep (yes, she sleeps more than him. Mad I tell ya). So this is typically my shower time. 

I closed the bathroom door, the closet door, the toilet door and dared to step in, giving him free reign of the bathroom. 

I learned the toilet room door has to be closed the hard way, when I went in to use it one night and turned the light on to a teddy bear staring back at me from inside the toilet. Yep, he stuffed the toilet full of stuffed animals. 

I called George and he disposed of Jude's victims but not before we both took a moment to just stare at the toilet and shake our heads. And all I could think of is how hard Jude must have worked and how many trips he had to make to accomplish fitting three medium sized stuffed animals in the toilet. This didn't happen under my watch, of course. The toilet lid was left open so all evidence points towards Dad. Hi, George!

So I usually have no problem taking a shower with Jude in the room. I know he is safe, I have my eyes on him at all times and it gives him a change to continue his mission and carry objects from our drawers to the tub, over and over. It  brings him much joy. 

Well, today, mid-shower I did a spot check on him and caught him lugging an entire box of curlers to the tub. I probably had soap in my eyes or something and by the time I rinsed and jumped out soaking wet, he had dumped the curlers in the tub, with a thud, turned the water on and gave them a nice drench, all with the proudest little smile on his face. 

I don't know what to do. Basically what I am trying to tell you is that my life is over. He now climbs onto the beds and jumps dangerously close to the edge, of course. He climbs onto the living room furniture and jumps. The chairs in our living room are currently with legs in the air to prevent him from climbing up and taking a major crash. But he sees the upside down chairs as a new climbing challenge to master. If I gave him the chance I know he could climb out of his crib. I'm exhausted but secretly loving watching this curious, wild, determined boy at work. 

I realize someday that this will all make sense. Like when he picks his profession in life or his hobby or whatever, we will all be like, "Oh, yeah! We knew you would do this because you used to love to put strange objects in toilets when you were a baby." 

I know I probably won't have the change to write again in a timely fashion (since my life is over) so here is a little bit of lately.

George took Ny went to the El-lesh-you game on Saturday. It was the highlight of her life. They tailgated before the game in an RV or as Nyah called it, a house that moves. They had great fun, she got to eat cotton candy but was tired by half time and was asleep before they arrived home.

And the next day, it was like she and George had some secret pact or something. Like their bond was stronger. They had experience stuff together that I just wasn't a part of. She needed an extra kiss before bed last next night, and she headed straight for George to get it.

Happy October to all.

First Pair of Shoes

It was time. These feet needed some shoes, because he is on the move and isn't looking back. 

Where will they take him? 

What will he do? 

Where will he go? Who will he become? 

The possibilities are endless.

The world is his.

On the Move

Look who decided to get up and start walking this week. We are so proud of our guy and the progress he makes daily.


I would have loved to post a video of his actual first steps but those happened Wednesday after I forced him to walk. Well kind of. I stood him about one inch in front of me and sweet talked him into my arms and then covered him in kisses. I guess he was into it because the next try he took two steps and by the end of the day he was taking 5-6 steps and by last night, well, he was walking across the room.

I guess he was a better walker than even he thought. But I am finding out he is absolutely not the type to just go for it and take rough falls that come with learning something new. Cautious this one. He waited to walk until he was ready and even now he doesn't fall, he simply opts to squat to a seated position prior to the major wipe out. 

I wonder how long this cautious approach to life will last? Into his teen years maybe? And then some? I really wouldn't have a problem with skipping a few of those broken bones, stitches and emergency room visits I've learned come with the boy territory.

So there you have it. All of our kids can walk. Check it off the list. On to the next milestone.

First Birthday

What a sweet weekend we had celebrating Jude's first year. 

The girls and I threw him an alligator party. 

Unfortunately, he didn't like his cake, at all, but he did love the hummus.

And all the wonderful gifts.  

Thanks to everyone who made his birthday special. Sure feels good to have a one year old.

His Eleventh Month

These days Jude spends most of his time vertical. He pulls up on anything he can get a good grip on. He is off playing with his sisters most of the time but still has plenty of time to snuggle with his parents. Thank goodness. 

Asleep while watching sports. He can't handle the stress of the playoffs.

He is eating much more these days, peas, sweet potatoes, and watermelon are a few of his favorites. We still haven't got a full nights rest and not sure when we will. 

Nyah is already talking about plans for his first birthday party. She seems to be excited that he will finally be a solid age she can hold onto and tell people, instead of a month. 

Elsa has created her own name for him, "Eensa." We aren't sure if she is mispronouncing a word or this is some Spanish word she has picked up or what, but she consistently calls him this and uses it as a term of endearment. Pretty cute, Elsa loves is her little Eensa.

Oh how we love this little guy. It's unbelievable to watch him grow into such a handsome, peaceful little boy.

Look how much he's grown.

One month

Two months

Three months

Four months

Five months

Six months

Seven months

Eight months

Nine months

Ten months

Summer Love

Time is moving so fast, its hard to keep up. And hard to keep up with these kids. We are having so much fun with them, everyday. They are growing and changing at warp speed. Here is a little catch up of recent happenings. 

We made Nyah's universe and took her to Disney Princess on Ice, or in her eyes, The Greatest Show on Earth Ever. She was wide eyed every minute of the show and man does this girl know her princesses. Elsa enjoyed most of the show but lost interest towards the end and resorted to cheering and dancing. 

I now have three kids at home during the day because Nyah graduated from preschool! Though she will return a bit this summer to help her sister adjust to starting school (and don't get me started, I am already having anxiety about Elsa "leaving home") it is onto bigger things for this one. 

Jude is all over the house and is into anything and everything he can get his hands on which is ok with me. I love a curious kid but while I want to give him freedom to roam and explore I can't take my eyes off him for a second. Because if I do he is always moments away from disaster.

It is so hot here in Louisiana so we can really only get out to play in the mornings and evenings. When we bought this house we never dreamed this faucet would be such a hit. Hours of entertainment for the girls and me on repeat ever minute saying, "Girls, turn the water off. You're wasting water. Thats enough." I just can't help myself. But they love having their own water source.

And just a little warning-you might see this dress on Nyah for the majority of the summer. She scored the homemade dress on a recent trip we took from a sweet woman and she hasn't taken it off since because as she says, "Look, my back is out." George is less than amused, obviously, so this is another dress for home use only.

Since Nyah has been home she and Elsa have been going non stop pretending and fixing hair, and chasing, and screaming, and arguing. I am just so glad they have each other. Their bond is awesome.

These photos were taken as George and I were relaxing on the porch admiring our family just moments before this duo headed inside, alone. A few moments later we decided to take Jude inside to cool off. But when George tried the handle the door was locked along with every other door and window in the house. These sweet little girls locked us out of our house. 


We banged and rang the door bell but they would just scream and run around the living room then return to jumping on the bed. My idea was to return to the back porch and ignore them, they would miss us eventually, right? Well, turns out they were having a party and forgot they had parents so George knocked again and used his Dad voice and as soon as, "Early to bed!" came out of his mouth the door opened. Then the tears started flowing. They had fun while it lasted.

To celebrate Nyah's first day of vacation we put our swimsoups (as Elsa calls them) on this morning and headed to the water park to beat the heat and burn some energy. 

I am so looking forward to a summer of art, baking, playing, bugs and sun with these three and just getting back to the good life. We've missed you summer.