Bobby is 8-Months Old!

Say it loud and proud, Bobby!  You're 8 months old!

Here are some observations about our youngest, Robert John:

-  Bobby is on the move!  He only crawls short distances (maybe a foot or two to get an enticing toy) but he I know that pace will pick up very quickly. 

-  If it comes on a spoon, Bobby likes it!  And even if he doesn't like it (avocado!) he eats it any way, but just makes a face the whole time.  Yes, we are deep in the land of solid foods, and favorites include sweet potatoes, applesauce, squash, cheerios by the handful, and he's even come around to liking peas.  I still nurse Bobby several times a day, but we can see that solid foods fill him up and keep him happy in a way that Mommy just can't provide! 

-  Because Bobby is more physically active, and coupled with the increased food intake, Bobby is sleeping much better.  I can say confidently that we've dropped down to two naps a day - usually one in the middle of the day and one in the late afternoon.  He goes to bed around 8:30pm and wakes up around 8:30am.  He may or may not get up during that time to nurse, but he always goes back down to sleep easily!

-  Bobby is in a few 6 month clothes, but he's soon going to be in 9 month clothes exclusively.  I'm not sure how much he weighs, but Bobby has got to have put on a pound or two since hitting the solid foods so hard.

-  Bobby's favorite toys are his exersaucer/jumperoo, and anything that crinkles or rattles.  He also got a giraffe spinny toy for Christmas, and that holds his attention while the balls spin around and around.

-  His biggest fans are still Abby and Susan.  (Although his cousins Josie/Margo/Flora are pretty crazy about him, too!)  The girls can't wait for Bobby to wake up and play with them.  I think the most fun thing for the kids is to all go downstairs in the basement.  Bobby crawls/scoots on the floor and the girls jump around.  They all have a strong sense of family togetherness, and it means a lot when we're all in the same room playing!

I love this picture in particular, because Bobby frequently tucks his thumb in between his fingers.  I noticed it when he was just an infant.  I'm glad to have caught it in a picture!

Happy 8-months, big guy!  Thanks for letting us take care of you!  We love you!

Tunnel Vision

I'll start this post with a picture of this cutie: our soon-to-be-eight-month-old little guy.  He's starting to push off on his toes and army crawl, but more on that tomorrow.  For now, just enjoy this picture from play time in the basement last night:

And then I'll move on to this brave little girl, who was back at the dentist today.  Susan has had more than her fair share of dental issues in the last month.  (I blame raisins... and myself... but mostly raisins.) Today, she was back in the ol' dental chair for a cleaning and one more tooth repair.  She amazes me because of her trust, bravery and calmness in the face of pain.  (...while she has pain in her face.)  Way to go, Sus!

And then there's The Doodle.  This little girl has started to ask us, "please you hold me like baby?"  She asks this at least twice a day.  And my goal is to always say yes whenever possible!  I'm told she won't want to cuddle with me forever, so I'd better seize the opportunity now!  

My word... I love these kids!!!

Christmas Wrap Up!

Yesterday was the long-awaited lunch with my mom's side of the family!  Seventeen of us joined together at my Mema's church.  Although a few important family members were missing (silly work!) we enjoyed the company of those who were there.

Candle gifts are small presents that mark our spots at the dinner table.  They have a small gift inside, and it's always a fun way to kick off our holiday meal!

Action shot!

Our family festivities in Selinsgrove were over too soon!  After the presents were opened, the cookies were eaten, the wrapping paper was balled-up, and the vacuum was run to sweep up that glass ornament that Susan broke... we headed back to our home to prepare for our friends to come over.  Sharing fondue, drinky drinks, and Trader Joe Candy Cane Jo-Jo's was the perfect way to end our day.

It was also the first time to gather around our new table, which will be a fixture in our sun room.  Thanks for the hand-me-down, V & B!

That was the last Christmas thing.... sigh.  Especially in the last few days, we have been warm and happy and cozy with all of our blankets and slippers, and comforted by the presence of family and friends near and far.  But of course the best part is the love and forgiveness we've received from Jesus Christ!  It was a Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Morning!

Here are a few pictures that I snapped today, while we enjoyed our morning with our kids!

Christmas Eve 2014!

Happy Christmas Eve!  Here is our 2014 family photo in front of our tree:

Baths are over, Christmas PJ's are on... yes.  

We are ready to go to sleep and wake tomorrow on Christmas day!

#Ionlyweartheseforspecialoccassions

#dontjudge

Susan is FOUR!

Today, our sweet Susan Joyce turned four!  It's all so surreal.  I feel like we've gone from this - to this - in a blink of an eye.  How is it possible that life is moving this fast?!

Anyway, we had a great day!  This morning, Susan came downstairs to a bouquet of balloons waiting for her on the coffee table in the living room.  Then, I took all three kids to starbucks for a Vanilla "Steama" and cake lollipops, as a special treat for Susan.  We had grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch, and video chatted with Susan's Aunt Melissa and Uncle Billy during our meal.

Serious expression... but this shows the necklace Susan made with her new bead kit from Aunt Melissa & Uncle Billy!  Most days, Susan doesn't take naps any more, but she does take a quiet time. The beads were a great activity for today's quiet time.  (And a special treat was that mom stayed in quiet time WITH Susan today to help with the necklace!)

Our company came in the afternoon - balloons for everyone!

Bobby liked the balloons, too!

How great is this picture???

"FOUR!"

We were joined for dinner by Susan's cousins, Aunt Emily, and Gram & Papa.  Per Susan's request, we had spaghetti and salad.  She asked for "one big, tall, chocolate cake with vanilla frosting."  

Make a wish!

What a special day celebrating a special girl! Here are some things we know about you, Sus:

Favorite color:  Green  (You picked out your outfit and dressed yourself today, sporting your favorite color!)
Friends: Abby, and cousins: Josie, Margo & Flora... also mentioned Ella from Preschool & Elloise
Favorite foods:  raspberries, spaghetti, tomato soup, white/plain yogurt, blueberries, peas
Favorite show:  Jake and the Neverland Pirates (and many of your gifts were reflective of this!)
Enjoys: school, bike rides (with training wheels), making "nests" with Abby, jumping on the trampoline, twirling in long dresses, dot-to-dot, and tickles.

Being four is great.  I know you will enjoy it, Susan.  I mean, you were a pretty awesome three-year-old, so I can only imagine that four will be just as good, if not better!  You are young enough that you are still so sweetly innocent.  At times, you think you are much smaller than you really are, wanting your daddy to throw you around, just like he throws around Abby.  And while you are physically much bigger than you think you are, the questions you ask and the conversations we have are much bigger than you think you are, too.  You are a thinker.  You ask very insightful questions, and I want to give you the perfect answer every time.  It is an incredible responsibility.... and I thank God every day that I get to be your mother!

You still ask for cuddles and snuggles.  You play nicely by yourself, but you always enjoy playing with a friend rather than being alone.  You love your sister and your brother; the importance of family is talked about every day!  This season, especially, it's been joyous for me to hear you talk about Jesus and the reasons for Advent and Christmas.  When you sing in the car - Twinkle, Twinkle or the ABC's or Jesus Loves Me, I try to drink in every sweet note.

You are my first born... the first of three indescribable loves.  Happy birthday, sweet girl.  Thanks for letting us take care of you.  We love you!

Susan's Christmas Program

Before the show:

(Yes, the dress might look pretty, but does it twirl???)

During the show:

The 3-Year-Old Classes did a finger play about Christmas trees, Jingle Bells, the Reindeer Hokey-Pokey, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.  Gram came, too!  She helped to hold Bobby so I could be a shutterbug... along with all the other parents!

After the show:

We love her teachers!  Susan thinks the sun rises and sets for these two ladies:

Siblings

Yesterday morning, the girls were picking at each other constantly.  We hopped in the car and went to a local park and things improved dramatically!

Most of the time Susan and Abby play together so well.  Having kids so close together was really overwhelming.  (Well, it still is, at times!) But several experienced moms told me that it would pay off.  I'm already starting to see the benefit.

A picture of all three!

Abby crawled up next to Bobby and said, "I love my brod-er," and gave him a squeeze.  Stuff like this just warms my heart.

I was listening to a podcast the other day, and Jeffrey Kluger was interviewed about his book called "The Sibling Effect."  He said, "There may be no relationship that's closer, finer, harder, sweeter, happier, sadder, more filled with joy or wrought with sorrow than the relationship we have with our brothers and sisters."  (I had to listen to that section of the podcast about four times to make sure I dictated the quote just right!) But I love it.

There are many influences on us; your parents were here before you were born, and they will leave before you.  You're spouse may join you when you've already lived through childhood and become an independent-thinking adult.  But your siblings... under normal circumstances, they essentially enter the world with you and leave around the same time, too.

So while my girls might have days when they pick and poke at each other more than normal, and while Bobby is mostly unaware of his sisters until they come up and laugh in his face, the relationships between these three kids are just beginning!  And I have a front row seat for these earliest stages.... for better or for worse!

Who Can I Call?

Who can I call to make sure you put me down on a blue blanket next time???

Legos with Red

The timing of this morning was great; Susan went to preschool, and Abby & Bobby & I came home.  Bobby took a snooze, and that let Abby & Mommy have some quality time together.

The whole time Abby was assembling her tower on the table, she was muttering, "Careful.  Careful." It was so sweet.

It's special whenever I can get some one-on-one time with any of my children.  Today, it was fun to watch Abby work on her "tall tower" and her "birthday cake," while talking about the colors she used and turning the pieces to fit her design.

Susan can really dictate the play time, so it was lovely to see Abby using her imagination and doing what she wanted to do by herself!