Ari's viewpoint

Last Sunday we were doing some house projects when Ari said she wanted to use my camera.  Fearing much but thinking she could, I let her have it for a little while. Here are some of her shots.  (I deleted the many pictures of the carpet and a stool).  

(I truly believe this is a perfect portrait of Ashlyn, secretly and sleepily sucking her paci downstairs):

Fall festivities

Halloween has come and gone. Thankfully. I do enjoy seeing the kids have fun dressing up and telling everyone about their costumes. I hate dislike the massive amounts of candy, the decorations and the hoopla. But whatever... Aren't they so cute in that picture above? Ashlyn loves to wear a lot of jewelry and outrageous outfits. Channeling her inner Fancy Nancy. Its adorable. AND Ari looks so grown up in those jeans.  Gosh, she'll be FOUR in like 50 some days. WHAT?!

First we had Laine's party at the Eakers where we dressed up (I don't think I took a single picture with my camera). Oops. Then we had croup and hospital stays. Then a brisk visit to the pumpkin patch and then home to carve them. Then a trip to Renovatus for our fall festival where we probably over did it in the cold weather being sick because Monday Ari slept until 1pm on the couch with a mild fever.  Then Tuesday rolled around and we were back in business, mostly. And we saved enough energy for two hours of trick or treating Thursday night.

So, here are some pics of the pumpkin patch.... Boring, I know. My typing time is limited around here.  I plan on taking a photo sesh of the girls in their costumes. My grandma did an amazing job on these huge tutus and we put them in all black and added wings and antennae.  Some people thought they were butterflies and some thought they were fairies. I just thought they were cute.  More pics to come, I hope!

 

Noah 5 months (Late)

This cutie turned 5 months old on Halloween.  We were busy eating candy and recovering from illnesses the past week so we got a tad behind. He was 5 months and four days in these pics! I apologize that Instagram has smothered my blog with a blanket.  It is much easier to post snippets of my daily life than it is to update this blog when my computer is very finicky and slow not to mention I'm missing the IKU letters on my keyboard. :)

But back to Noah... He's so stinking cute and calm.  Sweet and squrimy. Easy and predictable.  I'm a blessed mom of three.  He weighs in at more than 15 1/2 lbs and is over 27 inches tall.  He is chewing and slobbering on everything.  He likes to roll around on the floor and play with wooden chew toys.

He is getting much better about being in the car seat except when he wants to take a nap or is hungry. But hey, thats understandable!  We are all a bit cranky when we're hungry or tired.

He is currently recovering from a right inner ear infection.  It was difficult to tell the difference between teething symptoms (whiny, clingy, runny nose, diaper rash, low grade fever, eating less/frustrated eating) so when he finally started pulling on an ear, I took him in. Sure enough, pink amoxicillin for a few more days. Phew, glad he's starting to feel better. We've had someone sick in our house for 21 days now!  Seasons like this are great birth control.  :)

He is starting an amazing new trick and I'm so thrilled to watch him grow. He's mobile! I will set him down in one area and a few minutes later, through a series of rolls, scoots and crawls, he will be on the other side of the room!  He's "advanced" for his age in that he wants to keep up with his sisters!  Video below!

Noah Daniel: 4 Months

What? I'm four months old already? I've experienced life and I'm pretty happy about it!

 We traveled to Ohio last week and I got to meet Gigi, who celebrated 97 years! I hope I can live to be 97! It will be the year 2110! Whoa. That is frightening. 

 I am one happy duder. I sleep great, eat well and like to play. I love to watch my sisters run around like the wild chicks they are and I love to hear my mama talk and make me laugh. I am around 15 1/2 pounds and am pretty lanky. I have my check up next week so i'll let you know.

 Still like to sleep on my tummy and suck my right thumb. I have rolled over a  few times from tummy to back and that makes me wake up at night (boo, for mom).  But I'll figure it out soon enough. I like to chew on rings and toys and I slobber; man do I slobber.  Maybe I have a tooth coming, I'm not sure!

 I coo, make sounds and talk to everyone who listens. I am still cautious around certain people and like to be as close to mom as possible.  (She's happy about that, for now).  I hate my carseat. I don't like to be strapped in sitting up and unable to cuddle (which made for a fun 9.5 hour drive to Ohio).  We made it though and haven't been in the car for a few days now.

 I'm growing up!

Here's a pic of me and my big sisters:

Daily Routine

I am a routine lady. I like lists, post-it-notes, calendars, schedules and watches.  When I traveled in Kenya, they nicknamed me the Swahili word for clock: kuangalia.  I was the only person on my team who wore a watch! And then, I married Dan, who is notoriously late or tardy or in a rush... but THAT patience is a story for another post.

There are 12 or so waking hours here. I have to DO something with our time. School, library, outside play, inside play, food prep etc...I'm a planner, type A, whatever you call it. It makes me feel like myself to be this way; I don't thrive in chaos. I can't go to the store without a list. I get giddy about planners and calendars and magic erase boards.  I like to plan a week in advance what we eat. I'm not a 'fly by the seat of our pants' gal. So each day or week, I write out what we'll do and try to stick to it. I dont feel guilty if we don't, I just try harder the next day. Sometimes I only get the laundry put away. Sometimes I have to wait until 8pm to sweep or do other chores. If you'd like to read a blogger who said it better than I can. read this post.  I'll quote my favorite section:

"People love to tell new moms to slow down, to soak up those fleeting moments that don't last. This is great advice, and it's true. But after a few children, I've found that I can't follow it to the letter. When I let go of my busybody personality, I lose a little bit of my identity. When I can't check things off of my to-do list, I grow resentful towards the thing (or tiny baby) keeping me from the other things in my life and family and home."

Because I like a check list and a sense of 'accomplishment', I started the girls on a school schedule.  I plan to homeschool for a bit and also plan to put them in school too eventually. Maybe a co-op, maybe a shared school program, maybe something completely different. For now, we have school time, in their room, following a Letter of the Week curriculum and my modifications.  If we don't have school time and we just play inside or watch shows, I feel lost and the day seems to go on way longer than necessary. 

So, we head upstairs after breakfast and work on letters, counting, shapes, colors, writing, coloring, memorizing things (Pledge, Fruits of the Spirit, Lord's prayer, Bible Verses, The Constitution, etc ;) )
You know what? they LOVE it. Ari especially. She begs for 'more school time' and I try to find something fun for them to do over and over.  She's improved in listening and in writing and counting skills since we started 4 weeks ago. It is amazing, how quickly she learns!

And here's Noah along for the ride, sucking his thumb constantly!

Noah Daniel: 3 Months

This kid... such a stud muffin blessing.  Flying through the weeks with warp growth speed and making us smile every day.

He is eating and sleeping great! Most nights the whole time (such a reward after the two girls who never did well their first year). He sucks his thumb really sweet and likes to sleep on his tummy.

Not much to update! He is strong, adorable and fairly easy! 

Here's a dizzy video of him laughing!

1000 Things

 In the midst of the busy-ness of these three kids, it takes serious concentration to be grateful. I am working on a gratitude practice where I write 1000 things I am thankful/grateful for. Not generic things like: three healthy kids (tho I am very very grateful for that)...

 More specific and little things like: the way Ari can get Noah to smile and coo when they are lying on the floor playing. Or the way Ashlyn scoots her toosh onto your lap when she wants to read a book. 

 Or the way Ari argues with EVERYTHING and says "I just" or "I would really like to do this" instead of listening the first time. Frustrating? Yes, but significant in her personality of persistence, leadership and logical/critical thinking 

 Or when Noah is sorta gassy and he grunts and crawls up my torso trying to get the burp out. The higher he goes, the more I laugh.

 Or when Ashlyn smiles her crooked smile and says "Cheese". Her tender frizzy hair and the one curly lock in the back that seems to cascade longer than its kin.

Or Dan's hard working spirit coming in from a long day to crawl and wrestle and tackle the girls for 1 more hour before bedtime.  I love this crazy life we're living and I know it is a short season of stress that will be over soon... (at least a little tomorrow when the dishwasher will be fixed!) It is a tiring time, being home with three kids under 4 but it is where I am right now and I'm finding gratitude in the little moments.  Sure I feel lonely. Sure I feel exhausted. Yes I get so angry and irritable at the mess.  But there is so much love and the legacy we are building is unmatchable. 

Noah: 2 Months

Noah is two months already. (9 weeks!) I know, I know, I say it every time: it is so crazy how time flies. He really is growing fast and so well. His adaptation into our chaos has been smooth, fun and surprisingly easy. 

He is 13.5 lbs and 24.5 inches (90%) Growing so well and eating fast and sufficient.  His smiles are frequent which makes hard days easier and nights sweeter.  We love his seriousness too. I'd like to think he's trying to figure out where all the noise is coming from.  He makes the cutest 'thinking' face. 

 

(Above pic makes me laugh, I'm pretty sure that's his ka-pow kick that he perfected in the womb; early superhero defense practice)

He sleeps great (usually 8:30-3 and 3:30-7) and naps in the day well, especially if he's in the moby wrap.  He loves to be on his tummy for naptime and on his back for playtime with his sisters standing over him cooing and poking his belly button.  He coos and smiles and kicks with excitement when one of us is talking to him.  He loves to be held, bounced and walked around.  He is strong and holds his head up so well.   

Noah, we love you buddy. You are such a complete package of sweet and handsome.  We don't remember life without you in it and our love for you is immense.  You are a wonderful addition and we want your little years to go by slowly, as hard as each day seems.  Cuddling and holding you is precious time.  Grow slow, sweet one.


(*Pics by Katie Haller- thank you!)

Noah Getting Some Lovin

Noah: One Month (two weeks late)

Noah Daniel was one month in these pics! He weighed 10.9 at his check up and had grown 3 inches! Whoa (95% for height!).  

He loves: sleeping on his tummy in Mommy's arms, being worn in my wrap, hearing his sisters get excited around him, eating all day long.  He has smiled a few times (his first legit-non-gassy smile was a day before his one month date) and likes to open mouth smile and coo with joy.  

He is adjusting well to our family and is along for the crazy train ride but does not like being in his car seat (most trips involve lots of screaming).  He doesn't like being burped or having gas and definitely doesn't like it when I eat lots chili or dairy products.  Both the girls were like this and I had to eliminate dairy until their digestive tracts were more mature (no cheese, sad day).  

We love this new little guy and his handsome curiosity is so adorable.  

Ashlyn at Two Years

 Where to even begin with this girl?  She is a major source of serious joy in this household of crazy.  Her laughter and joking is contagious and infectious.  She makes me laugh every hour she is awake, even if she's being naughty.  As far as stats, she's thick and soft. She's got a lot of teeth and long, strong fingernails. She loves to sleep and thankfully takes a good nap everyday.  She is a sleep talker/screamer though and frequently cries out or talks in her sleep.  

She has little interest in potty training so we're holding off on that for a good while. She eats almost anything that is not a vegetable but her favorites are shrimp, cheese, strawberries, blackberries, yogurt, applesauce, chips, lara bars, bananas, turkey, cheeseburgers, raisins and more!  

 Ashlyn is quite the antagonizer when it comes to her relationship with Ari.  It is frustrating and funny at the same time. She understands discipline and consequences so we're working on that every day.  Her communication is impressive. She is making sentences and phrases that are clearly thought-out.  My favorite words or phrases are: 'M here (come here), hungry mama, cozy, Flo take bucket away (she's still talking about that famous buffalo at the Lazy 5 ranch), anything she says to Ari (especially when she's bossy)... and much more (I'll update this list as they come to me).

 

Time is flying so fast but at the same time, we have really long days. It is so tiring and wearing to raise these babies but we are trying to find joy in the little things... like her sweet crooked smile.  

Hilton Head 2013

 June was an eventful month and we've got a lot to catch up on. Our Edward Jones regional meeting was in Hilton Head again and we drove down there Thursday the 21st. We played in the ocean, the pool, had meetings and ate really good food. The best part? My parents came to help out with the three kids and the girls weren't bored with me and a nursing newborn. (Thanks Mom and Dad! We had a great time!)  Tied for first in the 'best thing about vacation' is that I dont have to clean or cook for anyone.  Bliss.  

 Dan played hard with the girls and worked hard as he had daily meetings etc.  It was fun to be around the people we've known now for a year but I still sorta felt like the new kids... and not just because we had the newest baby of the whole group.  I'm looking forward to the years to come with the same people and letting the girls (& Noah now too, I forget him sometimes!) grow up with the memories of always going together.    

 Our family pic at one of the beach side dinners. 

Of the big events of the weekend is the fancy awards banquet. I won't go into too many details and rehash the tears but lets just say these aren't our original outfits :)  

What matters is that we were able to attend the event and Dan won his first award of his career!  Hooray. The Ted Jones Prospecting Award. Basically he worked his tail off to meet a ton of people his first year! Noah went with us this year and slept thru the dinner. He was proud of his dad!

 We celebrated Ashlyn's 2nd birthday the Sunday before we came back.  She's a whole other post that I'll do soon too.