Evidence of Growth

I can't seem to stop this kiddo from getting bigger.  He lost his second bottom tooth and claims he has  top tooth loose too.  I told him to relax about trying to get his teeth out.  Let's just let the new ones grow in.  I can't wait to see his jacked up toothy smile.

Clearly it's spring.  We have dirt and leaf pies cooking on the back porch so they can feed their stuffed animals I think.  Our back yard is such a wreck because these boys of mine dig holds and pull plants and move all the rocks and pine needles to new places.  I can't have nice things, inside and out.  I'm debating not even planting a garden this year so they can have a nice place to dig that doesn't dirty the yard more.

Every time the boys go out, Nora races to the back door.  She loves it when I take her out.  I should probably do that more often.

Digging in the garden.

I was cutting olives for dinner and told the boys they could eat some but only if they put them on their fingers.  I think Isaac remembered that he could do that with olives but it was all new to Ben.  He didn't remember the last time he had eaten olives that way.  It was adorable.

This little girl likes eating too.  But not so much if I feed her.  She wants to feed herself for sure.  And I'm usually happy to let her.  I just wish she was a little more able so I was more confident she was getting enough.

But she sure is cute and getting so big.

Our lilac bush is growing too.  We have a lot of blooms this year and it smells heavenly.

And Nora looked so cute in the sunlight with her capris and cute little top.  I just had to take a few pictures of her too.

She loves watching her brothers on the swing set and loves it even more when I help her down the slide or on the swing.  She also likes to sample the grass.  Not my favorite thing for her to be doing.

Hope things are growing in your neck of the woods too.

Spring has Sprung

Our neighbors had some beautiful tulips open up this past week or two.  I took some pictures...just trying to practise with my camera.

It was a really warm (for April) week and Jacob decided to try a backyard camping trip with the boys.  They lasted until 2 am before they were freezing and came inside.  I think it was "fun" for everyone.  Especially Isaac, who lost his tooth while trying to go to sleep in the tent.  The three of them all came bustling in at 9pm to share the good news with me.  I must admit, I was excited for Isaac too.

And in more spring splendor the tree next door bloomed this week.  And it smells so good and looks so pretty.  I had to take more pictures.  Now I'm just waiting for the lilacs in our own yard to open.  Though we are supposed to get heavy rain and or snow this weekend that could really put a damper on our lilacs.  But mostly after taking pictures of both or our neighbors yards I feel like we need to do a little work in our own yard to spruce it up.  Someday, right?

Happy Spring to you!

Nora's 8 months

Before we get totally into Nora's 8 month photo shoot, here are a few random cute ones.

We had some friends over for "Re-Easter" and little Samuel is just a couple weeks younger than Nora.  He has tall parents and is clearly not on the short side himself.  He and Nora were so cute together.  So fun having you, Dan and Stacy, Lori, and Heather!

That face.  So funny.  She is such a doll.

This was the first time she reacted to being on the grass.  She didn't like her bare feet touching the grass.  I love that.

And she is showing off her well earned tooth.

Isaac is showing off his big boy tooth coming in behind his baby tooth that is still hanging in there.

And now on to the "official" pictures.

I love Nora!  She has settled in to less needy and more independently playing.  And she is overall pretty happy.  I keep hearing from people wherever we go "she's so happy!"  I love getting those comments.

She is fully crawling on all fours and playing around with taking a few steps.  She doesn't seem too eager to walk though.

She is still not sleeping great, I think maybe the other bottom tooth is affecting her.  But I can't seem to let her cry it out.  Maybe it's knowing she's my last or that she has just been so good at sleeping there hasn't been a need so now that she's 8 months old...I can't do it.  I might get there soon though.  I'm getting so tired.

She is still a Mamma's girl though she is getting a little less stranger anxiety.  I'm appreciating that.  She is also letting Daddy help calm her at night a little more so that is good too.

She moves so fast I often hear cries from her brothers of "Mom Nora's in the lego room again!"  I have the baby gate up but she can still go the long way from the living room through the kitchen and into the organ room where the boys keep their small toys.  She is fast and learned fast that that is where the fun is.

Her hair is coming in slowly but surely.  Though mostly people still think she is bald because she is so fair.  Such a little Blondie.

And she laughs and giggles and claps all day long.

She loves eating.  She especially loves eating table food.  I think she's all over giving up the baby food jars but I force it upon her so I know she's eating more than just cheerios, puffs, and crackers.  Those are her favorite things to much on.

Oh sweet Nora.  I'm so glad you are mine!  Thank you for coming to our family and filling our home with your sweet laughter.  I guess you also fill our home with your yelling.  She started to scream a little bit when she wants something and isn't getting the attention she wants.  Not my fav.  But regardless, I do love her chattering and "da da da's" and games she plays.  She is at an adorable phase and stage.

Love you Nora!