a quick update

Time slips by so quickly, days fly by, weeks disappear and now look at this baby of ours. I smile every time I look over her way and catch her watching me with those big eyes. She is growing so quickly, I am sad how fast time flies and feel like I am not appreciating these moments. I catch myself thinking and saying, this is the last time I get to have an infant, etc.... I even hear Ben saying things like, this is the last baby I get to toss around. He enjoys playing with her and hearing her laugh as he tosses her around.

Rachel and I had some fun with our babies here. I did not include the picture of her baby, but her baby has acquired new clothing. Violet, at times, needs some clothing changes, so of course Rachel's baby doll must also, and I do not have baby doll clothing. We were in the middle of a crisis, when I had this brillant idea of those baby clothes Violet can not wear anymore and sure enough, they fit, so now I can enjoy seeing those infant clothing on a baby doll!! Who would have thought!

Rachel is talking more and more. It is fun to spend time with her! This weekend we had a fun time camping with our church group. Late nights, campfire talks with our friends and even later nights for us adults. There were so many girls that were so willing to help me keep up with my kids. It is so nice to be in a place where other people know my children and if they did forget where I was, people around knew who they were and could get them to me. It is getting really late. I'm not even sure if I'm making any sense. I think it is time to go to bed. Sweet dreams to every one.

A Wonderful Weekend

It was so nice to have the kids home again, all together. I think they all enjoyed playing together. Here Rachel is playing baby with Violet. Violet has mastered sitting, now onto crawling! And to explain Rachel's outfit, she really wants to dress herself and chose her own clothing. So she can, until we need to go out in public, than we have some negotiating to do. I caught a really funny expression on Violet's face here. She's so funny, always smiling.

On Saturday, we went to a local park where they have a little train that we rode on. The kids loved it!!

Now starting a new week, we will see what kind of adventures this week will bring.

Coffee Anyone?

Oh Rachel is so funny! Coffee is a staple here at our house. This morning I am really dragging, so maybe I need another cup! Yesterday while getting my noon cup of coffee, Rachel asked for a cup. So like I have done with my other children, I fixed her a cup of coffee. A little coffee, mostly milk, and a dab of sugar. The older two children did not like it and it satisfied their curiosity of what mom and dad are always drinking. Rachel on the other hand absolutely loved it and drank it down. I was a little mortified, thinking "oh dear, there goes her afternoon nap". Anyway, some time passed, and I was stranded on the couch feeding Violet when Rachel started messing around in the kitchen. I listened, trying to figure out what she was doing. When I was available, I went into the kitchen and here Rachel had gotten herself a coffee mug, poured herself some cold coffee from the pot, and then put flour into the coffee. How did I figure this out? The remains were in my kitchen sink. I had to scoop out the unsuccessful cup of coffee, I was afraid if it got down into the drain it might clog my drain! So we had a little talk about how coffee is good, but maybe we should wait until she was a little older to really start drinking it.
Yesterday, nothing was accomplished around here. I was swimming trying to keep my head above water. Oh lets review what my nights are like: An infant who loves to be held and nurse constantly (possibly using me as a pacifier). A 2 yr old who loves to crawl in my bed and at times follow me around as I prowl the hallways. One child who frequently needs a bed linen change, and now a child who in the middle of the night is afraid our smoke detectors aren't working, and wondering if the stove is turned off? (can you imagine?) Needless to say I believe it's another day of "not sweating the small stuff" and just taking care of the essentials.
Time is up, its getting hard holding the baby, soothing a screaming 2 yr old, because mommy will be right there!!

So, what about Violet

In all this talk about Ashley starting kindergarten, Jacob starting second grade and Rachel adjusting to the kids being in school, what about Violet? Violet is such a good little baby. She rarely cries, only when hungry or ready to take a power nap. Here we are playing baby. Violet is my baby and Rachel has her baby. Violet doesn't seem to mind and always smiles!


Violet enjoys sitting up so she especially enjoys her walker.

To have some down time, I lay her on her mat. The problem is she doesn't stay there. She rolls all around and I have to re-situate her after awhile, because she travels such a distance.

Yes, she does wear out and needs an occasional power nap. Why do I keep refering to a power nap? Because this little one, whom I love very much, only sleeps maybe an hour at a time. So, in that time, I fly around the house trying to catch up on some things, plus do something special with Rachel.

Now that we're awake and fed, Violet loves the johnny jumper. Here is constant movement. I am surprised the picture is not blurry!

We have so much fun. I love my kids! Even the crazy times when things seem stressful, I just am so thankful for all that I have and that God has given me these special blessings.