Matching jammies

AHA!

Matching jammies. There you go.

The official 9-month pictures

The nine-month photo shoot DID happen. Several days ago, if I'm being honest, but I just now salvaged a few pictures. I am in love with these jammies, which is why we took pictures in them, and if I had really been thinking, I would have put Lucy in her matching ones. Oh yes, I said it. Matching jammies. It is too cute for words. For now you'll just have to imagine.

This girl NEVER stops moving. And she has two adorable little chicklets for bottom teeth. And the hugest eyes and the hugest cheeks and the hugest grin. So here you go.

High kicks for nine months!

This was the saddest, most under-exposed photo EVER, but was so cute that I did my best to at least make it light enough to see. That smile was for Milo. Two punkins.

Post full of love (and pictures and videos)

Well, I am subconsciously in denial. Which is why I didn't realize it was Emmy's nine-month birthday until dinner time yesterday. Or it could be that our washer is broken and I was trying to haul laundry back and forth across town. You tell me...

But Emmy is nine months old! And Milo is almost seven years old (AHHHHHHH!!!)! And Lucy is just as four and a half as she can be and I love her for it. It's not all peaches and roses around here, but it is so busy and so wonderful and I am so thankful.

And speaking of thankful, meet Gloria.

When I was pregnant with Emmy (and we only toted two little people around everywhere), Nate kept telling me we needed a van. And I, in all my pregnant glory, told him I was absolutely not the van type. I'm obviously too young and cool for all that, right? And then Nate proceeded to remind me that I am EXACTLY the van type and exactly the type of person that van makers are marketing to. I am in my thirties, with three kids (technically two and one on the way at that point), and I haul a lot of kid stuff around with me... It was quite the blow. Then Emmy was born and I couldn't get a van quick enough. Nate surprised me with this beauty a few weeks back and we are literally the happiest little van owners who have ever existed. Seriously. I'm picking other people's kids up for fun these days.

In other news, THESE LITTLE RAYS OF SUNSHINE!

Now that Milo's almost seven, he's clearly growing a beard...

This little dancer is going places. With a suitcase stuffed full of baby dolls. 

Cheeks and eyes for days.

Seriously - could they be any cuter? Note Lucy's gritted teeth. She literally can not handle how much she loves Emmy.

TWINSIES!

This ball pit has made it through three little people now. Well done, manufacturer.

And now this girl! She's learned to clap, LOVES peek-a-boo at all times, and is into everything. Plus she eats table food like a full-grown person (the quantity is impressive) and is so snuggly and delightful. Oh, and because I know this was weighing heavily on you, yes, we can now clip a bow in her hair. Whew.

Lessons from Emmy

Just CHILL!

Time Change + 8 months old.

Oh, friends. The time change is all fun and games until you have children. And then all of a sudden everybody is crying and you'd like to say you don't know why, but the real reason is that everyone was up at 6 a.m. and the poor baby hasn't taken a nap because she's completely thrown off. It's just an hour. Who knew that stinking hour could do so much damage?

This girl. This girl knew, although she couldn't have put it into words. Then again, why use words when your sleepy little face is this expressive?

But enough about my nemesis, Time Change, and on to another milestone. This little nugget turned 8 months old Saturday! I can't even explain to you how delightful she is, and also how teething she is. The teething makes us have completely irrational days, but other than that, she is so precious. She is smiley and snuggly, and completely cracks me up every time I lay her down for a nap or bedtime. As soon as her head hits the mattress, she starts vigorously kicking her legs, waiting for me to attempt to cover her with the blanket (because that blanket isn't staying on for anything). I always have to throw it over her face so she can kick it off with a HUGE grin as I say, "Peekaboo!" We do this a few times, then I tell her I love her and head out. When she's not being a super teether, she just talks and coos until she goes to sleep. When she IS being a super teether, or when the time change (shakes fist) happens, she screams and stands up and makes a nice racket until she literally passes out face-first. Whatever floats your boat, nugget.

And you already knew this, but she crawls everywhere, gets into everything, and stands up on and with everything. But, as previously mentioned, is so delightful and good-natured. She loves to play with Milo and Lucy, and they still hang on her every movement. Their new trick is going in just before I do to wake Emmy up, turning on every musical children's toy in the room, and singing and dancing her awake. She's a good sport, and I usually hear her belly laughing right away.

Also, she loves poking the mole on my chin when she's nursing. I'm not quite sure how I feel about that...

That's life! Now, if you'll excuse me, we are all cranky and off schedule and it's time for a second cup of coffee. Real life, people. But look how cute!

So...?

Every once in a while, I have to tell you a funny story. This one  just so happens to be about Lucy. She and I were sitting in the living room the other day first thing in the morning. We were quiet, and I could tell Lucy was mulling something over in her mind, but I didn't ask.

She finally asked, "So... where are Bruiser's eyebrows anyway?"

Mini Triangle Scarf

Would you like a peek at my gorgeous little girl? Be still my heart, Lucy Jane is a vision. I crocheted her a smaller version of a triangle scarf (I have a larger version, for now - please don't anyone ask me for it or you know I will be compelled to give it to you), and she liked that she could swap it between a scarf, a shawl, and something she refers to as a menash that she wears on her head to be a princess. I have no idea where the word came from... but she's been a princess from day one, right?

NOT posing.

Posing

Waiting for the punchline on a knock-knock joke.

Baby giggles

I thought the new of Emmy would wear off after a while for Milo and Lucy and they would just ease into life with her like it was no big deal.

I was wrong, people. So very wrong.

Every morning, when I've finished feeding Emmy and turn on the light in her room, I hear the pounding of little feet running to her room. The door hits the wall as they shove it open, and they come scrambling in, pulling on each other and squabbling about who's going to hold her first. And if they don't come right away, Emmy sits on my lap, craning her neck at the door and wondering where her fan club is. It sounds a little chaotic (and believe me, it is), but it's one of my favorite things in life. Watching my little people love each other so very much.

But it doesn't stop there. Milo and Lucy are always thinking about Emmy, playing with Emmy, pestering Emmy (to which she responds mostly good-naturedly, and occasionally with an indignant scream), and living to make Emmy laugh. There is never a dull (or quiet) moment around here, and although I admit I am exhausted at the end of every day, I wouldn't trade it for anything, and I am more aware than ever that these moments are so fleeting. Already seven months have flown by before I could blink, so I have to treasure every day because I can't get them back.

There is joy to be found in every moment.

Emmy's new trick

I don't know if I can fully explain to you how in love with this child I am unless you have children of your own. I remember wondering if I would have enough love in my heart to love another child the way I did Milo when I was pregnant with Lucy. Then she was born and I realized that my heart must have grown, because I adored them both so fully. Then came Emmy and my heart practically exploded, because not only am I over the moon about her, but I think I love my other children even more as well. Strange things, these mommy hearts. But I am so thankful.

 And even though Emmy is my third, I am so incredibly delighted with every new skill she learns. Nothing is old news just because the others did it. Plus, look at those cheeks. How can you resist?

Milo's First Lost Tooth (stop growing, little man!)

Milo has had a loose tooth for over a month. He would wiggle it half-heartedly every now and then, and I didn't really get involved. Nate encouraged him, but for some reason, the loose tooth made me queasy.

And then it got really wiggly, and he would move it all the way forward so it was pointing at me, and again, I would start to want to black out. It's ridiculous, I know, but there is something about a loose tooth that I almost can't handle. Is this why we had to get multiple of my teeth pulled by the dentist instead of me losing them myself? There's no telling.

Then a week or so ago, Nate went into the bathroom with Milo and gave the tooth a good push backward. It bled a little, and Milo was a total champ. I thought this would be another "splinter at the beach" situation (if you don't know this story, I can't even tell you, but it was one of the most frustrating HOURS of my life). Anyway, they stopped messing with the tooth, and at bedtime, Nate asked Milo to let him take one more look at the tooth.

Milo laid across his lap, and then I heard him say, "Daddy, what's that in your hand?"

Nate held it up triumphantly - it was Milo's tooth! It had come out so easily Milo didn't even know it.

So here he is. My grown-up looking little man. And what a thoughtful little tooth. It waited until the day that Milo got a haircut so he'd look extra-dapper for his picture. How sweet.

Monthly Catch-Up

Hi, friends! It's that time again. Monthly catch-up. I realized I haven't told you any funny stories lately, though, so I had to add a few.

My little people and I were driving the other day, and Milo remarked that our car air freshener looked good enough to eat (I'm not going to lie - it looks like a lovely piece to sink your teeth into. Kind of semi-squishy with a bumpy texture. It's a teething dream come true, minus the fact that it's a car freshener...). I told him you couldn't eat it, and he, in true analytical fashion, said, "Well, Mommy, you could eat it."

We've had lots of conversations like this around the house lately, and I wasn't in the mood for it. "Milo, just because you could technically eat something doesn't mean it would be good for you. This would be poisonous if you ate it."

Lucy got in on the action. "Mommy, what does poisonous mean?"

I tried to explain delicately. "Well, it just wouldn't be good for you. It would make you sick. Like a power line (the first thing we drove by). You technically could eat that, but it wouldn't be good for you."

Milo added, "Or GAS." (with giggles)

"Right, Milo. You wouldn't eat a toot. But thanks for that."

"Mommy, EW, that's not what I meant. I meant gasOLINE." (My son. Ever the adult in our family.)

"Oh, yes. Of course."

But then Milo couldn't resist. "You could eat poo-poo, but you wouldn't!"

Lucy egged him on. "GROSS!!!"

So he added, "Or pee-pee. You wouldn't eat pee-pee."

Lucy didn't miss a beat and said, "Well, that's more of a DRINK, Milo."

It's Lucy logic at its finest. 

We also went to the fire station for a tour a week ago, and on the way there, Milo couldn't stop talking about how he wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up. And, of course, if he wanted to, he needed Lucy to get in on the action. 

"Lucy, don't you want to be a firewoman when you grow up?" (Which is preposterous. Everyone knows Lucy wants to be a princess ballerina when she grows up.)

I said, "Milo, it's okay if she doesn't. I mean, I don't want to be a firewoman." (trying to make Lucy feel better if she didn't want to answer yes)

"Mommy, you're already grown up. It's too late for you."

Thanks, Milo. Good to know the days of hopes and dreams are up once you become a grown-up.

And now, drumroll please....

This girl is 7 months old!!! How did this happen? And while she was scooching around a bit right before she turned 6 months, I feel like she took off crawling and climbing and pulling up just a few days after I wrote my last blog. She is everywhere, and she's pretty fast, too! She doesn't seem too fazed by the word no (oh my, the truth is that it makes her laugh), and she is so good-natured and sweet all the time. She's so smiley, although as soon as I get my camera out, she turns as serious as can be.

Also, I edited a few sweet pictures from our "photo shoot," but the truth of this experience is that I had a million pictures of her playing with toys, looking over her shoulder at the kids, and crawling off the blanket and grabbing handfuls of pine needles. She is BUSY, and she makes my heart melt. Those HUGE dark eyes. Those squishy cheeks. Sweet Emmette makes our house so joyful.

ALMOST a smile. 

Emmette Annabel 6 months

I know you just live for these days. Monthly updates on this nugget. Remember when my blog used to be about things other than my baby? I can't help it. This nugget is so adorable, so funny, so precious... That I have to write about her exactly once a month.

Milo and Lucy had been counting down the days to the 6-month marker, otherwise known in our home as "Cereal Day." Because, for some reason, I have this  notion that my babies should taste their first cereal on their 6-month birthday and not have sweets until their 1st birthday. There's no talking me out of these things. You know better.

So, Cereal Day arrived and Emmette did not disappoint. She was more than ready to try and did a great job!

She's also scooching herself all over and crawling a few "steps" at a time, sitting up on her own, pushing herself up to sitting on her own... I'm sure a million other things, but those are the main milestones. She's quick, this one! 

Lucy took this picture! And then I added the fun filter.

Happy happy happy girl. This is the face she most often makes.

Cereal is serious business.

Emmette Annabel, age 5 months

Oh, friends. At least you know that, if nothing else, I'll meet you here once a month. Sweet Emmette is five months old now. How is that possible? I can remember the day she was born. It was yesterday, right?

But no, this little nugget is growing and time is flying by faster and faster all the time. (I guess we're making up for how sloooooowly it went by when I was pregnant.) She is rolling all over the place now, and has been getting up on her knees and moving herself forward a few inches. She graduated from the swaddle and is snuggling up in a "sleep sack" at night. She laughs out loud (especially at Milo) and usually has a smile on her face. She is still easy-going and sweet-natured, although I think we may be in for it when she starts crawling because she's such a busy and curious little lady. She loves to put her feet on people and has, as Nate would say, excellent turn-out (want to be a dancer, Emmy?). And she is sitting up really well in her Bumbo and will be on her own in no time. Emmette Annabel, you are such a treat!

All three  kids had the sniffles when we took these pictures, but they were still so cheery.

Four months old on the 4th of July

So, it's been a month since my last post. But at least you know I'm on top of these month milestone photos, right? Happy 4th of July from my beautiful little people (Including my four months old on the fourth of July baby - that's some sort of golden birthday, right?).

3-month Milestones

Happy 3-month Birthday, Emmette Annabel!

I can't believe how fast time flies by. Emmy is such a delight around here. She is constantly talking and cooing, rolling from her back to her tummy (No, I didn't type that out wrong - this child rolled from back to tummy first!), laughing, grabbing toys, and holding her head up so well. When we are out and about, she doesn't go to sleep. She loves to watch everything, and she has been all about direct eye contact from day one. We are all smitten with this sweet girl!

Lucy-isms

There is a dad out there who has made an entire twitter account to document the antics of his four daughters. It's hilarious and I have literally laughed until I cried at a number of his tweets (thank you, Pinterest, for compiling a best hits), and I realized that I could do the same, mostly with the things that Lucy says.

We used to laugh because her logic made absolutely no sense (or so we thought), but now she makes such hilariously accurate points that we all end up repeating them.

---
Milo, disputing whether it is, indeed, bedtime.

Lucy: "Look at this, Milo. Is it dark outside? Is it nighttime? Yes it is."

---
Gazing intensely at Milo's chapped lips first thing in the morning.

Lucy: "I've got my eye on your bottom lip, Milo."

After some thought. "I'm going to teach you how to use some ha-lips (Chapstick)."

---
Actual song lyric: "I'd be packing my bags when I need to stay..."

Lucy, at the top of her lungs in the shower: "I'd be packing my bags when I need a steak..."


Now don't you wish you lived around here? Never a dull moment, friends. Even if you wanted one.

Tattoos and tongues

We spend time every morning reading from the Bible, specifically the Torah portions that other people around the world are reading at the very same time. We're in Leviticus right now, which is always a challenge for me... We read last week about not cutting yourself for the dead or tattooing yourself. I have always read this as you shouldn't tattoo for the dead, but we discussed how the possibility was that you shouldn't tattoo yourself at all.

Well, you know what came up next. "Mommy, you have tattoos. Why did you do that?"

"Well, Mommy didn't necessarily follow all of the Torah when I got them. I didn't know better."

Cue the disapproving looks and deep sighs.

We were on our way to dance class in the car yesterday, and Milo and Lucy were discussing playing a certain character from Thunderbirds that has tattoos and a mask (side note - have you watched Thunderbirds Are Go on Amazon? Apparently it is life around here.) and mentioned that they would have masks, but NO tattoos. So then came the discussion of Mommy's tattoos again, which culminated in me saying, "Okay! I wish I had never gotten them!"

Milo remarked, "Mommy, everyone in the car wishes you hadn't gotten them."

Oh, Milo. So grown-up. So wonderful. So exasperating at the same time.

Anyway, my friend Brooke always tags things #momlifeisthebestlife and I totally agree. 

That tiny tongue...

Milo's face. No caption required.

Happy girl!