February Fun

A picture from earlier in February: cousins together.  Little Owen fell fast asleep, thanks Riley!

Oh, this little kid.  If only he had a little more personality.  He is wearing his giraffee, Ron Bob Grapes underneath his hat.  Mike and I both agreed he looked like he had hidden dreads.  I told him that power tools were not appropriate for a six year, so he had to inspect them to see which ones were appropriate.  His verdict?  Crowbars are definitely appropriate for a six year old. 

This looks familiar.  Little O has been having some wheezing so the doctor gave him a nebulizer.  I HATE IT.  He becomes a different baby on albuterol, he screams himself to sleep, then sleeps for maybe 30 minutes, and he seems wired and hyperactive.  I'm just trying to give it only when absolutely necessary.

On friday Mike took the older three kids to see the Canton Charge game with Carter's scout group.  The kids got to form a line for the team when they ran out on the court.  From what I understand Carter and Ava had a great time.

After Dawson ate his dollar dog and cotton candy he was done.  So far he hasn't been a fan of organized sports.

The weather has been unreal!  A week of temperatures in the high 50's so we have been spending every possible second outside.

Now a laugh for everyone at my expense:  I got to the bus stop Monday morning and I realized that Dawson didn't have his American symbols project that was due (he made the Lincoln Memorial).  So I left Ava and Carter with neighbors to get on the bus and we raced back home to pick up the project.  Of course Dawson missed the bus so we followed it to the next stop so he could get on the bus.  (School drop off is a mad house, so I would much rather get him on the bus.)  As I saw him run onto the bus I realize that he left his backpack in the backseat.  So I park the van run around and grab his backpack.  Meet the bus at the next stop and run up to give Dawson's backpack to his bus driver.  And I realize that I'm still wearing my pajamas.  Cute!  An eventful start to my Monday.  I asked the kids if anyone was laughing at their Mom in her pajamas but they said no one noticed.  That's ok, all the parents at the bus stop did!

Nine and a Half

Carter, I just realized that you are now nine and a half.  As you grow older I have found myself speaking about your trials and tribulations on this blog less and less.  While we still have lessons to learn on a daily basis, I just don't want to share everything for fear of future embarrassment.   I want you to understand this, so if in the future you look back and realize there aren't as many stories about you, there is a very good reason for it. 

My silly boy.  I just love your silly nature.  You have a tendency to show this silliness only to the closest family and friends.  But it never fails to crack me up.

I have watched you at school functions and lunch time.  You are serious and quiet, which makes those silly moments all the more special.

Today we told everyone that we are going to the Dan TDM show in April.  Daddy wanted to wait, but I was so excited!  Ava and Dawson were excited, but you were over the moon.  You were walking around the house dancing and singing with a huge smile on your face.  It's so nice to be able to enjoy one of your interests with you.

Baseball season is just around the bend and you are excited to begin!  Daddy is going to be your coach again this year.  I'm glad you can share this together.

  

Recently you and Ava were having an argument, so I had each of you write a kind note to the other to make up for it.  You put together this elaborate "elimination grid" that Ava had to solve before she could find her note.  It was tough!  You are learning so much at school, and it's wonderful to see you blossoming.  In particular you really enjoy reading and do well at that subject.

This kid just sat down at the couch and started singing to me.  Don't forget the red mustache and cowboy hat.

Well, that's about it for now.  Carter, always remember that Daddy and Mommy love you forever and for always.  No matter what.

Six Months Old!!

The many faces of baby O-wee-o

Six months into your babyhood and I'm so thankful for your presence in our family.  Your sweet little smile, baby hugs and giggles really bring out the best in everyone.  Your brother Carter is so helpful.  He has a special baby voice that he saves only for you, and believe me he lays it on thick!  Your sister Ava is so gentle and sweet with you.  Dawson regularly calls you precious, adorable and darling.  He call be a little on the rough side, but he really has good intentions.

Well now that you are six months old you have two teeth poking through the bottom.  I noticed the first little pearly white on Valentine's Day.  Due to these teeth you have been such a drooly baby!  Again, due to those teeth your sleep hasn't been the greatest.  We had a week where you slept the night through from 7 pm until 7 am.  But you are back again to waking 1-2 times during the night.

A little comparison:

6 weeks old

6 months old!

 Your six month check up is next week so I'm not sure of height and weight, but we just moved you into size four diapers and you are wearing size 12 months clothing.   

Daddy and I have both noticed that you are very interested in the dog.  Your eyes follow the dog around the room and you laugh and you are fascinated.

You are doing really well sitting up for several minutes.  I usually sit behind you or put a hand on you because you eventually get tired and fall backwards.  You have rolled over from stomach to back but you haven't repeated this feat in awhile.

You love all the car hand me downs from your cousin Andrew!

Right now I'm offering a fruit puree for lunch and a veggie puree for dinner.  Some days you are more interested in food than others.  We have tried green beans, peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, bananas, pears and peaches.  

And then for a laugh:  Forget peek a boo!  This is the game that fourth baby gets:

Who farted.

You think it's hilarious!

We love you so much baby boy!

Water Park Weekend!

This weekend we spent two wonderful days with family at the water park.  The kids love these fun days and look forward to them every year.  I didn't get as many pictures as I had hoped, but I did manage to get a few.

My little six month old pearl

Here are the kiddos on one of their favorite rides, the rippling rhino.  I went on this with the kids, it seats a raft of four.  One person has to go down backwards, and it was me!  Riding backwards plus in the complete dark really did not help my motion sickness at all!

Dawson our little adrenaline junkie is really looking forward to being 48 inches.  Then he will be able to do more rides and not have to wear a life jacket all the time.

Ava was much more daring this year, and rode all the rides with her brothers.  She said she really liked the Swahili Swirl, one of the rides she didn't go on last year.

I asked Carter about his favorite, but he said he really prefers the lazy river because he doesn't have to wait in line.  They also learned that if you got there right when the park opened you could ride everything with no wait at all!

Our group photo

This year they are:  Carter 9, Ava 7, Dawson 6, Andrew 4, Abigail 2 and Owen 6 months

Little O had fun splashing with in the water.  He really wasn't bothered by being splashed and had a big smile on his face in the water.

We also played ball together which he liked.  I took him on the lazy river and he had to wear a life jacket.  He did not like the life jacket very much, although he didn't cry he just went stiff as a board and hardly moved.

The kids had a blast spending time with family and they are currently sleeping like rocks.  Happy Birthday Grandma and Bo and thank you so much!

Sending Our Love

and one more bonus picture of our little Valentine:

He has stolen my heart!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had a wonderful day today with my five Valentines.  Each of my little loves recieved a small gift from Mom and Dad along with a love note.  Carter has been wanting the Minecraft Blockopedia book, Ava got a book about the Eiffel tower and an Eiffel tower puzzle and Dawson got some slides for his microscope and a book about insects. We also gave Owen a small baby toy (hand me downs are the best!)  Now that I have gotten them small gifts for Valentines Day they were up at the crack of dawn to look for them.  5:50 am in Carter's case!

Dinner was also especially yummy!  We had the kids favorite: pizza with a pepperoni heart on it.  I also made a chocolate fondue for desert with strawberries, pineapple and other treats.  I love making holidays special! 

Dawson and Ava had a blast with the fondue!

I was a little nervous about Ava's Eiffel Tower puzzle.  I knew it was going to take a little perseverance, but she is doing a great job.  It's almost finished!

Each of the kids also made Mike and I presents as well.  This is the "famaly tree" that Carter made for us.  My picture cracks me up, I'm giving some serious side eye!

Dawson and Ava worked together to make me a hot air balloon.

They also worked together to make Mike a Goodyear blimp.

I loved getting these homemade gifts from my kiddos.  Thank you for putting in the time and effort to show your love!

And a bonus:  My sleepy Valentine

Little Stories

In the evenings (when she is supposed to be going to sleep) Ava has been spreading little love notes around the house.  This note for me says:  Mom Amazing Loving Love Ava.  She also made one for Owen that said:  Owen Loving Smelle Love Ava.

We've got a little sitter!  Well, for short periods of time anyway.

Carter finally made it back to school after his sickness last week.  On Thursday he had his Valentine's Day Party at school.  He was very proud because he won a jar of candy kisses for guessing 100 (there were 114 in the jar.)  It was so nice to see him smiling and being goofy!

Today he seems to be sick again with a stomach ache, lethargy and no appetite.  No stomach virus symptoms, so I'm stumped.  Feel better soon big guy!

Let me set the stage for this video:  Owen took a short afternoon nap which made him cranky earlier than normal.  Despite cuddles, rocking, bouncing and swaying he fussed and fussed.  So I took him to his room to get him ready for bed and I put him under the mobile.  This is what happened:

What a happy smiley baby!

Thanks to Daddy I got to go and spend time with Dawson at his Valentine's Day Party.  I had such a fun time making ValenSlime with his classmates.  I wish I had gotten a picture, but my hands were covered in slime and the time went very quickly.  It was fun to see him in his new environment and interacting with new friends that I've only ever heard him describe.  Thank you Dawson for sharing this fun party with me!

Hello winter, my old friend

What have we've been up to?  Well in a word, sick.  Since the beginning of January we've had three cases of the stomach virus, one cases of the flu and one case of strep.  Plus Mike was convinced he had strep, but no just a bad sore throat.  Currently Carter is running a 103 degree temp and has been sleeping since three in the afternoon.  He will be going to the doctor tomorrow.  I'm just so incredibly thankful that Owen has been spared through all of this.

But onto the cute pictures:

Daddy was away last week in Europe for week.  We got along much better than his last work trip.  All the kiddos missed him desperately and we sent him lots of pictures.

While Mike was busy in Luxemborg and Brussels I got to spend time with this cute guy.  And I wouldn't trade places with him in a heartbeat.  I gave him a mohawk in the bath one night and it dried this way.

Ahh, the life of a fourth child.  Ava gave him a pretty bow and Dawson is...... well I'll let you be the judge.

On Sunday Daddy came home!!  The kids were so excited to see him and I was too!  On Saturday I had a stomach virus and I was so happy he was home for many reasons, but I also needed the healthy set of hands!  We didn't go to church because Dawson had also been vomiting so we all stayed home and enjoyed time together.  The kids wouldn't let Mike out of their sight.  He went up to take a shower and all three kids came looking for him.  We are so happy you are home!

Carter took this video of Owen for me.  He LOVES it when I sing twinkle twinkle little star and do the hand motions.  He really wants to imitate what I'm doing and he will raise his hands above his head when I do the "up above" part.  Love this little guy!   And it goes with out saying I love the big guy behind the camera too.