What's up.

Here's a little update on life around here lately.  Most of my updates are just funnies right now, but I don't want to forget them!

* Halloween- So funny.  The girls had no idea what they were in for.  We visited some neighbors and ended up at a nice trunk-or-treat event at the church down the road.  They. were. in. awe.  They had so much fun seeing other costumes and riding in the wagon coach Daddy pulled around.  It was pretty fun.  Jakob finally fell asleep on the way home, but he seemed to enjoy the fun evening out!  It's amazing how long 1 hour can feel...  :)

* Jabber-boxes.  That's what my girls are these days.  From the time they wake 'til the time they sleep.  Talk talk talk.  I love their dialogue.  I often video it from an obscure corner.  They are hilarious.  Well, in this mom's humble opinion...  Here are some cuties from my cuties:

I was fighting a cold last month, so when Em tried to kiss me, I turned my head a bit more and told her I didn't want her to get my "bug."  Elyse then kissed Em and asked her not to get her a bug bite.

Emily was drinking a smoothie, and as it slowly came close to her mouth when her cup tipped, she giggled and said, "It kissed me!"

For some reason, Emily always asks me, "Mommy?  God made Jesus walk?"  Not sure why it's always worded just like that.  Honestly, I have no idea what she's talking about.

Em heard the coffee percolating before breakfast and said, "Hey!  Coffee's crying!"

Emily often complains about her tags on her pants tickling her "bum bum." I also love how she calls bandaids "Ban bains."

Elyse must have noticed I had a rotten night's sleep... She looked over at me as we were eating breakfast and said, "Mommy, you look like you need to go back to bed."  Thanks.

Elyse was VERY upset when we were out driving early one morning, and the sun was shining right in her eyes.  I advised her to close her eyes or look away...  Her response was, "Well, can't God's Father just MOVE the sun!?!"  Hmm...

Emily was really upset after cutting her hand.  We washed her hands in the sink before lunch a few hours later, and she came back into the bathroom crying after we were done.  She was very upset that I couldn't wash off her boo-boo :(

Elyse and Em love to play hide and seek.  Their version is odd.  They each take turns hiding in the exact same spot and they just look the other way while they're waiting to be found.  Jordan asked Elyse the other day why she couldn't see Emily "hiding" 5 feet away from her.  Elyse said, "Daddy, I can't see her cheeks or her lips!"

Elyse tried to tell me a secret today, and I noticed she was just mashing her face against my cheek.  I told her that secrets were supposed to be whispered into ears.  She laughed and said, NO, they should be told to cheeks.

I still love how Em answers questions... "Emily, did you go potty?"  "Yes I AM!!!"

Elyse tucked her knees up into her shirt the other day and started laughing so hard... she said, "Hey, Look!  I'm a mommy!"  Oh, dear...

Emily is pretty much potty trained.  I am so thankful.  Now that #2 is down, things are much easier around here.  We still have a little work to do in some areas, but she has just enjoyed being a big girl!

   The girls were roasting marshmallows over their fire :)

I love these three!

7 Months!

I'm late.  Jakob's seven month marker came and went amidst a busy weekend (not good busy, by the way...), and I am actually glad I am sitting down right now to record what is going on with my little guy.  Why?  Just because.  I want to.  It's quiet in this house, and for some reason the sound of typing is comforting to me tonight.  I have spent a lot of time reflecting lately... mostly sparked after losing a friend last week.  Death has that uncanny ability to make you reflect, cherish, hug a little tighter, and love a little deeper.  I have looked at my kids in a new light, and I pray I will remember the way they look in that light.

My little guy is definitely looking all BOY these days.  He is incredibly fun and is incredibly cute in overalls (I just learned).  He has recovered from his first ear infection last month, and he has displayed to me that he sleeps best when there are NO teeth coming in.  Nice.  Yes, he's cutting his two top teeth.  He is feeling better with my adjusted diet, and I'm thankful that he still seems to be growing pudgy.  He weighs about what Em weighed at 1 year old... I'm guessing almost 19 pounds?  His favorite foods right now are butternut squash, peas, and carrots.  He is quite a voracious eater, and I have learned not to goof off when spoon-feeding this kid.  He might bite.  He now slaps at his tray (fun new habits, right?) and whimpers like he hasn't eaten in days while I rush from counter to chair.  There's just no delaying with this kid.  He is very focused during mealtime and doesn't like to goof off much, thankfully.

(Mom, help?!?)

Jordan and I were wrong: he's not crawling yet!  We thought for sure he would crawl in October, but he is just content to perfect his inchworm across the room.  The girls are pretty patient with him for now.  Even when he gets into their things, they will often let him make a mess or patiently tell him to play with something else.  I'm not naive enough to think it will last :)  Jakob is sitting really well these days, and he obviously likes the change of scenery!  He loves to chew on his toes in the tub and splash most of the water on me.  I absolutely love giving this kid baths!  He enjoys every minute.  He loves to squeal and jabber, especially when the girls are egging him on.

I'm not sure if all boys are like this, but my little guy has quite a flirty little smile.  He loves to play games with me- peeking at me around objects and looking away coyly.  It's adorable.  I feel like he is constantly adjusting his schedule around, and he currently makes it almost 4 hours between feedings.  He actually eats 4 solid meals a day now (SO interesting, I know...), but he seems content with that, so I go with it for now.  I am REALLY looking forward to finger foods!

Here are my fun's and not-so-fun's for this age.

fun's:

* I love his morning routine of waking up laughing!
* His little "ha - HA" entertains all of us throughout the day...
* Watching Jake interact with the girls is so awesome.  I hope they always love him this much!
* Jakob loves to take in all the sights and sounds around him... He ends up bopping his head around trying not to miss a thing.
* He is my little buddy- flexible when I need him to be, and he's always content to sit on my hip.
* He's enjoying his toys so much right now.  I can almost see his little mind working away as he pushes buttons and watches things move.
* His sweet smile when I get him up from naps.  MELTS. MY. HEART.
* Cutest feet ever.
* I love watching him sleep!  He sucks on his index finger and sometimes holds his hand in his mouth with his other hand.  Adorable.

not-so-fun's:

* He is not really sleeping in his car seat much anymore.  Sad.
* He screams.  When he is upset, watch out.  You will hear the scream/squeal/holler.
* He poops all the time.  Seriously.  Boys...
* He loves to slap.  I am sometimes a recipient of those.
* He definitely knows how to arch his back.
* Seeing how fast these next 5 months are going to go- not so fun at all!

We love you, Jakob Henry!  Happy Seven Months!