Where did 6 months go?

It is so very hard for me to believe that six months has flown by since the birth of this little guy. He has brought so much joy and sweetness to our family. He just had his appointment last Friday and he weighs in with the following stats:
weight: 16 pounds
height: 27 1/2 inches
head circumference: 17 1/2 inches
Plus, he was a trooper to get the immunizations! Just a quick tear and then he was fine! I love these tough guys. Unlike his older sister who had to leave the room while the shots were administered because, " I just can't watch that mom, it'll hurt him too bad!" Well I guess we can rule the medical profession out for her. Last year she had high aspirations to be a "mommy doctor" because she loved going to my OB appointments and wanted to take care of the newborn babies. Today she announced she might want to be an art teacher, "cause I'm good at these projects" she says.




So proud of himself with all the sitting up!

Another weekend flies by

This weekend it was nice not to have too much on the schedule. Just a soccer game for Ella on Saturday and time with our small group on Sunday. Somehow in the midst of "not a lot happening" the days flew by and Monday morning was greeting us again.

We tried to stay outside as much as we could on Friday and Saturday since it'll be turning cooler here this week. So Friday the kids and I planted our massive mums in the landscaping. Carter is so hilarious, he has to take out all the power tools and equipment to do his yard work. Given the go ahead, he loves to dig in the landscaping in search of 'da big worms'. So he and Ella made up a batch of lovely mud and then managed to find about 5 worms to inhabit the goop. Of course, I didn't have time to take pictures between digging the holes, planting the mums, and obsessively checking Christian's head for blood thirsty mosquitoes, I was a bit preoccupied.

Saturday came and went in a flash. It was one of those mornings filled with the aroma of Scott's Belgian waffles and sticky syrup everywhere. Unfortunately, we still can't get the kids to collectively sleep in. Carter did come in to bed to snuggle with me and that lasted longer than usual so in my book it was an 'almost sleep in'.

Sunday the kids had fun at church. Praise God! I think it was the first Sunday in a long time that I didn't a.) have a child in church with me b.) get called out because of Carter (causing a ruckus or wetting his pants) or c.) get paged because Christian was crying hysterically because he doesn't like the strangers in nursery. The message was great and the kids had fun in class. Carter has been learning a lot in his new class. He sings his songs for us at the dinner table. Last weekend he learned "building the temple" and sang it for-ever using his little fists to make hammers to the tune. Just precious. My parents stopped over to spend some time with the kids and during lunch Carter sang (for the first time all by himself) Jesus loves me--the whole thing! Pretty cute. In Ella's class they had a time for dancing and singing which is right up her alley. They made a bracelet and streamers for her dance. On the way home, we asked what she learned about and she replies so matter of factly, "well we made these stylish things to-day....to wear while we praise God!" Scott glances over at me in the seat next to him with this look of "oh my word, what are we in for??" It's so much fun with these kids. We gotta love em!

We are anxiously counting down the days until Grandpa and Grandma Moorlag arrive along with Uncle Mike, Aunt Sarah, and cousin Josie. It should be a fun filled whirl wind of a weekend. We always love to connect with family.

Oh Crap!

Just when I thought I was getting somewhere.....at first glance my afternoon appeared to be heading in an unusually smooth direction. Carter went down for his nap exceptionally easy, Ella was engrossed in playing 'cat school' with Gus, and Christian was the poster child for Happiest Baby on the block. So I seized this rare moment and took off to attack my to do list which included much overdue cleaning. I was flying around dusting, cleaning glass, bathrooms, and finally the floors. Don't worry Grandma, I continually checked in on the kids. They were safe and content. I strategically placed Christian smack in the middle of the house so I could see him from most rooms and keep talking to him. Well, I must have spent a little too long disinfecting the bathroom because to my horror when I peeked out the door I couldn't see Christian. Heart pounding within a matter of milliseconds, I ran into the living room to find this scene:

The little bugger had scooched all the way from the middle of this blanket to investigate the buffet. He was laying there with his hand stuck inside one of the cubbies thinking he was SOOOO cool when I startled him with my squeak! Not even 6 months for a few more days and I am in trouble! Oh CRAP! Who would have ever thought I would look back on the last 6 months and refer to them as 'the easy days' but so it is true. The little guy is on the move. But not if I can do much about it. I will continue to flip this guy over on his back and smooch up his belly and neck (which is so very kissable and choochy right now & it just sends him into the most mood altering belly laugh)! Time is flying. I have a kindergartner girl, a 2 1/2 year old, and a 6 month old mover.....I am so blessed!#@$!????! Really I am and am very aware of how great I have it. But man we are on high alert now! Here are a few shots of the little guys in action.
Looking like more like a caterpillar, getting that adorable butt up in the air.
Can you believe this face? It screams, "hey mom, check out just HOW cool I am with these new moves!!"

Ahh, he spots Gus who he gets very excited to see these days. Before I know it we'll have three kids chasing this poor cat!

Lots of funny faces from the growing boy. Don't you love the humongous bug bit in the middle of his forehead? YIKES! I think he's pretty stinking cute. I should take a poll, who do you think he looks more like:

a. Scott

b. Liza

c. Ella

d. Carter

e. none of the above

Enjoying a nature walk

With absolutely beautiful weather here this week, we just couldn't stay inside! Yesterday we pulled out the necessary gear for a nature walk! Things Carter insisted we needed:

1. Red Wagon


2. Chainsaw


3. A really big rock


4. ..and of course his hat!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   Even though we were gone for close to an hour, we only made it down our driveway and two mailboxes up the road. The kids were so into collecting and inspecting nature. It was fabulous! I am so greatful for the time we have to go on special little 'fieldtrips' like this. Fall is one of our favorite times of year and days like this are the reason. Carter had his little wagon full of treasures: acorns, an assortment of sticks, rocks galore and a variety of critters he found lurking under bark and large rocks he insisted on moving. One thing is for sure, we can't move this kid into the city...for one the neighbors would kill us and he loves to roam our yard and driveway way too much to be able to stay on a city lot!

Here they are using their magnifying glasses to check out a big, fuzzy caterpillar.

Christian enjoyed the ride just as well. He had the VERy important job of keeping his eye on the critters the kids caught (note the bug box attached to the stroller). Even with the hat on, he somehow managed to get THE biggest, reddest bug bite in the middle of his forehead.....so much for getting his six month pics taken this weekend!?!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Learning so much at school

As a teacher, there a few things I've done to help Ella prepare for school. Learning The Pledge of Allegiance was not one of the things on the list. Well on Wednesday of this week we celebrated Constitution Day. We dressed in red, white and blue and had a 30 minute flag raising ceremony in honor of the Constitution. Ella was just excited to dress for the occasion. Of course, I think the red, sparkling, glitter shoes (any child who's seen the Wizard of Oz would call them ruby slippers) did the trick! Unfortunately, you can't see the beautiful shoes in this picture. She looked adorable but the story that ensues is even cuter!





At school that day we all gathered around the flag pole to learn some fun facts. Even the mayor of Grandville showed up to help celebrate. We had a special flag raising, sang some patriotic songs, and recited the Preamble. We all joined together to say the Pledge. All the while I was watching Ella in this mass of k-6 aged students wondering what the heck was she getting from this. The whole experience I assumed would be overwhelming. Our choir sang a song and then they played the bells for another song. I was impressed with the skills of the 5th graders. As far as I could tell, Elle was paying attention. We packed up at the end of our day, headed home to pick up the boys and didn't really talk much about the event other than the AWESOME music from the bell choir.





We went home, rallied the boys, and headed to the grocery store....had a pleasantly,surprising --uneventful trip. Of course, Carter can't check out at the grocery store without pooping his pants and this day was no exception. Ahhhh outings with Carter! :)





We arrived home and it was such a lovely day that the kids stayed playing outside in the driveway while I unpacked all the groceries. I always have the front window open so I can hear what is going on. Before long Ella had taken the yellow safety flag from the bike trailer and was twirling it around (reminiscent of the parade we finally took her to in August). Sometime passed and it was quiet.... a little TOO quiet. So then I start peeking out the windows and door. But what I saw, I did't want to interrupt. Ella is holding the flag up and I hear this precious conversation ensue: "Ok, Carter come here and stand. Put your hand like this (across your heart) and stand still. NO moving, do you understand me?" Carter nods his head very seriously. Then she says, "repeat after me" and she goes on to recite the Pledge of Allegiance....the whole stinking thing....and Carter is parroting it back to the best of his 2 1/2 year capability. I am shocked and finding myself a bit misty eyed. Then they parade around the yard with this yellow triangle of a flag saying something like, "Happy ton-stu-tution Day!" It was so cute! I hope that I remember this sweet memory for years to come......however I'm not too hopeful since I can barely remember my social security number or our telephone number some days. Maybe by writing this down I will increase the likelihood of remembering it.

Oh cute...oh sad!

Every once in awhile I find myself thinking crazy thoughts. These thoughts mostly occur at night (when sheer exhaustion kicks in), the house is quiet and it's just Christian that remains awake. I find myself sad that this is the last set of firsts. Ever so often, some crazy hormone tears me up to think that Christian is our last baby. We are so FAR from having a fourth that it's not funny. Who ever knew having 3 kids 5 and under was so stinking much work? But setting all that nonsense aside I find myself in awe of his wonderful tricks and discoveries. The other two, verbally and physically exhausting children are in dreamland and then I get sad watching our chunky little monkey smile and squeal on the floor. Delighted that he is the center of attention and pretty proud of himself and his new tricks. Yep, the little guy is conquering some new territory these days. He is highly proficient at rolling to get to toys out of reach. He is also very concentrated on doing the army crawl. This is where the sadness comes in. I am sad (for the moment) that he is already doing some of this stuff. Last night he even managed to get himself on all fours. I know, why didn't I grab the camera?? I think I was just to shocked and stunned that he was doing this so early. Carter moved early...well actually that kid"s NEVER been still even in uetero and he's never slowed down. But Christian has surprised me because I just didn't think he had the personality to want to move this soon. But he has and I am sad! But I can't stay sad too long because he is so proud of himself and he smiles so matter of fact with the cock of his head as to say, "hey mom did you catch that...I'm pretty good!" He has even began to sit up for short bouts of time. I wonder what he'll be doing by the time Grandma and Grandpa Moorlag get here in two weeks? Oh yes, he has also started enjoying some new foods. He had biter biscuits Thursday night and was cleaner than I could have ever imagined that whole experience going. He also had yogurt for the first time last night. They were both well received and seemed to have settled well. He is still most interested in bananas so I throw the sweet potatoes and avocado in with it. Scott's repulsed, but what does he know. He doesn't like guacamole for Pete's sake!

I wish I could write that Christian has decided to sleep through the night for the first time, but that's yet to happen. Ella and Carter both slept through the night at 10 1/2 and 11 weeks. Not so with this guy. But bed time with the other two has been such a battle that Christian asking to nurse for 10 minutes in the middle of the night seems like a small request since he goes down so easily. Once he does sleep through the night expect to see and HUGE thankful blog entry on that! I may drink a whole bottle of wine to celebrate....wait that may not be to healthy (for either of us)!