Guess What?

November is here and this curly-haired, bright-eyed, dimpled little darling…

… will be turning 16 months old this month!

He looks happy about it, don’t you think?

It’s hard to believe that 16 months have come and gone so fast. And it’s incredible to realize that when his official 16-month birthday rolls around, Asher will have already been a BIG brother for several weeks! I love close age gaps and I love having two babies at the same time! Who says you need to be BIG to be a BIG brother?

And just look how super, duper cute Asher is! His blue eyes are constantly changing colors, depending on what he’s wearing, the way the room is lit, and so on. I just love the way the afternoon sunlight caught the gorgeous blue and the hint of green in Asher’s beautiful eyes! And those eyelashes! They may be blond, but they are so, so long!

 As he approaches his 16-month birthday, Asher does have some big news to share. He’s been *this close* to walking since last July. He’d stand up from the ground, walk ten steps, and then drop to his knees and crawl. I don’t know what held him back for so long when he obviously had the strength, balance, and coordination he needed to be an official toddler. His pediatrician speculated that his vision, which was absent in his early infancy due to DVM, was still underdeveloped and that this inhibited his ability to walk. I, on the other hand, felt pretty sure that his vision was fine and that it was the speed and ease of crawling that really kept Asher on his hands and knees for so long.

I really hoped that Asher would walk before the summer was over. Then I hoped that Asher would walk before fall came and the weather got colder. Then I hoped he’d walk before the new baby was born. Finally, I just shrugged and decided that he’d walk when he was good and ready to do so.

And now, after months of being *this close* to walking, Asher has officially started walking. Over the last few days he’s been on his feet a lot more. Yesterday he finally started to use those two chubby feet as his primary mode of transportation. I don’t think I’ve seen him crawl since. After spending so many months as a “half-time walker” Asher has made a very sudden transition to “full-time walker” instead.

Funnily, Asher walks the same way he used to crawl when he first became mobile on his hands and knees. He had a very bouncy but also methodical crawl, and he always reminded me of a little wind-up toy. His walk is so similar that it makes me smile. He has a bouncy little march, like a cute little toy soldier with springs on his feet. I know that soon he’ll be walking “normally” so I am soaking up his adorable little saunter while it lasts!

Look how cute he is on those two little feet! Way to go, Bug!

Wrestler in the Making

Asher loves to wrestle. He tackles Josh whenever Josh is willing to wrestle with him and Joshua is always a good sport– laughing good-naturedly, toppling over easily, and praising Asher for his efforts. With only a few pounds between them, Asher and Braden are a more equal match. Asher jumps on Braden every chance he gets, and Braden returns the “favor” just as often. The two of them just wrestle and roll around and giggle like crazy. It might sound odd that I let my little boys wrestle this way, but they have so much fun doing it that I don’t mind. They are never, ever rough with each other and their wrestling is always so playful and happy. It makes me giggle to watch them. I love seeing their brotherly relationship in action, even if it is in the form of giggling, tickling, and rolling around on the floor. I am sure that in another year, Jacob will be joining in on the wrestle mania fun. I love having four sons and I love that they have each other as well!

Tag, You’re It

I had a long night last night. It was one of those nights where the kids (Braden, Asher, and Jacob to be specific) seemed to just tag team each other, taking turns getting up all night long. I’d get one little boy asleep and settled, only to have another little boy wake up before my head even hit my own pillow. I started to wonder if the boys had held a little meeting yesterday to plan out my sleepness night. I could almost imagine the three of them pouring over a detailed hour-by-hour plan of attack and giggling mischievously while they did. I got about three hours of sleep total, but I didn’t mind at all.

The sun came up brilliantly this morning (I know because I was awake to see the sunrise). The kids all woke up cheerful and there is nothing like the sound of children’s laughter in the early morning. It made me feel great in spite of my long night. And then I ate a big, yummy brownie for breakfast (’cause, you know, I like to eat healthy and stuff). And that boosted my spirits even more. It’s going to be a great day. I can feel it already.

Someday, in about 30 years or so, I am planning to sleep again. I plan to have babies for a while so I’ll be up with newborns for quite a few years to come. And as my youngest ones begin to sleep through the night, I’m sure my oldest ones will be teenagers and I’ll be up waiting for them after dances, dates, and late-night social gatherings. So I figure 30 years from now is a good estimate for when I’ll be able to get a full nights sleep again.

So eventually all my babies will be grown and I’ll be able to sleep all night long. I’m not looking forward to it. I know I will miss these long, sleepness nights and the little ones (and big ones) who kept me up for them. That’s why I don’t mind nights like last night. Motherhood is far too fleeting anyway; I refuse to wish away even the sleepless nights!

Silly Ash

My silly Asher is being quite the goofball this morning. He is giggling like a wild man and keeps throwing a small fleece blanket over his head. Then he takes off walking or crawling as fast as he can, with the blanket still covering his head. Unable to see anything at all, he keeps crashing into doors and walls. He thinks it’s the most hilarious thing ever. The static from the blanket has electrified his hair, turning his soft, freshly washed curls into what we loving refer to as “mad scientist hair.” So between the crazy hair and the uncontrollable giggling and the constant crash-and-tumble routine, Asher is very entertaining this morning!

Six Growing Children

Any frequent readers of my blog will know that I have been contemplating my growing family a lot these days. I feel like we are crossing over that great divide that separates small families with small children who are just starting out, from bigger families with older children who are more established.

It’s little things that remind me of our family’s growth. I was reminded when I watched Brenna expertly lift her tiny 8-day-old newborn brother with all the knowledge and grace of an older child. I was reminded when Joshua came downstairs in his boxer shorts and I noticed how lean and muscular his abdomen and chest are becoming. Madalyn’s sweet face is a constant reminder of her own growth as she is now losing her baby cheeks in favor of a more grown-up, slender look. Hearing the children practice their piano lessons reminds me. Knowing that Brenna will be baptised next year reminds me. Watching Joshua excercise every morning reminds me. Listening to Madalyn read out loud reminds me. Every time I buy 6 gallons of milk and know it won’t last the week, every time I wash yet another load of laundry, every time I clip 60 fingernails and 60 toenails that are not my own, every time I pack up the kids in our giant, 12-passenger van… I am reminded that we truly are growing up.

For the first time, I am seeing my older children as older siblings to Asher and Jacob, instead of their peers like they were when Braden and Maddie were younger. For the first time, they are taking on more of a caregivers role than the roll of a playmate with their baby brothers.

We are growing up- the children are all getting older, and more of them continue to arrive. We are growing in numbers and in age and it’s incredible to be a part of. Here is what each of my growing babies are up to…

Brenna is an incredible little girl. She is mature beyond her seven years. She is such a sweet, helpful girl and is often a second mother to her younger siblings. She frequently steps in to comfort a tearful Braden, tickle Asher when he needs attention, fix Madalyn’s hair just so that she will feel extra beautiful, or rock Jacob to sleep. I love watching her in her role as big sister. Brenna is bright and inquisitive, and everything seems to come easily to her. She is such an intelligent little girl and she really enjoys school. She loves to read and she reads far above her grade level. Brenna has an ear for music and an excellent singing voice. She’s a great little gymnast. Brenna’s always been a little timid, but she pushes herself for gymnastics because she loves the sport so much. It’s great to see her stepping out of her comfort zone and challenging herself. Brenna is dramatic and quite the perfectionist. She’s a social little girl, makes friends so easily, and is always eager to play. Brenna is a girly girl who loves dresses and painted fingernails and pretty jewelry and wearing bows in her hair, but she’s also a bit of a tomboy who enjoys sports and isn’t afraid to play hard or get dirty. Brenna is such a joy in our home.

Joshua is smart, athletic, and handsome. He is such a good kid. He has a good heart and an amazing work ethic. He continues to excel in his school subjects and I am constantly amazed by his abilities. Academics come easily for him and he is so far behind his grade level that I am shocked sometimes. He loves sports, wrestling and football in particular. He has started exercising to be in good shape for the sports he adores. Joshua is passionate about life. He has an incredibly strong will, an amazing sense of determination, and is very goal-oriented. Nothing stops him, slows him down, or holds him back. He loves games and is always ready to play. Joshua is an active boy, but he’s also very thoughtful at the same time. He’s such a thinker, and very analytical. He’s doing wonderfully in piano lessons, and is a really good sight-reader. I think the piano notes make sense to him the same way that a math problem does. Josh is our “saver” when it comes to money. He has saved about $200 for his mission and has another $30 of spending money saved.  Joshua has such a strong testimony and he is an amazing little boy.

Madalyn is literally growing up before my eyes. I am amazed as I watch her grow and change! She is changing in every way possible, it seems. Physically, emotionally, mentally… in every way, this baby girl of mine is growing up. Physically, Maddie is looking a lot older these days. Her legs are getting longer, her pudgy tummy is giving way to a more slender look, and she’s losing her round baby cheeks. Maddie is very excited about reading and writing these days, and she is so happy to be a kindergartener. She loves to cook and to color. She still makes up the most imaginative little stories and she is either talking or singing constantly. Life is a musical for Maddie and she is often lost in her own little fantasy world. Madalyn just has a cheery little personality and she is so fun to be around. She has been so helpful lately, pitching in with chores and younger siblings, and she is so obedient. She is the sweetest, most tender-hearted little girl and she just wants to please everyone. She is excited about cheerleading, and honestly she makes the most adorable little cheerleader with her petite size, her big brown eyes, and her cheery little personality. Maddie is such a sweetheart and she radiates joyfulness.

Braden is delightful! I love three-year-olds, particularly this one. Braden is so sweet and so easy going. He’s just a mellow kid. He’s kind and playful, with a cute sense of humor. He is a smart little boy also. He knows most of his letters and their sounds and can recognize several sight words. He’s so bright and articulate. I am often amazed by the grown up things that he says. His favorite toys are still his beloved tools. He frequently fixes things around the house and it’s not unusual to find him with a giant plastic hammer in his pants pocket or his cool little drill in his hands. Braden loves to play with Maddie and he follows her around like she is the most amazing person he’s ever met. Braden also loves to play with Asher, who is becoming more and more of his buddy as he gets older. The two of them giggle and wrestle and chase each other around, and they often spend the first 15 minutes of naptime singing and playing together rather than going to sleep. Braden is getting to be a “big boy” these days. He’s getting better about dressing himself and he is brave enough to go down the big slide at the park. Of course, he’s still my little boy as well- he loves to snuggle and he says, “I love you, Mommy” over and over again during the day. He’s the sweetest little guy!

Asher is 15 months old and very much a toddler these days. His two favorite songs are currently Wheels on the Bus and If You’re Happy and You Know It. He knows the actions to both and he gets so excited when we sing with him. The other kids are just as delighted as Asher is as they sing with him and watch him eagerly mimic their gestures. Asher imitates everything lately. He especially loves to talk on the phone and brush his hair. He loves to read books and has a great attention span. He’s never watched much TV (not because I am anti-TV, just because it’s never been on when he’s awake), but when I tried to get him to watch it recently, he didn’t want to. He’s much more entertained by a stack of books; he absolutely loves to read. One of his favorite activities is coloring. Asher loves balls of any kind and he can always be found with a car in his hand. He hates to be left out and follows the big kids everywhere as if he’s one of them. He loves to eat. He loves to cuddle. He definitely has a mind of his own. He is always climbing something. Asher is learning lots of sign language and says quite a few words. I love this age, when he is still very much a baby, but he’s also playing, reacting, imitating, and communicating like a toddler. He is the happiest little boy and still a miracle in my eyes.

Jacob is 8 days old. He is such a sweet baby! He is the easiest newborn. He nurses well and he is a great little sleeper. He sleeps through all the noise of our busy household. Jacob has frequent periods of “awake time” as well, when he’s bright-eyed and alert. I love seeing his big, dark eyes. He is still so, so tiny. No bigger than Brenna’s dolls, he wears preemie clothes and preemie diapers and they are big on him. The girls and I have even dressed him up in doll clothes, just for fun. Just like before he was born, Jacob gets hiccups constantly. I love holding Jacob, nursing him, feeling him curled up against my chest. I even love getting up during the night with him. It is so incredible, so peaceful, so precious to have a newborn in our home again. 

I am so thankful for SIX incredible, growing children. What a privilege it is to raise them. I am head over heels in love with each of them!

8 Days

Man, I feel great. At 8 days post partum, I feel fabulous!

I usually have very quick and easy recoveries after the birth of a baby. The exception was after Asher was born. He came by emergency c-section and the physical recovery from that was long and difficult. I was never upset about having a c-section and had no emotional issues afterwards as I have heard some women have. In fact, I was incredibly grateful for my c-section because it most likely saved my baby’s life. But the recovery was still difficult, long, and painful.

The contrast between my last recovery- my c-section recovery- and this one is amazing. It’s incredible to feel this incredible, and at barely a week post partum. I actually feel better right now than I did when Asher was probably four months old. I’ve always been thankful for my easy recoveries, but now I appreciate them so much more! I feel so good and I am so grateful for that!

Pictures Today

I love having a digital camera because it gives me the freedom to take hundreds of pictures without feeling guilty about it. I had my camera out several times today… in the morning because I wanted pictures of Jacob on his one week birthday, in the early afternoon when Brenna fixed Maddie’s hair in two little braids and again when Braden and Asher were just being so cute together that I had to take pictures, and in the late afternoon when we all walked to the park and played until dinnertime.

Here’s my sweet, sweet Jacob… at one week old…

A little bit later, Jake was kind enough to wake up so that I could get a few more darling pictures…

I put Jacob back to bed and couldn’t resist taking one more picture as he slept…

Later in the day, Brenna fixed Madalyn’s hair. I love passing the bathroom and seeing the girls giggling together while Maddie stands on the little stool and Brenna fixes her hair. Brenna did a great job with Maddie’s hair and then she fixed her own hair in two neat pony tails…

  

Braden loves Joshua’s football mouth guard, but it’s way too big. It makes me laugh whenever I see him with it in his mouth…

When Asher saw the camera he grinned and said, “Eeeeese!” (This translates into CHEESE.)

  

Braden and Asher are such good buddies. They adore each other. I had to take a few pictures as they giggled together…

We went to the park in the late afternoon. I’d intended to go earlier in the day, but the kids took a long time getting their jobs done. In the end it worked out wonderfully though; Rick woke up just as we were getting ready to leave so he came along with us.

It was a warm day, but I bundled up my little Jacob anyway…

The kids rode bikes and scooters to the park…

  

Asher loved the swings and Brenna enjoyed pushing him…

  

And by then my memory card was full. (I told you I take a lot of pictures.)

It was a nice day…

Six

Tonight I had six little children sitting in my bed with me as we read the scriptures together. There were four little ones sitting around me, a toddler tucked under my right arm, and a newborn curled up warmly against chest. Six children gathered around me. My six children. I am so very blessed.

Getting Out

It feels like I’ve been stuck in the house since September. First I was sick and/or recovering from being sick, then the kids were sick and/or recovering from being sick, and then we had a baby. Other than occasional doctor visits and a few sporting events or activities, we haven’t left the house much. We haven’t even been to the library in the last month and I think I’ve only gone to the grocery store twice during that time.

Yesterday afternoon we decided to get out of the house. I could feel how much I needed it. The kids all had gift cards to spend (a present when Jacob was born) so we decided that spending their gift cards would be a good outing. It would be fairly brief, but also fun for the kids. I was a little worried about taking Jacob out in public (because of all the ugly germs), but I decided that he’d be okay if we kept him covered, wiped the cart down with sanitizing wipes, and washed everyone’s hands after we left the store. I am keeping him home as much as possible, but I can’t completely quarantine our family until spring.

The kids had such a great time looking through the toy section. They were so thrilled with the freedom that gift cards afforded them. It was very exciting for each of them and I loved seeing how happy they were. It was also interesting to watch the way they each selected their toys. I love to see all the unique differences between my sweet children.

Brenna knew what she wanted right away. She’s been wanting a “Fur Real” pet for a while now and the small ones were on sale. She took a few minutes to select the perfect pet- a little white duckling.

I could see the wheels turning inside Joshua’s little brain as he carefully weighed his options and calculated the costs. He’s very logical and analytical and he’s a math whiz as well. He was very quiet and thoughtful as he perused the toys. First he found a foam sword, figured out how much money he had left to spend and then selected a small race car track.

Madalyn was the most indecisive of all the kids. She grabbed so many different items with great enthusiasm. Some were within her price range and others were much more expensive than the amount she had on her gift card. After a long time and after many toys had been selected and returned to the shelf, Maddie finally decided on a small doll that came with a pet bunny and two little baby bunnies. Maddie loves tiny dolls (3-5 inches tall) so this was perfect for her. She was thrilled.

Braden wanted tools. He told me he wanted tools even before we went to the store. While Brenna looked at the pets, Braden reminded me sweetly and persistently that he needed to find the tools. We all went over there next so that he could pick what he wanted. His first choice was the giant $50 tool bench. He’s been talking about the tool bench since his birthday in May, but it was out of his price range today. (He will be getting it for Christmas anyway.) Most of the tool sets were too expensive so I showed him the one he could afford. I wondered if he’d be sad that he couldn’t get the bigger, fancier sets, but he was excited about the one I showed him. When I explained that he had enough money for that one, he responded, “Then that’s the one I love!”

I felt SO energized and refreshed after our little outing. It was so nice to get out of the house! The blue skies and warm sunshine made it even nicer. And, of course, it was so fun to see how happy the kids were as they each selected the perfect toy.

Brenna had choir practice that evening so we took her there. Afterwards we went out to eat as a family at IHOP. We like to celebrate babies at IHOP, usually eating there once or twice during each pregnancy for various milestones. For example, we ate there the day before I was induced with Brenna, the day after we found out I was pregnant with Joshy, the day we found out Maddie was a girl, and so on. Rick even brought me IHOP stuffed french toast in the hospital after I delivered Asher (the cashier, upon learning that his wife had just delivered a baby, sent him home with a little blue bear too!) So it seemed fitting to celebrate our little Jacob’s arrival with a dinner at IHOP. Once again, it was so nice to be out of the house. I ate stuffed french toast- my favorite IHOP dinner.

At home we put Asher and Jacob to bed and put on a movie for the four older kids. Rick and I took a bubble bath together. We just enjoyed talking and spending time together. As we were talking, we heard the kids yelling something. It sounded like they were yelling, “Braden, hurry up!” But then we realized they were actually yelling, “Braden’s throwing up!”

Rick cleaned up the barf while I cleaned up Braden. I think he ate too much at dinner and his tummy couldn’t handle the large amount of food he stuffed into it.

Once Braden was bathed and dressed in clean pajamas and settled in front of the movie again, Rick and snuggled in bed and talked for a while. Then we watched a movie together. After the movie, Rick sat by me while I fell asleep. It was such a nice, relaxing evening… other than the whole vomiting thing, of course. I had such an enjoyable day yesterday!

Today we are taking things slow. I feel SO GOOD, but I don’t want to overdo anything. So I am really, really trying to just pace myself right now, in spite of how good I actually feel. I’ve done three loads of laundry today so our laundry is all caught up. The house is completely tidy, other than the kids’ bedrooms which they are still working on. The kitchen is clean thanks to my handsome husband so all I need to do is unload the dishwasher and put away the pots, pans, and mixing bowls that he washed by hand and left to dry on the counter. I’d like the vacuum this afternoon; the family room especially needs it. The bathrooms are scoured and the garbage has been gathered.

When the three little boys goes down for afternoon naps, I am going to take a shower. I am still in my pajamas because I am waiting to shower before I get dressed. When the jobs are finished and the little boys wake up from their naps, I’d like to take everyone to the park. They could use the playtime  and I want to take advantage of this gorgeous weather before it is gone.

Brenna has gymnastics this afternoon. Rick is going to take her so that he can work out while she practices. Joshua has wrestling practice tonight, just 30 minutes after Brenna finishes gymnastics. Rick will be working so I am going to take all the kids to practice. I’m looking forward to getting out of the house again and to watching Joshua practice.

The rest of this week should be easy and slow-paced. Next week things will get busier because we’re starting homeschool (along with piano lessons and job charts) again and because Joshua has wrestling practice four nights a week beginning next week. So even though I feel like cleaning like crazy and running lots of errands, I am trying to enjoy this slow week while it lasts.

My Baby Boy (the slightly bigger version)

I call all of my children my babies. Even Brenna, my seven year old, is still my baby. She always will be too- even when she has babies of her own.

However, there are only a few of my children are actually still babies. Brenna, Joshua, Madalyn, and Braden have all moved beyond their baby years (sniffle). Asher is just 15 months old and I still consider him a baby in every sense of the word. Of course, now I have Jacob as well and he is still very much a baby. I feel very blessed to have two babies at the same time, a newborn and a newly turned one-year-old, a tiny baby and a slightly bigger version.

Here is my sweet baby Asher, as he snuggled in bed with me early this morning…

Isn’t he so cute?!