Thankful + lately

Thankful for these boys of mine. All 3 of them counting Moon too. Thankful for moments to stop and realize how full my cup really is. I don't stop enough. 

This guy is moving all over. Getting oh so heavy but I can't imagine him losing any of his chubby self. Moon remarked the other week one morning that he thought Henri was losing his cheeks. I disagree completely and furthermore it is forbidden! This big boy has stolen my heart.

This one has also captured my heart! He has mama boy moments often as he still makes room for Henri in his life. The boys are starting to share a room. Eli is talking up a storm and amazes us with things he recites from books we've read to him. His 3 year old self is more calm and can recover better than 2 year old Eli from disappointment. But still no pants inside...

One day.

Finally got around to jotting a few more things in Henri's baby book and found his old ultrasound pics. I think he recognizes that tiny babe :)

(And I remembered the doctor at that very visit saying, "your baby looks healthy, everything is great, and measuring a little bit large..." )

Creating chores for Eli as he's very much in the "Eli do it" phase and really wants to help. If I ask for an assistant he's there! And actually does some helpful things. Laundry folding not one. So this was the "can you pile all the clothes here on the couch" chore. 

There truly is blessing and beauty in the simple, ordinary parts of days with these tiny people. Now off to get some sleep so I can be a part of it all over again tomorrow (minus the laundry).

Saturday

the bunk bed

anatomy of an outing with two

Sunny day called for getting out. 

Bundled those boys up.

Catered to last minute pleas for "blanket blanket!"

Got baby H snug as a bug.

Then naturally couldn't find my keys.

Looking, looking...

Boys start to get a teeny bit impatient.

Consider just leaving door unlocked...

Then find keys!

Enjoy chilly walk to coffee shop.

Park boys by entrance and smile at them as I wait in line. 

They are just fine. 

Then proceed to enjoy the second half of our little walk. 

Play peek a boo to Eli's giggle eruptions and Henri's cracked smiles.

Enjoy the best latte I've had in a while.

Walk home to smiling folks passing by. "You've got your hands full" one lady says and then turns back around and says, "but that's the best kind of full". 

I thank her, not sure what else to say. But yes, yes it is the best kind of full. 

Sometimes it's the getting out, the fresh air, the gratefulness found in little moments that helps to see this is indeed the best kind of full.

Chillin in Stumptown like all the cool babies/toddlers do these days.

Cheers!

(This thing is getting easier to use/push now that the weight distribution is getting more equal ;)

Look who up and started eating our food...

He couldn't wait until 6 months. His clear interest and eagerness for our food at the table meant we let him start some solids a couple weeks before the 6 month mark. He's doing the normal mostly-spit-it-out-but-I'm-really-quite-interested thing. Some avocado, some banana, some apple to date. 

a busy fall

Indeed it is and has been one busy fall. I keep taking pictures at the same mirrored spot a couple blocks away when we're walking. Then I go out with just Henri. Then sometimes wander alone, or with just Moon on our date nights. (Thank you uncle J!). It's a beautiful, busy fall over here, and I'm still getting lots of cuddles and three year old kisses so it's been pretty good all around ;)

Sweater pants I sewed for the babe as he needs a larger waist than some of the ones I sewed for Eli ;)

(He's going to be a workout soon to carry around)

Strolling with baby H

Two mornings a week I now get to be home for over three hours with just Henri. And Moon gets to sit in a coffee shop and catch up on work. And Eli gets to play his heart out at preschool (and engage in some "toddler work" like social skills). Anyways, while baby naps I get some time to myself. (This week it was a deep cleaning of the floors. Thrilling. But I got to listen to a podcast. And sip coffee, so no complaints). Anyways, I've told myself that I must get out every morning I get with just Henri for a walk. And though it was drizzling when he woke up I bundled him, turned the stroller seat to face me, got out the rain cover, and off we went. He just smiled at me. And it was fun to be looking at him as I can't do that when I'm wearing him. We went to the store, got half and half, and slowly walked home. So pleasant. Oh, and that little guy is 19 pounds at 5 months!! Also 27.5 inches long. Confirmed today at his check up. As our pediatrician said, "he's just a big boy". And all I can say is don't ever lose your cheeks Henri! (And maybe your leg rolls too).

THREE!

Eli turned three!!!

I remember like yesterday bringing him home from the hospital. Exhausted but wanting to stare at my perfect, sweet, brand new baby instead of sleep. It was the feeling of getting the very best present. I remember nodding off to sleep and then sitting up to get one last look at my sleeping baby. Of course I eventually did sleep... in short, 2-3 hour increments because that's how Eli rolled. I remember that stage of Eli as a tiny immobile baby like a flash. A sweet flash of time that I'll hold onto and savor, of course. But most of what I have in my memory bank starts on October 1, 2012 when our little man wobbled onto his very own two legs and took off. Oh the sharp, high pitched, Eli giggles that emerged when he took his own steps. He was proud. And much like that almost one year old he now gets most excited when he's jumping high, climbing something that requires agility, running fast after other kids, banging his drums, and so forth. Yet even though we can hardly find the baby in him these days as he's grown into little boyhood, he still loves a good cuddle just like when he was tiny. He's a mama's boy. He'll go climbing or playing with his daddy anytime. He wants his baby brother to "pway" (play), as he points his finger on the floor next to him. Our baby boy might be three, but he's always and forever our firstborn. How grateful we are for the gift he's been to our lives for three years. We can't wait for all the adventures to come...

Happy birthday to our boy!

Guess who came to visit...

The grandparents!!

Eli got lots of playtime and treats. Henri is looking ready to start eating... at 5 months now! We'll let him start in another month or so ;)

Brothers

These boys in their jammies, minutes before bedtime, squished together on a chair (Eli climbed up next to Henri), just warmed my heart. Eli has yet to really take an interest in holding Henri, and if he doesn't pick it up Henri might be too big for him to hold :)

Sophie and the baby

Our teething baby loves his giraffe, Sophie. Her ears and legs get more chew time with baby H than I remember with Eli. 

The sweetest things...

Some days you just have to focus on your sweet, squishy baby and forget about the mess your house has become. And that toddler who mostly made that mess is pretty great too. Mess aside, he's sweet, charming, and said "baby henwee" yesterday for the first time! And that baby, he's ready for the slopes! (Shirt was a thrift store find in Estes). And now off to go cuddle that baby...

One day at a time

Some grainy phone pics to illustrate how we keep busy when the daddy is gone. Clearly we don't get very made up for our morning jaunt. Next we play with dough, the homemade kind so Eli isn't exposed to toxins when he nibbles on it (that can't taste good, right?). Then digging, naturally. It's 70 and early fall so we must be outside. Meanwhile baby H is hugging the back (oh how I love a baby on my back! Finally! I can do dishes and other such exciting things ;).

Playtime

Henri just watches and watches... Eli glances his way now and then

The boy who willingly puts on pants to go outside takes them off promptly when we get home along with his shoes 

Beads he strung during craft at preschool. He seems pretty proud of them.

Annnnnd yet another truck for the dig pit out back! A neighbor boy was having a "free sale" and put some trucks on his curb. Eli was a happy customer :)

Really sweet how many kids in this neighborhood enjoy passing their "things" along when they are done with them...

Born to be worn

But it looks like I'll have to do all the baby wearing 'round here for the next week while the daddy is gone! So far so good... only about 5 hours in ;)