All four

It's not often that all four kids are awake at the same time. Anne is still sleeping quite a bit. This morning we had some time where the kids were just able to hang out. The older kids loved it (maybe a bit too much - I, unfortunately, wasn't there to prevent Andy from scooting Anne over on her blanket... with her head. She only cried for a couple of seconds. She really is a good baby.).

This picture would have been really great had Andy not insisted on "smiling down." I'm not sure where that came from, but he thought it was funny. I am sure that this is not the first joke of Andy's that Anne will laugh at (click on the picture to see her smile better). Oh, and Anne's eyes look to be staying blue. I love having our brown-eyed boys and blue-eyed girls.

I sure love this bunch of kids.

Overheard

Andy (yelling from his room after climbing down from the top bunk and opening his door): We couldn't walk.

He comes up with the best things to tell us so he doesn't have to go to bed.

2 miles and other stuff

Life has been going really well. Anne is such a good baby and we've all been adjusting well. The kids all love her and want to have their turn holding her as often as possible. Lilia's request might be my favorite because she holds both her hands up gesturing "come here" with all her fingers while saying "Baby, baby." She loves "Baby Anne." She started out saying "Baby Aaahh" and is now really good about her 'n' sound. Both are cute, but crazy to see how fast she's growing up and to hear how fast she's improving with her words. Sometimes it feels like life just goes too fast.

So far I've only had one outing with all four kids by myself. On Tuesday a friend invited us to join her at IHOP for their free short stacks on national pancake day. I almost didn't, but I'm really glad we did. Walking in was the best. I had Anne's car seat over my right arm. I held Lilia's right hand with my left and told Andy to hold onto Lilia's left hand. Benny didn't want to be left out and asked whose hand he could hold. Andy held out his free hand and we all walked in together. It was pretty cute.

Spencer started his rural rotation this month. He's in Vian, OK. It's about 75 minutes Southeast of Tulsa. Not too bad at all, but too far to commute every day. He's working with a wonderful doctor who is hosting him for the nights he's staying there. He's already had a nice time visiting with him and his wife. They're very nice people. Every Thursday is off so Spencer can come home Wednesday when he's done and stay until early Friday. We'll be living without him early Monday morning until he comes home on Wednesday. Not nearly as bad as it could be, so I'm thrilled. It should be a really interesting month. We're looking forward to it.

This morning with Spencer home I had a perfect opportunity to go out walking! I went two miles and feel quite good. I'm looking forward to getting back into some regular exercise. I think this is the most excited I've been after any pregnancy to get back exercising and into good shape. I'm really looking forward to it. It was a nice beginning this morning.

Some pictures of some recent goings on:

I took some pictures of Anne this morning.

The beginning of a smile. It got bigger, but I love the crooked look her face has.


Lilia and her second favorite thing to do with her sister.
Her favorite thing is holding her and kissing her repeatedly.


Also Andy's second favorite.
I think his favorite would have to be tickling her toes.


Andy wanted to take some pictures, too.

A very artistic approach.


More of mine.

Anne has had a strong neck from the beginning. While in the hospital I watched her pick her head up to turn to the other side.
Yes, I even had her sleeping on her stomach at the hospital. It's what she likes.





At the beginning of this week one of the boys asked to be a lion. And, of course, the other wanted the same thing. The final product.

Andy, not surprisingly, wanted a "roaring" mouth. Benny, also not surprisingly, a smiling one.


After her nap Lilia grabbed an empty bag and started running around with it over her head. I tried making it a little safer by giving her some "eyes." She didn't really want to be in the picture.

Andy enjoying the bubbles he got from a birthday party he went to.
I look at this picture and just can't believe how big he's getting!




Benny is getting much more independent these days and enjoys "taking care of myself."
Here he is working on making sandwiches for yesterday's lunch.
When I started taking pictures he asked me to take pictures in the family room. I'm pretty sure it's because he didn't want me to know he was occasionally licking the peanut butter knife. The peanut butter around his mouth is what tipped me off. That and Benny telling me he really likes peanut butter. :)
This morning Benny asked me to show him how to start the dryer so he can do it on his own now. We're entering a very independent stage with him now.


Lilia requested this picture be taken. This is her "cheese."
We're working on it.


Andy wearing his "Penguin Costume." He loves wearing this sweater and always wears the hood to be a penguin. Not sure where that came from, but he loves it.