Caught One

For a few days now, I've finally been getting some smiles. Real ones, in response to me smiling or talking first.

And they're perfect.

Yesterday I finally caught one :)

"Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later." - Og Mandino

I try to always do my best, but I'll admit, I don't always succeed.

But on pretty days, it's easier.♥



And I'm not sure when they will start to really be able to remember things from their childhood, so until then, we'll have pictures to remind us of the good days.

All of us.

♥

This guy learned to wink.




This guy was sliding down the bank into the weeds.

And this guy just gets bigger and more alert every day.

He is such a sweetheart.

All my love.

"The most important things in life aren't things." - Anthony J. D'Angelo

One Month Old today.

This makes my heart feel like it's going to burst ♥

An utterly biased post....

... but look how stinkin' cute he is :)

Binky face♥

A Night at the Fair

I've never shown an animal, lived on a farm, or really been anything close to a farm girl. But every year I still look forward the Wayne County Fair just like a little kid. There's just something about it... such tradition and fun. And Fair food :)

So I knew that even though Graham is so young, as long was everything was ok, I really wanted us to all go again this year.

About a week ago, I decided I was feeling good about it and wanted to try! It was just the logistics of taking Three under 3... So one night after work Jared stopped on his way home and bought me a Baby Sling so I could wear Graham while the older boys rode in our double stroller. Problem solved!

Mimi and Pap Pap also met us there and were such a big help. (We're definitely still figuring this 3-kid-thing out. I've got it down when we're at home. Leaving the house, though, is still a whole different story....)

We walked through the animal barns and then got some dinner. We were able to find a pretty secluded bench over by the all the tractors, so the boys could run around and play in between bites and I could nurse Baby Graham without being too terribly obvious or on display. Then the boys (and men) all sat on some big farm machinery and we called it a night!

Holden and Bridger both really liked seeing all the animals and Graham slept most of the time and only really started to get tired of it at the end.

So yea, outings take a little more effort/planning these days, but it was worth it. :)

Bridger wanted to pet the pony...

...but settled for the sheep :)

He was really having fun

Baa Baa Black Sheep.... Daddy helping Holden

Our first County Fair as a family of 5!

Playing with Pap Pap

Daddy showing him the turkeys and ducks

Strollin' through the poultry barn

Dinner Time! Running around in between bites.

Goofball.

Mimi snuggling a wide awake Baby Graham

Fed, changed, and all snuggled back up in his sling :)

Boys and Machines... I don't think I'll ever understand it.

But they sure do look handsome ♥

Fading Summer Nights

Truthfully, I'm over summer. I am so sick of being hot. (And being pregnant most of this summer and last hasn't helped, I'm sure.)

But I am definitely not tired of the gorgeous, cool Summer evenings we've been having lately though.

Almost every night after dinner, I take a short walk (my "alone time" for the day) just down the road and back. And it has been so beautiful outside lately... some nights I go down and back to the stop sign twice just so I can spend more time outside, soaking in the warm, pink sunset and fluffy clouds.

I love it.

And I know the boys are going to miss being outside, too. We can't do too much nowadays, but we do go out and play a little or go for a walk around the yard. It's just nice to get out in the clean, fresh air. And Sunday night after dinner at Mimi's house, we went out to play for a bit while it was still nice. Holden played in the car, Bridger tried to kick the soccer ball, and then she blew some bubbles for them to chase. It was really just a mellow, relaxing end to the day.

The warm summer nights are definitely slipping away quickly. And we're trying to enjoy them as much as we can before they're gone.

Bubbles :)

Looks like Mimi might be getting some instruction from the little boss...

Trying to "catch" them before they hit the ground

The only way he was quick enough to catch one.... if it wasn't moving. :)

"Chasing" bubbles like Holden.
Meanwhile, he doesn't even know they're back there.
Goof.

Pop! Pop!

Holden & Mimi ♥

"Raising children is like making biscuits: it is as easy to raise a big batch as one, while you have your hands in the dough. " - E.W. Howe

I came across this quote one day while browsing around, and it made me smile. For awhile now, I've thought that for the past 2 1/2 years (or more if you count the whole time I was pregnant with Holden) our lives have been pretty much all crazy with kids and babies anyway, so why not just keep going while we're still in the "mode"? I mean seriously, who wants to have to adjust back into no-sleep/baby/diaper mode after being well-rested with a completely self-sufficient child for 5 years? Well, I admit. The well-rested part sounds sweet. But having to switch back into "Baby Mode"? Not so much.

And really, "...it doesn't matter how many kids you have... because one kid'll take up 100% of your time so more kids can't possibly take up more than 100% of your time." (Karen Brown) Right? :)

So yup, it's a little hectic around here. But that's ok. If there are 2 in the tub, or 2 already in tears, or 2 needing their diapers changed, or 2 being rowdy on the floor wanting to play - really, what's one more? Just keep it coming and I'll rest one day. It might be years from now. But one day :)

Anyway, here's a few random photos of life around our house nowadays....

Putting those boys to work early!
(Picking up the dog food they spilled....)

The "Big Boys" reading books with Daddy one morning

Bath time for Baby Graham - and all my helpers

See, doesn't he look helpful? :)

Oh yea. They're ornery.

Peeking over Mom's shoulder

My big baby♥

Holden is truly a very helpful big brother. My days would be much harder without him.
(Also, it is amazing what this kid will do for a piece of candy.)

Zonked.

So far, he seems to be able to sleep through anything... a necessity around here with 2 stomping, running, screaming older brothers.

Starting to have more "awake" time now ♥