then there's this guy...

hyde and i have come along way in the last couple of months. leah turns 8 weeks today, and for probably the first four weeks or so did not bode well with old hyde. he was overly tantrumy (is that even a word?), and hit A LOT. he still likes to hit, but not nearly as much as before. and not leah, but me. he was a long way from being a mama's boy, in fact, quite the contrary. he would love on his dad all day long and go to him for EVERYTHING. funny thing was, he didn't even really acknowledge leah or seem to care that she was in the room, it was just his demeanor that changed. but a few weeks ago, he decided that he liked me again and we have resumed our "buddy" status. he likes to sit and cuddle with me or come to me when he's hurt or tired, or if he gets shy and feels like there is stranger danger. and ironically, his first word (other than mommy and daddy of course) was baby, after he decided to acknowledge her and realized that she is just a fleshy blob that sleeps on the couch most of the time rather than a threat to his cute self. he likes to "inform" me that she's crying by yelling "baby!" and often brings me her pacifier in an attempt to help out. it's very cute. he doesn't quite lay with her want to bond with her the way beth does, but we have definitely made some progress.

and as usually happens to the "old baby" when the "new baby" comes, he seems so big and grown up to me. he's huge! and so, so funny and playful. he has such an awesome sense of humor... always laughing and teasing. he likes to stick cheerios (or whatever we're eating) in different places on his face and then yells "mommy!" to get my attention and show me, and then cracks up at his own hilariousness before placing another cheerio in a new spot on his face and the process is repeated. he does the same thing with other objects and especially his pacifier when i'm changing his diaper, or especially loves to hide behind his hands and then yell boo! to scare me. he can be so dang cute! total joker. i love it. it's the banner coming out in him. ;) the kid is awesome. (when he's not hitting. or tantrumming. or pushing or taking toys or whining. then he's awesome.)

it's been a while

i feel like it's been forever since i've written anything. it has been forever since i've written anything. i miss it, in a way. life has kept me busy lately, and in a really good way. but it hasn't allowed for as much time for posting the way i'd like to. the kids and i have been taking full advantage of the summer, getting out and doing something nearly everyday. we've spent a lot of time in the water and all of our skin has turned nice and bronzy. it feels good. we go to the lake or the splash park a lot and have been to a pool with friends once or twice as well. we are spending good, quality time with friends (and cousins!) and have had lots of great playdates at various places and houses. the days go by a lot faster than i thought they would. they are full and fun and wear the kids out. they wear me out as well, but the adult interaction i get with the other moms is also refreshing and helps keep me going. 98% of the time, i am LOVING this whole stay at home mom thing. it feels so leisurely! it's hard work, but not coming home everyday and having to stress about picking up kids and getting dinner started at 6 and then kids in bed with some forced quality time somewhere in there... is awesome. i love that everyday is wide open, just waiting for us to decide what we're going to embark on that day. sort of like a choose your own adventure book! we can do whatever, whenever, with little to no limitation. it's awesome.

i admit there is usually one day during the week where the kids are asked to entertain themselves or get some extra tv time so that i can get some housework done, but with all the other days spent playing or on "field trips", i am 100% okay with that. it works for me.

the addition of leah hasn't been all that overwhelming - not like i thought it would be, i should say. she just has to be present everywhere we go, mostly, and as long as i make sure that happens i am smooth sailing. haven't forgotten her once yet! ;) she doesn't require a whole lot of attention right now, so just making sure she's there and fed is fairly easy (for now) and i can still manage the other two generally the way i used to. it never hurts to have an extra hand or pair of eyes around when you're outnumbered by kids, and that's come in most helpful at times during some of our excursions, but i'm not as intimidated to go out and do and be the way i thought i might be after having three kids. for now, it's still manageable and fun. tiring, yes. but oh so fulfilling. lots of happies and joy inside...

leah is still inconsistent with her sleeping, which is frustrating at times, given the other two were sleeping through the night at 6 weeks, but if things are timed just right, there is a small window early in the morning around 5:30 or 6 where i can get up and go for a walk which does wonders for me and our day. i'm always a little more chipper, a little more patient, a little more upbeat if i can get that walk in. it gives me time to gather my thoughts and gear up for the day in solitude, which i genuinely don't take for granted. that is sacred time, am i right ladies? it is so good for me and my soul, and consequently my kids souls too. amazing what a little down time can do before the chaos begins...

at any rate, some more recent photos. the real reason you all are here anyway... let's be honest :)

off the beaten path

the lake

dorito face

"hey ladies..."