Joshua: 8 months

I’m not going to lie: Joshua had a really rough month seven. He went from my angel baby, to constantly fussy, not falling asleep for naps, refusing a bottle, waking at night, etc. “Teeth,” we kept saying. And we had those—three in fact (yes, in one month). But in the end, a doctor’s appointment last Monday revealed a double ear infection. Ugh. I suspect he had a touch of an infection all month. Within days of antibiotics, my happy boy is back. Well, almost. We’re still having some bottle issues. Throughout all this tribulation we did discover an interesting fact about little Joshy: he’s a stubborn little booger. He’s a picky eater. And perhaps he’s not as easy going as we initially suspected. But, we still love him just as much. Here’s what else our little boy was up to this month:

-Wrinkling his nose when smiling.

-Gave mama some slobbery kisses.

-Moving around a bit on his bottom, but not crawling yet. Can go to all fours, but doesn’t love being on his stomach.

-Has three teeth.

-Really doesn’t like taking a bottle, but prefers solids. Will eat sweet potatoes, apples, peaches, pears, but is hit and miss on carrots, peas and squash. Hates green beans and bananas.

-Loves being around his big brothers. Often fusses in the morning until they wake up.

-Speaking of morning, he’s a bit of an early riser (at least for our household) and gets up between 6 and 7. (or maybe, Joshua, just maybe, if you’d take a WHOLE bottle before bed, you wouldn’t wake up hungry that early…just a thought).

-Takes two naps of 1 to 2 hours. Still loves his head and nose tucked into something, be it the bumper or just smack flat into the mattress.

-Started using pincher fingers and touching things with just his pointer finger.

-Went from his tummy to sitting today.

This is Josh’s new favorite toy. Mostly because he loves to eat it.

These next pictures are Josh looks at Seth and laughing. Boy he loves his brothers!

Here’s Josh during his food ban due to the ear infections. We were at the point of bribing him with food at any possible moment with any technique. You want to eat standing up in the exersaucer, sure, why not. You will only take a bite if we give you a drink first, sure. Just eat child. Doesn’t he look pathetic?

What a funny sleeper this boy is:

Love you Joshua. Here’s to a better month 8!

Happy Easter

In the midst of all the craziness and busyness here at our home, we were able to spend the day in Dufur with family to celebrate our risen Savior. It was a great day of celebration!

Tulip Festival and Papa’s Birthday

My parents visited last weekend and we had a blast! First, Ben and I got to go on a DATE! Woo hoo! Always wonderful. Then the next day was my dad’s birthday. We decided to go to the tulip festival. Let me tell you: that place is AMAZING! One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Just check out these pictures:

Josh was not cooperating on the pictures. I tried for a photo shoot with him in front of the flowers. Major fail because Josh was so intrigued by the dirt.

Seth and Sam are picture pros by now and even initiate “arm around”

We got some great pictures with the Grandparents. I love how happy my dad looks in these pictures!

Seth was not having a great picture day (he’s in the green shirt). Nice pose buddy.

Sam’s a picture star, though. And these flowers…they are amazing!

The next day our whole family was able to get together. I love these pictures of the grandkids gathered around my dad. Not a bad way to spent your birthday.

My mom made my dad this really cool canvas with a picture of my Grandma Minnie and a quote that he loves. It was beautiful.

Cousin Bonding Time

A couple weeks ago, Ben had a work trip to Germany for SEVEN whole nights. Yuck. What’s a mama of three small boys to do? First, I had grand plans of a road trip to Lakeview for a few nights, and then to Medford for the rest of week. But I chickened out. I was too intimidated by the six hours in the car with a baby. So my mom graciously came up and helped me for the first half of the week, and then rode down to Medford with the boys and I, where my dad met us for the evening and next day.

My mom is an artist for the Forest Service and designed some really neat workbooks for kids exploring the Table Rocks. We decided to give them a trial run and do a small hike at the base of the table rocks. The big kids LOVED it and the workbooks were a big hit. (The babies took nap in the Ergo’s, of course.)

The kids and grandparents trying to find the BINGO items (flowers, acorns, etc.).

Seth and a really cool wasp pod they discovered.

The “big” kids: Clara, Sam, Miriam, Seth, and Aidah

This picture totally cracks me up because not ONE child is looking at the camera.

Seth, Aidah, Sam, & Clara

Miriam was SO excited to see Joshua and was determined for him to love her by the end. He was timid at first, but was snuggling with Miriam on the final morning. It was so sweet. Miriam is such a great older sister/cousin and very loving to the babies.

I love these pictures of Josh and Miriam. I wish I could combine their smiles into one picture!

Clara was so tickled to have both boys to herself. These are such sweet pictures.

There was lots of reading together:

Katie asked me to take some family pictures, as well as some one year old pictures of Edmund, which was a blast. This picture comes from the end of Edmund’s photo shoot and totally cracks me up. “Ah, mom, let me go play,” is what his expression says.

Little Edmund just turned one and is so loved by everyone—except maybe Josh. Josh tends to be pretty intimidated by other kids his age and would give this look every time Edmund got close to him. It was hilarious!

We visited a total of four parks during our time in Medford. Here’s our final night. Katie and I really wanted a picture of the two youngest together:

This is such a precious picture of the five oldest cousins. They love each other so much and it was wonderful to watch them play and bond.

I saved these final two pictures for last, because they just make me laugh and smile. One of the afternoons, Miriam and Aidah got Seth and Sam to be “daddys” and play house/families with their American Girl dolls. Seth and Sam were quick to oblige and they all spent hours playing house. It was so sweet. Sam was the daddy for Aidah’s doll, and Seth the daddy for Miriam’s. I LOVE the picture of Seth pushing the baby stroller; he has such a serious “dad” expression on his face. Hilarious!

What a special time of memories with Katie’s family that I will cherish forever! (and I think the cousins will too!!)