To my Baby Daddy

For Father's Day, I had the super great idea to make a picture book filled with recent pictures and quotes for Daddy to carry around wherever he goes.  Looks like he liked it :)

 The kids were very busy telling him about every picture.

None of the quotes are particularly meaningful.  None of the pictures are professional.  The book is only paperback, and will most likely not survive the love and attention it will receive from the people who are so prominently featured inside.  But it brought a smile to his face, and showed him that it is the every day little stuff that is just as important as the big stuff.  We love him dearly.  Turns out, his gene pool make some pretty amazing stuff! :)

Also to my father and my father in law:  Thanks for the life lessons, thanks for the donations, thanks for the advice, thanks for the love.  We feel it!

Happy Father's Day to all those people out there, who devote their lives to their children, whether real or imagined, whether biological or adopted.  You do more than you will ever know.

Isn't it interesting....

Sometimes I like to go back and compare things.  For instance:

Kari on her birthday (2004)

 Kaitlyn (2007)

Dylan (2009)

Kelsey (2012)

They all look like cute little closed/no eyed babies (except Kelsey).  The are nice and pink.  And as far as babies go, I guess they look like family since they are all cute and squooshy.  They all also seem to have the same blankets.  Go figure.

Bookworm

Today has been quite the busy day.  As was yesterday.  Never fear, I am sure it will come up later.  As it stands, I wanted to share this picture of my cute (hopefully) little bookworm.  It looks like this little nook is just her size :)

Talky Talk

I had an interesting conversation with my 3 month old the other day.  She told me some pretty interesting things.  See if you glean the same information from it that I do....



Isn't she a cutie? :)

"Nap time"

My son took a "nap" the other day.  Due to the construction going on in the bathroom, I have been temporarily storing things in his room.  I thought he left it alone, but apparently, he does not.

As frustrated as I was that he had gotten into things, and scared as I was because I know it could have been a catastrophic mess (he did get some on his sheet), I actually thought he did a pretty good job.  So, I had to take a picture....  His wife is gonna love me...  We will have broken him in so well! :)

Tummy Time

My pediatrician has tried to stress to me how important tummy time is.  Even for the fourth child.  Even though she will be mauled by her siblings.  She, however, seems to think otherwise.  She can roll to her back, although I am pretty sure it isn't always on purpose.  Her sister is right there to help her.  Also, if I am interpreting her face correctly, it doesn't appear that she is all that thrilled about it.

Barrel Roll!!!

 Deer in the headlights!

I don't really understand why when she is on her back, she contorts herself into all these unusual shapes...  I don't think they look comfortable at all.... 

 "She fahl ober!"

 I think she thought it was a game :)

 Child, you are listing.

 This day, we did it downstairs.  Kari was doing her impression of Kelsey.

 They were all so solidly engrossed.

 And she was doing a pretty good job.

 Apparently, she was also doing stand up comedy.  The joke went something like this:  A man, a woman, and a priest walk into a bar.....

 She had them rolling on the floor.  Get it?!?!  Rolling on the floor?  I crack myself up :D

I have had several issues uploading videos to blogger recently, so I am going about it a different way.  I hope it works. 

These videos, both about 40 something seconds long, are not so much exciting for Kelsey, but I really enjoy the background conversations.... 


Love this one :)


My pediatrician warned me that tummy time would be a family affair.   I guess he actually knew what he was talking about :)

Hode Her

At our house, one of our favorite games to play is "Hode Her." 

I kinda really like Kaitlyn peaking over the back of the couch.  I also love that Kelsey and Dylan are actually looking at each other.

 Rules of the game: Various children take turns letting me sit Kelsey on their lap for approximately 1.5 minutes before saying "Aaah done."

 Variations:  playing games with another sibling that requires them to move around alot, and requires me to get concerned they will forget they actually have a baby on their lap, which would wind up in said baby on the floor screaming.

 Either way, it is a fun game :)  Kelsey enjoys it too!

 And sometimes, I get some pretty awesome sibling pictures!

 This one just makes me giggle.  Kaitlyn appears to be high on something, but I can assure you that is it just love for her little baby sister.

 This one also makes me giggle.  Kaitlyn = Ecstatic.  Kelsey = Bottom Lip.  That bottom lip seems to have a mind of its own.  Sometimes, it just pops out, and I mean a good 1/2 an inch from the rest of her face OUT, and she doesn't seem to control it.  It doesn't always stay out.  Sometimes it goes back in.  Sometimes not.  But it seems to have a mind of its own....  Its hilarious!  (I don't remember my other kids doing that, I am certain that it wasn't as extreme as Kelsey's)

 Kaitlyn must also give Kelsey "a kith and a hug" every time she passes.  It is as cute and endearing as it is annoying.

 Look mom!!!  She's holding my finger!

 Big sister Kari has also asked to pick her up.  While it scares me verily, I have allowed her to start taking small trips, or hold her up like this while she is sitting down.

I am not sure how I really feel about my oldest baby holding my youngest baby.  It makes me feel like the space time continuum has been messed with (and yes, I am sure that reference dates me).  It is always so nice when a new toy provides so much entertainment :)

Something is Missing

Look closely at the following picture...  Do you notice the absence of anything?

This is what he asked for "I wanna bun, with kessup and mussrd.  But no hotdog." 

Um.  Ok.  I guess.

Netbook vs Tablet vs Laptop

In a world as technologically advanced as ours, I realize that not allowing my children to use the computer may be holding them back.  In fact, it may be criminal! :)  However, I take offense to the fact that they want to use my computer and take away from my computer time.  Because of this, I have begun to think about investing in some kind of computer/netbook/laptop for my children to use.  What will they be doing on it?  Pretty much just playing games on the internet (we have found zoodles.com and few other websites we like) and occasionally typing a few letters/words.  So, it doesn't need to be high powered, but it must connect to the internet.  In fact, I am fairly certain that it will be a used, refurbished, or very old model, as it doesn't need to actually do a whole lot. 

 My question for you people is: Do you let your children play on the computer? If so, do you have something special for them to play on? And, probably most importantly, what would you recommend and why?

Keep in mind that I am very budget conscious at this point and that it needs to be able to withstand children playing with it...  But that I don't plan on using it at all.

Aaaaaaaand begin discussion.

Softball Wrap Up

This was really my first experience with a child involved in something with regular practices and games.  My first experience with a schedule not my own (other than school).  While I can't say it was a super great experience, it wasn't the most horrible thing either.  Mostly, it served as a growing experience for Kari and a lesson in patience for her daddy and I.  That seems to be the problems with volunteer run organizations:  They aren't always as reliable as someone who gets paid.  That, or there are no repercussions when things go awry.  Kari let it all roll off her back.  The only thing that was important to her was to play.  She never let the other girls attitude affect her.  And she took "coaching" pretty well, even if she was not always able to implement the directions. 

She did her daddy proud (in multiple ways, he interjects) by playing short stop.  She did pretty well at stopping the balls and when the occasional ball did get out into outfield (because lets face it, in a 6-8 league, it doesn't happen all that often) she was an excellent cut off girl, waving her arms to let the outfielders know where to throw the ball.

Her "down and ready" position. 

While she didn't always get on base, she was an excellent coach reader when she did.  I love her stance as she leans off first base.

 3rd base

 And (due, in my opinion, in part to her burns and pressure garments of old) she was a switch hitter.  She seems to hit almost equally well off both sides.  And, being the fair girl that she is, every time she would go up to bat, she would switch.  It threw everyone off at first.  They always looked to hubby to make sure it wasn't something they needed to correct.

Last Saturday was the LadyBugs last game.  And while they didn't win, it was probably their most exciting game of the season.  They played the best as a team they ever did, batted well, and fielded all right.  Kari got up to bat 3 times, got on base all 3 times, and scored 2 of the 9 runs of the game!  Go KARI!!!

This Saturday was the season end banquet, where they each got trophies and little trinkets to remember the season by.  The head coach gave out trophies for participation.

Kari is so proud of hers!  We took this picture, and the said "Ew.  My hair!"  Which made me think of all the teenage photos I am about to start hearing about.  Great :) 

They also got a medal (which you see there in the middle) and a softball necklace with her initial K (which daddy allowed her to wear to church on Sunday and is hanging off of the trophy).  They were nice enough to give the coaches something too.  Even though hubby didn't sign up as an official coach, he ended up doing quite a bit more than he thought he was going to be able to.  The LadyBugs presented him with the mitt trophy, holding a softball that all the girls signed, and a team picture.  It was very nice of them!

We made a few friends, and everyone learned a little bit about themselves.  Hubby learned maybe a bit more patience and gratitude for great kids.  I learned what it will be like for the rest of my life as a schedule keeper and chauffeur.  Kaitlyn and Dylan learned to make new friends and to play in the dirt.  Oh, and I learned a few new laundry tricks to get said dirt out of clothes.  Kari learned about teamwork and attitude.  She also learned how to take coaching.  She is still learning about practicing, and how you have to practice to get better.  Kelsey, well, she either didn't learn much, as she slept through most of it (which is impressive since a lot of the time I was "coaching from the sidelines" {translation: yelling}).  OR she learned all about the world, since everything is new to that child anyway :)

It was fun to watch Kari play.  It was fun to see her natural ability as well as seeing her improve over the course of the season.  While I know I am in for the rest of my life for things like this, I can also say I am pretty excited it is over. :)

Generalizations

Generally, when Kelsey is in a good mood, I will always take a picture of her.

 She is the cutest baby that is 3 months old in a pink bow ever.

 Her "deer in the headlights" look is simply delightful.

 She is also practicing her "Stop in the Name of Love" Dance.  She will be the cutest performer.

 This onesie (from Aunt Meg) is also the softest/smoothest ever!  Made of Bamboo Rayon I believe.

Kelsey is half lizard baby.  She always has her tongue out.  I wonder if she is teething, but I really really really hope not at 3 months. 

 Cutest baby ever!  Hands down :)

She is also (apparently) the Best Sister.  (Kari made that name tag for Kelsey. Never fear, she made one for Kaitlyn also).

 Generally, I am more amazed and more in love with this child every day :)