Mom's day

This blog has fallen horribly out of date!  I am so sorry to all my devoted readers (all three of you).  I will try desperately to do better for you all.

One of my favorite traditions in our little family is Mother's Day and Father's Day photos.  We nearly missed it this year!  We ended up going outside after the big kids were already in pajamas.  We still had a fun photo shoot, with Squish grinning the whole time, the big kids goofing (the way they always do) and mama, just looking like....a mom.

I am so proud of all three of these kids.  Lil G, at 8 years old, is at a hard stage.  He wants to be a young man but in so many ways, he is such a little kid.  His reading is exploding, he loves riding his bike and drawing, and he has a lovely kind spirit.

Smunchie, at 5, is her own person.  She has killer dance moves, lovely penmanship, and so much imagination.  Of course, with that imagination also comes big feelings, that she's learning to channel appropriately.

Squish.  Our Squish.  He has had a hard time, due to chronic ear infections.  But my oh my....that little boy has such personality and such a winning smile.  He is so easy going!  I wish he would grow up a little slower but I can't wait to see who he becomes.

I am so blessed to mother these kids.  They make me a better person, while also pushing me to the brink of insanity each and every day.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Arcade Museum

Our plans fell through on Saturday so we had a whole day free!  We decided to be spontaneous and head to Arcadia, the Arcade Museum nearby.  We had so much fun! The kids loved playing all the older games, while mama and dada relived some of the games of our youth. Most of the games were $.25 and we were happy to contribute to a fun, family friendly local establishment.

Smunchie was a big fan of Stun Runner (a motorcycle riding game), while Dada and Lil G really rocked it on the Doctor Who Pinball.  Mama stuck to the classics:  PacMan and Mrs. PacMan.

Archaeological Dig

This week, we had a unique opportunity in our community.  Last year, the folks at a local college buried a lot of everyday (and some not-so-common) objects.  These objects were subjected to the elements for an entire year.  Then, this year, a local archaeologist plotted out the site and invited kids to come and excavate the site.  We, of course, decided to check it out!  It was a great learning experience.  The kids used trowels and brushes to gentle remove the items.  Then, each item was photographed and placed on a table, according to the plot in which it was located.  Finally, any soil that was removed was placed in buckets, and then gently run through a sieve.

The kids had a great time and found several items that they deemed "very cool".  This was so exciting for all of us, despite the heat and the insects.  We would definitely check it out again next year (as they're planning on repeating the experience).

Smunchie found a pulley

Lil G found a horseshoe

Lil G digging with his buddy

Putting their finds on the table

Mama and Squish, trying to beat the heat

Squish at 2 months

Hard to believe but Squish turned two months old on July 29th!  He is growing like a weed and is a happy little guy....until he's not!  He does have a hair trigger when he's upset.  But, we're figuring him out and getting to know him more each and every day.

He loves to go on walks with Daddy.  In fact, almost every night, daddy takes him on a looooong walk during his snarky time, so that mama can have some down time.

He loves his siblings.  No one can make him laugh as much as Smunchie and Lil G.

He has an amazing smile.  But, you have to work a little to see it!  He is not always easily amused.

He likes his swing and to play on his play mat.  But, his favorite thing is being held.

He still nurses pretty frequently, including getting up all night long.

We adore you, Squish!  You're the perfect addition to our family.

Squish- One month old

 Better late than never! Our Squish turned one month old on June 29.  He is starting to get more expressive and is awake more often now.  He weighs 9 pounds 14 ounces (took him a whole month to get back up to birth weight!) and is 23 inches long.

Squish's Newborn Shoot

We had Squish's newborn photos done at 2 weeks (a little later than we intended but life got in the way!).  He was a little bit of a stinker during the process, trying to stay awake and nurse the whole time.  But, our photographer got some AMAZING shots and we could not be happier.  

Squish's First Days

Our little Squish had a rough time of it at first.  His birth was so quick that he was unable to get all the fluid squeezed out of his lungs and stomach.  So, we went on a rollercoaster ride of IVs, oxygen and an NG tube, to extract the fluid from his stomach.  We were so blessed that he did amazing!  He had to stay in the nursery for one night but then was able to room in with mama.  He is such a wonderful part of our family and we're so pleased to have him with us.

Here are some pics of Squish's first days.  More to come!