Babywearing Lil G

 Last week, Greg and I were sitting around discussing baby carriers.  Why were we discussing baby carriers, you may ask?  Well, because we're cool that way.  Anyway, after a minute or two, we heard an audible sigh from the other side of the room.  I turned to Lil G and we had the following conversation.
Me: "What's up, bud?"
Lil G: "I've been waiting on my carrier for a long time"
Me: "Your carrier?"
Lil G: "Yeah, my one with the owls and the buckles, for to carry my baby."

And, like that, it hit me.  It came roaring back to me.  The promise made six months ago, to make the little man a soft structured carrier.  The trip to the fabric store, with him in tow, to pick out his desired pattern.  The evening that I spent cutting out the fabric and then the absentmindedness that caused me to put the fabric into a bag and forget about it.  For six long months.

Needless to say, the next few days, I got to work, to finish the project that I started.  Well, I got it done tonight and my oh my.  I had an excited boy on my hands.  A boy who uttered the words, "Oh wow.  It's so beautiful."

Lil G immediately got his baby (who's name appears to be either Gabba or Yeehaw) and strapped her on his back (yes, since the birth of his sister, the baby's gender has changed).  And on his back (or front) she stayed, for several hours.  He only took her down to feed her, or change her, or lay her down for a nap.  He is going to be a great, babywearing daddy one day.

*Please note: There is no babywearing organization or manufacturer that would condone or recommend wearing one's baby while swinging from a chair.

Why?

People ask me why I take so many pictures of the kids.  Well, moreso, why I photograph the random moments in our lives.  This is always said with an air of inquisitiveness, without judgement.  Most days, I take pictures of my kids to remember the important days in our lives.  The everyday moments that we will never get back but that define us.  

Other days, I take pictures to remind me of why I do this all.  Friday was a rough day.  I was tired and irritable and Lil G was very much a four-year-old.  Everything I said was questioned, all day long.  Priveledges were lost, due to disrespect (one of my big buttons).  There were tears throughout the day, from him and from me.  There was yelling (from me).  Every time I was asked for snuggles, I did so begrudgingly.  There were also apologies from both sides and promises to try and do better.  It was a hard day.  A day where I questioned why I stay at home at all, a day where I thought that the kids would be better off at a daycare during the day. 

Then, in the middle of all this, God offered me a blessing.  A reprieve. A reminder of the wonderful blessings in my life and the fleeting moments that will soon be gone, as my children continue to age and change.  I tried to snap a photo of Smunchie.  A random photo to capture her sweet nature, as she was trying to stand.  Lil G gleefully said, "Take a picture of me and my little girlie!".  And so, I did.  And through the camera lens, I saw--that he is just a little boy, trying to grow in God, trying to learn to behave, trying to be the best person he can be. 

It didn't last forever.  But in that moment, I remembered that this life is the best life for me.  And so, I snapped a photo of it. 

Happy Birthday, Dr. Suess!

We honored Dr. Suess with "Cat in the Hat" stacks for lunch.  

Smunchie is Eleven Months

Smunchie is eleven months old.  Wow. That means that in one month, she will a whole year old!  How did that happen?

She is growing and learning every day. She is able to pull herself up, clap her hands, and crawl like a feind.  She also loves to "sing" and has about 8-10 words and phrases.  She is a wonderful  addition to our family.

Lil G decided to help with pictures.  He's so sweet. 

Just like Mama

 I walked into the living room the other day, to see Lil G attempting to use my breastpump. When I asked him what he was doing, he told me he was "making milk for his baby".

Such a sweetie.

First Popcicle

Smunchie is growing, growing, growing!  She has always loved food.  Well, a few days ago, we had homemade spinach/banana/peach popsicles for dessert and Smunchie was not left out!  She enjoyed hers with the best of them.  She even figured out how to hold it, after watching her big brother.      

Helicopter Hi-jinx

 Uncle Rodger came to visit for Lil G's birthday.  He brought Lil's G's favorite toy....his remote controlled helicopter!  Lil G loves watching his uncle fly the helicopter in our house and REALLY loves when they take it outside to zoom.  Such a sweet bond.