St. Louis arch

Chad's mom flew in to watch our kids for a weekend so we could go have some couple time. But things had been pretty CRAZY for us and we didn't have the time to even figure out what or where we would go. I didn't feel comfortable leaving the baby (he still breastfeeds and the longest I've ever left him is probably 2 hours with a babysitter...he's also very much a mama's boy & cried the whole time I left him with my sister the other day for an hour long doctor visit) and Chad didn't want to go somewhere with the baby.  So thus, our dilemma.  Time was running out to decide on a plan of action (we intended to go somewhere Thursday after Chad's work). Wednesday night the idea of going to Chicago with the kids & my mother-in-law came up (I'm sure I suggested it, I've been fighting to go to Chicago for 6 years!).  We could go and do some things as a family, but also go out and do things alone as a couple and we'd have my mother-in-law there to watch the kids in the hotel.  So thus the idea was born and we made very last minute, spontaneous plans to go to Chicago.

I literally booked the hotels Thursday afternoon, we threw bags together and we left a few hours later.  We made the 3 1/2 hour drive to St. Louis where we would stay the night.  The next morning, we made a stop at the St. Louis arch.  Last time we went we just had Liam.  It was fun to bring the whole crew along.

Chaz- 9 months old

He may not look very happy to be 9 months old, but don't fall for that. He loves being 9 months old! New venues to explore (via elephant crawling), brothers to wrestle with (at least his brothers think he's capable of that), new vantage points (who knew under the kitchen table was so exciting- bonk! watch out for that head!  he also stands unaided and walks around furniture) and all sorts of things to bite/stick in his mouth taste...speaking of which, is that how he got sick? He was sick in these pictures. Double ear infections. Snotty nose & congestion. Fun stuff. Being 9 months old is great!

4th of July

On Independence day we did a little hiking, a bit of cave touring, a smidge of shopping & a slight amount of ice cream eating. It was simple, but we had so much fun! All around we just felt happy for life and being together.  Here's a few pics from our hike.

My kids

Last month I wanted to get some nice pictures of my kids.  I bribed them with toys.  They could have one toy out of the gobbler (the gobbler "eats" toys when they are left out...he is seldom hungry) for every good picture I got. I was able to get a few smiles...but maybe more importantly, I successfully captured each child's personality.

Liam- my obedient one.  He is quick (for the most part) to do what he's told.  He asks permission to do anything.  He's my big helper and he's great at smiling on demand.  He got the most toys from our little photo shoot :)

Max- my little/big personality.  A few months back, I was loading up groceries.  I heard a low growl & peeked my head around from the back of the van to see what was going on.  There was a couple passing our car, the man of the couple was a larger, linebacker-esque man.  Max was glaring defiantly at him & growling.  "Did my son just growl at you?", I asked.  "Ya, but I growled back," replied the man.  This is my Max.

Sadly, he didn't get many toys during this photoshoot.  He wouldn't smile, sit up, stand still, look at the camera, put down the train, etc., etc.  And then, as I went through the pictures of him (which I was sure I maybe got one keeper) I found so many I loved!

Chaz- my happy go lucky boy.  He's quick to smile (unless his brothers are poking, prodding, grabbing, or sitting/laying on him).  He is a good baby...a little needy at times (he's definitely a mama's boy thus far)...but a good little, happy boy.  I love to hear him sing (which he was doing during this little photo shoot).  It's this mixture of gargling all the excess of saliva floating in the back of his throat (which kinda makes this interesting vibrato) mixed with prolonged notes of "aaaahhhh".