Lucy is 9 months!

 

This little lady is 9 months! She’s still army crawling all over. She’s so efficient at it, that we wonder if she’ll skip over crawling all together. Lucy popped her first tooth through on July 6th and her second one a few days later. She took it like a champ and had almost no symptoms, other than a runny nose, which may or may not have had anything to do with the new teeth. She’s finally eating solid foods and eating almost anything. We’re moving her to mostly table foods, because I’m lazy. AND….she’s been sleeping through the night for almost 2 weeks! Not just sleeping 5 hour stretches, but sleeping for 10-12 hours. Anyone who knows me knows that I have an unhealthy attachment to sleep, so I’m not exaggerating when I say I feel like a new woman! Favorite child goes to Lucy (don’t tell the others ) for sleeping through the night months earlier than any of the boys. She’s also loves giving open mouth kisses and she’s becoming a bit of a mama’s girl. Sometimes when we are driving, I’ll have to speak in a whisper. If she hears my voice, she’ll start crying. She is loved on by the boys SO much-especially Leo who insists on wrestling and rolling all around with her. She’s pretty tough. She can say “Mama” and I can’t be certain, but I think she knows what it means (let’s just say she does…) Her hair is finally growing out enough that it lays down and she has the most beautiful natural highlights.

 

It’s such a blessing having this sweet girl in our lives!

A Mix of Happy and Sad

 

The three big boys did a full week, half-day drama camp. They all really loved it and were upset with me that I didn’t sign them up for the full-day camp-especially Patrick. They played chickens in the little play they put on and they each had to memorize one line. It was very cute. Their friend, Ellie, was in the camp, too, so we got some pictures with her and with the siblings.

 

Luke and I got away for a date night and this pretty lady was the third wheel. Luckily, she’s a very good baby! We went crazy and did Ruby Tuesday’s and then walked with Lucy around a park. It was nice to get away for a bit. On the way home, we were followed by a beautiful thunderstorm.

 

The boys started playing a game of Yahtzee the other day and I couldn’t help put capture it. They are SO lucky to have each other!

 

We joined the J family and some friends in Kearney for Shrek, The Musical. Dominic especially loved it and asked when he could be in a play like that (be still my heart…) It was a little on the crude side, but it was fun to get outside and see all the costumes and great music.

 

I took the kiddos to the Bertrand Parade last week. For a town of about 600, they had quite the parade. It lasted over an hour and we brought home a huge haul of candy. I have no idea what we will do with three gallon buckets of candy…actually, I’m pretty sure we’ll manage. All the kids seem to have their mom’s sweet tooth.

 

We did a big road trip for the fourth. Our DVD player was broken (or so we thought—we later discovered that someone had put pennies in both the cigarette lighters) so Dominic read out loud to the other kids.

 

And on to something much more serious…

Last Sunday, June 29th, my sweet Godson lost his battle with cancer. Alex was 11 years old. His mom and I were good friends in high school. This amazing child had a never-ending smile that could light up a room and handled all his medical interventions better than most adults could. It was heartbreaking seeing so many of his friends at the rosary and funeral, but we know that he is now free of tubes and rashes and sickness! I was honored to be a part of his life in a small way. Most years for Christmas, I bought him an ornament depicting the Nativity. His mom, Beth, gave one of those ornaments back to me after his death. I will cherish it forever. Pray for us, Alex!!

 

 

A trip to the dentist and raspberry pies

We’re still working on our shed and these three have been a big help. No, not “help,” but actual, this-is-really-saving-me-lot-of-time help!

 

 

I found Dominic and Leo working on writing Leo’s name recently. I’m both humbled and proud to say that Dominic is more patient with Leo than I am. He’s so sweet with him!

 

We’ve been spending every Wednesday at a friend’s. Sometimes we’ll have 20 kiddos running around and playing the pool and on the swing set. I haven’t missed a week yet, because this momma needs adult time like I need water. The kiddos love it, too!

 

I love taking this cute girl swimming. She loves splashing and just sits on my hip and takes it all in.

 

We did dentist appointments this week. It was Leo’s first and he did great. No cavities! Dominic does, however, have to get a tooth pulled. Poor kid will spend a lot of time in the dentist and orthodontist office in the coming years. He was actually excited, though, when the dentist told him he can take his tooth home and leave it for the tooth fairy!

We go to the best dentist office. They have a ton of toys and a super nice receptionist who let the kids “help” file (yes, “help”).

 

Nothing says summer like chalk all over your face and clothes.

 

All Saints had a float for the Swedish Days Parade. We had 10 kiddos and 5 adults ride our super sweet float.

 

Luke is still working hard at getting his back up to 100%. He spends up to 3 hours a day stretching and doing various exercises. Lucy often joins him, crawling all over him and the boys can be found stretching with him, too.

 

The three big boys recently went to a week long drama camp (the first step in my life-long dream of becoming a stage mom ) and so I just had Leo and Lucy. It was so EASY! One morning we walked for almost 2 hours with stops at two different parks and the grocery store. My world is going be completely different come Fall when I get those kiddos in school full time.

 

The boys have been going crazy harvesting raspberries from our bushes out back and they all love raspberry pies—or just snitching a handful for a snack.

Some recent funnies

 

 

Dominic: Mom, if sharks don’t get married, how do they have babies?

Me: Well, God can just put the baby shark in the mommy shark’s belly.

Dominic: But *how* mom?

Me: …… I don’t know, Dominic.

 

Patrick to his brothers: When I grow up, I want to be an engineer. Then I can color pictures all day long.

 

Driving to the YMCA

Dominic: I love the Y!

Jackson: Yea, the Y is the best place in the world!

Dominic: No, heaven is the best place and the YMCA is second.