Summer Fun

The boys have been having fun swimming this summer. We are very grateful for friends that have invited us to their homes for pool time. It definitely beats the heat and they are becoming more and more comfortable with the water. Hopefully, the "swimmies" will come off soon. David is a little more cautious, but Daniel, as you can see goes for the gusto.

Taking a ride with daddy

The kids thought it'd be fun to head to the blackberries via trailer, with daddy. Well, of course!

Hidden treasure

David didn't really have a "boo-boo", but he wanted to wear a bandaid b/c Daniel had one

Daniel sporting his real "boo-boo". Poor little guy.

This is before they set off for the blackberry bushes

At this time of year, it is very common for local farms to advertise "Free pick-in" for blueberries and blackberries. It has always seemed like a really fun thing that we could do as a family, and the boys would love it. Somehow, it came around in the paper recently and although it seemed like a great idea, I just couldn't muster up the energy to drag all of the kids to a near by farm in the heat and humidity to do it. I thought up all the crazy reasons why I shouldn't......'it'll mess up nap time and (that means no mommy time), or it'll be too hot, or I'll have the boys all by myself- it'll be too hard. Whatever the lame reason, I decided to forego it again.

Thankfully, the Lord thought I needed a break from my lameness and provided our own "free pick-em" bushes. I knew that we had a few blackberry bushes nestled along our driveway from years past, however I didn't realize, until Brian suggested it, that we have alot of blackberry bushes. It was great! The kids were so excited to show me where all of our treasure was hiding and we picked until our hearts were content. David ate most of his, so I had to constantly remind him to put some in his bucket, because I was planning to bake a pie. His little hands and fingers were purple and the dark ring around his mouth was a dead giveaway that he was enjoying them more than saving them. Unfortunately, the evening before the boys took a ride, in the trailer, behind Brian's mower and Daniel toppled out onto the limerock road. That's what the picture is all about with the bandaids. Anyway, our "treasure" was found and the pie was baked. Delicious if I can say so myself.

Watermelon Festival

Holding on for dear life

Getting ready to ride the train

All-you-can eat watermelon

Miss "Delucca" riding safe with the boys.

O.k. so for those of you who know, yes this event was over a month ago. Whatever! Anyway, so I ventured off to the Watermelon Festival with the boys. All 3 boys, all by myself. My man Brian was working at the house and couldn't be pulled away, so I thought it wouldn't be that bad to go alone, especially since it was outside. I'd been wanting to go for years and somehow have always missed it. Whew!!! First of all, it was hotter than....(Haiti) and pleasantly 75% humidity (at least). Second, I forgot my debit card so I had to mooch off of my good friend Teri. and hope I didn't need anything else. (thanks girl!) Third, babies don't seem to like the heat b/c Reagan wasn't too happy about being drug all over creation, sweating to death. so he wasn't the most enjoyable party goer. We managed to have a good time. David and Daniel enjoyed the rides and I braved the ferris wheel with the two of them. Boy, was I scared! They each ate a whole watermelon I am sure and slept the whole ride home. Mommy on the other hand, was exhausted and didn't get a nap, so next year I am taking daddy.

"Reagan for President"

Learning to explore new activites

Loving the cool water of Heart Springs

His first ride in the swing.

Posing for mommy

Dedication Sunday. Went to Grandma Mo's after church for Mother's Day lunch.

6 Months.............gone. The months have flown by. Reagan is going to be 7 months old in a few days. Maternity leave seems like a century ago. (But, sometimes I still wish I had those quiet, peaceful moments at home- just he and I, cuddling and sleeping the day away). Those days have been replaced with activity and chaos at every corner. Most days we start early, ~6:15 although Reagan sleeps through the night now, David and Daniel rise early and are bouncing off the walls by 8:30 if they haven't made it outside. Reagan likes to wake up ~ 5:30 and laugh and kick in his crib, usually a poopy diaper is part of the ritual as well. Thankfully, he drifts back to sleep with a little coaxing and will give me a little time to get the big boys settled before I am drastically out-numbered.

I have had many friends and such ask me if going from 1-2 was worse than 2-3? I find that I don't know how to answer because the season of life that is taking place, usually seems overwhelming at the time. It is definitely harder now with 3 but I have a schedule for most of my days and know how I like to do things. It's funny b/c, one would think going out with your husband would make everything a little easier. However, since I with all 3 by myself the majority of time, I get flustered when I have help. I'd have to say that Brian probably feels the same way. He has his routine when he has them all and I come in and usually try to take over, screwing him up.

Reagan is a little charmer. Very even tempered and very easy-going. He must know that he has to be, with all the other chaos that is going on around him, but he is a really good sport about it. I know I keep saying this, but I really can't believe 6 months has gone by. He'll be up walking soon, especially if he takes after his brothers. He's trying to scoot around on his belly right now, and cannot be trusted when left on his own. I am hoping he does walk early. I generally find it easier, in some ways. This boy is getting heavy! He weighed in at 20lbs. this past week and is all chub. The poor little guy even has a "mystery penis" b/c of all of his rolls. I am assured that one day it'll pop out, but Brian admittedly is a bit concerned. :) Now, he is getting a tooth so I guess the food will have to keep a coming.

The eyes still have it for me. His "baby blues" are mesmerizing and look deep into mine. I wonder what he is thinking and wait with anticipation to hear the many things he's been wanting to say. Right now, Brian and I are each pushing for him to say "mama" or "dada". If I remember correctly, it seems the other boys said "dada" first, so I am hoping for "mama" this time. I think my prayers are working, b/c I've heard him say what sounds like "mama" a few times lately- even David agrees to it.

Unfortunately, he has had an ear infection since the first of April. I have given him 4 oral antibiotics and finished a three-day course of IM injections this weekend. Hopefully, he'll heal from this particular "bug" and move on. But, if he doesn't or if he gets another infection soon after, we'll probably have to put tubes in. I know this isn't a big deal, but it would be nice to think we could skip that route.

I have yet to start his baby book, yet I have everything ready to do it. I dream of the perfect book I'll make for him one day but keeping up is obviously a struggle and I'd rather watch him grow than drive myself crazy with that which has past. One day, it'll get done. Thankfully, there are photo books.

David rides his bike