Toothless

We still have no teeth, and the smile is just too cute. When she wrinkles her little nose, watch out!

Too Much

I always do too much. This started to become apparent in our family life about a year and a half ago. I had been working part-time to supplement our family's income. Being able to work with my previous co-workers was a blessing and prevented us from leaning into our savings, while I was able to be home with Lee most days. Sort of.

Looking back, I realize the situation was stressful on us, and not quite ideal, from the family perspective. When KW was born, I was literally scared about being with Lee all day every day. I didn't know how to entertain or keep him occupied, which led to an intense time for both of us as we got to know each other again with a new baby in the mix. Add to that the natural slacking off that happens with a newborn, and we found ourselves struggling to make things flow smoothly by the time spring rolled around. Nursing, discipline, bedtime - all have been testing grounds where we have had to step up to the plate as parents and find out who we are. Will we take the easy way out? What are our rules? What is the highest standard we can uphold?

Since KW joined us, I have learned one thing: if I did not have my sweet Lee, I would be a very lazy momma. His energy and personality keep me honest as I look at the goals we have set out for our kids, and the difficulty in staying the course. How should he behave in public? With his little sister? On play dates? How is his heart developing? I am so thankful for the past six months, in particular, as the "three's" have come on us in full force. I am thankful for the growing pains we have been experiencing; I see growth in all of us.

With all of this on my mind, I decided last week to officially become a full-time, stay-at-home mom. Not sure why this was so hard for me, except I have worked for almost fifteen years, and it feels 100% strange to say no to a flexible opportunity. But, for us, the flexing would be on the family side, and - given the stage of life we are in with our little ones - it is too much right now. God has provided the way out financially, and I need to take it.

So, sayonara to the office for now. Now, back to work!

Chair to Chair

This is how most mealtimes go - I love it.

Everything Packed

The other day during his rest time, Lee called out to me to come and see. Come and see what, I asked? "I have everything I need packed for the beach."

Indeed, you have.

Unencumbered

Last week, Lee took an unprecedented number of naps - well, since the winter, at least - and KW was able to play in their bedroom one afternoon all by herself. She got to sit on the bed, look at the brainy blocks, and put the shapes in her mouth. As you can see, this was a really exciting time.

And - p.s. - the next shot will have to serve as the "eight-month-old" shot, as I forgot to take one today, the second Sunday of the month!

And the Eyes Have It

I don't even know if I need to write anything. I think their eyes say everything I need to know: "Watch out, Mom."

Budding

Somebody's showing a little personality!

Practice Joy

I have been reading a new book, one that has been going around. But, if you haven't thought about picking it up yet, please do!

The thing I love about this author is how she experiences her everyday life - dishes, laundry, teaching six (!) kids, being the wife of a farmer. Her words are honest, raw, revealing. She weaves the spiritual into every aspect of her day. She writes of finding joy, of learning to find it, of practicing the learning to find it. This is how far I have read, and this is where I am today.

So I picked up the camera and captured my two babies playing together. I have been thinking lot about how they may play as they grow older in the same house. And this makes me smile. It brings me joy.

Sans Sand

Ok, so we forgot to dip her tiny toes in the surf, and we didn't really let her play in the sand, but didn't she look cute for her first trip to the beach?

Another Mention

It deserves another mention that the bouncy seat will go up to the attic this weekend...

Reservoir Guns

Our summer Memphis trip is pretty much always determined by when my cousin is going to be in town. And, although I love to see him and his wife, it is really for one reason: to watch our kids play together. Lee adores his cousin, Logan, and this year did not disappoint. Logan taught Lee how to play with his water gun, one that Lee could actually hold, pump, and shoot all by himself (a pretty important criteria these days). The coolest part of this gun is that it will grow with him - for now we can use a small water bottle for the reservoir, and one day, we can graduate to 2L bottles.

Naturally, we quickly had to teach Lee who was an appropriate target (Logan, of course) and who was not (KW, of course). He caught on, though, and they had a great time playing in Kiki's backyard.