reese

some have asked what we are going to call this little guy.  he's maurice, but when it does get shortened it's reese, reesey boy, and even reese's pieces :)  he's got two teeth now, chewing on everything, grabbing and holding things (including his toes), laughing, watching his siblings every chance he gets, sitting for short stints by himself, and even rolling!  he continues to be low key, easy going, and a great sleeper!  (and he loves playing with hair like his brother)  he's our most "compact" little guy at this age.  they were all chunkers in their own rite, but he seems to take the cake.  he's 5 1/2 months and wearing size 4 diapers and size 18 month clothes.  yes, i know...as the pediatrician said when she walked into the room..."now there's a breastfed baby!"  amen!

(notice the drool mid air)

can it be, i have a little blonde-haired boy!?  the other day i told elise that he looked older to me.  "old, like mamere and papere? (justin's grandparents)"  i told her, "no, just older...more like a little boy"...how quickly it happens...

izie boy

what a precious and rugged mix he is!  mama's boy, gentle spirit, helper, thoughtful, and giving mixed with rough and tumble, dirt digging, climbing, wrestling, and banging.  daily, i find myself squeezing him thinking i just can't get enough of him!

elise was in the sprinkler, but he would have none of it.  he hung out by the sandbox, told me a story about something i couldn't quite make out, and then resorted to climbing up and down the slide :)

elise

she's such the little free spirit...trying new things...growing into her skin...such a joy...always coming up with new ideas...playing make believe...being a helper...loving her daddy and brothers...i can't believe how grown up she is...

 we were at a friend's birthday party last weekend, and she was bouncing with one of her favorite people

playing dress up in the basement

my sweet girl.  there is something so special and so gut-wrenching about having a little girl.  moms out there with daughters, i think you know what i'm struggling to describe.  i love, love, love our girl time together.  i love thinking of all the mother-daughter things we'll get to do together, the girly things i'll have the joy of explaining to her as she grows up, being there for her and telling her again and again (as i already find myself saying) "you can tell mama anything."  yet there's this gut-wrenching part of our relationship as i look at her and wonder if she'll struggle with the same struggles i did with image and identity.  will she compare herself with every other girl she comes across or will the Lord grace her with confidence in who she is in Him at a young age?  there is something strange and magical about a mother-daughter bond...and i'm sure i'm just touching the tip of the iceberg.  i look at her every night in bed, pray for her and almost tear up each time.  i love you pumpkin.

playing in the sprinkler this afternoon.  last year she wouldn't go near it.  what a difference a year makes!

jailbreak!

scroll through these somewhat quickly to get the full effect!

so proud of himself!!  mama was so proud too...a little nervous that we may need those bunk beds sooner than later...but proud of her strong little climber!

elise of course had to get in on the action...

also, quite proud :)

new camera!!!!!

follow along the progression of our day...with our new camera!!  thanks to everyone who contributed to my new favorite gadget!  happy birthday to me!