He

 He is my

 

 strong

boyish

totally kissable

completely irresistible

blue-eyed guy

and I'm kinda crazy about him.

And, you know, Emeth is pretty cute too.

Anticipation

Her sweetness defies description

 Oh sweet Ingrid. I wish I could convey how adorable she is just with words, or just with images, but I couldn't do her justice. That voice, that chatter, that goofy grin, those innocently vain compliments she pays herself - all day long, those outrageous compliments she pays others, her trick of setting herself up for a joke and then laughing at herself hilariously! The way she runs on her tiptoes. You'd just have to be here and spend a day with her to see. I love this age, and I love this girl.

What's putting a spring in your step today?

How do you shower three toddlers and an infant simultaneously?

With saint-like patience.

And a bumbo.

I figured out a few months ago that donning shorts and a tank top, taking my shoes off, and getting in the shower with the girls is the best way to get them clean without killing my back. A hand-held sprayer is a must, obviously. But I only this week discovered that, with the use of the Bumbo, Emeth could be added to the community bath time. 

I wasn't too excited at first about the fact that this house has no bathtubs, and I still do miss them at times, but I am certainly fine with never leaning over the side of the bathtub for long periods of time ever again.

Always save your own shower for last. Cleansing four children consecutively in a steamy bathroom works up a sweat like no other. In fact, I consider it my main source of exercise.

6 months

 So, I'm six months old today, and I thought I should share how far I've come since I was born.
You've heard by now that I am so close to crawling that I may as well just get credit for it. I mean, the back legs, not a problem. I can go places. I'm still working on my arm strength, you know, no rushing it.

 

I can also sit up on my own, which I think is pretty cool. Sure, I lose my balance sometimes, but that's what hovering parents are for.

Another spec on me, I like to eat. I mean, I really *heart* food. Especially fresh mangoes. The avocados I could really do without. I like a little applesauce, cereal is good, carrots I wouldn't turn down, and everybody loves a banana. But mangoes. Mmmm. I already weigh 19 pounds. That is roughly what all three of my sisters weighed by the time they were a year old! Speaking of my sisters, they rock. Talk about entertainment!

I am learning that life for a six month old is all about new experiences. For instance, this very day I went on the carousel at the zoo for the first time in my life. I rode a gorilla. It was pretty awesome, especially because my dad held me the whole time, and he's pretty much my favorite person.

The beach is another great place to gain new experiences. I have just recently discovered that sand can be eaten! Who knew!

Oh, and did I mention that I'm gorgeous?

Bottoms Up!

Either he's almost mastered crawling...

...or he's doing some pilates to get that beach bod for the summer.

He actually is trying his hardest to crawl.

He's just waiting for his front end to catch up with his back end.

Keep at it, Emers!

Six months is only two days away!