Do they have a different size?

Luke is hitting that stage. He's too big to sit in the bouncy or car seat for any length of time, because he likes to wiggle (what baby doesn't). Plus, his bouncy has become a low-rider due to the load it has to carry. Luke so wants to move around and sit up, but his muscles still aren't strong enough to hold the said heavy load (that doesn't mean his diaper is full - just to clarify). Here enters the Bumbo. Best baby invention. However, I wish it came in a bigger size. That way, we wouldn't have to wedge his pudgy little legs in there, like we have to now. And by wedge, I mean, it is a TIGHT fit. Let's just say it does't fit him like it did Hannah. Once he's sitting in the Bumbo, he loves it. Getting him out is trick, and it's not because he loves it so much and wants to stay. Again, it's due to his adorable pudgy legs. I have to pick him up, and one of the kids has to help pry his legs out. Wish it didn't have to be a two-person operation.

Luke: Mom, this car seat thing isn't working. Neither is the frog (compliments of Aleana).

Ahhh, he is oh, so cute. So what if he needs a jumbo Bumbo?

Trent is SEVEN!

Happy Birthday Trent!

Trent didn't have a big party this year. We had ice cream cake, and had a BBQ. Trent also wanted a Jersey Wooly rabbit and he picked out a ruby-eyed white one. He named her Fluffy, so very original, I know. We were able to take both his and Aleana's rabbits home just a few days before his birthday. He was so excited. Now only if I had the camera when they picked up the bunnies. One of these days, I'll get some pics of the rabbits posted. I also forgot to get pictures of the decorations Tracy did (I'm such a slacker). You'll just have to take my word for it, he did a great job. I did however, manage to snap a few pictures of his cake.

Trent patiently waiting so he can blow out the candles.

Hard to imagine my boy is 7. He is one of a kind. I love watching how he learns and how his mind works. He is kind and very protective of his siblings. He's always coming up with new ideas to make things work better, and he asks waaay more than 20 questions on any given day. I love you Trent!

Aleana turns double digits

The Big 1-0

Tracy does this special thing for the kids' birthdays. He waits for the kids to go to bed. He then breaks out the streamers, tape, balloons, and the gorilla ladder. This is what Aleana woke up to:

She got to have a "big" birthday party this year (we don't have big parties every year). She was allowed to invite a few friends. She really, really wanted a slumber party. We really, really didn't want to have to deal with that. So we settled on a camping theme.

Thank you Dairy Queen!

Mini-bonfire :)

Part of the camping theme. We set up the tent, and played games outside. We had sling-shot shooting contests, ball tossing games, crafts in the tent. Good stuff and cheap.

This year, Aleana wanted to get a rabbit. We let her pick out a Jersey Wooly rabbit through her 4h program, but it wasn't ready to leave it's mama. So she couldn't open a present from us. But, she did receive money from grandparents, and was able to purchase this. It was a big hit with her friends.

And her dad :)

These pics crack me up, because Tracy was chasing Aleana. She darted into the tent, thinking she was safe. She should have known better. Tracy followed her in. All I heard was muffled laughs. Awesome.

This was the after party. We left the tent up for a few days. After all that work, we had to make it worth the effort.

Happy Birthday Aleana Mae!

Luke 3 months

At 3 months, Luke weighed in at 18 lbs. My little chunk-o-hunk loves his food. It's hard to believe that he weighs more than Hannah did when she was 16 months old. And considering all the reflux stuff that we are dealing with (the physical therapy seems to be helping a little bit), his weight gain is amazing.

Luke, how you steal my heart.

I love singing to you, because you like to sing with me - cooing, curling your little lips and smiling the whole time. You smile is bright and your eyes are full of light.

Time passes by too quickly.

I wish I had a pause button.