Day 29 - Brainy!

Russell likes the addition of Brainy Smurf to our family. Unfortunately for him Brainy will be going to McGhee very soon.

Day 28 - Culture on Campus

On one evening walk we discovered teepees on the LC campus. The kids love to run in and out and pretend that they live in them.

Most-of-the-group shot.

Ethan likes riding.

Tried two different settings on the camera. He had two good grins so I decided to use them both.

Day 27 - Silence

In a house with kids you can have quiet play time and ... silence. Silence is usually a bad sign. You are going along, minding your own business thinking about how nice silence sounds and then ....

BAM!

You realize that it is silent. No good can come of this.

Usually it involves writing on walls, poop on the floor, somebody tied up somewhere....

So last night when I was giving Mae a bath (Bob was at work) I suddenly realized that there was silence. Complete silence. I went rushing out of the bathroom to see what Russell was up to.

When I rounded into the living room I saw this:

Two siblings, reading books. Nicely. Together. On the couch.
Of course Mr. Poser heard the camera and had to give his cheesy grin.

I wanted him to go back to "reading" but he just wouldn't comply.

Sister, isn't it so funny when mommy wants us to just act natural?

Day 26 - St. Patrick's 8 Month Annibirthery

Let's line 'em up!

This has to be one of my favorite things to do. All of the kids enjoy it.

Who? Me?

Who's that?

Ethan is really becoming a stronger sitter. He still likes to throw himself back with some force,
so he needs a little padding.

Brothers being goofy.

It just wouldn't have been a holiday with a couple of beaters of green frosting.
He had a sink bath after this.

Not too much new to report at 8 months. Ethan's hair is really starting to grow in. Except for his "giant bald spot" that Mae points out to every. one. we. see. He is starting to sit more but can't yet get himself into a sitting position. No rolling, but he does this incredible ... inch worm .... move to get situated when he wants a better view. At the daycare at the gym they put him in a jumpy chair one day. He loves it. He loves to bounce in general. Even when you are holding him. Takes a tight grip to keep this kid on your lap. Ethan loves his family. Lights up for mom, dad, sisters and brother. But if you don't live with us it may take a bit more to get a smile. He could win any staring contest out there I think. Seriously, the kid does not blink. (If he's staring at you.) But if you are rewarded with a smile - watch out! Put on your shades because they are a doozy. There are still days when I can't believe we are the ... Wicks 6!

Russell at 8 months. 

Good to see that Mae is still so much the same as a year and a half ago. Silly girl.

Mae at 8 months.

Etta at 8 months.

She still likes to drink the bath water. Yuck!

Day 24 - Sunset

We made it outside for our walk last night just in time to see last few rays of a beautiful sunset. 

Day 23 - Date Night

Last night Steve & Cathy watched the boys so that we could take the girls to the high school production of "Guys & Dolls". The cast did a wonderful job, as always, and I think the girls enjoyed it. Etta leaned over at one point and whispered, "When are the dolls going to show up?" And about half way through the first half Mae & Etta switched laps. As Mae leaned in to me she said, "I'm just mostly tired." Love that they can still cuddle on our laps.

Bob's first selfie maybe.

Photo by Mae.

Earlier in the day ... 

Hey man, what are you doing in my walker?!

Hi!

Day 22 - Sibs

Who could resist a photo shoot with this guy?

Another by Photographer Mae.

But she likes to be in front of the camera too.

This is just about my favorite picture of the kids yet. Crazy Mae & Suspicious Ethan.

Day 21 - Inside-Outside

One thing I hear a lot every day from Mae is, "Mom, can I play the Kindle?" Over and over and over and over. And sometimes I just can't deny her cuteness.

She had to be plugged in, hence why she is sitting on the floor next to the wall.

But after screen time I have her play outside. Super easy and fun when Etta gets home and there is a big pile of dirt next door.

Mae is being the king in this shot. That's normally how their play works. For some reason
she always gets to be the one in charge.

 And then of course there is reading in the evenings. Well, most evenings. I had to put both of these pics on because in the top one everyone is looking at Bob. But in the bottom only Ethan is - and smiling.

We are reading book II in The Doll People series. It is called, "The Meanest Doll in the
World". The girls love that series.

Hi dad!

Day 19 - Happy

Ethan is happy (most) of the time. He is aware when people stop paying attention to him though. But it usually doesn't take much to get a smile back on his face.

Mae wanted to take the picture today. I love digital cameras!

Then she wanted to be in the picture. This is her "twinsies" pose as she likes to call it.

And this? This is my new reality. Russell so desperately wants to be "outside". But I so desperately want him to be diaper free. So he is relegated to watch from inside. I figure it's a nice show for anyone outside who happens to be peeking in our windows.

Day 18 - Evening Stroll

While other parts of the country are still mired in winter the Lewiston valley is in full bloom spring. After dinner last night I took the boys out for an evening stroll.

Ready to go.

Spring blooms from Russell's point of view.

I wanted to get a shot of Ethan's mohawk hood. Russell wanted to be silly.

Big eyes.

The "big smoke stack" against the deepening twilight.

Trinity Lutheran. Always lit.

A long walk wears a kid out!

Day 17 - Blocks

One of Russell's favorite toys. Anytime, anywhere.

Is that a camera flash I heard engage?

Oh well. Back to building.

Day 16 - Voice

I have discovered that boys. are. different. I was told that about a million times when the girls were small. It always rubbed me the wrong way as I do not have "girlie girls" and how different can they possibly be?

But ... I have discovered that they are indeed different. Russell has been proving that to me quite a bit. In numerous ways that I won't get into right now. But one of the things that I have learned since adding boy #2 to the family is that boys love to rough house. Even boys who can't quite rough house themselves yet. They liked to be rough housed by others. There isn't much else that Ethan prefers more than being wrestled by Russell.

I mean, look at that smile.

I was trying to get Russell to really lay into him but didn't get far.  But the grin is still there.

Over the last few weeks Ethan has really found his voice. If he feels that you aren't paying enough attention to him, he will try to get you to.

A picture of Russell just being Russell. No pants, crossed legs and his new favorite water bottle. What a guy.

Days 14 & 15

During Lent I try to be more present and aware of the little things and times during the day. And purposefully try to get pictures of the kids in their "natural habitat".

Day 14:

What happens when you have three older siblings. A plastic dagger chew toy.

"Take a picture of me mommy!"

Matchy!

"Now take a picture of my shirt!"

Day 15:

All of the children, (at least I think all of the children, I apparently don't have photographic proof with Russell) have loved the Johnny Jump Up. The Johnny Jump up that I jumped in as a baby. The other day at the gym one of the ladies told me that Ethan loved the jump-a-roo. So tonight we decided to break out our jumper.

During dinner.

When Russell was trapped in his high chair.

Ethan loves it. I'm thinking we'll be using it a bit more.

See Etta in the jumper.

And here is Mae.

Look at that face. Seriously. Loves it.

Russell had almost more fun watching than Ethan did jumping!

Day 13 - I Want To Hold Ethan!

Russell: "Ethan! My Ethan!"

Mae: "No! He's MY Ethan!"

Me: "Well, actually, he's everybody's Ethan."

Mae: "Yeah Russell, not just your Ethan."

Mae: "Can I hold him now?"

Day 12 - Bath time

Ethan still isn't sitting independently so he still has to use the baby bathtub. But we had extra time for baths last night so I decided to do two in the tub. Soon. It will be soon when they can be flooding my bathroom together!

Bob's attempt at censoring so the pic would be Internet appropriate.

Of course, the best pic was not Internet appropriate. Made me check out my
photo program a little closer. Blur. Check!

Then we added props. Which made it harder for people to look at the camera.

Can't wait to get better pics of these brothers from different mothers. They are true
brothers through and through.