Easter!

Everyone in their Easter best!

9 Month Annibirthery

I did take the 9 months pictures on the 17th. But then didn't get around to posting them. The pictures are pretty much worth 1,000 words.

That's Russell's hand over there. He was trying to figure out how to get in the picture.

He would lay down but then pop up again to see
the picture - before I could actually take any pictures. He
was becoming quite the nuisance so I put him in his crib.
[I like how Ethan is laughing at him.]

Being in the bed resulted in an epic melt down.
[Picture proof for all of you who think he is a happy angel 24/7.]

A short pause to see if I was paying attention and if I was going to
rectify the situation.

Upon realizing that I was not going to get him out he fell back into a
pit of despair.

I got back to the photo shoot.

Again laughing at his trapped and unhappy brother.

Finally a grin for mommy!
[He would not straighten his legs out for me.]

Then I released Russell and the wrestling commenced. It is a favorite for both of them.

This is a new face that Ethan has been making. This was the first time he made it
actually. And I can't get him to make it "on demand". But every once in awhile he
will bless us with ultra-cuteness.

Rawr! The brother-monster!

Brotherly love.

We go in Wednesday for his well-baby check up and stats. I'll edit later.

Etta at nine months.

Mae at nine months.

Russell at nine months.

Ethan is becoming a more confident sitter although he is still showing zero interest in rolling. The other day we were on the floor together and I was trying to entice him to roll. It is almost as if he is afraid of rolling. His eyes get big and he contracts all of his muscles so I can't move him. We think that he was five weeks premature and that does make a difference. But it is a major mental shift for me. Especially since Russell was so mobile so early. But reading about the girls; Etta could crawl but not sit up on her own and Mae could sit up on her own but not crawl. Each child is unique and perfect in just their own way.

March 28 - Sunrise

I woke up earlier than the kids and was blessed by this gorgeous sunrise.

March 27th - Work and Play

On March 27th I loaded up the kids and went to town to sit in with Erik's high school band. It was pretty surreal to be in my high school band room, with my ten year younger brother being the teacher. But it was so much fun! The kids (mine and his) enjoyed it too.

The peanut gallery.

Mae got in on a little drum set action after class.

She was way more confident than Etta had been.

We have been working on potty training with Russell. Being in the country with only a t-shirt and rain boots is tons of fun for this kid.

And I think he was eating dirt too. Gotta build up that immune system!

I'm outta here mom!

On a side note with that .... Russell went all day yesterday with big boy underwear on and didn't have an accident! That included going to band and taking an extended walk in the evening. I think I may see the light at the end of the tunnel!

March 26th - Story time

We love it when we can make it to story time at the Chouteau County library!

I can't believe Russell is now a "big kid" and will sit (at least momentarily) for story time.

They got to play a game in the front. Mae was being her usual silly/shy/crazy self.

I think that Mae took this picture when I was in the other room. Can't you just hear him saying, "Cheese!"?

March 23rd - Travel Day

I loaded up all of the kids - and Flat Bob - and we headed to Fort Benton for spring break. I hadn't been home since last June. Pre Ethan 

Lent Cont...Day ????

When we went to Montana for spring break I left my computer at home. No regular posts.

But ...

I did take some pics.

Here is one from our Passover dinner at church on March 22nd.

We only took Ethan & Etta and sent Mae & Russell up to Grandma's house for dinner. It was the first Passover dinner for us and very interesting.