Pumpkin Patch

Russell and I got to go on a pumpkin patch field trip with Mae's class. It was a lot of fun!

Some stories and songs to start off the day.

Chillin' with a few pumpkins.

Russell being silly.

Mae's turn. Look at those cheeks!

Henry too!

Sibs

#BoysAreDifferent

One thing that people said after Etta was born (and then kept saying after Mae was born) is, "Boys are different!"

It really rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, come on people. Can't we be a tad bit more enlightened than that? My girls are not into pink, princesses, hearts, glitter - anything even remotely "girlie".

But then we had a boy.

And then another.

I have to say ...

Boys.

Are.

Different.

If I had an Instagram account I would probably be posting many a picture daily with #BoysAreDifferent.

Because they just are.

When Etta was a toddler we would spend hours outside (not necessarily all at once) studying bugs, flowers, dirt, leaves, birds, etc. She is the one who slowed me down and made me realize that you can look at a tulip for 20 minutes. Or that watching a robin fight and eventually conquer a worm is definitely an acceptable reason to push back bed time for at least a half an hour.

But all the things that she did she did while staying fairly tidy. (Unless it was mud play. She did not stay tidy during mud play.) And while listening to directions. "Etta, stay in our yard, don't go in the street and don't touch anything you're not supposed to." And she wouldn't.

Now you hear me saying things like, "Russell!! Get out of the street and put your pants back on!!!" Or Bob's voice from outside the other day, "Russell!! Don't pee on the dog!!" Hence #BoysAreDifferent.

The example from today that finally prompted me to write this post.

We walked Mae to preschool and dropped her off. Russell was crying because he didn't want to go home. [Alone. With his boring old mom.] So I was trying to distract him.

Me: "Russell!! Look! A bug!"

Russell: "Bug! Bug!"

Me: [Poking the roly-poly causing it to roll up] "Where did the bug go?"

Russell: [Eyes light up when he spots it.] "Right dere!"

STOMP

Russell: "I got it!!"

#BoysAreDifferent

This pic has nothing to do with my post. But I've had it for awhile
and I just adore it.

I totally know that there are girls that don't follow directions and probably try to pee on their dog too. And that there are boys out there who love to sit still and follow every direction that they are given. This is just an example of my personal experience with two girls and two boys in one family. We also throw in a bit of nature vs nurture with our adoption. I did read the book "Why Gender Matters" a few years ago. Boys and girls are different. And that's okay. I personally don't believe that clothes, hair cuts or toy choices define what a boy or girl is. But there are some definite hormonal differences that make each individual person unique. If you haven't read this book, I completely recommend it.

Play time

It is happening.

They are playing together.

Yes.

Candid shot.

Two out of three looking.

Dude, you're supposed to look at mommy.

I'm getting tired of smiling...

Success!

Ethan!

I mean, can you really ever get enough pictures of a cute baby?

Last week, while Russell was napping, we enjoyed some nice
weather and a wagon ride.

This pic reminds me so much of when Mae & Russell were buddies.
[Not so much these days, she usually wants to throw Russell in the garbage.]

Ethan has graduated from the Bumpo to the kitchen. He likes it!
Etta in the kitchen.
Mae at the big table.
Russell at the big table.

Russell is such a big boy helper. He wants to help all. the. time.
Good thing they get along so well.

These jammies were given to us by some band parents when Etta was born.
Each of the children have worn them but I seem to only have Internet proof of Etta.
They are very special to us and I was quite broken up when he officially moved
up into his next size of clothes. I actually squished him in for one more
night to get the pic and enjoy the moment. (And when I say squished, I
mean squished!) Thank you Peggy & Ralph!

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 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 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?"