Today I bring you random updates in the form of 7 quick takes.
1. Teething
In this update post in mid-January, I predicted (based on past history with our other kiddos) that Kolbe would pop his first tooth in the next couple weeks. I was pretty close. 2 weeks and 2 days after that post, on February 4th, Kolbe's first little tooth poked through. And 2 days later, his second little tooth began poking through the gums as well.
It's too difficult to get a picture of his teeth with that big smile and his tongue out all the time, but they are there. Sharp little buggers.
2. The Plague
Right around when Kolbe was getting his teeth, we got hit with a really nasty stomach bug. Sophie got it first and was a MESS. Fever, throwing up, wouldn't eat, barely drank, totally lethargic, and so completely NOT her joyful, active self. Just as she was starting to peak and feel better, Ava caught it and shortly after Kayla. Chris and I got touches of it, but thankfully were not hit as hard as the kids. Elise never did get it, but the others had it bad, and it took the family a good two weeks to be fully feeling 100% again.
She slept SO much over the week or so it took her to start feeling more like herself.
She was asleep in this picture. That face was happening in her sleep and she was clutching that sucker but not even interested in actually eating it, she was so tired and feeling so yucky.
It was awful.
But we had so many wonderful people praying for us to feel better and an anonymous friend sent some disinfectant wipes and a little bottle of DigestZen essential oil to help the tummies feel better.
3. Reading
We love it, so it happens a lot in this house.
I love when Kayla agrees to read to her sisters and brother. It's the sweetest. Even Kolbe enjoys it though he doesn't care about looking at the book at all. He just likes to sit close, hear her voice, and usually hold her arm. Heart melting.
We've also been trying to get back in our Read-Aloud groove. We started this book called The Penderwicks. It's about 4 sisters who meet a boy while vacationing and all the adventures they have. We are 5 chapters in and the kids are begging me to read more everyday.
We focused on listening to descriptions of characters and setting and drew pictures after the first chapter. We'll do another today probably to see what they picked up on and liked about chapters 2-5.
4. Sitting up
Kolbe is also beginning to sit up. This video isn't the longest he's sat, but it's a pretty good video to get an idea of where he's at. He's still quite wobbly most days when he sits, though he has had a few days where he sits up for about 2 minutes at a time. More often than not, he sits for about 10-20 seconds and then starts leaning....and falls onto his tummy time position.
Still moving all over the place on his belly and by rolling around from tummy to back and back again. He isn't crawling but has got up on all fours (knees too) and propelled himself forward. I'm still predicting that he'll be crawling between 6 and 6 1/2 months just like his sisters. He's doing all the same stuff, so I'd be surprised if he didn't take the plunge for that soon.
5. Love 'Em Up
We've been working on our virtue of the month, LOVE. Bible verses, chatting about how we can show each other love, and playing a little 'game' called Love 'em up. The idea is to try as much as we can to find little ways to show each other love each and every day. Little notes, helping with chores, sharing toys, giving hugs and kisses, surprising each other with pictures, special treats etc.
Chris does it a lot by drawing the kids silly pictures on our white board to surprise them each morning.
the girls made signs for Chris to welcome him home from work one day
Chris played guitar for me
kisses
Kayla "planted" a garden with dying flowers from a vase inside
you get the idea....
6. Valentine's Day
the girls did lots of sweet valentine crafts this year and wanted to send them to grandparents and godparents. It was really sweet. Here they are heading to the mailbox (our little gaggle of girls) to send them.
Chris sent me flowers (he was gone in New York City for a business trip) and I got my Lenten goodies from Blessed is She. So excited to use these during Lent.
Added some more flowers to the vase when my dear friend, Megan, brought some over later in the day, knowing that I am THE WORST (read: emotional hot mess) when Chris travels. I like having him around. :) Thanks, Megan, for understanding.
7. New York trip
Chris spent most of this past week in NYC. It was busy and loud (so many cars and horns honking all the time!), and he seemed pretty glad to get home to the comparably quieter house and all his adoring fans.
Welcome home, Daddy, we missed you! More door signs.
*BONUS*
Just in case you were having one of those weeks where you are trying so hard, but life just keeps throwing curveballs...
I give you this shot, which summarizes that feeling.
I'm smiling, but I really just want to give life the finger.
ha.
