Gorgeous sunrise this morning.  That lake-front property we bought sure does have its perks. 

This guy didn't enjoy the sunrise as much as I did. He had a very rough night.  I blame the fact I ate at Red Robin. (Either cross-contamination, non- organic ingredients,  or corn in the ketchup. Maybe all 3.)

After wake up shortly atfter 4 and being awake until... well this at 630...Dad got up and took him for a little walk.  Put him right out. Isn't that little foot peeking out the cutest?!

This kid is a Daddy's Boy. Luckily, Bryan's 2 week trip didn't ruin that. Dad was working on Selah's new hedgehog cage and came in for a second. Judah lost it when he tried to go back outside without him. You can see who won here. It's certainly nice to have a kid like their dad at this age. But also certainly weird to have then PREFER their dad. If he's tired or hungry, he wants mom. But otherwise, it's dad. If he only knew how much I do for him...kidding. it really is helpful that he likes Dad, especially with having to pump. 

Mr flexible here isn't crawling, yet.  But he sure is stretching!

And boy does he love to stand! He generally can't get there all the way himself, but he can stay there and he's working on doing it alone. It is a relief because with the Prune Belly we were prepared for all kinds of delays. Add in the clibfoot and there's more strikes against him. So far so good! 

Everyone's favorite part of Encampment,  both at home and while there. Mail Call. The kids loves watching and it was more fun previously because the staff could get bricks for doing something stupid. But I guess as of today, that is no longer. Still not entirely sure on the why- and noah got a brick yesterday but mail call wasn't live streamed so we missed it. Something about having trouble folding the ironing board and letting the top touch the ground...

Happy Birthday, Elijah!

The Time Has Come...

For many things, today. Jonah and Noah leaving. Dad coming back. And the need for a new bathtub.

Judah and Jonah spent a few minutes chatting before Jonah left for encampment today. They became pretty buddy- buddy while Dad's been gone.  We'll see what he thinks of him next weekend when he sees him again. 

Speaking of seeing again,  it's been 2 weeks since Dad left! They did video call most days but 2 weeks is a long time to a 7 month old! It's 1/14 of his life, give or take a but. 

Judah woke up when we got to the airport, so Dad couldn't help but get him out. 

He didn't cry, but he wasn't too sure of him.

Not to worry. They were buddies again by bedtime!

Selah, Micah, and Elijah made a fort to sleep in tonight. It was quite elaborate.  They all have their own sleeping areas and then all that common space, too. 

Bets on the odds that they won't sleep down there all night since Jonah and Noah are gone and we're all the way upstairs? 

Well, this one appears to need a new bathtub. He's officially outgrown this one. It was surprisingly small when I (err, Selah) blew it up, at least compared to the one we had with the other kids. I bought it because it was a cute duck and never thought to look at measurements. He was having a blast flopping all over but I was not having so much fun trying to keep him safe! 

It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Birds and Planes!

Twenty. That's how many birds were in our yard...is it still a yard if it's dirt?!...this morning- Here come more weeds. 

Also, not pictured, there was a heron in our wetlands/pond this morning,  too! Their wingspan is incredible. It was a bird morning. We saw the Thunderbirds again, too. All six in formation, right past the back door and over the house. So awesome.

Don't mind the grumpy look, but we put real clothes on for Mass today! Doesn't he look adorable? 

He normally wears one piece outfits with snaps because of his boots and bar. But I got him a few other items at a yard sale recently since he's spending more time out of the brace. I'm a fan of dressing little boys like little men, so I hate the one piece outfits. 

And this is why the grumpy face. He wanted to go to bed and Mom wanted a picture. Good thing, too, because he never did put his pants back on! 

We've still got that orange sun. Turns out it's from the wildfires in Canada. But it looked HUGE in real life. Interesting that it looks small in pictures because Bryan says the huge sun or moon is just a mind's eye trick. I guess this pic backs that up. 

This poor kid. Whe. He gets mad, he can not calm down. We ran out to grab a push car I bought from someone online. It was bedtime but it was the only time the lady could do it. I thought he would fall asleep. Instead,  he screamed for the whole 27 minute trip. Breaks my heart. 

He's happily and peacefully sleeping now. Here's hoping for a good night!

Wait... It's Not Friday, yet?!

When the dump truck is dumping next to your house at 7 am.... you get a baby looking like this! At least he was happy!

Dad isn't here to fake feed the baby... so Jonah picked up the baton. Don't worry,  it was an empty container and clean spoon.  This mama isn't eating a lame diet only to have the baby getting all the goodies!

Rough day, let me tell you.  Only one more week and a day with no dad.  I used to have this under control, but teens and pumping are 2 (unrelated but huge) factors I've never had to juggle with a baby before.  We could use prayers for sleep and greater milk production, as the stress is taking its toll. 

Love this sweet little face. He makes it all better even when it takes me 3 hours to get him to bed.