Then There Were Four: A summer's worth of pictures.

I realize it has been just shy of three (or maybe closer to four-I am not really sure) months since I have been on here. That is how long my life has been in a sort of medical limbo. For a few weeks I wasn't sure how scared I needed to be, but now have been reassured by the docs that my condition is not life threatening. It is just changing my quality of life for now. As I have been experimenting with different medications trying to find the correct dose/doses to get everything back on track it has been hard for me to find the motivation to get up and write anything. The last three months have been recorded only sporadically with pictures. I cannot tell you enough how sad that makes me. I have had days where getting out of bed to care for my monkeys was the only feat I could manage that day. The last two days however, I have been feeling a little better and now that most of the housework has been done I am making time to finally post about the kids. Again, sorry for those of you who come here regularly and have found nothing new for 3 months. My life and mind have been other places. None the less, I am here now and ready to fill you in on all the happenings we have had, and there have been plenty.

Jake has most definitely furthered his independent personality over the last three months. He knows what he wants and really will stop at nothing to get it. He throws a fit if there is any barrier put in the way of him and the prize he has his eye on, which is usually dog food. Yes, we have come around the corner to a very quiet baby gumming down some kibble a few times. Thus a baby gate has been put up blocking off the kitchen. Oh! Let me back up. I forgot to tell you that our little preemie, Jacob, can now crawl. He crawls fast. He is also pulling himself up on things or just randomly standing up. He has just started letting go of the couch and attempting, but not completing a step. He has a whole bag of tricks he pulls out for us everyday. He can also pull his diaper off and likes to do it around the corner of the couch so he can hide for a bit before it is discovered he is bare bunned. He fights you the entire time you are in diaper change mode. Once the old one is off he is twisting and turning and bucking in all directions to try to break free of you before the new diaper is put on. He is happy all the time. As long as his belly is full and there are toys to play with there is a smile on his face. He loves the water. All forms. He screeches and laughs whenever a dog pays any sort of attention to him. He draws the attention of everyone in public. Sometimes for screaming, he likes to scream really loud for no reason. But other times it must just be his happy face that draws them in.

Alexis. Oh, Alexis. This summer I have come to believe that the very existence of the Earth depends on the noise that she makes. If she stopped making noise for one split second we would fall out of rotation and perish. She sings and dances all day, usually not paying attention to her surroundings, knocking things down-including her brother. She loves her brother by the way. They play peek-a-boo, hide and seek, and more recently tag. She gasps at every move he makes scared that he is going to get hurt. She sings to him and forces him to snuggle with her. She is a typical 5 year old in that when you give her one thing she is already asking for another. She has enough questions to get her through the 24 hour period. She wants to be a princess, and actor, a doctor, an artist, and a zoo keeper. She accessorizes every out fit she puts on, getting compliments everywhere we go. She loves lip stick. She loves going to the baseball games and mostly she loves Otto, the teams mascot. She loves to talk on the phone with anyone, call her and find out. She is all about play dates with her friends. She starts school on August 27th and she could not be more excited. Every day she asks, "How many more days before I start school?" I am going to be sad that she is knocking down another mile stone, but I think the quiet time might be nice. As always, though she is noisy and busy she is beautiful and every day I am thankful that she is here.

The pictures attached are in no particular order. They are just a collage of photos that we have taken over the summer. Again I am sorry that it is not more organized, but it is a miracle that I had enough time to get this done before one of the kids needed something! Take care :)