Park

One of our favorite parks is in Montreat. It is perfectly shaded, has creeks running throughout, big beautiful trees, and lots of playground equipment. Last week we decided to make the 30 minute journey to visit. We joined up with our friends the Mertens family as well.


Everett may be cautious in social situations, but he goes for it with physical challenges. He scaled this rock wall and I was one proud mama on the sidelines.

Hampton however is careful. He doesn't have the confidence yet, and is a little clumsy!

But he has to do what Everett does. He follows him around mimicking his every move.

And Eleanor? Well she's just happy.

 

Big Morning

Yesterday we had a big morning. After we dropped Everett off at preschool, the two babies and I headed to the library. The Dollywood Players were there putting on a special show. It was about Otis the Tractor and was so fun. Hampton sat there the whole time with his mouth open, so I am guessing he had a good time. Eleanor watched intently as well. After the show we still had an hour before needing to pick up Everett, so we went out to lunch at Green Sage Cafe. We have never eaten there before and it was so good! It was mostly organic/whole foods, so right up our alley with how we eat. We don't eat out often and Hampton was hilarious. He sat in the booth like a big boy and when he was through with his meal he pushed his plate to the side, got down from the booth, and toddled off.

Eleanor enjoyed a bagel as well.  

 

When I was pregnant with Eleanor I thought I would never get out with all the children on my own. I am surprised at how often we are able to accomplish activities or errands with little to no meltdowns. We love being at home and playing, but we also have fun getting out-even if it is just going to the market for milk. I already have a list of activities we want to do this summer on our fridge!

Big Kid Things

Our babies are growing up! Each of them are doing some "big kid" things this week.


Today I snipped the tips off two out of the three pacifiers Hampton has in his possession. He got mad at first and then I told him his "ba ba" was broke and he needed to put it in the trash. After throwing out the "broke" pacis he demanded I get him a new one. I told him they were all gone and that was that. Throughout the day he has asked for a paci, but I keep reminding him they are in the trash can. Even now as I write he is upstairs in his crib having a hard time, but I know it is best. I keep telling him what a big boy he is.

And then there is Everett. Everett is turning four next week, which has prompted me to push him to do a few "big boy" things of his own. One of those things is wearing his "big boy pants" instead of training pants during his nap. Yesterday he did it! Mid-nap he went to his bathroom on his own, used the potty and then came to tell me. I was so proud! He still is wearing training pants during the night, but we'll get there.

 

 

And then Eleanor. She is SO close to crawling I can't take me eyes off of her for fear I'll miss that moment. She gets on all fours and rocks back and forth.

I'm not sure I am ready for three mobile children!

 

So proud of all the babies for their accomplishments this week. As much as I want to keep them babies, I know that with each milestone they are that much closer to independence.

Photo Shoot Part 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Photo Shoot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday

Today was another fun day with the babies. I had another 5am wake-up call. This time from Eleanor who was ready to eat. Soon after Everett was ready to start the day. We played all morning at home, which was nice. Hampton was in a much better mood. I was able to do some baking and I organized the upstairs closets. After lunch they all went down for naps.

Everett has been great about napping, but lately his naps have been shorter. I am actually happy about this because it lets me spend some quality time with just him. Lately we have been going outside while the other two sleep (we bring the baby monitors outside with us).

Today Everett rode his tricycle. 

Rode on his scooter.

And blew bubbles.

 

The weather was so beautiful that when Eleanor and Hampton woke up we decided to go to the arboretum. This wore the boys out! Another great day with my crew, but my goodness am I exhausted!

Thursday

Yesterday morning Everett woke up at 5am. Hampton soon followed at 5:30. I was very thankful for my French Vanilla coffee. Everett can handle little sleep way better than Hampton. Hampton truly needs rest and yesterday he was, well.....challenging. We played for a few hours in the morning and then were off to take Everett to preschool. It was show and tell day and Everett brought Woody to share. He was very excited.

Have I mentioned I LOVE dressing her up everyday???

Everett being the doctor. He plays so nicely with Eleanor. 

I know I am bias, but I think Eleanor is so smart! She recently has liked playing with the red barn. She puts the animals in and out and can open the stable doors. I never would have given this toy to Everett as a baby, but being the youngest she is naturally surrounded by "big kid" toys.

Oh Hampton. When he is happy (which is most of the time), he is SO happy. And when he is upset, he is SO upset. We are running into some communication problems as well. His articulation is not as sharp as Everett's was, so I have a difficult time with his intelligibility. I just have to keep reminding myself that he is frustrated as well not being able to tell me what he wants/needs. Good thing his mama is a speech pathologist!

 

Everett woke up early from his nap, so we went outside and practiced riding a scooter. He was very agreeable about wearing his helmet, but after a while wanted to take it off. When I asked him why he said, "because it is messing up my hair and my hair is beautiful." Oh my goodness! Earlier in the day when we went to Walmart he said he wanted some sunglasses. When I showed him his two options he said, "no those are not cute. Those are ugly." He is so funny!
Even with Hampton's issues, we had a great day. The perfect ending was Eric coming home (he has been gone all week on business) and Bible Study.