Helpers

People are always making comments about how the older kids must be such a big help with the baby. In my head I am usually rolling my eyes at them and think about how it's not like they are doing all the laundry and making dinners and such. But then my perspective changed a bit the other day.

Callum was acting like, well, a three year old on the walk home from school and was requiring ALL my attention...and both my hands. Connor instantly offered to push Willa's stroller. When we got home, Callum still needed me. Isla jumped in and asked to hold Willa. All the sudden, I realized they help in small ways that really add up. And I really need to not overlook those little things. Without asking or prompting, they will put Willa's pacifier back in her mouth if she starts fussing. Isla loves talking/playing with her. And lately, at bedtime, Willa and I have been laying down with Isla. Both Isla and Willa fall asleep, then I get up and put Willa in her bed. It really has become a special time for me...and hopefully for them as well.

Now if only I could convince one of them to change poopie diapers ;)

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A published author & illustrator in the house

Isla's class published a book of short stories. Each kid in the class got to write a short story and draw a picture to go along with it. The stories were to be about visiting another country. Isla chose Japan, which is no surprise. She has been obsessed with Japan for a couple years now. It started with the colorful outfits and hair colors she saw. But ever since then, she has talked of visiting and even moving there some day. My favorite part of her story might have been her using a rainbow to get back home. I LOVE kids imaginations. 

Everyone in Isla's class had submit a picture for the cover of the book, then the class voted on a winner. Isla won. Given class votes haven't gone well in the past for our family (cough, cough, Connor demanding a recount when he lost a contest in first grade), I was a bit nervous about this process. But, she won...so it's all good. Her winning made me glad I decided to order the book! We had to order before the vote, so I paid before even knowing. 

I'm very proud of Isla and I promise she is much more excited about this book than her face shows! She has already read the book to me several times. She also reads a short story, then makes me guess who in her class wrote it. Fun times ;)

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Willa {two months}

weight: 10lbs 3oz

length: 22.25"

Willa is such a joy to have in our home. This girl smiles so often. And when you see a big baby smile, it's hard to not smile yourself. Joy, I tell you. Pure joy. 

Willa is becoming a lot more interactive. She stares at her toys and mobile. In fact, she is happy to be on her play mat for longer periods of time now. She follows me around the room when I am walking around or talking from across the room. She is getting good at holding her head up for a few seconds during tummy time. And, though still wobbly, she is holding it up better and better when I hold her upright. 

Willa is taking a pacifier well and that makes me happy. I personally associate pacifiers with good sleepers, so yeah. And she is doing well in the sleep department. During the day, she doesn't really have a schedule. She sleeps and eats when she wants. She doesn't ever seem to sleep for any super long period of time. Usually just an hour or so. But at night is a whole other story. I put her down around 8pm, swaddled and fed and she has been sleeping until sometime in the 2am hour, waking only to be fed, then is right back down. 

Willa thoroughly enjoys being worn in the wrap and generally will go to sleep almost instantly in it. She prefers being held, but is getting better and better at being left on her play mat or in the swing while she is awake. 

Willa is still in size 1 diapers. She can still fit in some of her newborn clothes, mostly the onesies. And she is fitting well into her 0-3 month clothing. Though shoes are a whole other story! Willa has such skinny little feet and legs that it is impossible to keep any shoes or socks on her feet. Of course, now it's getting warm, so that doesn't matter so much anymore.

And for comparisons sake, at 2 months old, Willa came in third for weight (with Isla first, then Callum and Connor coming in last) and both Callum and Isla were longer than her too. I don't know where Connor stood there, as I didn't measure him.

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Little moments not to be forgotten

// monster truck playing //

// chilling //

// reading //

// car playing //

// swinging //

// more reading //

// tractor play //

// more chilling //

With the arrival of Willa and many a rainy days, we have spent a lot of time indoors over the past six weeks...of course, the beautiful weather the last couple days is changing that. But these photos are a representation of some of the times we have had recently. All of them are from in our house. Like I said, we have spent a lot of time here lately. Isla is exploding with her reading and now reading chapter books in one sitting. Callum is super into his cars and plays with them all the time...and we find them all over the house. And Willa, she is getting used to not being held or worn all the time.

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Columbia

The kids had spring break last week. Having a newborn and it being Ian's busy season, I knew we wouldn't do much, but I at least wanted to do something. Well, then Callum got super sick all week. It made it next to impossible to leave the house. But, on Friday, we left Callum with Grammy and went to Columbia. There was so much whining, complaining and fighting that went on in my house last week and I am happy to report that my kids literally did none of those three things on our trip to Columbia. 

We started off gold panning, which both the kids loved. Connor ended up finding several little pieces of gold and he was excited. Isla collected the gemstones (or colored rocks...?). Then we walked around the main street before stopping in a place for lunch. Both kids had ice cream and I had the most amazing fresh snickerdoodle cookie. Then we walked around some more. The kids wanted to go back to the gold panning, so we did that. It worked out perfect because I could sit and nurse Willa right by where they were gold panning. Then they climbed the big rocks for a bit before Isla ended up covered in mud...and when I say covered, I mean had to strip down for the ride home covered. And that was our sign to head home! 

It was seriously such a nice day, just watching the kids enjoy themselves and not complain or whine all day. It made me realize that they are often quite happy when we are out exploring and we should probably make sure to do it more often! Though I will admit, it's hard to do with Ian working so much, but we are on the count down...busy season is almost over!!!

^^^ A little gold on his finger than he found all by himself

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