Levi at five months

Our Little Man is five months old! He's busy as a beaver and rolls over, scoots and does the "beached whale".  He very much wants to get moving and seems annoyed that he's still semi-stuck in place.  As of this week he has 2 teeth and is rather sad about the whole ordeal.  He loves to see the kitty cats, listen to the wind chimes and touch plants and leaves.  He loves to bang on things and seems to have a keen set of ears as he's always tuning in to listen.  He loves music, especially the song "Moon Moon Moon".  He is starting to grow hair and try a few solid foods.  He's around 18 pounds and in size 6 month clothing. He loves pulling Lena's glasses off her face, pulling Emmie's hair and laughing at Phoebe's silly smiles.  He despises the car seat and car rides and only sometimes like stroller rides. He tolerates riding in the baby carrier.  In spite of his continued reflux and trouble sleeping we wouldn't trade him for anyone else.  He's a gift and we love him so much and are excited to see his little personality start to emerge as he becomes acquainted with the people who love him and the world around him.  

 

Birdie is Four

 Our darling Phoebe Bird is Four!!!!  Happy Birthday to Phoebe Hope.  At four you are as you have always been- a firecracker of a girlie who loves big and lives exuberantly. You are a delight to us and we praise God for your life.  You are loud and vibrant, tender and loving.  This year you became a big sister and you have been such a good one already!  You love your little brother fiercely and adore your big sisters, trudging after them everywhere they go.  You already know your ABC's and are anxious to learn to read. You've started piano lessons with big sister Emmeline and love helping in the kitchen.  Cooking might be your love language.  You are perhaps our pickiest eater, but perhaps that is just because you are our most opinionated and you let us know if there are ever carrots or potatoes on your plate. You love to dance, to dress up and imagine all sorts of things. Right now your current fascination is being a bride.  You would like to be a doctor ballerina when you grow up.  You love fairies and unicorns and love going to church.  You adore songs with hand motions, folk songs and nursery rhymes.  You like to bike with your best buddy Daniel.  You do not like going to sleep or staying asleep and we're pretty sure that you sleep walk. This year you have discovered that you will have many birthdays and this is a remarkable discovery. You are trying to find heaven and want to meet Jesus. You love the ways colors mix together to make other colors and love your cat Wendell Berry very much. I hope you never lose your zest for life! God bless you Birdie. 

Ten and a Half

Emmeline: Here we are at a ten and a half. You made me a Mama all those years ago and how we've rejoiced in you ever year of your life!  This year has been full ever so many changes for you and you are quickly blossoming into a young woman before our very eyes.  What a marvelous big sister you are, capable of so many thing- cooking, diaper changing, calming toddlers, doing laundry, gardening....  you are our dreamer, our writer, our reader, our night owl. You do not like to eat meat. You adore ballet and have such grace and skill.  You play piano and cello and read all the time.  In fact I cannot seem to get you to stop reading. (There are only a few moments in a day when I really must get you to stop). You love the outdoors and bike riding, you love quiet alone time and tea with your sisters.  You are also an artist who spends months creating paper dolls for your sister's birthday.  You wear my clothes and have the same shoe size as I do.  You are more patient than anyone I know.  You are strong and tender.  We continue to thank God for you at this half year mark (albeit a bit late) and we cannot wait to see the adventures he has in store for you.  

 

Our little man

Our little man is growing at a fast pace and here are a few weekly photos to document these precious days with Levi.  

Wild Summer Days

Wild Summer days have begun and with them a need for more structure and new routines After a family meeting, we carved out new rhythms for chores, activities and fun things to do because boredom doesn't live in our house.  We've created a handicrafts table and designated days of the week for scavenger hunts, nature journaling, painting, art, puzzles, music and reading. It's amazing how much there is to do as a child when you remember that you love exploring your world.  The girls have been good helpers in the garden, earning extra money by weeding and tending their own fairy and mud kitchen gardens.  We're bird watching a little nest of wrens this year and Wendell, the cat, thinks they are quite interesting.  The big girls have chosen one day a week to cook and this is a fun expansion of their growing up.  (It is also stretching Mama to let go of extra mess that may or may not come). Phoebe is starting her piano lessons and working on lower case letters this summer and Emmie and Lena are writing books.  Levi is three months old and is moving beyond ceiling fans and is laughing at cat tails and watching faces.  He is trying ever so hard to get his thumb in his mouth.  We are so thankful to have visits with dear friends, romps outside and time together. We're blessed and exhausted and growing in grace.