Tooth and Bike

Sam felt like this day would never come!  All of his closest friends have lost a mouthful of teeth already.  For six months he has been saying, I have a loose tooth!  I would try to wiggle the one he was talking about and just say, "Maybe!" because I didn't have the heart to tell him it was just wishful thinking.  One day a month or two ago, he told me that he could wiggle one and thankfully it was just a tiny bit loose.  He has been working on it every day since.  Today on the way to Papa and Nana's house, Benjamin asked for a kleenex.  I asked him what was wrong.  He said, "Nothing, I was just trying to get Sam's tooth out and it's bleeding a little bit."  By the time we got to Papa and Nana's, the tooth was laying completely flat and hanging on by a thread.  A few minutes after our arrival, Sam came running up to show us Benjamin had gotten it out.  

On the way home tonight, Sam said, "Do you have my tooth?"  The van got completely quiet.  Well, shoot.  The kid's first tooth fairy visit tonight and he doesn't have a tooth to put under the pillow.  He seemed fine with putting a pretend tooth under the pillow and picked a tiny little green eraser.

After I took this round of photos, he said, "My mouth is tired."  It's hard work showing off a missing bottom tooth.

I told him he didn't have to open his mouth anymore and could just give me funny faces.  Oh this green-eyed kid, I love him so much.

This is what he has looked like most of the day...tongue in the space.  Apparently, Grandma Babe used to say if you didn't put your tongue in the gap, a gold tooth would grow in there.  Sam didn't buy that.

And this child.  She is hilarious and maddening all at the same time.  Our dear friend and neighbor has three foster children in her home.  The girls love playing with the two older girls who are Isa's age.  Our friend has one bike for the two older girls to share and has been looking for a second bike.  Tonight I told Stella that I would really like for Stella to let the girls borrow her bike until she learns how to ride it.  She immediately asked me to run behind her and within 5 minutes was riding up and down our road on her own.  She can't start and stop yet but she is so proud of herself.  We were all cheering and hugging her.  She looked at me and said, "Well, I guess I don't have to let them borrow it now."  Oh my word.  Ugh.  Oh Lord, take this little girl's sass and determination and use it for good.  Help us.

William 7 Months

My sweet Will, 

At seven months, you are bear crawling.  You have not figured out that your knees will also move you forward so you get into a plank position, do a few push ups and then bear crawl forward.  You love crawling to the nearest vent and slapping it with your hand.  Many a spit up has run down into the vents.  Yummy.  Our house is more disgusting and more wonderful with you around, little boy.  

Some nights you sleep through the night.  Other nights you wake up screaming bloody murder at 3 or 4am and you MUST eat.  You think you might die if you don't eat.  We have tried a pacifier on these nights and it makes you so mad!  So so mad.  Most of the time when we lay you down for naps or bedtime, you lay on your side, clutch your Llama or bear and hum/grunt yourself to sleep.  Other times, you immediately flip to your tummy and crawl to the corner of the crib closest to the door.  You fix your eyes on the door, cry, and hope that we will reappear through it.  It is pathetic and sad. 

You are eating lots of veggies.  You are not a fan of any fruit except for bananas.  But the bananas have to be mixed with oatmeal.  You do not have a sweet tooth.  You will happily eat peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, and carrots.  You get hangry (angry when hungry) like your father.  If we put you in your high chair and we don't have a spoon ready at mouth level, you cry so hard. 

You have caused more loads of laundry and outfit changes for all members of our family than I ever dreamed possible.  And our heart still melts at the sight of you.  Love.  True love.  

You continue to be manbabyhandled (handled roughly by dragging or pushing) by all of your siblings.  They adore you and still argue over holding you or sitting beside you in church.  

You love puppies.  A friend got a new puppy and the three times you have been around him, you have hyperventilated when you caught sight of him.  

You were at the doctor last Thursday.  You weighed 19lbs and 4 ounces and were 27 and 3/4 inches long.  (Around 75% for both)  Benjamin, Samuel and Stella were all bigger than you at this age.  So though you are not our biggest baby, I would argue you are our strongest.  Willpower.  

Your brothers say you're the Hulk because you're very strong, Wolverine because you have long nails that scratch, and Ironman because your skin (rolls) look like armor.  

We love you so.  

Mama  

Benjamin's Season

Benjamin had a great season.  It was the first he had faced live pitching.  He mostly played first base and did so well!  He loved pitching the two times he was given the opportunity.  I'm sure he will pitch more next year.  His team won the championship tonight against one of his best friend's teams.  It's always hard to cheer against kids and families you know and love.  So we just cheered for both sides.  It was a nail biter and they all did so well.  

Day to Day

The girls spent the entire hour we spent at Tiberi's sitting side by side and coloring.  It was unusual and adorable for these girls to stay in one place so long.

 Love waking up to this little Will.

Wish the rain would stop so I could enjoy more moments like this.  Love this hammock.  I have spent way too many hours weeding the past few years.  Now it's time to enjoy a few hours enjoying all of our hard work.

 Love looking across the table at this charmer.

 Taylor's Campus is looking beautiful.

 Sales is in her future.

Father's Day

Drew wanted to go hiking for Father's Day.  We hit a great park in Indy.  Unfortunately, Stella had a fever all day so we had to take a stroller and didn't get to explore as much as we could have without one.  The kids had a blast and we will definitely go back.  I am so grateful to parent alongside Drew.  His kindness, wisdom and humility are a gift to each one of us.