Just a little update where we are right now;

Thomas has been 6 for about a month now, it's crazy that he looks so much older to me, baby face gone etc. He is so excited about his first "wiggly" tooth, it's been a couple of weeks and it hasn't gotten much more lose, the adult tooth is already nearly in behind it, the dentist has assured me she sees it all the time? Thomas still loves the wii, and has gotten a lot better on his bike. He still uses training wheels but I bet by the fall they'll be off. Thomas is very agreeable with his summer work and is really good at math! He likes to read but anyone who has had an early reader knows it takes a long time to read a book, we have got to find a better time of the day to incorporate some reading, bedtime is not the ideal time for us. Thomas is super excited about being home schooled next year, even told me he couldn't go to VBS because he was home schooled! Thomas separates well and is kind to his peers. Thomas is respectful to adults and is getting better about engaging in conversation with them. Thomas is doing well on his gluten free diet. His stomach pain has decreased since we started him on prevaicid. We are planning on scoping him mid July just to rule out other issues such as EE. Thomas still enjoys Star Wars Lego's and enjoys seeing his friends from K5. Tonight we had a good Thunderstorm, Thomas said, "Mommy, the trees are waving, like the people did, shouting Hosanna, Hosanna!" Oh precious one, I thank God for you daily.

West, Westy, Westers, this darling child of mine has entered the 2s about a year and half late..At 3.5 he is much more challenging than he has ever been before. Although challenging at times he is beyond precious. Today I had found a free ice cream coupon for Chick fil a, everyone we saw in Target he spoke to. "Hi man!", "Hi lady!", then if they stopped he showed them his chick fil coupon in his own little words explaining that he was going to get "ice-ceam" at "chick ilay" with his "coopon". Oh he is so precious how he never meets a stranger. Westy has his own little language that most people aren't so clear on. I find myself translating even for Tommy a lot of the time. He uses words like "morrow" for tomorrow, and "yesterday" incorrectly all day, and we don't correct him, it is too precious! West loves Bubba, aka, Thomas but knows how to press his buttons like no body's business. Westy loves Hartley a little too much. I find myself saying to him, "leave her alone", "get off of her", "don't touch her!" a-l-l day long! Although West starts out in his bedroom that he shares with Thomas he finds his way into our bed every night with his blankie and water cup in hand. He snuggles in right up against one of our backs and stays here the rest of the night. We don't mind, as I know one day I'll long for the nighttime cuddles that he now brings. Unlike Thomas, West does not separate well, and is frightened easily, although Thomas is easily frightened also. Tonight during the Thunderstorm he told me several times, "I scard, hold me!" Church nursery is always hard for him etc. Something else I love about West is when he runs he kind of jumps at the same time. West being the second child can and does ride Thomas' bike daily. We didn't buy this bike for Thomas until he was 5 and now at 3.5 West can do it. Westy does seem very athletic, and enjoys playing sports. More than anything Westy loves to help. This little guy will help you do anything, would rather help than play with toys. Water flowers, do yard work, pick up dog poop, vacuum, cook, you name it, he loves a task! Another funny thing about West, when he's getting in trouble or in time out, he cries for "daddy!". One more thing about West that I find interesting is that he knows very few colors, numbers or letters? We aren't worried as I know he'll get it. Oh darling West we are so thankful God blessed us with you!

My precious baby Hartley. 9 months old today. We can hardly believe it! Although the first half of your life you spent screaming bloody murder, you have now leveled out pretty well. You still aren't an "easy" baby but a true joy! You have just started to be able to go from laying down to sitting up, you can get up on your knees and crawl just a tiny bit, still preferring to pivot where you go. Your pretty content to sit and play in one spot with toys, which is easier for me! You'll play happily for a while until you catch a glimpse of me walking by, then you fuss and cry wanting me to come and get you. Just today you started to do some clapping, we were so excited and were clapping with you! You eat everything under the sun. Thankfully you are now off of all of your reflux meds and seems you have outgrown your dairy allergy! To God be the glory! You are gluten free by default but enjoy everything from meats, to rice, to pasta, to cheese, fruits, crackers, cookies, ice cream, you love it all! The only thing you haven;t had is seafood and nuts. Trying to be a little cautious, although most babies don't eat anything like this until well into their first year. You love your brothers although I think sometime you wish they would leave you alone. At your check up you weighed 17 pounds 4 ounces. You love everyone and will go to anyone. Still not a fan of the car but tolerate it much better than you did. You still nurse on demand and attend the all night buffet, well, nightly. You have 2 teeth on the bottom and two just breaking through on the top. Big blue eyes and a head full of white blond hair:) You and I look identical and complete strangers will stop me just to comment on how much we look alike. You are a trooper, you'll still nap in the sling and take a short one in the stroller. Most days not having much a nap schedule you go with the flow, may it be the beach, the pool a park, your pretty content. Sweet baby girl we are so thankful for you, we pray God's richest blessings on you & that he would make his face to shine upon you always.