Parental Growth

I've been feeling really frustrated with parenting lately, and I thought I was in need of a tune up. Rusty's been really busy with grad school, work, and now summer school, so I've been on my own a LOT. The boys have felt the stress and it has shown itself in whining, and temper tantrums. Judah is getting bigger and stronger and, as it turns out, is a wicked wicked little thing. He is, more often than not, the cause of any strife between the two. I am having to teach Andrew to retaliate just enough to get Judah off of him, but not so much that he causes major injuries. Anyway, it's been a tough couple months. I picked up this book and I am about half way through. I thought I would recommend it because it does a really great job of discussing how your children should take priority without forgetting to accomplish your other tasks. I have started praying with the boys before bed again, and I am surprised about how much it helps me to re-establish a calm attitude. Andrew sits still with his hands folded, and Judah runs around like a crazy person. But ultimately it's two minutes that refocuses the family before the end of the day. I use it as an opportunity to ask forgiveness for losing my patience with the boys, and to ask for help to grow in all my many areas of weakness. I've got a long way to go. These boys try my patience, but my heart desires to be a mother that teaches them what's really important.

June in July

Andrew was doing SO WELL with potty training, but then just decided all of a sudden to hold it until he got a diaper on. So we started giving him tattoos for pooping in the potty. That's right, we talk about poop on this blog. So here's some evidence of his success.

The best part about summer is getting to spend so much time playing in water! We spend a ton of time at the pool, and when Rusty got a day off of work we went to the lake. The boys get so excited to spend time with their daddy that they swarm him. Rusty does a great job juggling both boys.

We have read a handful of books to Andrew so many times that he knows all the words. This is one of them. Forgive the crotch shot.

Aunt Julia pointed out just how sad it is that Andrew gets the whole lap, while Judah has to get on tippie toes to read over the arm of the chair. Us youngest siblings really have to work to get what we want.

Making up for May

I am so very rarely in the pictures, since I am always the photographer, so I stole an opportunity to make Rusty take pictures while I forced the boys to sit with me. Andrew was a willing participant, while Judah was less so...

The haircut for the summer is just like Daddy's. We take the boys out in their highchairs and buzz their adorable little heads. Now my boys all look the same.





One of my favorite things about Spring is all the fresh fruit. There is an organic strawberry farm and me and the boys went and picked strawberries for strawberry shortcake. I could live on the stuff.

That pretty much sums up that month.



Andrew turned THREE! (three months ago)

My sweet boy turned three on April 12th! We celebrated with a cookout. Friends and family met at a park and toughed out some spring showers together. We had cake in an old little cabin and opened presents. My Andrew is growing into one of the kindest little guys I've ever known. His personality is so laid back, that I am becoming convinced that I took someone elses child home from the hospital. His favorite things are: big trucks, motorcycles, reading books, and snacks. After two years of trying for a baby, I was given this bundle, and I love him.