welcome home, Koby

Koby just retuned home from spending a couple nights at my parents house.  We dropped him off on our way to the tulip fields on Friday so he wouldn't be along.  When I tried to pick him up, my mom said he wasn't ready to come home and was in the middle of a "spa weekend".  (Sure mom, I know it was you that enjoyed his company.)  Koby took naps in the sun, ate two dinners on one evening, took a nap on the couch, had lunch on the patio, and even spent his nights on the guest bed-just after my Mom tucked him in.  She still won't fess up about the night time story. 

I think his favorite part was just being able to mosey around without the fear of being tackled by the kids.

Hey Koby, I'm happy that you got some time to rest but I'm happier that you are home.  The chickens need some chasing, the UPS man missed giving you a treat, and the floor is dirty with crumbs. 

You're bedding is clean and I have your spot saved on the bed.  Love you, buddy.

Pictures taken on the Oregon coast in 2007. 

and he eats

Baby Graham is now eating solid foods.  Grudgingly, I am learning to embrace the fact that he is getting older and is now able to sit in a high chair and eat real food.  The first try was with avocado.  Apparently, it wasn't his favorite.  The squinting of the eyes, the shuddering of the face, and the gagging seemed to get the point across.  He isn't even sure about sweet potatoes.  However, he loves banana, whole milk, plain yogurt, and egg yolk with a bit of olive oil and salt. 

Enjoying his yogurt

 Waiting for the first meal

 Feels a bit squishy

 Tiny hands at work

"Mom, you've gotta do better than that."

when daddy lets me drive

Handy husband has always wondered how he would handle the task of handing over the keys to his beloved '47 Ford when the kids become old enough.  He figures he has quite a long while before he has to deal with this.  If Friday was any indication, the kids are already trying to "stake their claim".  

 Graham discussing his "plan" with the man in the wheel.

"Maybe a "sit in" will give me an advantage."

 I think this smile swayed dad a bit.

"Get her unloaded, dad!"

William missed the action as he was napping.  However, when he woke up and saw the truck in the driveway, he squealed, "daddy's truck. hurry hurry".  I couldn't get his shoes on quick enough.  He rain up to handy husband and yelled, "mommy and daddy going to wedding".  He loves to watch our wedding video and associates the truck with our wedding.  Adorable.

tiptoe through the tulips

Well, maybe we should just be honest and call this: "trample the tulips".  It would be much more realistic.  On Friday, handy husband decided to cash in a vacation day for a splendid day filled with sunshine, the family, and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.  We had such a lovely time and I can't help but think it was solely because of the sunshine.  I don't think any shenanigan of the kids could have spoiled our mood.  After a stop at two beautiful fields, we headed into LaConner for some lunch at the brewery. The three kids (remember, all three and under) always make us a bit worried, especially when we see the only table available is right in the middle.  Imagine the laughter of those seated around us (the place was packed) when handy husband and I were the only two at the table that managed to dump glasses of water.  Our waitress told us that next time we should just send our well behaved children and leave ourselves at home.  Let's just say that after the mishaps, I left two-thirds of my beer on the table so as not to worry the other patrons of our childrens' safety.

 "William, which ones do you want to run over first?"

 Deep in thought with his dandelion.

 Taking a little break.

 Racing down the rows.  The tulip grower's  love this sort of behavior. Really.

 A quick snack in the back of the car.

 Now, there's a tulip!

A rare moment of smiles and hugs.

Next year, we'll have the three of them running around the fields.  That should be fun. Heck, if we just have one more kid, we could probably qualify for the "up-close" bus parking!

bag lady

I'm a tad afraid that if Gracie doesn't marry by the age of 30 (not that there is anything wrong with that, personally speaking) that she'll turn into an old maid and be one of those gals that is single f.o.r.e.v.e.r. You know the type: layers of clothing, 4 feet of hair pulled into a ponytail, birkenstocks....with socks, and a lover of cats.  Check these pictures out and judge for yourself the potential this young girl has. Any advice?

Singing a song to Graham from her song book.  Notice the pink Converse with the princess dress and matching hair bow?  Oh dear, she's even in a rocking chair.

 Here is the book she was singing from: the "Pregnancy Countdown" book.  She found this on our bookshelf-no worries, this isn't on our nightstand.

 This image worries me.  The multi-colored tights, the wide brimmed hat, the cat purse, and the hands crossed like an old lady.  She could buy a six pack right now and wouldn't be carded.

This here, this a picture of leg warmers on her arms.  Quote:  "to keep her wrists safe".  Watch out, this bag lady will beat ya' over the head with her purse if you try to steal from her.

i'm bigger than you

Graham had his 6 month check-up last week. He is fairly proud of himself and quite sure he'll deliver a "beat down" on his 2 older siblings as soon as he can support his own weight. 

His stats

length: 27"

head circumference: 17 3/4"

weight: 18 lbs, 8 oz

2 lower incisors making their debut

Just for kicks and giggles,  Grace weighed in at 14 pounds and  7 ounces at her 6 month check up and William weighed in at 15 pounds and 2 ounces.  I've always thought that after 3 kids, I should be pretty knowledgeable at the baby bath routine but now I know why I'm just learning how to "lift and seperate" the fat rolls for a good scrub.  Let's hope I don't have to teach him this technique at 13.  Yowser!!!

Here are all of them at 6 months of age.

On the left is Grace lounging in Maui.  On the right is William lounging on the Oregon coast.  In the middle is Graham lounging in his room.  My oh my, how times have changed. We've got to get this kid out of town!

battle of the birds

A few days ago I was in the kitchen (imagine that) making dinner when something in the pasture caught my eye.  It was an eagle going after one of our chickens.  I ran out the door into the rain, paring knife still in hand, and barefoot (no, not pregnant this time).  I know I've never been within 20 feet of a flying eagle.  It had grabbed our chicken just in front of me!  Hello, National Geographic.  Although my assertive yelling won't make a 3 year old give back Thomas the Train, it certainly made the eagle drop the chicken and  fly off.  It landed in a tree just above our pasture and proceeded to make a new plan of attack.  The chicken is on the mend. With a limp, a minor wound, and a large bald spot, she has a lot to share with the cackling hens she shares a room with.  Handy husband ran outside with his gun.  Lovely.  We're the neighbors that try to shoot the national symbol right out of the sky.  He said they aren't endangered anymore.  Really?  This I haven't heard.

 The trail of feathers.

 Taking shelter and rethinking her place on the food chain.

 The beast in the deciduous tree.

 He's so proud.

"Don't worry darlin'.  He won't come back 'round these parts no more" (in a 4-toothed, beer drinkin', Arkansas hick voice)