Fat babies and naked bums

Valerie is getting so cubby lately! I absolutely love it!

This poor girl is still feeling a bit neglected now that Valerie is getting all the attention. She's trying to find new ways to get our attention, usually involving throwing fits, not sleeping, or smothering the baby. Lately her sleep has been awful and not only does she not fall asleep easily, she wakes up at all hours of the night and screams and cries. We are at a loss as to how to help her.

Nighttime snuggles are the best! (although I'll be the first to admit I absolutely HATE bedtime... it has become such a long, hard struggle especially with Lexi's difficulties that I dread it every day)

I found this little walnut on the ground one day and it reminded me of crafts I did with Grandma Brewer when I was little.

Getting so big!

Nothing like a couple sisters to keep you entertained!

It's how we roll around here:

Lexi's version of loving on Valerie:

I don't think Valerie appreciates it as much as Lexi thinks. 

I love this picture of the girls, but looking at the room behind them stresses me out. I see the laundry in the middle of being done, a dirty diaper on the floor, boxes strewn about, stuff piled high, and is that a flashlight left on by the bed? A true picture of the stage of life we're in, where it seems just getting from the morning to the evening with everyone alive is a success deserving a pat on the back and everything else falls through the cracks. The laundry is always piled and never finished, the house is a disaster, and our lives seem to be utter chaos 75% of the time. I know I will miss this stage of life when the kids were little, but as I trek through it day in and day out I all too often get bogged down in the manual labor and intense fatigue of it all.

First Day of School!

August 23rd was the first day of school for Jude, Cole, and Lance. 

They were excited for the most part. Jude was more nervous than he had been in years past, but Cole was excited to see his new classroom and hang out with his teacher's rabbit Oliver.

Lance, in typical teenage style, was pretty apathetic about it all. "It's just school, Mom."

We have a great group of kids that catch the bus in the mornings. Inevitably, after the first couple weeks I usually end up driving the boys so we can sleep in a few extra minutes, but in the mean time, it's fun to see everyone.

Getting off the bus at school!

Ready to start his day! I hope and pray this is a good year for him.

He already knows some of the kids in his class since about half his class moved up together.

My veteran 3rd grader. Too cool to act excited.

After what seemed like a long day, the boys made it home. They both said it was a great first day!

Lily started Preschool on September 4th! She was super nervous about it, but excited. I know she will thrive.

Lexi insisted on getting her picture, too.

Miss Cindy is the sweetest and all the kids in her class seem like wonderful little people. I know she'll have a good year!

End of August shenanigans

Lily saw this dress at Costco in the Halloween costumes and insists she wants to be a fairy for Halloween. I'm sure she will change her mind a million times over in the next couple months, but for now she sure does look cute.

Cole still loves his trains and building new tracks. Most days we can't even walk into his room because of all the tracks on the floor.

Nice hat, Jude.

Valerie is getting so FAT! I love it! She is still the happiest baby ever and as snuggly as can be.

Bedtime snuggles on the bed (ignore the baby slobber spots on the sheet)

 I found this half shell outside the other day and it reminded me of doing crafts with Grandma Brewer, so I had to text her.

Naked booties and spinning sisters.

This right here speaks to my soul. I've been feeling so overwhelmed and behind in life lately, like I'm failing in every aspect. I know it'll pass and I'm doing better than I realize, but it's hard not to get down on myself.

Lexi still hasn't figured out how to hug and snuggle Valerie without smashing her. I think she's trying to be nice, but some days it seems like she has it in for her baby sister.

Love these girls of mine!

Florida: Day 9--Gators, Grandma's pool, and a midnight trip home

We checked out of the condo Saturday morning. Thanks, Aunt Ashley for helping with the kiddos!

Lance,  Grandma, and Grandpa got to go on an early Birthday date out on a boat to gator watch.

The rest of the day was spent hanging out in Grandma's awesome pool. Lance discovered the jets and thought this was hysterical.

Grandma gave Lexi her Birthday present: a unicorn purse with a hairbrush and comb and some gum. I don't think you could have found anything that would have made Lexi happier. That girl was over the moon. She was so excited to be such a big girl and have her own hairbrush and purse.

We loaded up in the car around 9 p.m. to drive home. George was a champion and drove all night long, only stopping to fill up. The kids slept almost the whole way, even little Valerie.

It was a GREAT vacation and a fantastic end to the summer.