Unconditional

Even though they wear me out

I love them anyway

And this one too


All 17 pounds 10 ounces, 27 inches of him. Even with his first ear infection discovered at his 6 month well child check-up last week. Despite the temporary sleep disruptions. I love them. And I think they love me, even though they wear me out.

Circle City Christmas

When your dad works in the car business, you get winter hats with a BMW logo on them. She didn't seem to mind. I'm sure she was thankful her ears weren't freezing. (side note: do you call them "toboggans"? we used to have this discussion with friends, who weren't from the south, that they were not toboggans because toboggans were sleds, and you certainly don't wear a "sled" on your head.)

A little break from swinging to look for the birds


Saturday night my Dad's family came over for a lot of food, a lot of presents, and a lot of chaos. We were missing a few cousins and spouses, but all nine great-grandchildren were there. A highlight for me was this sweet thing. Her mommy was at a wedding, but she and her brother came with their grandparents (my uncle and aunt). Her mommy and I look similar and it was obvious she thought so too. I got some sweet loving from her!

This is just classic. Trying to get nine children, most of whom are under 5, to sit still for 3 seconds, while holding little babies, and see if we can get even half of them to look normal. You see Elle was doing her part to make sure Reese was looking at the camera. My grandmother looks pretty thrilled about the photo shoot too.

"A present for me? How did you know I love musical fish?"

Opening presents the next morning with Dad and Sandi

Trying to get a picture of the three of them

Thomas was a hit!


I don't know if you can see it in the picture, but my husband is currently wearing two car key rings as a wedding band (another perk of working in the car business--all the key rings you need!). Why in the world would he do that, you ask? Well, he says his ring is too small. But now that I think about it, I haven't seen his actual ring in awhile. Perhaps this Christmas every kiss will begin with "K" in the Salter house. And on that note, I hope you are singing the Kay Jewelers commercial in your head.

Tricks

Reese's new trick

His other new trick was sleeping from 7:30 last night until 7 AM this morning without a night cap. And although I'd like to think this will be the new normal, there are a few teeth looming on the horizon. Tomorrow marks the big half-birthday followed by his check-up on Thursday. It has been a fun-filled fast six months!

We spent this past weekend in Dothan to celebrate Christmas with my Dad and his family, got to see some great old friends and meet a special, somewhat famous, new one. Hope to post some pictures of our trip tomorrow. Tonight will be an 8:30 bedtime for me!

Identity Crisis

We're having a bit of an identity crisis around here. He's not sure if he wants to be Cinderella, Mickey Mouse, or a carpenter (notice the tape measure in hand). If you happen to be going through your closets, boxes and bins of toys in an effort to make room for the surge of Christmas and you happen to come across any manly dress-up clothes that your manly men can't fit in anymore, I'll be glad to take them off your hands. We're talking police, knights, soldiers, cowboys, firemen, carpenters, superheros, etc. Anything that doesn't sparkle, contain tulle or come in pastel. The poor boy just doesn't have any other options in the dress-up bin.

Should I?

I'm coming back soon, I think!

Stay Tuned

I'm going to take a little break from blogging. I love to do this and wish I could write just about every day. But then, life happens and I can't always get to the writing and uploading photos. And then I feel bad. I'm going to take the month of November to come up with a better plan for managing all that running a household of five involves as well as making time to enjoy my family and life. I want to be more proactive in training and raising my kids instead of just going through the motions and making it through the day. I also would like to spend time with the Lord again. And I'm afraid all of this means I have to start getting up really early. So, I'll see you again sometime after Thanksgiving. We do have a fun-filled month ahead: Disney on Ice, visits from grandparents and to grandparents, Thanksgiving week at Callaway Gardens with my mom's family to name a few. And I have high expectations after last year's crazy Thanksgiving. At least I know there won't be any pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

Before I sign off, here are a few pictures from last Sunday's trip to Oak Mountain. Grady cannot get enough of the farm and animals. It was beautiful weather. We picniced by one of the lakes and had an awesome time together. And we each brought some germs home with us. This week's trip to the pediatrician was a diagnosis of croup for Grady. My diagnosis is that we all have had some form of it this week. We are hanging in there though, and counting our blessings because they are many!

Four Months

We took our weekly trip to the pediatrician's office last Thursday for Reese's four month check-up. Elle and Grady were happy to tag along and receive their flu shots. Thankfully, Daddy was able to tag along as well and enjoy the happiness. Reese was a champ and is growing perfectly. We are still dealing with a sometimes goopy, sometimes teary eye that I'm confident will result in his trip to Children's South Outpatient Surgery Center one day. But maybe not. There's still time for it to resolve.


Big boy weighed in at 15 lbs 8 oz and was 25 1/2 inches long. He is rolling from stomach to back. He can push up on his arms pretty well. From his back, he can only manuver his 15+ pound self over to his side and then he smiles. I'm sure it won't be long until he makes it all the way over. The drool faucet has been turned on and we have to have a bib on at all times. He is smiling, talking and giggling a lot. I am enjoying him so much. I know people say it all the time, but the more you have, the more you are able to just relax and enjoy them. I am so thankful.

And Elle and Grady really do love him. Although Grady did ask me to "lay him in the sandbox" last week. I was holding Reese and Grady wanted me to play pitch with him. I explained that I couldn't because I could hurt Reese with the bat or ball. And that was his solution: put him in the sandbox and then you can play with me!