Second Wind

I took a 2 hour nap tonight and now have a second wind to blog for a second while everyone else sleeps. Maybe I could get some stuff done if I did this every night. haha
We are so tired. One of these kiddos wakes up almost every night for SOMETHING! My pediatrician told me it would be like whackamole for awhile and he wasn't joking. Embry is the best one actually. He will wake up rarely when his monitor alarm goes off. (We have the angel monitor)
Collin is sleeping much better after ALL summer of waking up nightly. Ashton now wakes up occasionally with bad dreams about skunks eating him or soldiers or skeletons. I don't know where he gets this stuff except for school?! Who knows. poor guy. It's just wearing us out since we are up so late taking care of house stuff and Wes studying so late anyway. One day we will sleep again but thank God for giving us energy right now to make it through our days!

I did want to blog for each one of the boys because they all have had such milestones lately.
I'll start with Embry this time. He's 6 months old and is now rolling and turning all over the floor! He is such a joy and still so happy all the time! We can't imagine life without him. LAst week we went to a work party for me and my physician told me that your smile can light up a room Embry. You were the hit of the party! Embry got his first 2 teeth last week-you can barely see them but his brothers are always wanting me to stick my fingers in his mouth to show them the teeth. they love it and love him. I can't believe how protective and gentle they are with him. it's so sweet to hear them talk to him as they walk by in a sweet high voice after they have been fighting and yelling at each other. Collin can be hitting Ashton like crazy and then go to Embry and act like an angel. Anyway, Embry is now loving solids. He has had cereal, sweet potatoes and carrots. And Yes, I am making all his food again soo my ice cube trays and handheld blender are back out all the time. I really love making the food though. Just wish it would not create more dishes!

For Embry's 6 month celebration, I insisted we took him swinging because we have taken all 3 as they turned 6 months. We stopped at our park on the way home from a York family reunion for a few minutes just to get this photo on his birthday. I have such a wonderful husband who supports all of my crazy "I have to have this photo" moments. I was determined to make the swing thing happen since it was a tradition!

Now Collin-Since turning 2 you have had some big changes. You are now the big man at daycare. Without living in your brother's shadow there, Linda says you have become more of a leader and are getting into less trouble. Oh, except for the day you insisted on climbing her bookshelf and knocked it down and got a black eye. You told me you wanted the Thomas ABC book and Ashton just nodded like he understood. Apparently, that's on the top shelf. Ashton did tell you, "Collin, you should NOT do that. It is sooooo dangerous!" I guess he used to protect you at daycare. Now you're on your own but you seem to be adjusting. Miss Linda also gives you a lot of dairy treats now that your big bro isn't there. Every Tuesday I pick you up late due to daddy's band practice and you are usually eating an icecream sandwich or klondike bar! I'm glad you get to experience these things that we don't eat at home! You are so sweet to cuddle with. I love the moments right before bed when you pray! You were the first one to feel comfortable praying out loud and that got Ashton more comfortable too. It's so sweet to hear your soft voice say, thank you for this day. Thank you for Jesus. One day you said, "Thank you for birthdays and Julia" (your favorite daycare friend)

And now Ashton's big milestone of course is starting school. You are absolutely loving it! I wish you would tell me more details about your day but I'm learning that that's going to just be how life is with boys! You do share little bits with me throughout our days together. I am so thankful that I have another year with you two days a week before you start school for real. I am trying not to think about how big you are but you are so grown up! You sometimes act like 4 going on 40! You have been enjoying Tuesdays when Denny picks you up from school while daddy has band practice. You have enjoyed going to bass pro shop and playing putt putt and lots of time in the basement and outside. Your new favorite thing to do in the basement with daddy and your brothers is to build a box tower and then taking turns being the one to knock it down while you try to protect it by throwing balls at the person and covering them with a blanket. Yesterday you showed denny how to play and were very specific in your instructions! I love hearing your squeal with your daddy and Collin. Soon Embry will be in on this game as well! I love how your mind is working these days. You are asking questions like, "why do we want to be with Jesus in heaven" and " Jesus must have a big car to take so many people to heaven!" You also tell your brother, "Collin, don't get mad. the Bible says don't do that" It's so great that your little mind is starting to think about spiritual things and I can see God working in your life. I also love how you are able to work things out in your mind. SOmetimes the questions you ask are amazing. You like to check up on us a lot. I think you think you're smarter than us sometimes by asking me, "Are Sally's lights on?" meaning our Mazda (since you have named all 3 cars names from the Cars movie) and mommy, you need to feed Embry because he is really crying! You definitely keep track of all going on in this family!

Thank you 3 boys for making our life so amazing. We had so much fun celebrating denny and daddy's birthdays at Sesame street live with you last weekend. You (all 3!) loved it and we just love experiencing life through you! I'll try to post more recent photos tomorrow.