Mommy dates

I recently read a great book, "A joyful Mother of Children." It is very candid, funny, realistic, creative, educational and inspirational about how to raise children! I am so enlightened by it and I want to be such a better mom, with better ideas because of it! I started doing "mommy dates" this summer, and the book reinforced the idea. Here are a few of the simple ones; Sonic, Yogurt, Walmart, etc. I love how Austin put on a tie for our "date" and I had him get my door too. I want each of the boys to feel special and individual amidst the "tribe" of siblings they have.

 

Ruby 5 months

Our precious little flower sure is delicate! At only 13 lbs, she is in the 16th percentile for weight and height, quite a change from her burley big brothers! I love carrying her light body around in the baby sling where she is protected from her brothers, but also secure, warm, loved and confident.  She is figuring out her body a little more now, especially how to roll! She can roll around the carpet now, often getting caught into a corner or a lego (which she cries out for help and we all come running).  Levi took her to get shots with me and of course she was a mess, along with a week long bout with teething and fevers (but no ear aches!) She continues to have blow outs while wearing white and now also pulls down her headbands and gets them caught into her eyes.

She didn't do well for me this month for her "monthly" picture, I guess it just shows her candidness. I tried two different days and times, but alas, she cried! Introduced her to some solid mush, which gave her a nasty diaper rash. She LOVES to see and taste the food, plus water with her little tongue. We just need to take it slow, even if she grunts, reaches, and whines when food is nearby. She has discovered her toes, and loves the colors of the paint! Levi still is nearby to help "feed" her, especially in the mornings when he first wakes up. He loves you and you smile back at him, sometimes. You have very bright and alert eyes, but the smiles we have to work for!

 

 

 

 

 

Las Cruces

Took a second trip back to the "Land of Enchantment" to see if this was where we were supposed to move for Wells Fargo, Las Cruces NM. We brought Wes and Ruby along for the ride. Wes (I think) had fun watching movies and eating doritos, while Ms Ruby was in my arms up front for a lot of the ride just wiggling and being noisy. We spent all weekend looking at rental properties, attending church services, helping with the Max McGrath's bday party and meeting their friends. It was a fast and furious weekend! Sandra also helped heal up Jared (aka Stumpy) and his toe that he got removed a few days prior. Do we know what we are doing yet? no!

 

Father's Day

I made a huge disgusting Father's Day breakfast for Jared, trying to make him some biscuits 'n gravy like he loves. Only, my biscuits were freezer burned and the gravy turned into a solid mush after cooking on "low" for too long. I was so embarrassed! Jared was a good sport and still ate it anyway, although the boys wanted to chuck the food. To top it off, I then scribbled a poem off line onto a piece of paper, only to realize that Wesley had used the same poem earlier! How about that for creativity! I felt awful. After he spent the afternoon dropping off Wesley in Tucson for his YMCA camp, I spent the afternoon cooking up a favorite meal and a thoughtful card from Levi and Ruby; chipotle bacon wrapped meatloaf, grilled veggies, homemade rolls and apple crisp.

I also spent a few moments with my dad, Grandpa Lowe, who is still recovering from a hip surgery. He was moving slowly and enjoyed a ride to the local Dairy Queen for a vanilla cone. We will be happy when he is moving freely and can come to visit us again. We love these men so much!