Zoe Is Five Months

Zoe turned five months on July 2. She definitely had a rough start in our family. She has been the fussiest newborn we have ever had. Once she hit four months, though, things got much better. Now I look and she is already five months and I wonder where the time has gone.

Yesterday, she tried rice cereal for the first time. I actually cried, because this means she is growing up. She isn't a little newborn anymore. She is rolling all over the place and I know soon she will be moving everywhere. Zoe is well loved and gets lots of attention from all of her siblings. She even cries when she is left alone in a room because she is used to all the chaos and noise.

One thing I do know after having so many babies, is that they grow way to quickly. I know that I need to enjoy everyday with her and cherish every moment, milestone and memory. It may have been hard the first few months with her and she will continue to be lots of work with less sleep for me for a while longer, but I know it will only be for a season and I want to embrace it all. Because before I know it, she will be ten just like her older brother, our first baby.

Her first bite of cereal.

She loved the cereal after a few bites and ate a whole bowl full.

Trying out her new Bumbo seat

Leah's Lingo

The girls recently learned how to wrap a towel around their hair. Their grandma taught them and they think it is really neat. Today, Leah wrapped Nate's blanket around her head and came up to our friend Lois. Following is their conversation.

Lois: "Why are you wearing that on your head?"

Leah: "I'm a weenie!"

Lois: "A what? What's a weenie?"

Leah: "Yeah, you know like from Aladdin. The one that comes out of tea cups."

Lois: "Oohhhh, A Genie!"

Leah: "Yeah, a genie!"

The Girls

Here are some random pictures of the girls. The were all taken within the last week. (See Glenda, I'm working on being back).

Best Friends

Swim Lessons

The kids just got done with two weeks of swimming lessons and they all absolutely loved them. I did too. They each had their own teacher (life guards) and all the kids had their lessons at the same time. This is especially great for someone with seven kids. We all went to the pool and I walked around with Nathanael and Zoe while all the kids had their lessons for half an hour. On the last day of their lessons, they got to go down the water slides. The pool has three more sessions of lessons through the summer. I think I might sign them up for one more session at the end of July. It gives us something to do, teaches them a valuable skill and lets them enjoy time at the pool.

Rolly Zoe

A few weeks ago, around the time when Zoe turned four months. She surprised us all one evening as she rolled over for the very first time. She is one antsy little girl. Zoe is one who will be up and running with the rest of them before we know it. She keeps her eyes and smiles on her brothers and sisters at all times. They don't intimidate her or over-stimulate her. They make her laugh. I am glad for this since she is number seven. Zoe is a joy and adored by all.

Introducing the Newest Member of Our Family

Zoe Elisabeth

Born on February 2, 2010

At 11:17 a.m.

8 pounds 7 ounces

20 inches long

Zoe has been well welcomed and adored by the rest of her siblings.

Look Who's TWO!

Once again, along with Christmas we were able to celebrate another special day in our family, Nathanael's second birthday. We celebrated after dinner with both sets of Grandmas and Grandpas. He loved tearing into more presents. The other kids think it is no fair that he gets to have his birthday on Christmas and get even more presents. I don't think it is something to be jealous of. He doesn't get anything the rest of the year. Bummer! Since he is still young and doesn't have much of an opinion, what we have been doing, by having a birthday party on Christmas night, works well for us. When/if he starts to get bothered by his birthday on Christmas, we will change things.

I just love this little pose!

Tearing into some pressies!

Enjoying the first licks of his birthday cake. He was adorable trying to blow out his candles. He tried, tried and tried but finally gave up. He just looked up at me as if to say, "this is too much work."

We are so blessed to celebrate another year of Nathanael's life. It was also neat to be able to celebrate it, along with Christmas with the rest of our families.