something

Something shifted for me today. Something changed as I stared into the face of my baby. My baby was suddenly, not such a baby anymore. When had this happened? I didn't receive the, "time to grow up" memo! Yet, there he sits, across the table from me, on a chair he climbed into all alone. Munching a big, juicy, green apple that one of the big kids left lying around, forgotten & discarded. He found the forgotten prize, squealing in delight with a big chomp.

I sat looking. Looking at my child, so un-baby like in his mannerism. I then realized I would never have let the other kids eat a raw apple at this age! I would have snatched it right from their hands, explaining they would choke on such things. So very much has changed. By my fourth child, I've relaxed and calmed down. I've learned the little things, the things you love the most are the things that pass the fastest {late night snuggles, holding hands, soft, sleeping baby cheek on your chest}.

No longer are important milestones, quickly written down in precise detail on the calender, but instead enjoyed in the moment. I've since let go of the crippling fear that everything in existence "could" hurt my child. Oh the paranoia with number one {sorry kid!}. Without the constant assessing and measuring, my baby grew up before my eyes. Instead of realizing every inch and growth, this time I watched... just watched. Enjoying the time and cherishing the moments, not the stats. Enjoying the being, not the details that he was made up of.  Watching. Loving. Hoping to remember forever.

Without realizing, it was, in one glance today, that all those missing stats added up in front of me. My baby. My boy. My son. I am so very, madly in love with this little guy. He's amazing and funny. The curls, oh god, the curls! Cuddly and sweet, but mischievous in the grandest ways and enjoys life with such wholeness.

He sure is something, this one!

Some knitting

New baby hat & socks. No, they are not for us. My best friend is having her third baby this Fall. I think this may be the most excited I've ever been about a baby that wasn't growing in my very own belly! Let's just say this baby will be well outfitted with handmade goodies.

I've been nervous to knit socks since I first learned how to knit. So many directions it seemed and I was just overwhelmed. I finally decided today was the day and started. These are from a pattern in More Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I love that book. As a beginning knitter, I've found the directions so easy to understand and the projects just lovely!

These have already been gifted, because well, I am the worst secret keeper in the whole world. There was no way I could wait till the baby arrived to share them. I'll post some more baby gifts here as I give them away early, because lets face it, I already know I can't wait.

And this- is why I love her so much. Because she loves my children so much, with such an open heart and arms!

these little boys of mine

Sometimes I just stare at them and wonder how I EVER got so lucky to be their mother. How lucky I am to have these amazing, sweet little people in my life. They make me smile, and sometimes cry. They make me feel strong and important, beautiful and smart. They make me happy, and warm. I am thankful for their giggles, smiles and hugs. Thankful they come to me and ask for help. I hope it never changes.

They make me... happy.

new shirts

I finally got a serger!! Ohhh serger, how I love you.I have no idea how I ever sewed without one before this! Let's just say while I love you sewing machine, it will never be exclusive again. The first thing I made was a few new shirts for the boys. I love how they turned out. They are all from the same pattern, but each unique in it's own way.

I'm loving the babies little Easter shirt. I had the most trouble with that one. I hate when nothing actually went wrong, things just aren't working out. Seams needed pulled. It started with a regular collar. I tore that out after it went wrong and added the hood. It's far from perfect, but I love it just the same.

The other two shirts were sewn in moments it seemed. Not really, but after all the trouble with Bink's shirt, the older boys together took less time. They have been wearing them not stop, which makes for a happy mama. I have four girls shirts on the to do list now. One for Miss {M} and a few Easter gifts... which hopefully get made prior to Easter. haha.

9 months

You've been here 9 whole months already Binks!! [well close to 10m now, but with all the sickness cycling through the house, this is as quick as I could get these up] Everyday you grow more & more amazing. Your have beautiful grey eyes that have flecks of blue, green and brown depending on the day. I can't get enough of your little giggles, and now kisses. Yes, you are kissing us back and it's awesome! You pull yourself up on the furniture now and can get into lots of new trouble that way-like the toilet.

Nursing is still one of your favorite activities, day & night. You have four teeth now, two up and two down so we are working that out. I do love how you entwine your toes together while your eating. It's so sweet. You like some foods and have started feeding yourself finger goods [so grown up!]. You say cat, mama, dada, and squeal in delight when we clap for your talking accomplishments.

There is magic in your smile and a mischievous , adventurous twinkle in your eye. Your easy going attitude definitely helps mama out at times, although you have three siblings that couldn't adore you more.

This Moment.

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Join in at Soulemama.

Around the House

I am so craving summer. I cannot wait to get back to the Farmers Market and enjoy lots of fresh fruits & veggies. February is my least favorite month of the year, hands down. I miss the sun!

One little boy with Mama's old camera= happiest boy in the world!

A sick baby in the house this week. All he wants to do is snuggle, nurse and he CANNOT be without his bink!

My ongoing projects are starting to pile up, but I am close to finishing the kids Valentine's gifts. They are each getting a knitted winter hat. Miss {M}'s is currently on the needles and I LOVE the pretty purpley pink yarn.

8 months

It's so hard to believe you've been here for 8 months already. The time has just passed like a flash. One moment you are brand new, first placed in my arms. In a blink you are crawling through the house looking for new adventures.

I am so so in love with you-those eyes, those dimples, the giggle smile. Your so sweet and easy going, a mother couldn't ask for an easier baby. It's been such a pleasure enjoying you as you are-not looking ahead to what you'll be. I'll have time to enjoy that when you are going through those stages and changes. My focus from the start has been to see you for who you are each and everyday and it's been a magical journey.

Out-takes

Some fun outtakes from our Kunklebaby photoshoot today. I've had a huge PILE of stuff sitting here for 2 months waiting to be photographed so I could add it to my shop. We had a few spare minutes today so I decided to try and get some shots... and add Baby {J} to the Kunklebaby model mix. {haha}. He's 8 months old today! Can you believe it? He's so cute I can't even stand it!

Seriously? How many pics are you going to take Mama??

Biggest Brother feeling left out.

Almost done when who should show up? Batman! Little {L} was all dressed in his Batman gear, even sporting the Batman scowl. {did you all know Batman never smiles? I do now}

You can check out what made the "cut" in the shop. I'll be adding some new bibs through the weekend. Lots of girlie one's too. Take a peek at the CUTE shots!

We're Back!

It's the little things in life that really matter! I've been away from the blog for a bit, re-centering and spending some time focusing on the family. It was a totally chaotic December and we needed a few weeks to regroup and get back into the rhythm of the family-no matter how wild!

Lots has been happening, the baby is crawling, has 2 teeth and saying da-da. The big kids are enjoying pretending to travel to the moon, riding a pirate ship and making up new unknown lands full of mystery. Mama is working on knitting a wool lap blanket for us... well mostly "me" to snuggle on these upcoming cold winter months. Dad is trying to kick a cold, and we all know how miserable the boys get when they are when sick... worse than the kids.

I'm looking forward to a lot in 2011. Another year watching my kids grow and change. Tons & tons of projects rolling around in my head. I just need a few quiet hours a week to actually get to them [or a baby who sleeps through the night--either please]. Two of our family friends will welcome new babies to their families-we all know how much I love babies! I hope 2011 brings us much happiness & time together.

A little more Christmas

I am enjoying every little bit before it's all over for the year. Getting close now!!

Brothers

I can't help but feel overwhelmingly proud as I watch my oldest child, play with the youngest. He's so kind, and genuinely interested in the baby. We know so much more now with #4 than we did after our first-young parents, super excited to be a "family", just learning who we were together, still. For that matter who we were ourselves! Over the years, I"ve come to no longer think in terms of "I", but, "we". I rarely say I anymore, and even rarer is the singular thought. We are now a family, for good or bad times.

Sometimes when the day is dragging on, and I feel like I cannot take one more minute of this life-laundry, bickering children, muddy dogs and the never ending shuttle service called mom- I revisit moments like these. Captured sometimes by my camera, sometimes just in my mind, and it makes it all worth it. These days pass far to quick, and I am desperate to enjoy each & every moment. Too quickly will these small fingers & toes grow.

Joy

A cookie. I never though one single cookie could bring me so much joy. One cookie brought giggles, smiles and happiness to our tiniest member of the family. All that happy warms a Mama's soul!

I feel like this one is growing up over night. In the wee hours when we are asleep in our warm bed, not noticing how fast the inches & milestones are passing. This one who seems like he just arrived, but is on the brink of crawling and talking.This little boy, so new, yet so very much a part of this family. This will be his first Christmas. I know he will have absolutely no memory of the season, but it will hold a special place in my heart forever.

Thanks!

A big thanks to everyone that came out to see me at Craftin Outlaws!! Another successful year for the show. We had an awesome day! Loved the new location, loved the crowd. A special thanks to my friend Mary who came and kept me company for the day. [It was so fun!]

4 months

Four months... so short, but so long at the same time! In four months, it's hard for me to remember our family without you. You have stolen everyone's heart with the sweet smiles you share so freely, and the wonderful sound of your laughter. You seem to be growing so fast, I love watching you change, but also secretly want to keep you tiny somehow-a magic bubble or anti-aging elixir. Keep you my tiny, sweet little babe-so fresh & new. -love-

Smile

Smile... it'll be Friday before we know it!

Drumroll please...

Baby {J} is rolling over!! Woo-hoo little guy. These pictures were some of the, ohhh 200 or so I took of his very FIRST time rolling over. I'm a proud mama [as you can see, I wasn't the only one. He had a whole cheering crowd]. He didn't really care, he just REALLY wanted to get that ball. After he managed to roll all the way over and wiggle enough to reach it, Little {L} swiftly snatched it away. -sigh- little boys.

Baby Wearing

The two older kids were worn all the time when they were younger. Miss {M} pretty much never left my arms for 2 years-seriously. I was completely expecting to do the same with Little {L}-he had other plans. As a wee-one he liked to be held, and snuggled, but was also just as happy hanging out in a swing or bouncer. We co-sleep at night [and I was nursing], so I got in a lot of snuggle time during the late, or early hours-however you see it. Little {L} didn't sleep through the night until he was almost 11 months old, so many, many nights of feeding and snuggling at night.

The daytime was so very different. This boy crawled, walked, jumped, and climbed, EXTRA early. He couldn't be bothers to sit and be held during the day unless he was eating. He just couldn't be bothered to be in one place. {L} wanted to chase his big brother, and dance with his sister-he was on a mission. These times were for exploring & getting into mischief-no restraint, no stillness. Needless to say, he spent very little time in a sling. Once he could roll or wiggle, he wanted to be free.

When Baby Unicorn arrived, I was going to take full advantage of wearing him. I now knew there was a chance it may only last a little while. I wear him while at the store, walks, grocery shopping, hanging out at the house...pretty much as much as I can. This baby LOVES to be held. Place him in the Moby wrap and he's won't make a peep. He just looks around and takes in this strange new world. Little {L} found the come back of sling & carriers to be so strange at first. He laughed when I placed the baby in, laughed 5 minutes later when he looked at me, and then the next day & the day after that. It was just the other day he asked to wear his baby. I was a proud mama. I sure love that strong, independent little boy!

Sunshine & Smiles

I'm excited to say the novelty of the baby has not worn off yet. You know what I mean, one day the kids are arguing over who can hold him. The next they are rolling their eyes if you ask them. So far, we have not gotten to that point. The kids actually argue about how many times the baby smiled at them that day--and then try to beat the other. They are smitten with their new baby brother.

Every morning, after I drag myself out of bed, I am greeted with, "Can I hold the baby?" then, "Noooo, me first!". Little {L} quickly follows that with, "milk, milk, please", which has more the tone of "Milk, NOW LADY!".

With such a smiling, happy baby, I can't help, but feel less grumpy at 7:30am. Baby Unicorn always wakes up smiling and ready for a new day. He's so sweet and giggly in the morning that I sometimes forget how much I hate mornings...sometimes.

The Ohio State Fair

We spent the weekend at the Ohio State Fair. Going to the fair is one of my favorite summer activities. I look forward to it every spring, in eager anticipation. I loved the fair before I had kids, dragged along hubby[who was only boyfriend at the time] several times each year. Now that we have kids, I have a few more people, chanting with me, YAY the fair! While Daddy rolls his eyes and groans. Just like my little brother hates the zoo, Daddy hates going to the fair. He quotes the same reasons, the heat, the walking... I just don't understand! Who hates these thing? Every year we win and go 1-3 times, despite his protest for just ONCE this year. Look at all the fun we had! How could you not want to go back, say today? Hmmm, Dad?

A friendly 7 day old cow wanting to play! He was so cute!

Feeding Goats and a yak [yay] at the petting zoo. Look, they are both smiling!

The happiest baby is the world!

The kids--we fill out the whole board this year with the kids only.


Yellow submarine...nothing to do with the "fair" but so fun!

Baby Unicorn hanging out in the Moby wrap with mama-he slept most of the trip. This year marks his first year at the fair. [and yes, I may enjoy feeding the animals more than my kids-haha]