Baby proofing

So in the last couple of weeks Lincoln has learned to go up the stairs on his own.  We still have a gate that is built in at the top of the stairs from when the big boys were little, but we had always just used a removable gate for the bottom of the stairs.  At first he didn't really go near the stairs unless I was with him and so it was no big deal, but the last couple of days he has started heading over there any time I turned my back. We're taking I had to have him locked in the bathroom if I was in there because this kid is FAST.

So when I looked for our old baby gate I realized it was nowhere to be found.  I decided to improvise until I was able to get another one and so I pushed a couple chairs in front of the bottom steps. 

This worked all of 2 minutes until the babe realized he could lay on his belly and squeeze under the chairs.

 So then I decided I would push the piano bench over since it is lower. No good,he still squished down and wiggled under.  I proceeded to add a chair, and then a bag, and then a box, and then a second box.  After the second box I had FINALLY manged to keep him out.

As I said before, this kid is determined!

The baby gate is now in place and I am happy to report he has yet to find a way over, under, or through it.

I have a feeling this boy is going to keep us busy.

Lincoln

Our sweet little Lincoln Henry came into our lives on June 7th and we fell head over heels in love with him.

We hadn't planned on having a fourth baby, but looking back I can't imagine our lives without him.  He has truly completed our little family.

Linc was given a little elephant lovey when he was just a few days old and he has slept with it ever since.  He gave up his paci at about 5 months and started sucking on his poor elephants trunk. Needless to say the elephant spends a lot of time in the washing machine.

Linc is an extremely happy baby and will smile at just about anyone that looks his way. He also has a full head of super blonde hair.  Our other boys didn't have that much hair until they were two.

At 11 months old Linc-

- is crawling everywhere at FULL SPEED

- stands and walks around furniture

-has two bottom teeth and two top teeth

-likes to say "dada", "hi", and "buh", which we think means bye

- can sign "milk" and "all done"

-loves his big brothers and gets upset when they close their door on him 

-HATES riding in the car... You would think the kid was being tortured

- has figured out how to crawl up the stairs and decides that's his favorite thing to do

- loves to eat tomatoes and black beans

Being the fourth boy I'm sure he will grow up to be a tough little guy.  I love seeing how determined he is to get what he wants.  This kid doesn't give up easily.  We are so thankful he is ours and are enjoying every minute with him

Griffen

Griffen is now 4 years old and just finished his last year of preschool. His teachers have told me he is such a joy to have in class and that he is such a polite and happy boy.  He also loves music class and when they sing you can hear his little voice above all the rest.  

We registered Griff for kindergarten a few weeks ago and he is super excited!  He thinks that he is one of the big boys and can't wait to be at the same school as his brothers.  Although, he wasn't very happy when I told him kindergarten included nap time.

Griffen has such a loving personality.  He still loves to hug and kiss his mama and daddy.  As much as I want him to be my baby for awhile longer I know that he is growing into a handsome and amazing little man.  Lately he wants to do everything for himself.  Cut his own food, comb his own hair, buckle his own seatbelt.

He usually does a pretty good job, but occasionally he still needs some help.

After being the baby for so long I worried that he might be jealous of the new baby on the family. Turns out I had nothing to worry about. Griff has become an awesome big brother to Lincoln!

Griff is still a super picky eater, but when he loves a food he loves it with his whole heart! We still manage to get him to eat a pretty balanced diet, even if it consists of the same meals over and over again.

I love this little man! He is always looking for ways to help people, and is a blessing to our family!

Parker

Parker is now six years old and is just finishing up first grade.  He has had a great year at school and has really become a great reader.  He was so excited after his STAR reading test that he is now allowed to check out 3rd grade books from the library.  He has also found that he loves math and will gladly spend hours at home working on his math workbooks.

 Park is still my little ball of crazy!  As I was looking for pictures of him I realized I have very few.  I think it's because this boy almost never sits in one place more than a minute!

Park does love playing with his brothers , especially Griffen.  They are about the same size now and every time we go out people ask if they are twins.  Parker gets very offended by this question because he is obviously (in his mind) two whole years older.

Parker is such a fun and happy boy.  I can't help but smile every time I see his sweet little face.  He has such a big personality, and always keeps me running.  I always tell Charles that even though it is hectic now we will always be able to look back and laugh at our "Parker stories".

Parker is so caring and has such a tender and giving heart.  He is always giving a toy to one of his brothers when they are sad, even when it's his favorite and it's hard.  I am so thankful to be his mama!

Carsen

Carsen is now eight years old and is just finishing 2nd grade.  He started going to in scouts this year and was so excited to participate in his first pinewood derby.  He won an award for "most team spirit" and his car was pretty fast too!

This past school year Car started reading the Harry Potter books and loves them!  He started reading the first book on October and by January he had finished all 7 of the books.  Now I just need to find something he loves as much as Harry Potter and so he will enjoy reading again!

Carsen has also really enjoyed being a big brother to Lincoln.  He is always concerned with making sure that he is safe and happy.  He has also been reading books to him almost every day since he was born.  It makes my heart so happy to see how loving and nurturing my oldest baby has become.

Just last week Carsen tried out for the Madison Dolphins swim team and was so excited to make the development team this year.  He loves to swim, just like his daddy.

I love seeing what a bright, curious, and faithful young man my sweet boy is becoming, and I just know he will do great things in the future!

Here we go again

After being MIA for over a year I realized that I needed to start blogging again.  I made a blog book a few years ago and the boys LOVE being able to read about themselves.  It is by far one of their favorite books.  I don't want to look back and wish I had recorded more of our lives . 

Since I last wrote we were blessed to have welcomed another sweet little spirit into our family.  Lincoln Henry is now almost one year old and has brought so much joy into our home.  I love having a baby in the house again and I love seeing my big boys love their brother so much!

I will include updates on all of the boys because I think that doing them all at once might be a little overwhelming.  Below is a picture of my four favorite boys. 

Day trip and Fireworks!