Bubbles

From July 14th

Ephraim has become obsessed with bubbles lately. So, we have been spending time outside blowing bubbles.
I know that I am posting a lot of pictures - but I love how seriously he takes blowing bubbles and how hard he tries...
even when he doesn't get any.

Headbands and Flowers

From July 13th

Several times lately I have been asked how old my son is. Our friend Joani took compassion on us and sent us this adorable flower and headband.
Forrest thinks it might be a bit over the top...
but I think Selah is so cute she can pull anything off.

A New Toy

From July 11

When I can't find Ephraim... this is the first place I look

4 Months

From July 23
Weight: 17 lbs 6.6 ounces (98th percentile)

Height: 25.5 inches (88th percentile)

Head: right around 41 cm (close to 60th percentile)

Selah is our big, happy girl. She is super chubby, but is pretty proportional so she just looks older than she really is. I am going to have to move her into 9 months clothes, but am waiting until August 1st. I know it is silly, but it just seems crazy to me to have my 4 month old in 9 month clothing so I am waiting until she is 4 and a half months. That is much more reasonable. Selah is a great sleeper. She goes down around 8:30 and sleeps until 5, I feed her and then she and I sleep until around 7. She loves her brother and giggles the most when he is around. She can't roll over yet (in either direction). My theory is that she is so chubby that it is hard to move that much weight around. (The doctor thinks I am probably right). I kind of enjoy laying her down and not having to worry about her moving so I don't mind.

Selah is generally happy, but is becoming bored more quickly so I need to change her location more frequently. She gets mad if she is left by herself, but takes her brother loving her to death in stride. She is becoming good at getting her pacifier in and out of mouth and loves to grab things that are nearby. She is making more talking noises and Ephraim likes to tell her to "talk."

Naps... or the Lack Thereof

Anyone who has read this blog knows that Ephraim has never been a good sleeper. You could say that he is a crappy sleeper. Naps have always been difficult, but since the addition of Selah, they are becoming rarer. Ephraim has always needed help to fall asleep - this is mostly his personality and a lot of my fault for not forcing him to learn. (Some people can handle the cry it out routine, but I am not one of them). Forrest and I have decided that I can battle with Ephraim to try and take a nap until around 2 (or when Selah wakes up from her after lunch nap) and then I can give up.

This has lead to many afternoon movies (to deter the whining that happens when he doesn't take a nap) and random falling asleep on the couch episodes.

Exhibit A: Ephraim had done a good job falling asleep but then woke up when the dog barked. I brought him downstairs, went back upstairs to get Selah and found this. He slept for another 2 hours.
Exhibit B: Ephraim fell asleep on the couch around 3PM after watching a movie.

Fun In the Pool

From July 10

It has been hot lately and our house quickly becomes an inferno since we don't have any air conditioning. When Forrest got home from work we lathered up the kiddos in sunscreen and filled Ephraim's bouncy ball pit with water.
Selah spent some quality time in the shade.
Filling up the pit.
Ephraim loves the hose.
Running around with Daddy.

These next pictures are from when we connected the hose to the sprinkler.

Forrest demonstrating how to run through the water.
It is hard to see, but this is Ephraim running around the sprinkler and not getting wet.
So... Daddy had to pick him up and take him through it.

A Trip to Oregon

Forrest had to work over the 4th of July weekend, so to get out of his hair (and not have me get annoyed with the fact that he was working on a holiday) the kids and I went to Oregon. We drove down Thursday afternoon and stayed with the Brownlees for a few days.

I got to babysit Claire while Merrick, Hannah and Grace took Grace to the allergist. I was quite proud of myself for getting Claire and Selah to sleep and then getting Ephraim and I in the shower. After naps I was able to get both babies dressed, but that was the end of my feeling accomplished. I fed Claire her cereal, while holding Selah, but the Brownlees came home to a destroyed living room because I was unable to keep Ephraim out of mischief. I don't think I accomplished much else the rest of the day after that.
These two little girls are exactly 17 weeks apart and are very close in size. It is going to be fun watching them grow up together.
Ephraim might have been in trouble when I took this photo.

On Saturday we met up with the Coleman's at the farmer's market, but I have no photographic evidence of our fun time. After Ephraim woke up from his nap, Hannah drew a race course for the kids to ride bikes in. Ephraim tried out the scooter and talked about "bikes, Gace" for days.

Saturday evening we traveled to my mom's house. My cousin Paige also came down for the weekend. It was too cold for me to get on the boat on Sunday, but Ephraim went for a ride while Michelle, Paige and some of Michelle's friends went wakeboarding.
On Monday we went shopping. Ephraim needed new shoes. He now wears an 8.5 (he was wearing size 7's. I knew I was pushing it, but didn't realize how badly I was squishing his toes.)
I also went a little crazy at Joann's. In my defense they were having a great sale and I had a 10% off coupon.
We traveled back home on Monday night. We had a great time, but were very happy to see Forrest.