Waiting

You guys are really sweet about my painting and "good" mothering skills. I certainly can't accept that kind of praise though....especially when Nora choked on, then swallowed my other hook-back earring on Sunday afternoon, and still, there's no sign of it's surfacing. We won't go into details here about how she even got said earring. I think we might need an x-ray if we don't see it soon. Wouldn't you be worried about the hook getting caught along the way down?!

It's Hailing, It's Pouring

This was taken this evening just minutes before the tornado sirens started wailing. Golf ball sized hail. It's a crazy night! 

Finished

I finished Nora's portrait, at least for now. I'm pleased with how it turned out. It was so fun to work with my oils again! Someday, I'd really like to have my own studio.

Nine Months

Another month has flown by. No teeth yet, but she mouths everything. She understands enough to spit things out when I tell her to, which is good!

Nora also knows what to do with a comb and a headband, and nuzzles in for more when you kiss her cheeks. She plays peek-a-boo with us, and has a generally cheerful disposition. She also loves to read books with us, especially feely ones. Her hair has gotten long enough where I would probably cut it  if she were a boy. She has wavy wisps around her ears now that are very cute. She makes the funniest sounds with her mouth. One is a seething sound through her closed gums and another is a loud click she makes with her tongue hanging out. She has a breathy little laugh and loves being entertained by her brothers. She is very much a mama's girl, but also loves Paul's silly antics. I know last month I wondered if she'd be walking soon, but I seriously doubt she will. She doesn't like it when we try to walk with her holding onto her hands, and will sit dow then try to get picked up. She just seems to get more and more fun!

*Nine month stats: 17 lbs. 13 oz. (33% weight), 27 1/2" (43% height), 17 3/8" (55% head circumference). 

Update

It's done!  Tubes in, adenoids out, and all is well.  Benjamin was a champ about it too.  Paul took him in while I stayed home with Peter and Nora, and he said Benjamin was very mature about the whole thing.  Benjamin was telling me afterwards about the wagon he got to ride in, the mask he got to wear, and the funny red balloon that went up and down right before he fell asleep. :)  I had stocked up on soft things for him to eat when he got home, assuming he'd be down for the rest of the day, but he requested McDonald's straight out of surgery.  I thought that was an odd choice, but we all went. We even let him play in the play place there for a few minutes.
I felt a thrill this afternoon when I whispered from across the room and he responded. Hooray!  My boy is back!

Remedying the Problem

Overheard at lunch today:

Peter: Do you have a bird in your ear, Ben?
Benjamin: What did you say?
P: Do you have a bird in your ear?  Do you have a bird in your ear, Ben?
B: I can't hear you!
P: Do you have a bird in your ear?
B: No. I have fluid in my ear.

Yes, my friends, we have a serious problem around here.  Benjamin's hearing is so bad these days that it's like he's covering both his ears with his hands, or like he's underwater.  Actually this problem has been going on since the Fall.  The first time I took Benjamin in to the doctor to get his ears checked, they told me his hearing was fine but that there was conductive hearing loss, or fluid behind the eardrum.  They told me it's normal for fluid to stay in the ears for weeks and not to worry about it unless they got infected (which they never did).  Anyways, we're finally getting the issue resolved on Monday and getting tubes put in and the adenoids out.

I can't wait for my bright boy to hear again.  It will be so nice when he doesn't have to put his ear next to my mouth or ask "what?" for the umpteenth time.  I think I might even be a better mom, not having to repeat myself or yell all the time.  Poor kid.  He's had it rough!

Kentucky Fun

This past weekend we loaded the kids up in the car for a six hour drive to Morehead, Kentucky. It was sort of in the middle of nowhere, but it was a great meeting spot for us Missouri folk and our Indiana and Virginia-dwelling families. It's been a year and a half since we've seen Paul's brother Brigham and family. The boys took no time getting reacquainted...

Little Gloria got to meet everyone for the first time, and charmed everyone! She is sure growing up fast!

On Saturday morning, we headed out to the nearby lake and dam where the kids threw rocks.

The wind was sort of unbearable though, so the outdoor fun didn't last long.

Yes, Peter is wearing Benjamin's sweatshirt over his coat...

Because it was so cold, we found other ways to occupy the kids inside the big A-frame we were all staying in, including this closet which we converted into the Lego room. Andrew, Will, Henry, and Benjamin would disappear for hours in there.

We mistakenly assumed that this cabin would have internet, so we could watch General Conference. But it didn't, and now we're playing catch-up. We did have a few movies for the kids to watch on the laptop, which was nice for all that indoor time.

Here's Henry, Benjamin, Andrew, Brigham and Will. Paul's cousin Adrea is in the picture above.

"Epic Hugs"

The day we left was beautiful, so we spent the morning on the playground.

I love that our kids are all friends! As we were parting ways, Andrew told Benjamin that when he was a teenager and had a cell phone, he would call him.

And here's a picture of all the siblings that were together (we were just missing Josh and Mike), plus three of the four 2010 babies: Porter, Gloria and Nora.

We love our family!