Heaven help us

Just like everything he does, when Quin's ready for the next step, he just takes it.  There's no trying it out or practicing or almost getting there - he just decides to do it and he does it. 

And he usually does it when no one's looking.

When we were anticipating him crawling, he would get from one point to the other... but we'd never know how, then one day, he just crawled.

One day I was in the upstairs bathroom and Andur started yelling, "Mom, Quin's crawling up the stairs!"  He found him half-way up and he's been doing it ever since. 

Same with going downstairs.  We had blocked off the lower portion of our house with a chair on its side.  I was doing dishes with my back to him, and he managed to move the chair and went down.  I didn't see him do it, I just heard my older two exclaiming, "Quin!" from their now unprotected place.  And he's been doing it every since.

Today, Matt was out in the backyard weed-whacking and I heard him say, "Well, where did you come from?"

Quin had opened the screen door and helped himself to the outdoors unbeknownst to us all.

One of these days he'll be standing next to me and walk away, I just know it.  ;)  (And, no, he's not walking YET.  The stink.  He'll cruise around anything he can hold on to, hold our hands and walk and push his buggy around the house and even stand without holding on to anything, but will he walk? NO.  The stink.)

How does your garden grow?

A lot better than we expected!

Our zucchini crop, thus far:

And there's still more growing!

We already ate all of our radishes and spinach, but we have lettuce:

What we haven't eaten of our swiss chard:

Mild jalapenos (not as good as the spicy ones):

Our peas are starting to get fuller:

Our green beans are starting to get fatter:

Our tomatoes are a plenty (there are I think 10 in this pic alone:

And there are four plants with four different kinds:

I think there's cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts and zucchini all in this picture:

Some of the seeds didn't take (they were OLD) and this was our first garden ever so I think we did pretty OK.

And here's Quin getting hit by the sprinkler:

He's not sure what to think.

Yay for growing your own food!

Definition of spoiled:

Once upon a time, there was a big, very knotty pile of yarn.  It took the most talented un-knotter DAYS to patiently un-knot.  Much to her chagrin, the royal crankedy-crank of the nation wanted the beautifully un-knotty ball of yarn.  So, to please his royal crankiness, she gave it to him.  All in the name of sweet, precious sanity.  It was worth it.  The end.

So THAT'S what was wrong...

I found out why my washer's been leaking water lately...

And the happiness ensues...

Good times are to be had at my house this summer:

You can rock out with 3PO as he jams on the keyboard...

...read a good book with half a pair of fake doctor's glasses on...

...and paint the table with the jelly from your sandwich.

Of course, I say this as my littlest is screaming in the background because of who knows what, my middlest is very loudly stomping up the stairs to her room, and my biggest is being a bossy-pants.

Yep.  Good times.

Time to get off the computer.  ;)

Clarification

Andur:  "What's your balloon's name? Mr. Noodle?"

Natalie:  "His name is not Mr. Noodle! It's Blue!  And it's not a balloon, it's a horse!"

Strength Training

As I've mentioned before, I like things a certain way.  I get something in my head how something should go and if it doesn't go that way, it's very hard for me.  (Self-inflicted, I'm sure.)

The other day, my kids were doing this super fun summer project:

(Ignore the moisture between our glass...lol)

Andur kept dripping stain everywhere and it was frustrating me big time.  It was his project and he wasn't caring, but here I am making a big deal out of it.  He finally says, "What's the big deal? You need to be more fixable."

I'm sure he meant "flexible", having overheard me telling Matt I'm trying to be these days.

Last night, I had a plan in my head to go for a bike ride after I laid Quin down.  I was going to lay him down at 7:30 due to a late nap (stinkin' late church) and be gone and back by 8pm so I could enjoy the evening with Matt.

Quin took till almost 8pm to finally settle down, then I helped Matt with our air mattress and it was 8:10 by the time we finished that.  I was so distraught that my plan didn't work, I was going to abandon it completely because by the time I changed my clothes and got out there, I'd be 45 past my plan goal. 

Then my husband said "You're always telling me I make things too hard and to not give up. Why don't you just go? Just go in what you're wearing and take a nice 15 minute ride."

Why can't I think of these things? Why is it all or nothing for me? I so felt like I had this great plan and then the Universe had to go and make it hard.  I was ready to give up.

So I go for my bike ride and love it.  As I turn one corner, though, I head straight into the wind.  My immediate thought was "Of course, H.F. has to make it hard for me."  Then almost instantly, H.F. replied to my complaint:  "I'm pushing because I'm helping you get stronger." 

Oh.

I felt it in my legs, my muscles working and getting stronger.  I thought of how I almost gave up because my plan didn't work the way I envisioned it.  

I'm grateful for the "wind" in my life.  I'm grateful He knows what I need and how to help me and what I'm capable of.

Maybe I'm "fixable" afterall.  ;)

Note to self: Must close doors

A couple of funnies

Whatever floats your boat

Everyday for the first 30 minutes of Quin's one and only nap, I've instigated reading time. 

My kids have taken to this quite nicely, which I'm very happy for.

I said they can read whatever they want, wherever they want.

Today, Andur chose to read this:

And they both chose to read here:

At least they're reading, right? ;)

Blessed be unlimited weekend minutes

For our celebrations on the 4th, we were going two blocks down to the end of our street where three members live and we could light off and watch the city's fireworks display... I just didn't want to take Quin with us that late.

SO, I put him to bed, called my friend's cell phone, set my phone by the baby monitor (not in his room so he wouldn't have to witness the festivities) and we left the connection open between the two phones for the two hours we were partying.

And the little angel slept through the whole thing.  :)

Hope everyone's 4th was safe and fun! Mine was! (Now if only I had remembered the camera... again.)