This summer was the best we’ve ever had. It was a mix of things that made it awesome, and some of the reasons it was so good are purely selfish on my part.
For instance: My kids are at such an enjoyable age. Not that any other age has been less enjoyable on their part, but I enjoy the ages they are so much right now. Amai is reading really well and I loved getting to relate to her on that level this summer. She doesn’t love to read as much as I did when I was a kid- but she is getting there. She may never love it like I do, but at least she is old enough to talk about characters and plots and all that good stuff. So far- 7 is my favorite age. Again, purely selfish.
Another thing that made it amazing was being able to go to the public pool 3 and 4 times a week. With all 3 kids! Amai is such a strong swimmer- she had free reign there and could swim to her little heart’s content by herself. Asher started out the summer with a “puddle jumper” floatie and quickly became an independent swimmer. Bella used her puddle jumper and was quite happy to just kick around in it. It was glorious.
And perhaps the best thing was getting to spend so much time playing. With dear friends. It was incredible, and I was so sad to send them back to school when it was time.
Pool pictures will come later. For now- just a few pics of them playing at home on a verrrrry hot Sunday afternoon. (Photographer’s note: my blog seems to be crunching my images. I’m losing a ton of sharpness and clarity when I post. Anyone have any idea on how to fix this?)
I adore this pic. My grandfather made us grandkids a duck just like that one when I was little. When his great grandkids started showing up, he made them one. Bella never got to meet him, but she loves this duck and I love seeing her tenderly pulling it around.
She lost a few more teeth this summer.
And worked hard to perfect her roller skating.
I can’t stand this lens. The bokeh is terrible, the aperture is pathetic and it just all around stinks. But I love this picture of my sweet kids!
Such a sweet big brother.
And she’s off on an adventure with her duck!
Summer is on its way out. And I’m so thankful for the time I had with my kids. I think I learned a lot more about each of them and how they need me to love them. I’m definitely a better mom because of it. Thank you God for such a great summer.
There’s nothing quite as humbling as shopping for a bathing suit less than 3 months after having a baby. I went this week looking to find something modest, yet stylish at the same time. And though I found just what I was looking for, I found a lot more as well.
While I was trying on a few swimsuits in the fitting room, I took a quick gander at every angle and noticed several fluffy areas underneath the suit. I kept smoothing out the material on the first one, just assuming that it was that particular suit. Well, it showed up in the second, third, and fourth suits as well. Oh no!!! It’s me! I’m fluffy!
Now before you send me emails telling me I look fine and that I should give myself a break because I just had a baby for crying out loud, let me say this. I’m not upset (too much at least.) I’m just not willing to let this fluffiness continue. It is a motivator to work hard to get myself in tip top shape. I want to stay healthy for a long time, to be able to chase my kids around the back yard without anything shaking, and to generally live a healthy lifestyle.
To further my resolve (I’ve been getting up very early to workout for several weeks now,) I went on a very fast walk at the gym yesterday morning. The funny thing was that I kept getting lapped by old men. I mean really, really old men. Those guys are fast!!! I thought I must be walking slow, so I went faster and faster until even I almost couldn’t keep up with myself. I was lapping people younger than me, so I didn’t feel like a slouch. But here came the old men- breezing by me in their little white reebok shoes they’ve probably had for 15 years. What is up with that? (Chris says it’s because they’re all retired and they fill their time with exercise.)
So- say goodbye to fluffy me. I’m working hard to put it all back in place. It feels great to be moving around “un-pregnant” again.
by too fast. I can’t believe Bella is already two months old. I’m up in the middle of the night again- not because she isn’t sleeping but because I can’t sleep! She slept from 6:30 pm ’til 3 am- little rock star. I just can’t believe how fast it has gone by this time. She’s losing some of her infant behaviors and I have to say that I’m a little sad to see them go.
Some people don’t like the first year, with all the sleepless nights and constant change in terms of schedules, etc. I love it though- I think it’s amazing to watch this tiny little baby change and grow every day in new and different ways. Though pregnancy is super hard for me, I think I’m actually beginning to mourn this stage of my life being over. I just absolutely love my kids and have loved every minute of being with them as they begin life and start to grow up. Each of them is such a gift, and I feel abundantly blessed to have 3 of them.
Chris told me I’m going to have to start working in the infant nursery at church so I can always be with babies. Maybe he’s right… otherwise I may end up begging for a fourth kiddo some day.
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