Summer is Starting

The weather is warming up and the kids are loving it.  It is so nice that the kids can play outside a lot now and enjoy the sunshine in our backyard.  I am loving having a fence so that I don't always have to be outside with the kids if I need to feed Eliza or something like that!  The boys play really well together and keep each other entertained for much of the day which is super nice!  Eliza is an easy baby for the most part and I am loving getting to cuddle with her and watch how much she has changed in the few short weeks that she has been with us.

Alden loves watching Eliza and trying to interact with her when she is awake.

She is so much more alert now and I love it.

She definitely loves her pacifier!

For some reason she does not like lying flat on her back for very long.  She prefers to be propped up a little.

The boys are loving the warm weather.  One day we put the sprinkler out on the grass and the boys had tons of fun running through it and making their own little water slide.

She is so fun to watch now!

The boys are really excited that Dad has started to teach them how to play hockey.  It is really funny watching the boys try to figure out how to use the sticks.

They usually play with Daddy working to block Alden and Anders.

I love watching her sleep.  I find it so peaceful.

Some days I do get a little overwhelmed, especially if the boys are fighting or having a hard day. Sometimes I also start getting stressed about all the things I am not able to get done, like cleaning or errands, and I have to take a minute to regroup and remember what is important.  Eliza is a great cuddle buddy for moments like that!  Holding her and sitting somewhere quiet for a couple minutes helps me remember that as long as the kids are taken care of and I am doing my best to show them I love them then I am accomplishing the most important things.

How can I not find joy with this sweet little girl around.  (Not that finding joy is always easy, but she makes it easier)

Eliza is finally getting big enough to use her swing and she really likes it.

Alden has figured out how to pick up Eliza and hold her on his own.  I have had to talk with him about being super careful but he loves his sister so much, he is good at being gentle.

Alden loves being a big brother!

She is growing so fast!  I want her to stay a baby for a long time but I also want her to grow healthy and strong.

She is so precious to me!

The boys are really excited that we set up the kiddie pool in the backyard for them to play in.  They love getting to play in the water outside.  It has been 80-90 degrees lately and so the water has been a great way for them to still be able to play outside.  I love seeing my kids have fun and enjoy summer like I remember as a kid!