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Fall ushered its way in this past week with chilly nights and chilly mornings.
We were a bit unprepared. I caved and turned the heat on just a little bit to take the chill out of the air as it was 60 degrees in the house when I woke up. That is a huge difference when we have been use to 72-78 degrees all summer. I have layered and bundled the kids every day. They got some new fleece pajamas from Aunt Tracy. I didn't think we would need them yet but they came at the right time. They love wearing them. Ari likes being snuggly warm. He just was not happy that Lilliana kept squeezing him.
It has meant Ari gets to wear his first pair of jeans. He likes to sit in his bumbo while we do school.
Lilliana spends her time running from table to the homeschool table to get things down do play with. She at times drives me nuts. Since Anthony took out the air conditioner she loves to look out the window. Really truly though the majority of school days go with me constantly saying, "Lilliana sit on your butt your going to fall." "Lilliana NO! leave the Markers alone!" "Lilliana stop whining Eli is trying to work." "Lilliana stop drawing on the table." "Lilliana go get your baby so Eli can work." Then I end up changing a poopy diaper of course. She never poops first thing those mornings only to let Ari start crying and I tell you thank goodness Eli is good and continues to do as what I have left him to work on. Yes I am crazy for even attempting homeschooling. Friday was a good day for her though. She played so nicely and was looking out the window watching the geese fly south so intently.









Eli is doing so well with school though. I couldn't be happier. Lilliana is also learning just by being around because she pointed to the A hanging on the wall at dinner and said "A." I figured she would pick things up.
Friday I had to work and Ari's swing broke!!! It was a sad sad day! Thank goodness I was able to find one this weekend because he and I both depend on it at work and home. He missed it all weekend. Thankfully I found one Sunday night. I put him in it and he was out like a light. He needs to be moving constantly to fall asleep it seems so we were so glad to get a new one as we went through a couple days of fussiness. Since I didn't have his swing on Friday at work he got a new rattle to entertain himself. It is made out of cornstarch and "Eco" friendly. I don't necessary care about that but he really liked it!
Eli and Lilliana went with Anthony's mom on Saturday per the usual. They had a blast. Ari stayed home and I got some good snuggle time with him. My next month is packed for photo sessions. I do have some photos I still needed to edit but I needed Saturday just to enjoy Ari and the kids when they got home. He was cranky but we still had a good time together.
Saturday night Anthony put them to work since they were bored and bouncing off the walls while waitng for dinner. They actually loved it.
Sunday morning I woke to everybody coming to cuddle in bed with Ari and I. I do love family cuddles. They are nice until well about 20 seconds in when Eli is bouncing on the bed! Lilliana is standing up grabbing the headboard and shaking it. All the while I am thinking really why can't you all lay down and cuddle. It seems so nice in my head. Sadly, it never lasts. Two minutes in I declare we are done and everybody but Ari and I need to get out of bed! Then they bounce on and off the bed for five minutes. Finally Anthony and I look at each other and say yep another failed attempt! Anthony and I were talking while Eli was bouncing around though. It went something like just think a couple more months and 3 will be bouncing everywhere. Eli proceeds to think we are talking about another baby and asks "mom do you have another baby in your belly?" We reassure him that NO there is not. So he says, "But WHY!?" He then says, "we need another baby in your belly because we only have one and need two." Yeah Eli I hope that does not happen any time soon! Anthony tells him to talk to God about that. So I am sure when Eli prays in the next few days he will ask for another baby to be in Mom's tummy. He loves his brother and sister so much. It is so cute. It was funny he was talking about another baby as we had a farewell time at the Birth Center that morning/afternoon. We went and gave them support and took pictures with them. I am not sure of everything that will go on but it was the last time we were able to visit "The Greenhouse Birth Center." There seems to be in the works another birth center opening there so we will see what happens with that. We are excited and hopeful either way to what happens. It was also AMAZING to see the midwives again. We got a picture with the kids with each one that was there for their birth.
Many thanks to Audra 3 1/2 years ago with Eli....
Many thanks to Clarice 19 months ago with Lilliana! Shelie made it a minute too late as Lilliana was just so excited to meet us all so we could see her pout! Somethings never change and we still see this pout frequently.
And many thanks to Audra and Shelie on that very hot summer day with Ari..........
Also many thanks to all the other behind the scene staff at the birth center especially Mitzi! We love them all dearly and are forever grateful for all their expertise, encouragement, love, support, friendship, and most of all being their for our children's births.
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All in all it has been a great weekend. Anthony is laid off again so it means hopefully more home projects get worked on if we can keep the kids occupied. I also have 3 very fun photo sessions this week! I can't wait for those. Fall is here in Michigan and I do love this time of year and the trees so it will be a wonderful week!