Enjoying Spring

The weather has been beautiful for some time. We have had cooler weather occasionally and even some snow yesterday. Either way I don't mind a few cold days now and then when we have warm days too.

Unfortunately I have spent more time inside tending to babies than outside, but the kids have enjoyed it. 

We put up the trampoline a couple weeks ago and the kids of course were so excited. 

We took the babies outside too to enjoy the fresh air. 

The magnolia's have come and gone in the past couple weeks. It is always my favorite part of spring. 

The tractor has been constant source of contention between the owner and the younger brother who loves to ride it. Thankfully Eli is ever loving and lets Ari ride it. 

Side note on Eli....He wears these gloves constantly and I know it is just to irritate me. He knows how I think it is silly he wears them rain, shine, 80 degrees, or -10 degrees. Either way, I am glad I took it so when he is older I can laugh and say remember when....

They all got umbrellas this year which has been perfect. They go out when it is raining frequently just to use their umbrellas and stomp in the mud. 

All the while the babies and I are usually inside desperately trying to keep up with laundry. 

Taking pictures, although it doesn't happen nearly as much as I would like.
They really have started to smile and coo a lot the past couple of weeks. Daphne is all the time usually. She is the happiest baby we have ever had. Annalise is serious and straight faced a lot, but then we catch her smile and it is adorable.

Several times through the day the older kids sneak in to see them and hold them. It helps mom and I can also spend some one on one time with the older kids. Although, they would gladly spend most days outside all day if we let them. 

We are exhausted most days BUT I am loving this spring season and season of life. It is wonderful. As Anthony so lovingly says when crap hits the fan multiple times a  day. #lifewith5. 

Every minute is spoken for.......

I know there have been moments in my life where I have thought there isn't enough time in the day. Reality is there was time at least for me. I could spend time online researching things or just chatting with friends. Since the babies I can't say that is the case. I pretty much am fighting for every minute. Even if I am online it is half thinking and not all there because 99% of the time I have two babies nursing in my lap. Every night Anthony and I go over the list of things we still need to accomplish after the long day. There is at least 5-10 and we are so tired we just try to do a few and crawl into bed. We are loving these sweet babies so much, but I don't  think we have ever been this productive, yet tired and non productive in other ways in our life. Anthony gets home and I feel like we are in a rat maze until bed time most nights. Thankfully it is getting easier.

Every minute really is spoken for. I have to choose what will not get done for the day. For instance this week I made it a priority to exercise and shower after. Consequently the laundry is in baskets and desperately needs folded. I also didn't get a couple important phone calls completed. It is such a balancing act I don't think we have perfected. A perfect example is I had so much more I wanted to put into this post, but it will have to wait because of a crying baby.  Hopefully soon it will get a bit easier. Until then I will keep taking care of these crazy kids and enjoying motherhood. 

Just for fun as I was getting my settings straight and focus set so Anthony could take a picture this was Ari. His sole goal in life is to make everybody laugh. He has gone as far as beginning to tell us. It doesn't matter how naughty or not funny it is, he will try. I am laughing now, but let me tell you how frustrating it can be at 5:00 p.m. when babies are screaming and I am exhausted! 

The Tradition Continues

My wonderful and very talented uncle is also a photographer. When Eli was 6 weeks old we happened to be at my cousin's wedding and he took these pictures of Eli. He sent them matted for my first Mother's day. It was so special to me. I decided with each baby to continue the tradition of 6 months being in the same pose. I finally got the girl's photos done and now I can complete the wall collage! They all look so much alike it is crazy. 

Eli

Lilliana

Ari 

Annalise

Daphne

2 months of Annalise and Daphne

These girls! They have all of us wrapped around their tiny little fingers. They make a peep and somebody is at their side trying to comfort them. They are so spoiled. 

They have grown so much this month it is incredible. They probably are still on the smaller end for their age, but from where they have come from I don't care. We have officially made it 2 months of ebfing them. It is getting so much easier too. 

Daphne at about a week old.....she was so tiny. 

Now at 2 months....

Annalise at a week old.....She was so tiny too. 

Now at 2 months. 

They have come so far from those tiny little girls with heads as big as my palm who I could hold in one hand. They are so beautiful too. I fall in love with them more and more each day. The blessing of two is more than I can ever describe. 

I am one lucky mama.