Seven Seven, I'm in Heaven

 Someone has had a birthday. And Someone loves to read Magic Tree House books. And someone likes to play chess, board games, and ride to the neighborhood playground with his brothers. This someone also likes to practice the piano even when he doesn't have to. There is still a whisper of those chubby baby cheeks in his cutie. We love you Mac Stack!

12 months

A sample of the pictures I've been posting all year of baby girl. Starting with her new born photos in the top left going clockwise with month 7 in the middle. We couldn't be more in love. 

Birthday girl - 1 Year

Miss Alara is one! She has blessed our home and our life for the past year and is a bright little light where ever she goes. Alara's face glows whenever she has true communication with another person, especially when she understands what is being said to her. It is a mixture of words and signs such as , "bath, brush teeth, book, dog, kisses" etc. She loves to play with Clarence our dog by patting his back and holding his tail. She also loves to lay on him using him as a pillow. Clarence tolerates her overtures quite well. Alara plays peek-a-boo and gives high fives. My favorite 'Alara moment' this month, however, happened when I was comforting Lincoln on my lap and Alara toddled over and put her head on his back and started to pat him too, showing him her sympathy. She was a WONDERFUL baby and has shining prospects of being a delightful toddler.

Height: 2'5.75"   68%
Weight: 19lb 15 oz   51%

Kid Talents

I love my kidos. They are each so individual with their own personalities and strengths. It is fun to see them grow, create, and learn new things. It must be in miniature what Heavenly Father feels like as He watches all of His children. They are a fun bunch and I feel blessed.

She loves to show me her splits. Up next, mother daughter yoga pictures. 

Ruth learned to ride a two wheeler back in September (4 1/2 yr)

David and Gabe built a Kenex structure about twice the size of the dog crate

David on Lincoln's 'Toodle bike"

11 months

She's got balance. She's got personality. She's got a pony tail sprout. She's got biped mobility. She's got WORDS! Miss Alara-lara has visibly changed quite a lot this past month. She took her first steps the week before she turned eleven months and is growing more confident in her strides. It is funny to watch baby girl test the waters because she still uses a lead foot and drags the back one instead of picking it up. She is elated when she succeeds in covering a predetermined distance and we all cheer for her. We've got a little explorer, crawling  and walking all over the house, investigating her world. Her facial expressions are also a hoot, especially her disgruntled look when she furrows her eyebrows. Ruth calls her a baby unicorn when I put Alara's hair into a tiny adorable pony tail sprout. Attempted words and phrases include, "Dada", "Mom", "All done", "Hi", and"Good girl". My baby is getting to be a big girl:sniff:: Happy-Sad.

She is waving hi and showing us the green marker she got on her hand right before we took these.

Being Silly

Gabe, Ruth, and  I were all wearing black and silver to church one Sunday so we had to take a picture. Always good to be silly with my sillies.

Peas in a Pod

 Sock buddies-they are each wearing one of David's old soccer socks. David and Lincoln make the best of friends. David will give Lincoln piggy back rides, play games with him, help him change clothes and even read to him. Lincoln is young enough that he is no longer a peer like Mac and Gabe, but more like a toy. It probably helps that he is also a boy too quite honestly. David doesn't have quite the same bond with the two girls yet. It warms my heart to see these two together though. 

I love to see the temple

Testing out my new lens taking night/early morning pictures of the temple. I was trying to get a full moon shot but apparently the lights at the temple don't go on till 6 am which was after the full moon had set- bummer. Maybe I'll be able to time it better some other month. Only a few more weeks till it is dedicated and open for patrons. It's very exciting, we feel very blessed. 

Happy-Sad

I've been feeling "Happy-Sad." I tried to Google a term that could more eloquently describe the mixed emotion I have been feeling lately as one thing ends and another begins. Suggested words included bittersweet, nostalgic, and poignant. Perhaps wistful. Summer has ended and school has begun. My sweet Ruth has started Preschool 4 mornings a week, Mac is in school full time now that he is in first grade, and the older two are gone as well. It is quieter and calmer without the oldest four in the house but I also miss them. I know they will thrive this year in school. Happy-Sad

Baby girl 10 months:

• Has four new teeth on top (total of 6) 
• Likes to inch around the room 
• Can balance for a few seconds unassisted
• Is attached to the thin blankets we put her to sleep with
• Learned to wave and do her first sign, "all done"
• Is still totally cute and full of personality
• Does not let other babies bully her