My Babies

My arms are definitely big enough, but I think I need a bigger chair. What do you think? The boys are still most excited to see Abby in the morning - or whenever she wakes up, actually. Soon as we sit down to eat, they come over and crawl all over us - showering her with hugs and kisses. They also love to rub her head. While they are extremely gentle (MOST of the time) she does not appear to be a big fan of this. But once they get in a little loving, they are pretty good about leaving us alone until Abby is done eating. After that, however, there is no keeping them away. Benjamin usually brings a book to read. Noah likes to help burp. I pat him on the back and he pats Abby. I am fairly certain that if she were ever to spit up on him as she does me, he would not stay so close.
Slowly but surely, the boys are getting better at playing together while I am busy with the baby. Occasionally, it still gets a little too physical and tears are involved. I have made a strict rule of sitting in the chair (as opposed to jumping) and only one boy in the chair at a time. They seem to not be able to remember these rules - ever. In this particular picture, I was telling Benjamin that Noah was already in the chair and he would have to wait his turn. Noah said, "No, mom. It's ok. He just wants to sit on my lap. Right, Benjamin?" And Benjamin said, "Yeah." And he put his little head back on Noah's shoulder and they just sat there for about 10 minutes. Long enough for daddy to get home and snap a picture. So cute. I need to print these pictures as reminders of how cute they are when things are not so calm.
The four of us are doing quite well during our days alone together. I've tried instituting a morning walk. It is usually 10:00 or more before we are all fed, dressed, and ready to head out but the fresh air is always appreciated. Poor Benjamin is still confined to the stroller so he doesn't get much exercise on our walks. (He hasn't proved himself to be a 'follower' just yet and I don't have enough energy or arms to chase after him.) Luckily, he does not complain at all about this. As long as he has a stick to drag along the sidewalk, he is good. And he more than makes up for the exercise loss during the rest of the day as his little legs still don't ever stop moving. I have even managed to get us all out of the house together - like in the car, out of the house. Our first outing was Babies R Us. I only needed a pacifier-holder for the diaper bag but it was more about proving I could get us all there in one piece. Since then, we have also attempted Costco. (Thank goodness for huge carts.) And next week I am attempting the zoo. I am starting to get a little concerned about when preschool starts and having to get someone to a certain place at a certain time. I might have to start about 10 to get everyone fed, changed, strapped in, and on the road to arrive by noon. But I am sure when my only job is to drop off and pick up (16 years from now...) I will miss these days. I'm just thankful I get a chance to perfect my ways before winter sets in and we have to add all the coats, etc.