Now He's Got It!

Annalina helping him use his legs and learn to walk!
One night Gabriel worked a lot with him on taking steps and Gabriel said
to Jedi "My goal for you this week is 5 steps." They VERY NEXT go he had at it
he walked 5 steps!!! We all thought that was pretty fun!!

Jedidiah is now officially a walker. It is SOOOOOO cute to see him toddling around now! We all LOVE it!!

Jedidiah's 1st Birthday Cake!

 Jedidiah happy BEFORE getting the cake. He wasn't quite sure 

what to make of the whole birthday celebration thing as you can see in the 

video clips below! His dragon cake attacks him and he has no idea why we

are all looking at him and singing. He was perplexed!

 Despite the newness of it all, Jedidiah still had a great time

celebrating his birthday!

By the way, you'll hear Daddy getting on Ross for touching. There was a good reason for the firmness, Ross had thrown up 3 times that morning and obviously had GERMS.

Jedidiah Turns 1 Tomorrow!!!! Here's Some Pictures of His Life!!

 Well, my computer is bringing up pictures today! Now I can post some pictures of Jedidiah who turns 1 tomorrow!! Time flies!! I remember a year ago today the doctor asked if I wanted to come in the next day to have him and being so excited and going out and celebrating at our favorite ice cream place!

Jedidiah loves to growl and prowl around. He also LOVES bathes. He has recently started babbling A LOT! He's pretty cuddly and a good kiddo!

We LOVE having him around.

The picture above was taken awhile ago. Carson would take off Jedidiah's socks to allow him to climb the slide.

After viewing the pictures you may figure out why he doesn't walk yet! :-)

He gets A LOT of ATTENTION and HELP!!!!

 Hmm, has Mom forgotten about the use of bibs?

 Cute and Tired!

 Hanging with Brother Ross during a home schooling production.

Love from Carson at a wrestling tournament.

Annalina being the great big sis she is.

These 2 are very close to each other and adore each other.

Fun to watch them.

That look from Jedidiah says it all. If Jedidiah hears

Gabriel coming he gets all excited!!

For a long time this is how Gabriel carried him around.

Now that Jedidiah is getting bigger he usually carries

him more normally.

He is loving the ride with Sissy.

The porch is a new fun place to be for him.

I think they are both enjoying it!!

This was a Saturday morning and Babe was trying to make eggs.

Jedidiah did not want to be away from Daddy.

He's a Daddy's Boy.

Jedidiah's favorite part of the day . . .

Daddy coming home.

I had put him down for a nap one day and he heard Daddy's silly way 

of saying "Heeellloo" when he came in the door and that was it for 

the nap he had to be with Daddy.

All the boys have to have a picture with one of Daddy's work hats on!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEDIDIAH!
WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO GLAD WE HAVE YOU AT OUR HOUSE!
YOU'RE BETTER THAN ALL OUR DREAMS OF YOU!

Jedidiah's New Abilities

Two days ago Gabriel came to me RAVING about how Jedidiah was starting to stand without holding on to things. Gabriel was so proud and excited. It was cute. I thought well he is making progress toward being able to walk. Thinking it might be awhile yet but yesterday (the day after Gabriel  saw him) Gabriel and I were in the living room and Jedidiah crawled to a toy and then just stood up in the middle of the floor!!! It was so strange and exciting because we didn't expect that!!! We were thrilled!! Then later in the evening the little booger took his first step!! We're all excited to see when he'll be walking it may not be much longer!

Jedidiah seems to be a really quick learner. It doesn't take long and he has whatever it is he needs to learn which is great. Hopefully potty training he'll be a fast learner too, when it comes time for that. Not now!:-)

Jedidiah also loves to give big sloppy open mouth kisses on everyone.  Our faces will have Jedidiah wet marks on our cheeks or foreheads or nose! We think it is hilarious. He loves his family.

 A funny thing about him is sometimes he loves to be rocked before night night and sometimes he just wants his space and to be put in his bed and left so he'll squirm, etc. But I can ask him if he wants to go night night and if he does he'll put his hands together in a praying motion and flick his fingers, that is his please sign. His own please sign. We think it is pretty cute! I often try to rock him first to spend more one on one time with him.

Wish I could post pictures but having problems getting my card to let go of the pictures. Frustrating. Hopefully it will be figured out soon.

Privilege

Annalina was carrying Jedidiah the other morning and she said to him. "We both have privileges. I get to have a baby like you and you get the best family."

Carson said to me the other morning: "Did you notice I love you?"

Gabriel to Ross as they are wrestling and fun fighting their Cousin Canon: "Protect me thin man!"
Ross is the only scrawny boy in the bunch. My brother Ben and I thought that was pretty funny!
Ross may be small of size but he is right in there with the rest of them and holds his own!

Jedidiah (2 days away from 8 months old)

Jedidiah is crawling and pulling himself up on things. Pretty much trouble! But trouble of the cutest and sweetest sort! He loves to eat his food and is a busy body. His business reminds me somewhat of Gabriel but with a bit less intense personality. He most certainly identifies himself with the boys and if he wants to get them to entertain him he will look at them and start laughing for no reason and then, of course, they will oblige and do all sorts of silly things to keep the laughing going.We just love him and think he's the best baby. We're all smitten with Jedidiah.

Brotherly Love

 Gabriel rocked Jedidiah to sleep.

Jedidiah ADORES his brother actually all of them. 

Look at his little hand grabbing onto his big brother.

This seemed to be an appropriate post to blog about what I heard the other day. I thought it was so sweet I picked up a pencil and paper and started writing it down as I heard it! 

Gabriel to Jedidiah: 

I know it's hard work but you have to crawl to get the shiny coin (not a real coin, it's BIG). . . . .Want me to bring it to you or crawl for it? OOH, you got the coin GOOD, JOB! Jedi, Yah you did such a good job! I'm so proud of you baby! Watch Gabers. He teach you.

Then Jedidiah starts "talking" to Gabriel and making noises. Gabriel responds "I know you worked hard you did such a good job. Is it a cool prize? I know, it's such fun to have a conversation. Do you want help? (Then Gabriel starts joking referring to Patch the Pirates Banana Man). . .  AHHH, Bananaman! If you're up a tree just call me!

I am so glad I wrote this down. It is so sweet and I would have forgotten in no time.

Jedidiah 7 Months Old Tomorrow!!

Jedidiah is still rapidly changing .  . . sitting up and playing, scooting around and getting into trouble, and up on his hands and knees rocking like he is ready to take off crawling. He is still full of smiles even if you go in the middle of the night to put his pacifier back in. He loves to bounce which is the first kiddo since Gabriel that has enjoyed bouncing so much. He also LOVES biter biscuits probably more than any of the other kiddos.

Stories From My Day

This morning Ross and Carson got in a little spat about praying before they ate. Carson said to me that Ross said that "you [Carson] prayed to yourself". Carson annoyed said "I did NOT pray to myself I prayed to God!" Ross meant Carson had prayed on his own not actually to himself. It was pretty cute to see Carson's reaction.


This evening I was in the office looking up some baby gate info. for our very soon to crawl little one! I could hear Gabriel and Annalina talking as they were doing their jobs and they didn't know I was listening. I have some candles that are VERY old and are in the shape of carolers at Christmas. I have one from my childhood and I found another one in amazingly excellent condition at Salvation Army. The sight and smell takes me to my childhood. I was telling the kids about them and talked about the smell reminding me of my childhood. Anyway, they were discussing making me a Christmas card and how they could get the smell of the candle in the card since they knew that was important to me. They discussed rubbing it on the card but weren't sure. Annalina told Gabriel she didn't think it smelled nice. It was so sweet hearing them talk and try to figure out how to make something special for their Mommy.  Hearing all this meant A LOT to me. A LOT. What sweet kiddos I have.

 This afternoon Ross didn't want me to come in a room because he was making something for me. He came later to me and asked "What day is today?" I told him it was Thursday. He told me that he decided that every Thursday he was going to make me a craft. To sweet. He has started writing me the I Love Mommy notes which I just love. The other day we were doing school together and he told me that "the reason I can read so well at school [homeschooling group on Wednesday] is because you teach me here. That meant so much to me. Ross and reading have been a process. He and I have come a long way in the journey and that is so fun to see the progress in reading and the growth in our relationship. Again what sweet kiddos I have.

Carson is still coming to me and saying "My Mommy" and hugging me. He has done that for quite awhile. It will be sad when he moves out of that phase. It all started about a year ago when he and I were out shopping just the two of us and I said "You are my Carson" and after that I was HIS Mommy. I love that and love hearing that. Today Carson was crying at nap time that he wanted me to stay with him. That is NOT common. He does a great job going to sleep. I sang him some songs and he settled and went to sleep. Not sure what was concerning him about being alone but thankful that Mommy can make it better.

Jedidiah is SOOO close to crawling. Today Gabriel was working with him and encouraging him to give it a try. It could be any day now that he takes off. As always he brightens everyones day with his easy smile. He LOVES LOVES LOVES paper. He found a stack of Gabriel's math paperwork and got a hold of one of those to crinkle and chew and had to get it away from him. Annalina was talking to Jedidiah today and said the sweetest thing and I thought I have to blog that and of course now I can't remember! I hope it comes to me because it was absolutely TOOO sweet!

 I was thinking the other day how different Jedidiah's life is from the other kids. He has 5 people in the house that carry him around and care for him!! Way different than the older kids. Five people is a lot of attention and care!!! Carson can't carry him around (he did the other day and I put a stop to that) but he does pay attention and give care to Jedidiah. He sings and talks to him. Carson is our big time singer. He sings and sings Christian songs and I LOVE that. Annalina sings a lot too. She came to me tonight before bed and told me she didn't think she could make it if someone told her she couldn't never sing again.

Tis The Season

It's hunting season. A few weeks ago Babe and Gabriel were off somewhere in Colorado hunting antelope for some days. Gabriel is not old enough in Colorado to actually shoot big game. Twelve years old is the age to look forward to for big game hunting but Gabriel can tag along and hang out, have fun, and learn. They didn't get an antelope but came close just not close enough. They saw a fair amount of antelope but they were either the wrong gender for the tag they had or in the wrong hunting area. They did one time find what they needed for their tag and in the right zone but couldn't get close enough for a good shot. Nevertheless they had a GREAT time!!! They came back with stories of stars, bugs, antelope, and the game warden. I guess the stars in the middle of nowhere where just amazing. The game warden got to know them some and tried to help them out. He seemed to like Gabriel and it was good for Gabriel to learn about game wardens and what they do. They saw a truck of guys being chased down by the game warden!

Yesterday Babe, Gabriel, and Ross headed off to near the Nebraska border for deer hunting. Babe and I decided to let Rossers go and he was SOOOOO excited to be going with the big boys. It was fun to see how happy and excited he was. We'll see how he holds up to early mornings, etc. I've prayed they'll have a great time. Ross told Daddy that if he gets a deer that he will give him a penny. Cute.

Well, poor Carson had to stay home. He is used to at least Ross being home but with Ross gone I think it was a little harder. Even though Carson adores Annalina she is not one of the boys. Today he said a couple of times that he wanted to go hunting which he has never said before. When Annalina, Carson, and I were sitting at dinner he said "I am a big boy that has to stay home." Annalina and I got a kick out of him.

Annalina was excited for them to get a deer and liked spending time with just me but she still likes it when everyone is home. I told her that is a good attitude  . . . she's excited for them and thankful she and I can hang out, but will miss them. She and Carson had a great time doing "gymnastics" on the couch in the evening. Annalina and I stayed up and hung out which was fun. She and I have a few crafty things we would like to do during the coming days.

The big event of the evening was that I fed Jedidiah dinner and then he had a big spit up so I had to take off his clothes so I left him in his crib in his diapers to play around while I got some stuff done. When I came back he was on his belly with YUCKY stuff on the mattress under his mouth. I thought that was weird he seems to have thrown up but that is weird looking throw up. Since the mess was under his face that is what it looked like. It was under his nose and around his left eye (a Big chunk of it!). But he was so happy to have just thrown up. I went to pick him up and saw he had pooped out the back of his diapers and it ended up on the mattress and then he had flipped over and put his face in it!!! Carson was disgusted!!!! I got Jedidiah into the baby tub and got him cleaned up. Jedidiah loves baths now but wasn't so keen on them when he was really young. The kids and I sat around and watched him play for awhile and then Jedidiah peed while in the bath. What a baby! He sure was happy though!!

Yes, We're Strange!!!

When we were out this weekend in the van the kids started reciting to Daddy the part of "The Gods of the Copybook Headings" that they had memorized. Well, they found out that Jedidiah thought it was EXTREMELY funny so as we were parked waiting for Daddy to put gas in the van the kids did it again. He still thought it was funny but he actually laughed harder the first time! Reciting that poem to a 5 month old may seem strange but very cute! Actually, Jedidiah probably thought them strange but entertaining!

Jedidiah is 5 1/2 Months Old!

 Jedidiah has changed SOOOOO much in the past week and a half! He is now sleeping in his big boy crib and goes down SOOOO easily it is AMAZING. He has started eating some solid food recently too! No more little baby in the house.

 He is also moving around rolling and rolling. He will also lift his butt in the air and then push forward to inch like an inchworm if he finds something interesting enough.

And of course he smiles and smiles and smiles. He smiles A LOT. Something we all can deal with! He is the sweetest easiest baby. His one big dislike is the car and even that he is getting much better at! His Sissy fed him, held him, sang to him, and put him down for a nap the other day! Ahhh, so much love from so many people. Jedidiah has the personality I pictured for his name . . . just plain sweet.

Jedidiah is 3 Months!

 He is sleeping through the night now which is SOOOO nice!

Usually falls asleep around 9pm or a little earlier and wakes up for an early feeding and then usually goes back to sleep.

 He is such a happy baby and has such an easy smile.  He LOVES his siblings and will coo, gurgle, and smile at them.

Big Boy Jedidiah is 2 Months Old!

 What a SUPER CUTIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's cooing and smiling at us and that just makes my day!

He is an early bird but does great at night.

Jedidiah's Life!

Jedidiah at 1 month and about 1 week

 We LOVE that double chin!

He looks like a little man!

Toooo Cute! They change so fast. These pictures were taken about 1 1/2 weeks ago and he probably looks different already!

A Whole LOT of LOVE and ATTENTION!

                                                          He is just Cuter that Cute!!!