Fun at home

As with most regions, the flu and all kinds of yucky viruses are spreading here, so I've hibernated at home with the kids this week.

Emelyn (aka, the bossy teacher) has been trying to play school with Isaiah. Much to her disappointment, he'd rather give her the wrong answer to make her mad than to play along. They've been having fun playing together which makes this momma's heart smile. One night just as we told Emelyn it was her bedtime, she offered to help wash supper dishes. She's one smart cookie! Of course it worked, and she was allowed to stay up with mommy and daddy to "help" with dishes and the three of us enjoyed our alone time together talking. We've also spent many hours coloring and playing with stamps and play dough. She also coordinated a full morning of packing clothes basket and tying them together to go visit grandpa and grandma.

Isaiah has been ornerier than ever before. He likes to full body tackle an un-suspecting sister... a lot. Such displays of love always end in deep belly laughing (Isaiah) and lots of tears (Emelyn.) It almost seems like Isaiah lives for opportunities to make Emelyn mad (which makes him beam with pride!) Sometimes his big grin, laughter and skipping around make it hard to discipline instead of laugh. For instance, I've caught him multiple times with his mouth open wide pretending like he's going to bite Emelyn, just to hear her scream at the top of her lungs, "ISAIAH IS ALMOST BITING ME!!!!!!" He laughs... she cries because "I was so scared he was actually going to bite me."

Ruth has been doing much better now that she's off her antibiotic. Her bottom is almost healed and she's sleeping from 9pm to 6am again. Yay! She's such a happy little lady!!

Here are some pictures from my phone this week:

Comparison Pictures

Emelyn @ 4 months (15 lbs, 3 oz; 25.25")

Isaiah @ 4 months (17 lbs, 4 oz, 25.5")

Ruth @ 4 months (16 lbs, 7 oz, 24.5 ") 

4 Months!

How is it possible that our sweet little Ruth is 4 months old!?!

For my memory, this is what Ruth is doing these days:

• 16 lbs, 7 oz. (over 100th percentile); 24.5 inches long (50th percentile)
• Size three diapers, 6-9 month clothes, as well as some 12 month clothes.
• Sleeping really well. She was sleeping 8-10 hours each night before she came down with an ear infection. During the day she eats every three hours and is like clockwork. She wakes up, eats, then stays awake about an hour, then we swaddle her, lay her down, and she falls asleep for about 2 hours, then starts the process over again.
• No rolling over or any teeth. I realized I rarely put her on the floor to practice rolling over (thanks to a big brother that wants to be in her face all the time.) We've been making it a point to lay her on the floor lately though, not that I'm in any hurry for her to become mobile...
• Some nicknames we've started to call her: Rue-Rue, Little Lady, Little Lamb, Smiley and Happy.
• Daddy is quite in love with her big cheeks. Mommy is in love with her smiles. Emelyn insists Ruth likes her the most because Ruth talks the most when Emelyn is around. (Which is true... The moment Ruth sees Emelyn she gets a big smile and starts to squeal and jabber.) Isaiah just likes to look at her and point out all of her features (Rue-Rue nose! Rue-Rue feet!) Something that is really sweet is that Isaiah calls her "Rue-Rue." He has yet to call Emelyn by any name. Isaiah also likes to get Ruth's blanket and spread it out of the floor and pile it with toys. He then comes to us and asks us to put Rue Rue on the floor to play.

All in a week's time...

Isaiah giving Ruth kisses and hugs:

Playing with play dough: 

Making pumpkin muffins (they couldn't wait for the timer!)

Playing outside on Friday (high of 66!)

Emelyn taught Isaiah how to climb on a stepstool and pull leaves off of trees to make a "leaf salad"

Ruth has been inside and home all week. Monday she started having a little runny nose and watery eyes, and by Wednesday night, she was clearly in pain and unable to sleep. Thursday we went to the pediatrician and found she has a double ear infection and is now on amox-clav. It is really hard on her tummy (which we were warned about) and we were even advised by our doctor to give her adult probiotics to help offset the tummy problems it would cause. Poor girl. We're only on day 3 of 10 and her diaper area is raw to the point that she screams every time she has a wet or dirty diaper. We're starting the probiotics tonight to see if they help. 

Ding Dong

Jake affectionately called Isaiah a "DingDong" last night which everyone thought was quite funny. Today he has been chasing Emelyn calling her a "Ding Dong" while laughing, thinking he is quite funny himself. By the looks of this picture, they may both be "Ding Dongs!" Do you think this picture may come back to haunt Isaiah at some important moment in the future??? (High school graduation, wedding day... )