Life is good

One of the things I remember loving the most when I was a more regular blogger was the constant reminder I had of how good life is. I consider myself an optimist in general, but I am also a "feel-the-need-to-always-try-to-do-things-better" person. Wanting to improve is certainly a good thing, but it can also lend itself to focusing on all the areas that we are falling short in and being disappointed when obvious strides are not made in a better direction. I don't want to waste my life away waiting for the "perfect" tomorrow and miss out on the countless perfect moments I am lucky enough to enjoy everyday.  

A couple of days ago I enjoyed one especially perfect afternoon with my girls playing hopscotch. We had been playing on the school playground the day previous when I had pointed out to Ruby the hopscotch markings that were painted on the asphalt. I was surprised to discover that she did not know what hopscotch was. Hopscotch was always a favorite of mine and I couldn't believe I had been so delinquent in passing on this beloved pastime. I decided I would remedy that oversight the next day, and I did. 

Do you know how much fun it is to teach someone how to play hopscotch for the first time? A lot--especially when their name is Ruby. She was thrilled to learn it and with her knack for hopping on one foot picked it up like a pro.

In typical Ruby fashion it didn't take much time at all before she became the "expert" teaching and giving me tips on how to throw the rock into the right square the first time.

Harlow started out as an adoring spectator and fan...

but soon found her way into the mix of things as well.

That didn't slow Ruby down, one bit. 

I think she pretty much thinks this is the best game ever.

Harlow enjoyed the hopscotch too, but I think more for chalk eating drawing she got to do.

There is so much to love about this girl. I was impressed how easily to maneuvered up and down our very sloped driveway without missing a beat. You'd never know she was "new" walker.

When Ruby saw my random doodling, she said, "Is that the bet hot air balloon you can draw, Mom?" "Let me add a basket for you."

Ahhh..much better.

The weather was perfectly overcast too. I love overcast weather so much that I think sometimes I belong in Seattle....my hair I'm sure would disagree. 

Did I mention what a perfect afternoon it was? I think Ruby would agree.

I love her scrunchy face look. Her messy hair still showing the greasy remnants of the Eucirin she smeared all over her face and head the night before. This is the best we could do after 3-4 hair washing.

This is the look Harlow gives when I ask her if she hears the birds singing? It's her, "oh wait...i know this one" look. It's the cutest.

Harlow is such a curious inquisitive little thing. She is super observant...just soaking it all in.

I recently read that moms should take as many selfies as they can with their kids because pictures are how kids remember their childhood. I am not really a selfie kinda of girl, but I want my kids to know I was there, so posterity trumps vanity here. (Wow--that is a bad picture of me. I must really love my kids, hopefully they wont remember me as the 300 lb woman this pictures makes me look like.)

Yep, I'm one lucky mom.

Harlow-11 months

Yes--my baby turned one last month, but I've come too close to completing these monthly Harlow recaps to quit now. Oh, where to start?! I must have felt some feelings of impending loss with the end of her first year approaching, because I took an extraordinary number of pictures to document this last month. I'm always thrilled to have lots of pictures to help me remember, but it can also be quite a bit to wade through. Let the swimming begin...

If I had to pick a one word theme for Harlow's 11th month it would be "play".  Her adoration for her siblings and desire to be right in the middle of all their play continues to grow. I am also happy to note that her playful nature has been well received by the kids and they are almost always happy to have her right in the thick of things.

She's quite the block stacker. (I think her record might be 6 or 7 blocks high.)

She did walk during this month, but I would never call her a "walker". She loves to walk along things and will get brave for a few steps before she falls to the floor.

Among the first things Max does when he gets home from school is give some attention to his sisters, usually in the form of running chasing and racing. Oh, how those girls love it.

This month of life also included many basketball games for this girl. Having here there wasn't a favorite for her or I, but we all endured to show the boys our support...

....and they returned the support with some extra love. I love how proud they are of her.

She is also  following in the footsteps and her sister and starting to enjoy her frequent impromptu photo shoots. 

The kids a just a little bit elated with the more vertical nature of their baby sister theses days. These pictures are out of focus and the house is a wreck, but they requested I take these pictures so I have to include them to keep this record real.

More play time with Max. He is so good to her.

This game kind of gives me a heart attack, but I know he loves her too much to be too risky.

Ruby's another eager playmate, however when she plays it's more of a mothering role and a little less stuntman.

Ruby loves to "mother" her by trying to teach or feed her. Harlow enjoys both efforts equally.

Some other things Harlow is loving these days are when I sing one of her favorite songs. She loves "How much is that doggie in the window?" and "5 little monkeys swinging in the tree". To see her "snap" her hands together like Mr. Alligator is just about the cutest thing ever.

As far as sleeping goes, this onesie says it all, "I brighten Mommy's Day and totally ruin her nights". She still wakes up at night and ends up in our bed more often than I'd like, but for now it's the best I feel I can do.

Being this cute keeps me from being too resentful for the absense of a good night's rest around here.

She has discovered the great outdoors...

and does everything she can to get out there.

Buh-Bye Mom!

She's a pretty good eater and insists on feeding herself more often than I would like. It's a messy endeavor, but she is far from my messiest eater. (I think that award goes to Reed---still. )

These pictures are from her 11 month photo shoot. I'm not sure where this "attitude" came from, but it was just for the pictures. This girl is more darling than diva.

Harlow has this "knowing" smile that I've yet to truly capture yet. This is as close as I've gotten. It's not a smile, but it has the same skepticism that lets me know there is a lot going on in that little mind of hers.

And, I did it! Yea! These monthly recaps are a bit daunting sometimes, but I'm always glad that I have them. I wont lie though, I'm happy to be done and look forward to shorter posts of the everyday happenings of everyone  (not just Harlow) in the future.