Packing it in...

Since we covered Easter and Felicity's birthday it really seems like there shouldn't be anything else we need to say about April.

But there's somehow more to share. Simon was taking bad, bad naps but starting to sleep better at night. 

Starting to sit up a little,

ruling the family from his wheeled throne,

rolling to get anywhere he needed to be, and loves being naked 

enjoying solids...even eating a bit of chicken,

and watching spinning ceiling fans. 

 And he started seeing the chiropractor...if you don't care why then feel free to scroll down...

But if you care why, here's why. Vivian had tubes put in her ears at 8 months old. And it changed her life. She had bi-monthly ear infections for many months and we did so, so many rounds of antibiotics with her. It still makes me feel a little sick just thinking about all the chemicals we pumped into her little body just trying to make her NOT hurt. She would wake up screaming at night with blood coming out of her ears from burst ear drums starting at just four months old. Those tubes were the best thing we could have done for that child. 

And when Simon finished his second round of antibiotics for ear infections when he was four months old, Sarah said, "What can we do to avoid ALL that Vivian went through?" Tim's family offered two solutions: essential oils and the chiropractor. And Sarah nodded and smiled and thought it can't hurt to try some witch doctoring, I guess. Well gosh darn it. Some diluted lavender essential oils rubbed on the boy's ears, behind the ears, and along the jaw line did seem to offer some relief. And then the chiropractor. If you're reading this Dr. Ron...so sorry to be such a doubter. 

As Simon was being adjusted the first time, DARK GREEN yuck just starts flowing out of his nose like two rivers of yuck. And for the following two days Sarah sucked more goo out of Simon's face. So much that she almost took a picture to document just HOW MUCH gross was stuck in his face. But then decided maybe taking a picture of your child's snot was the line-to-not-cross. Except Dr. Ron said he would have wanted to see it. Too bad.

Anyways, it helped a lot. He didn't cry and grump more than smile and be content anymore! He started sleeping better at night. He was spitting up less. We haven't done any medicine for ears since March, people! If you've got a baby who has hurting ears, try the lavender essential oils and chiropractor before you jump baby into a third round of antibiotics. It worked for us.

Simon also got some QT with his bestest cousin Elijah.

Will this be embarrassing for them in the future???

Daddy also had a little fun in April...between cuddles with his kids

and checking out a local Coffee and Cars event.

Lots of cars with other people who like cars? Sign Tim up.

AND he got to take the two oldest girls to their school's Father Daughter Dance!! Dad's have all the fun.

Well, our girls were having plenty of fun, too.

That's not a doll, that's their brother.

But he really does seem to love all the attention.

Painting a local mural for our small town

and painting some pavers for their fairy garden.

Miriam's says, "Family is one of God's greatest gifts."

Losing teeth like little teeth factories.

Miriam in her happy place...reading!

And the wildflowers in our woods were on full display. We pick them and identify them with the help of Google. Many have fun names like squirrel nuts and dutchman's britches. Or maybe those are the names we came up with...

Daddy also assembled the sandbox Grandpa and Grandma gave them for Christmas!

Of course we did a touch of traveling. Once to Canada to celebrate Easter with Sarah's sister and her family.

And an afternoon at Uncle Michael's lake!

Which made it feel like school is almost out and summer is almost here. And we love us some summer getting to have our kids all to ourselves!