Who comes up with this stuff?

I've always wondered who in the world first said. "there is no use crying over spilled milk"? I mean, really. That person either never paid for milk, or never had to clean up that milk. It seems like cleaning up milk is one of my hobbies these days. I am trying desperately to let my kids be more independent. But that definitely comes with a side effect of mess.

This particular kid, however, is not on the list of those who are allowed to pour milk. He took it upon himself however. I came around the corner just as he was spilling it all over himself and the floor. I can't tell if he was trying to drink out of the jug or put it up on the counter. Either way, it made a fabulous mess and got his favorite batman jammies wet.

My next post might a second edition of this. Where I intellectually discuss why the saying, "sleeping like a baby", is also ridiculous.

6 months already?

I really have a hard time believing this kid is already 6 months old. It seems like just the other day when I was pregnant and wishing she was here already. Then she was born and the first 3 months of her life were a blur of no sleep and screaming. So I guess I do have an excuse as to why it's gone so fast. Ever since she started smiling, though, we just can't handle it and wish the time would slow down.

She's decided to be pretty chill when it comes to milestones. No teeth or anything fancy. She rolls over occasionally by accident. She is starting to try and sit up on her own when siblings don't push her over. But we are ok with that. I am not rushing her. I've learned babies really don't listen to anything you say anyway. 

Friday Photo Dump

This has been a crazy busy week. I realized several times that I had meant to blog and never did. Alas, one of these days I'll be more on top of things. Probably not, but I think that's ok. I was looking through my phone last night, doing my usual "why did I screen shot this?" deleting spree. I came across several gems that I'm not sure I've shared on social media and felt they needed to be shared. This blog is nothing if not a means for future embarrassment of my children.

I do think it's funny how my kids so willingly participate in what will surely be evidence they want to hide from future girlfriends and boyfriends. But part of me hopes that they see these pictures, and remember a happy childhood where they were free to be joyful and not really care what people thought of their outfit/headhear/accessories, etc.

The above was an old one from New Years Day. This is how they woke me up. I guess maybe that's a little payback for all the pictures, right? And yes, they dressed themselves. Tirzah is the queen of mixing and matching patterns. She has been known to wear at least four different patterns on that tiny body.

What was I saying about mixing and matching? And Merrick obviously loves that shirt. They had just gotten homemade scarves from my sister Abby, and they proceeded to wear them absolutely everywhere for a week straight. They are still wearing them, but thankfully not as excessively as all day every day. I keep hoping that by letting them wear what they want within reason (ok, mostly I forget to even look at what they are wearing until we are out in public and it's too late to do anything about it) that they'll develop their own sense of style and the ability to not care what people think. This may backfire, but what is parenting if not realizing you do probably everything wrong? ;)

Jericho pretending be studious...which is infinitely better than what he's typically doing while I'm trying to educate his siblings. What he's usually doing involves everything from stealing pencils to overflowing toilets to eating enough snacks to feed all 4 kids.

Oh you know, just a baby selfie. She's getting closer to sitting up all the time! Which means I'm getting closer to not dragging that baby carrier around all the time. Woo-hoo!

I don't really want to commentate on this picture, because it's a very sensitive memory of how I don't sleep anymore. Amaryllis, bless her heart, is the worst sleeper that God ever created. This was taken at like 12am a few night ago...she proceeded to wake up and end up in my bed at 2 am, and then wanted to eat as soon as I put her back at 4 am, then woke up ready to great the day before daylight had even broken at 6:30 am. Mercy. But then she grins like that, and I forget why I was so mad. But, that could just be the sleep deprivation making my short term memory foggy. Happy Friday, guys! Hope you all got more sleep than I did!

Game Day

The two oldest hooligans had their "big game" last weekend, as Merrick called it. It was the start of the basketball season, and cheerleading season for Tirzah. (She unfortunately doesn't cheer for Merrick's team, that would be too simple.) They are playing with the Upward league near where we live. So far so good, and we are enjoying the experience.

Well, not the experience of getting up early on Saturdays, but loving watching the two of them having fun and learning new things. Tirzah loves getting all dressed up and cheering. (I was secretly hoping  she would play basketball, but I let her choose and cheering it was.) The real trouble came when I realized I had to "fluff" pom poms and decorate a cheer bucket. Thankfully my husband is good with a glue gun. ;)

Her squad is called the "Rebels", and I find that pretty ironic. A rebel she is, and doesn't lack for sass either. She spent her time across the court blowing kisses and sticking her tongue out at people. That girl.

Merrick was pretty much the cutest little ball player, EVER. He was glued to his man he was guarding, even when he was supposed to be trying to get the ball. He finally realized he could go after the ball, and did really well! I was impressed with how much he improved from the start to the end of the game. He got more comfortable playing and is learning what he's supposed to do.

And of course, in typical Merrick fashion, when he was sitting on the sidelines he couldn't just sit. At one point I noticed him making shadow animals. They kept getting progressively bigger, too, until he's flapping his arms all around and almost hitting the guy beside him. Thankfully that guy was watching the game and didnt notice. ;)

I know this ushers in a new era in the Barron household...one of practices and games and shuttling back and forth. It's definitely different than changing diapers and making bottles, which I'm still doing, of course. I won't quit my day job.

NOW he's three.

Pretty much since he turned two, people have been asking me is Jericho three. He's so big, I don't blame them for their confusion. But he's now officially three. That's not good enough for him though. He told me he "wanna be five". Sorry, kid, you're as big as your five year old sister, but that's going to have to wait a couple years.

It was fun celebrating his birthday this time around. He is a bit older, so he is starting to catch on to what a birthday is. He was ridiculously excited over phone calls and cards in the mail, and of course opening presents. We took him to Chick-Fil-A for dinner, and let him play with all his toys at the table. He drank Mamoo's soda and smeared chocolate chip cookie all over his face. It was a good day.

Just like that day three years ago. I have a special place in my heart for this big ol' baby. (Admittedly, he's a little rotten.) I'm just so grateful that he is a part of our lives. I'm loving watching him grow, and remembering back to the special time in our lives his birth was. So thankful for the chance to be his mommy. Love you so, Jericho Hawk!