marching on

Last Friday Caleb and Logan had a friend from school over for the day so that his mom could take his older siblings skiing.  Since the three of them together make up half of the boys in the Kindergarten class, I figured we might as well invite the others over for a while as well.  So, one of the other boys was able to make it and come for a couple hours.  So glad we got some snow and they could play outside!  They had a blast sledding behind the tractor and exploring in the woods.  

This past Monday, right after school, we split for Frankenmuth to spend the night at Zehnder's and play at their indoor waterpark.  (This trip is very much looked forward to and talked about for the entire year.)  It went well with the six of us, but I am glad we did only one night.  :)  Sleeping arrangements were Caleb and Logan on the pull-out couch.  Mike and Levi in one bed, me in another, and Jackson in a portacrib right next to me.  In the waterpark was a little challenging since they totally outnumber us, but we just had to trust that Caleb and Logan have vastly improved in their swimming, and that there are lots of lifeguards watching.  It started snowing like crazy on Tuesday, and our drive home took TWICE as long as it should have.  I was very relieved when we arrived home safe and sound.

Yesterday Jackson hit the 4 month mark!  For all the squawking and fussing he does he's a super smiley guy, and that smile melts my heart every time.  He hasn't been sleeping the best overnight, but I haven't had to actually feed him in the night, just get up and give him his pacifier.  So, not great but could be worse.  He's still not a good napper.  I keep holding out hope...  Last week I had some luck getting him to sleep in his car seat - he would do his usual 30 minutes or so in his crib, then when he would wake up I would put him in his car seat, rock him for a while and he'd eventually fall back asleep for a while.  Hasn't been working anymore, though.  This afternoon I didn't have anything real pressing to do, so I just snuggled him so that he would get a nap in.  Love doing that when I can, but obviously I can't do that all the time so he's got to learn how to nap in his crib!  Doing my best to be flexible and go with the flow, but it's really hard for me to not know what kind of schedule to expect each day.  :)  He eats 5 or 6 times a day.  I suppose I'll probably start some cereal soon.  Jackson loves to watch his brothers.  I wonder what kind of trouble he's going to get into with them...  Most of the time, if I'm within range, his eyes are glued on me.  I love it!  He's pretty vocal, and I just love baby noises!  It's a little sad that he's growing so fast, but it's so much fun having him become more interactive.  He's wearing 6 month sized clothes, but some of them are getting tight.  

I certainly have my 'days', but I am crazy about my boys and am loving my role as 'mom' more than ever!