Lots Going On

I can't remember everything we've done this past month, but many things have kept me so busy, I haven't had time to catch up on my blogging.  So here's a little recap.  Midway through June, Jeff got called back to the ICU for 2 weeks.  Once again we were back to 30 hour shifts, and I felt like a single parent for a short bit.  One Sunday this past month, we got to go to our friend Sammy's birthday party.  That was a fun time.  The boys got to ride on trains.  On the 20th, we celebrated Simon turning 10 months.  He's going to be a year old before I know it.  My parents stopped by a couple of times during the month, once on their way down to California and then again on their way back home.  While they were here the second time, Jeff and I got to go out for our anniversary.  And that's another thing we did in June...we celebrated 8 years of marriage.  Last week the boys did Vacation Bible School.  It was so neat to see them all grown-up enough for me to drop them off.  What a difference a year makes.  So we've been busy in June, and now I'd say we are ready for July.

Sammy's Birthday Party

Grandparents Visit

Simon's 10 Month

One Years' Time

One year ago we had just moved to Portland, saying good-bye to our world in Loma Linda.  We moved to Portland and moved in with Jeff's parents.  I was 7 months pregnant.  Jeff had the month of June off, but then he was quickly starting residency in July.  Then, the birth of Simon brought another set of changes to our world.  We had sleepless nights.  Simon was by far our most difficult baby.  He loved being awake from about 3:00 to 6:00am and then slept from 6:00 to about 11:00am.  It was an adjustment.  Then, we moved out of Jeff's parent's house and into our own place in October.  Life was still a whirlwind, but I quickly tried to get us into a routine.  Soon, I decided that Daniel would benefit from going to Preschool and having something that was all his own.  A place opened up for him at a nice, Christian preschool just a few minutes away from us in November.  While he was the new kid, and it was hard for him to adjust, he loved school and had a wonderful year of learning new things.  The rest of the year things went a little more smoothly.  Simon finally figured out how to sleep through the night around 6 months (February), and with that I was a whole new person.  In March, April and May I often felt like a single parent as Jeff was on 30 hour call shifts quite a bit and many late night call shifts.  Now here it is June again.  Jeff and I will be celebrating 8 years together next week.  Simon turns 10 months this month.  And Jeff finishes his first year of residency at the end of the month.  What a year.

Simon, Sam & Daniel

At the Beach

Last weekend we spent the weekend at the Beach.  We went to Manzanita with the Grandparents and Aunt Cheryl.  The boys were so excited to go play on the sand.  We also went down to Tillamook and went to the Cheese Factory.  Sam was so mesmerized by the process of packaging the cheese.  We could hardly pull him away from the viewing window.  Unfortunately Jeff got sick on Saturday night and was not feeling well all day Sunday.  The older boys went with Grandma and Grandpa to visit the town and take a drive to Cannon Beach.  Simon got in on the fun too, crawling around on the sand and playing.  Overall it was a very fun trip, and we hope to go back soon.

Family Photo at the Cheese Factory

Daniel on the Beach

Sam in the Goo Sand

Simon Too

My Social Climber

Simon is such a sweet baby.  He has turned into a real social butterfly.  Everywhere we go he loves to look at people's faces and smile at them.  People call him "Mr. Smiley".  He has also found his voice and loves to make noise.  I think he is going to give Daniel a run for his money in the conversation department.  Simon loves to be held and always wants to be where the action is.  He has also learned to pull himself up onto furniture and has started "cruising".  He rarely sits anymore, unless there's a really cool toy to distract him.  I know he's going to be walking soon.  And soon he'll be chasing after Daniel and Sam saying, "Wait for me!"

Showing His Standing Skills

Sam is Turning 3

Wow!  3 Years ago, I was giving birth to my second son.  I can't believe how quickly he has grown into a little boy.  Sam is such a special little guy.  We knew he was unique, even as a baby.  He has always been more laid back and content to take life as it comes.  He's bit of an independent, liking to do things on his own or at least his own way.  He has a sense of humor.  Already I can tell he thinks of different ways of saying things, just to be silly.  I love you Sam!  Thanks for the joy you bring us every day.  I look forward to many more wonderful times with you in the future.

Sam-Still in the Hospital

Sam-1st Birthday

Sam-2nd Birthday

Sam-3rd Birthday

Belated Easter Blog

We had a really nice Easter this year.  We celebrated all weekend long.  On Saturday we had an egghunt with our cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  The boys colored eggs and we hid those along with some plastic filled eggs.  We had a yummy Easter Brunch.  Jeff had to work Sunday, so we wanted to celebrate on Saturday with him too.  On Sunday we went to Great-Grandma's house and had another Easter brunch with more family.

Simon, happy with his egg.

On the Hunt

The Family at Nan's House

Busy...Crazy!

Those Three Adorable Children I'm Taking Care Of

I thought when I started this blog that I would be so faithful and update it on a regular basis.  I can't believe how quickly even a week goes by and I realize I haven't updated my blog yet.  How will I have regular followers if my blog isn't updated?  So on my list of things to do is update my blog, but life is just so busy and crazy!  When do I have time?  I have a house to clean, pictures to download onto the computer, pictures to post on facebook, packages to get ready to mail, bills to pay, birthday parties to plan for, oh and yes, I have three adorable children to take care of.  Perhaps I should hire a personal assistant.  Needless to say, things are great and wonderful, but my blog might have to wait a few days.