Better than we could pray for

Snow Day

2018-01-25T11:27:00.000-06:00

She was quite happy with her consolation prize while the others got to go play outside.

"suk-ah"

Lots of energy and intense conversation at the lunch table

Everybody say "snow day!"

Red, white and green snowflakes.

The kitchen looked like we'd shredded an Italian or Mexican flag when all was said and done!

Ezra in this picture :)

Storytime

2018-01-18T19:59:00.000-06:00

Ballerinas

2018-01-17T20:12:00.001-06:00

At this point little Jack Jack arrived...

And started pulling hair...

Time out's have never been so cute!

So.much.attitude.

Tales from the Other Side

2018-01-16T21:10:00.001-06:00

It's the other mastermind-of-this-experiment's turn to say a few things.

Three questions to answer and then whatever else:

1) The most common question SHE gets, "So...have you guys found a house yet?"

[Melissa]

No. but there's a good reason for that: we aren't looking for a house yet. Of course I have my fun searching on Zillow for that ideal home in that ideal location, but the truth of the matter is, we're taking our time, as planned. We need to. Life over the past 15 months requires it. And there's no place else we'd rather take deep, cleansing, breaths than in a town-home with another family of five :)

particularly nice is the simple fact that I'm not sure they'll ever let us leave.

2) The most common question I get, "So...how's it going with the other family that moved in?"

[Melissa]

LOL! Is that who we are to you!??
But seriously, we are not here because we are destitute, nor are we here to mooch until we've bled our dear friends dry of their resources. Far from it. I'd like to think I can say with conviction (Kim, correct me if I'm wrong. Or let me live in blissful ignorance) that we're contributing members of a well running household, and that our presence makes the family machine run more smoothly, not more hectically. We are truly living in community with one another. I will admit, I had my doubts about our ability to blend & pool nearly EVERYTHING (stuff, resources, children, responsibilities, laundry, groceries...) but it has been remarkable. Of course I'm hesitant to express too much confidence too early, but I digress.

3) From a reader (and mutual friend), "Is there some sort of organized "chore chart"? Or are they all un-written rules??? For kids? Adults? Or both?"

[Melissa]

Everyone has planned responsibilities, but we haven't yet taken to writing them down. Let's see if I can remember the primary ones:

The Adults
Aside from putting our things away like good boys and girls, the four of us share dish duty, general de-cluttering, and childcare.

Kim: Works her tail off teaching highschoolers five days per week, cleans all floors, cleans bathroom surfaces, and cleans ALL family laundry. She even separates her whites, darks, and delicates! I know, right?! Who does that anymore? Don't look at me like that. it was HER request to take charge of laundry, because it's important to her.
Melissa: I take care of everything food - meal planning, grocery shopping, Costco, bulk cooking and baking, and I keep track of the budget. Ah, the budget. We are fairly determined to eat a whole food diet as a framily, meaning very little processed, pre-prepped food. It keeps our costs down, and I have the time to focus on it right now. So, we make all our own yogurt (we demolish 8 quarts weekly), sandwich and dinner breads, soups & bone broths, sauces, and of course school & work lunches on the daily. We have two mini-fridges to house extras, and two small deep-freezers. It's complicated at times, but always worthwhile when we consider the money we're saving and the healthy benefits of eating whole foods. I also watch my youngest, Ezra, during the day, Genevieve on Thursdays and Fridays, and all the kids when they get home from school. Oh. And toilets. I clean the toilets.
Jeremy: Works all day, frequently overtime, to provide for his family. Also, Jeremy makes family dinners on Saturday and Sunday. Where I tend to put equal emphasis on prep time and flavor, Jeremy enjoys taking time to create truly delicious and unique meals. We all look forward to the weekend! He jumps in and helps clean up the kitchen when needed, and takes the garbages out each night. Jeremy also does evening duty with his girls, bathing them and getting them all to bed.
Jonathan: Works all day about 45 minutes away to provide for our family. Jonathan does breakfasts for our kids and himself in the morning so I can finish my coffee and become a friendly, functioning human again. As if that wasn't enough, he also takes care of toothbrushing & bible stories at night after he's tagged in for some dish duty. He has made it a habit as well of cleaning all door knobs, railings, sink knobs, and handles every day when he gets home, to which I'm sure we attribute at least a portion of our overall health as a framily.

The kids:
All the kids are responsible for dealing with their own backpacks, lunch boxes, coats, shoes, clean laundry, and activities they get out. We're living in tight quarters, and these kids have seriously learned how to put their things away - if only to avoid a wayward sibling getting into them.

Samantha: Sam empties the dishwasher every morning before school, and gets silverware for everyone at every mealtime.
Levi: He empties the dishwasher every afternoon when he gets home from school, and gets drinks for everyone at each mealtime.
Cora: She empties the main floor bathroom trash, and the basement trashes, and gets napkins on the table at mealtimes
Charlotte: She empties the second floor trash cans
Ezra: He's still working on being a small human. Lol. We don't have anything nailed down for him yet that we feel like we can really hold him accountable for. Perhaps if we could just get him to keep the sheets ON his bed, and the pants ON his bottom, we'd be off to a good start.
Genevieve: Her job is to be baby Jack-Jack. Come see her in action, tickets for sale soon.

Anything else to add?
Yeah. This one nagging thing somebody said to me. I told them we were going to be moving in with some friends and the response was: "you mean, you're going to move in with people who were your friends before you moved in with them?" Now, I do understand that for one reason or another, what appears to be a delightful experience could end up not working out as well as we hope, but the outright assumption that living in a small space all together would fail so miserably proposes a hypothesis I hope to prove so very, very, false. I think one of our foremost goals as a framily is to think of each other first - to love each other well. And as such, we communicate OFTEN and respectfully about what is working and what isn't, what we appreciate and what bothers us. We are frank, and not interested in couching our words and carefully constructing our sentences. Above all we seek to honor God through this adventure, and if we accomplish that, I consider it a raging success.

Proverb Melissa added to our Kitchen

**Melissa would like it noted that this post is being posted without it being perfect**

Two Months In!

2018-01-15T15:30:00.000-06:00

I keep getting so far behind it seems like I'll never catch up! There's been so much to remember and no time to document it.

Ok, so- two months in and things are going swimmingly. I think a few items have been key to our success:

1) weekly meetings (we call them High Counsel Summits) This is when we say what's been irking us, things we'd like each other to be aware of, go over upcoming items, grocery status, etc. It was really nerve racking at first, but it's become a very low-key time of everyone sharing hilarious kid antics that may have been missed by one or two adults.

G now says "Dawdan!" with much enthusiasm

2) being frank- There's really no room for social niceties at all times. If somethings bothering someone, we're ok mentioning it and then everyone respects that although they don't agree, they'll comply.
Examples?
According to Melissa, if something is in the sink it's dirty. No picking it back up. No exceptions. No food gets washed/cut in the sink (at least when she might see it ;) ). But the floor? Meh- it's all good.

Unless Kim sees it. Because floor--hello, people walk out of the bathroom where there are still little people trying to learn to aim and they then walk into the kitchen...no. No food on the floor is edible unless it's going to be cooked to oblivion, the floor was JUST washed or it is a dry expensive item.

Cora has acclimated to having three sisters with much joy

3) being ok with the other parents parenting. So, if the biological adult is present they get first dibs on discipline, but for the most part whomever is the adult present is the adult taking care of the issue at hand. A few times one of us has seen a tantruming child of the other framily and have asked, "May I give it a shot?" to which the bio parent says "BE MY GUEST!" and said child is whisked away to their room to finish the tantrum. There's also NO judgement on anyone's part as far as parenting. Suggestions, yes, but only when things are calm and the stressed parent is able to process.

I remember one day it NOT being my child doing the ear piercing screaming and I said with a sweet smile, "Can I just say how relieved I am that your child still does that? It means mine aren't the only ones making our ears bleed!"


Adult Movie Night- 8pm kid bedtime is beautiful

4) date night- Fridays someone goes out. Except last week, when Melissa was gone. Which leads me to...

Quick! Melissa is never in the pictures! Say Cheese!

5) being gone. Melissa left for 3 days and we all took over, but it wasn't this huge "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD-BYE I NEED A BREAK" when she returned. We were SO glad she was back, but it didn't really wasn't too bad since there were still three of us (and extended Framily) holding down the fort. Plus she did an awesome job making sure all the ducks were in a row before she left. One more day and things may have started to go a little haywire, what with the bread and yogurt supply on low...:)

Lunch with the two little one day

Love.those.dimples.

Anywho, when she returned we got bold and started to discuss COUPLES being gone overnight or one adult being gone over a weekend for a retreat...I might actually get to go on a retreat! Something I've been wanting to do for years but just didn't know how to make it work!

6) Pitching in. Seriously- four adults to run a house is SO AMAZING. But we all four HAVE to pitch in. Dishes are ridiculous and unfortunately, none of us "enjoys" dishes.

Post-sledding selfie

Ok, that's enough for now. I think. Maybe we should open this up to questions? Any questions out there?

Super Framily

2018-01-14T16:23:00.001-06:00

Since we've been blending, we've all noticed each other's rather unique super-powers. Be them useful or just fun to watch, everyone seems to resemble some fictional character...From oldest to youngest:

Jeremy

He's our Dr Strange. He's on a completely different level socially but brilliantly talented in ways we don't realize until we try it ourselves.

His culinary skills keep us out of most restaurants. Seriously, no chef in Lincoln can come close. And then he does things like builds a mini-mudroom or draws out 3-D plans for an entertainment center in the basement. What? How did you...Mind.blown.

Jonathan

We think he was bitten by a mutant bug or is in touch with the Force. His spidey senses will go off and he will inevitably find a child in need- be it Genevieve across the street (don't ask) or Genevieve in the bathroom on the toilet, Genevieve dancing on the kitchen table...really, he's saved that girls life more than once.
His sanitation knowledge and safety expertise background have kept the big-bad bugs from spreading and people sliding around outside on a surprise dusting of snow.

Melissa

Something between Daredevil and EarQ- Melissa can hear EVERYTHING. This woman's super hearing means no child sneaks out of bed or has a conversation that she does not witness. This is a slight disadvantage at night when I'm trying to work and my computer is RIGHT above her bedroom. And many times she'll come upstairs and ask, "who was making _____ sound?" And I confess, "um...I was breathing?"

She also a mastermind when it comes to grocery shopping/mealplanning. She's determined to feed us all on $800 a month on whole foods. So far so good- delicious, homemade bread made from home-ground wheatberries. Home-made yogurt, muffins...and everything else we feast on! I've learned SO much from her and....she needs to write a book.

Kim

Super.Sonic.Smell. I can smell a poopy diaper BEFORE it happens. I know which students smoke before they enter my room. NO scented ANYTHING less you suffer the wrath of Olfactory Overloaded Kim.

Although sleep is a rare nicety due to many life-factors right now, when enough is acquired, all the fun messy stuff comes out for kids to do. Sledding? Everyone suit up! Playdough? Here's the box! Hide and seek? Let me help move the couch for you to hide! Glitter? HERE'S YOUR FAIRY DUST!

BUT. That floor will be vacuumed daily, by golly, or insanity starts sneaking in...

Samantha

Have you ever seen Princess Unikitty? Rainbows and Glitter and Unicorns and "Any idea is a Good idea, expet the not-happy ones. Those you push down deep inside where you'll never, ever, ever EVER find them!" That girl thrives on less sleep than I ever thought possible for a child. Thank GOODNESS for Clonidine.

This girl's secret power is her artistic ability. Wow. This girl is creative. And has to have something close to a photographic memory. She remembers EVERYTHING that she reads.

Levi

Batman- Justice Vigilante. No deed shall go unpunished/unrewarded! And Cardboard lightsabor fighter extraordinaire.

His secret power is his breakfast appetite. It's a side-job, really. We sell tickets to help pay for his keep, "Come see the amazing bottomless breakfast appetite! Oatmeal, Bananas, yogurt in one 5 minute setting!"

Cora

Elasticgirl/Pinkypie all the way. This girl can mold on any piece of furniture. And then bounce off with the agility and grace of an inflatable flailing arm (wo)man!

Her secret power is filling a room with excitement just with your presence. She's our greeter and makes sure everyone gets their fill of "I love you's" and hugs and superlatives.

Charlotte

Rarity. All things sparkle and shiny and gems and gold and drama when her hair isn't perfect. She's the collector of all things sparkly and small. Our little Magpie!

Charlotte's superpower is that of possession and finding the little things. Can't find that one bead? Ask Charrlote. "Check out my the lego treasure box. No, not the one at the bottom of the lego box, the one under the couch cushion. The one on the left. I put it there last Thursday when I was playing with the glitter popsicile stick named 'Rainbow sparkle princess.' I want it back when you're done. That's very special to me."

Ezra

Hulk-boy. So handsome and sweet and cute and SMART and charming...until he's generally frustrated with the four older siblings in possession of something that is desired. Or in other tragic circumstances such as the younger one who deemed him a punching bag for the first month here.

His secret power is super-sleeper. Bad dream? Let me go back to sleep. Fallen out of bed? Let me go back to sleep. Never-ending cough? Why did you wake me up? Let me go back to sleep. 2 hour nap EVERY day? You got it. Just don't wake me up.

Genevieve

We can't wait to see the movie inspired by her. It's coming to theaters soon- Incredibles 2. The writers lived in our house to watch Genevieve in action to get all of their writing material for Jack-jack. So innocent and sweet and HOLY COW HOW DID SHE GET UP THERE?
When a tantrum is in session you have to hold her at arms length so as not to get sliced by the lazer eyes while trying to not let her fall and hurt herself.

Her super power is her power legs. She's been kicking non-stop since in-utero and has developed quite the solid leg strength. Changing diapers has never been so dangerous. She better potty train quickly!

Blending

2017-12-20T09:27:00.000-06:00

St Nick's Day

2017-12-19T09:26:00.001-06:00

Winning!!

A visitor said, "Your place is just so full of LIFE!"

I couldn't have said it better. We love it!

"Mom, I Can't Find My Robe"

2017-11-26T21:59:00.003-06:00

Honeymoon Phase

2017-11-22T23:05:00.001-06:00

Goosebumps

2017-11-20T22:00:00.000-06:00

So, one thing that Melissa and I hope will work in our favor is this- we are scary similar. And in ways we didn't know was even possible. Have you ever wished there was another one of you to do all the things? That's kind of us. SO many conversations, preferences- even taste buds are almost identical. Almost every conversation gets a jump start with "ME TOO!!"

Luckily she has brown eyes and short hair and I have blue eyes and long hair so our husbands and children can tell us apart.

As we've been planning this "social experiment" some mind-boggling conversations have surfaced.

Such as,

"Kim. I have a confession to make...I'm a secret hoarder..."
"Of what?"
"Gift bags. Tissue paper. Wrapping paper. I...I just can't...don't ever...throw it away. I have a box..."
"Would you like to see my stash? It used to take up an entire closet..."

I was a little worried about a particular toiletry conversation that was inevitable. I'm a kleenex snob. I fully intended on putting forth the extra money to buy the Kleenex Doux soft tissues that I desperately prefer.
And then, while unpacking Melissa shyly confessed..."Kim...I'm going to be straight with you...I have to have a certain kind of tissue..."
I burst out laughing, had her try mine (she prefers the lotion kind) and she said she thought it would do the trick.

Luckily, the chores we like and dislike are complete opposites. I loathe grocery shopping. She loathes doing laundry. What to guess what each of us finds relaxing???

Today, though, was the kicker.
"Kim, what's your kindle password?"
"####"
"LOL, want to guess what ours is??"

Not even kidding!

Ta da!

2017-11-20T06:11:00.000-06:00

Before

The handsome beast at work

Ta da!

This is how we (plan to) do it

2017-11-19T14:52:00.001-06:00

10 people.

6 kids under 8.

4 adults. 2 of which are very similar their idiosyncrasies.

Here's the current setup:

Drink station. One cup a day per person. Each kid has a specific character cup. 3 in all, one for use, one that might be dirty, one for bathroom tooth stuff.

Each child has their own washcloth below their tooth items. It's our hope to minimize the germs, what with 6 school's germs being brought into the house.

Tags for hanging and differentiating will happen as soon as I have time... Which actually might happen with the extra sets of hands and playmates around!

Closet doors- gone. They were horrible and had (huge) holes in them anyway. We'll replace them when we move.

Door trim didn't make it in before they came, but is an easily added finish after unpacking and holidays are done.

Two words: vertical storage

Also, back of the door is unused spaced that I didn't realize I wasn't using

Laundry is my chore, mostly because I'm anal about it and I really don't mind it. Melissa insisted on putting in this beauty:

It's like Mary Poppin's bag. The possibilities as to how much can fit in it are endless!

I've learned that a good way to help curb the "toss the clothes on the floor/couch/toy box" is to have laundry baskets in areas that might collect such items. Then I just pick out what goes in the load I'm tossing in. Currently the main laundry collection is on the top floor and the laundry room is in the basement. So as I carry the big load it's super easy to just make a quick pit stop at the random laundry baskets around the house.

Coffee station. 3/4 of us are coffee snobs

Also, bananas. Holy moly.

Each family of kids has their own room with plenty of floor space when personal space is needed

Bunk with stairs and drawers

Triple bunk with Ikea storage units

Funny, their room has always been considered the smaller of the two, but since they brought what FIT (rather than us buying what worked at the time) they have a much more open space than our girls do. Just goes to show what maximum use of space can do! So far we have doubled the household and yet we feel like our house is bigger.

Blissful quiet time. No matter the age. 90 minutes of silence and aloneness.

(The other three were in their beds sleeping)

Next on the to do list:

Stay tuned for the after shot!

Doubling the household

2017-11-13T14:49:00.000-06:00

So much has happened and I need to catch up. "Just blog from now and catch up later!" I keep telling myself. And then it is midnight and I crash after doing just what is needed for tomorrow.

What is going on?
The Hnoskos are moving back home!!!! And even better- to OUR home!

Multi family living for the win!
We've been getting our place ready and prepping both sets of kids. There was a basement to remodel, a bathroom to make more functional, an entryway to redesign, doors to replace and m about 100 trips to Menards.

And now, the count down begins. We've had Mr Hnosko living with us for a while now and the rest of the clan arrives Saturday. With only a few more projects left, we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Basement before

Closet knocked out. That's Mr Hnosko, who we currently refer to as my second husband... Sometimes "the dishwasher"...

Framed

After

What I was sitting on when I took the previous picture. Ideas for decorating the wall are much welcomed!

The other side of the wall, now a non conforming 4th bedroom

Front entry way closet turned into Mini mudroom with a shoe bin.

Even has a touch light so the kiddos can see while digging

I moved the baskets to outside the mudroom

Laundry and toothbrush solution for 10 people

Wine rack used for towel storage. I've been introduced to the concept of vertical storage and am a little obsessed.

Lots of other additions and tweaks, but I'll try and update more as we go along and catch up the past 6 months another time!

Tumbling Weed

2017-06-10T15:51:00.000-05:00

Any time she become inconsolable due to an inaccessible mother or restrictions are put in place due to the fact that she's not 3 or 8 years old we throw her on the couch and let her roll.

This time she found a friend.

And they started smooching...

"I think someone is watching us..."

"Oh the shame!"

Bday Party!

2017-06-09T16:27:00.000-05:00

This year the Grand Opening of the Swing set was the setting for Sam's party. At first I was going to limit it to 5, but there are so many kids in the neighborhood and so many have siblings I was like, "Whatever, just come over and play!"

Picnic in the shade!

A Jordan

A Wesley

THE Estella

The Cousins

Unofficial Brother

Hottest gift- Trolls Cinema Book. Literally every scene of the movie in comic format. Both girls are still obsessed!

A Benes

An Asmus

Chilaxing

This is what "whatever, just come and play!" looks like!

Bubbles are a serious business.

Happy Birthday (again) Samantha!!!!

Playing in the shade

2017-06-08T15:26:00.000-05:00

The Trail of Baby G

2017-06-06T15:21:00.000-05:00

Books pulled off the prayer table...

Diaper bag cleared...

Coffee table cleared...

Tissues shredded...

So, where is the little bugger?

There she is! Rounding off the routine, shredding the TP.

Kids say and Tintis (things I never thought I'd say)

2017-06-04T18:55:00.001-05:00

Feb:
At church...*digging through my purse*
"Charlotte, what are you looking for?"
"Um... I don't know, but I need to keep looking to see if I can find it."

So jer threw up. I gave the girls washcloths to wipe down door handles, light switches and anything else daddy may have touched recently...I turn around to Sam wiping down the lamp shade on her tippy toes saying to herself, "he probably touched this..."😂😂

"mom! Guess what I can say now! hOSPital. Not hostipal." -charlotte
"Aw, I liked how you said it before."
"Well, I can say it right now. Sam learned it to me."😂😂

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Charlotte became very indignant when I offered this for a church dress. "I'm not wearing that! That's a peasant girl dress!!!"
😦

"so 6 equals 3, cause 3 goes with 6."
-Charlotte

April

Charlotte threw a fit at dinner because the gravy that she did NOT want wasn't covering all of her chicken.

2 days ago Charlotte wore her sandals for the first time this year.
She then peed her pants twice while playing as she waited too long. She now refuses to wear the sandals. she says they make her pee her pants.

Charlotte just informed me that she just met 2 humans outside. One girl kind and one boy kind.

May

Things I never thought I'd say as a mom, "you are NOT a mermaid. STOP trying to breathe under water!"
"Yes, Mommy..."

I cleaned out Charlotte's cubbie at dimensions and she was appalled that I suggested we throw away anything...

"BECAUSE YOU WASTED SO MUCH TIME BAWKING LIKE A CHICKEN!"
-something I may have said this morning

Me to the girls in the back seat as I'm driving, "I love you girls!"
Samantha immediately responds, "I love you too!"
Charlotte (grumpy from long day at school), "......I don't like you."

I walked into the bathroom and Sam says, "sorry...I farted... It kinda stinks."
"That's ok," I replied. "I'm used to stinky farts, remember?"
"Yeah. I'm guess I get that from you. You know, when I came out of your tummy and kids get stuff from their parents? That's ok. I forgive you."

Blog update

2017-06-03T22:37:00.002-05:00

For anyone who still reads this, all posts in April and May are new!

Playset

2017-06-03T20:52:00.002-05:00

When we first moved in Audra gifted us her playset. It got moved every year as the grass died around it and it got used a LOT.

So many memories!

Very typical scene

The neighborhood played on it HARD. Little by little things broke. A swing rubbed through the metal ihooks. The bench swing could no longer be repaired. And then one day three big kids decided to all swing together. Since we never anchored it- the swing set lifted, swayed and permanently angled to where it could no longer be used.
Luckily, your daddy and I had been plotting for months on a replacement. We talked about what we wanted (staked, closer to the house) and what was used the most (cross bar as a pull-up bar, swings and the bench swing).
Your daddy spent mother's day giving me an awesome gift building your new set from scratch while I kept everyone else alive and fed.

We added little by little after the frame was done but we desperately needed those swings back up. You and Charlotte both spend HOURS swinging every day when it's nice.

Slide and swing used from original set!

Also- SHADE!!! It's shaded for most of the day now!

Not a bench swing, but the best we could come up with!

Two pieces still missing (balance beam and monkey bars) but we're calling it good for this year! We're pooped!

The neighborhood is very happy once again. And sweaty!

Morning Routine

2017-06-01T22:49:00.000-05:00

Let's see, where has Genevieve been this morning?

Shredded Tissues...

Cleared coffee table....

Dismantled Diaper Bag (luckily my wallet was zipped shut this time)

De-stacked books from shelf.

Double Birthday

2017-05-30T22:45:00.000-05:00

Samantha thoroughly enjoys having a birthday so close to Genevieve's. This year her birthday fell on Memorial Day, so the family, and the whole country, celebrated with us!

Genevieve's gifts from the girls...

A box of tissues (behind her head) for her to shred at her will and a toy that she ACTUALLY plays with. Watching her little arms shake while she holds the vibrating ball had everyone in stitches!

Practicing her new skills

I can tell from her head tilt that she's giving Kahlan the frown!

Sorry for the dark picture, it's all I got!

Chocolate cake!!!

She approved after a few suspicious bites...

BABY MILO EMERGES!! And he's crawling and pulling up on things. WHA???

New Snazzy Dress

Her favorite spot. Stands and yells at her sisters.

Gift from mimi- color by sticker!

This picture just show how CLASSIC adhd she is. She pulled out a fourth page to start and I asked her to finish one that she'd already started first.

"Oh, right".

ONE!

2017-05-29T21:22:00.000-05:00

Holy cow this year went by fast. You are definitely the third child. The day before your birthday we were working on the front-yard play area and I heard you screeching for my attention. We stopped and said, "Whaaaaat?"

And then you did this:

Are you watching?

Ok here I go...

Tada! No hands!

We were all so impressed and you happily repeated the trick over and over.

Walking is only weeks away!

A friend recently heard you over the phone and used a word that I think describes your demanding personality quite well- "Tyrant"

You are a hilarious and cute tyrant, but very demanding and LOUD nonetheless. You have thismuch patience when it comes to food being served and you eat 70% of the day. Oh your screech. We thought we'd gotten you to stop, but you've started up again. My ears literally ring. I'm not looking forward to the car trip to Arkansas this year! I've literally bought ear-plugs for everyone.

I was taking note recently and realized you have three locations most of the day.

Here:

here:

And your pack-n-play (sorry, no pictures)

You are quite demanding with regards to sleeping as well. You hate it when I walk into your room and start the routine, but as soon as I throw your "B" at you (blankie) you start rubbing your eyes and yawning. I chuckle and call you "pavlov's dog".

You're an ok napper but a great night sleeper. Two 1-2 hr naps a day, bed by 7 and up at 6. Oh how I'd love to push the bed-time and wake up time one hour. (Where is day light savings when I need it?!?)

You are wearing 18 month clothes.

You weigh 22 lbs.

You LOVE to swing.

You can sign more, milk, down and all-done, but prefer to SCREAM at us, much to our dismay.

With your FPIES we are still staying waaaaay clear of rice, oats, bananas and avocado. But we've got a routine, including pumpkin, carrot, squash, applesauce and cinnamon packets:

And don't I DARE put anything else in them!

Also- CHEESE! Like real dairy cheese! Oh how I rejoiced at an easy, protein-packed, fatty food for you!

Your frown still cracks everyone up. You're so skeptical of anyone new...and grass...

Your foot :)

So much love for your sisters! Or possibly the mowers...I don't remember. I think you frowned at them.

Then back to complaining...with the foot still up.

The first thing Charlotte STILL asks when she wakes up is, "Where's Genevieve?" I am so looking forward to watching you two when you can master the stairs!

You looooooove your sisters.

Want to have milk available and at your disposal 12/7.

Are the dismantler

Our shredder

Every. Single. Morning.

To which I say, "Whatever, you aren't screaming."

Our kicker

Why do you kick? This baffles me so. It's the oddest thing. Kickkickkickkickkick. Whenever we pick you up, if you are happy, mad, tired, just waking up. Kickkickkickkickkick.

I'm not kidding you when I say this was the first time you did this!

And recently have discovered the joy of cuddling. Since birth you refused to cuddle. Oh, you want us to hold you, but facing OUT. You have realized the joy that is laying your head down on our chest/shoulder and are quite the cuddler now, much to your father's enjoyment.

Oh how we love you Genevieve!

"Mom, a little help here?"

2017-05-28T23:19:00.000-05:00

Me: "Push harder."

Yes, we are alive! Blog Update coming down the pipe!