Maui

I still haven't been able to decide if the timing of our trip, in the middle of an incredibly stressful and crazy season of life, was absolutely genius or incredibly stupid. Either way, I felt the stress of life totally off me while we were gone, we made some amazing memories, and some we will be laughing about for years to come. Here are a couple highlights…

I left all of our luggage and one of our children with a stranger when Isla had to go to the bathroom. In my defense, she was holding her butt, crying that she needed to poop really bad when this kind saint of a stranger offered to stay with Connor and all our luggage. 

Connor and I went digging for crabs on the beach and managed to unearth one about the size of my hand. Ian claims I was flapping my arms as I went running down the beach screaming. I definitely remember the running and screaming part, but I'm not so sure about the flapping of the arms. Either way, Connor said "Let's not dig for crabs again, ok mom?"

I had the most incredible spiritual experience seeing the sun set from the top of the volcano halekala. In spite of the kids complaining and wanting to sit in the car, I couldn't help but feel amazed by the beauty and feel like I was in the presence of God. 

One evening we took the kids to get some gelato after dinner. The place has a back patio that is over the water. Sitting back there with three kids that weren't complaining/crying/whining, listening to the waves crash, eating great tasting gelato felt pretty much like pure bliss. 

The trip really was an amazing one. Though, Connor says his favorite part was the hotel we stayed at in San Francisco the night before we left. I am not sure if that means the trip was a total fail for him or if the hotel in San Francisco was just that good. Either way, I will always look back on this family trip with fond memories…because, hello, no public meltdowns…and will try to forget about Isla's stuffed animal ending up in the toilet on the way home. 

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Callum {6 months}

Weight: 17 pounds

Length: 27 inches

Likes: his thumb, people smiling at him, being held or worn, his brother and sister

Dislikes: sleeping all night

I feel like people comment over and over about what a happy baby Callum is. Even at his check up, his doctor mentioned about how smily he was and how he will just go to anyone…of course, maybe I have passing him around at the older kids school drop off/pick ups to thank for that! But the kid will seriously smile for anyone that smiles at him. I call it his party trick because you can always get him to do it. 

Developmentally, Callum is on the cusp of being able to sit up unassisted. He can do it for a few seconds, but that's it. A couple weeks ago, he started walking in his walker. He really seems to enjoy the walker. He also now puts his hands out toward people. And he babbles. No real sounds like "dada" or "baba" but he does attempt to have a conversation when you talk to him and I find it pretty dang cute. Callum has also taking a keen liking to my glasses in the past couple weeks. If I am not careful, he snatches them right off my face. 

Sizewise, Callum wears 6-12 months clothing. He has even started to wear some 12-18 months and they fit!? Of course, I am over here in a corner sobbing, not wanting it to happen so quick. He is in size 3 diapers and I feel like if he keeps growing as fast as he has, he won't be in them for long…though if my memory (and old blog posts!) serves me correct, my other babies didn't grow as fast their second six months of life. 

Sleepwise, if the conditions are right, I can still get a couple really good naps out of Callum. Of course, there are those unpredictable and loud older siblings that can throw a wrench into things at times. And I haven't figured out how sometimes he can sleep through all their shenanigans and other times not. At night, he still wakes numerous times…too many to count, as it would just get depressing. He doesn't wake and stay awake, but just wants to nurse back to sleep. Bad habit, I know. But, for the most part it doesn't bother me, so I am happy to keep my nighttime cuddle bug for now. 

This happy go lucky third child of mine really has been the icing on the motherhood cake for me. I love this little guy so much. He is getting ready to start solids (hello mess!) and I am sure will be moving around the house very shortly. But, in the mean time, I am enjoying every second of cuddling with him and singing to him…and even watching Connor and Isla fight over who gets to sit by him. They sure love him and of course, that makes my mama heart all gooey with happiness. 

And because I am me, here is Connor at 6 months and Isla at 6 months. Callum and Isla were actually pretty close to the same size at 6 months. After reading the other kids updates, it seems both of them had already started the whole stranger-danger thing by 6 months, but not smily, friendly Callum!

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24/52

Last week was spent in Maui. Living the calm, carefree life on the beach was sure a flip flop from trying to paint, pack and move this week…take me back to Hawaii! Given that we spent so much time on the beach last week, that is where each kid'c picture is from. 

Connor: He really faced his fears and had so incredibly much fun playing in the ocean. He went under several times and it never even bothered him. I was so proud. 

Isla: This girl was constantly one with the sand at the beach. She loved the beach so much and let us know her displeasure with leaving every time we had to.

Callum: This little guy did so well last week. He was incredibly adaptable. And even he got to be in the ocean a few times. He loved the water and would kick up a storm whenever we would put him in it.

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

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Isla's Ballet Recital

^^ This is her "Oh hey guys, I'm on stage" face.

^^ And this move (which I am sure has a technical ballet name) was literally Isla's favorite part of her whole dance. 

^^ Both sets of grandparents brought Isla flowers to her recital…the parents on the other hand...

Isla had her ballet recital this weekend. She seemed both excited and nervous for it, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but she totally loved it. With the forecast calling for a high of 108 for that day, we went ahead and got a babysitter to stay with Callum during the recital. And, lucky for Isla (and all of us), the kids in her age group all get to leave as soon as their dance is over. Next year she will be expected to stay until intermission.

During the dance itself, Isla was very serious. She literally didn't smile at all while dancing. But, before and after the dance, she would smile at the crowd. Her favorite part of the dance is at the end, so it was nice to watch her "finish strong". Especially since the girl next to her was sobbing like crazy, so Isla spent about half the dance just staring at her crying. But, then she seemed to get over the girl crying and start dancing.

It was a fun (albeit hot…and sometimes crazy with the crazy and serious dance moms) experience all around. Isla said she wants to do it again next year and after her recital next year, never again. Haha! So, I guess we will be taking this whole dance thing one year at a time…of course, isn't that every activity with kids?!

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23/52

I am a little late posting these, because, well, life. But here they are…from last week when every day was triple digits and I thought I might melt like a popsicle. Speaking of popsicles, I ate a lot of them last week. 

Connor: Playing in the backyard. I helped him turn our slide into a waterside and it was pretty dang entertaining watching him go down it.

Isla: While I was cutting up watermelon (cold, cubed watermelon is about my favorite), she asked me to keep one piece big for her. Watching the watermelon juice run down her face just seemed so cliche of childhood, but also so fun.

Callum: He doesn't have any teeth yet, but I discovered that the toothbrush someone gave him will entertain him for long enough for me to get things done. 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

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Blueberry Picking

We went blueberry picking this past weekend and I am glad we did because we are so busy the next few weeks that I fear it may be the only time we were able to go. I just love blueberry picking (and any type of fruit picking for that matter) so much. It inspires to be be a better gardener...and that never really happens. But, back to blueberry picking. 

Everything was fine until Isla took about her first three steps and started complaining of getting dirt in her shoes. After dealing with that for five minutes, I offered to get her sandals out of the car. We changed her shoes and, of course, that did nothing to help the situation. And she couldn't sit on the ground because it was hot and blah, blah, blah. After so much complaining in such a small time period and her begging to be in the stroller, I finally obliged and put Callum in a carrier. Thankfully that quelched most of the drama. I say most because then, of course, Isla needed me to push the stroller from bush to bush, at her demand, so she too could pick blueberries. Next time I may just have her wear her rain boots and sweat it out! 

The place we go blueberry picking really is a destination, with plenty of other things to do. Isla happened upon a bunch of rolly pollies that kept her entertained for a while. And we managed to find a bush covered in butterflies. It was so cool. We got to see so many different ones. And Connor managed to touch one, which was hysterical because I don't know if I've ever seen him move so fast in his life. All in all, once we got past the first 10 minutes of drama, it was a pretty dang good time. 

And, just in case you are like me, here are some of our blueberry picking adventures from years past - 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012...and some strawberry picking in 2010 in Scotland. 

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Brotherly Love

I don't know if it is because Connor and Isla fought nonstop for their first three years together or because Connor has never really been into babies, but the brotherly relationship between Connor and Callum has been a pleasant surprise from the moment Callum was born. Connor loves him so much…maybe sometimes a little (or a lot) rough, but the love is still definitely there. I see it when Callum is crying in the car and I turn around at a red light to find Connor holding Callum's hand and stroking his cheek. I see it when Connor jumps on the floor and excitedly gets all up in Callum's face. I see it when Connor wants to see Callum as soon as he wakes every morning. I don't know how this relationship between the two of them will play out, but so far it is so precious that it constantly has me all mushy with emotion.

 A little side note, Connor did say that Callum can't share a room with him until he is three and able to properly play with legos…so there is that. But, the room sharing will come way before that, so yeah.

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