Porter - 11 months

11 months. I can't believe it. Sometimes I just want time to s.t.o.p. because my BABY is growing up too fast. But, then I just look at him and see all of the things that make him so deliciously wonderful and I decide that, OK he can grow up.

Just not too fast.

As in, this next month better crawl by s-l-o-w-l-y.

Porter is working so hard on crawling. He will get up on his hands and knees and rock back and forth. If there is something he wants that is out of reach, he will stretch as far as he can and then push himself with his legs. But I am trying to brace myself. Because once this fella is mobile, life will never be the same. He will be the busiest one yet. Of that I have no doubt.

We are about to be finished with baby food. As soon as the last frozen veggies from the garden are gone, "real food" here we come! Now, I can't imagine Porter giving up applesauce b/c he eats it at least once a day. But, applesauce isn't really baby food. Right? I mean, the bigger kiddos eat it all of the time, too. :)

Porter has moved into some 6-12 month onesies. Woo hoo! And he's wearing 6-9 month PJs. He's a growin'! This outfit is 9 months, and it's just a tad big. ;)

He has 6 teeth. Number 5 poked through yesterday, and number 6 came in today. 

When Porter is hungry and if he wants to, Porter will either say "more" or sign "more" or he will say "bite bite." But that's only if he wants to. All of the other times, he makes this weird growling noise that he only makes in his high chair. As much as we don't want to encourage it, most of the time we can't help but laugh because it is hilarious! He will also wave and say "bye bye" and has started saying "hey." He still doesn't say "Mama." But Mama is trying to be patient.

Porter is definitely a Mama's boy, which I absolutely love since Landon only wanted his Daddy unless he was hungry. One of my favorite things is seeing Porter's little arms stretched up as high as he can get them when he wants me to pick him up. He also loves to snuggle into my shoulder when other people talk to him, especially if he thinks that they want to hold him. He will nestle his little head down, and I assure him that Mama's got him. :)

If I had to choose one absolute favorite thing that Porter does this month, it would be when he wraps both of his tiny arms around my neck and just holds them there in a hug. Most of the time he will play with my hair at the same time, but those hugs are the sweetest. Sometimes they last for 30 seconds or more, and I eat up every second! He also strums his lips with his fingers, and it makes me smile every time. He gets this little look on his face that is just so sweet. If I do it back, he will continue like it's a game. Melt my heart.

Snotty noses, coughs, and fevers - Oh My!

Someone please tell me that winter is almost over. I used to love winter. Loved warm sweaters and layering pieces. Cuddling in front of the fire on cold nights. Brisk walks on sunshine filled days to warm up the soul. Snow ball fights with the hubby.

While I could {maybe} be convinced to enjoy that again some day, that day is Not Today.

Today, I took all three kiddos to the doctor. Mostly because Porter has been running a 101.7-8 fever for three days and has been miserable. I thought Landon had a sinus infection, and thought Ella Beth was coming down with one as well.

Surprise, surprise. All 3 have RSV. Seriously???

And there's no medicine 'cause it's a "virus."

Luckily (I guess?), RSV in kiddos Ella Beth and Landon's age typically mask as a severe cold. But for poor little Porter, he's got it rough. Breathing treatments, constant sucking out drainage, continued fevers.

And on top of it all, Porter has double ear infections. Poor little fella. :(

Motherhood is a battlefield in many different ways, but the winter/flu/sick season is one of the toughest.

I keep reminding myself that this too shall pass. I just pray that it passes quickly!

Multitudes on Monday

1596. good diapers that hold it all in when baby boy's tummy is working over time

1597. infant Tylenol and Ibuprofen to keep fevers from getting too high (Porter's fever has been 101.7-8 for the last 3 days. Before that he's been fussy, and his little tummy has not treated him kindly.)

1598. Ella Beth for being SUCH a great big sister when I need to clean the bathroom yet again, or disinfect Porter's room again, or change his crib sheets...again

1599. our pediatrician who cares about my kiddos as a friend, and not just as their doctor

1600. on last hurrah with Meredith before sweet Davis arrives

1601. taking Porter with us to the movie theater and having people tell me afterwards "what a good baby he is" - whew!

1602. Porter being a great eater

1603. Landon's sensitive spirit - he's having a hard time right now controlling his emotions, but after pitching a fit or acting ugly, he is always quick to apologize and ask for forgiveness without being prompted.

1604. realizing that sometimes it's a choice to love others, and that's OK...as long as we make the right choice to do so

1605. understanding unconditional love through the eyes of a parent, and knowing that no matter how frustrated I can get with my children...nothing could ever make me stop loving them

1606. Scott unexpectedly home on a Monday morning

1607. Scott and Landon making pancakes for breakfast

1608. chocolate chip pancakes, of course ;)

Psalm 136:1-3. "Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all lords. His love never quits."

Multitudes on Monday

1583. a mother-in-law who goes out of her way to help me when Daddy is away for 5 days

1584. home cooked meals that I don't have to cook or clean up after when Daddy is away

1585. sleeping with at least one kiddo in the bed so that the bed doesn't feel lonely

1586. having the other big kiddo sleeping on a pallet next to the bed to keep all of my littles close by

1587. sound sleepers

1588. Scott arriving home one day early!!!

1589. big hugs and kisses

1590. family reunion food

1591. Porter showing off his smile

1592. the bigger kiddos entertaining everyone as the cousins put on singing performances

1593. opening up to others in my Bible study about an issue that Landon has been having to learn that it's most definitely a BOY issue - and we are not alone

1594. praying for wisdom and trusting that God will provide because James 1:5-6 promises it

1595. Lego Friends books for Ella Beth

Psalm 28:6-7 "Blessed be God— he heard me praying. He proved he’s on my side; I’ve thrown my lot in with him. Now I’m jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to him."

2:41 p.m.

It's funny that Porter's toys are surrounding him in the living room, but the bigger kiddos are the ones playing with them. Porter found a tag on the blanket to occupy him.

Pretty yellow flowers

These pretty yellow flowers grow in our yard each year. It's surprising how early they bloom, but daffodils in February help the dreary days of winter pass by with the anticipation of Spring.

Scott has taught the kiddos well, and they love to cut flowers for me. :) 

 It's amazing what a little pop of color can do to brighten up long, gray days.

Blessed by God who makes beautiful things. And blessed by my family who shares in them.

Multitudes on Monday

1566. celebrating a sweet friend and her expected baby boy

1567. watching Natalie play with Porter and seeing what a great big sister she will be

1568. free diapers

1569. lunch with a friend after way too long

1570. a quiet evening with Scott while the bigger kiddos were with grandparents and Porter was in bed

1571. how Porter will smile at people but will still tuck his head into my shoulder and act shy

1572. Porter wrapping his arms around my neck and squeezing me tight

1573. Porter's open-mouth kisses

1574. texts and phone calls from Ella Beth as she spends a couple of days with Mimi

1575. hearing Ella Beth talk on the phone and listening to how "big" she sounds

1576. Landon getting 1:1 attention - the "middle child syndrome" has hit him full force and he needs all of the extra attention he can get right now

1578. having to wash Landon's pants and PJs twice a week - it used to annoy me that I had to do his laundry so often b/c I never get a break from it, but perspective has shown me that I am lucky that Landon is a healthy and full-blown boy who just gets dirty being a full-blown boy :)

1579. new dresses for Ella Beth - I am so thankful she is petite and can still wear "little girl" dresses because there are very few cute (or appropriate) dresses in sizes 6 and up. 

1580. Porter's elephant sleepers - he has had the same sleeper in Preemie, Newborn, 3 month, 6 month, and he has a 9 month. They have been my favorite, and it's fun to watch how he's grown in each one.

1581. grandparents who are generous with their time, energy, and money to treat the kiddos and make them feel extra special every now and then

1582. realizing how little money it actually takes to make our kiddos feel extra special - what they crave most is attention, affection, and knowing they are loved

Psalm 44:8, "In God have we made our boast all the day long, And we will give thanks unto thy name for ever."