Thank God for Carpet

Recently I wrote about how Adler seemed to age about 10 years (and that would make her really old because she is already almost 10!) when we watched her climb the stairs to our second floor. 

The stairs were hardwood and the finish on them made them look beautiful but we couldn't keep them. I love my dog too much to see her struggle to get up them and dreaded my kids walking down them in socks. I couldn't imagine when they had friends over either.

So a few weeks back, we decided to carpet over our beautiful stairs (well, put a runner on them) for the love of our dog and our kids.

I have to say, Adler looks puppy-like bounding up them now and I don't worry about my kids falling down them!

9 Months Old and....

as happy as can be! Well, almost Hailey had a bit if a rough week with more teeth coming in. She wasn't sleeping that well which meant we weren't sleeping that well. She wasn't eating that much and sometimes the poor girl was just inconsolable. Then the congestion starts and she can't breathe very well. There isn't much you can do for a baby when that starts. Prop up her mattress, vapor rub, saline drops, suction her nose and a little ibuprofen for the teeth. Doesn't seem to help all that much so you just have to wait it out. Luckily last night she turned a corner. Only woke up once and she was breathing better this morning when I checked on her before I left this morning. Hopefully, some if those teeth will be making their appearance soon!

At 9 months old, Hailey is sometimes starting to push up on all fours - a start to the beginning stages of crawling. She eats well and really likes all of her food (aside from peas). She still loves her siblings. Austen takes care of her while the three are riding across the back in the car. Peyton looks out the window, not all that interested in helping her if she is fussing or needs her pacifier. 

She has started to talk aka babble more and likes to be loud when she does. Peyton likes to read her books which Hailey also loves.

My youngest is growing up quick already. I can barely believe that soon we will be celebrating her first birthday!

4th of July

It was a beautiful, long weekend to celebrate the birthday of our country. We had near perfect weather in the Midwest which is rare for this weekend, but we took advantage.

We attended the local parade (which wasn't as exciting this year without Blackhawk Coach Q and the Stanley Cup).

Barbecued and saw fireworks with friends from our local park which was just a short walk away (see Austen and Peyton huddled together watching; Hailey was less than impressed with them).

Saturday called for some Chicago White Sox baseball family time. The game lasted a whopping 14 innings but we (our kids) only lasted 10.

We ended the weekend with pizza at a neighbors house since we were all tired of hot dogs and burgers. The only bummer this holiday weekend was the lack of beach and pool time but we plan on making that up soon!

Our Summer Bucket List

It is officially summer with the 4th of July quickly approaching and the first time my kids have had a true summer. Before this year, they went to a year-round school that transformed into an all day camp in the summer with lots of field trips and park time. But, this year they officially are on summer vacation. 

The first two weeks they had swim lessons and enjoyed the library and a few play dates. I took them bowling and they went to the pool and the water playground. 

Now they are in camp for a few weeks and more swim lessons before heading to Michigan for a week to enjoy what we call a beach here in the Midwest. 

That leaves us with still plenty of summer to do more on our summer bucket list:

- baseball game

- carnival

- children's museum

- zoo

- movie outside 

- camp in the backyard (Tom not me!)

- go for walks in our neighborhood

- ride bikes

I am sure there will be more to add to our bucket list of memories to be made, but for now I look forward to time spent on these activities.