Family pictures

 

This is our current "family picture" beautifully printed and hung in our living room. My brother took it for us when Jack was 2 days old. I love it, but I think London is going to start to wonder soon why we don't have him in our family picture. Let me just run some ideas by you as to why, just to help me sort out how to explain it to him.

 Our family picture a week after London was born. It is turned the wrong way for the space. I might just deal with that and turn the frame. This is my favorite option. (once again, compliments of my brother!)

 This one is just rather awkward. We ran out of time getting ready for the picture and forgot to dress London, or so it appears. One bare baby is cute when there is only one baby. Also, what exactly is Jack pointing at? And why didn't any of us think of smiling?

 I wasn't trying to crop London's double chin out of this one, but it is a slimming effect!

 Alternatively, this one is a little too slimming on Jack. And I have to wonder what London is thinking.

 A remarkable turnout for a camera balanced on top of our car on a self-timer. However, things like Jack's pants being hiked to his knees would bother me if I look at it in a large print every time I entered my living room. Again, if all four of us were sporting high-waters it would be different.

 I love the three oldest. Not London's most charming moment. :)

 Really ideal. But, Jon and I missed the finger memo.

 London wouldn't stop baking long enough to look.

A true character photo. It might actually end up in that frame yet.

Anyone want to try a shot at catching us all looking and looking intelligent, thin, happy, healthy, and well composed? If you were successful we might not recognize ourselves!

Stuck

Hilariously, this coin was stuck in London's mouth, and he was laughing so hard I couldn't get it out right away either. Jack wanted me to put it back in once we got it out so that we could all laugh again.

Playtime!

 I am hoping that Jack doesn't spend the wee hours of the night telling London that he is really the family dog. I mean, the tongue is cute and all, but I do hope he'll walk on two legs some day.

 This is a very typical neutral, pleasant, well rested London face. Mouth hanging slightly open, eyes begging someone to pick him up.

 I have a new adjective for Jack - earnest. He is so keen on doing everything exactly the same way it was done last time, and he wants to be understood so badly. The victorious grin he gives when you finally connect the puzzle pieces is worth all the desperate scanning through recent things you've told him to figure out what he might be trying to remind you of.

 

This is London's exuberant face. If this were a movie you would see all four limbs wildly flailing when he is making this face. I'd like to narrate him being impressed at Harmony's muscles, but they aren't that big...

 Harmony came to visit on Monday and it was fun to have a little baby in the house for a few hours. Josiah came to play too, and I had the happiest afternoon of finding a baby in every room I went in all afternoon. So happy.

 

the boys all talked and laughed through the open window on this unreal warm day

 

this kid likes me. it is very mutual.

 

He is also very determined when he focuses on something!

But, my favorite fact of all is that he can fit 5 grapes in his mouth at once. Chubby Bunny anyone?

My happy, camera-loving tiny tot

I gave the happy little squishy a haircut this week. He now looks like a monk slightly. I think it is better than debating a ponytail everyday to wrangle his toupee into shape. He had the longest hairs randomly all over his head of the toupee he was originally packaged with that never fell out. I think he looks better now. I must be an unsentimental mother, or my boys just don't have typical baby boy hair, because I don't have any compunction over cutting their hair as soon as I think they would look better with a trimmed do. I remembered to save some of London's though, so I am growing in keepsake collecting skills. What color would you call his eyes?

Highlights from the last week

 This is an example of Jack sick. He had the sweetest pleading face to be snuggled or read to. I am glad he doesn't get sick often, but he was a sweet patient.

 2012 is off to a jumpstart with many lively times. We all had our first full family sickness, and wouldn't mind if it were our last. Tricia was here to visit for a week, we can't wait for her to come back!

Last week I started making a quilt for our guest bed. The boys played really well while I cut out squares and designed the pattern.

 

 And Harmony stopped by to visit for a while. Christy has a knack for dropping in right on the days when I have both time and a need for company. I am glad they live close! Jack is enthralled with all babies and Harmony is one of his favorite names to say.

I am enjoying a calmer week this last week with lots of time to talk with good friends and rest at home. I could write many other things but nothing significant is coming to mind. I made granola bars this morning...I got my hair cut...I cut London's hair...the snow is melting...my car needs an oil change...see, nothing amazing to report. Just a good life.

Struck my fancy

 

I got on my computer to look for a picture to post from December/January, but somehow I ended up in my folder of pictures from August. I fell in love with this picture all over again. My mom-in-Canada managed to catch London on his way to snoozing and I think they both liked it this way.We love Nona.

Better days and brighter eyes

These are our two happy, healthy boys. This was before the flu epidemic streaked through our church like a bullet train on the TTC. They have been the calmest, most snuggling, messy kids this week. Here is to better days and brighter eyes.