10 Weeks

Six weeks ago we found out that we were expecting.  We were happy - I felt like I was finally going to have the "big" family I've always wanted (not sure why 6 is the magic number for that but... :D).

We didn't tell anybody because we never do, haha, not even the kids.  It was a strange few weeks - I had sporadic and strange nausea, unlike any I've had in previous pregnancies.  At 7 weeks Jaron did an ultrasound to check the dates and we came up with a due date of October 15.

On Monday of this week, I got finished working out and found that I was bleeding.  It wasn't heavy bleeding so according to the internet it could have or have not been a miscarriage.   I felt mildly crampy like a period and had some low back aches.  On Wednesday morning, the bleeding picked up and I knew it was happening.  It took about 2 hours of physical intenseness and then it was over.  

It was as a friend said it would be - a wave of emotions.  I felt sad.  I felt relieved (With 5 healthy pregnancies and no miscarriages yet, I've felt for years that my number was coming! I'm the only one I know with this many pregnancies who hasn't had a miscarriage.).  I felt strange that this was a sad thing happening to me that almost nobody knew about.  

But now it's documented.  It's happened.  It's sad. It's common and therefore kind of expected.

  I'm more grateful than ever for my healthy kids. :)

Addie Playing

I feel like I've been terrible at documenting this girl's life so far.  I feel like my camera almost hasn't come out of the cupboard in the last year! :(

So this week I happened upon some alone time with Adelyn (the boys were at robotics camp and Gracen and Reed were playing at a friend's across the street).  She was so intent on these old school Little People that I thought it was so sweet.

 I can hear it - "ta da!"  She was so proud of herself when she'd get one in one of the holes!

 Sweet baby who is not so much a baby anymore!

Science Fair

Every year the kids' school does a science fair that is required for 5th grade and optional for the other grades.  Alden wanted to do it last year but I was just too overwhelmed with baby #5 to take the plunge. 

This year Alden chose to do moldy bread.  We worked together on it but Alden was the one who did the hands on work and kept the logs.

I took pictures while Alden practiced his presentation for the judges the night before.  He was so cute and scientific. :)

Alden ended up winning 2nd place!  On the drive home after the science fair, Alden said, "This is the first time I've won something that wasn't just participation.  It feels good." :)

Outside Family Fun

We have a N-S facing house, which means that our backyard, covered in shade from the house for half the day, is still soggy and wet.  So when our family plays outside, we generally play in the front yard.  Which I'm sure our neighbors love, haha.

This night was kickball and I decided to capture it on camera.

 This girl LOVES being outside!

 Daddy hits it out of the park!

 Reed is safe!

These pics are another day, another game: chalk and football.

This girl and her babies and her golden moccasins. Love it.

 

 Gracen drew Reed a new friend!

 I LOVE sibling interactions between my oldests and my youngest.  So, so sweet.

I LOVE this happy face.

 Jaron!  Such a stud. :)  

He truly loves taking his boys out in the yard to shoot hoops or play catch. 

 Gracen and her across-the-street bestie Solamae.  We are going to miss Soli when we move away!!

Cub Car Rally

I kind of failed at taking pictures for the cub car rally this year.  I got none of Eli doing his car and totally forgot to take the camera to the actual deal! Haha.  Mom fail!

Jaron HATES doing cub cars.  He finally bought a dremmel tool and that helped but it's still so much work for the dad's!

 Can you tell that this was during the NFL playoffs?

Both Alden and Eli won heats, which was a relief (last year Alden got last every time!). 

Cute Littles

I have two problems.

#1. I don't take my camera out near enough.

#2. When I finally do, I can't not post every picture.

So here's some random day cute kid overload.

For some reason I think that dirty faced babies are cute. :D

 Love, love those big baby blues!!

Addie's greatest accomplishment: climbing to the top of the toddler chair...again...and again...and again...  She's so proud of herself every time. :)

 And little Reed, who was "helping" me do the dishes.

 "How old are you?" "Two." :D

 This happy girl.  We're so blessed to have her in our family!