'Girls' weekend

The kids were busy this weekend playing and having fun with the chicks and we were thankful that we were all healthy and that it is now APRIL!! Wow-another month has come and gone and there was so much learned-Lou's birthday and Easter come to us this month and we are hoping for a beautiful spring



My unicorn and monster



big time- now Gabe can stand up in the play pen

he likes it!!

Somebody knows that their cute !

So much happend over the weekend but the big new is about girls! We gave Gloria, our donated chicken, to a farm on sunday to live freely and be happy. She came from a 100 acre farm and was a free-range girl and didnt like being in the city in her little chicken tractor or being with us. She wasnt friendly plus she 'crows' sometimes?? So, a gracious friend added her to his flock and off she went-by Gloria! Since she was gone, we were able to get two new chicks to joing Ju-Ju Bee. Dont say it, "more chickens?" but we are doing it again.

Here they are-

HONEY and TILDA

TILDA

HONEY diggin in to the crumbles

TILDA-Silver Laced Wyandottes

Silver Laced Wyandottes are the original Wyandotte variety, and a wonderful example of American breeding. They are beautiful and productive.

Wyandottes are a favorite amongst backyard flock owners for their dependable egg laying, easy going nature and cold hardiness. Each feather is silvery white edged in beetle black, similar to Silver Sebrights. The hens look as if they're ladies dressed for a fancy ball!

Wyandottes have a heavy body and small rose comb which makes this breed perfect for cold climates because they are not prone to frostbite. The hens are hardy, energetic and faithful layers.HONEY- Buff Orpington

Orpingtons are big, friendly dual-purpose birds originally developed in the UK. For many small farms and homesteaders, Orpingtons are the only way to go!  They're cold-hardy due to their fluffy plumage. Wonderful mothers, they do go broody. Plus, they're gentle and friendly on top of being good layers. The Buff Orpington is the most popular of all varieties of Orpington--a pretty, bright, pale "buffed" copper color that is striking.

spring birthdays

Spring brings a lot of excitement at our house. Not only does it mean an end to winter, but the start of a new year for three of us: Frannie, Lindsay Lou, and JuJu Bee all have birthdays in Spring (Gabe is Summer Murf is Fall). Plus it brings the return of birds and plants/flowers to our yard. Its a fun time!
Frannie had a fun 4th birthday but mom was so busy that she forgot to take pictures of the cake and candles - sometimes life gets in the way but we will always have the good memories. On my birthday we went skiing in the fog and cold weather but had fun. I always have plans for my birthday but this year I didnt (besides getting some rest). We had fun skiing and going out to dinner. The weekend was good-real good.

Short on time today, so here are some pictures:

Kid Attack!!Watch out Murf-he looks scared, doesnt he?

Frannies school friends

meow-sic

Girl loves her bling

...and apparently her tractors

Birthday snowstorm!

Frannie and Freya- Pure Joy!



Ski day with Mom



Frannie and Sadie-School Friends

Best Friends

More Friends- Gabe and Ella at school

Peeking out at the world

He likes what he sees

Good sign

Little Cubbie Fu-Fu

8 months

8 months and more sick days. I really try to keep things together but when these kids get sick my whole world falls apart. The good thing this time is that it was not another ear infection...just a nasty virus that struck us all. Gabe had it the worst and wouldnt eat or sleep and I was sure it was another ear infection. We made it through it all and have gotten Gabe back to eating. Frannie probably had it the least so it makes me hopeful that when Gabe gets older he wont get sick as much (crossing my fingers).

Besides all being down in the dumps, we did have some good times. Frannie is preparing to turn 4 this friday and it is all of her world these days. Everything is about the birthday and doing things like a 4 year old. She would really like to have the squireel in our yard 'love' if anyone can catch it for her (I'm not going to try). We went on a great walk this saturday while she rode her bike and I was astonished by her sense of self and freedom compared to last summer. She is the leader and navigates the cracks and bumps and broken sidewalks and is a little affraid to fall. If her bike wasnt falling apart it would be easier but she manages like all of us have had to before. She compliments her self for each achievement and is so excited to share it with me. she wants her training wheels off and I think she is ready. The days are approaching for her birthday and she is looking to sharing her 'Star Wars' cake with her friends. She decided she wanted one, now I have to make it. May the force be with me...

Gabe is making his way through his first year and learning all about communicating, navigating and teething. His teeth are popping up with vigor and I am hoping he gets a break before the next set come up. Gabe is the sweetest little guy imaginable and I love how often his hugs come along with those baby kisses. I will miss his gummy grin and will miss my little guy being so little. When I watch Frannie doing huge things and having great conversations with me about how she sees the world, my jaw drops thinking about how someday I will be able to share these same things with my liltle wild man.


8 months- enjoying the sunshine



Snack Break-crew enjoying a snack when we were doing yard work



Thing 1 &2: New teeth coming in



first time brushing teeth

Big boy on the move-He love to brush

it feels so good!



8 months and growing fast but loves to smile for his mama

Next post will bring us a 4 year old and mom will be half way through her 30's. March is a busy time and we are all looking forward to the changing season and all that spring will bring! We are getting our last snow storm of winter and I will be surprise to see if March goes out like a lamb this year...

Travels in Montana

Life has been passing by like a bullet train and we are holding on for the ride. The last few weeks we have been whisking around trying to get too much in from Bozeman to Hot Springs and everywhere in between.

This is what we have been up to:

Francesca took her first ski lesson and rode the chair lift for an hour and a half (mom didnt pack the camera) and we shot down to the Museum of the Rockies so Frannie could see her Dinosaur friends. She asked if we could eat them and if daddy could kill one for her. We told her the closest we could get would be to have a pheasant for dinner. Frannie takes everything in at this age and would love to take on more. She is all ready to be 4 this month and learn about everything! One thing that she devouers with vigor is books. We are hoping Gabe likes them as much because we have quiet a collection going on (just started collecting books on Dinosaurs). I am really looking forward for my little best friend to be 4!



Frannie with her favorite T-Rex





Look at that!




Dinosaur Attack!!

 

Gabe has kept me busy by all the things he wont do (like take a bottle) and what he keeps doing (getting ear infections). He loves watching Frannie and Murf and is always happy (so that makes it easier on me). We are doing some follow up with an Ear specialist next week in Missoula, another car trip, and are hoping to know what are next step is with the ear infections. poor Gabe. Good news is that his first tooth has sprouted!! He has been fighting with that tooth(teeth) for two months and we were relieved that one finally showed up. Now we start another adventure-teething....



"Let me help you with the laundry Mum-mum"



Everybody wants to help





Helping with the Laundry



We went to the Symes Hot Springs and met our friends Ed & Pam last weekend and ended up in the ER here in Helena for insane vomiting (me more than the rest). Good thing is that we are all on the mend and are taking a break from going away from our house. We are very happy to be at home. 



Soaking with Ed and Pam





Sardines getting ready to go on a walk



Bringing up bebe- 7 months

Holy smokes- raising kids is a lot of work (but most of you already know this)!
It seems like it has been a never ending one thing after another and I have a feeling that this is the way things are when you have kids. But then again, we get to have them. That makes it all worth it. Sleep would help also...

So, we all have made it seven months with bebe #2. He has been great-easiest bebe in the world (mostly if that is possible). Gabe has taught me so much about patience. He, like my great black dog, is really here to be with us and doesnt worry about anything else. He sure lights up when he is with us and his caretakers and enjoys doing whatever we do. no, he doesn't need much fussing about or devotion. He is just happy. Happy at 7 months I'll take. That means we are making it.

Gabe to date does not have any teeth. I am hoping they'll show up this month or next and that he wont be crawling,ever. (yes, ever). I am terrified about the thought of him being mobile or bipedal. He will be a monster! He is already getting into everything and not aware of how strong he is. Before he was born we called him Hercules b/c of his size. Now I am seeing a comeback of the name due to his strength. He has a checkup on his ears today so we'll see if he is finally over his ear infection(s).(since I wrote this he has another ear infection -2 days after his appointment he got another one. This is #4 in two months. Not sure what we are doing next)

Frannie is still in love with her baby brother after 7 months and that also tells me that we are making it. I see her still need my attention and still need to be 3 but also still need to be the big sis. She had a great weekend with her friend Freya and skiing. She is working on numbers and counting and still loves her animals and horses.

I got in this weekend (somehow) making some bbq sauce, valentines chocolates, cheddar crackers, doing laundry and sheets, cleaning house, exercise (on friday), and errands this weekend on top of the family plans. Still working on sleep but that isnt my fault...even the dog strives to keep me awake. Will I make it to 12 months?? I'll keep you posted


7 months and were still smiling




Little Centerfold- he looks older than he is since he is so skinny




Toes are fun




Why not roll over? Gabe would rather be this way




Growing up and exploring eating. Gabe is really changing fast these days



First mohawk-why not, he has enough hair to do it? (it only stays like this after his bath)

Yes, it is time for the baby cage. Sorry Gabe, but this is part of growing up. He seems to like his new place!

Home-Bound

Time is an odd things for us these days. "What day is it, what week is it, when was the last time....?" Things keep moving at a superfast rate and all the while we stay at home. Home has been the place for us this January while we nurse the baby back to health. First ear infection, than another, than RSV, and now another ear infection. The RSV virus really knocked him down and and now he is getting back to normal strength and then....he started screaming and having a hard time sleeping, really hard time and I knew it was back. We try to keep him healthy but that little guy keeps picking up every germ at daycare. So, we are staying put at home mostly and spending time together getting through it. Gabe is 6 months now and really starting to get around (rolling) and sitting. Life keeps moving, through the sicknesses and the winter, and we are happy to be a family and able to spend time together. Before we know it, life will unthaw here and we will be scattered around our summer plans and wishing for the time to cuddle and stay at home.

6 months

Cuddle time on couch with a snack

Sitting in crib getting ready for a nap (notice the drool-where are those teeth?)

trying to get those teeth to come

Snow day



Aren't three-year olds cute???