Hank at Melody Makers

 When I put Hank in front of the camera, Vivian was laughing so hard that her face was bright red and she had tears rolling down her face. 

I had to entice this one to come inside this afternoon (with a bath...one of her favorite things). She couldn't get enough of playing in the snow.

It's so amazing how she's changing and maturing. Last year or the year before I remember her  continually whining and freaking out about being cold, losing a glove, her hat being over her eyes, her coat zipper not exactly the way she wanted it, her boots being wet, getting snow on her face, standing in the wrong spot, making the snowman too fast, you name it she was particular and edgy about it and let us know it. But today she was very go-with-the-flow about everything because she was so excited about the snow. For example, I knew her gloves were wet and her hands were freezing, but she shrugged it off as no big deal and even denied it so that she could continue to play. 

I want them to stay little but at the same time it's nice to have a little growing up going on around here, if you know what I mean! Don't get me wrong...we still have some moments of roller-coaster emotions, but it's definitely improving. 

Funny how this picture of her made me think of all those things. Ha!

This afternoon we got dressed in our gear and drove to the shop so that they could play with Aaron in the snow. He was so kind to take a break from work and come out to build a snowman with them and take them exploring behind the shop. 

The girls were absolutely thrilled about the whole thing. It was very fitting that he be a battery snowman.

Note: I promise I only got H out of the car just for this picture :)

 The jumperoo downstairs

I hope no one is turned off by the spit-up. This is the plain reality of my days with Hank. His bib or outfit/pajamas always look like this, my shirt is always sprinkled with spit-up, and he is just a drooly, wet mess. 

 exersaucer in his room

We've had a big snow today. It was beautiful to watch and we can't wait to play in it tomorrow!

Vivian is a wonderful big sister, always helping me with Hank when I need it. She helps him in the car when he is fussy, making him laugh or getting his pacifier back in place. She gets a diaper or wipe when I ask. And as in the picture, she will go to his crib if he wakes before I get the bottle ready, to cuddle with him until I get there :) He adores both sisters and I'm thankful he has them!

Of course, I shouldn't say always. There are times when she gets frustrated. But I've told her before that we can't give up on him and we need to do whatever we can to help him. And the other day I heard Kate saying, "I don't want to hear him cry anymore!" And Vivian answered her, "Kate, let's not give up on him, we have to keep trying!" 

(he has some fits in the car on occasion :))

 playdough is not

 just for

little kids.

I caught Brooke and Ben continuing to play with this dessert-time playdough set long after V and K had moved on to something else!

 Vivian has a noticeable (to me and Aaron) lisp for the letter "s," especially when it's at the end of a word. The way her tongue is in this picture is what her mouth looks like when she's using an "s" in a word. So adorable to me, and sometimes I even make her keep a conversation going just so I can watch her mouth and cherish it because I know that baby cuteness won't last.

 And her wiggles are contagious!