Pinchable

Tonight for our virtual YW activity we had a baby picture guessing game. Everyone was instructed to email a baby picture to one of the young women, she put together a slide show, and we all named who we thought each child was. 

When the first picture came up, the majority of people guessed one particular girl. Then someone said it might be me. Another leader pointed out that our (the adults) pictures would have a more faded look. Sure enough, it was the girl most of us had guessed.

A few pictures into the game, this photo appeared on the screen.

There was no doubt in anyone's mind. They were all immediately sure that this was me because it looked just like all of my kids. While I don't think it actually looks just like all my kids (several of them favor Bryan quite a bit), they were right, it is me. 

I had shown it to Phoebe and Sophie earlier in the day and they were both appropriately impressed with the fullness of my cheeks, which they quickly claimed as part of their own faces. They're not wrong, we are a full faced bunch. I think it adds to our youthful appearances.

Bedtime Reading

Joy

I was singing to the kids while rocking them, like I wrote about last week, when Phoebe grabbed my phone and started taking pictures. Topher and Sophie were trading places, taking turns, sometimes happily and sometimes not. I discovered this particular photo when I sat down to write this post. It may be my new favorite.

Rock-a-bye Babies

Recently, on a day when Topher was feeling out of sorts, I scooped him up in a blanket, held him close, and launched into my oft sung variation of Rock-a-bye Baby.

Rock-a-bye Topher in mommy's arms,

I will protect and keep you from harm.

And when you cry I'll hold you so near,

So rock-a-bye Topher, baby, my dear.

Phoebe and Sophie witnessed the musical snuggle and petitioned me for their turn.

While I sang to Sophie, Phoebe played the role of little mom and recreated the moment with Topher.

The Life Changing Magic

On Monday Topher was feverish, grumpy, wouldn't sleep unless he was held, had no appetite, and had many meltdowns over very small things. He fell asleep in my arms during Family Home Evening.

photo credit: Cooper

On Tuesday, after twelve hours of sleep, he was back to his normal, zany, fun self.

Sleep is magical.

Persistence

He's still trying to make these doll shoes fit...

It's All Relative

Topher really loves shoes. He's entered that phase where he wants to try on every shoe he sees. He's worn Bryan's shoes, my shoes,  and Sophie's tap shoes, among many others.

Being the youngest in the house means he can fit into all the shoes, right? Not quite...

He Found the Apples

Semi-Formal

Lullaby

I need to pick the girls up from the bus stop at a certain time each afternoon. This time falls right when Topher used to nap. Because of this schedule, I've taught Topher to take one long nap each day rather than the two he used to take. On weekdays this works fine.

But Sundays are rough.

Why? Because that important long nap occupies the same chunk of time during our day as church. He used to get a short nap before we left, but not anymore. This means that by the time we head home after choir, he's exhausted and sometimes hysterical.

That was the case this past Sunday. He was SO TIRED. Neither Bryan nor I could calm him down as we drove. We tried speaking in soothing voices, playing classical music, reassuring him we would be home soon. None of it even slowed him down.

Then one of the kids started to sing I Am a Child of God. Soon all four big kids were singing to him. I joined in as well. We sang the entire way home.

And it worked. Topher calmed to the point that he dozed off just before we got to our house. A lovely peaceful feeling filled the van and the grins on their faces showed that all of the big kids knew they had done something special for their tired baby brother.

Nope

I am not ready for Topher to learn how to climb out of his bed. My lack of preparation doesn't seem to be stopping him though.

He's just barely seventeen months old. For comparison, that's how old Cooper was when he started walking.

I snapped this blurry picture quickly before redirecting his attention to something other than climbing out of his bed.

Ridin' Along on my Automobile

Ice Cream Mustache

Head Over Heels

When Peter Comes Home

Each afternoon we walk to the bus stop to meet Phoebe and Sophie. They happily hop off the bus and give Topher hugs. Peter's bus comes a few minutes later, Cooper's comes an hour after that. The first few days of the school year Peter got off the bus and ignored us while talking to his friends, so we didn't wait for him. 

Then this week, as we started to leave the bus stop, Topher wouldn't go. He kept turning back to where Peter's bus would soon be. When the bus pulled up Topher started waving excitedly. Peter came down the stairs and, instead of talking to his friends, came running for Topher. Topher grinned when Peter scooped him up, then wrapped his little arms around his big brother's neck.

I think we have a new bus stop tradition.

Topher in the Box

Play the Game

Dancing Topher

Give Me All the Words

Topher has entered a new stage of adorable. He's been sitting and looking at books for a long time, but in the last few days he's discovered that those books have words. He'll pick up a favorite book, carry it to me, then hand me the book as he tilts his head to the side and raises his voice in question. When I ask if he wants me to read to him, he'll nod yes, smile, then turn around and sit on my lap. I love it.

Here are his current favorite books:

Just Hangin' Around