Lots of fair projects and two teething one-year olds...

Yep, we're still here! A dear friend at church reminded me today that I haven't posted since Jonathan's birthday. I didn't even know anyone was still reading, so Anita, this one is for you!  :-) (Sorry, it got a little long, so Anita, you'd better read it all!) The title of the post pretty much sums up my last couple of weeks. But the county fair is now over. I'm so proud of Sarah, Anna and Isaac for all of the hard work they put in. They all did a GREAT job!!!

Jonathan continues to do very well. His top two front teeth have almost worked their way through. But, I'll admit, he's not really all that cranky about it. (Just some extra gnawing on things when he can keep them up to his mouth. The shoulder straps in his high chair are a favorite.) Rachel on the other hand....well, all four of her eye teeth are coming in at the same time. She seems to be pretty much done now (3 out of the 4 are through), but it left us with more than one sleepless night, right before the fair started of course. :-)

Jonathan visited our most wonderful pediatrician the day after his birthday. She couldn't find a single health issue!  Praise God!!! (We got a little ointment for a spot on his nose that she thought might be impetigo and also ointment for his eye infections, but his eyes have stayed clear!) All of his blood work came back great. All of his stool samples came back negative! (I'm really a pro at collecting those now...had to do it 3 times with Elijah while dealing with morning sickness...this time was easy! :-) And I bet you are all thrilled I shared that, right?)  Elijah was positive for h.pylori so I'm very glad to not have to deal with that again. The doc listened to his heart and didn't hear anything, so that was encouraging too. He will see the pediatric cardiologist on Friday. I'm believing for great news at that appointment too.

Oh, also on the medical front, J weighed in at 20# 12 oz and measured 30 1/4"!!! This put him at 20% for weight and 65% for height - on the "typical" child charts!!!  His OFF the top of the chart for height on the Ds chart and above 75% for weight! YAY!!!!!  He's a big boy! I've never had a child near the top of any chart. :-)  I know, I know...it's not a competition or anything, but considering he weighs only about 3 pounds less than Elijah did when we brought him home (and they are almost 3 years apart) and that Rachel is barely on the bottom of the chart for weight, it makes this mama's heart glad we don't have to think about how to "fatten him up". :-) I do think he has gotten a little longer though since we got home, just from the way his clothes are fitting. He'll go in for a follow-up appt in a couple weeks.

His siblings continue to adore him and the older girls are still fighting discussing who gets to hold him next. Rachel and Elijah continue to give him and share their toys. For the most part, the younger ones have stopped acting out, and are back to "normal" in that area. I know it is an adjustment for everyone. Elijah didn't nap for the first 3 days Jonathan was home, but is doing fine now. Stuff like that. This has been the easiest transition BY FAR I've had in adding a child to our family. He's not moving and getting into things, but yet doesn't require the lengthy feeding times that a nursing newborn does. He's not beating Rachel over the head either, so that helps too. :-) Mealtimes are still a bit tricky w/ getting Jonathan fed, but we're getting through it. Rachel and Elijah are fairly independent eaters now, but continue require "supervision" so the food goes where it is supposed to go - in their stomachs! LOL

Personally, I'm a bit overwhelmed with everything, but I was reminded more than once today that I need to continue to look UP to my God and my Lord. Jesus has not and will not leave me...it is I who have allowed our relationship to become "distant". God is WAAAY bigger than my perceived "issues".  As Pastor Dan said today, we need to  "Keep the Right Focus". Amen and amen!!! (This post gave me some much needed perspective too!!!)

Ok, onto some picture fun!

This is Elijah picking up candy during our town's annual parade. :-) He got the hang of it very quickly!

Isaac, Rebekah and Anna were in the parade too. Thanks Ben for asking them! They had a blast!

Isaac getting his cool duct tape bag judged at the fair. He also brought a crocheted scarf, a seed collection, beautiful photos of flowers around our yard, and "letter" photos of his initials. He did a great job!

Anna is getting her crocheted dishcloth judged. It was her first crocheting project and I'm so proud of her for finishing it!  She also brought in a cloth bag she sewed, a picture she colored, a sewn pillowcase, 2 exhibits of photography, banana bread, and chocolate chip cookies. She received blue ribbons on everything except the slightly under cooked cookies on which she received a red ribbon.

Sarah did an awesome job on all of her exhibits too! She received "Best of Show" in Advanced crocheting on these three dishcloths. Congrats, Sarah!!! So very proud of her. She had numerous other crocheting exhibits too.

Sarah received a "State Fair" selection on this blouse and skirt she sewed!  She had an apron and pillow case she entered as well. She had hopes of both sewing and crocheting more items, but time got away from her. Our summer was far from "normal", so that didn't help either. She also had numerous entries in photography, foods, knitting, and youth leadership. 

Our newest American citizen at his very first parade sporting his "Team USA" shirt. :-)

Yep, total cuteness!

Sarah used her little brother as a subject for some of her photography entries. He didn't mind the grass this time, nor did he mind the cat.  The next day though, he wanted nothing to do with the grass. :-)

He loves any orange baby food (carrot and sweet potato) w/ or w/o meat. Not so fond of anything green. We are still working on adding textures to his diet. I can see glimpses of his emerging stubborn side when I encourage him to try new foods/textures....ah yes...we will get there. :-)