February... lame

I have no idea what happened in February.  None.  Below are the two pictures in iPhoto from the month.  Yikes. March is replete with photos... February is sadly, completely lacking any pictures.

Bitty's favored spot for viewing the tele.

Siblings.  

Sorry LindyJean, you're getting the short end of the stick again.  She really will suffer from middle child syndrome, poor girl.

24 hours in a day... (repost & update)

(REPOST & UPDATE: I am trying to catch us up... only time will tell if I succeed. If you look back now, you'll see posting from November through February.)


I've not posted since early November, not for lack of desire mind you, but lack of time.  There are only 24 hours in a day and I haven't any of those to spare for FB or blogging right now.  This year will be spotty for blogging, so check for updates here and there, but please don't hold your breath (Because I like you and don't want you to expire!).

We are doing well.  It's just chaos to have this many little people in this age range.  Plus, I can't seem give up my culinary habits... everything is still from scratch, I'm making bread, and cleaning up after myself in the kitchen is exhausting.

After interviewing a few craniofacial teams and their hospitals we have decided on Seattle Children's Hospital and they scheduled the little guy for July 31st.  They are an incredible group of medical professionals and we were most impressed with them.  Although, the slightest thought of the thing and I feel like I might vomit.  It is a small thing in comparison to what a lot of other children and parents endure, but a surgeon is going to take my baby, put him under general anesthesia, carve his mouth up and then sew it back together.  It's a bit much for me.

Family Photos

Staci, gracious as ever, volunteered to do family photos for us.  We took these the firsts of November, I had all but forgotten about them.  Some are cute, some are a testament to the degree of difficulty in photographing little people. 

Really love this one, Miss Bitty has been an exceptional big sister to GW.  She is always helpful where he is concerned and loves to LOVE him.  The other day she told me that she didn't want him to have his operation because he was just "too tiny and it will be way too scary for him.  Is it going to hurt?"

While LindyJean was difficult because of her age (they just don't follow directions well), Adelaide ended up being a complete pill and eventually refused to pose for pictures. 

This kids mug gets me every time!

I think that these photos would have turned out real nifty, but by this time Adelaide was in full on willful disobedience mode and we had to pack it in.  Maybe next year...

Thanks Staci!

January...

January was a very busy month for us and I did not manage to photo-document much at all.  The activities of note were our trips to Portland and Seattle to interview with hospitals/doctors.  We stayed with friends in each city and I forgot the camera both times, you'll forgive me as I was mildly preoccupied with the task at hand.  As mentioned earlier, we selected Seattle Children's and their exceptional craniofacial team of 40 doctors, nurses, and occupational therapists.  A most impressive organization, who is at the cutting edge of craniofacial medicine.  However, I must say that Shriner's Children's Hospital in Portland was awe-inspiring; did you know that they run entirely on private donations and only began billing insurance 2 years ago (and only do so in 6 of there many, many hospitals throughout the nation)?  They are a pillar of goodwill and charity.  As the Shriners (Free Masons) are a dying breed, Eric has decided to try and get involved with the Prosser chapter and convince a few of his pals to do so as well.

SNOW DAY! 01.20.12

I didn't get a photo of this hill in its entirety, for perspective, just know that it's fairly steep and they got going at a good click, squealing with joy the whole way down.

Here we are in Maggie's driveway, attempting to send LJd down it in a diaper box.

Eric carrying LJ back up for another go round.

Breakfast. Raspberry digits.  This photo is during a two week phase where Adelaide  would wear nothing but a leotard when we were at home.  She was convinced she was a budding gymnast and must dress accordingly.

HUGS

In Dad's hat!

This hat belonged to Eric's paternal grandfather, Wayne.  He pulls it out every now and then and wears it and the girls decided to take it for a test drive!

Bitty and her hobby horse, whom she named Pyjama.

 PIGTAILS

Certainly a definitive moment in any gal's life - the time when our mother realizes that our hair is long enough to accommodate our first ever set of piggies!   

Couldn't resist the facial expression. 

GW is getting so big.  His father is a proud man.

He looks like such a little man, too! 

I am something of a 'let it be' parent.  I throw them in the backyard and then leave them to their own devices... seriously, never fails.  She eats dirt EVERY time we go outside to play.  EVERYTIME.  Not too long ago, it was Gunnar's first solid food because she decided to share. 

I reap what I sow, they are often doing something mildly naughty and super duper messy/dirty.  In fact, the other day they stole the dog's water dish, filled it with mud, got into Eric's garage and grabbed a couple paint brushes and began painting the side of the house with mud. That was fun to clean up.

Christmas Overload

Feeling pressed for time, I have not separated these into a number of posts, but instead you are getting one GIGANTIC posting of all Christmas activities. Happy viewing...

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

We started off with a trip to Leavenworth (a small, Bavarian themed, village in North central Washington with a lot of charm).  Strolling about, window shopping was the first order of the afternoon and we ended the visit with a lovely meal at a restaurant called Visconti's.

Eric and Gunnar.

One of the massive trees lit from top to bottom in Leavenworth.

 When staying at Nana's, one must take a bubble bath in the massive tub and turn on the jets so that bubble mania may ensue!

Nana Christmas tradition: the russian olive spicedrop tree.  So festive, in addition to being rather tasty.

CHRISTMAS MORN

Stockings.

You must think he lives in this thing...

Do your kids love "noodle balls" as much as mine?

I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, here are the girls and Auntie Staci whipping up the frosting.

Christmas PJ's courtesy of Aunt Cheryl.

Christmas dress courtesy of Aunty Cheryl, christmas cheesy grin compliments of Miss LindyJean.

Nana and the Sagebrush Tree strikes again.

LindyJean is either looking away, torturing Gunnar, or making absurd faces in all photos at this point.

More torturing Gunnar.

That's just plain gross.

Bitty is awash with Christmas morning joy!

Opening gifts.

Nana bought them each terrifically adorable sweaters. 

Staci and I received some lovely kitchen accesories.

 GUNS & AMMO...

 Because what kind of Hunter family gathering would it be without firearms?

JoMama (still in her Pajamas, mind you) shooting the 9 mm.

Auntie Staci gives it a go-round.

Yeah for Aunty Staci and fourwheeler rides!!!

December Bdays and more

... Continuing the holiday schmorgy. 

Sometimes you wonder, is there room for another baby in our hearts? However, each time I've had one they've been easier to love than the previous.  It's God master plan for procreation, otherwise you'd be insane and really resentful of each additional child! I love this kid.  He just gets funnier everyday.

I have a photo of each and every one of the babies like this, if I had time, I'd dig them out for comparison.  For now, you'll have to be satisfied with this little portrait of father & son reading the newspaper.

Bitty, 3 months

LindyJean, 3.5 months

Adelaide is an incredibly helpful and reliable big sister.  She's been my little errand maid and "5 minute sitter."

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Our friends Maggie and Amelia share the same birthday, December 19 and we attended both soirees. 

Maggie had a roller rink 5th bday party.  I had not been on roller skates in 500 years, but went for it and had lots of fun.

Adelaide LOVED it.  She stayed out on the rink the whole time, she wasn't even interested in cake hardly.  

Amelia had an awesome birthday schmorgy provided by her Grandpa Jack and after we made gluttons of ourselves with the main course, Abril busted out the chocolate cover marshmallows.  The girls were well occupied for sometime.

Our Stagg Christmas dinner was a hit and Eric's parents gave exceptional and creative gifts (I told everyone NO TOYS, so they had to think outside the box and did marvelous).  Thanks to Gammy and Papa!