3's a Charm

We have been out of our flat for a bit now due to renovations and that seems to have thrown me for a loop more than the kids. But, I've found the camera, once again, and am back taking pictures. Let's see how long that lasts! I received an email from a LINKS church asking if we had any pictures of the family. Oops. I had to admit that we haven't, in the 10 weeks we've been a family of 5, taken a single group shot. So, we gathered the troops and set about to get a picture. There are times when I miss those free 8x10 offers from Sears or Penny's, and today was one of them. But, in our defense, we wouldn't have the time to go to one of those places even if we had one available! So we stuck the kids next to a wall (look familiar for every school/Sunday School photo ever taken??) and then had a neighbor get all of us together.

Ignore the scratches on Cooper... and the growing bump. He tried to be a brick-layer this week, but realized he couldn't lay bricks with his head. The scratch I can only imagine came from a friend or sister. The bump, alas, was his own fault when he tried to more closely examine my church shoes and bashed his head with the heal. Sometimes, we wonder about that child, but mostly, we remember that he's 100% boy. :)

At some point this week, I took pictures of Harper in one of my favorite hand-me-down onesies. She decided to have big sister's 'tud during the photo session, which cracked me up.

The ever classic passport picture shot.

Growing Up and Out

There has recently been an overall growth-spurt in the Leslie household. Harper, in the last two months, has grown an inch and a half in length, and packed on almost 5 pounds. Cooper, while not inclined to grow in length like his sister, has been stowing his food away like a bear just before winter. He now weighs the same as Em, who seems to be the only one not outgrowing clothing by the day. I was sad to find that my favorite outfit for Harper was, alas, totally useless as her toes were having to be shoved into the feet and her sleeves had magically transformed to 3/4 length overnight.

Cooper has just gotten thick. It's like he watched a rugby game and decided he wanted to be like those boys. Good grief! Everything is thick about him, including his trunk. Aunt Hilary was great and sent a good deal of clothes with my folks when they came this time last year. His pajamas, however, haven't faired as well the rest of his wardrobe. I've been trying to keep up with some fleece pants for him, but we've been out of our flat and the kids are determined to not have all three nap at the same time. Thus, the other night I was obliged to go to the cupboard and get out Em's old pajamas.

Todd and I were rolling on the floor laughing because both girls, if put in boy's clothing, are just as cute as a boy as a girl. This one, however, is all boy... no matter how poofy the sleeves or how pink and purple the hearts might be, there is no mistaking him for anything other than a boy in girl's clothing. I still say, if it keeps him warm, I really don't care, but I'm sure these pictures will surface, say at a wedding or graduation perhaps, and Cooper will feel very differently than I!

Big Brother

There is a major difference between Em becoming the older sibling and Cooper. Whoever says boys and girls are the same has obviously never been to my house! But, we're getting there. My brute-of-a-toddler is learning that he can hurt his sister with all his lovin' and he tries really hard to be sweet. It's rather heartbreaking to have to correct him for trying to play catch with her (balls being hurled at my 7-week-old's head, yikes!!) or give her big bear hugs.

Yesterday, Harper spent most of the morning either in someone's arms or her car seat. So, when we got home, I put her on the floor and we Babygarden-ed it until Cooper woke up. That was when the real fun began as he was getting smiles and bubbles from his little sister like he was the only person in the whole, wide world she wanted to see.

I shamelessly used Cooper to get said smiles so I could get pictures.

The girl is trying so hard to giggle, but, alas, she's just not old enough. Soon, all too soon...

Coop going in for the kill... er... kiss!