June

 Zeke at 5 months

 Azure at 5 mos

Vince at 6 mos

Our backyard really is beautiful with all the Spanish moss. However, it is crawling with bugs and super hot and humid so, unfortunately I don't spend much time out there. Charles does though. He started almost all of these plants from seed back in Feb. He's inspiring.

 This is one of the last times Zeke was swaddled- about 5 1/2 mos. Both Azure and Vince were swaddled much longer.

We put both the swing and the panda away the week before Azure's birthday when we attempted to rearrange our living room. That is still in the works a month later.

Since those 2 contraptions were put away we busted this out. He likes it. Thanks Saavedras. We should probably buy our own one day. The one Vince used was from the Bryces.

Finger painting in jammies kind of day.

Rub-a-dub-dub, 3 babies in a tub! They have been asking me for so long, "Mommy, when will Zekiel be able to take a bath with us?" He's only done this a couple times since. I think we'll wait until he's sitting up better, he's still pretty floppy.

1st attempt at army crawling at 5.5 months

Our A/C went out at the end of June. It was humbling to remember how blessed we are to have A/C! It was then that we stopped swaddling altogether. We had everyone sleep in their undies/diapers.

June, of course was Azure's bday but, that will have to be a separate post.

 I love when they start doing this squinty eye, scrunched up nose grin!

 This was a Sat morning and Vince went in to Zeke's room and woke him up. I was so mad! But, then we all calmed down and the 3 of them snuggled up on the floor together and all was right in the world. Oh, and Charles made us German pancakes for bkfst while all this was going on.

Our doula came to visit and we finally got a picture! When Azure saw her pull up she looked a bit confused and said, "Mommy, are you having another baby?" Ha! Nope, not ready yet but, we know our family is not complete :)

 I don't know what this thing is but, it's pretty cool. Esp Zeke's cute little tongue at the end :)

 Vince got picked to be a volunteer at the library story time. He wouldn't have done this 6 months ago. He's getting more independent :)

 Vince just touching Zeke's head- does this about 20x a day. Maybe not quite as much anymore.

I think this is so funny b/c she shares a room with Vince. Maybe she got the idea from a book she read b/c she never enforces these signs she makes.

I had come home pretty stressed about getting some things done and found this pile of folded clothes at the top of the stairs. Azure got the idea from The Friend. I am so grateful for her. She truly is a blessing in my life.

For the past couple months Azure has taken Zeke out of his crib in the mornings or after a nap and when I go looking for him sometimes I find them like this. (On Vince's bottom bunk.)

 Homemade blueberry yogurt for my baby. Yogurt is actually pretty easy to make in the crockpot!

 Our best buds- Addi and Colton. They're watching Monsters Inc and Addi was a bit scared. Looks like Colton maybe, too?

Be still my heart! Today as I carried Zeke into church I saw in my mind both him and Vince passing the Sacrament and I was overcome with emotion. What a wonderful day that will be. These boys are growing up fast and will soon be stinky, awkward teenagers. I hope never to forget what they were like as babies. I love them so much!

 Our basil

My favorite sandwich- turkey avocado on ciabatta drizzled with Udo's oil.

Zeke is still sleeping 13 hrs straight a night and I am so grateful. There's no way I would be able to do all the things I'm doing, esp working part-time now if he were waking in the night. I feel it's one of my biggest blessings.

The rest of May

Azure figured out how to play a part of the Backyardigans theme song by ear! She's been taking lessons since Feb every other week and has done quite well. Though, she has fought me and begged to quit her lessons. Oh, the battles with this one! Her teacher is wonderful and comes to our home for lessons. How awesome is that?! I hear her asking Rhonda for more theory homework and then later she'll tell me she wants to quit. It's been interesting helping her understand her own feelings. She has been very bi-polar about it. She's also told me that she wants to play in Sacrament meeting and then the next day she said she wants to stop taking lessons when she turns 6 (this was before her bday). Any insight? Oh, and this is a little after she got her summer haircut by our great friend Kate.

One Saturday we decided to be tourists and explore downtown since it had been awhile that all of us had been down there together.

St. John's The Baptist Cathedral. I got to perform in here twice- Oct. and Dec. 2009 with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus. So grateful for that. There isn't a temple in Savannah, but, I can go here for my sanctuary. We really want to go to Mass here sometime. I hope we can make it happen.

I'm really glad we did the matchy-matchy for Memorial Day since Charles was not here for the 4th. Love these cuties!

On Memorial Day we braved the crowds and headed to Hilton Head with the VanYperens. Daddy is the fun parent. He will pull them on the boogie board and swim with them at the beach. I am usually sitting under an umbrella talking to a friend and I just let the kids play. I aspire to be a fun parent like Charlie :)

Vince has surprised me. I thought he was going to be jealous and resentful towards Zeke. He has been so loving and affectionate, constantly doting on him. He has such a tender heart. He's so loyal and loving. His wife is one lucky woman- he will love her with all his heart. Just like his Daddy :) And, yes we pray for their future spouses. So funny to hear Azure and Vince say, "Please bless my future husband, wife." Of course, when Vince says that he is repeating me. He has yet to say his own complete prayer at almost 3.5. He always needs help saying something and mostly just laughs. It's been interesting...

7 years and 5 months

We celebrated our 7 yr anniversary on May 20th. No cruise this year :( We're grateful that Zeke goes down to sleep between 7-8pm every night and doesn't wake up until 7-8am. So, we're free to get a babysitter and go on dates after we put him down. We've left him several times now with babysitters after we've put him down for the night and we always say, "We're 99% sure that he won't wake up, but if he does just call us." Then, when we come back 2-3 hrs later they are shocked that he didn't make a peep.

Charles had never been to The Melting Pot so we went. We got cheese and chocolate.

Our marriage gets better and better every year. We've gotten better at communicating and understanding each other. I think me not having brothers and him not having sisters was a real challenge at first, looking back. And, we're still learning but, we're better now. And, our love has grown so much deeper. He is my best friend and I look forward to spending the rest of eternity with him by my side pa' siempre. Lover of my soul- Charles Stewart Jensen.

 And, this little one turned 5 months, 5 days after our 7 yr anniversary. This is our 2nd or 3rd attempt at solids. Still getting used to it. I only offered it a few times a week, not every day.

He started to sit a little, supported, of course so I tried the jogging stroller. I'd been waiting to use it so I could run again. And, then the heat intensified and now I will have to continue waiting until September. Oh, well.

As I pushed and looked at both sets of legs, I remembered that Vince was Zeke's size when I first bought this and that Vince's legs were now as long as Azure's were at that age. Goodness, these babes grow quick. I love them.

Sept. 1, 2010 Vince almost 7 mos

Nothing sweeter than nursing my babies to sleep. It's a symbiotic relationship that I cherish more than almost anything at this stage I think. I am so grateful I've been able to nurse them all w/ minimal issues. I know it can be a touchy subject for some that can't. There are many things other women can do for their children that I can't. And, this is one thing that has just always been special to me and I'm grateful I can and for the fulfillment and joy I get from it. How peaceful to drift off sucking on mommy's warm, delicious milk. Not a care in the world. Sleep in heavenly peace, my Christmas baby.

He started doing this squinty smile bearing his gums. I love it! And, I love greeting him every morning when he wakes up. He's so happy to see me and I'm so happy to see him! Time, slow down!

He had an eczema flare up but, not as bad as Vince's b/c we used the Aveeno Eczema Therapy on it, which keeps it at bay.

Now, some higher quality, non-phone pics. 

I adore this sweetie boy!

 How they watch movies (before we rearranged the living room)

On Nest Building

I read this poem a couple yrs ago and tucked it away to be posted on the blog at some future date. I planned on putting it in my "You don't know what you don't know" post but, forgot. So, now it gets it own separate post.

On Nest Building
by Carol Lynn Pearson

Mud is not bad for nest building.

Mud and sticks.

And a fallen feather or two will do

And require no reaching.

I could rest there with my tiny ones

Sound for the season, at least.

But

If I may fly a while--

If I may cut through a sunset going out

And a rainbow coming back

Color upon color sealed in my eyes--

If I may have the unboundaried skies

For my study

Clouds, cities, rivers for my rooms--

If I may search the centuries

For melody and meaning--

If I may try for the sun--

I shall come back

Bearing such beauties

Gleaned from God's and the world's very best.

I shall come filled.

And then--

Oh, the nest I can build!