Fun in the Backyard

Overheard this week...

Jacob..."Mom, look, it's a June Bug!"
(I had no idea he knew what this was...he was correct; then he stomped on it)

Nathaniel..."Mom, I'm reading books to Jacob. We're reading a lot of books."
(This was after he sat and paged through a few books with Jacob & reciting what he has memorized the stories to be...very accurate & cute)

Two New Family Members this Week!

We welcomed two new members to the extended family this week! On Sunday, July 20, our niece Sarah & her husband Winston welcomed a son, Landon MacArthur Jimenez, to the family. Landon joins big brothers (Winston's sons) Nick & Josh. Then yesterday, July 24, Patrick's brother Scott & his wife Tracy welcomed their fifth child to the family: Hayden Rose. Hayden joins siblings Katie, Megan, Taylor & Adam. Exciting week for the Robinsons.

Moments I'm Very Glad I didn't Miss

Today (and yesterday) was one of those days. We were super busy with appointments & running around. No fun to go over most of those details, but worth mentioning how happy I am I didn't miss a few little moments.

Leah's simple life: She had 9 month pictures taken today. It was so sweet to see the simplicity of what it takes for such a youngster to be happy. She laughed, grinned, crawled around, and explored and seemed to be having such a great time. This led to some absolutely adorable pictures!

Nathaniel's Kindness & Ingenuity: He was really being my big boy today. Helping me out, being patient, etc. Tonight, though, we walked to the park and the big boys rode their bikes. They usually don't want to ride back home, though. That was the case tonight. I told Leyton I'd pick his up later & we'd just leave it there for now. Then I caught a glimpse of Nathaniel in front of the stroller. He had his bike & helmet, and Leyton's bike & helmet. He was trying to hook Leyton's helmet around the handlebars and connect it to his bike so he could ride & pull Leyton's home for him...sweet. However, he couldn't get it worked out. I just watched & enjoyed his thoughtfulness. Then he said, "Oh, I just can't get my idea to work." We talked about it & I had to let him know what a great idea it was and how sweet it was to help.

Leyton's Sweet Laughter: I was tired by bath time tonight. The usual routine is that we often get LOTS of water out of the bath tub. Tonight was no exception, but I just let it go a bit. I was in the hallway putting Leah's PJ's on. Leyton & Nathaniel were squirting water at each other with empty shampoo bottles. The best part was Leyton in there having such a great time...laughing, laughing, laughing. It was the sweetest laughter to hear at the end of a long busy day. I needed that!

Jacob's Goodnight: The big boys were in bed, Jacob was next, Leah would be last (rather reversed tonight). I was laying by Jacob and telling him goodnight, and of course he said, "Few more minutes, Mom." I gave him a few more minutes & then figured I better get Leah to bed. I was getting ready to leave & he lay there tired & whispered, "I love you so, Mom." Perfect ending!

So I guess in a nutshell:
- 3 well-child visits yesterday, and another HVAC visitor to give us as estimate for our house, along with a lot of housework to do: $90 copays, too many thousands for a furnace & heat pump

- Spending four hours at the mall, me & the kids, taking pictures, returning pants, playing a little: $125

- Waiting a whole extra hour beyond our two-hour window for the delivery of our new refrigerator: I think they owe me!

- Spending all this time with my four sweet kids: PRICELESS!

Leah's 9 Month Stats

19lb 3.2 oz (~60th percentile)
28 1/4 inches long (75th percentile)
17 5/8 inches head circumference (75th percentile)

First tooth about two weeks ago
LOVING to try to eat anything and everything she can get her hands on
Favorite babyfood: the meats! (really, unbelievably!)
Pulling herself up to stand all around the house
Starting to make raspy sounds along with her Da-da-da-da's
Starting to let other people hold her besides Mom & some Dad (like Aunt Bethy! - thanks for the input, Beth!)
Very content baby!

Growing Up!

I've been noticing lately how much it seems like Leyton & Nathaniel are growing up & maturing. Leyton has been so patient and loving to everyone. Nathaniel has been so willing to help with stuff around the house and also to give up something he has if someone else really wants it. Yesterday Leyton was playing with his trains in the basement. He played & played and knew it was going to be time to head up for bath. I set the timer & told them when it was up, we'd go upstairs. The timer rang and everyone but Leyton was upstairs. I called for him & got the answer, "In a minute." I figured I'd go check on him. I was so pleasantly surprised when I found that he was still down there because he was cleaning up all the toys and putting them away without even the least request from me. I was so happy to see him doing that so nicely. Nathaniel has been helping me clean a lot and like when his brothers want something, like to unlock the mailbox for example, Nathaniel will say, "That's ok, Mom, I can do it next time. Jacob can have this turn." It sure makes me so proud of them! I of course then really think about things too much and let my thoughts wander the future. Time just flies so quickly. I can't imagine when they're going to be in school every day. Life will never be the same! They'll never have as much time at home as they do now and I need to enjoy every moment!

Jacob & his picture

Tonight Jacob was on the couch near his picture that hangs on the wall. I watched his conversation with the picture:
"Hi Jacob. How are you doing? Can you talk?...No. Can you smile?...Yes. Bye, Jacob!" Then I got a cute grin from him.