My Big 4 month old.

When I took Oliver to the pediatrician for his 4 month check it was suggested that we start Oliver on solids. The 6 month wait is now being questioned due to increase in allergies and they are going back to 4-5 months. That's ok by me as Ollie is a big chunky monkey weighing in at 18 pounds. We tried him on oatmeal today. 

He wasn't so sure.

He still smiles for me though!

Normal Days

Sometimes it is hard to catch photos of the every day things. Today Jake got some photos of our laid back crew.

Look at the rolls on him. Four months old and he is like a tank!

Why are things so difficult

Sometimes I just find things so difficult to get through. Yesterday was such a nice day for me. Yet all day long I had the looming feeling that tomorrow (meaning today) would be not so nice. Why did I feel like that? I don't know if it's because I knew I had to go to work or if I figured I was going to be busy because I had a doctor appointment for Oliver. In any case, it wasn't a very good day. Little things just seem to add up quickly. I didn't want to get up this morning. Granted, who really does want to get out of a nice warm bed and into the chilly air. I find it harder to get moving in the morning. I feel like everything aches. My feet hurt tremendously. I am not sure if this is because of the depression or fatigue or just because I am getting older. Anyway. We dropped Elijah off at school but not before the dog pooped on my kitchen floor. I was so mad! I don't know why she did that. I was right next to her and she has been really good about barking when she needs to be let out. I was very disappointed. After Elijah was taken to school we had to take Oliver to the pediatrician for his 4 month well visit. Yes, he is 4 months. I can't believe it. He's a big, chunky boy and weighed in at 17lbs 2 oz. He's pretty long too. 26 1/2 inches. While we were there the pediatrician expressed concern that his upper body strength is not that good and that we need to increase tummy time. Also, he is not grasping toys and just keeps his fists balled up. So we need to work with him or else he will need to be seen by physical therapy. That was disappointing to me. She is an awesome doctor and is always asking about how I am doing and telling me what a good job I'm doing. But I don't feel like I'm doing a good job. I have never had so many highs and lows in such a short time period. I just want a break from all of these feelings. I just want to feel good about myself. While we were there Oliver spit up all over me, all the way down to my shoes. I felt like it just figures. I'm used to this right? Does one ever really get used to feeling like you look like crap all the time. Because that's a terrible feeling. Afterwards we went to visit Jake at his work so that everyone could see Oliver. By the end of the visit I was so incredibly tired. I felt like I was going to fall asleep on the way home. When we got home, I made lunch for the boys and then nursed Oliver and we both took a long nap while the twins watched some cartoons. I just can't get over how tired I am even though Oliver is not waking up nonstop during the night. He wakes up about twice, which isn't terrible. It's not as great as Elijah, but it's not as terrible as the twins. Now I'm just thinking about all the things that I need to get done. Things just pile up nonstop and it feels like it's so hard to catch up. I need a maid and a new brain.

Here's my chubby little baby loving his bath.

He's a handsome dude.

Elijah had a music concert and so here are some photos from the night. 

It was a good day

Sometimes I just have a good day. And today was one of those days. Jake told me on Monday that my friend Charity is coming out to visit me as a surprise and is going to be teaching a class for me and some friends about Young Living Essential Oils. I am super excited. It is like a pre-birthday party. I decided that I am going to have a tea party theme. So today I spent a lot of the day baking...which is one of my all time favorite things to do. Also, it was a beautiful day so I took the kids to the park after Elijah got out of school.

Here's Molly loving the grass.

Noah brought the scooter. Poor kids. The scooter broke. They were sad. They don't even have bikes. I feel a bit of mom guilt there.

Jonah climbing up the slide.

Elijah saying hi.

And some of my goodies. Fennel flavored biscotti, banana coconut bread and orange scones.

Recipes

Biscotti altered from this website. http://www.prouditaliancook.com/2010/12/tis-season-to-be-baking.html

BISCOTTI

Ingredients

2.5 cups unbleached flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup of softened butter
2 eggs

3/4 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon of fennel essential oil

Directions

Sift dry ingredients together. Set aside. In a large bowl with a mixer beat butter, sugar, until fluffy, add eggs one at a time along with the fennel oil. Add flour mixture and beat on low until blended. Divide mixture into 2 parts. Each part becomes a log measuring around 2 1/2 inches by 9 or 10 inches long. Place logs on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 25 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom. Remove from the oven and let them cool down on a rack. Carefully cut them 1/2 inch thick, turn each piece on their side and bake on each side for 12 minutes or until lightly golden.

Makes around 25 biscotti depending on size.

Scone recipe adapted from here http://challengedairy.com/recipes/breads/scottish-scones-with-honey-butter

Scottish Scones

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4  cup sugar

1 Tbs baking powder

1/2 Tsp salt

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup milk

15 drops orange essential oil

1. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk, mixing until just moist. Add essential oil. On lightly floured surface, roll dough into a circle one-half inch thick. Cut into 10 wedges. Place on greased cookie sheet.Bake in a 425°F oven for 12-15 minutes.
2. Note: Cranberries may taste good in this.

Coconut Banana Bread recipe can be found here http://www.fatgirltrappedinaskinnybody.com/2011/10/coconut-banana-bread/

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Congratulations to Elijah

Elijah is doing awesome at school. Today he received another Principle's Pride Award. Yay!