A Fairly Typical Photo Shoot

 I started out taking pictures of Oskar (after seeing Timothy taking pictures of him with his phone and realizing that yes, Oskar did look adorable sitting up on the couch like a midget big-boy).

 He's so ridiculously cute.  Plus, he's still soft and tiny and sweet and he sleeps through the night (sorry for mentioning it, Kayli).  I adore him.  As his shirt advertises.

 Then Harriet noticed the camera, started shouting, "Me, me, me!" and clambered up next to him.  The bruise you ask?  She tripped over a pillow and smacked her head against the wall.  The blood lightly crusted around her nostril?  She tripped over Ruth or someone pushed or something (I wasn't in the room but Lindsay saw it all as she was nursing Will nearby) and smacked her nose on Ruth's head.  Once she stopped wailing, Harriet found the blood rather intriguing.  I'm the good mom and am duly recording important firsts: first bloody nose--check.

 Then Cowen saw the camera and ran to join the fun.  Doesn't he look so handsome?  And big!!!

 Ah yes, then Eli saw what was happening and had to be included.

 Then much jostling for position occurred.

 Then things like this started to happen.

And the photo shoot ended like this.  Yep.  Hard to be the youngest, Oskar, even when you are beloved by everyone but don't worry--Mommy loves you.

Pics

 I was complaining to Kami the other day that nobody wrote on their blogs anymore--they only posted pictures.  And here I am about to do the exact same thing, just like I've been doing since Oskar was born.  I could tell you all the reasons I'm so busy (trying to get ready for my anniversary weekend away, swimming lessons, baseball, Mother's Day talk in Sacrament meeting, etc) but that is boring.  So instead, I will take a few precious minutes and post some adorable pictures of my darling kiddos.

 I just loved Harriet's "look."  She found the smallest pair of hand-me-down cowboy boots in the closet and has been wearing them ever since.

 With Timothy starting school in a few weeks and the new baby, I decided gardening was a little too much for me this year.  We "rented" out our spot to my dear friend Sue and her husband.  They are long-time gardeners and just lacked a spot.  They're paying me in tomatoes and green peppers.  Win, win.  (I don't know that they anticipated how much "help" they would be getting from my littles, though.)  :)

 I've taken to putting Emeline's hair in curlers on Saturday night.  The result is AMAZING.  I think I love it so much because she reminds me of me as a child.  By church time, the curls have relaxed.  This is a straight-out-of-the-curlers shot, before I've even brushed it once.  I love her hair.  And might I point out, she has hair!

 Harriet.

 Emeline with Oskar.

 Oskar is rather a somber fellow, but last night he slept through the night (from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am--yay!!) and then this morning he was quite cheerful and we chatted and smiled at each other for a good ten minutes before he started looking sleepy again.  What a charmer.

 Harriet and I fuss at each other a lot these days.  She insists that her baby needs to sit in the swing, not Oskar.  She also insists that her baby needs the soother--not Oskar.  These pictures are a result of her loud insistence that if I was going to take pictures of Oskar, I must also take pictures of her baby.

There you go, Harriet.  You win (like usual).  But here's the secret--I don't mind taking pictures of your baby when you are in them also because, dear girl, mommy just loves you to pieces and thinks you are far too cute for your own good.

Oskar at Two Months Old

 Oskar is two months old in these pictures.  Will happened to visit on Oskar's birthday, so he was hanging out with Jack the Giraffe when I pulled out the camera.  When he saw the camera he started to smile--and never stopped.  He was so cute and funny.  So yes, Oskar's birthday is the point of this post, despite the number of pictures of Will.  (Don't feel bad, Oskar--you know I think you're the cutest.)

Cousins.  Awesome.

Timothy

Miriam

Although we only took these a month ago, they are hopelessly dated. Watch for pictures with her new glasses that are so cute!  But, these pics are too cute to not post just because she's wearing her old glasses.

Things That Are Awesome

Yes, I've posted the poem before, but it is still one of my favorites and I've been thinking about it lately and needed a laugh to get me through the next two weeks.

The kids

 One of my favorite pics of all time.

 Emeline.

 Eli is a zombie?  Cowen and Emeline, love it.  I'm pretty sure Miriam is going for a "far-away look in her eyes."  It is her favorite picture pose.

 Emeline.  Cowen.  Drunk?

 My kids are fabulous--that's all there is to it.