Smile Comparison

Sam is three months old! Our littlest boy's fourth trimester is over. As many of you know, I would prefer to carry them in utero for those additional three months; however, I have enjoyed newborn Samuel, largely because he seems to smile more than cry. When he does cry, however, I've learned this neat new strategy for interpreting it -- the Dunstan Baby Language. "Neh" = I'm hungry; "Eh" = I need to burp; "Owh" = I'm tired; "Eairh" = I have gas; "Heh" = I am uncomfortable (needing a diaper change.) Sam is enough of a textbook baby that even Micah is interpreting Sam's needs!

Paul usually figures that Sam's cries mean "I want a toy, please." "I want Paul to sing and talk to me." or "I want mom to give me milk so that she can read Paul a story."

Sometimes Sam yawns (especially since he hasn't been sleeping very well at night for the last week. Grr.) . . .
but lots of the time, Sam is smiling. So, it is time for some Tongen boys' smile comparisons.
Micah smiling with mom.
Paul smiling with Micah at 11 weeks old.

Sam smiling with Paul at 11 weeks old.

Micah smiling solo.

Paul smiling solo at 11 weeks old.

Sam smiling solo at 11 weeks old.

Micah's goofy grin at 11 weeks old.

Paul's goofy grin at 11 weeks old.

Sam's goofy grin at 11 weeks old.

Feel free to vote about how the smiles compare! Just click "add a comment."

August Excuses

Excuses, excuses . . .

Sam had his first date with Naomi! Please excuse the photo angle, which makes him look like he's catching up to her in size, but she had a head start this spring.

We used the Fantasy Football draft as an excuse to go spend time with Joletta and Doug.

Joletta used our visit as an excuse for a fun gathering including the McConnells, Lengauers, Mays and Wolfes.

Sonnie's family reunion was a good excuse to get some cuddle time.

Getting Jack and Paul confused is still excusable.
Can I excuse these boys for growing up so fast?

Excuse me; can't a boy get some of Grandma's kisses without being photographed?
The barn raising was one more excuse to go watch things grow at Blue Heron Farm.
Sam and Charlie don't need excuses to smile at smiling faces -- they are both quick to smile!
Here is a story that needs to be shared. On this outing with five boys, Paul was on a trike without breaks. (Our excuse for not paying close enough attention is that we are used to him having breaks on his.) At one point, Paul was following Charlie down a seemingly slight hill while we adults were helping the other three boys. We looked up to see Paul unable to stop and continuing right across a street with traffic. When he realized he couldn't stop, he wisely pedalled quickly to get safely across the street. The drivers of the cars were thankfully able to see him. We are so very thankful to God for protecting our sweet Paul!
The first day of school is always a good excuse to take a proud picture of our boys! Micah has been enjoying Kindergarten. PE is his favorite. Micah is gradually building up the endurance necessary to be pleasant after he gets home from an 8 hour day.
Since it was also Anthony's first day of school, I had an excuse to put my handsome husband into the photo!

My favorite part of Kindergarten is that I have fewer excuses to not spend one-on-one time with Paul. I have really enjoyed seeing his proud face as he has accomplished so much in the last few weeks. This buddy of mine has been baking, learning his letters and numbers, painting beautiful pictures, and generally being a helpful, sweet blessing to Sam and me.

Lake Week

Four Generations Together

5 Great-Grandsons

Sam bonding with Great-Grandpa Smith

Sam bonding with Jessica

Sam bonding with Justin

Sam bonding with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Scott

Sam bonding with Great-Aunt Marilyn

Sam bonding with his fist

Sam bonding with Karen

Sam bonding with Karen's camera

Karen and her camera (visit http://karensnyderphoto.com/)

While Sam was busy bonding, Paul did a great job of swimming with his PFD and even jumped off the dock!

Micah had fun tubing, both alone and with Anthony.

Paul had fun tubing, too! Once, he even chose to go tubing with Aunt Sarah.

We adults had a lot of fun on the water, too!

Taking three boys on a daily canoe ride was my kind of adventure!

Micah and Charlie cuddling with their swim instructor, aka Grandma

Micah is doing a great job of reading chapter books; he read My Father's Dragon to Great-Grandpa and often reads a Magic Treehouse book in one afternoon.

Micah and Joey

Even the rain is beautiful at the lake.

Rummikub when it rains.

Of course, there is always music with Taylor!

Paul's current favorite food = Edamame (edible soybeans)

Cousin-bonding at its finest!