Silas meets the Hartmans

Silas finally got to meet the boys' Godparents at the beginning of May.

Jacob and Vincent

Me and Val

Dan and Lacy with our precious Godchildren

Sam & Val with their crazy Godchildren!

Cousins! All present and accounted for...even if they are all over the place.

Big developments

Silas is growing so fast. I'm so glad I get to be home to see each new development as it comes. At his 6 month check-up the doctor was pleased with his progress and growth. Here are some milestone photos of my littlest man.

This is right after he rolled over for the first time, 5 days before he turned 3 months old.

Silas was my #2 date to Matt & Holly Danler's wedding.

Eating cereal for the first time at a little over 4 months old.

I have a very similar photo of Anthony as a baby, except Anthony fell asleep with a toy in his mouth. This was during Silas's short-lived thumb-sucking stage.

Chillin in the exersaucer, watching his brothers play. This exersaucer has served all three boys and is still in great shape. A wonderful gift from my former MID-CO coworkers!

Sitting up for the first time the day he turned 5 months old



"This little piggy went to market..." Silas grabbed Cori's foot and I could have sworn he was going to put it in his mouth! I love how she's just sitting back, relaxing, like "That's right. Entertain me, dude." They are great buddies!

Singing to mommy

Screeching to mommy :)

The Ripley Boys Visit The Farm

We visited "The Farm" last month. This was the boys' first trip to see the Lutton family in Ellsinore, MO. My Grandparents lived at "The Farm" as long as I could remember, and now Uncle Mike and Aunt Judie live there. Uncle Wes and Aunt Suzette live "next door" (for you city folk, that's actually about a quarter to a half mile away). The boys had an absolute blast, and they have been going on and on about it ever since. Judie is such fun and the boys loved chasing bubbles in the kitchen. I have such fond memories of playing under my grandma's feet in this kitchen as a little girl, so it was all I could do not to melt down watching them have such fun in the same kitchen, around that same table.





We went over to Wes's house and checked out his animals. There were sheep, goats, cows, chickens, bunnies...the boys were overwhelmed with all the fun! Vince tried on some farmin boots, and Aunt Suzette even had some of her boys' toys around for V & AJ to play with!






You'll see that Uncle Wes is holding a chicken here. He let the kids pet it, but somehow I didn't get a pic of it.




Needless to say, they are chomping at the bit to get back down there!

Forgiveness

I would be a big fat liar, and not a convincing one, if I said that I didn't occasionally yell at the boys. I don't like it, and I try not to, but it still happens. So Vince and I butted heads a lot this weekend. It was pretty much the worst Mother's Day ever. After one particularly heated disagreement, I was telling Vince that it's not okay to be disrespectful to mommy, and he said, "Mommy, I don't like it when you're angry with me." I said something like, "I know honey, I'm sorry I got frustrated and yelled." He said, "Mommy...we should pray together."

And as I listened to my not-quite-four-year-old pray for Jesus to forgive us and to help us be "kindly" to each other, my heart melted a little ... or a lot.

Tonight he came out of his room to have one last hug and kiss, he looked at me meaningfully and said, "Mommy, you the great mommy ever." I can't help but think he's confused about what that means, but it's heart warming to think that Vincent's love for me is unconditional, just as mine is for him.

The Cup Song

We have a favorite song to sing at bedtime. I have been singing it to the boys almost every night since they were born. My mom sang it to me and my sister growing up, and it has always been a cherished memory for me. Vincent has memorized it, and wants to sing it on his own...on camera. I am convinced that he's just thinking of more and more bedtime delay tactics, because it started off with me singing it to him, then he wanted to sing it with me, then he wanted me to let him try on his own. Here is his rendition, in two parts. I hope you find it as adorable as I do. Here are the words, because his words are not exactly right. ;)

Like the woman at the well, I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy
And then I heard my Savior speaking,
"Draw from the well that never shall run dry."
Fill my cup, Lord.
I lift it up, Lord.
Come and quench this thirsting in my soul.
Bread of Heaven,
Feed me til I want no more.
Fill my cup.
Fill it up and make me whole.