What are they Doing?

Here's some updates on the kiddos:

Madelynn turns three weeks old Friday. She is turning out to be a really good sleeper, a pretty quick eater-(though she swallows air as she nurses and isn't very good about burping so we've had a few wet and smelly episodes throughout the day and night.) She's a good pooper. (So best three out of four isn't bad.) She has big blue eyes and brown hair that is about a 1/2 inch long. She has long fingers and toes, a wonderfully fat double chin with two large cheeks, and looks like Joshua did at this age. I await her first real smile with great anticipation.

Rachel is slowly learning new words: pie, sticky, pool, up, down, stool. She is up to par with her weight. Hurrah! The gluten free diet has really done the trick. She has grown so much in the past six months, about one pound/month. She is definitely taller, too and outgrowing her clothes quicker. She is becoming a typical two year old: learning how to communicate her needs, how to control her emotions, when to say please and thank you. She can now count to the number two and recognizes the letter O. If you are wondering, potty training is on the back burner right now, we are taking a break until life becomes more manageable and Rachel ages a bit.

Joshua talks Mommy's ears off and asks lots of questions trying to figure out his world and why things are the way they are. A common phrase that strangers will hear from him: "I'm four and I can hold the baby all by myself." His vocab is growing everyday. He loves to talk about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He is learning to obey, to share, to let others be first, to be polite, and not talk to strangers (hard to do when you live in a small town). He helps Mommy with Madelynn, watches over Rachel, and teaches Rachel how to sound out words. Joshua is looking forward to his first fishing trip with Daddy.

Mommy is a mommy trying to adjust to having three needy children instead of just two. Her days are bit more full though somehow she is finding time to still blog, email, and facebook. Sustaining grace is within her, laundry and dishes are kept up though cleaning is lacking. Postpartum depression has been nil, though her patience is continually stretched past its limits. She's loving the sunshine and the 75 degree summer days. Joel has been great about watching the kids so Mommy can go on a bike ride and keep up with her gardening.

Joel is doing well. Jobs still keep popping up here and there. Right now they are thirty minutes away framing a cabin and hopefully will be able to do all the finish work.