summer days have been filled with kids events around the city, summer reading program, lemonade stands, baby learning to sleep, lounging at the pond feeding geese, J starting a new job, and now staying cool as the heat has finally made an appearance.  

R was waking an average of 12 times a night the last few months.  after talking to a sleep consultant (I know, sounds crazy right?) she gave us a few bits of great advice that helped him tremendously.  after the first few nights of following her advice, he had a night of only waking once.  J went in and soothed him back to sleep and I didn't even know it.  which resulted in me sleeping through the night for the first time in over 3 1/2 years.  a typical night for R now is waking about 2 times, sometimes 3. which feels amazing.  I'm confident he will learn on his own time to fade those wakings out.  and as an added bonus, my girl woke up scared last night around 10 and for the first time since before R was born, she was able to sleep with us!  after we snuggled up and quieted to go back to sleep she said "mommy, let's hold hands." ♥ ♥ ♥ 

this, by the way, is not part of her advice.  but babies don't keep and advice has to take the back burner.

my little entrepreneur did well earning money for the first time.  many customers talked to her about the importance of saving for college but in the end, she looked at me and said "mommy, let's go pick a toy."  I don't blame her.  a 3 year old's gotta live it up.

on this day, B fell asleep during quiet time which never happens.  but it freed me up enough to hold this funny guy during his nap.

daddy has been swamped with his new job, but he's amazing at still making sure he gives us plenty of  his time, and I am thankful!