Movin' and Shakin'

The carpets have been cleaned. Yay! and then Quinten decided to play with clay and press it into the carpet as he attempted to make a pancake. Insert sigh here. Well that was lovely while it lasted (4 days).

Here's something else that happened once the carpets were cleaned:
The big guy rolled over!
With all the other kids, they first rolled over and then forgot how the did it. Not Chase. He rolled 3 times in the course of 15 minutes. Now, even as I am about to lay him on the floor he twists his body before landing in place.

And since we're up to new tricks then we may as well add this one to the mix. He sits up!
This guy has abs of steel. When he starts to fall back and fights in the V position more than he faught to stay in the upright position. It's funny to watch. He can almost bring himself back from the 30 degree drop. But not quite yet. Sadie, Chase and I are often running in and out of the house for various obligations. This really didn't impact his sleep in the first 4 months of his life. But now he's more attentive to changes in temperature, light, sounds, movement ... and so, a day out running errands usually means a day without a solid sleep. Thursday was one of those days. So by the end of a Halloween Party he had passed out on my shoulder (which he never does). Poor fellow.

"In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight."

We sure do adore this babe of the family. As a matter of fact, I regularly queue into his dissatisfaction of not having someone to visit with. He's been conditioned enough to always have someone playing with him that when he finally has a moment of peace to himself, he protests in his fussy baby sort of way. I have even walked over and done as little as lay on the floor beside him and he's content. I guess I'd also want someone like Colby to hang with. It's much more fun having someone bring an element of surprise to our time in the day. These older siblings definitely do that.
I often run with the Mom theory that it's "all in the presentation." For example, I toasted a piece of bread that Quinten was excited to order sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. However, in my Super Mom Efficiency, I had already spread the peanut butter. When he heard the news he was utterly disappointed. I quickly responded that I could make it Peanut Butter Happy Face ... this quickly mellowed his frustrations and brought acceptance. Phew.

Sadie wins the prize for being particular though. I wonder how long this conversation will continue to work:

Me "Sadie, you are not taking that necklace into bed with you" OR "Sadie, you are not having a package of fruit snacks right before your nap"

Sadie "BUT I want to ..." Insert words of protest here, with tone of temper tantrum threatening.

Me "You can have it when we go to pick-up the boys from school"

Sadie "O-KAY!" she says enthusiastically.

That. Was. Easy. (for now) I may be up for Worst Mom of the Year award if I do NOT enroll this little lady in dance soon. She loves the art.