The Week of November 2, 2015

 We celebrated Natalie's first birthday on Monday.  She was very curious about the candle and tried to touch it.  She loved everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to her.  The kids were so excited it was Natalie's birthday.  I heard them all day long stop to say, "Happy Birthday Natalie" or "It's your Birthday!"  So cute!

 The kids laughed so hard when Natalie finished her cupcake.  She made such a mess.  Natalie thought their laughing was funny and she laughed too.  We took this video.

 We celebrated Natalie's birthday again on Tuesday so we could celebrate with Grandma and Papa.

 Joseph and the other children love to catch the little beetles, butterflies and lizards in our yard.  Joseph pretended to eat this one.  He wanted to make it his pet.  I convinced him otherwise.

Allie wrapped Joseph's ogre in red crepe paper.  I think he was defeated in a fight with the dinosaur and broke all his bones. Allie only gets more beautiful.

Other noteworthy stuff: today was the Primary Program at church.  It's always my favorite Sunday of the year.  The children do the entire presentation at church in lieu of adult speakers.  We had five children participating in the Program this year and it is also Haley's last Primary Program.  Another bittersweet milestone. 

Elaine Cannon said, "There are two important days in a woman's life:The day she is born and the day she finds out why." My family is definitely my "why". I love all the things I learn being the daughter, wife, mother, etc. The fact that it's November only reminds me again how quickly the time is going by. As exhausted as I feel sometimes from the demands of being the mom, I sometimes wonder how I'll keep myself from falling into some sort of depression when my kids leave home. My one consolation is that I've been at home all these years.  My children are growing, before I know it they'll be gone. So I'm glad I haven't missed anything.

The Week of October 26, 2015

Natalie is always this happy, unless she's teething. 

Even though she has her own look, you can tell she's a Helms baby.

 You can see some of her teeth in this picture.  She's getting a new tooth in at the bottom, #7.

 

 It's been a fairly boring week.  Except Natalie, everyone has come down with strep throat and we've been stuck at home all week.  However, I did have a momentous occasion this week.  I made my last bottle of baby formula.  I took a picture of the last container of formula.

Rachel looked so cute in this dress up... minus the greek yogurt on her face. She was very excited for me to take her picture. She kept trying to look at her picture on my phone before I could take a decent photo of her.

 



The Week in Pictures

 Mom and Natalie.  Natalie is almost walking!  Brent and I are very excited to be almost out of the baby phase. It's also a little sad.

 Emily was really huffing and puffing while giving a ride to Joseph and Rachel up the driveway.

 Emily liked this mask at the art museum.

 Rachel said, "What do you want me to draw?" Her ability to communicate continues to amaze us.

 Happy baby!

Feeding the greedy ducks.  The real trick is keeping the kids from eating the bread.  The little ones didn't understand that this bread wasn't suitable for us to eat and it was way past lunch time.

 Sarah Kathryn loves art and she's well on her way to becoming a great artist.  She's only 3!

Pretty girl...inside and out.

First Haircuts

I took Rachel and Sarah Kathryn for their first haircuts about three weeks ago.  They thought it was a lot of fun.  They've seen the other girls get haircuts from Ms. Meagan and seemed excited it was their turn to sit in the chair.  It was difficult to get Rachel to hold still.  I had to play a movie on my cell phone so she'd hold still while Ms. Meagan cut the back of her hair.

A Fun Day

We had good day with the kids today, especially after weeks of everyone being sick.  We took the kids to Home Depot for the children's craft of the month and our friends, the Powells, showed up.  After we finished making bookends at Home Depot we went to the Overlook Park with our friends.  The weather was beautiful and the kids really enjoyed being out of the house.  We came home for lunch, watched "The Last Airbender" and relaxed for a while.  I even took a little nap.  Brent took the kids outside to play baseball and ride bikes and then the Powells came over for dinner (taco salads) and a movie (Despicable Me 2).  When the movie was over the kids decided to dance and our friends took this picture of Joseph dancing with their daughter Madison.  So cute!  They danced this way for a few songs.  Joseph was having so much fun.  Even at 5 he knows a pretty girl when he sees one!  Madison's been telling her mom she's going to marry Joseph.

Rachel and Jackson compare their handiwork.  They're in Nursery together at church.

I'm always amazed at how much the children are capable of.  They never cease to amaze me.  Even Rachel hammers the nails into place and puts the pieces together.  Brent reads the building instructions to Joseph and Emily and they put it together themselves.  Every time they finish a project they get a special pin to put on their Home Depot aprons.  It's pretty cute and so much fun.

Fun With Natalie

I love all these pictures of the kids with Natalie.  It's always nice to bring home a baby and the kids love the new baby as much as Brent and I do.  It's fun to watch them be friends, play together, defend each other and serve each other. They're so lucky to have each other.  I think it will only be more fun as they get older.

 Joseph adores Natalie.

 It's like Rachel is saying, "It's never to early to start".

 This is typical:  the kids are running around playing and they stop to play with Natalie or they make her part of the game.

 It's a good thing Natalie likes all the love and attention.  We've learned that she prefers it.  At first I would put her in the crib for a break from the noise and commotion, but she would start to cry.  She likes being in the middle of it all, watching the kids and being part of the fun.

 There's a good explanation for the duck tape on Natalie's head:  We use it to keep Rachel's diapers on.  Rachel started tearing off her diapers a few months ago and Brent's mom suggested I use duck tape.  We've since realized that Rachel is potty training herself, which we are embracing, despite the mess.  The issue is at night...she takes off her diaper and urinates in the crib.  Brent got creative.  He puts her in those footie pajamas that zip all the way to the neck and puts a piece of duck tape over the zipper.  The kids think it's funny to pick out the duck tape Rachel will wear.  They always want me to buy the Hello Kitty or Minnie Mouse duck tape.

 Taking turns holding Natalie.

 "If you're holding her, I can hold her too!"  Rachel still thinks Natalie is her baby.  She didn't like that Sarah Kathryn was having a turn.

Sarah Kathryn looked so happy holding the baby I had to take a picture.

Today Natalie is at Grammy and PopPop's house.  I'm sure Grammy, PopPop and Mamaw are spoiling her shamelessly.  On Monday Rachel came down with rotavirus which is dangerous for infants so Natalie stayed with our friends for a couple of days and then went to Grandma and Papa's house.  She went to work with them and Papa said he enjoyed having her so much he wasn't sure he was going to give her back.  Natalie went to Albertville on Friday.  Everyone says she's been such a good baby and so much fun to have around.  We miss Natalie and it's been strange not having her with us.  It's amazing that someone so small makes such a difference and that you can love someone so much in an instant.  We had other friends lined up to take Natalie in case we couldn't get to Grammy's house (because of the snow.)  They called me on Friday and were disappointed that they didn't get to take the baby.  One said, "Maybe we can get her another day."  My other friend takes her on Sundays while Brent and I teach a class at church.  I'm not bragging on my kid, I think it's just a good example that Natalie really is special and we're not the only ones who notice.

Birthdays

Happy Birthday Haley!

 

Haley turned 10 on June 16.  It took a special day like her birthday for her to convince us to cook her a steak.  Grandma and Papa came to celebrate with us.  Haley insisted on a bright blue cake.  I don't think Brent was even willing to try it.  It was hard to believe that our first little baby has reached double digits!

 

 Haley has always loved steak...even before she had teeth!

  

 

Happy Birthday Emily!

 

Emily celebrated her 6th birthday on August 29. With so many children, it's fun to have birthdays as an excuse to celebrate one child for a day and spoil them with things they like.  Emily is our little "pixie." From her "pixie" haircut to her slight build, big brown eyes, dainty gestures and whimsical personality. even strangers comment that Emily is a little fairy. It must be some of her pixie magic...we keep thinking she's still our baby.  We've worked hard this year to treat her like the big girl she is.

 Emily has become one of the "big girls" this year.  She goes to bed with the big girls and shares a room with Allie.  She's doing well in school and loves to help with the younger children.

 

 

Happy Birthday Sarah Kathryn!

 

Sarah Kathryn turned three on December 10.  It seemed like she should be four.  She looks and talks like she's four.  We're still working on the potty training.  I know she can, she just doesn't want to.  This is very indicative of her personality. Sarah Kathryn doesn't do anything unless she wants to.  She is lots of fun to be with ( I don't mean that sarcastically.) She can love you to death and drive you crazy within the same minute.  You just never know what to expect from her.  That's what makes her so fun.  She's still Haley's "mini twin".

 We were excited to have Grammy with us to celebrate this year.

A present for one is a present for all unless you whine about it enough!

 At three years old, she does a good job of driving them all crazy, but they still love her.  When they're adults, they'll just laugh about it.

Joseph has a special place in our home as "little brother" to three sisters and "big brother" to three sisters.  There's no doubt that he's special!



Natalie

I figured everyone is anxious to see new pictures of Natalie.  This was the first day she was really smiley so I took a bunch of pictures.  You can tell she's completely bald in front.  It's because the kids were always rubbing her head and eventually they rubbed all her hair off, no joke!  It's finally starting to grow back in.

Brent and I have never had a difficult or fussy baby and Natalie is no exception.  She sleeps 12 hours at night, is content as long as she's in the middle of all the action and noise, is a good eater and she's friendly with all the ladies at church who like to hold her and feed her while Brent and I teach classes and deal with our other children.  She is well loved by her brother and sisters.  They often stop to sing to her, tickle her, talk to her, and wave toys in front of her face.  Emily likes to feed her and burp her.  Even Rachel is smitten with Natalie and seems to have no jealousy where the new baby is concerned.  If I tell Rachel it's time to get "Baby Natalie", she's happy to let me put her down so I can pick up the baby or share my lap while I feed her.

I don't think there could be an easier adjustment to having a seventh child and as you can imagine, we are soooo grateful!