This was our attempt at an Easter family photo using Hannah's new camera with a timer. If not for Matthew's momentary distraction, it turned out pretty well.
Matthew has many variations on a smile. This by far is my favourite.
This photo just says so much about family life: mom looking slightly tired, baby always eating, boots on the kitchen counter along with a toothbrush and the ubiquitous peanut butter, sibling hiding behind chair.
I've discovered that stunts like these are one of the highlights of raising older boys and babies at the same time.
Seeing this photo makes me realise that something that Matthew used to do all the time has already passed. Each time he saw me, he would lunge toward my face and suck my chin. I can't recall the last time he did this. Breathe a little sad sigh.
This peaceful looking photo was taken in IKEA in the towel section. I was trying to get Matthew to take a nap in the sling. He did manage for a bit and looked adorably cute while doing so. This was also one of the few times that my hair was manageable.
Matthew's godparents joined us one Sunday in early spring to help with maple syrup. Joe insisted on carrying Matthew up the mountain in the backpack. This is another perk of raising older kids at the same time as babies.
I know, the baby again. The blame falls squarely on Hannah's shoulders. Her penchant for taking photos focuses almost exclusively on the under 12-month set.
Did I tell you that we got a new dog? A family from church moved away in January to Southern Ontario and were unable to take their seven-year-old dog. They asked us if we would consider taking Pax. I agreed because Pax was an outdoor dog who had never spent a day or night inside. Cue ominous music: until she moved to our house. Within two hours of the family pulling out of the driveway, she was in for the night and rarely ventures outdoors anymore. I feel like she is Black Beauty at the end of life and has finally found a peaceful paddock in which to retire. And just like Black Beauty, she belongs to a boy named Joe.
Hannah and her photographic handiwork. This, by the way, was really the first time that Matthew had ever touched grass. Delightful.
I insisted that Jacob take a break from schoolwork and join us on the lawn to peel potatoes.
Isaac trying to walk on his hands. I often lament that I have read very few books to Isaac. I stop my berating when I remember that Isaac never stops moving and when he does, he goes to sleep almost immediately. Thus, he gives me no time to read him a book. No word of a lie. Next year he will have a twenty-minute drive to school with Dave and he will listen to audiobooks. And probably fall asleep.
Wait, he does stop moving long enough to play Sequence with his sister. Sequence is one of Sarah's love languages.
Matthew looking very much like a Lynch baby.
Lastly and slightly out of place, Hannah with her ballet troupe. The end of the year recital was last Tuesday and Hannah and Sarah were both to perform. Sarah came down with the stomach flu and missed the performance while Hannah danced admirably, came home and vomited two hours later for the rest of the night. All good things come to an end.
