So hard to believe it has already been a half of a year!

At 6 months you are...
*sleeping through the night (YEAH!) You go down around 7pm and sleep til between 5 and 7am. You eat and go back to sleep for another couple hours or so. Typically you sleep between 13 and 14 hours a night!
*taking 3 naps a day, sometimes 4 - most are around an hour
*STILL not interested in baby food/cereal - I have tried rice cereal, squash, sweet potatoes and peas - afraid to try fruits as I'm sure you will probably like those and never want the other stuff:)
*a rolling and scooting machine - it is so fun to watch you get around on the floor on your back or belly.
*LOVING the jumper and jumperoo - you even fell asleep in the jumperoo the other day!
*in love with your mama - if I enter the room you are in, you start whimpering and want me to pick you up even if you were completely content 2 second earlier
*still toothless - we keep thinking one will be popping through anyday since you drool and want to chew on everything
*laughing so much more now when we tickle you and play peek-a-boo
*going to the doctor on Tuesday so we will see how much you weigh - my guess is around 18 pounds, still wearing size 2 diapers

Here is his 6 month picture and one that Jen took when she was in town last month... Aunt Carmen is going to take his official 6 month pictures later this week

At 5 months you are...
*becoming so interactive - we love to play with you and watch you discover things
*discovering your voice - you are quite the talker and like to try out the different noises you can make
*giggling more and more - especially when dada tickles your neck
*discovering your feet - you love to grab them and wiggle around
*rolling both directions although you don't choose to roll to your tummy too often as you much prefer to scoot around on your back
*not spitting up nearly as much as you were - hallelujah!
*still struggling with congestion that makes it rough for you and sleep at night - we did an antibiotic a couple weeks ago which did help, but it gave you other problems (pooping) which lead to diaper rash and even more trouble sleeping :( I am hoping you get back to normal very soon as this mama is pretty tired of getting up so much! The last 2 nights have been much better so hopefully we are on the upswing
*doing great with your naps during the day - you fall asleep on your own every time and some of your naps are even longer than the 45 minutes you were doing. You still take about 4 per day, but sometimes only 3 if you had one or 2 longer ones
*not one bit interested in baby food - I have tried rice cereal and squash and you act like it is the worst tasting thing on the planet
*much much better in the car - you still don't like being strapped into your seat, but once you are in, you are a happy traveler
*somewhere around 17 pounds and now in size 2 diapers

My big boys turned 5 and 3 this month and requested a John Deere birthday party. I was just happy they agreed and had no qualms about having another combined party. I set to work planning out a few things and was happy to discover pinterest this summer which definitely provided some great inspiration. Here are some pics of the party...

the food table...


some pinterest ideas...

corn on the cob!



the cake could have been better, but I am no expert at fondant - I may stick to the shaped cakes in the future!


other highlights included some wildflowers I had been eyeing in a field for a few weeks and a photo garland made from dollar store rope and mini clothespins...





we played several games including a bean bag toss through tractor wheels and friend finder using pictures of the guests. We also played a game where all the kids had a farm animal taped on their back and they had to figure out what it was by asking questions. Kids got tickets for playing the games and then turned them in for prizes at the prize table!





The party was a big success and most importantly, my boys had a great time and loved having so many of their friends there to celebrate with them!

What makes you happy?... toys

What makes you sad?... hitting

What do you like to do?... play toys

What is your favorite color?... red

What do you like to eat?... enchiladas and bampoo (we had just eaten enchiladas for dinner and I think he was trying to say bamboo - he had just watched a Diego episode about an animal eating bamboo :)

What is your favorite toy?.. green car that drives

When do you feel frustrated?... hitting

What are you excited about?... playing

Where do you like to go?... "Deanna Rose... I like Deanna Rose and Freddy's...lots of things... I like mommies...I like babies...baby Tanners"

what is your favorite song?... Itsy Bitsy Spider

Do you like to take naps?... yeah

Who is your best friend?... Mason

What is your favorite thing about preschool?... painting

What is your favorite animal?... lion...I don't like lions or "wolfs"...giraffe

What kind of job do you want to have when you grow up?...I will make a big circle...dirt...dig

When do you feel happy?... when dada tickles me

When do you feel sad?... when somebody leaves me alone

What do you like to do?... sometimes I like to wrestle with dada

What is your favorite color?... yellow

What do you like to eat?... apples, pears, suckers

What is your favorite toy?.. my helicopter (present from Tyson for his recent bday)

When do you feel frustrated?... when Brody does mean stuff to me

What do you really like?... I like to go to some playgrounds and Bass Pro Shop

What are you excited about?... my birthday party

Where do you like to go?... Chuck E Cheese

what is your favorite song?... Jumping in the House of God

What is your favorite thing to do at Preschool?... make stuff for you and dada and give it to you

What is the best part of being 5 years old?... getting presents

Who is your best friend?... Avery and Ethan

What kind of job do you want to have when you grow up?...I'm gonna drive a skid steer

Anything else you want to tell me?... I like to see construction sites

My little Brody turned 3 a few days ago and I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on him and the wonderful little guy that he is. It has been so fun to see his littler personality come out more and more, especially over this past year. He is someone who just goes with things - he is easy-going, shy when he first meets someone or tries something, but then he is a little firecracker. He is a goofball who is always making us laugh. He is a talker - especially on the rare occasions where it is just me and him in the car - he comments about every single thing that we see and asks a million questions. He LOVES Mason and wants to do everything he does. On the one morning a week that Mason goes to preschool and Brody stays home with me, he is just lost without him. He is constantly asking if it is time to go get Mason. I can only hope and pray that they continue to be this close as they get older. Brody is a giver - he will always offer me a bite of his ice cream and is quick to share with Mason if he knows that Mason wants something he has. He LOVES to wrestle with his daddy and usually it is one of the first things out of his mouth when Andy gets home "Let's wrestle, dada!"

It is hard to keep a straight face with him when we are trying to discipline because he is so stinkin cute. He says the funniest things! He is so very smart. I asked his teacher the other day if she thought he was doing okay, being the youngest in the class. She said without a doubt he is doing great and is probably more artistically inclined and has better fine motor skills than many of the other kids. He knows most of his letters and can already spell his name (not write it, but knows the letters in it).

Happy Birthday to my sweet Brody boy - we love you and definitely laugh way more with you in our family!

It is so crazy to me that I have a 5 year old! All day, Andy and I have been commenting on how old Mason seems and how this year really seems to be different in the way it feels. Probably because 5 comes with a lot of changes - fortunately the biggest one is still a ways off (Kindergarten!) but when I look ahead to the next year and think about watching him learn to read, lose a tooth, and just become more and more independent, I am filled with excitement but also some sadness at how my time with him will start to shrink. I just wanted to take a few minutes to write about my sweet boy who turned 5 today...

Mason is probably the sweetest boy that most people have met. I often get comments from teachers and friends at how sweet and precious he is. I know God has given him a tender heart and I am excited to see what is in store for him in life. Obviously I do not see Mason at preschool or Sunday school, but I am pretty certain that he is the epitome of the "teacher's pet" but maybe not quite so annoyingly so (like I was!). I feel like Mason can be summed up by something he did last night/today that made me and Andy so proud of him...

Last night we were talking about today and how it was his birthday and what we were going to be doing. Opening presents was mentioned and Mason immediately said "What about Brody?" I explained that Brody's birthday is in a few days and then it would be his turn to open presents and have a special day. Mason looked a bit sad and said "But Brody will be sad!" I told him it was okay and that Brody would understand. He looked at me and said "I'm going to let Brody open some of my presents." My heart melted and I told him that was so sweet, but he did not have to do that. He went to bed and I wondered if he would think of it the next morning. Well this morning came and our 5 year old woke up, ate his cinnamon role in bed (our family tradition) and came down to open presents. I asked Brody to help me hand him the presents and Mason immediately said that he wanted Brody to help him open some and proceeded to have Brody open half of his presents. It was so sweet and thoughtful - Andy and I looked at each other and I think we were both a bit teary-eyed.

We are so proud of our boy and feel so privileged to be his parents!

At 4 months you are...

*rolling over from your tummy to back (started at about 3 1/2 months)
*very close to rolling from back to tummy - will go to your side
*sleeping through the night sometimes, but typically get up once - although you have been congested for the past week which has totally messed up your sleeping
*taking about four 45 minute naps during the day - if I hold you while you sleep, you will sleep longer so I usually end up doing this for at least one of them in the afternoon
*very entertained by your brothers (especially Mason who tries so hard to make you smile)
*starting to giggle/laugh - you have quite the silent laugh, but you are starting to let out actual noises lately:)
*definitely finding your voice - you have a squeal sound that you are not afraid to use
*15 pounds as of 2 weeks ago which was right at the 50th percentile. You are in the 75th percentile for height and holding true to the Garlich boys tradition, your head remains in the 90-95th percentile.
*still struggling with a clogged tear duct - we tried drops but they didn't work so I am just massaging the tear duct as often as possible and hoping it will go away soon!

This picture has become a tradition with our boys when they are about 3 months (Mason was about 2 months old)...

Mason...

Brody...

Tanner...

Tuesday was the first day of preschool and Brody's first time ever to go. Both boys were excited, but right before we left, Brody started to get a bit teary. We have talked a lot about how mommies don't get to stay and how he will not be in Mason's class, but he started asking again that morning if I could stay with him. Poor little guy! He did cry when we left, but ended up having a great day and was all smiles when we picked him up. Mason is having a blast and loves it so much. They earn a green light if they have a great day and I will be surprised if he ever comes home without one - he is totally the teacher's pet kind of kid like someone else I know:) Brody shed some tears again this morning right at the point when I left, but once again he stopped very quickly. Here are some pics of the first morning!

At 3 months you are....

*smiling SO much - you are for sure the smiliest baby we have had. You have reverse dimples right by the corners of your mouth that are so stinkin cute when you smile big
*falling asleep by yourself in your crib for most naps during the day - they are typically about 45 minutes each, so in a normal day you take about 5 of them
*sleeping at night from between 9-10pm to 7am. You typically wake up at 2am to eat and then go right back until 7am - some nights (like last night) you skip that feeding and sleep all the way through!
*interested in the toys on your bouncy seat and on your play mat - you will even try to grab at them
*a total mama's boy already - you save your biggest smiles for me and will always calm right down when I pick you up
*trying so hard to laugh out loud, but your silent laugh is pretty cute:)
*still spitting up A TON - will be so glad when this ends!

We love you Tanner/Tanner Tan/Tan Tan!

At 2 months you....

*weigh 12 pounds, 4 ounces and are 23 inches long. This is the 50th %ile for both things and your head is in the 98th percentile (just like your brothers).
*are cooing and smiling so much now (much to Mason's delight)
*are getting more and more predictable - you have a 3 hour routine of eating, awake and happy for 45 minutes or so and then get tired and sleep until its time to eat again!
*usually sleep at night for a good 5 hour stretch followed by another 3-5 hour one, but every once in a while you surprise me with 6-8 glorious hours of sleep:)
*are not a fan of the car (just like Brody at this age)
*are holding your head up so well and people often comment on how aware you are of your surroundings - you are always looking intently around at everything, especially if we are somewhere new
*are doing better with your gas problems and although you still spit up a ton, it doesn't seem to bother you as much (thanks to some zantac you have been on for the past month)

We love you tan man (your nickname that I hope turns out to be accurate:) and even though you've only been around for 2 months, we can't imagine life without you!

It is hard to believe this is our 6th summer at camp (not even counting the ones we spent on summer stuff back in college) and I have to say I am especially grateful for this place this summer. I have to be honest - I was dreading it...knowing I would have a newborn here, at the height of Andy's crazy busy time...but it has actually been the biggest blessing. Let me tell you why...

It's because of wonderful people who love my boys and genuinely like spending time with them. This makes them feel special and allows this mama to be able to focus on Tanner in the times he needs it and not feel like I am neglecting my other 2!

It's because I don't even have to think about breakfast, lunch or dinner. We just show up at the appointed meal times and eat! I don't have to do any dishes and there is usually someone around to help me grab something I forgot or to get the boys a drink, etc.

It's because there is a wonderful community here of people - all I have to do is step out my door and head up to the chapel or snack shop and there is bound to be a friendly face. Those of you who have just had a baby know how important this is. I really feel it is why post postpartum depression happens - you isolate yourself because it is often just easier to stay home rather than brave the weather/potential fussiness of your baby by venturing out into the world.

So my summer has been a pleasant surprise from what I expected. Thank you to our wonderful friends here that have helped to make that happen!

At one month you are...

*sleeping at night for 4 to 5 hour stretches in your own bed in your own room
*struggling to get rid of those pesky gas bubbles in your tummy
*eating every 3 hours (on the dot!) during the day
*very curious about the world around you, especially those crazy brothers of yours
*holding your head up so well
*starting to smile:) Dad was the first to get one

It is hard to believe it has already been a month!

My little brother married his sweet Rachel this past weekend - it was one of the most beautiful weddings I have been to and just the perfect setting and atmosphere for the 2 of them and their personalities. I can not wait to watch them and see the plans God has for them!

So I am way behind on this blog (let's face it - I haven't been very good at updating it for awhile now!) and realized I hadn't even put a picture of my sweet Tanner on here! Well here he is - born June 2nd at noon exactly - weighing in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and 19 3/4 inches long. He is doing great and although he's not sleeping as good as he was the first couple weeks, he is a good baby and has made the transition go pretty smoothly so far. I still can't believe that I have 3 boys sometimes, but I feel so blessed by what God has given me!

What makes you happy?... at people

What makes you sad?... I sad at people 'cause I'm frustrated

What do you like to do?... play toys with Mason

What is your favorite color?... green

What do you like to eat?... waffles

What is your favorite toy?.. a boat

When do you feel frustrated?... I don't know...at some daddies

What do you really like?... toys

What are you excited about?... when its snowing

Where do you like to go?... McDonalds

what is your favorite song?... Jesus Loves Me

Do you like to take naps?... yeah

Who is your best friend?... Sam

At 2 1/2 Brody's personality is really starting to come out. He is proving to us that he will be our child that keeps us up at night in the years to come:) He will probably be the one that we take to the ER for broken bones or freak accidents. He is so darn ornery at times, but will then look at you with the cutest, melt your heart smile and you can't help but laugh at him. He is fully potty-trained (much to my delight) and has even been dry at night for the past couple weeks. I would like to take credit, but I think he is just highly motivated by candy:) He can count to 11 consistently and sometimes will go higher, usually just skipping 12. He can recognize about 1/2 of his letters and knows how to spell his name. He LOVES his big brother and can not wait to go to preschool with him next year (although I am not sure he totally gets that they won't be in the same class). He will rarely sit still for an entire episode of anything, but his favorites are probably Word World and Backyardigans. He loves Cars and Toy Story, but again - won't sit still for much of it unless he is super tired or sick. He is just precious when talking about the new baby - he always wants to hug my belly and sing to it. He is sure that the baby is a boy. I think he will have a tougher time with it than Mason did with him - he is still quite the mama's boy and you better believe that if I am anywhere in the house, he is probably within a few feet of me unless he is really absorbed in what he is doing. It is pretty funny when he realizes that I am in another room and will start yelling for me and asking "where are you??". His favorite thing to do at home, besides playing cars, is to "look at the pictures." This boy could sit at my computer and watch slideshows of our family pictures for hours - it is crazy! He especially loves looking at our Easter pictures for some reason. He is such a delight and I could not imagine my day without his sweet smile:)

When do you feel happy?... when somebody tickles me

When do you feel sad?... when somebody breaks my toys

What do you like to do?... play with toys with Brody

What is your favorite color?... pink

What do you like to eat?... food...oranges, cuties, pickles, carrots

What is your favorite toy?.. my snowplow

When do you feel frustrated?... hmmm....when somebody's not listening to me

What do you really like?... trash trucks

What are you excited about?... when I go to fun places

Where do you like to go?... Antioch Park

what is your favorite song?... Pit Pit Patter (a song I always sing to him that I learned in Jamaica on a missions trip)

What is your favorite thing to do at Preschool?... I like to make something

What is the best part of being 4 years old?... my birthday

Who is your best friend?... Ethan

At 4 1/2, Mason is just finishing up his first year of preschool - he was the oldest in his class and loved every minute of it. He knows all his upper-case letters and the sounds that they make. He can write his name pretty well and is starting to work on writing other letters. He can count to 20 and loves to wrestle with his daddy. He does rest time for an hour every afternoon and usually reads his Tag books, plays with cars or builds things with his legos during that time. He loves the movie "Up" and all of the Toy Story movies, but especially #3. He would watch anything, though:) He loves thunderstorms and gets really excited if he sees a dark sky. He also loves to fill up the bird feeders with his dad and watch for birds. He is very excited for the baby that will be here any day and I think might be a bit devastated if it isn't a girl. He insists that our family only has 1 girl and we need another one. He is very in tune to the feelings of those around him - he is always asking me if I am frustrated or tired and is quick to give a hug or say "I love you, mama" at the most random times. I think my most commonly used phrase with him is "Mason, are you the mom?" because he is always "mothering" Brody. Most of you who know him will know that one of his most commonly used phrases when leaving someone's house or if anyone is leaving our house is "You can come to our house anytime you want." It never fails that he says this - I don't even know how he started it, but he is always saying it! He has such a sweet spirit and is a joy to watch grow.

we had a wonderful Mother's Day at our house this year - I requested that we spend the day with just our little family, being together. The boys started off the morning by bringing me our traditional cinnamon rolls in bed. They had made me a card by spelling out "We (heart) U" with their bodies and then Andy uploaded them onto a card - so very cute. Then we headed off to church. We picked up some sandwiches and had a picnic at one of our favorite parks. I got to run some errands during nap time and then that evening we went to the Legends and walked around the T-Rex restaurant and sat and watched the fountains. We ate dinner at our all-time favorite restaurant, Johnny Carino's. It was such a fun day - Andy tried to do most of the care-taking with the boys which allowed me to just relax. Thanks so all my boys for making it a special day!

I have a lot of things on my to-do list before the baby comes, but the one thing I REALLY wanted to happen was for Brody to be potty-trained. Mason was potty-trained in April when he was 2 1/2, but I did not have high hopes for Brody as I had tried it back in February and realized he was definitely not ready at that point. So I decided to give it another go before the baby comes and much to my surprise, it went almost as smoothly as it did with Mason! The first day was not the greatest - probably about 50/50 with accidents, but he did not have one single accident the second day - even going #2 on the "big boy potty". Of course he has had his moments, but he is doing so well - I almost still can't believe it. What a relief! It has been nice to have my first break from diapers in 4 1/2 years! Here are some pics of our proud boy...

We made our annual trip to the zoo today - we figured we better get it in before baby #3 makes its arrival and before it gets too hot. We ended up with a beautiful day and had a great time. We were bummed that some of the African animals weren't around because of some construction they are doing to put in a Skyfari-type ride (mainly the giraffes and zebras), but the new polar bear exhibit more than made up for it. The boys just loved watching the polar bear go through a routine over and over again in the water (I seriously think he did it over 30 times while we were watching and when we came back by before we left, he was still doing it). The boys got up close with a baby baboon and got to see some elephants up close as well. This prego did pretty well for walking who knows how many miles at 33 weeks along too:)