It is very cold and gloomy today. One fourth of my children are napping, but unfortunately it’s the only one who doesn’t really NEED to nap. But I got a bunch of cleaning done this morning, there’s chili in the crockpot for dinner, and I have secret chocolate to eat when they eventually do go to bed. So it’s not the worst Sunday.

Sunday:

He loves his lovies SO MUCH

Pokemon hunting

Local architecture

Monday:

So stylish

When Linc crashes, he crashes HARD

WHAT IS THIS BATH THING I NEVER HAVE THEM???

Tuesday:

We are both a total mess in this photo

Diapers, cat food, giant bag of jelly beans

Sitting down while someone else vacuums is my favorite

Wednesday:

Ridiculous baby outfit

The cat is SO DESPERATE she sat with the toddler

Sure, why not bring a giant stick inside?

Thursday:

Weirdo

But a happy weirdo

I can deal with happy (ps in the stroller, not the car, don’t send me car seat hate mail)

Friday:

Baby friends playing nicely. It was very confusing.

I shut him in his room for being a monster, obviously he was a tired monster

Finn likes Zootopia too

Saturday:

Zoo fun

Gorgeous weather

Target life

My throat sort of hurts but I absolutely refuse to acknowledge it could be ANYTHING except for very dry air in my house. We have important Thanksgiving plans, there’s no way I am letting germs ruin them. Fingers crossed I can get enough sleep in the next couple days to be back to 100% by Wednesday. It’s a tough time of year to stay well, especially when you’re only getting an average of 4 hours a night.

One of these days, I will completely forget what having a newborn is like and I’ll have to come up with something else to whine about. I can’t wait.

Late again. Honestly, for most of the week it was a miracle I kept my family alive, there was no chance of me blogging. I don’t talk about politics much here, partly because it doesn’t come up when I’m mostly sharing photos of my family, partly out of a desire to avoid conflict and partly so my parents don’t have to constantly pray for my soul (we have…very different opinions on many things). But in this case I feel like I need to be clear: I am devastated and shocked, to a degree that has surprised me. I wasn’t at all prepared for these feelings and I’m struggling. I don’t expect my blogging schedule will get any better in the next few weeks.

Sunday:

Caroline’s favorite hobby

Still gotta catch ’em all

The location of one of my best photoshoots to date

Monday:

Couch naps are happening here more and more

Sure, why WOULDN’T you hit me with a stick?

Trick or treating

Tuesday:

This bear was such an excellent purchase

Bus stop hand holding

Edit all day, edit all night

Wednesday:

We really like fall

One of the last days where the sun doesn’t set before 5 pm

Rolls on rolls

Thursday:

Snuggle all day

These pants tho

Evan’s face when Linc meets him at the bus

Friday:

His head is SO ROUND

Someone found the donut holes

Card night

Saturday:

Every kid at mini sessions asked if this was a haunted cabin

I love working

I do not love this new hairstylist

I’ve spent the last two morning in Mystic, enjoying the fall weather and sunshine and refusing to let myself wallow. They also sell fudge. That might be the real reason I’ve managed to drag myself out of bed.

This was two weeks ago. I keep failing at this “post more, in a more timely manner” way. But I finished my photography work this weekend – at least the shooting part, now I just have to edit – so hopefully I can catch up and finish the four posts I have in drafts. Although they’re all about how having 4 kids is hard, so maybe I’ll make it one post.

Sunday:

One of my favorite fall spots

Beautiful evening for a photo shoot

I came home to video games and no pants

Monday:

This is why I hardly blog

They’re obsessed with our Halloween decorations

I’m not crying, you’re crying

Tuesday:

Smirk captured by Lincoln

CHUBS

His hood has fox ears

Wednesday:

Portrait mode – cool, but lousy in low light

He fell asleep on me…

…but didn’t budge when I got up to make dinner

Thursday:

Shenanigans

Lap naps

Edit edit edit edit

Friday:

These are my favorite jammies

Hand me downs are her favorite

Movies in the car during piano lessons = game changer

Saturday:

SNACKS ARE HIS FAVORITE

End of soccer season reward

Pumpkin shopping

Oh look, I’m almost finished and now the baby is awake again. One day I will get a full hour of free time.

I’m going to write a real post. Soon. Maybe even 2 posts. I have thoughts and things to say about going from 3 children to 4, about how our routine is working, and about how my big kids are becoming more responsible. And Finn will be 2 months old in just a couple days so I’ll have that one up too. Blogging is hard.

Sunday:

Perfect outdoor weather

These are not my chickens but I really like chickens

Two parties in one day = sugar overload

Monday:

Cupcakes are a poor choice in a bounce house

Camel wearing

Finn’s face looks like this about 87% of the time

Tuesday:

The only thing I did all day was clean this up

Bus stop face

A+ sibling interaction

Wednesday:

Playgroup art is high quality art

Playgroup is also exhausting

Seat stealer

Thursday:

Helping change the sheets

My favorite tree

After school shenanigans

Friday:

The only place he’s sleeping right now

IPAD OBSESSED

The huge bear was an excellent purchase

Saturday:

Rounded head ever

Corn-mazing

This was not as good as I had imagined

I had a photo shoot yesterday and needed someone to watch the kids, so I bribed my friend Steph into doing it by promising her a photo of her kids for their Christmas card. That meant she watched seven children under the age of seven. So when I’m feeling overwhelmed by my four, I just keep reminding myself at least there aren’t three more of them all the time.

OH MY GOSH I NEVER POSTED THIS. This is your brain on sleep deprivation, kids. You write a post on Sunday and don’t even realize it didn’t publish to your blog until Friday.

Finnegan is working on winning an award for being the fattest baby ever, so if I’m not nursing I’m throwing food at one of the other kids quickly so I can go back and nurse some more. I wrote “this too shall pass” on my foot, so I can stare at it while I’m trapped on the couch. Again. So this week’s photos (and every week for the next 6 months) are pretty boring

Sunday:

E: Why are you taking a photo of the fog on the bridge? Me: You have to! It’s the Golden Gate! E: You’re so weird. *ten minutes later when we meet my parents* My Mom: DID YOU SEE THE FOG ON THE BRIDGE? I TRIED TO TAKE A PICTURE!

Tired baby transferred from the car to the luggage without waking up

That face was my face through the whole rest of the trip

Monday:

Maybe I shouldn’t have left my dog at this kennel…

Is anyone watching Westworld? It’s really weird.

Nurse nurse nurse nurse nurse

Tuesday:

The toddler is the scariest part of these decorations

Little cub

Soccer night

Wednesday:

This was an excellent idea

Tresspassing

DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY.

Thursday:

Checking to see if he’s asleep

A really good afternoon

Wearing two babies!

Friday:

Piano lesson car nap

Sleepy face

How is this possible, it was so clean less than 24 hours ago…

Saturday:

God bless this van and the movie screen in it (especially when it’s freezing at soccer)

Fall is OK

Excuse me, why am I not nursing rn?

OK, now I have to go to bed because the baby is asleep for his 45 minute nighttime stretch. It’s delightful. I’m not even going to TRY to go upstairs. Couch naps forever! (quiet sobbing)