One Saturday morning, I brought all three kids by myself to a Home Depot Kids Workshop. With the exception of the following cute pictures, that meant I made 2 bug boxes by myself while wearing an infant and keeping a crazy toddler from destroying the place and throwing nails across the room. It wasn't my smartest move by myself, but #ssm.
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Complete! Ethan knew exactly what to do at home... |
Ethan and Gabi love to make Spencer smile. Turns out that's not too much of a challenge:
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This month, Spencer got his knees underneath his body and started rocking, just like the baby manual told him to. One day (soon?) he'll figure out how to project himself, and he'll be off and crawling. Sigh.
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With all of his spit up, we spend a LOT of time on our changing table. Good thing he's a good conversationalist!
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That time we came upstairs to use the jumper, but it was already taken (but then he squealed enough and claimed victory):
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Spencer is enjoying this new use for these appendages. | 
sweet sweet sleepy baby |
At the end of July, Spencer William turned 5 months...which means he'll be 6 months next month...which means he'll be off to college the month after. Where is the time going?!?! Baby giggles arrived. More hair arrived. He's a sweet, lovable baby boy!
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Apparently, holding the bottle happened... | 
happy baby in bathtub | 
Spencer selfie |
smiling at his sister | 
first time on playground swing! |
My baby in action:
I am grateful for the three mornings a week when the 2 older kiddos go to school, and I get my baby time!
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when the crib just isn't working... |
On the other hand-
I am grateful for the times I get zero babies too!
| Then there are (ALL the other) times when I have all 3 babies...yeahhhh...I'm there somewhere (literally and figuratively). 
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Gabi turned 4.5 at the end of this month. She can be wildly mature. She can be wildly immature. Four is fun. Sigh.
sporting her new robe from cousin Rebecca | 
excited about her rainbow face painting |
We made banana blueberry muffins to celebrate her half birthday on July 28. If you give a kid a muffin, she's going to ask for candles and a song to go with it.
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Then, Ethan assumed everyone got to celebrate a half birthday, so he wanted candles and a song too.
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Then, things just got goofy.
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Ethan remains adorably cute, but he is certainly turning into quite the wild card. This month in "Ethan is a Nutball":
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Ethan shows off some mad skills:
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chalk writing |
There may be plenty of episodes of drama that are always going to happen inevitably, but if these pictures and videos help me remember the tranquility and getting alongliness from my kids' youth, then all this blogging will have been worth it.
horizontally taking care of 3 kids while recovering from a stomach bug |
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It was time once again for Houston Cohans to start their Camp Young Judaea part of the summer fun! That adventure starts with a quick visit to Austin, and we love it every year!
Spencer was dressed in spirit! | 
While Gabi took a super long nap, Ethan played with Mira and Jacob. Spencer was there for watchful supervision. |
Jacob love!
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All good family outings include fro yo:
#kidstable |
Aunt Sandi love!
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ladies being ladies |
We also celebrated Alyssa's birthday this month. Sandi drove up on her way back to camp, and we kidnapped Alyssa for a girls lunch with Nana!
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Then, Spencer wanted to celebrate with Aunt Syssa too! His aunt is AWESOME.
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Joey has a pretty awesome aunt too...just sayin'. |
When it was time to go get Jacob after his 10 day stay, Aunt Sandi let Gabi tag along for the ride! (They even got to visit with Mira too!) Gotta love special aunt and cousin time.
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Fun with friends this month included a fun playdate at Nora's new house. Homemade popsicles proved a big success!
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Gotta love Becca's face...
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We made pizzas with Jonah one night:
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Another night, Jonah's house's air conditioning broke so we took in the Smullen refugees to sleep in a cool environment until it could be fixed the next day. (Jonah thanked us by emptying his stomach contents around our guest room.) | 
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Backyard water play with Maven and Addi:
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When we were in Florida last month, Grandma gave us a new sandwich making set that was a real hit with Gabi. She built tons of creative combinations of sandwich items and would serve to anyone feeling open-minded.
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Gabi and Ethan continued using their creative spirit by making crafts at a workshop one day.
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Fun with Daddy:
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Some shots of the (not yet forgotten) kitten ladies:
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Maggie and Nikki so rarely snuggle together, that I had to capture it as soon as I saw it! | 
another night, another load of laundry not getting folded |
As long as the month ends with moments like this, I'm good.
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