It's about that time.

The time where I come on here and say "Oh my gosh, I can't believe how fast time has flown. I haven't been on here in such a long time. I'm going to try so hard to update more often." Yeah, right. I know I sound like a broken record. It's kind of annoying, even to myself. So I'm not going to say it! Let's face it, this blog just isn't too high on my priority list right now. But, I do enjoy writing here and using it as an outlet when I have random thoughts. Problem is, I just forget about it. I post my random thoughts on facebook!

Well, here's my random thought for the evening. You know it's been a while since you've written on your blog when before you can post you have to update your background. (Because my background was a "fall" design and it's pretty close to spring now!)

Hope you are doing well and maybe you'll see me around more often. Or not. ;-)

Scentsy!!

I recently decided that I wanted to start selling Scentsy! I love the products and think it will be a very fun way to earn a little bit of extra money. Stay tuned for specials and to hear when my big launch party will be. :-)

https://smithfamilyof7.scentsy.us/Buy

Just a little update...

Things are as crazy as ever around our house... Seems like I blink and another week has gone by. Thought I'd write a quick update before I pass out for the night. (Forgive me if any of this is a repost; I can't keep things straight these days!)

Bailie is a busy girl. She is now playing basketball. I haven't quite determined if she actually WANTS to play or if she wants to please her dad who wants her to play. She just doesn't seem to be having a good time, although she says she is. Anyway, it's fun to watch her play, as always. We recently had our first 4H meeting and will be starting in full force next month. It seems like it's going to keep us very busy but I think it will be a really good experience for her. Lastly, Bailie is in the choir at school. They had their first performance last week with the Second Winds band for Veteran's Day. She's having a lot of fun!

Taylor is taking a break from sports, since there isn't anything available to kindergarteners right now. She's been enjoying school so far and is busy getting ready for her Christmas program. She walks around singing the silly songs all day long. She's also been having fun out at the barn, even though she isn't riding. She loves to help out and is always sweeping the aisles or cleaning stalls. Such a great little helper!

I had conferences with both girls recently and they are both doing really well in school. I'm so proud of them!

And Mr Bentley is doing amazing as well. He is 7 weeks old, as of last Friday. For the past week or so he's been sleeping so much at night! It's been great, although I usually wake up still to check on him. He's sleeping from around 10 pm until at least 4:30 but as late as 6:30 sometimes.

Here are a few pictures to end with...

Bentley enjoys bathtime... I tried getting a picture of him smiling but I usually just get this funny stare when the flash goes off. ;-)

Half Smile

Bailie loves Bentley

Big Smiles

Kisses from Taylor

5 Weeks

Five weeks ago today Bentley was born. It's amazing how time flies when your days are a chaotic mix of changing diapers, feedings, driving kids around, doing homework, cleaning house, never ending laundry, and about a million other things. I wouldn't want it any other way. ;-)

Bentley is growing like crazy and it's so fun to watch him change. I haven't weighed him lately but a week and a half ago (or so) he was 10 lbs. He's gained two pounds since birth! He's starting to be awake during the days a bit more and is sleeping good at night (not all night long but in nice, long stretches!). He makes cooing noises and is smiling too, though probably more of a reflex still at this point than because he's happy. Still, super cute!

Yesterday I was baking some cookies and he wasn't having a good time in his swing. So I was trying to hold him while getting the cookies off the sheet; not a very easy task to do one handed. I set him in his Rock N Play while I put the next batch in the oven, fully expecting him to cry. To my surprise, he didn't. In fact, he was super excited to be looking at the window for some reason. He was so animated, talking up a storm, so of course I ran and grabbed my camera.

Pumpkin Patch

Remember how we agreed that I lived by the saying "better late than never"? Well, here are pictures from our pumpkin patch trip. :-) We went to the pumpkin patch at Sweet Oregon Berry Farm. Thought about going somewhere else this year but the kids all wanted to go here again. It's becoming quite the tradition. They love it though, so I can't complain.

The awesome face painting that we waited an hour for. No joke. Gavin didn't want his done but here are the others.

Lastly, here are the kids in a hollow tree... which I missed because I was in the car feeding the baby... due to the longer than expected wait as explained above. 

Soccer is OVER...

Today was the girls' last soccer games. I love watching them play but I'm not ashamed to say that I'm glad this season is over. Two kids playing fall soccer in Oregon (RAIN!) with a newborn is a little crazy.

Bailie has been playing soccer since 1st grade and it's been so neat to watch her grow and develop her skills. She is a natural athlete though she lacks the competitiveness that would push her to the next level. We've learned that bribery works great in place of honest competitiveness. ;-) This has been her best year yet and she has really played hard for her team.

Taylor has never played in a league before so I wasn't sure what to expect. She's naturally clumsy but it turns out she's a natural athlete as well. (I wish I could claim that gene but sadly, they did not get it from me.) She scored four goals during her first game! She's done well and had fun this season.

Unfortunately the break in kid sports is short because Bailie starts basketball in a couple weeks but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts! Here are some pictures from the girls' game last weekend.

Purple Soccer Chicks (thanks Bailie for the name suggestion!) ;-)

Pink Ladybugs

Taylor - 6 yrs & Bailie - 9 yrs

Four Weeks Old

I know, lots of posts in one day... but I'm trying to catch up and baby's sleeping so I have to cram in as much as possible. ;-)

Mr. Bentley is 4 weeks old today. Doesn't seem like it's been that long yet but it's been a whirl wind of new baby, tons of soccer games (both girls), football games (Ethan), spending time with the horse, etc.

Bentley is such a good baby. He's been a little gassy which causes him to be pretty miserable sometimes. I've got two words for you: Gripe Water. That stuff is wonderful! He recently went through a growth spurt which meant we spend a lot of time sitting on the couch nursing. ;-) He's now a whopping 10 lbs!

The kids are all so good with him. Taylor has finally stopped saying "He is SO cute!" every time she sees him. Now it's about every third time she sees him. It's super cute and I love hearing it but I'm not going to lie - it was getting a little old. (I mean, she was saying it like every 5 minutes!) Bailie was a huge help the first week or so after Matt went back to work... and continues to be a little Mommy. It's nice that she's old enough she can hold him while I shower and I don't have to worry she'll get distracted and drop him or something. The boys don't get to spend as much time with him as the girls do but you can tell they love him too.


Though it's only been four short weeks, I can't imagine life without our little guy. It's amazing how your heart expands with every child you have and the never-ending love that you have for ALL your kids.

Here are some pictures from today, with the Leader of the Patch. :-)

"No more pictures Mommy!!"