The Ruder the Better: Teething ten month olds

The boys are teething, and man oh man are they TEETHING. They slept through the night for almost 6 nights and the last week has been absolutely awful. Tim and I had two pretty rough nights where we finally decided to split up and each take a twin. We really wish we had a fourth bedroom because I ended up in the living room with Sully and Tim worked with Everett in our bedroom. There isn't enough space for an adult sized bed in the boys' nursery. Last Friday I was teaching at Messmer and of course this was after the second of the roughest two nights, so I was absolutely exhausted. While I was teaching Tim drove the kids to his parent's house. We had planned the weekend as a painting/work weekend and Tim's parents offered to take the kids to make it easier on us. What perfect timing it was, Tim and I were able to get so much done and sleep through the night two nights in a row! Tim's poor parents were up constantly for the two nights they had the boys. We are SO grateful for their help. We painted our living room, dining room/kitchen, and the hallway. We also installed new lighting fixtures in the entryway and dining area of the kitchen. Slowly but surely this house is becoming completely updated. Tim and I went out to eat, went biking and worked our butts off to finish our projects before the kids got home. As nice as it was to sleep through the night, Tim and I both thought the house was way too quiet. I actually love all of the hustle and bustle in our house. I love the sounds of Sofia singing and dancing through the house and the boys crawl/chasing each other around or chasing the dog.

The weather continues to be amazing. I forgot how much I love Wisconsin summers, after 4 blazing hot summers in Memphis this weather is just perfect. We live less than a mile from Lake Michigan so we have the "lake effect". The lake effect gives us a warmer winter and cooler summer. By cooler I mean perfect. When it's 90 and humid everywhere else in the state we are a lovely 78. The only downside was that spring was a little cool. Temperatures vary from 5-15 degrees depending on the day and the wind. This weekend we are headed to the other side of Lake Michigan for Tim's cousin's wedding in Holland. I'm excited to catch up with the extended Ruders but also sad because kids aren't invited to the wedding. A lot of new Ruder babies were born in the last year so we were hoping to see them all together but it will have to wait for another time. My kids will enjoy spending extra time with my parents this weekend who are coming to our house while Tim and I are at the wedding. Hallelujah for having family close!

I've been really bad about taking pictures lately so I only have a few fun ones to share. I didn't grab my camera in time to catch a picture of Sully participating in one of Sofia's daily tea parties. Sullivan was actually invited to one this week, it was adorable. Everett is strictly forbidden from tea parties, he gets a little wild for Sofia's taste. Sully lasted about 5 minutes before he was asked to leave.