April Thanks

Giving thanks in this month of April for...

 

The start of horse lessons for this horse-loving girl.

To see her delight and joy...

and to watch her spend her own money to buy a treat for "her horse", Peach.

for Tummy Time.

 For the chance to be their teacher...

in good days and through hard days...

and to push through these last days of school knowing a break is soon to come!

 For the math equations he leaves all around the house.

 I'm thankful for a clean stack of burp cloths and bibs...

and the fresh smell of baby they bring.

 For his growing personality and sweet smiles.

 Giving thanks for late nights with this little one

after the others are in bed. 

Sometimes he even helps daddy work.

 For new plants growing in our office...

knowing sun and warm weather will soon be here to stay. 

To watch him delight in his little brother

and to see how much he really loves him.

 So thankful for a growing and healthy baby...

despite all the spit up!

 For ants...

Even though they totally creeped me out at first,

they have been amazing to watch and have been

a constant reminder to me of God's awesomeness and amazing creation.

 Thankful for saying Yes...

Yes you can make your own snack...

Yes you can drag the table and chairs upstairs...

Yes, I'll join you for snack time and a dance party.

Because moments like these need to be savored and kept in a mama's heart.
And their delight and smiles when mama joined them...

 Giving thanks for his smile and the way he fills my arms every day.

Thankful for... 

Words, sentences, and whatever else is on his mind

written in red and blue letters on my fridge.

 And for spur of the moment family nights...

Watching Frozen together...

Making sculptures out of ice cream...

Making memories I hope they will remember.

 And for camp season...

It can be stressful and feel busy.

It can overload my brain and make me want to cry.

It makes me depend on Him like nothing else...

But it is worth it.

Because He is worthy of my heart, my service, my time...

Thankful for the letters my little guy is wanting to write to all the campers.

Filling them with sweet messages of love and happiness.

Like "Have a good day!" and "I love you!"

So thankful God placed him in this home that is safe and has love....

and praying for the sweet little hearts who are not safe right now

and do not feel loved or wanted.

Thankful I can make a difference for them if even just for one week...  

Just Thankful.

Easter 2014

He is Risen!

He is Able!

All praise and glory to our God!!!

 

 

 

Celebrating Him!

Happy Easter!



Them... at 3 Months

Oh, my heart....

 

Baylor - 3 Months

You... at 3 Months

Weight: 15+ pounds

Weight: 24 inches

 

Eating 4 oz every 3-4 hours.  (sometimes 5 oz at night)

Eating and then staying up 1.5 to 2 hours then napping

Napping randomly throughout the day in the swing

Loves to be swaddled and bounced on the exercise ball every time he goes to sleep

Sleeping well at night.

Going to sleep around 10ish every night, getting up once between 2:30 and 4:30 then sleeping until 7ish.

Has slept through the night once… 10:30ish to 7:00ish!!!

Very sweet personality – content, happy, smiley, loves people, loves to play by himself

Loves his swing

Loves the kick gym and will kick in it for over 30 minutes

Still enjoys his star… but would rather play in the play gym without it.

Not a huge paci fan… will take it for a bit when tired, but that’s about it.

Likes his car seat (which is good because he is in and out of it A LOT)

Loves to be held up on the shoulder or facing out

VERY spitty baby!  It depends on the day, but most of the time he spits up all day long

(see spit up below!  Stinker!)

Has found his hands!!! He loves his hands. 

He is reaching for toys, holding on to some toys and loves to have his hands in his mouth.

He has to have his hand by his mouth or by his face when eating.

Loves to have his left hand up over his nose and eyes when eating.

Wearing Size 1 diapers, but they are getting too small... but we have to finish up the box!

Wearing size 3-6 months clothes… but a few things I have put on him and they are already too small!

Loves to smile and coo at Liam, Ainsley, and Kallan

Loves to have a “conversation” with others

Will put on the best “pouty” face when sad

Only really cries when he’s hungry, tired, or bored

His hair still sticks up in the back which is so cute!

His hair is staring to grow… which is also cute! 

He is a ROCK STAR at tummy time!  He will hold his head up for a long time and play. He is my first baby to every enjoy tummy time… so fun to watch.

Every day I am so thankful for this baby!  I love having a little boy… I love his personality…. I love being his mama!

Some Moments...

Look I'm getting good at tummy time!

(it helps when there's a cute boy to look at!)

 Peek!

Waking up from a nap...

 My outside girl... getting her garden started.

 "I have arms!!!"

 It's a whole new world when they discover they have hands and arms!

 I love everything about this boy...

He is truly a gift from God!

 Potato printing...

of course it's more interesting when your picture

includes fire, explosions, and guys flying everywhere!

 There are still times I think... I have 4 kids!

This was a morning when daddy was traveling and I had

all 4 kids dressed, hair done, fed, and ready to take

Kallan to preschool 20 minutes early!

Whew...

 Him.

 First time discovering his hands...

 Saturday morning snuggles.

March

How is it that another month has gone by!

I have surrendered to the fact that although I would love to post or blog a few times a week...

(and usually write that many in my head...)

it may end up only being a few times a month.

It's just that season of life.

Kids.

School.

Activities.

Lists to do.

Wife and Mother.

It's a busy season for me... good, but busy.

But I want to remember these days and moments.  Even if just in pictures with a few words.

Maybe one day when I look back at them, I will remember all the posts I wrote in my head.

~smile~

 

This little guy has started to enjoy his bath time.

He's usually pretty serious during it... but content.

Love.

My boys.

The star and play gym he screamed in his first two months of life

he decided he actually enjoys!

Morning coos...

Our family of six.

I look at this and think... how in the world did we get four kids!

I love it!

His first walk/stroller ride outside.

I can't get over this picture!  He is so excited! :)

(really Mama?)

The walk only lasted 5 minutes since it was windy and colder than I thought...

but it's a first!

Sometimes this is how he plays...

This month you started to smile... and smile!

We didn't have to work so hard to get them and your personality is starting to shine!

My big kids went to Grandma's for the weekend,

and Kallan "discovered" Baylor.

"Hi Brother!!!"

It was as if he had been so distracted before this that

he didn't realize a baby had joined our home.

This weekend he was all into him as the official

Big Brother!

School is in full swing here...

and some days this is how it gets done.

My girl...

So creative.

So sweet.

So tender...

I love how this little creation she made just captures "her".

These are the days I have random block structures being built

every day in our school shelves.

Some days spelling words.

Some days making buildings.

Some day they won't be here anymore...

but for now, I'm cherishing each one!

Homeschooling can be busy and hard some days.

It makes for a full and active house.

But mornings like these make my heart smile.

It's 8:30 AM.

They have built a fishing boat and have been playing in it for quite awhile.

No rushing off to school.

Time to play and explore and build relationships with each other.

It's not like this every day...

but mornings like this make the hard and crazy days worth it.

Here come the big smiles!  :)

His eyes and eye lashes...

I.   C.A.N.   N.O.T.  G.E.T.   E.N.O.U.G.H!!!

Discovering the wonder of life!

Looking all preppy in his shirt and jeans.

Too cute!

Him.

All day long.

Letters.

Writing.

Playing by himself.

Entertaining himself in his own little world,

where someone has a birthday every day!

I love this boy! He brings joy and delight into each of my days!

Kallan - what would I do without you!

Happy March!