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Welcome to our life
OUR GROWING FAMILY
Three seems so old!!!
But the middle guy is now three and is changing so much each day.
This year Logan picked McDonalds for his birthday breakfast and wanted to wear his fireman dress up clothes. So I did what any good mom would do and let him do it.
He loved that daddy stayed home late in the morning breakfast was all about him!
That night he got a special dinner out with mom and dad (and Kate) without big sister. He totally loved all of the attention. He is coming to an age where he will sit still in a restaurant and conversations with him are completely awesome. It always amazes me how much he has to say when big sister is not there stealing all of the attention. I dont think he quit talking ALL night.
There is something so special about a boy. I love him differently. He steals my heart and has me wrapped around his finger. He is messy and crazy and intense. I am so honored to be his mom and go through this life with him
Logan wanted a fireman party. His birthday was tricky for me. It is in February so I was planning on chilly weather. I didnt want to over crowd our house as we would most likely be inside the whole time so I only invited family and a couple of close friends.
Turns out the weather was AMAZING and we invited some other friends last minute and the kids had a blast running around and playing outside,
I called in a favor to the fire station down the street from us.
Logan was playing outside when he saw the fire engine coming down our street. He came running around the side of the house screaming "The fire truck is here mommy!" He put on his fireman gear and went running up to the truck. I do not think I have ever seen him so excited! My heart melted into a puddle seeing how happy that little guy was.
The fire crew were so sweet and let all of the kids climb and play on the truck. Then they came inside and helped sing Happy Birthday to Logan and ate cake and ice cream with us.
I am not sure I am ever going to top that birthday party.
At the end of the day we had one happy, tired three year old!!
Logan, I pray you grow into a man that is just like your dad. I hope that you know just how loved you are and what an important part of our family you are. Your smile is downright perfect. You know you can always get what you want from mom and I love how you love your sisters.
We love you so much buddy!
Happy 3rd birthday!!
This year Kinsey and Josh got to have two big date nights!! Maize high had a "dance" for dads and daughters. Kinsey got all dressed up and asked Josh to wear a suit.
There was a dessert bar and photo set up and then of course the dance floor.
She came home so giddy and excited.
Kinseys friend Maggie and her dad went too. The girls were so excited and Josh may or may not have complained of a strained back muscle after busting a move on the dance floor.......you arent a young chap anymore dear :)
They also did their 3rd annual daddy daughter date night at chick fil a. Once again they weren't let down by all of the decorations and ammenities set up for the dads and daughters. Kinsey did have a little melt down....the story goes like this. The song "dancing with cinderlla" came on and she told josh "dad this is your favorite song." Josh told her it was one of his favorite songs and that it also made him a little sad because one day she would grow up and get married and have a family of her own. Josh said that Kinsey stopped suddenly and you could see the wheels turning in her head. He said she then began to tear up and ultimately start sobbing (in the middle of dinner). He brought her to his lap and asked what is wrong. She told him she never wanted to leave mommy and daddy and wanted to be with us always. He was able to calm her down and enjoy the rest of the night. After they got home he was telling me the story and she walked in on the end of it. Once she knew what we were talking about the tears started flowing again. She kept saying she never wanted to leave us.
My heart ached that she was so sad but I so love the fact that in her little mind she could never imagine being without us or even wanting to be away from us. Melt my heart. Since then we have avoided that song and had no other issues :)
I am so grateful for the relationship Kinsey and Josh have.
Life has been crazy hectic here. But no more excuses. I have recommitted myself to keeping this blog up to date. I am so committed that at this exact moment I have tiny grabby hands reaching for the keyboard but I am bound and determined to get this blog post written......even with a handsy 11 month old on my lap:)
Jan 15th my brother and his wife Meagan had a little girl. Lennon Brooke. Holy smokes, that will hit you in the gut. Dont get me wrong, I love love my friends kids, but when its your siblings child there is just something so very special about that.
Lennon was a BIG girl weighing in over 8lbs! It was sooooo very special to see my brother with his new babe and a new love for his wife. Yep, I was that sister who was a sobbing mess in the room.
I pray that Lennon and Kate will have a special relationship. I am beyond thankful that Kate will have a cousin the same age to grow up with.
I had to add the middle pic. This was the first time with Aunt Meg could hold Kate. We found out about Kates diagnosis just after Meg found out she was pregnant and it was just too risky for her to be in close contact w her while she was prego. Needless to say I think Kate and Meg loved those first cuddles. Plus I got to sneak Lennon off for snuggles while Meg was busy with Kate. Win win I tell ya!
This sweet bundle of cuteness is 8 months old!! Holy cow!
Here are some stats:
Fits best in 9 month clothes
Size 3 diapers
Says bababa and yayayay
Can roll all over the house
If you put her in the hands and knees position she can hold it for a short time but cant get there by herself
Eats grandmas homemade baby food twice a day
I have seen her use her little pincher fingers and pick up puffs once!!!!
Loves to eat Mum Mums and will eat one or two at a meal
Sleeps terribly!!!
She has been swaddled and in the rock n play. Will go for an hour or two there and then comes to our bed and lasts an hour or two there and then back to the rock n play. Repeat that a few times a night. That means josh and/or I are up with her about 4-6 times a night!!! Not cool. Last weekend we implemented sleep bootcamp. Put her unswaddled in her crib and let her fuss a little here and there. Suprisingly there were no screams or real cries. We checked on her a few times and after the first few nights was a rock star and slept 11hrs straight!! Praise Jesus. It is amazing what lack of sleep will do to you. I felt like a new person after that night. So we have totally abandoned the swaddle and rock n play. She is officially a big girl!
She can sit up for a lengthy period of time and plays with toys in front of her. Eventually she tires out and topples over. Then rolling to her tummy and tries to go after more toys.
I have seen her trying to get her little bottom in the air and I don't think we are too far away from trying to get to hands and knees position.
Her pt is proud of her progress and says little Kate keeps trucking along.
We see so much progress in her and I cannot explain the encouragement that provides me.
She is still a mommas girl and I dont complain about that much.
She Loves her big bro and sis and watches everything they do.
We love you little momma and are so thankful we are your parents!!!
We partied "buggy" style this year for Kinseys 5th birthday.
Typically we have done something low key, low work effort at home. Since it was the big #5 we decided to kick it up a notch.
Kinsey had gone to the birthday party of a friend at the Bug Ladys Science Academy a few months back and loved it.
We booked it and it required little extra work for me! Yippee!
It decided to snow the night before and of course the Bug Lady happened to move out east. I was a little worried we would have to cancel but luckily we were able to party on.
We are so very thankful for the friends and family that braved the weather to come celebrate sweet Kins.
We had pizza and bug cupcakes.
All of the kids were troopers with all of the bugs and pretty much everyone touched or held all of them.
After the birthday party and Christmas I am pretty sure that we now own nearly everything Frozen made for little kids:)
I'
m not sure how this happened. Kinsey is 5.
With all of the Christmas and New Years excitement, I got a little distracted and did have a lot of time to think about the fact that my baby is growing up. Now that it's here I have a ton of emotions flying through me. She is absolutely perfect. She made me a mommy. I am beyond proud of her and I sometimes feel that my heart could very literally burst out of my chest. That is how much I love her.
Kinsey,
I will never forget the day we welcomed you into this world. It felt like I was up in the corner of that hospital room watching it all happen. I have never felt such instant love. You came into this world with very tiny cries. Nothing loud, dramatic or crazy. And that is how you continue to be. You are a peacekeeper. You are a natural nurturer. You will make the most amazing mommy one day. You tend to stand back and watch what others do and then make your choices. We call you a "people watcher." When you get in big crowds or around people you don't know well you tend to be shy. But when you are home with us or with close friends you are in your comfort zone. You are a performer and love singing and dancing. You are such a good big sister. For the most part you are so very tolerant of Logan and Kate. Often letting Logan wear your dress up clothes and play with your babies. You love to doodle and journal. You write and color on pieces of paper and then keep them all stashed in a box in your room. You love to do stickers, paint, color or pretty much anything "craft" related. You are such a big helper and enjoy when I give you tasks to help with around the house. My prayer for you sweet girl is that you always hold on to your innocence. I pray that the harshness of this world never rubs off on you. I pray that your beautiful smile is used to brighten all those lives around you. I pray that you remain close to your siblings and that you always know just how very special you are.
Your daddy and I love you so so very much and are so very thankful your little life!!
We started off your birthday day with your third annual Donuts at the Donut hole. The grandparents met us there and we celebrated with some tasty donuts and lots of laughter. I hope this is a tradition we continue for a very very long time.
That night daddy and I took you to a special birthday dinner with just you. We went to Abuelos. We took our sweet little time and even played some games. We ordered cake for dessert too! It is so rare that you actually get both of us all to yourself. You enjoyed every minute. You are so grown up, even bringing your purse into the restaurant with you too!
This Christmas was one for the books! The kids are older now and really get it. I love how excited they get and it really does make me turn my sometimes sour mood about all the work I think I need to put into the holiday around and remember what it really is about.
We went to church Christmas Eve Eve and uncle Tommy and aunt Meagan came with us. We took all of the kids into the candle light service and managed not to start any fires:) I just love how beautiful the service is. I truly cherish that special time each year and hope the kids grow to love it and its meaning each year.
On Christmas Eve we had our second annual dinner with our good friends The Blasdels. We are so lucky to have such great friends that get it. Get what it is to do life together and cherish time with eachother. We laughed and had a great time. Kate even got some much needed time with her bff Lizzy.
We pulled the bed out and slept in front of the Christmas tree again. I was really hoping Logan would be able to make it all night. Bless his heart he was just so darn excited. It was nearing midnight and he was no where near winding down so off to his bed he went. We woke up to the beautiful Christmas tree lights. We opened presents and I cooked a breakfast casserole. Sipping coffee and listening to the kids laughing their little hearts out. That people......is what life is all about. I pray that I never forget that feeling!
We went over to Joshs parents that evening for dinner and presents. I love how comfortable we are there. There are plenty of toys for the kids. Everyone can just lounge. I hope that one day my kids come back to a home where they feel so comfortable and welcome. Hospitality (I'm working on that for my New Years Resolution.....but again I digress).
The kids were way too spoiled with presents. Frozen was the big winner this year. Logan got some adorable new clothes and he loved his big fire truck.
We celebrated with my parents and bro and Meg on Saturday. We had a nice lasagna dinner and tons of fun chatting and opening presents. Once again the kids were beyond spoiled. Kinsey is in love with her new microphone and I have heard "Let it go" nearly a million times (not exaggerating). Tom brought his annual white russians and we all enjoyed sipping on them. Except poor Meggie. But we can't wait to meet Baby Girl next month:)
We are so thankful for the much needed time we got to spend as a family around the holiday. We are so very blessed and grateful for the true reason of Christmas. Our Savior. May our family never lose sight of that during the Christmas season.
Kinsey had a Christmas party in her class and then the whole preschool put on a Christmas program for the parents. It's here......we have finally reached the age of school programs. Cue the tears.......
My heart explodes watching her at school. So bittersweet. She is such a grown up little girl and shines in every way in her class. But she's not a baby anymore. She has friends. They hug everyday at drop off and plan playdates for the weekends. She has a life outside of me. Breaks my heart, yet makes me so so very proud at the same time. Proud of the giving, nurturing little girl she has grown into.........anyways I digress.
The class decorated sugar cookies, played snowman bowling and pin the star on the tree and made a craft. I came early and helped with set up and cookie decorating. It was so nice to get to sit with each student and get to talk with them a little. They are hilarious and I love being a part of the class. So much fun to see it from the students perspective.
Daddy left work for a bit and came to watch Kinseys first big performance for the program. I was a little nervous about how she would do on stage. She had been practicing all of her songs for the last few weeks so I'm pretty sure I had all of the memorized:) Kinsey performed like a star even going along with all of the hand motions. Josh gave her a rose after her performance:) It was truly sweet and I cannot wait for many more years of programs!!! (Honestly:))
