everyday stuff

I've taken on a creative challenge this week. I am working on this fun project. It is all about taking pictures and documenting the very ordinary things of life. I am having a busy week and its not easy to stop & take pictures. But it's kind of helpful for me when I'm stressed. It's like a game for me. What can I capture about this crazy moment? I need something fun to save my sanity a little bit. I'll turn it into a mini-album eventually.  I had fun today on this crazy day.  Here is a glimpse...

3 month magic

I think 3 months is a magical age.  I'm getting more sleep...maybe that's why.  Really though, I think babies are really cute at this age.  They are getting so chubby and expressive.  They don't travel anywhere yet, which I think is nice (for a little longer).  I think this is the age when they are really fun to hold and play with.  Here are some things I want to remember about 3 months...

you are chewing on your hands and slobbering all over the place

no laughing yet, but a lot of happy smiles.

you "light up" at us (mom and dad)

you look afraid of your sisters most of the time, but give them plenty of smiles too

not really afraid of strangers yet

take naps in the swing at the church nursery

you don't take a bottle anymore, and lost interest with your pacifier too

when you are awake you play in the bouncer seat, pack-n-play or swing 

you love for us to hold you standing up for some face-to-face time.

you sleep a lot...and we love that about you.

your eyes look like they are changing to brown

your hair...who knows what color it will be?

one more girl with verbal needs

After her afternoon feedings we have "conversations." I thought I'd share one of them, mostly to make her grandmothers' happy.

Happy Birthday, Rachel!

We all miss Aunt RayRay so much!

us at home + what my kids create

My current life's work, proudest moments, and warmest memories happen here...

We are all still enjoying snuggling with our sweet baby.

Last weekend we were anticipating rain (a little something called Ike) and so I thought some chalk play was in order.  The rain didn't reach to Austin, so these pictures are still on my fence...but isn't it cute?

Here's a little game that was created with a ball and a bucket.  They are being creative and playing well together these days (well, for the most part...there's still the "that's mine!" and "she took that away from me!" action going on).

I want to say that my little girl could keep up with her little guy friends in lego building.  I'm so proud.

Here is the potrait I enjoyed of me, holding the baby.  Such fun stuff.

daddy's arms

i love u, too.

It is Friday and it is the end of a long week.  Adam was out of town for 3 days and I had the girls on my own.  (Wow, he does a lot around here as a Dad...I'm so grateful!  I would collapse at the end of the day and be ready for bed at 8:30 when he was gone).  Anyways, there's been a lot going on...and I'm a bit drained.  If you know what I mean?

That's why...I needed to look at these little pictures.  And remember that all that I do for my family is completely worth it.  Even when I wake up with a cold and can't let it slow me down.  And the baby's fussing, and there are pee and poo "accidents," and there's cooking to be done, and people to visit, and stains to remove, and homework to be taught, and the second baths of the day to be given....

I have to just pause and take a breath...and think about who I am serving.  And think and pray, and realize how worth it - it all is.

kawaii's

Kawaii's Hawaiian shaved ice (just off Main St. in Round Rock) was our family fun spot this summer.  We went a lot!  There was one week in June when I was really pregnant and the weather was brutally hot...I think we went every other day.  We are all suckers for the sno-cones with the cream added.  Adam stuck by his favorite - Pina Colada/Coconut with cream.  I got in a rut with Bahama Mama with cream.  And the girls tried it all!  It wasn't about the flavor, as much as the color that fit their mood.  This little jaunt is always playing rap, hip-hop, and bad teeny bopper radio.  Adam and I get our hoochie*-music fix there, and the girls show us their moves if the beat is right.
*if you don't know how to spell "hoochie" (like me), look up the webster's dictionary website...don't google "hoochie" to see if you spelled it right. just wanted to help you out.

more baby photos.

This is over a month ago.  Wow, she's growing fast.

I just have to share some recent baby pictures. This little one will not be able to complain one day with, "Mom, why don't I have any baby pictures?!" I have appreciated having all girls recently. It is not uncommon for my oldest to say, when playing with her sisters, "Mom, do we look cute together? Do you want our picture?" Why, yes, I do!  

i love these carter onesies with the cute phrases.

This is in my top 5 favorite baby moments.  

Watching them enjoy "the best nap ever" on Dad.

dance class started again.

Here we are at Payless buying shoes that fit...oh, 30 minutes before her class starts.  I really don't have it together these days.

Miss C. heading into her first dance class ever.  She seemed so excited, until she had to walk into a scary classroom with a bunch of people she didn't know.  She pretty much froze up the whole hour, but it will be good for her to be stretched socially.  Sometimes, I forget how shy she is.

3 girls...that's a lot of dance class tuition.  Ugh.

Well, the returning dancer pranced into the studio like a prima ballerina.  No fear, and ready to dance.

party of 5

This is crazy to me, but this is our 1st photo of the 5 of us.

2 month checkup

Our 2 month baby check was today.  It was confirmed that we have a very healthy (and by that I mean...chubby) baby.  She has grown to 12.5 lbs & 24 inches long.  Good girl!  Miss 90th percentile is not one to skip a meal (yes, that's 90% for both height/weight).  I want to say her fathers' genes have something to do with that...

post-shot fatigue

still sweet after a hard morning

ouch!  3 shots (6 vaccines)