Madeline's Birthday

Madeline's birthday was a really wonderful day.  She was so happy to be able to sleep in, but I knew she wouldn't be able to.  She woke up earlier than normal!  Too exciting!

I could not have been happier when Madeline wanted Blueberry Pie for breakfast.  My total favorite!

 And she requested a snowman cake this year:

 And one of her fun random gifts was a coconut!  It was probably my favorite part of the day when we opened it up and all tried the DISGUSTING coconut water.  Bleh!  I don't know if it was a bad coconut or what, but it was completely terrible.  We laughed about it and had a grand time.

 The little get-together in the evening was fun too.

 She was spoiled with gifts and love

 Happy Birthday my darling girl.

 I love you forever!

Happy Birthday Madeline!

My sweet girl, I love you so much!  And I can't believe you are already 7!

 Happy Birthday to a girl who is ever creative, ever joyful, and always wanting to share her good fortune, fun, and good experiences with others.

 I'm grateful we have each other in our wonderful world full of boys.

Pictures from January

People!  I'm so bad at blogging lately!  But I love these pictures and so I'm posting a bunch.  Time is getting away from me these days . . . I'm trying to enjoy each day for what it really is instead of what I hope it to be.  Because what is really is is just right.

Playing with his toy

 Cooper contemplating if he should knock his tower over or not

 The Digger 500...

 Cooper loved holding Oliver so much.  He cried when it was time to be done.  He loves "Awe-ver Baby!"  I was so worried he'd be a rascal with Oliver, but he's been a sweetie pie.  He always wants me to hold Oliver if he hears him cry even if it's just a little in his sleep.

 Madeline, ever crafting.  This is the cute dress she made out of paper for her Lalaloopsy:

 Cooper and I loved the morning where our neighborhood was covered in flocks of birds.  We watched them swoop and fly and land for a long time.  He kept wanting to go out and catch them!  It was a delightful morning.

 Here is a picture of my four kiddos with their blankets made by their Great Grandma Morris.  LOVE!

 Oliver's first smile was on January 9th.  It melted my heart.  This is the closest to capturing his smile in a picture:

 my oldest and youngest

 Ethan and Madeline recently played in their first piano recital.  They both did such a great job.  I was probably more nervous then them!  They made me proud.  I loved every part of it.

Two Months Old

Oliver is two months old!  It's a little hard to believe.  I feel like I still don't know him.  With three other kids taking up so much of my time and this little guy sleeping so much, we don't spend a whole lot of time together.  Except in the night!  I love him so much though.  And I'm grateful for him in my life.  Developmentally, he right on with his due date.  So I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing a smile from him in this coming month.

This picture is very similar to the two month old pics I took of all the other kids.  You can see a comparison post here if you are interested.  Oliver is now 10 pounds, 11 ounces!  And 22 1/2 inches long.  That's about the 30th percentile for height and weight on the normal baby scale.  If you adjust for being a preemie, then he's a pretty big guy.

 He's a pretty sweet baby.  He loves snuggling up on your chest and will sleep there the best, though he's learning to sleep in his bed at night too.  He still helps me feel calm if I really stop and look at him and I think he'll always be a peaceful addition to our family.  (though when he's three, I might look back and laugh at this sentence…)  I do love his gentle spirit though.

 And Cooper loves him too.  I'm so excited for them to grow up together being buddies.  I'm already glad they'll have each other.