It's been good

So far everything is going great! We have a girl named Julie who nannies for us now for part of the day which is great. She comes early to help with Colt since I can't lift him still and leaves at his nap time. The kids have a great time with her and it is making this oh so nice!

Not to say the little man doesn't get into trouble still! He found this bug outside on Father's Day and got beat up by it! I'm posting it so you can all watch out for them. It is called a two striped walking stick and it is like 4 inches long. It sprays a toxin mist that burns like crazy. Poor Colt is so into bugs he went to touch it and got sprayed in the eyes. Lots of screaming and his eyes were swollen and red. From what I read online it burns like crazy. Around his eyes took like a week to heal. It turned red and then gray like he got punched under the eye and then the skin peeled off. So beware!

This was the day after.

All the kids still love Ellie so much. They always ask about her and want to hold and touch her. She is still being a great baby.

Thanks mom for all you do for us. You are amazing! The girls got back from NY last Wednesday night, well really at 3:30 Thursday morning because of delays, and they had such an awesome time. They want to go back already, but what kid wouldn't want to go back with their fun grandparents and do fun stuff all the time? Driving home from the airport at 4:30 I kind of hit a deer. Well I was a little ahead of him so he ran into the side of the van but was able to run away so hopefully he is ok. Just down the street from our house, who would have thought?

Ellie's first real bath. Everyone wanted to be in there and help so it was a little crazy. She like it though so there was no crying at least.

What a cutie! We are so blessed! I go back and forth deciding who she looks like. Looking at Rachel and Livy's baby pictures she looks like each of them some times.

The girls were pretty attentive during the bath but the little man was up and down watching and running around causing trouble and making messes while I was distracted!

Still loves to cheese the camera. He is getting more and more words each day. And still cute as a button. He is so fun to be around, tiring but fun!

Big sis Rae!

Hanging with Dad.

Erin made Ellie this awesome blanket. I will have to get a full shot of it on here. It is so nice and extra soft. We love it aunt Erin! Thank you!

Tina this picture is for you and Ian. Rachel has Ian's picture in front of her at the table and says he is her boyfriend. She won't let anyone touch it. Eric calls him "lover boy" and Livy keeps asking "what a lumber boy?"

She's not a fan of the car seat and starts crying at every red light but I think lots of babies are like that.

Big girls being silly in the tub!

They are getting so awesome at swimming and loving it. I wish I could go in with them, just a few more weeks. They are great girls and I love them to pieces. They are kind of spoiled from having so much attention the past few weeks but we are getting back to normal!

They are best buddies. I don't know what 4 year olds do with out a twin? They are so great with each other and are constantly playing with each other as different characters from shows. Some of their favorite pairs are Eloise and her dog Weiney, Butterball and Rosebud, and Hiccup, Astrid or Toothless.

Livy playing/torturing Colt! He loved it though. He wants to do everything they do. He just adores them.

Lots of sleepy time smiles. Can't wait for the real smiles to start!

At her two week check up Miss Ellie weighed 9 lbs. 7 ozs. She is growing quickly!

I still can't believe all these kids are ours! But I sure am glad. It has been a great transition into four kids with all this help around. Sometimes I feel guilty having help when I can do it but it has made for a happier everyone so we will just enjoy it for now, it will be over soon! I know I am so blessed to be able to be their mom and I am so grateful for all of our many blessings, especially our family!

Father's Day

Father's Day was quiet around here. The girls were in New York and it was just Eric and I with Colt and Ellie. It was a nice relaxing day.

Just wanted Eric to know I think he is a great Father. He works so hard for all of us and loves the kids so much. He loves playing around with them and is great with them. He can get them to listen and do things that they just won't for me and they are happy about it! He has a way with them.

Happy Father's Day Eric! Thank you so much for giving me all of these wonderful children and being there with me every step of the way. We love you! 

And Happy Father's Day to our dads too! We love you guys and are so grateful to have you. You are wonderful dad and grandpa's and great examples. We love you guys!

Our First Week Home

I couldn't ask for a better first week. The kids all love her so much and are so happy she is here. I have had so much help that everyone was happy and I got to take lots of naps. And Ellie is an angel. She honestly doesn't cry and is a great sleeper. She is so sweet and I can't get enough of her. I really feel so blessed to have all of these wonderful children that I love so much and a great husband to share it with.

 My dad had to leave on Tuesday and was greatly missed by the kids, well by all of us! They had so much fun swimming for hours each day with him. Colt started calling him Rich, it was pretty cute! My mom, Jovi, and Hannah stayed until Friday which was great. Jovi was pretty much in charge of Colt and he had lots of fun with her especially in the pool. Livy and Rae were a handful for my mom but she loved it, I hope! Thanks so much for making this transition so great for all of us mom.

These kiddos logged lots of hours in the pool and were swimming so well when when we got home from the hospital. In just a few short days Livy was swimming across the pool and Rachel was swimming half of it. What a huge change since 4 days earlier! You are doing awesome girls! They take on different names in the pool and it is hard to keep up with who is who which day. A sample of the names are: Shamu, baby Shamu, baby Pebbles, Beluga Whale, etc. Funny kids. 

Colt finally acknowledged Ellie on Wednesday or Thursday and since then I can't keep him away from her. Every little cry she lets out he goes running saying "baby baby." He is always checking in on her in her bed and trying to touch her. We tried to teach him to be soft with her but he is still quite rough. Whenever he sees me with her he asks to touch her. After he touches, in what he thinks is a soft way, he yells "yay" and claps for himself. I love that he loves her. It makes me so happy.

Grammy finally getting some snuggle time with Ellie.

Livy taking care of her sister. Grandma was using the blender which was quite loud and Livy first covered her own ears and then ran over to Ellie and covered hers instead. She's a little mommy!

I honestly can't believe I have four kids! It is crazy! But I am so happy I do. I can't explain how much I love them and what amazing little kids I think they are.

Aunt Hannie was a great baby holder. Ellie loved to poop while sitting in Hannah's lap! Hannah just made her feel so comfortable! All the girls still love holding her even if it only lasts a minute.

Colt is just a character. He is always "cheesing" for the camera and jibber jabbering up a storm. He is quite entertaining and such a good natured little guy. He makes everyone smile.

Rachel and Olivia went back to New York with Grammy and Hannah on Friday. They were so excited to go they couldn't wait. At six o'clock the night before Rachel was asking to go to bed so they could leave sooner! They are having a great time there and I am so happy they aren't home sick. It has been really quite here but fun to be with just Colt, Ellie, and Eric. I know when the girls get home they will take over again so it is fun to just hang out with Colt a bit. He sure is funny and cracks me up.

Here he is helping me clean up. He doesn't speak that clearly but he says a lot when you can understand him.

He is loving having free reign of all the toys in the house without getting yelled at for touching stuff!

As you can kind of tell in these pictures Ellie's eyes are kind of yellow. We took her to the doctor on Wednesday to check her jaundice and she is ok. She also weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. so she passed up her birth weight which is comforting to know she is getting enough food. Rachel also had swimmers ear so we got her taken car of too!

Well we sure are enjoying this sweet little girl. We are so happy to have her here and couldn't ask for a better baby. I'm in love again! Crazy how it happens over and over again with each one. I love you Livy, Rachel, Colt and Ellie. You are all so special to me and and sweet and unique. We miss you girls around here and can't wait to see you when you get home this week! Thanks mom and dad for a great visit and so much help. I know I have truly been blessed with great family all around.