Newborn Photos

I just got our newborn photos from my awesome sister in law April, Hopscotch Studios. She is a great photographer and I am so happy to have these adorable pictures. She did each one in color and black and white but I just put a few of the black and white ones up other wise there would have been a ton! I can't believe she is so big already when I see how tiny she was in these. Thanks so much April! I really love them, and Ellie will love having them too!

I wish I would have had the tiny flower bows from Lauren when we did these photos. I see how huge that flower is an it is not my favorite but I still love the pictures. Maybe it is just that she is not a big flower type of girl. Now that I know her better she is a smaller flower type of girl!

It is hard to pick a favorite but this one might be it! Love it!

This one took us a few tries. Sorry Ellie! But it sure did come out cute, you're right April!

Reality

The other day when I wrote about how everything was going so good was definitely one of my optimistic and emotionally stable days, which today is not. I have cried over spilled juice, an expired gift card, and a sweet comment about the girls from their teacher. I'm tired, lazy, have no cookies left and don't want to do any of the things I need to do. Just for the record.

A Pizza Date

While in New York Colt and I went on a pizza date to our favorite place, Gino's. They have the best "regular" slice ever. A regular slice is a cheese slice for all non-New Yorkers. I didn't even realize it was weird to go to a pizza place and say, one regular slice until Eric said, what is a regular slice? But anyway, theirs is the best for sure.

Just me and little buddy. Got to sit outside in nice weather. We got some m&m's and pizza and had a great time. He is always entertaining and adorable.

Next we hit up the park. He loves the park and had so much fun just running around. Cutie.

I love you mister. You make me laugh all the time and always make me smile. You are an awesome kid.

Love One Another

Everyday I am so surprised and grateful for how well things are working out. When I was pregnant with Ellie I worried a lot about how the kids would do with a new baby, having time for all of them, making it through the day, etc. I am happy to report things are going great with the kids. They are thriving! They sure love having Ellie around and the girls continue to ask for more babies. Colt is obsessed with her and more involved with everyday things with her than the girls are. He is still my other shadow so he helps me take care of her. I don't know how he gets into so many things since I feel like he is always with me?

The girls have become a lot more responsible and when in the right mood ask to help out. This time around is actually easier than when Colt was born. Busier but easier concerning the girls.

As for day to day stuff things are going fine. It is busy and sometime quite frustrating but we are making it. I usually don't get time to check my email until after bed time and I still wear an over sized

t-shirt every day but that is the least of my worries. One day I will shop again and possible lose these 20 pounds that I've got left. But for now I am ok with it because sometimes I need those oreos at night! I don't think the girls will be reading before kindergarten like I planned or that Colt will be out of diapers before he is four but that's ok.

For now I am just trying to enjoy these days since every one says the pass so fast and I will want them back. I can see just from how fast it has gone so far that they are right and looking at it from an overall perspective, maybe not a daily perspective :), I can already agree that I want these days back. I wish I could go back to when the girls were little and have it again. I know I will miss it. I love them this way and want them to grow up too. Such strange conflicting feelings you have as a mom sometimes.

I am grateful for these sweet spirits Heavenly Father has sent to Eric and I. I am honored and scared with the responsibility placed upon me but I wouldn't change it. I am just grateful that we can rely on our Heavenly Father to help us through and that he has given me so many great people in my life to guide, help, and share with me these times.

The are happy, healthy and love one another. I couldn't ask for anything else.

I love you four. Thanks for making my life so great.

A Special Gift

Heavenly Father sure sent us a special one. Ellie is such a delight to have in our family! She is just a great baby, happy, calm, smiling a ton, sleeping great, loved by everyone and cute as can be. We just love her so much and can't get enough of her!

I am still having a hard time getting her smile on camera! She just stares when I take out that big black thing. But when the camera isn't there she is so smiley for me. She kicks like crazy and coos and squeals in delight.

The girls still love to hold her and say they want more babies around because it is so fun to have a baby. Which makes my heart glad to hear because then I know they don't resent having a baby get so much attention and time from me. Such sweet sisters.

Any time she cries, which is rarely, Colt asks "what happened?" He is very concerned about her and now says "Ellie" and "Hi Ellie" a lot. He did pull her away from nursing the other day and say "I turn" and tried to get some milk but I had to distract him quickly while I laughed! I am just getting over a breast infection and was trying to get the clogged milk duct to empty out so some milk was coming out and Colt couldn't look away. His description was the funniest, "Spits, yuck, gross, spits." He thought my boob was spitting. Funny boy. He talking so much more these past two weeks it is crazy.

She loves to nuzzle her face into my arm when she falls asleep. It seems like she can't breathe but that is how she likes it!

My sweet girl. I am so happy that Heavenly Father sent you to us. We are so happy to have you as part of our family and everything is working out better than I could have ever imagined.

Now I hope to not jinx myself here but I wanted to spread the good news that Ellie is sleeping through the night! Hooray! What a good girl your are Ellie! It has been 11 nights now and she is amazing. She goes down at about 7 pm and sleeps to about 7 am. I can't hardly believe it myself. She now sucks her thumb at night which is the key I believe. I hope it lasts but if not it has been wonderful!

Wedding Bells

Rachel has really like Ian for a while. She talks about him a lot and loves seeing him when we are in New York. She says stuff like, "I am going to marry Ian" and "When we get married we are going to live in New York, but we will come visit you in Texas." While we were there she got talking about it more and wanted to discuss who would be at the wedding.

She told Grandma that the Grandma has to buy everything that goes in her new pink house with Ian! Ian is such a good sport and goes along with all of it. It is just talk about him, not too him, she gets to embarrassed for that.

So Grammy and Hannie let her get dressed up to practice for her wedding. You look beautiful my darling! Then plans got carried away and Hannah and Sammy planned a whole pretend wedding. The planning went on for a few days with lists of bridesmaids, place settings, snacks, etc. We told Ian when and he graciously obliged and showed up, what a kind boy!

This was a few days before and she loved being all dressed up and showing everyone her dress.

But on the day of the wedding Rachel got cold feet! She didn't want to dress up and I had to carry her down the isle. Zeke was the ring bearer, Livy ended up being the flower girl, the wedding color was red as you can see!

I guess Livy ended up doing all the jobs!

She liked it for a little but was embarrassed for sure once she got up there next to Ian.

Emily being the priest and Ian. Thanks everyone for playing along. Sorry you got so embarrassed Rachel. At least we have one picture of you smiling! I'm glad everyone had a fun time. And thanks Ian for playing along!

You will make a beautiful bride one day Rachel! But for now I am glad I get to keep you here with me for a while longer! I love you sweetie!