I took this picture on New Year's Day. I never dreamed that at the start of 2018 that a year later we would already be moved into our farmhouse (deadline of March 2019 still isn't here) and that we would have a 5th little blessing! It's amazing what God can bring about in just a year!
T tweaked his back and was in quite a bit of pain over Christmas break so Papa came over twice to help with our project of putting up the kitchen brick. I put baby in the rocker so I could make lunch and looked over to see Papa sitting with her. So sweet. :)
Aunt Karen took this one. Pretty girls!
Love this precious little face! Especially when she's not screaming. Haha!
Daddy taught her what I think of as the baseball version of three. :)
Oh my goodness "two" has been quite a ride! When I think of her 2nd year I think of BIG. BIG fun, BIG tantrums, BIG joy, and BIG emotions. Everything about a toddler is BIG. They are all in 100%, either jumping for joy or melting into a puddle of sadness. There is no balance or calm, and the only time they stop moving is when they are sleeping. Or have the iPad. Haha.
Peaches biggest change in the last few months is that she finally started talking. She was like Bug...said a few things, but for the most part didn't talk in complete sentences. A few months ago she flipped and now she talks in paragraphs. She is always talking...to herself, to me, to her toys, to her sisters. Chat, chat chat. :) Here are a few of my favorite things she says:
"I'm scary!" - I'm scared
"Come on! Let's go! Come play!"
"I'm so PAH-wetty!" - when wearing tutus or fancy dresses
"I want some cheetahs." - Cheetos
"Super ME to the wes-cue!" - from watching SuperWhy
"You're berry berry welcome Mommy!" - in response to thank you
"Uhh. What hap-pen-ing?" - when she hears a noise she can't identify or one of her toys isn't working the right way
"I'm okay." - when she falls down or bonks
And my not so favorite things she says, "I need you!" I'm trying to enjoy this, knowing that there will soon be a day when she doesn't "need" me at all, but it's quite exhausting to be "needed" quite so much. Haha. :)
As you know Peaches had the hardest time with the big move. She was off-kilter for two months, but thankfully she settled down once again and the new baby didn't throw her for too much of a loop. She has stopped having accidents, and she does a pretty good of staying in her bed now. She takes her naps in her pack n' play in our room upstairs, but that is for her sisters' benefit. If she takes a nap downstairs she wakes up so easily because all the noise just seems to travel down there. Upstairs it's nice and quiet for her. She definitely still needs her naps. If she doesn't get one (we try not to let that happen!) she is crabby and tired. A lot of times she asks me if it is naptime at 11AM!
We think her lactose intolerance might be easing up! She had her first ice cream cone the other day, and no tummy troubles! I'm hoping she's finally growing out of it! She also seems to be growing out of her peanut sensitivity. She can have peanut butter without getting hives now. I haven't tried a real peanut yet.
She knows all her letters and sounds already and can count up to 30. I think I might try to tackle reading this summer, even though she'll only be 3 1/2. She's definitely smart enough for it!
We have been working on emotions and using words and she will often say, "I'm so sad!" when something doesn't go her way. She will randomly say, "I'm HAPPY!" throughout the day. She is starting to get better about talking her feelings out instead of just screaming when her sisters do something she doesn't like. :P
She is a pretty picky eater and rarely eats good at dinner. We can manage to get about three bites in her with a bribe of dessert or a roll. :P She LOVES bread! She could live on rolls and Dino chicken nuggets from Costco! Other favorites are see-als (cereal), apple-auce (squeeze applesauce), pancakes, fruit cups, carrot sticks, chips, pretzels, and of course anything sweet.
Here is her birthday interview:
1. Favorite color: pink
2. Favorite toy: Minnie
3. Favorite fruit: apple-auce
4. Favorite TV show: Word Powers (Super Why?)
5. Favorite lunch: CUPCAKES! Chicken nuggets
6. Favorite outfit: my outfit (tutus-"my costume")
7. Favorite game: I don't know
8. Favorite snack: apple-auce
9. Favorite animal: Kitty cat - Smokey
10. Favorite song: play the piano, Have a Holly Jolly Cwiss-mas!
11. Favorite book: Berenstein Bears
12. Your best friend: kitty...slide
13. Favorite Cereal: Kix
14. Favorite thing to do outside: Play in the snow with the kitty cats
15. Favorite drink: My water
16. Favorite holiday: Cwiss and my birthday
17. Favorite breakfast: Donuts
18. What do you like to take to bed: I sleep in my bunk bed and my crib, Do-do
19. What do you want to be when you grow up: in Mommy's tummy (?)
20. What do you want for your birthday dinner? Cake
Oh funny girl! I love how she gives a little hop with each answer. She rarely walks anywhere. It's always prancing, twirling, or hopping. Speaking of hopping...when she doesn't want to do something she turns into a frog. :P Like if we tell her to go get ready for be she will get down on all fours and then hop to her pajamas...her way of staying in control? The other day she was standing on the couch and I told her to get down. She flopped down on her bottom but kind of missed and hit the edge of the couch, and said, "Ugh. Froggy hurt. Froggy okay." Lol!
I love to watch her play. She just happily does her own thing...as long as I am within five feet of her. She won't go off and play on her own, but if I'm in the room she plays so sweetly. I snuck this video of her so it's not very good, but you can hear how she just chats away to her toys. :)
Funny girl.
Happy Birthday 3 year old Froggy,
You are amazing. You are a bundle of energy, and pure JOY! You are oh so very busy, and exhausting to keep up with and you still get into EVERYTHING, but the joy you bring to our lives make it all worthwhile. It is so fun to watch you growing and changing, and skipping through life with wild abandon.
I wish I had an ounce of your sparkle for life. Everything you do is lived out 100%. Lukewarm is a word that would never describe you. You are full-on crazy happy loving life, or down in the dumps crying your eyes out saying, "I'm so sad!" and while I hope you learn to temper those highs and lows a little I also hope you never lose your sparkle.
You are full of confidence and I love when you give a twirl and squeal, "I'm so pah-wetty!" You love to sing and "play pan-o" and your music fills the house.
In this season you are my shadow. Although at times I wish you would be a little more independent I am treasuring this time because I know one day soon you will outgrow me. I will always ALWAYS be here when you need me, but today, in this season I am your everything. I hope you will one day have a daughter of your own and experience that much love.
Your little arms around my neck and I love you's make every frustrating toddler moment worthwhile. I love you so very much. I can't even put it into words. You are truly amazing, and I can't wait to see what God does in your life. He is going to use you for His glory, and I know you will do great things!
Happy birthday my sweet girl. I hope three is your best year yet!
And so begins the last year in the single digits! It's hard to believe our sweet girl is nine already! She has had a busy year of dance, soccer, Awana, moving houses, becoming a big sister x 3, and moving from 2nd to 3rd grade!
Speaking of 3rd grade she is excelling in all her subjects, and is highly independent and motivated! She consistently tests in the 99 percentile on all the standardized tests.
Boo is our rule-following-by-the-book responsible girl. Every morning I can fully trust her to get up and get going on her schoolwork without being asked. She is quite independent and only needs my help in a few subjects.
Boo is also quick to help out around the house, and jump in and do things without being asked. She has recently started to learn how to do laundry and is a big help to me! She is also quick to do dishes, clear the table, and help with meals. It's so nice to have such a responsible kiddo to help out!
She is also responsible with her Awana verses and always studies without being asked. Over Christmas break our Youth Pastor challenged the kids to learn a long list of verses, and if they could do it word perfect, in order, with no mistakes they got an ounce of silver! There were 17 verses, and Bug, Boo, and one other boy were the only ones who did it! Boo was the one who initiated study sessions for her and Bug and they worked really hard! We were so proud of them!
Here is her birthday interview:
1. Favorite color: yellow
2. Favorite toy: Calico Critters
3. Favorite fruit: lemons
4. Favorite TV show: Odd Squad
5. Favorite lunch: Mac and cheese
6. Favorite outfit: this one
7. Favorite game: Life
8. Favorite snack: Multi grain Bars
9. Favorite animal: Owl
10. Favorite song: Me Without You (Toby Mac)
11. Favorite book: The Boxcar Children
12. Your best friend: Jesus! (love this!)
13. Favorite Cereal: Multi grain Cheerios
14. Favorite thing to do outside: Play in the snow
15. Favorite drink: Lemonade
16. Favorite holiday: Easter
17. Favorite breakfast: Monkey Bread
18. What do you like to take to bed: Ruff Ruff
19. What do you want to be when you grow up: an author
20. What do you want for your birthday dinner? Golden Corral
Happy Birthday Sweet Boo,
I love you so much I can't even begin to explain it! You are so sweet and thoughtful and you make this world a better place. You are full of joy and life and excitement. I hope you never lose your zest for life. You bounce in and out of each day with a smile on your face, and you make my days better with your contagious smile.
Thank you for all that you do to make our family run smoother. You are always ready to jump in and lend a hand, looking for ways you can help others. You are responsible, thoughtful, and independent. I know you are going to accomplish great things in life. I can't wait to see what God has in store for you.
It is so fun to watch you growing and changing. You are so good at hiding God's word in your heart, and you faithfully read your bible and grow every day. You will never go wrong spending time in His word, and learning to listen to His leading. I know He is going to do great things through you.
I can't wait to see what year 9 brings! You are awesome and beautiful and smart. I hope you never forget that through Him you can do ANYTHING! I love you more than I could ever say! Happy birthday sweet girl! I pray this is your best year yet!!
For New Year's we headed over to Noni and Papa's house for appetizers and games.
New Year's Eve bingo was such a big hit last year we did it again. Everyone took turns being the caller. They all did a great job! They know how it's done!
The prizes were chips, candy, Dairy Queen gift cards, a shirt for each girl, bath bombs, and homemade coupons for back and foot rubs.
We were going to celebrate New York New Year but we accidentally missed it. Then T and I had to leave at about 9:45 to get the baby home and feed her, so the girls celebrated Texas New Year with Noni, Papa, Aunt Karen, and Mama.
Once again Mama was the only one to actually stay up until real midnight. Lol! She does every year! Maybe one of these years I won't be too exhausted to stay up...but I'm not holding my breath. :P
One day when Peaches, baby, and I were home alone I was feeding the baby and Peaches ran off. She came up a while later and showed me her "owies". Unfortunately these were Peanut's band aids she got for Christmas so I owe her another box. :P I did think Peaches did a good job lining them up so nicely. Haha.
Our neighbors gave us a pretty blanket for Christmas and later I found these pictures on my phone.
The girls used it as a backdrop for pictures. :)
I had to take a picture of baby's teeny tiny booty. So cute!
Speaking of cute. I think it's so cute when she crosses her ankles while nursing. :)
Daddy kisses!
Baby's first movie night! We watched Elf and ate popcorn one night over Christmas break. Baby wasn't too impressed. :)
When Aunt Karen was here we went for our annual Christmas pottery painting. Bug, Boo, and Peanut all painted mugs. Peaches and I painted ornaments. Mama made a little dish, Noni did her numbers, and Aunt Karen did a Washington apple.
Peaches actually painted almost the whole time we were there. I think she had about 40 coats on her ornaments. Haha!
Peanut found a mug with a dog on it and gave him a red nose so he could be Rudolf. She did a really good job and just needed a little help with the outlining.
The baby had to eat while we were there...whenever I use the nursing cover Peaches says, "Baby hiding?!" and laughs like she thinks the baby is playing a silly game. Haha :)
Peaches loves my phone and knows how to open it and take pictures. She took these next three.
We had to get a picture of baby in her sweet outfit that Uncle Sean and Aunt Jen got her for Christmas. It's hard to see but it says, "Made you smile." :)
Sweetie Boo!
She did a penguin mug and did a great job.
Bug did a blank mug and painted a reindeer and a bunch of snow falling. It was really cute!
I went to the bathroom and came back to find Peaches had went and got a bunch more ornaments to paint. Thankfully we were able to put them back. Haha!
She ended up with a candy cane and I let her paint the base color of the two ornaments I made.
Well I am embarrassed to admit that baby was 5 weeks old before we gave her the first bath! Lol! She didn't even have one in the hospital because since Peaches was born the new recommendation is to not bathe them at first. The vernix (white film) that they are covered in when they are born is a natural lotion and antibacterial.
We were going to give her a bath around 3.5 weeks, but with the holidays all 7 of us were never home at the same time. So we were finally able to bathe her at 5 weeks. She didn't mind it at first.
Although she wasn't overly thrilled.
Scrawny little monkey. She's 2 pounds lighter than all the others at this age.
Each of the girls got to wash something. Peanut got arms and hands.
She didn't like being messed with.
Peaches got to do legs and feet.
Buggy got to do belly and back.
Mommy got the booty :P and Boo got to do hair.
She does NOT like having her hair washed. I'm wondering if she has an extra sensitive head. When she was first born and her hats would get twisted she would cry when I spun them back around.
In her baths since that first one she likes to lay there in the warm water, but does not care for getting washed up.
