Life Lately

We have been just plugging along in life with a 3.5 year old, 2 year old and .5 year old.  Our days are full and we are constantly laughing around here by what these little people do and say.  Sometimes the days just seem so repetitive, but I don't want to forget because I know we are going to turn around and we'll be plugging along in life with a 12.5 year old, 11 year old and 9.5 year old.

Emma Ann continues to be such a sweet, sweet baby.  I continue to be so thankful for her gentle and easy going disposition.  She's so go-with-the-flow.  And who doesn't love a sleeping baby!  We finally broke her from the swaddle last month and she's definitely a side or stomach sleeper.  Must have paci and lovey!  She loves those loveys and I think it's so sweet how she tucks it in the crook of her arm when she sleeps.   

They are building a house right next door. Several times a week in the late afternoon/evening, Hannah Cate suggests that we go "watch the show". So we set up our theatre seats for the big production.

These two love each other - fiercely!  Sometimes the fierceness comes out in sweet hugs and sometimes it comes out in other not so sweet ways!  But they are quick to make up and go right back to playing.

Maddie has developed quite the sweet tooth and she's not exactly shy about it!

Tea parties have become a popular thing at our house.  Check out Hannah Cate's form!  The last few months with Hannah Cate have been so much fun.  She's just genuinely a sweet little girl.  Her concern for others blows me away.  Sometimes her concern turns to fear - for example, we'll often let Clive and Gabby out in the front yard to stretch their legs and run around in the open lots across the street from our house.  Hannah Cate gets so worried about them when she can't see them or if she thinks they might run off.  I can tell she's going to be a touch on the sensitive side.  She's a bit of a girly girl (likes to have her hair done and nails painted) but she can throw a ball with the best of them.  At the end of each day, Matt asks her what her favorite part of the day was.  Tonight she said her favorite part of the day was going to Chick-fil-A with Daddy.  I acted like my feelings were hurt that her favorite part of the day wasn't spending time with me, to which she promptly responded, "But I love y'all both"!  So sweet is that girl! 

Even Maddie can be prim and proper when it's time for tea!  Most of the time she's just our little ball of energy and she keeps us in stitches with the things she says.  Her vocabulary has absolutely skyrocketed over the last couple of months and she's in that repeat everything stage.  Just tonight as I was putting on her pj's she told me "the tag goes in the back" because she's heard me tell Hannah Cate that so many times (since Hannah Cate can put on her own panties and pants).  I never would have guessed Maddie was actually paying attention!  You can often catch Maddie "riding her horse" around the house - which really just means she gallops around instead of walks.  I hardly even notice anymore because it's just so her!  She can be a bit clumbsy, so we often say "Maddie, are you okay?".  Now I can hear her throughout the house after she's tripped or run into a wall, saying to herself "I'm okaaaaay".

This guy has found a new home at our house.  He's got a strong place in my memories from my childhood.  He came from my grandparent's house - my Dad's parents.  My Grandmother went to be with Jesus several weeks ago.  I've never felt such peace about someone going to heaven.  Her mind is now whole again and her body fully restored.  I have no doubt that when she met her Savior face to face that He said to her, "Well done, my good and faithful servant".  And then I'm sure she proceeded to talk His ear off!  I will always remember her when we pull out this "craft clown". 

Emma Ann has sprouted two teeth.  And she gets to play dress up with the big girls from time to time!  

I'm afaid she's going to be crawling before I know it.  She's perfected the roll and can just about make her way to anything she wants around the room. Sometimes her hair has a definite tint of red, but I think it's more the light than anything.  People tell me a lot that they think she's going to have red hair, but I think she's going to be just like her sisters with brownish, blondish locks. 

She turned 7 months last week.....time is just absolutely flying by.  Can you tell she's a happy girl?

I don't mean to make it seem like it's always smiles and giggles and sweet harmony around here all the time, because it's not.  But you didn't come here to hear about our bad days, did you? 

Maddie's Birthday Celebrations

We celebrated Maddie and her little two year old life!

We started at home on her actual Birthday with balloons and a present.

And a pancake breakfast.

Then we moved the party to her school with cupcakes for her class.  Here she is with her buddy Beckton.

I dropped the cupcakes in the parking lot before I ever even made it into the building.  Thankfully, a room full of two year olds don't care if they are pretty or not.....they just want the sugar!  This sweet girl included!

On Saturday night, we had a special celebration of Maddie with our family at B and Pops house in Orange Beach.  In trying to think about what kind of cake Maddie might like for her Birthday, I couldn't think of anything else but her current obsession - The Elf!  Even well into January, she was still asking about that elf everyday, wanting to know where he went.  She really loved that thing and got so excited to find him every morning.  I just couldn't think of anything else that was more fitting for her at this point in life.

And she loved it!

How old are you Maddie-girl?  She worked on getting those fingers just right for days!

Opening a few presents. This necklace was especially a hit! Santa brought Hannah Cate a necklace for Christmas and somehow forgot to bring Maddie one too. What the heck, Santa? Don't you know little girls fight over necklaces! I bet he won't make that mistake again! Thank goodness for Mary Rose and the Birthday necklace!

The clothes where a hit too!  Doesn't everyone need to immediately "try on" their new clothes?!?!

Life just wouldn't be the same without our Maddie.  So thankful we get to do life with her everyday - she sure makes it fun!

Lunch Break

Work-from-Home lunch breaks look way different than Work-from-Office lunch breaks!

Mine involve the sweetest little lunch date!

 

Don't you just want to skip lunch and eat her with a spoon? 

I hope all babies are as loved as this one!

Smile like it's funny.....

Remember when I mentioned that the whole "Say Cheese" thing is disastrous for us? 

I've found another solution and it works like a charm.  I tell Hannah Cate to "smile like something is funny" and it's perfection almost every time. 

Of course, the best pictures are the ones you just happen to catch.

But that's not always realistic, so my new trick is working in between!

Looking back at that old Halloween posts reminds me that I've got to do some kind of Christmas recap - even though it's January - I can't let Halloween make the blog and not Christmas!!

Maddie is T.W.O!

Happy Birthday Maddie-girl!
I'm so thankful for this day, the day you became a part of our family two years ago!  You are shaping up to be the fun one.  You are always on the go, always into something.  You are also our little lover - quick to give out hugs and kisses (tisses as you say).  You are proving to be pretty outgoing too - you never meet a stranger.  I can't tell you how many of the ladies at your school have come up and told me how much they just love you and your great "Maddie hugs".  You make everyone feel loved and important - I cherish that about you.  You've got an aggressive side, but it usually only surfaces when "Sissy" is around.  She aggravates you and you are quick to make it known!  Thankfully, you are quick to make up and say you are sorry when you pull her hair, pinch her, scratch her, hit her have a disagreement.  At the same time, you love each other so much.  You are almost always willing to share with her.  I know you love her because when I ask you what your name is, you say "Hannah Cate".  You also love your other sister, the one you call "Bebe".  I don't think you even realize she actually has a name!  I wouldn't exactly say you are gentle with her, but you do love to love on her and smother her with kisses.  She loves you too and always smiles when she sees you coming.  Oh how I can't wait to watch the three of you grow together. 

I love you Maddie and am proud to be your Mama. 

Six Months!

How can it already be six months??!!??!!

Time is just flying by.  It's such a hard thing because I love to watch them grow and hit new milestones, but I miss their tinyness as it escapes away.

Two weeks ago I feel like I woke up and no longer had a little baby. 

Sweetest Emma Ann,

I am so thankful for your precious life.  It's no secret that your Daddy and I have not been the best planners when it comes to growing our family.  People say we are crazy and look at us like we have lost our minds - but I'll take it, because our craziness means that we have you and I wouldn't trade you for a million days of sanity.  You are one loved little baby girl. You make it so easy to love you and impossible to get mad at you - even when I'm still getting up with you in the middle of the night!  I prayed that you would be an easy baby and the Lord answered my prayers ten fold.  You have defied easy with your laid back personality and ability to go with the flow.  Even with your big sisters constantly picking at you, wanting to hold you and taking your toys nothing seems to phase you.  Most people don't think you even know how to cry (but I assure them you have your moments).  You have the most precious wide mouth smile that melts my heart.  I cannot imagine our family without you and I cannot wait to watch you grow.  For now, I'm going to soak up your sweet snuggles and baby breath because I know I'm going to miss these days when they are gone! 

I love you Emma Ann!

Mama   

Christmas Card Rejects

I'm really behind.  Who knows if I'll ever catch up.  I'll try, but be warned that I might give up! 

Getting a good picture of all five of us is a challenge.  Thank you to my sister for hanging in there with us and helping us get a keeper for our Christmas card.  As frustrating as it can be in the process, there are always some hilarious and some sweet shots that don't make the cut. 

Thankfully we got a pretty good shot of all five of us in one sitting.

It's a good thing, because I'm not sure I could have convinced Matt to give it another try!