Ameliya - 18 months

Our youngest (for now) sugar is a spicy little thing to take pictures of.  She's cute and she knows it and she likes to play coy and bashful but she's not.  She's just ornery.

But she's cute...

 cheesy girl

 our precious, full of life girl

 the ornery side

 

 she loves her new Minnie hat from Granny

 

 

Ameliya, at 18 months, you:

• are as ornery as they come, but cute to boot!
• love dairy products - cheese and milk are your favorites.
• have an on again off again relationship with other foods.
• love to be a mama - you play babies alllll day long.
• still only allow Kira in your bed - no other babies.
• love Minnie Mouse.
• are becoming a tiny mimic and repeating words.
• are lovable and huggable!
• have days where mommy is your favorite and other days that daddy is your favorite.
• have no idea what's coming when baby brother is born!

We love you, Miss Sassy Pants.  Before you life was getting tooooo calm and easy.  Keep all that determination and use it for good things in life, little sugar.  No one will be able to stop you!

 

Natalee - 6 1/2 years

When I was doing Natalee's hair to snap a few pictures this morning she said, "I don't know why we're doing these today - you'll need to do more of me in two months when I'm 7."

Valid point, kid, but since we didn't do any real 6 year old pictures just humor me, okay?

Natalee has a hard time relaxing for pictures but she did well this morning.  We're realizing more and more that she's growing up.  She's not a "little girl" and is fast approaching "big girl."  It kind of makes me stop and stand still each time it hits me.

 

 

Natalee, at age 6 1/2+, you:

• love reading.
• like to help me stay organized. 
• want to be a babysitter when you are older.
• are learning to take care of you.
• are determined that the new baby is Xavier's buddy because you already have one!
• are a great love and influence to Ameliya.
• have an ornery and silly streak behind all your seriousness.

You're growing up too quickly, Sweetie.  We love you and find great joy in helping and watching you succeed in life!

Xavier - 5 Years Old {+ a Little}

I took some time this morning to catch a few pictures of my growing kids.  I've gotten bad about doing pictures at their birthdays, instead opting to do them all in one big swoop sometime during the year.  Xavier turned 5 in June.  I did snap a couple of him but they were very forced...

I gave him a big pep talk this morning, and though we only did a couple of poses he was very cooperative.  Taking pictures just isn't quite as fun for a growing boy.  I always say one good picture for my wall is all I really need so if we have more than one choice I think it was a good session!

Xavier, at five (plus) years old you:

• make noise all the time.
• love cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles, and geo trackers.
• are excelling in school.
• have started drawing pictures with real detail that take more than 2 seconds to complete.
• have a wonderful imagination.
• can be quite social.
• are SO excited to get your boy baby buddy!
• are the loviest, huggiest person in the house.

Love you, Son. We are blessed to watch you grow.

37-ish weeks {baby #4}

Still chugging along.  Dealing with swelling in my hands and feet and some insomnia at night but overall feeling okay.  I'm trying not to complain and to not be weak.  I like being strong and taking care of myself and my family.

 Checked out fine at the doctor this morning.  She said "put your feet up."  I said, "sure thing."

My tiniest helper thought rubbing my swollen feet was a funny idea.  Psh.

Baby's heartbeat continues to be 150-160.  

He's active - so very active - and we're quite ready to meet him!!  Finish baking, sugar pie, it's almost time!