For Ruby

Dear Ruby,

Today you are 3 years old!  Three spunky years you have been a part of our family!  Three fantastic years.  You are one beautiful, sweet, fun loving, sassy three year old!  Life with you is never dull ... and we love it!

To say that you are full of personality would be an understatement.  You are the happiest little girl that I know ... except for when you are mad!  Your body language just exudes joy!  You never walk, you dance!  Everywhere.  All. the. time.  I love getting you dressed in the morning and then seeing you get up and dance around in your outfit for the day!

You are a girl who knows what she wants, when she wants it!  You are very opinionated about what you wear, how your hair is done, who makes you warm brown {chocolate milk!} and so much more!  Since your baby sister was born, you have become very attached to me!  So much so that Dad can't do anything for you.  Sometimes this is very hard for you as you have to wait for Mom to finish up what she is doing with Lyla.

Speaking of Lyla, you have taken to the role of BIG sister so nicely.  I was so worried about how you would react to having a new baby in the family, but you are such a sweet big sister.  You are always talking to Lyla, loving on her, and getting her toys and stuffed animals.  You constantly bring me blankets for her and on occasion you even share your lovie with her!  It makes my heart melt to see how much you love her!

Your favorite color is purple ... and pink!  You love any and all things girly.  Your favorite thing to wear is dresses.  You love babies, barbies, and dressing up ... you can often be found in a Tinkerbelle costume.  Your favorite movies are Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears.  You love princesses and decided all on your own that you were going to have a Belle Birthday this year!  Your favorite book is Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly.  You choose it every night for story time.  I am pretty sure you have it memorized!

Ruby Jane we love you so much!  Life is so much better because you are in it.  How blessed we are that you are a  part of our family.  I look forward to the year ahead ... watching you grow and seeing your personality develop even more.  Happy Birthday sweet girl!  I hope it is all you dreamed of and more!

Love you to pieces,
Mommy

sisters

Sisters are the perfect
BEST
friend!

Reflections

I am not quite sure what it is about my children and their want and desire to participate in extra curricular activities.  I was never like that.  I did what I had to do and did it well, but never really had the desire to do the extra things.  But they do!  Both Sophie and Collin entered the Reflections contest at their school this year.  The theme was "Diversity means ..."  Sophie entered in the visual arts category and Collin entered in photography.  Both did a great job.  Collin was the lucky winner this year!

He took first place in his division with this photo ...

Pretty good, right?!?!
He titled it Cars In a Row
His artist statement talked about how some cars are yellow and some are red.  Some drive in the dirt and some drive in the street.  Some cars go really fast and some not so fast.  Some have 4 doors and some have only 2.

And of course, he was thrilled to add another trophy to his collection!

Congrats on the big win buddy!!

embrace the camera: nov. 17th

This photo shoot was so. much. fun!  It was the perfect way to bring out Sophie's personality.  I love how each one of them turned out!  Sophie has been such a helper to me lately.  I can't believe just how grown up she is getting.  She is becoming quite the responsible little lady. {setting the table without being asked, helping out the little ones whenever i can't, and always lightening up the mood in our house with a little humor}  I can always count on her.  We are so blessed to have her in our family and I can't get enough of this girl!

Love you sis!

linking up here

today

Ruby was here ...

and here ...

All the kids were here ...

Collin was here ...

Sophie was here ...

and Lyla was here ...

Most nights, after the kids are snuggled in bed, I sit down on the couch and let out a sigh of exhaustion.  I look around my messy disastrous house and think about the day.  I am so busy.  Busy cleaning, feeding the baby, doing the dishes, running kids here and there, doing the laundry, cooking dinner, changing diapers, doing homework, giving baths ... the list could go on and on.  Yet through it all I look around me and think just how lucky I am.  Lucky that I can sit here in my messy disastrous house.  Lucky that I have 4 of the cutest, craziest, busiest kids ever.  Being a mom is hard work.  Four kids have been particularly challenging to me.  I have needed a lot of help, but I wouldn't change any of it.  I love these 4 little ones so so SO much!

And I love days like today.  Days were the house looks like a tornado came through.  Days where the TV is off and my kids are off playing away together.  So although I wish my house were cleaner.  I love the mess.  I love the kids that make it and I love the happiness and the chatter that come with it!

the simple things

{this weeks simple thing}

Lyla sitting in her bumbo!  It is so fun seeing her sitting up so big with her little legs and feet poking out!  Makes me smile every. single. time.

linking up here

Stats At Two Months

Here is Lyla at her 2 month doctor visit.  And uummm .... does she not look SO big in that picture.  Where did my little newborn go?  She is just as delicious though, so I'll take her!

Lyla's Two Month Stats:

Weight: 12 pounds 1 ounce

{75th Percentile}

Height: 24.8 inches

{95th Percentile}

Head: 15 1/2 inches

{50th Percentile}

Her doctor said she is doing great, although she does have torticolis which is a condition in which her head is tilted to one side and turned toward the opposite side. {You can see it in the above picture} It is caused by having tight muscles on one side of the neck and weak muscles on the other side of the neck.  Ruby had this too. So we are starting physical therapy and doing stretches at home along with some additional dreaded tummy time.  She has a mild flat spot on her head, but hopefully with the therapy her head will correct itself and she won't have to wear a helmet.

And just for fun, here are some cute pictures of Lyla from my phone.  Love this girl!