Super Birthday

March

W turned FOUR. It's crazy, I know.

 He was very excited to share a treat with his Playschool friends. Chocolate covered graham crackers were on the menu.

 He couldn't wait to hear his friends sing Happy Birthday to him.

 The playschool drop off...Ms. Lynn! It's my birthday!

 W decided to have taco salad for his birthday meal. It's a family favorite.

 E created a birthday crown for W. She also made several homemade gifts for him to open. She worked very hard with all her projects.

 O was excited as well because for awhile there he thought it was his birthday too.

 This picture makes it look like he's sitting so quietly and calmly for his birthday cake. Not so. He was all over the place and talk, talk, talking....loudly.

 W wanted a giant cookie with a number 4 made out of oreos. You got it, buddy!

 W is always thinking and planning. Smile W! He smiled as he moved his hands down to break off part of the cookie.  Sneaky.

 One of E's gifts was a homemade alligator puppet. Very clever.

 He also got several drawings. This is how you do it W.

 But, wow, he was ecstatic over the huge box of oreo yogurt. It was the perfect gift. Birthday joy lasted for several days. What was even better? He voluntarily shared with his siblings.

 Can I eat it now?

 

 I made W a super cape and mask.

 Close your eyes!

 Can you tell he loved it? He ran so fast we barely got a picture.

Big O had fun too, although, he was stretching out W's mask.

 

 Look at that super hero.

So handsome.

She's a Good Mix

March

Both H and I were losing our hair at an alarming rate. Everyone told me it was normal and it would grow back, but I was seriously concerned over my head of hair. I have thin hair as it is, so it was frightening to see huge clumps of hair come out in the shower every day and then shed it all day long.

 My body was still recovering and I often asked myself when I would feel normal again.

 Baby H and I were finally breastfeeding without a problem. There was a time when I thought I couldn't do it any longer. H was just not latching on well. It was painful. It was time consuming. I spoke with family, friends, and more than one lactation consultant. The advice given to me was stick with it, but do what you have to do for you and your family. I'm glad I stuck with it. It's been such an incredible experience.

 H seems to be a good mix of the two of us. People can't decide who she looks like. There are those who say she looks just like me and those who see A.

 Her eyes are still blue, but her hair is starting to lighten. E's eyes are blue. O's eyes are blue, however, he all of a sudden got a light brown streak in his left eye. W's eyes are a mystery. I think we have decided they are green, but they change depending on what he wears. They can be a gray color, a green, or a light brown.

 At 3 1/2 months, H was pleased as punch to sit up by herself in a seat.

 It made me feel better not having her on her back as much. She was forming a flat spot.

 Flat spot or not, she's still a cutie.

Especially when she gets dressed up in those pink ballet slippers with satin bows.

After Church

March

Little ballerina. I absolutely love her tutu and ballet slippers.

The kids pose together.

Can we get a good shot together?

Everybody smile!

No, not frown...smile!

We almost got it.

O, you're being a little too loud next to H.

Ok everybody...Just look at me.

 

Ok...we're good.

March

March was a long month. It was clear that we weren't going to get any more snow and as a further blow, we had spring time weather. Some days were more like summer. It was sad to pack away most of our winter clothes and even more upsetting to know that allergies and summer bugs were making their debut.

Baby H had just turned three months. W will be turning four in a few weeks.

Baby H loves to play with her tongue. It's very cute to see her suck her upper lip.

You know she's upset when the bottom lip curls out. The tears are usually quick to follow.

The boys love playing with her, but they tend to be a little too loud and scare her. We constantly remind them to use a quiet voice or to be gentle...constantly...constantly.

One and Only Snow

February
We were so excited to see the snowflakes falling. It was nearly the end of winter and how sad it was to not have a good snowstorm...until today. The kids were thrilled.

Everybody's dressed and warm.

Ready for stomping and making tracks.

Ready for snow angels.

Ready to eat.

Baby H stayed snug as a bug.

Next year, I hope we'll have more playful snow days.

Boxing Match

She's the youngest. She'll need to learn how to defend herself.

The Blessing of Family

After church, we gathered to get a family picture. We were all tired, especially Miss H. I told my nephew to just take pictures. Some are focused, some not. Some are silly, some not. All are typical.

Tears of Joy

Such a good baby. We all just love her dearly. Even joyful tears.

I think I just wrote a haiku.