Caroline at 5 Weeks Old

Who else sees a red tint in her hair?!

Adelaide's Christmas Program

Adelaide practiced for her Preschool Christmas Program at school and at home for over a month and was well prepared to sing her little heart out this last Tuesday and let me tell you, she did, well at least I'm sure she did... The thing is, I didn't even get to see it. There was a girl with an unusually large noggin standing right in front of her, and no matter what angle I sat or stood, I could not see my beautiful little girl. It was so sad. I had to hold myself together because I was on the verge of freaking out on somebody to move, or breaking down in tears because Adelaide was so excited for me to see her sing with her class. She told me before hand that she couldn't talk to me during the program, but she could wave to me. Afterward, she told me she couldn't even wave to me because she couldn't see me, I didn't let her know I couldn't see her either. Sad. Hopefully things will turn out better when she's in Kindergarten.

Christmas Beauties

I dressed the girls up in their new Christmas outfits and took a few photos this morning, and let me tell you - It is so hard to get 4 girls to all look at the camera and all smile at the same time! We had fun though and I did manage to get one picture where they are all looking at me for our Christmas card...I'll leave you in suspense

Growing Too Fast!

My little Chub-a-lub, Caroline is 4 weeks! These pictures were taken last week, so she is even bigger now if you can believe it. I am starting to settle in to our new addition and get somewhat of a working schedule. Kurtis has had to work nights this week, so it has been up to me to do night feedings and get Adelaide, Lilah, and Caroline ready for the day and get Adelaide to school before 8:30am with the other girls in tow. It sure was a lot easier the previous 3 weeks when Kurtis took care of it, but I feel like I am managing pretty well.

Caroline has taken to nursing really well, and by the looks of it, I am feeding her straight cream! I have been exhausted because she wakes about every 2 hours to nurse at night and then she wants to be rocked back to sleep, giving me about 1 hour at a time to sleep before I have to get up again, but the last few nights she has done pretty well at going back to sleep on her own. She is having more awake time during the day with kicking and looking around, and she has even cooed a few times, giving me the ulitmate thrill! I am convinced that she has even smiled at me 2 times, and won't hear otherwise. Caroline's sisters continue to love and spoil her with kisses, songs, and attention and it makes me that much more greatful for all 4 wonderful girls that we have been blessed with.

Our Newest Beauty Queen

It truly is amazing how much we love our Caroline. She is an awesome baby! She doesn't hardly cry and when she does it's not loud and she is easy to comfort. When we were in the hospital, the nurse took her for a couple hours so I could sleep and when she brought her back, she told me that she stole all the nurses' hearts; she was awake and happy the whole time. ....I tend to be spoiling her a bit more than the others. She has slept with me every night since we've been home, which is something the other girls never did. I just can't help it, I even got her out of her bed the other day when she was sleeping just fine so she could sleep with me! She is a very special spirit and I can't imagine life without her.

Caroline Ruby-Rebecca

On Monday, November 8, 2010, we welcomed Caroline Ruby-Rebecca into our family! She weighed 8lbs 4oz and was 21.5" long. My contractions started around 8:30am and when we arrived at the hospital around 1pm we found that I was dilated to an 8 and after pushing through two contractions, Caroline was born at 2:07pm! Caroline was 5 days after her due date, but when she decided to come, she did it in a very quick manor! We are so excited to have Caroline at home, she fills our hearts with joy and happiness. Kurtis and I are so blessed to have our 4 beautiful girls.

Halloween Preview 2010

Last Friday the girls were invited to a Halloween party and they had a blast! As you can see, Jayden is a Vampire this year (and looking way too old - oh my goodness), Adelaide is a Fairy, and Lilah is a cute little Dalmation puppy.

Admission

A couple of months ago the doctors suggested that I stop lifting my kids up to prevent injury to myself and if you are a mom, you know well that there is A LOT of lifting in the 'mom' job description.
Adelaide is getting older and rarely needs to be held, so a good snuggle on the couch suits her just fine. Then there is my Lilah Girl. When I first had to refuse her, her heart would break everytime, then she became used to hearing "Mommy can't hold you because it hurts her belly," so she would automatically go to Daddy, which in turn broke my heart everytime.
Now comes my admission: I miss holding my 'baby.' So recently, when nobody is paying attention (especially Kurtis), I pick Lilah up and her little hands automatically rap tightly around my neck, her legs straddle my large pregnant belly as best they can, and her sweet head snuggles down on my shoulder - just where it should be - and it makes everything in my world feel so right.

My Little Tumbler

This is the Mommy/Baby tumbling class that Lilah and I have been taking on Tuesday mornings. Lilah has been having so much fun on the obstacle coarses, bars, trampolines, and balance beams!

Adelaide's 1st Day of Preschool

Adelaide's first week of school went much better than expected! We were a little worried because preschool this year is 5 mornings a week and Adelaide is used to being at home with mom. She loved it though! She is happy to be dropped off and happy to be picked up and each night she asks if she gets to go back to preschool the next morning.

As for mom, she was a little more questionable...I was great when we dropped her off the first morning, but when I went back to pick her up and the teacher told Adelaide her mom was there to get her - I about lost it! I had to wipe my tears and bite my lip so that Adelaide (and the other moms that were obviously adjusting just fine) wouldn't see my emotions and become upset too. I think I'll be one of those moms that teachers dread - the kind that want to be in the classroom holding their child's hand and protecting them from whatever may harm them, emotionally or physically. Hopefully I will restrain myself, because if I don't, I'm pretty sure Kurtis will tie me down.

Now that Adelaide is gone in the mornings, it does give Lilah and I the opportunity to have one on one time before the new baby arrives. We are doing a Mommy/Me 6 week tumbling class and she loves it! She is a natural at being a little monkey! (Pictures to come.)

Downata Hotsprings

A few weeks ago we went to Downata for a family reunion - It took Adelaide a bit of coaxing to go down the slide, as for Lilah, we couldn't keep her off of it!

Aruba, Baby!

Somebody asked we were on our Honeymoon....hmmm.

Kurtis insisted we get a picture of him 'frolicking' in the water.

I couldn't leave out a picture of me as a 'beached whale'!

Kurtis in 'Hog' Heaven

Aren't we cute?

For those of you that don't know, I won a trip to Aruba through Motherhood Maternity. (What a blessing that I'm pregnant, eh?) At first I thought it was a scam, but Kurtis and I made some calls and found out that our airfare, resort and all-inclusive (food & drink) stay were all legit! Although we thought they might take a kidney upon arrival, we were mistaken. Our trip was out of this world; We don't have enough good things to say about the delicious food, great people, ideal beaches, warm blue ocean, and the super comfortable Amsterdam Manor. Everybody there made me feel like the 'Pregnant Arubian Princess' that I am! (I don't think they see many 31 wk pregnant tourists.) We hope to return there again with the kids someday! (Maybe I won't have to pregnant for that trip...)