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...)

Jayden's 1st Day of 4th Grade!

Jayden started school on August 25th at Monroe Elementary! By the end of her first week, we found out she was going to change to a new Charter school (Sage International) that she has been on the waiting list for since last spring...Although we only have pictures of her at Monroe, she has already had two 1st days this year! Jayden loves her new school and we are excited for all of her new adventures this year!

Boo in Bed...Along with all of her friends

Adelaide is all about lining her babies up, singing to them, and putting them to bed - 'nice & comfy.' The funny thing is, I used to do the exact same thing - not play with them, just tuck them in next to me.

Sportin' Ink

Big Girl Bed

Lilah has successfully switched to a 'big girl bed'! She has been in it the last 4 nights and stayed in it all night long....Of course it does take her awhile to fall asleep due to the temptation of toys and babies she continues to load on her bed. Hopefully she will understand the rules of 'no play zone' soon!

O' BRIAN

Last month we took a vacation with our good friends and went camping for 5 nights and 6 days at O'Brian, which is right above Stanley. We all had a great time and are excited for next year when we'll get to do it again! ...Of course, I will probably not miss the feeling of never being quite clean enough.