These are my people

Being a mom of 4 kids 9 and under, I don't have many dull moments. If I do happen upon one it usually is followed by some sort of chaos, someone screaming, a huge mess, someone starving or bleeding...I have a few dramatic children, so nearly anything can be made into a crisis (we've had a few rough moments about which way the wind was blowing in the window). You can't make this stuff up. 

However, as they are growing bigger, more of my moments are filled with interacting with them, watching them, playing with them, rather than actually tending to their needs. No one is nursing anymore, only the youngest is in diapers and they can all feed themselves (for the most part). 

Every once in a while I get to watch them without them being aware. A glimpse at who they are trying to be, a moment of make believe, of mimicking an older sibling (or me!), a moment lost in their own thoughts. Lately, as this happens I keep being in awe of these people. These little beings that have been so attached to me are growing into small humans. They each see the world in their own unique way, have their own reactions and responses to each situation as it presents itself and each add to our family in such a special way. 

They're each growing at their own pace, but the end point is obvious from the biggest down to the smallest of them. One day they will each grow fully into their own person. They won't need me anymore. All the ways that I spend my days busily caring for them will disappear as they will have learned to not only care for themselves, but for others. 

This simple fact amazes me. I know this is what motherhood is about. Shaping and molding children to one day contribute to this world, but to watch it begin to unfold before my own eyes, well, it's a little bit miraculous. These are my people. The people I love and care for. The people who I grew for months on end and rocked and nursed at all hours of the night. These are my people and I love them, I find them amazing, interesting and complex. 

These are my people. 

The Same New Beginnings

We're settling into routine out west and this year was the first year since I've been a mom that the beginning of the school year has looked the same as the previous one. We still had moments of wondering what the class would be like missing a few friends, a few tears over the end of summer (not only from me...), and a small amount of anxiety over the new beginnings that the school year brought, but it was nice to have it all be familiar. It was nice to expect and anticipate the routine that would be coming. To know what our days would look like and to be eager to return to familiar friends and activities. 

The big kids started school a few weeks earlier this year, but Ginny's preschool still waited to start until after the late labor day. This gave the littles and I a few weeks to do a few final visits to the zoo and playgrounds and soak up the last few days of summer. It was wonderful. We missed the bigs, but it was also so fun to see Wiley and Ginny lean on each other as playmates, making the transition from a house full to just the other for entertainment. 

This mama heart is full. It is great to have confidence in where I send my kids each day. They each have good teachers this year that will help shape them in the coming months. Ginny is in love with her preschool teacher and is already eagerly anticipating joining Lucy and Murray next year at their school. I'm pretty sure everyone will know her before she steps in for her first day and she will feel like the queen bee in kindergarten. She's a hoot how she chats up anyone who will listen once we're on campus. 

New beginnings none the less. It's all the same, familiar, but different. 

Lucy's in 4th grade and beginning to make that transition towards middle school. She's started playing soccer after school and is joining handbells (forgoing band because she didn't want another instrument to practice at home). We're starting to see friendships become more solid and she's becoming more aware of her peers and social things. 

Murray...well he's our steady eddy. Still all about running and being one of the fastest boys in his class. He's pretty easy going and I'm not sure much can shake him. It's fun to hear how he's immersed back with his friends and I love that they're growing up together. 

Ginny and Wiley. I won't be able to lump them together much longer. I am here, because well, that's where I sense the change. They play so creatively together. Often I overhear them playing house with Ginny being the mama and Wiley playing the part of a puppy or baby, they just find joy every day. I feel this year that these days are fleeting. In the past I've felt the start of a school year as a time to come up for air and just relax a bit, this year I feel the rush. The rush to just soak it all in before I start to lose them to school days and friends. Wiley's afternoon naps are numbered, Ginny's lazy mornings at home, outings in the neighborhood and trips to the grocery store after dropping the bigs at school...these things, they're all numbered now. Where before I felt like I was drowning in little people, I now see the end and I'm not ready for it just yet. So, for now we'll take each day as it comes. Settle into our school year and soak up as many snuggles and lazy days as we can manage. We'll also keep playing and being creative, cheering on the bigs in all they're accomplishing and just keep growing the best we can out west. 

What I love about my littles

Wiley:

Chubby little hands that grab my fingers while he nurses and my pant legs while he struggles to stand on his own. 

Smiles from across the room and his eyes that light up as he crawls toward me. 

The look of mystery on his face as he puts something in his mouth to discover if it's delicious or what it feels like. 

That little toothy grin.

His hair. Oh his hair. Taking the helmet off and seeing his hair. 

Little toes, chubby thighs and rosy cheeks. 

Raspberries for kisses. 

The way he eats, the way he thinks about it, chews it and decides if it's good or not.

Reading books and tasting them.

Standing at the window, barely peeking out and staring into the sky.

Headbutts for love.

Now onto Ginny:

Her slimy, sweet and affectionate kisses on my cheek or as she grabs my face and kisses my lips. 

Her laugh, that infectious laugh. 

Her stories, her explanations of the world around her. 

Her singing and dancing. 

Her need for dresses, to be in something sparkly and beautiful. 

Her love for praying and her siblings. 

Her desire to do whatever I am doing.

Being close to me, wanting to mimic my every move. 

Her joy in the little things of everyday.

Her emotions when something doesn't go her way. 

This is my list. My list of things that I will miss when my littles grow beyond today. Because I see it slipping away, but in my state of exhaustion I sometimes let myself get caught up in the hard stuff, the tantrums, the teething, the runny noses and the "I DO ITs!" of the day, and I'm afraid I'll miss these last moments I have with these littles. Soon enough they'll be as big as my bigs and I'll be sending them to school and I will love the new adventure, but I will miss these moments of cuddling and growing every moment together. 

So, today, on a hard day I am writing a quick list in a brief moment of quiet, of the things that I LOVE about the right now. About the hard day at home, so I remember to cherish it, to take it all in, before they move on to whatever comes next! 

Salt and Vinegar

When I was pregnant with Ginny I tasted salt and vinegar potato chips for the first time...they were to say the least one of the most delicious things I had ever tasted as a pregnant lady. I was at a friend's house and politely ate a small serving with my sandwich. The next time I was at the store I bought myself a bag figuring I'd indulge at lunch every once in awhile...well, a few hours later the bag was empty and I went back to the store for some more later that week. 

It became a joke at our house to see how long the bag would last...totally out of character for me to indulge in such a junk food, but at the time when keeping food down was a challenge something that tasted good and remained where I put it was a welcome change. 

The kids hated the smell of the chips, just opening the bag would send them running...and Nick didn't love it either. When we went to a hotel and were overcome by a strong vinegar cleaning odor Murray cheerfully said "Mommy, it smells like your chippies in here!" 

Once Ginny was born I didn't allow myself to purchase a bag...EVER. So, I don't know if I actually only like the chips pregnant...I was always too afraid I'd eat the whole bag in 2 days again...something ok when you're pregnant, but NOT when you're trying to lose the baby weight!

So this October when I found out I was expecting the chips suddenly started calling to me at the store once again. I resisted...for many months I resisted, telling myself I didn't really like them...didn't really need them. Then one day about 2 weeks ago I just couldn't resist anymore. They were on sale again and they found their way into the cart. 


When I arrived home I hadn't even unloaded all the groceries before I opened the bag. The kids eagerly ran over to see if they could get a few chips, a rare treat at this house...until they got close enough to smell them...and then they turned up their noses and walked away from the bag...all of them EXCEPT Ginny that is. She happily reached into the bag and started eating the chips and came back for more. The chips have become a weekly purchase once again, but this time I can't say I've eaten the entire bag on my own...if left within her reach Ginny has often been found breaking into the bag and eating some chips at all hours of the day. Guess it's true that pregnancy cravings continue in the child...Lucy does love sausage and mandarin oranges and Murray can't get enough salad or pb&J...wonder what this little boy will love like that?!? Maybe salt and vinegar chips and mashed potatoes!

Evangeline Kate

Look how she's grown!



(start in the top left corner and go down then back up then down until her final 1 year picture at the bottom right corner...sporting a USA diaper for the olympics.)
It's amazing to see how much she's grown in a year! 

Get Around Ginny

Ginny sure can get around these days, she may not be walking but she is a mover and a shaker and in true Koschmann style a CLIMBER (although...she may get that from me). These are just a few of her favorite places to "perch" throughout the day. She's an expert at going up and down the stairs and enjoys exercising that freedom exploring all levels of the house. We'll find her anywhere from Murray's room playing on with the lego table, to the kitchen, the 3 season room or the family room. A few times Mr. Nobody has left the door to the basement open and we've caught a little girl going to the one place in the house we'd really rather her not be...ok...the bathroom may be on the list of places we prefer she not play as well (we've had one clean toilet incident thus far). 


She's a happy independent girl and it's fun to see her play expanding with each and everyday. Those smiles get you every time!

Evangeline Kate 11 months old!

11 months old and counting. Stop already sweet girl. We're avoiding the 10th next month...we'll go straight from the 9th of July to the 11th with no turning back and refuse to admit what could have, should have happened on the 10th. 

I may try to avoid your birthday, but in so many ways you're telling me that you're leaving being a baby behind and moving forward. 

Your mouth is FULL of teeth. You went from 2 sweet little teeth on the bottom to 4 on bottom and 2 just barely poking through on top. Your smile is still infectious and it's a joy to see each and every day. 

You are becoming an adventurer. You crawl around exploring the world around you. You're usually close to me and one of your favorite places to be is in the kitchen pulling out baking items like sprinkles and spices and shaking them around. You also have tried opening and closing the big drawer of pots a few times which usually ends in a few pinched fingers. 

You started pulling up! Just when we thought it may not happen for awhile you decided you were ready and did it over 10 times in one evening. Now, you do it like a champ. If I am sitting in a chair and not paying enough attention to you your crawl over, scream, pull up and start hitting the chair to get my attention. As soon as I pick you up you're all cuddles. 

You're starting to sleep through the night! That occasionally means waking up around 5:30 am, but if you're sleeping from 8-5:30 I'll take it! You're all snuggles and giggles when you wake up in the morning and laugh and hug us as you crawl around in our bed after nursing. 

You still like to bounce on your bottom on the trampoline at gymnastics with Lucy and Murray and on their big kid bed. You laugh and play with your big brother and sister so well and are starting to interact more with them and toys. You point your remote control at the tv, put play phones (and real ones) to your ear and try to push cars across the ground. 

After a week with Grammy and Pop Pop you're eating like a champ, sleeping well and drinking from a sippy cup. Some days it's hard to remember what life was like a year ago when we were anxiously awaiting your arrival. I can barely remember what it was like to anticipate meeting the little girl growing inside and learn her ins and outs. 

Now, I can't imagine a day without you. In fact Ginny Girl...in 11 months you have not spent more than 3 hours away from me at any given time. We are literally joined together and I wouldn't trade this year for anything. 

Evangeline Kate, at 11 months old you are still easy going, but learning to assert yourself. You are joyful, smiling easily at the antics of our family. 

You can be bashful, clinging to mommy when you're unsure of a situation. 

You're observant, carefully watching what we are doing and doing your best to mimic it. (My favorite of this is when Lucy and Murray are doing gymnastics and you put your arms above your head and bounce on your bottom and then face plant yourself on the floor!). 

You're loving. The smiles, snuggles and kisses you share show how much you love us!

You're beautiful! 

You're growing! I can't slow it down and I'm enjoying the adventure and I know as you continue to grow you will continue to bless us in ways I can't even imagine. 

We love you Ginny Girl!

Evangeline Kate: 10 months old

10 months old! You're into the double digits. I feel like you're no longer inching towards that first birthday, but with the goal in sight you're now boldly moving towards it. I keep joking that we're not having birthdays this year. You can celebrate your first birthday when you're 2 because I don't want my snuggly baby to be toddler just yet. 

You don't seem to agree and you keep growing and becoming more confident with each passing day. 

You still have a few lovely qualities for me to cling to. You still like to wake in the night to nurse. Truthfully, you just like to nurse. You like to snuggle close and know that I am near. I don't mind one bit. I'll trade all the nights out, the days of being able to leave you behind to know that you're near too. One day you'll tell me you don't need me with you, so I'll cling to this as long as you will!

You still only have 2 teeth. They're the cutest little teeth and their are many more that are so close to breaking through. They're just not there yet. 

As much as I enjoy thinking of you as my "baby", you're certainly growing up and I wouldn't want to mark you turning 10 months without acknowledging these "big girl" things you're doing. 

You've pulled yourself up to standing. It's not a sure thing, but you're definitely pushing yourself onto your feet while crawling and pulling yourself up to standing on a regular/daily basis. 

You crawl with confidence.

You're a girl on a mission. You know you can move with a purpose and you do so. You know what you want and you go after it. While you still sit back and observe your surroundings at times, you also know where you want to go and how to get there. A few of your favorite places to get into mischief are the kitchen cabinets, the art cabinet and the closet in the bathroom...you hear that door open and go straight for the toilet bowl brush...of course you do!

You're discovering your voice. It's like you woke up and realized you're a Koschmann...you know you can scream and you know how to use it! You may know the sign for "more", but if you really want something a scream is much more likely to get the attention of multiple people who are able to meet your needs!

We've enjoyed some warm days going for walks and playing outside. You've seen the ducks and tasted your first taste of dirt (You are certainly "Boba's girl" in that department). You enjoy sitting in the swing or on a blanket and watching us be outside. You've tasted Daddy's BBQ and ICE CREAM! You couldn't get enough of that!

Oh how we love you. You love to pull Lucy and Murray's hair, crawl all over them and just laugh at their antics. You're such an amazing piece of our family and it's difficult to imagine life without you in it. People constantly comment on how cute you are, how sweet, how calm you can be. I just smile and say, yep, that's our Ginny Girl. 

10 months old Ginny! slow down...let's take these next few months nice and slow!

Evangeline Kate is 9 months!

If I didn't want to record your growth somewhere I think I would refuse to do this month's post. You're not allowed to be 9 months...it's just TOO BIG!! and you are well aware of what a big girl you are!

Oh Ginny girl...one would have thought that when you started moving your brother and sister would have become annoyed with you and started being frustrated with you getting into everything. Exactly the opposite has happened. They fawn over you even more, share their toys and do everything they can to keep you safe (which does result in your tears frequently...but it's {usually} for your own good). 

A few things that you've accomplished in the past month:

You're crawling...officially crawling EVERYWHERE!

You've fallen down the carpeted stairs. I hate to admit this one, but it's true. You were just too quick and had a HUGE interest in figuring out what those things were for...we now keep an extremely close eye on you at all times...and gates are ready and waiting.

You're clapping. Just this past Saturday you started clapping. It's so much fun to watch and you get that proud look on your face when you do it. 

You've waved just a few times. We're pretty sure you learned this from your quick visit with cousin Betsy. But, we've seen it enough to add it to your repertoire of things you can do. 

Just today you pulled up to standing for the very first time all on your own (without immediately falling over). 

We still need to schedule your 9 month appointment, but we visited the doctor on Saturday (where we learned you had an ear infection) and discovered you were just over 21 lbs! That's a lot of baby to love...and man do we love you!

You're EATING!!! You prefer to feed yourself. That "spoon fed" phase was almost too short, so we try to sneak in a few meals every now and then, but you love to feed yourself pieces of avocado, banana, other fruits, and black beans might just be your favorite! 

Your hair is growing in thicker and darker, your eyes still seem to change colors in the light...still giving us those mystery eyes you've had since the day you were born!

You have a great belly laugh. It gives me such joy when your brother and sister get you laughing. They love to play with you and peekaboo type games can really get you going. You're still pretty quiet and mellow most of the time, but when you get laughing it's the greatest sound in the world.

You've also starting babbling more. We're hearing lots of "dadadadada" and a few "mamama". Aunt Katie swears you called out "Mama" the other day at dinner when you wanted my attention. I'll take that! I want you to know that we love to hear you babble and the sound of your voice.

We're so thankful you're a part of our family and we still feel incredibly blessed each day we get to share with you. We can't imagine our family without our sweet Evangeline.

Wordless Wednesday

Guess who made her way to the book corner?!?
She's so proud!
 

 

Evangeline Kate 8 months old

8 months old! How are you 3/4 of a year old already?

I know, it's the same every month. I feel like just when I start to accept you're getting to be so big I suddenly have to think of you being 1 month older. I was just accepting that you were a 7 month old and now I have to tell people that you're 8 months old. 

Regardless of my desire for you to stay small you are indeed getting bigger. Here's a few things you've learned in the last month...

You have "go go gadget arms", just when I think something is out of your reach or you'll fall over grabbing it your arms get just a bit further and you can get that desired item. It's quite fun to watch!

You have started scooting with intention. You're not crawling yet, and you're not very fast, but between reaching with those long arms and hopping on your bottom you can make your way throughout the room to get to what you want. The first time you did this it was towards my glass of wine...hmmm...not sure what to think of that!

You're starting to be more vocal. I love listening to you jabber while playing, however I'm blaming your brother on teaching you how to spit and scream. The squeals are enjoyable, but the screaming to get me to pay attention to you...well, we may have to work on that ;)

You have definitely solidified your object permanence recognizing when a toy is hiding or I have walked out of the room. Sometime we use it this skill to play hide and seek...sometimes you just scream until you can see me again.

You're eating...just a bit...YAY! I really was starting to wonder, but just this past week you started swallowing some smushed banana and applesauce. You've also started chewing on small apple slices, a pretzel and a few veggies. It's not much, but it's a start and I'm sure you'll be eating like a champ in no time...you may however prove to be even pickier than your brother and sister as infants though!

You are wearing 18 month clothes...like I said, just slow down in the growing department!

You're hair is growing in fuller, thicker and darker! I may have a dark haired baby yet! Your eyes seem to be a bit darker most days, but they still haven't committed to a color yet. 

You love to people watch, get their attention and flash them a big toothy grin. You certainly know how to lay the charm on thick and everyone just loves it. You're still coming with me to Bible Study on Saturdays and those women just love you. You even came overnight on your first women's retreat last weekend. You were an absolute dream...I'm almost certain you didn't cry at all the entire time! (except in the middle of the night to be fed)

You're definitely a mama's girl. You hardly let anyone else hold you anymore and reach for me if they do. You love your daddy, but reach for me if it's anywhere near time for you to eat. 

We sure do love you Ginny girl! Lucy likes to check on how big your toes are growing and Murray just slobbers you with kisses. I'm excited to see how you are when you're more mobile and can interact with them more...however I'm willing to wait for that stage to come...there's just a few traces left of that sweet baby girl born last July so I'll cling to them as long as I can, I know when they're gone I'll have an exciting toddler in her place!

Evangeline Kate ~ 7 Months Old

You did it again! You just keep getting older...and bigger too!

Just this week I ordered you some new clothes in 18 month size. You think you're so big!

Oh Ginny girl, I can see it happening. Even though you love snuggling close to me and are very much still my sweet baby girl I can see in your eyes that you're beginning to understand the world around you. The way your brother can make you laugh...or cry. The way you reach for toys, the way you now reach for me when someone else is holding you. 

You're beginning to understand the way the world around you works...

You LOVE sitting up like a big girl playing with the toys around you. Just in the past few days you've started reaching for ones just beyond your grasp until you're up on your knees. So far it's always resulted in a face plant and tears, but I know that soon enough you'll figure out how to get to those toys and then our world will really change!

You love jumping in your jumparoo and the exersaucer. You become so animated after Lucy and Murray are in bed, talking up a storm and laughing at me and daddy. I think you enjoy the quiet of the house at that time...

We still can't get you to eat much. We offer food to you every night and you do everything you can to keep it out of your mouth. You much prefer snuggling and getting meals from me than a spoon (although you do love chewing on the spoon after you've sufficiently shaken food off of it!)

You're 2 bottom teeth have come in and you enjoy biting toys and occasional fingers. I can tell the top teeth are going to follow soon, but we'll see if you prove to get your teeth quick like your big sister or teeth forever like your brother :) 

You're starting to sleep on a more consistent basis. This is something I really appreciate. You take 2 great naps during the day and sometimes a little catnap after dinner. At night after staying up to play you like to sleep in a 5-7 hour stretch and then another few hours after that, starting your day between 7 and 8 am. The Koschmann girls certainly like to sleep in!

We love you Ginny girl. I think back often to that day 7 months ago when you entered our world...I think back often to a year ago when I could only dream about what my little girl would be like. God certainly blessed us with such a sweet little girl. I look forward to watching you grow while I cling to the time I have left with you as my sweet baby girl! We can only guess what the next month of adventure will bring!

**Pictures will be posted soon once I get them on Nick's computer and then uploaded. Check back soon for incredibly wonderful chubby thighs!

Thankful Thursday

Sometimes it's easy to know what we're thankful for. 

Today I'm thankful for SLEEP!

 A good, old fashioned, almost sleep through the night type of sleep. Ginny is almost 7 months old, and we're still not sleeping through the night. 

It's ok, I don't mind...I enjoy the time I get with her in the middle of the night. Really. I DO.

I enjoy seeing her fuzzy little head illuminated by the night light. 

I enjoy listening to her snort and suckle as she eats. 

These are things I don't always see and hear in my busy house during the day. 

But, sometimes she gets up A LOT! For about 6 days she was up almost every 2 hours...that combined with my sore neck and fighting off a cold = exhaustion. 

Actually....BEYOND EXHAUSTED. 

I was going to bed before 9 and still waking up tired. 

Last night I put a sick little girl to bed. She had a runny nose, a cough (we had just done a breathing treatment) and a low grade temp. I figured I'd be up with her ALL NIGHT!

I prepared myself for another exhausting day.

Then...

it happened...

SHE SLEPT! 

She slept from just after 10 until 2:30 am and then slept again until just before 7 when her big brother decided we should all wake up. 

It was AMAZING!

I am so thankful for a night of sleep. A night that is enabling me to think complete thoughts. To remember the things on my to do list. To enjoy my day. 

We're still fighting colds. We're coughing, my throat hurts and there's lots of tissue using and hand  washing going on here...

But, my neck is better and I slept last night...with 1 very sweet visit with my baby girl!

2:30 am snuggles while we both fought a fever...we were one warm sweaty bunch sitting in the glow of the nightlight basking in the 4.5 hours of sleep we had just enjoyed. 

AMAZING!

and so much to be thankful for...

Towers with Murray

The other day Murray asked to play with Ginny. She was happily sitting up banging stacking cups around. Murray went and sat by her and built towers for her to knock over. She loved it, laughing and hitting them as they fell into a pile. Murray laughed and built them again and again. It's so fun to see them learning to interact more as Ginny gets bigger. Can't wait to see what they'll do with her once she's on the move!

Ginny verses the Avocado

On January 5th Ginny tried her first food. It was a small taste of Avocado. She was very excited to be doing more than chewing on a teether while sitting in the high chair. We did it during dinner so she could feel part of the eating adventure.

She's been eating awhile now, and she definitely still prefers nursing to real food. While she likes the idea of eating she's not too sure about it once it makes her to her mouth. To date we've tried avocado, banana and squash. We're going to work backwards a bit and try some cereal to see if she can get the idea of it down a bit more then move forward again. 


Here's to a lifetime of eating adventures!

Evangeline 6 months old

We're half way there...every month I'm amazed that we've reached another milestone, but this is getting crazy. From now on...each day that passes my sweet girl will be closer to turning 1, turning into a toddler than she is to that snuggly newborn I held just yesterday. 

Ginny continues to amaze us. Continues to feel like a miracle, continues to show us how perfectly chosen she was for our family at this time in this place. Continues to teach me so much about love. Continues to grow..she just happily grows!

Six Month Stats include:
Weight: 19 lbs 1 oz (90th percentile)
Length: 28.5 inches long (off the charts baby!)


Some milestones she's hit this month are sitting up and her first tooth breaking through on January 5th. She's rolling over more, and maneuvering to reach toys around her while playing on the floor. 


Ginny had her first food just days before turning 6 months old; we gave her a bit of avocado to celebrate her tooth breaking through, she really just thought we were crazy and did not think eating was exciting as it looks!


We can get you to laugh more now, and if you don't laugh out loud we can see it in your eyes. You continue to be a happy baby. Still not sleeping through the night (well, you did it 2 nights in a row and then thought that was for the birds and gave it up!), but I appreciate our time together when the house is quiet so I try to be thankful for it and remind myself I'll sleep when you're older. 


When you're older...don't do it sweet Ginny...don't get older just yet...just stay still and continue to be my sweet, happy, wonderful joy of a baby who doesn't know the word "no" yet!


Happy half birthday sweet girl! We're already planning for when you turn 1...just don't rush there too fast!

Ginny at 4 months

Really?!? There is no way she's this big already...

Yep, it's true! We're 1/3 of the way through her first year of life! I've said it before and I'll say it again...it goes way too fast! It feels like she just got here, she shouldn't be this big, but at the same time, it feels like she's always been here...she's the perfect fit to our family.

We're loving Ginny smiles these days. She loves to watch us all and smile when we talk/look/dance/sneeze/whatever at her. Her daddy can get the best giggles from her, with her big brother Murray coming in at a close 2nd. Murray has also shown us that she can get scared...yelling "boo" in her face may make her giggle once or twice, but more often it makes her cry.

She also cries when Murray cries. Her big lip sticks out and she just wails if he doesn't stop quick enough...some days there's lots of crying!

We went to the doctor for her 2nd cold so far...ugh! But, we found out she's 16lbs 1 oz with her clothes on...yikes! What a big girl! We just packed away the 6 months clothes (most of them) and pulled out the 9 month stuff!

You can wiggle your way around in a complete circle or scoot up on your back, but no rolling over....yet...

We still love you over the moon! Lucy and Murray fight over who has had more time with you each day...you are one loved little girl!

November Warmth

I can't believe how warm it was today! Relatively speaking that is...don't let Murray's short sleeves fool you. When I suggested he put a coat on his response was "It's ok Mom, don't worry about me, the sun will warm me up." I think he's been hanging around Nick too much!


It was a wonderful afternoon to get outside and spend some time with the kids, but I wanted to do more than just sit Ginny in the stroller. Then I remembered the baby swing. So, Ginny had her first swing ride way earlier than either of the other kids. She seemed content...not overly excited, just enjoying the ride.


The big kids and I played pirates and chased the octopus and evil turtle away so thankfully we won't have any invasions during the winter...whew!

Ginny at 3 Months

Wow! Time flies...can my baby really be 3 months already?!? 
While it seems like time is just flying by, she definitely seems to be growing and getting bigger much quicker than seems possible! We went to the doctor before our trip to Albuquerque and this sweet little girl was already just over 14 lbs (with clothes on!)

We opted for a few festive pictures in her candy corn leg warmers...

don't you just want to eat her up?!?

Here's a picture without the leg warmers...

just so you can see how adorable her legs are becoming!

What an amazing blessing this sweet girl is to our family. A few 3 month highlights:
Evangeline Kate is on the verge of sleeping through the night...even though she still wakes up a bit early to feed she likes to sleep late like her big sister (we'll take it!)


She's trying so hard to roll over; she gets up on her side and uses all her muscles to pull herself around. I think she'll be rolling over any day now!


She is full of smiles! This sweet baby girl wakes up full of smiles and gives them out to us all day long. She loves her brother and sister and will turn her head to see them in the room (Lucy was above her while I was taking pictures...making it hard to get her to look at me!)


Giggles are given less readily and reserved for super special moments. Getting this girl to giggle makes any day amazing! She has the sweetest, gentlest giggle and while we haven't experienced any "belly laughs" yet, I'm hopeful they'll be coming soon. Giggles are a special gift she gives us only occasionally :)


Overall Ginny is still an even keel happy girl! We can't imagine our life without her and she is brings so much joy to our family. It is not uncommon to hear Lucy or Murray complain that they haven't had enough time with her yet today. Lucy has even taken to calling her "My Little Pumpkin". What a loved little girl she is!

A Post to Post

Wow! I can't believe I haven't posted in SO long...I've thought about posts...I have post ideas...but I'm too busy enjoying the people the posts are about to sit down and actually post...hopefully I'll get some up soon! In the mean time...here's a sneak peak at the cute little people I'm enjoying :)