Since the girls' birthdays are only 1 month apart, this year we (meaning the pregnant mama) decided to have one combined party for both. They're still young enough to like the same things (Addie basically loves whatever Juliana says) and they still have the same friends, so why not? I must say, this was a genius idea on my part. A lot of chaos for one a few days, but at least I only had to do it once.
We've never gone overboard with themes and such, but I like to have *something* to base everything on. This year Juliana and I decided we wanted a rainbow party. I have seen pictures online (thank you, Pinterest!) and knew I wouldn't be doing anything as extravagant, but I was very happy with the outcome ... and I think the girls loved it too!
My parents were able to fly out to help with the party prep and big event ... could NOT have done it without them!
Present time was a *little* chaotic. Addie was a little slow in opening presents, but EVERY present she opened evoked giggles and squeals. It was PRICELESS.
***On a pregnancy related note: I HATE belly shots, but for those of you out there who care, this is about as good as you'll get (especially this time around). I was 31 weeks in these pictures, and the belly continues to grow.
Disclaimer: Well, I think it's fair to say that this measly little blog has been neglected as of late. Blame it on being pregnant, blame on three very busy toddlers, blame it on planting a church ... blah, blah, blah. There's just not enough time for everything, and computer activities are the first to go. AND my computer died recently, which makes it even harder to get online. BUT ... my oldest turns 4 today, so I am using nap time to jot down some thoughts. I also don't have any current pictures since they had to be rescued from the laptop, but here are a few faves from the past years.
I was so sure this day would not come so soon ... having a 4 year old seems surreal. I tear up now thinking *official* school starts next year. But, whether I like it or not, my baby girl is growing up. Even just in the past few months Juliana has started acting more like a little girl and less like a toddler (sniff, sniff). She has become quite a helper to me, and I can't wait to see her become a big sister for the third time. She is intrigued with changing diapers, but loses her courage every time I say I'll let her change Breck's.
This little girl had her first ballet lessons and loved it! Although, sometimes she would just do her own thing instead of what everyone else was doing. She LOVES wearing dresses ... some days we compromise by leggings with a long shirt. I love that she is girly and always wanting to carry a purse of some sort. Juliana is an utter and hopeless chatterbox! The talking simply does not stop. She still loves having people over, and her kindness and sense of hospitality continue to develop. Here are some of our other highlights right now:
Still loves eating (that really hasn't changed at all). Will eat almost anything, except cantaloupe, mushrooms, and chunky tomatoes (but this has been consistent since she started eating solids).
LOVES to read, for which I am so thankful. Even reading on her own -- she'll just curl up on her own sometimes.
Loves playing with her babies/stuffed animals, and is quite the little mother to them.
Loves being outside
Loves her baby brother!
Loves running and giggling with Addie
Is doing great with her *preschool* work right now. Nothing too fancy, but she is catching on quickly. She would LOVE to go to school right now and keeps asking if she can not do school at home and can have another teacher.
Still loves to sleep. Still naps every day for 1.5-2 hours, and sleeps 11-12 hrs at night. Do NOT wake this child before she is ready.
LOVES to sing -- all the time. Will even make up her own songs if necessary.
This beautiful brown-eyed girl brings us such joy and happiness ... I am excited to see all that God has in store for her.
Father of grace, You've sacrificed Your only Son for us, the crucified Jesus Enlarge our hearts to love Your Son O grant to us the grace to walk with Him always To make Him our great delight Bringing worship with our lives Only Jesus! Only Jesus! Give us Jesus, we cry Only Jesus! Only Jesus! The Pearl of greatest price Spirit of grace, You've shed Your light Upon our darkened eyes, unveiling Jesus Christ Come change our hearts, conform our ways To honor Jesus' Name, His glory our refrain Let His love compel our own As we worship at His throne Only Jesus! Only Jesus! Give us Jesus, we cry Only Jesus! Only Jesus! The Pearl of greatest price
Jesus, our great Savior, Lord of heaven, Son of God
Apparently Juliana is a little list-maker in training. Give her paper and a pen, and she will just sit and make "lists" ... and make up stories to go along with her lists. Today she was sitting on her tricycle making lists, and I heard her say, "Oh, this is great - we have two lists. Dear God, thank you for these great lists. And patience and also safety."
Love her. Can't wait to see how God uses her gifts. And her lists.
Maybe I need to make more lists. After the kids had all been napping for about 45 minutes I remembered I put Addie to bed without a diaper. She is NOT potty-trained for sleep yet. Whoops.
ince we've been stuck inside the past two days due to insanely cold temps, I decided to take a few videos of the kiddos ... you know, since I'm sure you're dying to know how we spend the day. My girls are very girly girls ... into purses, dress-up, babies, the whole shin-dig. BUT ... they LOVE to wrestle. Addie kills me ... she loves to go up and tackle Juj. Besides, who can resist their giggles? And Breck seems to enjoy it, but I have the feeling soon he will be the one tackling the girls.
In other news, I think Breck is officially a walker. All this week, especially today, the little man prefers to walk across a room instead of crawling. I just don't know that this kid can get any cuter. Right now our guest bath upstairs is filled with miniature toilets. Yep, I finally have two girls who know how to use those nifty little contraptions I've had for far too long now. Still haven't mastered no. 2, but hey, I'll take whatever I can get at this point. Juliana wears her big girl underwear for naps and night ... no accidents! Little miss Addie - not quite yet. But I love that they are doing this together. Juliana is so motherly - she will insist on taking and helping Addie use the toilet (she even wants to help wipe!).
Speaking of my firstborn, she has a HUGE heart. I catch her putting her arm around Addie all the time, talking to her, and helping her in any way. She tells me all the time, "Addie is my sister and I love her." If anyone is sick, she will freely say, "I hope you feel better" - with no prompting. And since we learned the Bible verse "Blessed are the peacemakers" she has been telling me all day that she and Addie were being peacemakers (if only that were true). Love her.
I made some incredibly tasty protein bars this week. Truly delish and so healthy. But I also made a coffee cake tonight for our ladies' coffee tomorrow. Not quite so healthy, but so yummy. In fact, I think I'll have a piece tonight. It's been that kind of a day, anyway.
Yesterday my baby boy turned one ... we celebrate God giving us a whole year with him already! As much as I was so nervous about having a boy, I say with no hesitations that I LOVE him so much and I LOVE all his boyish ways. I tell Chad that I wouldn't mind having six more just like him. Breck truly has been a gift of grace in my life this past year. This poor baby has been pushed to the limits in many ways ... he is living in his third house in his first year of life, he moved across the country when he was only 5 weeks old, he had no bed of his own for a whole month while we waited on our house here in Colorado, and he lives with two older, very spunky and very motherly big sisters. I must say, though, I am enjoying this phase with Breck right now. With both Juliana and Adeline, I was very pregnant when they were this age, and with Addie we were packing and moving our entire household. So, I really feel like I am soaking him in right now, because I know how fast the time goes. He is a big boy, weighing around 23 pounds and wears either 12-18 months or 18 months clothes (SUCH a difference from my girls). Here are some of his highlights right now:
SUCH a mama's boy! I am definitely still his favorite, but I have the feeling that very soon he will become best buds with his dad. (Although I'm not rushing that along ... it's nice to be so needed)
LOVES to eat and will eat anything. (A trend that has continued since birth - weighed 7.2 at birth, dropped to 6 something, but then weighed over 9 pounds at just 3 weeks!) No more baby food for this guy! Really prefers anything that he can feed himself, but still eats some things from a spoon (yogurt, applesauce, refried beans). This kid can easily pack away two scrambled eggs in one sitting.
Completely off of a bottle and formula now. Drinks almond milk from a cup and LOVES it. Except we're still working on dropping his early morning bottle. He's been waking around 6-6:30 for an early bottle, but would go back to sleep for 1-2 more hours. So now we're dropping that feeding and moving his wake time to earlier ... he is NOT a fan. Cried from 5-6:45 am this morning (on and off).
Can walk across a room unassisted, but doesn't prefer to do it all the time.
Finally knows how to clap!
Has 4 top teeth and 2 bottom.
Naps twice a day (sometimes 3) and sleeps 11 hours at night.
Loves his big sisters, but has a special fondness for Juliana ... he adores her (with good cause, too).
Already loves to wrestle and wallow around.
Doesn't really say any words (except mama of course), but still babbles and *talks* a lot.
Is REALLY fascinated with outlets. He has an uncanny ability to find them anywhere we go.
Loves to be held.
Things we're working through:
Loves to be held (yep, it's both).
Manners. Definitely working hard on manners instead of grunting.
Sleep. For the most part, he's settled into a great sleeping routine, but every time he gets sick or starts teething things go awry.
Gentleness. Even though he has a very gentle spirit, he needs to learn gentle touches. He scares the other babies in the nursery right now!
This little boy has captured all of our hearts! Breck, your mom and dad love you so much, but not as much as the love of our Father. We pray fervently that you will love Jesus more than anything and would be a man of God in a world that desperately needs to see real men love Jesus.
Since I failed to write a post for Addie's second birthday, I thought I would write it now. Better late than never, right? This little person has delighted us in so many ways for the past two years. She adds so much spunk and spice to our family! Even though the addition of Addie was a surprise to us, I cannot imagine our lives without her. Here's a quick synopsis of what our crazy gal is to these days:
LOVES her big sister and copies everything she does. Loves Breck, but mostly so when he keeps his distance. Chatters non-stop, but thankfully it is intelligible chatter. Ask her what she's doing, and she will most likely answer, "nofin." Loves to read and be read to. Total girly girl ... loves to carry purses, wear necklaces, wear sunglasses, and wear shoes. Still loves to be held. Daddy's girl. Every morning when she wakes up and walks into our room she has to be carrying something. Still has the tiniest little face, voice, and features. Likes to narrate what she's doing (i.e. "I'm running, mom", "I'm walking," "I'm marching..."). Still loves to eat. Not very picky. Still a very emotional and very sensitive little girl. Doesn't really know a stranger. Loves to make people laugh.
I love seeing my two girls grow to be best friends, and I love seeing their personalities grow and develop. I am constantly amazed at how much I love each one of my kids, and how that love grows and changes. Adeline is our Addie ... our second-born ... our crazy girl.
(For those interested, you can read here birth story HERE)
