Four Months Old

Earlier today, I was thinking about the date, and it dawned on me...Cole is 4 months old today. Such is life for the 4th child. I still go back and forth trying to remember whether he was born on March 11th or 12th! Anyway, things about Cole at 4 months:

-He has discovered his hands and constantly has them in his mouth

-He is so slobbery and is always covered with spit- is that a boy thing?

-He has the cutest, most kissable cheeks

-He hates to be left alone and wants to be where the action is

-He stills loves to sit in his bouncer seat

-He giggles, laughs, snorts and smiles...a lot. We will do just about anything to get any one of those reactions.

-He is ADORED by his sisters.

-He is starting to sleep for longer stretches at night.

-He knows how to roll over but really hates when he gets stuck on his belly.

-He loves to be cuddled.

-He has definite "tickle spots"- upper legs, armpits, neck and belly

-He has lost a lot of his hair, but has a long patch on top and around the back of his head

As is typical for our family, we have invented yet another strange nickname for Cole. We started out calling him "Little Man" but that morphed into "Manny" and that has become his name for now.

We love "Manny". Not a day goes by without one of the girls saying, "I'm so glad to have Cole in our family." I couldn't agree more.

Coach Pitch for Ashton

This year Ashton was in coach-pitch softball. Although, she was hesitant at first, she ended up really enjoying it and doing very well. She also had a great coach- her daddy-o. They had a really good team- cute kids and eager to learn! I loved going to watch her play and seeing the progress the team made through the season.

Jordan's T-ball

We just finished Jordan's first season of t-ball. She had a lot of fun and did really well! I loved seeing her enthusiasm and how her confidence (and ability) increased as the season progressed. She is such a good sport and easy to have on a team.

Take me out to the ball game!

Last Friday night, we took the whole family to the River Bandits baseball game. It was a gorgeous evening, perfect temperature and so much fun. The stadium is beautiful here, overlooking the Mississippi River. After the game, we stayed for the fireworks. It was a really fun night. I am still getting used to having 4 kids and even small ventures feel like great accomplishments, especially when everyone has a relatively good time! Cole wore his "uniform" for his first official baseball experience.

Today

To Mom:

I am thinking of you today. Could it really be possible that you left us 9 years ago? In some ways, it seems like only yesterday...in other ways, it feels like forever.

I am thinking of you today. Amidst the laundry, the fussy baby, the giggling girls, the cleaning, the errands...my thoughts keep drifting back to you.

I am thinking of you today. I am remembering all the good times. I am smiling about childhood memories and crying about the end that came to quickly.

I am thinking of you today. I am wishing that you were here to see your grand daughters and your grandson, to know your fabulous son-in-law.

I have a lump in my throat today as I think of you, but today I allow myself some extra time to remember...and I just might take a walk, chat with a stranger, tickle my kids, smell a lemon, call a friend, or listen to some jazz music, because these things remind me of you.

And even though it is painful, I never want to forget...you...amazing you. Thank goodness, we have eternity to look forward to.

(I wish I had some more recent photos of my mom in digital format, but I do not...this picture was taken in 1980- before Katy bug joined our fam in 1981. I'm the one in the boots!)

Three Years Old

Today we are celebrating another June Birthday! Our Regan-Roo is turning 3. What a girl she is. Even though she has is our 3rd girl...she is truly her own, unique person in every way. We love her so much and she adds so much to our family. I am thinking back to the June morning when she was born. The day before, I had been so miserable...it was the first time ever that I had actually gone to my due date. Also, we had already been to the hospital twice during the last month for false alarms. During that day before, I went scrapbooking at a friends house, then went with Tod to pick out new appliances for our house. When I look at our stove and fridge, I am always glad we got such nice ones because at that point, I so didn't care about all the fancy features! That night, we went to pick out new carpet for the house, and I felt so yucky. When I woke up in the middle of the night because my water broke, I was overjoyed knowing that this baby would actually have to be born! Regan was born at 9:24 the next morning on my parents anniversary. Her sisters were so excited to welcome her home, and I was thrilled to have another daughter.

Today, it's all about Regan. We made pancakes for breakfast (her favorite) and Tod is going to come home early so we can go to Chuck E. Cheese's. Then it's cupcakes and presents for our girl...I am so excited because we bought her very first bike. I can't wait to give it to her as she has been asking for one for months.

Regan has taught me so many things, and as a parent, I have grown in many ways. Who would think a tiny girl could be so powerful? I love you, Roo. Happy Birthday!!!

Missouri Pictures

We went down to Missouri over Memorial Day, and I wanted to share a few pictures from our trip. Although we found that travelling with 6 is indeed a lot of work, we had a really good time. We just loved being on the farm and spending time with Tod's family. Jordan loved relaxing, Regan spent her time swinging, Ashton climbed the hay tower in the barn, and Cole practiced sitting in a saddle for the first time.