Party Time

Last Sunday (the 14th) we celebrated Maggie and Jake's birthdays. This is my first of probably many joint birthday parties. I wrestled with doing anything for awhile and almost didn't but Maggie kept talking about her party so I gave in. We just invited family and close friends of ours. I wanted it to be small and simple- just didn't have it in me to go all out.
Even still, we ended up with a pretty big spread, two cakes of course and I didn't get to sit down and have conversations. I mean, I talked to everyone, at least the women. But they were always cut short. Then as everyone was leaving, I was like sheesh, I don't think I got to talk to you. Still. Even with a small party. I don't get it. Anyway, we had a good time and the kids really enjoyed it. Maggie was all about presents! Jake, not so much.

Maggie had a My Little Pony cake and Jake a Mickey Mouse. I was going to do trucks for him, but he recently fell in love with Mickey, so we went with that.

Maggie specifically asked for decorations (is she my child, or what?) so I went simple, just a few balloons and items we already had. Since Jake just started liking Mickey, we didn't have much on hand for him. Below are their bday cakes :) Maggie's is a three tier cake with colorful icing layers between, pink for the outside, of course, and my little pony dolls on top. I should've thought to take pics of her cake when it was cut to show off the layers. And I hope you can figure out Jake's :)

My nephew, Kyle, doing some skateboard tricks. Below is the food spread and some family hanging out, waiting for the party to start. Which basically starts when the food is ready. Daniel smoked a pork shoulder so we had bbq pulled pork, popcorn, chips, apples with caramel dip, mixed fruit, veggies and slaw. Everything was yummy. Maggie was very happy to have extra hands to push her in the swing and she very much milked that opportunity. :)

 Present time!

Daniel had to get a pic of Taryn the Iron Man costume fitting her so well.

 I had to get a pic of Allie, looking so cute for her first birthday party :) We had a great day, 

thanks to everyone for coming to celebrate our littles!!

Jake is two!

Again I say wow. It's crazy my little Jakie-poo is already 2 years old!! Though it's not incredibly strange to call him two because he's been acting more and more like it the past couple months. In fact, I would stop myself from saying "my two-year-old" and instead say "almost two." Since I haven't referred to him as one in a couple months, it feels fairly natural to call him two.

Still, it's been a fast 2 years, especially when I think about where we were 2 years ago. Still living in Birmingham, packing up a house, searching for a new one, then moving to a new state. How did we survive all that with three little kids? I think that's some of Jake's newborn phase is such a blur, ha! At any rate, I'm grateful for these past two years with my Jakers, he has been and continues to be a joy in our family. I love you so much Bo Baker!!! Here's some things about you at 2:

• You have such a playful spirit- so animated when you play with toys, I just love those sound affects you make!
• You can be very laid back and go with the flow but also very stubborn
• You can get really mad sometimes over something small or seemingly nothing at all and you get Loud!! When you get really upset it can be hard to calm you down
• Despite this, you can still be so lovey...snuggling on me, giving hugs and kisses. But only when you want to :)
• You still love to go bye bye and often say "yay!" when I tell you it's time to go somewhere
• You also are still attached to both your binky and blankie...you will drag that dirty thing around everywhere if I let you but it rarely goes bye bye with us. We have started limiting the binky some during the day and eventually it will go
• Currently you are in love with Mickey Mouse. A few weeks ago you started requesting Me-Mo and I figured out that Will was turning on Disney Jr. in the playroom
• Even though you have a very playful nature and love to run around, climb, splash, and sometimes hit (like Will did- working on that), you will tune out like nobody's business when watching tv
• You have graduated from the crib into a toddler bed and are sharing a room with Will...I still put you in the crib for naps sometimes because the baby isn't in there yet and you usually sleep better in there

Your last night as a 1 year old...I wanted a pic with this hat on your head but this was the best we could get. You wear it all the time, but I wanted you to, so...

Jake's birthday:

we started the day with donuts- one before mommy's bible study then 

one after. We didn't have time for both before :). Later we had cake and presents

 Loved his Mickey Mouse bus! Jumped up and down while daddy was opening it

 Papa came by with more presents! He was very happy with his cars, trucks & airplane. 

I love you so much my baby Jacob, Jakie-poo, Jake, Jakers, Jaker Bo Baker, Baker/Bakey boy!!! I'm so glad you're mine. That God chose me to be your mommy. Happy 2nd birthday!!

Baby Alana- 1 month

Whew, that went fast. In fact, I think time passes even faster with each child we have. Can someone please explain this?!!? I'm posting a couple days late, mostly because I wanted the measurements from Alana's check-up but also because I didn't get her shirt done in time. I did take pictures of her on Sunday, just not in the little shirt I made. :)
I have an update to the question I addressed during her two week post: how is it with 4? The most difficult issue I've faced so far is the school schedules. I got up in the morning and helped Daniel get the kids ready a few days after I came home, but he had to take them to school. Now that I'm taking them again, we've hit a few hiccups where I needed to feed Allie at an "inopportune" time so to say. When Jake was born nobody was in school and Maggie's therapists came to the house. We're getting it worked out, but it was easier with the other kids, I didn't Have to get somewhere at a certain time. This just adds another layer. :)

What we've learned about little Alana this past month:

• You are such a wiggle worm and think you may be any early roller! You roll side to side on your back and are really trying to go places when on your belly, so we'll see. 
• Doing pretty good sleep-wise. Still eating about every 3 hours during the day and 3-5 at night. The 5 hours only happened once or twice but I'll take it!
• You have started smiling and cooing some when I talk to you! I love that dimple :)
• We get lots of compliments on how beautiful and tiny you are
• After battling to keep that Soothie in your mouth, you finally seem to prefer the Nuk and have an easier time holding on to it
• You still don't care for diaper changes- just like Jake- though you can stand them a little longer now so I try to be quick. Same with the bath, you do well if it doesn't take too long
• Your newborn diapers and clothes are fitting pretty good now. You still swim in a few outfits (girth wise, not length) but they're mostly a good fit

1 month old

 Two days late with the shirt pics:

Maggie is 4!

My sweetheart, Maggie Moo, Moosie, beautiful girl, I cannot believe you're already 4 years old!! And you are so proud of it-- you have been very excited about your birthday, in part because of the gifts but also being 4-- I guess that's big girl territory for you. :) I'm a day late posting, but you very much enjoyed celebrating your big day yesterday, details below.

Maggie, I cannot express in words how blessed I am to be your mommy. In some ways, these past four years have been difficult, but in so many others it has been wonderful. You're a joy to be around with your sweet disposition and your smile is contagious! You have made such a big and positive impact on my life as a mom and a person. You inspire me to work harder and to "never, ever give up!" I couldn't love you more my sweetheart girl. My Maggie. Happy 4th Birthday!!

Your third year was pretty big for you. Going to Canada and learning transitions,proper crawling and sitting has increased your trunk control considerably and you're making good strides in the walker. This summer you potty trained and learned to crawl up the steps so now you can go up and down by yourself, though we still stay behind you going up just to be safe. These are all big steps toward independence. So yeah, 3 was a big year and I have a really good feeling about 4 as well. :)

last night as a 3 year old

 Our big 4 year old girl!!

Maggie's Birthday

First thing yesterday morning-- after breakfast anyway-- Maggie opened some presents from Papa & Omi-- lots of girly outfits and two Pinkie Pie Ponies from My Little Pony. She very much enjoyed waking up to presents and had to play with her ponies right away. She picked a pretty dress to wear too (pictured above with the cupcake)

Before her big day she already asked for two things: to go to the mall and Grandma's. I wouldn't normally let the kids pick out a birthday gift from us- I prefer buying, wrapping and surprising them- but when we last went to Opry Mills we passed a candy store that apparently had some dolls and Maggie was so upset we didn't go back and get them. I explained we just couldn't buy anything that day but maybe we could go back for her birthday that was coming up soon. And she did not forget! So we fulfilled the promise and I didn't have much time to shop anyway.  She picked a few goodies at the candy store then off to Disney where she selected several Rapunzel items. And I have taken pictures of none. Then we went to Grandma & Paga's for an afternoon and fun. Maggie had a great birthday!!

Thankful Thursday: Baby Alana

Well, it's been two weeks since our littlest girl has entered this world. I've received several questions from good intending friends and acquaintances-- mostly along the lines of how is it with/how are you handling four? My answer: so far, so good. Though I've never been one to measure the ease or difficulty of parenting/child rearing on the first few months of life, regardless of the number of children. Does it bring an extra layer of difficulty to take care of three other children on a small amount of sleep from taking care of one tiny newborn? Of course it is! But nothing beats the sweetness of a newborn and sleep deprivation aside, they eat, sleep, poop. Much easier on the parenting scale than the terrible twos or dealing with my 6 year old who's often allergic to listening.

So little Allie bug, or Allie Kat as Maggie likes to call her, is doing quite well as our newest and final addition to our family. All the kids love her. Will and Maggie want to hold her and kiss her any chance they get. And I was worried about Jake because he can be a little mommy's boy, but he's doing great with her as well. He'll call her baby,  has wanted to hold her and kiss her several times and always wants to make sure she has a binky readily available. :) I'm quite happy and grateful for the transition we've had so far. Some things we've learned about Allie at two weeks:

• You are a good little eater-- you usually go 3 hours between meals, sometimes 2 1/2 and every once in awhile you go 4...it's great when this happens at night. :)
• You are showing interest in rolling over. You roll side to side and were trying to roll from your belly when I took pictures of you.  I am not ready for you to roll over yet!
• You really like having a binky/pacifier and right now still prefer the soothie over the Nuk brand your siblings use/used. You kick it out of your mouth all the time, though, so we need to work on that
• You love being held, of course and like to sleep on your side
• You're starting to focus on people/things and are very alert when you're awake. You have such pretty deep blue, almost purple eyes
• You've smiled once or twice and have a little dimple on your right side, just like daddy
• You are quite the mover, just like in my tummy. In fact, when the doctor did your first check up she asked if you were this active in the womb! 
• I love those little newborn faces and how tiny and so sweet you are
• You're starting to grow into your newborn diapers and outfits a little bit; I think you'll be in them awhile :)
• Overall you're such a sweet little addition to our family and everyone loves you!

Bringing Baby Home

Sunday, August 17 was Alana's first day home! Discharge took some time, so we didn't leave until 2 I think, but I was ready to be home! Many thanks to my mom and dad for staying with the kids that last night so Daniel could stay at the hospital with me and bring me home without lugging all the kids up to the hospital to pick me up. Everyone was happy to have us home- Will and Maggie were ready to hold Alana for sure, they just love babies. :) We're settling in and adjusting to our newest little addition.