Anslee is 4!

Why does 4 seem so much older than 3?

Doesn't it, though? 

Toddlerhood officially reached its end with our Anslee.

She is a kid. In childhood.

In full Pre-School mode.

I feel like I just became a mom,

holding my first baby, Anslee.

All 4 lbs and 11 oz of her.

I remember my first look at her. 

I was in recovery after being knocked totally out

for her delivery.

She was in the recovery room with me. 

I woke up, turned my head to the right,

and opened my eyes to this.

 

Only God could create something so precious.

She was his.

She was cleaned up, warming up, and all legs. 

very, very skinny legs.

She had on those pink socks.

The sweet little hand sewn beanie.

She was sleeping.

I thanked the Lord for her health.

I remember my very first thought was that I had 

never laid my eyes on anything so incredibly beautiful.

I was beside myself, and I remember this all - 

though I dont remember much else of the hospital stay with her.

General anesthesia is a bear to get off of.

We won't go there.

I had never nursed a baby before, but that was all I wanted to do.

Instinct had apparently kicked in.

The sweet nurses could not get her to me quick enough.

She was tiny, and so perfect.

We brought her home, to our little apartment in Hillsboro.

I hope she will forgive us one day. We didn't have a clue

what to do with her. 

We are still first timers with her.

She will probably need counseling someday,

bless her soul.

We have watched her grow in amazement. I see a little

piece of heaven in her,

as I do all my girls.

She is so compassionate. Very sensitive to feelings.

She is quiet, and a timid if you are meeting her for the first time.

She is quick, and witty with her words.

She soaks up EVERYTHING around her. She doesn't miss a beat.

She understands much more than I give her credit for.

She is a teacher.

Lives to instruct Kensington on the ways of life.

She is a helper, and a giver. 

She can be sneaky.

Holidays are her favorite - we listened to Michael Buble

Christmas from March until December last year.

Her imagination is wild. Playing pretend is what she does best.

Dressing up with jewels and high heels almost every day.

She loves Jesus. Wants to pray all the time.

She loves to sleep. 

I know I will have to pry her out of bed during the school years.

This little girl has had my heart since June 2008 when we found 

out she was well on her way.

and, now, she is 4. Constantly reminding me

that babies will always be good at one thing:

Growing.

  

Kensington is 2!

January 19, 2011 we welcomed

our Kensington Kay Moses into what was

our little family of 3.

She made us a family of 4.

A day I will never forget.

 

That wednesday morning, I dropped Anslee off at

Wee kids. I sent her off with cupcakes,

to celebrate her 2nd birthday with her classmates.

 

I dropped her off and went straight to the store.

I had a feeling I would be having Kensington that very day,

and I had the advantge of not being a first time mom.

There were some {very necessary} items I would need

if I was going to be having surgery that afternoon.

I just had a feeling.

Tyler had an assingment to work in Abilene on a task force that day.

I had a doctors appointment. 38 weeks.

 

When the doctor measured my belly, he noticed

it was decreasing in size from the week before.

I was measuring 36 cm at 38 weeks, when at

37 weeks, I had measured 37 cm.

 

I was scheduled for a repeat section on the 25th.

He did a quick sonogram to measure fluid levels, and not

to anyones surprise, they were low.

She was officially on her way.

 

6:03 pm came and she entered this world.

6 lbs and 8 ounces never cried so loud.

Precious girl, made a statement upon her arrival.

a LOUD one.

 

Kensington has changed our world in so many ways.

She took her family in a whole new direction.

She humbled us.

She smiled big. She did everything big.

 

She still does.

At 2 - she is silly.

funny. loves dolls. knows the disney princesses

better than she knows her shapes.

barely funtions without her big sister. counts to 10 (skips 4 and 6 everytime)

loves to eat. is surprisingly quiet at school. speaks in 4 word sentences.

is a middle child in every.single.way.

Her favorite thing to say is easily,

I love you.

will steal your heart. gives 100%

could change this world one day.

 

We love this sweet girl. Its hard to believe she is as old as Anslee was when

she was born. Even harder to believe that she is now a big sister herself.

 

We love our sweet Kens. She makes everyday interesting and new.

Her spunk adds so much beauty to this family of ours.

 

I can't wait to see God's plan unfold for her.

I know he has something big for her.

 

Our life would be sorely lacking without her.

 

 

stay tuned for a post on her big sisters 4th birthday.

then soon to follow, her little sisters 6 month post.

They grow so fast!

 

 



Wonder week 19

Bless little Laynee's heart you guys. She has been so busy developing that she can't catch a break. Or a good nap, for that matter.

Sweet girl is 22 weeks old this week. And is usually spot on with wonder weeks in term of age. (This one can start at early as 14.5 weeks and end as late as 21.5 weeks.)

Usually, she shows all the classic signs, and it takes her about 3 days of weirdness and she is back to her normal, laid back, happy self.

People. Almost 2 full weeks of developmental leaps mixed in with holiday fun. Toxic combo- I warn you.

We tried everything to help her. I mean everything. Don't think she hasn't had a bedtime of 5:30 pm this week to combat the overtiredness that was happening from short naps. I go to extreme lengths for a baby's rest and I am not scared to admit it.

Last night with the early bedtime, she slept 14 hours. She woke up to then take an almost 2 hour nap. This is a normal nap length- but it had not happened in almost 2 full weeks! Now, she has had some more awake time and is going on another 2 hour nap. I feel like we are making progress here. At least I hope.

All of this to say- this was such a leap for my girl, it was blog worthy.

Over the last week, she really started doing new skills consistently and more intentionally. She responds to her name every single time now. She also grabs at toys and purposefully plays with them (makes them "sing", makes them spin, etc)

She also has stated making new sounds with her voice. It's beginning to sound more like language than her regular babbles. Let me tell you- girl has a lot to say. She went from being quiet as a mouse, to cooing and babbling, to now making more pronounced sounds- which seem to be so.much.louder.

















Bye Bye wonder week 19, we will not miss you around these parts!!



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Ready 2013.

Somehow, we were in 2011,

and I woke up with it almost being

2013.

2012 was a quick year, bringing its joys -

and its tials all in the same way.

We started out 2012 by celebrating a

3rd and a 1st birthday.

I couldnt believe it,

my girls were 3 and 1 -

and I had known for 9 weeks that

another angel baby was headed our way.

So a couple weeks after the girls

big birthday bash,

We posted this:

Wait. Didn't I already have a tiny baby?

Yep. Sure did.

And a toddler who was quickly becoming

a pre-schooler.

We were thrilled.

We found out in the first few days of April,

that a SISTER was on the way to make

3 dressed in pink.

July 31st came in a wink,

and happines found us all over again.

Our family was born - into one of five.

Shortly after Laynee joined us,

we celebrated with Tyler,

as he made an advancement in his career.

He took his Trooper II test -

and passed with flying colors.

His oral board interview could not have been better.

We took this photo 4 years ago in September on his first day

as a commissioned Officier.

He took the next step by graduating to Trooper II.

A lot of people don't understand how the Department

of Public in Safety operates.

I happen to be one of those people -

but

I do know this:

Trooper II level troopers are now eligible

to promote to other investigative positions

within the Department.

He has many plans and dreams that are now

beginning to take shape -

and while I can't really publicially discuss what he wants to

just know God is working on making Tyler's

dreams come true

and me and 3 little girls are lucky to tag

along on this amazing journey of his.

Right around the same time that Tyler promoted,

we welcomed our 3rd neice!

Cadence Ruempolhamer was born on September 26 -

healthy and happy.

We are so thankful for her little life.

That sweet girl is probably the most laid back baby

that ever graced planet earth.

Not one thing upsets her. EVER.

Earlier this month Tyler and I headed to

Frederiscksburg, Texas to

enjoy our 5 year wedding anniversary.

We had a an amazing time! Thanks to Tyler's

parents, who braved taking on all 3 girls overnight!

All in all its been a special year.

Our family became complete.

We are so enjoying where we are now in our life,

and are so thankful for

We have some goals for 2013. I thought I would share -

mostly to hold myself to some sort of accountability to them!

1. Tyler would like to continue the process he has started with DPS.

2. I would like to help Anslee do these things:

-memorize a bible verse, once per month.

-count to 100 before she turns 5.

-recognize some sight words.

-teach first time obedience and work on heart issues.

3.I would like to help Kensington do these things:

-ABC's

-count to 20

-continue helping her learn shapes/colors

-have her sit while I work with A on scripture
Big girl bed

-POTTY TRAIN.

4. I would like to help Laynee do these things:

-move from 3 to 2 naps.

-help her through all the babyhood milestones
(sitting up, first words, walking, etc.)

-at the end of the year: teach body parts

-help her to understand simple commands (No, come here)

-enjoy her baby days

and it looks like she got a head start eating solid foods, as she started today.
She did well, and I am pretty sure she was ready -
though I was not. Not even a little bit.

5. I would like to do these things:

-loose the rest of Laynee weight

-learn to sew by taking lessons

-look for a 4 bedroom home.

-support Tyler in his job as he needs during transitions
-have the next post from this blog be one on a new blog layout
(this is in the works!)

then of course there is always to stay better organized and do some type

of community service project as a family.

Here is to a happy, healthy start to 2013 from all of us to all of you!



A Mom to the World.

So to say that I have been devestated by the

Newtown, Connecticut -

Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting would be making light.

 

I am crushed. Personally attacked.

I have not stopped being emotional since coverage

on Friday morning began.

 

I have been especially struck by this particular

little angel.

 

Emilie Parker. 6 year old little girl.

Precious blonde hair, blue eyed.

I bet when she left for school Friday,

she was excited about life.

I bet her biggest worry was pair of scissors

she was going to use.

 

I saw her picture all over the internet.

Then, I saw this.

 

 

Emilie is on the right. Accompanied by her sisters,

and mommy and daddy.

 

You see, this is my family.

My family, 2 years ahead, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

 

Emilie is my Anslee.

 

I bet this photo was their 2012 Christmas card.

 

I can't help but wonder,

did their Christmas card 2 years ago look something like this?

 

 

Maybe something like this, with blonde hair and blue eyes?

 

To Emilie's Mom.

Your loss must be undescribeable.

I can't begin to imgaine your pain.

The life you live today, is different from the one you lived

this time last week and I can't comprehend

the devestation you feel today that you didnt then.

Emilie is beautiful, and you were a good mom to her.

I hope that Jesus comforts you during this time,

and I pray that hold fast to the hope of being with her

again someday.

 

 

One of my friends gave great perspective to me on Friday.

She said,

"Once you are a mom, you are a mom to the world - and those

kids are your kids."

 

This made perfect since as to why the tears would not stop.

Why, honestly, they still have not stopped.

 

The 2014-2015 school year will be here before I know it.

Anslee will begin her journey. Soon to be followed

by the journey of her sisters.

 

On that day, I know I will think of Emilie Parker. I pray a prayer

for her mama. I will let go of Anslee,

and pray that she be in a place where the evil she sees

is little in relation to what is really there.

 

God Bless the families. God Bless those who had to spend their work

day investigating such tragedy.

 



4 months old.

If November had a 31st,

My sweet girl would have turned the big 4 months old.

So, since November doesn't have a 31st,

can I still just consider Laynee to be 3 months old?

Can she stay tiny forever?

Please?!

She grows physically and developmentally every second.

Its such a wonder to see,

no matter how many times we have done it,

I still always seem to be surprised at how the first year of 

life unfolds. So much happens.

I blink

and she has grown by leaps and bounds.

Laynee Blair at 4 months old:

rolls over both ways.

grabs toys.

sleeps 12 hours at night.

Is in between 3 and 4 naps a day. Most of the time, 3.

At her max she can stay awake for 1 hour and 20 minutes at a time.

smiles.

coos.

blows bubbles
babbles

brings her hands together.

brings her hands to her mouth.

has no teeth, and shows no signs of teething.

has been on 3 rounds of antibiotics (sickening, I know.)

drinks 21-26 ounces per day in 5 feedings.

has a bedtime of 6:15.

Is in 3-6 month clothing.

Size 2 diapers during the day, size 3 at night.

does not take a pacifier
follows objects with her eyes.

loves to sleep in her woombie
loves the supported sitting she gets in her bumbo.

 spits up terribly.

has dealt with a few 45 minute naps
hardly.ever.cries.
recognizes her name
focuses her eyes on faces, chandliers, fans, and toys.
Recognizes mommy - small seperation anxiety has happened twice now.
 

Weighs 13.7 lbs

is 24 inches tall

So thankful that this sweet baby is growing.
So sweet. So healthy. So happy.


It was one year ago today we found out she would make us a
family of 5.
Praise the Lord for sweet surprises.
Our life just would not be as full if she was not with us.

The Truth in Tinsel day 1&2

We are loving this advent season- and have had a great start! These girls are so fun and get so excited to do little crafts.

This mama loves turning off the TV- opening our bibles and reading about why we celebrate this blessed time of year- each year.

I want to burn the real reason of the season on their tiny hearts- so doing and activity and a reading each day I hope will re-iterate just how special this time of year is.

Thank You 1+1+1=1 for the Truth in Tinsel ebook for us to follow long with.










I had Tyler print off the ebook and we put into a binder for easy use.

Here are some pics from day 1 and day 2

Isaiah 9:2-7 is the Old Testament prophecy of a savior being born as a light into place of darkness- so we made stained glass window cut outs of candles :) it's an ornament that hangs on our tree.






Day 2 continues in Isaiah 9:2-7 and also talks about how Jesus, who is born as a light - is a long who will govern and rule over the kingdom of David and peace will increase as rules justly and righteously. So today we made little Kings crowns and decorated them. We punched a hole for an ornament hook and hung it on our tree.

Next year we will have enough "handmade" ornaments from the girls that we will have an entire separate tree in our house that will be home to those little masterpieces alone.

I love this season- and hope that my kiddos will soon understand the precious gift we received upon the birth of a King!





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