Curls!!

So if you have ever seen my daughter Molly, you know she carries around a huge head of curls with her wherever she goes. Sometimes they are in knots, sometimes they are a perfect spiral, and sometimes I just don't know what to do with them so up in pigtails they go. Everywhere we go, and I mean everywhere, people comment on Molly's curls. "What beautiful curls, what gorgeous hair, isn't she cute" And yes, thank you, I think she is adorable. Somehow I think I pictured a little girl in curls before she was born. As I have mentioned in the past, Matt had curls and I have this kinky wave thing going on. I can't even imagine what she would look like if her hair were straight. I'm sure she'll think they are a pain as she grows up, as the grass is always greener on the other side, but for now, I love my little curly head Mols!

Charley ~ 4 Months!

Charley turned 4 months old on July 20th! I can't believe it. I know she is still so young, but I feel like I can't even remember where these last four months went...probably because my life has become a whirlwind these days with three kids. Summer is flying by! It is hard for me to believe that the stage of life we are in isn't permanent, because I feel like this is how my family will stay forever. Matt and I in our early thirties, a 5 year old, 2 year old and a baby... They are growing up so fast, and I can't even fathom what tomorrow will bring! Here are some stats on Charlotte's progress in babyhood:

• Length: 25 7/8 inches long (95% - WHAT? you say...yes, i have tall babies...oddly enough)
• Weight: 13 pounds 14 oz (55%)
• Has been rolling over since the 23rd of July...Back to Belly. She'll do it over and over again and then gets really upset that she can't go back. Hopefully we'll get belly to back down soon too!
• She is SUPER smiley! Probably my smiliest baby yet. Her whole face lights up
• She sleeps well, usually about four naps a day with a couple long ones in there. She goes to bed around 8:30-9 and sleeps til 7-8.
• She sucks her right thumb...like her momma did. I know its bad for her teeth, but I still think its cute.
• She drools A LOT. Her shirt, neck, face, and hands are always soaking wet. I'm waiting for teeth to pop through, because she is constantly drooling.
• She also spits up a lot. She's a messy girl all around I guess, which is why I'm putting off starting cereal for a month or so, because I know if she is this messy now, eating solids will make matters even worse!
• She can be content for a while, but she can also be cranky. Her cry has definitely gotten louder as the months have gone on.
• I still swaddle her at night with one arm out, but that will probably stop soon as I'm afraid she'll roll over and get stuck without having both arms out (that makes me sad...I love a swaddled babe).
• She still doesn't have a lot of hair. I'm curious to see how it comes in...curly or straight, brown or blonde.
• She does not really look like my other two kids. I think you can tell that she is their sibling, but she definitely has her own look. People have said they think she looks more like me, but I think she just looks less like Matt, but we will see.
• She "talks" and "sings" a lot, just like Molly did. I think she will be quite vocal.
• She puts everything in her mouth. Grant and Molly didn't do this a ton, so this is new for me. Anything she grabs goes right to her mouth.
• I love to make her giggle. Although its not a belly laugh so much, its an adorable giggle.
• She has strong legs and will stand up with my help. Grant did this, Molly did not.
• She scoots on her back, sometimes into furniture...ouch.
• She loves her brother and sister. They make her smile.

We love you Charley! It is so much fun watching you grow and change!

Fourth of July

We spent the Fourth of July weekend in Muskegon at my parents lake place and had a wonderful time. The whole family was able to be there, so the cousins had a blast hanging out on the beach...and so did we!

Molly and her curls

Matt and Charley Girl

My Hub

Freaky ghost boat...cool pic

Matt and I took Grant to see the fireworks (girls were sleeping)

Happy Charley

 

Just thought I'd show some updated pictures of Charley.  She is always smiling and now is sucking her thumb too.  I know its not the best idea, but I much prefer a self soother than a pacifier.  Grant was a paci kid, Molly sucks her fingers, and Charley sucks her thumb...just like her momma did.  :)  She is so content and always happy.  Love you so much baby girl!

Slip n' Slide

What is better than Slip n' Slide on a hot summer day?!

Children's Garden

Since my parents are watching my nieces this weekend, I dragged them over to Meijer Gardens with me to enjoy a beautiful day at the Children's Garden.  I love going there and the kids do too.  The kids had a great time playing in the treehouse, maze, giant sandbox, and of course the water.  The kids always leave there soaking wet, but its totally worth it.

Molly, Grant, Sofia and Stella at the Children's Gate

Stella and Mols playing boats

What a good lookin' Papa

A distinguished tea party of course

Fia and Grant playing seadoos

And Charley is always happily along for the ride

Stel

Molly Girl

2 Months Old!

Okay, so Charley is more than two months old...I know.  But I wanted to post her stats since time is flying by.  She had her two month appointment about three weeks ago as she is 11 weeks old now.  She is interacting more and more every day and seems to be a smiley one.  I still have yet to get a real laugh out of her but she is a happy baby.  She is sleeping great and eating well.  She is a sweet little girl, and I can't wait to see who she really looks like!  Here are her stats:

Height: 23 5/8 inches - 90%

Weight: 12 pounds 3 ounces - 80%

Head: 39.2 cm - 65%

Trip to the 'Zoo'

Last weekend, we made a trip to Kalamazoo to visit our great friends the Leonards, as well as drag them to Binder Park Zoo with us!  We've been wanting to get down to that zoo and we are always excited to hang out with Ben, Carrie, Taylor, and Zach!  It was a perfect day for the zoo and a fun day hanging out at their house.  Here are some great pictures of our fun day (sorry there are so many...it was hard to choose). 

On the big ant

Taylor and Grant

Two monkeys in a tree

The daddies and the kiddos

On the big turtle

Feeding the goats

Feeding the giraffes (so cool!)

I mean really cool! Wild Africa was definitely the best part.  There are rolling hills with animals roaming around and a platform that the giraffes walk up to so you can feed them.  Crazy!

Carrie and I with Mols and Zach

Beautiful blue eyes on Zachie

Tay holding Charley...isn't she beautiful?!

Sisters

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

This Memorial Day Weekend we headed up to my parents lake house in Muskegon.  This first day we were there was a bit windy and perfect for kite-flying!  Nothing more exciting than a $1.99 kite for a day of fun for the kids.

Right before she let go...

Kite flying for everyone!

I still don't understand why they want to play in the water when it's 50 degrees...but they love it!

Charley's Baptism

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 18-20

Charley was baptized this past Sunday, May 17th.  We are so thankful for the gift that God gives us through baptism, the gift of faith and new life in Him.  And we pray that God will help us guide and teach her as that seed of faith grows throughout her life.  

The Graduate

Another school year has flown by for Grant and he has completed the Young Fives Program at St. Mark Lutheran.  He has learned so much this year, and we have seen him grown in so many ways.  I really can't believe that he will be starting kindergarten in the fall and will be going all day every day.  I'm sure he will miss his teacher Mrs. Aldrich and his buddies Micah and Caleb (pictured below).  He is so excited to be a big kid! We are so proud of you Grant...you are a very bright kid and we love watching you grow and change!

Run Daddy Run!

A couple of Saturdays ago, Matt ran the 25K in the Fifth Third River Bank Run!  The whole family headed downtown to watch him finish, and Grant brought his sign down, in the rain, to cheer daddy on.  Run Daddy Run!  Matt did a great job finishing in 1:50...thats a 7.09 mile pace.  Way to go speedy!  It was especially exciting considering he had knee surgery last February and wasn't sure that he would ever be able to run long distance again.  So we're thankful for a full recovery.  Matt and Joey trained together and finished together (and they also decided to grow mustaches for the race..."Dash with a Stache") We're so proud of you Matt.  Way to go!!

 (yes I put garbage bags on my kids!)

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

It's spring again, so that means it's time for T-Ball!  Let me remind you of the rules of this game... (He's in orange walking around...seriously enthralled with the game obviously...and that's Matt in green)

1. Everyone gets to hit in every inning

2. There are no outs

3. You always throw to first base

4. Last batter gets a homer

5. There are only three innings (I think)

6. Pretty sure we don't keep score because it would be the exact same every time!

So we're not sure this is exactly the best use of time, but at least it gets them used to the game.  Some kids are still running to third base first, so I guess we have to start somewhere.   (We might do soccer next spring instead... ) 

PS - I love my new FLIP!!

Smiles from Charley

Charley has started smiling a lot more these days, and I'm so excited that I caught it on video.  For Mother's Day, Matt got me a Flip, which I love.  So I can catch video anytime I want now.  It's a handy little cam that I can throw in my purse to have with me at all times.  Thanks honey!  You never know when you are gonna want to catch these little monkeys in action.  

My How You've Changed...

I feel like Charley has changed SO much in the last seven weeks.  Here are some pictures of my ever-changing baby girl!

Playing at the Park

So after we hit the zoo on that beautiful Saturday we came home for naps, and then hit the park for some more playtime.  It's been a long winter and its so nice to be outside again!!

Burley

After much debate, we finally purchased a used Burley.  I wanted to wait because Charley is much too little for it, and Matt wanted to get it now because he has been taking care of these two munchkins much more these days.  So I finally caved...kind of...and I must say, I think he has taken the kids on bikes rides every day since we bought it.  Good work Matt.  Hooray for Craigs List!