Pumpkin Girl

We got this amazing pumpkin at HEB for $3.47. Yep, you read that right. Mali loves it, and I can't decide if I should leave it alone, carve it, or paint it.... what do you think?

Oh, and Mali wanted "steer" to take a picture with her. And don't judge me for the food on her face. She's still adorable.

Lucky Number 7!

Oh geez. My mom texted me yesterday morning wishing Naomi a "happy 7 months!" And I was confused for a second. Yes, my baby is seven months old. Seven. She is closer to a year old that she is that tiny sweet squishy little newborn I gave birth to. I simply can't believe it.

I did get some pictures at 6 months old, but never got around to posting them, so I'll include them here with the 7 month photos. Seven months... .sheesh.

six months

six months

definition of sisterly love

six months

seven months

another impossible time getting a sister picture

At seven months old Naomi is:

Crawling on all fours everywhere

Able to pick up finger foods and eat/chew on them

Loves to play with a silicon whisk

Wears 3-6 and 6-9 month clothes

Wears size 2 shoes

Is seriously happy with anyone who will hold her

Wakes up 2-3 times a night

Still doesn't have teeth

Loves her some sweet potato

Wears size medium cloth diapers

Wears size 3 disposable diapers for daycare

Is exclusively on breastmilk

Loves frozen teethers

Is starting to pull up on furniture

Thinks her sister hung the moon

Thinks her sister is the funniest person ever

Is ticklish under her arms

Loves to snuggle with mommy

Is starting to exercise her vocal cords, a lot

Is super happy when mom or dad wear her in her Beco carrier
Is 25.5 inches tall

Bush Forest: Eradicated

For those who have had the opportunity to see our home when we bought it must remember the giant, overgrown, possessed bushes we had out front. They are gone. And what is left in there place is a bit appalling. Such as: baseball skin, a ball, a hoe, various styrofoam cups from gas stations and sonic, a lawn mower tire, chip bags, roof shingles, a few plastic grocery bags, lollipop wrappers, plastic flower holders, a fire poke made out of piping, various candy wrappers, a single boot, dog collar, coffee tin, antique sprinkler head, flower pot, water hose, more styrofoam cups, newspaper, bee hive, and more miscellaneous trash. 

I think it's safe to say the bush was attempting to eat the neighborhood. 

I kid you not, Mali could barely fit between the bushes and the brick planter. We did not know there was a cement sidewalk in front of the bushes. And oh yeah, the sidewalk crack nearest where I'm standing taking this picture.... The bushes covered it. Boy, I am happy to see that plant monster gone. 

The Months Keep Coming

Well,
My sweet youngest turned four months old yesterday. FOUR. I can't believe how fast she is growing! It brings me joy and breaks my heart all in one breathe. (as does much of motherhood)

At four months old:

She is rolling a lot from back to belly.

She's rolled one more time from belly to back.

She can hold her toys well enough to get them to her mouth 

(especially her dolly!)

She is wearing 3-6 month clothes

Weighs over 15lbs 

(I'll get the exact number next week)

Coos and "growls"

Loves to sit and stare at her sister

Wears size medium cloth diapers

Met her baby cousin and great-grandparents

Was dedicated at our church

Can scoot around 360 degrees when playing

Can sit independently for a few seconds

Started sucking her thumb

Still exclusively breastfeeding

Class of 2013...

...You may now move your tassel.

Twice. Casey has graduated twice.

I don't think I have the words to really describe how incredibly proud I am of this man. 

He and I have been blessed to each have walked this stage. Although not together in ceremony, we were still with each other each time. First with Casey's double BA in English and Communication. Than I did with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, and finally with Casey's MA in English.

He has a Master's degree. A MASTER'S degree. Gosh, he worked hard for it, too. He sacrificed countless hours over the past three years to still provide for his family while reaching his goal to obtain this degree.

His proud parents

I promise Mali was in a good mood (relatively) that day.

I love this. Maybe she'll be a future Ram?

I love you, Casey. You have the most amazing work ethic I have ever known in a person. I'm so happy to have walked this road with you and see you come out on top! Now here's to the next chapter in your life, our life. :)

Snapshots

A photo update since I am so far behind in posts. Enjoy!

Dressed up for our first tea party at church!

Dad of all trades.

Painting- what she loves best!

Mother's Day. Fitting picture, right?

My girls and I on Mother's Day. (Yes, we match, and yes, Naomi had an outfit change)

Views of a mother. I love them so much.

In her favorite spot. 

Trying out her new pool!! (we have since regrown the grass in the backyard. Don't judge)

Too cool for summertime y'all!

Time Flies By- 3 Months

Well, I blame school for why I never got Naomi's two month old post up. I'll add those photos onto this post, but its time to make a three month post instead. My oh my how the time is flying by.

My sweet youngest baby.

She is smiling and cooing daily now. 

She loves, loves. loves to just watch her sister at play.

Her favorite thing is still to snuggle up and nap on mom. :) 

(I'm not complaining)

She's a little picky about her bottles.

Still exclusively breastfed.

She rolled over for the first time almost 3 weeks ago!

(That was belly to back)

Hates tummy time.

Likes to watch the mobile as she falls asleep.

Is sleeping in her own bed again.

Discovered her hands!

Slept through the whole night once. 

(What a tease)

Weighs 12lbs and 6oz and is 22in long at 2.5 months old.

Wears size small cloth diapers. 

Wears 0-3 months size clothes. 

I mean, really, how gorgeous is she??

Sweet sister love.

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And a two month old photo recap: 

(I did at least keep up with milestones in her actual baby book)

My heart is full. 

Bittersweet Changes

Today was an awfully bittersweet day. I'm very excited to have finished up another school year and hugged my kids good bye for the summer, but that also means my time at TLCA is over. 

Casey and I accepted job offers in Big Spring for the fall and are very much looking forward to what God has in store for us there. It's been a whirlwind the last month making some very big prayerful decisions, but God has shown many times over that He's directing this move. 

So, summer joy is on my doorstep, but soon we'll be bidding Angelo good bye... And it's hard to say good bye to the best place you've ever called "home". 

So I ask for your prayers as we continue through this change. Specifically that we are able to close on our house in the timeline we have with the realtor, that Naomi gets moved off the waiting list so she can attend the same preschool as her sister starting in August, and that Casey is able to pass his content exam and turn is probationary teaching certification into a full fledge certification. Also, for our time left in Angelo to be amplified with the friends around us. 

Go Steers! 

(Oh, and Casey will be teaching high school English, and I'll be a 5th grade science teacher. In case you were wondering) 

Snapshots

catching up on sleep that doesn't happen at night

Mali wanted to help bathe her sister (notice the toy she gave her)

Mali reading from her Bible before bed

Planting a Garden

Two weeks ago Mali had a first time experience- Planting flowers. :)

We had spent part of the morning at the Home Depot Kids' Workshop making a bird feeder. Seriously, the Kids' Workshop is so much fun. They host it the first Saturday morning of each month. We started taking Mali last summer and it has been a blast to watch her develop in her interest and abilities to swing a hammer (with dad's help) and paint her projects. You should check it out. For reals.

After Mali made her bird feeder, we checked out the garden area and decided to pick up some inexpensive annuals and a clay pot and garden with Mali. (It was a gorgeous day and this turned out to be a $5 awesome outside activity) She loved it and has taken a huge liking to checking on and watering her flowers everyday when she gets home from school or the sitter's. Using a watering can has been a huge learning curve....many soaked shoes in the past two weeks.... :)

I promise I was happy here. :)

Hanging up her newly made feeder outside her window

re-hanging mom and dad's feeder after repairing it

In Honor of Earth Day...

Happy Great Cloth Diaper Change Day!

Mali is wearing a BumGenius Elemental diaper and Naomi is in a small Workhorse Fitted under a Thirsties size small cover. :) Just in case you were wondering. 

The Great Cloth Diaper Change is an annual event where cloth families gather and change a cloth diaper simultaneously around the world. The event made the Guiness World Records for their efforts last year. Unfortunately, we were close to 100 miles away from one of the official change locations, but we still participate by changing cloth all day long today! :)

More info can be found here: http://greatclothdiaperchange.com/

Naomi: One Month Old

I cannot believe it. One whole month old. It seems like just yesterday, I was marking off days on my calendar until she was born. This is going be way too fast. Waaaay too fast.

At one month old Naomi....

-Sleeps in three hour blocks

-Is cloth diapered

-Is a major snuggle bug, and could sleep all day long on Mom or Dad's chest

-Is totally and completely loved by her big sister

-Is focusing her eyes on Mom and Dad when they talk to her

-Is still wearing mostly newborn size clothes, but is starting to fit 0-3 month onesies

-Is a big fan of her baby carrier (its warm and snuggly on Mom's chest, what's not to love?)

-Breastfeeds like a champ!

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And here's a little side-by-side comparison of my two girls. It blows my mind how much alike they look. Seriously amazing.

Mali on left and Naomi on right, both at one month old:

A Preview...

I tried my hand at some newborn photos of Naomi when she was a week and a half old. I'm by no means a very good photographer, but I love having her sweet features captured on film forever. :)

Here's one just for kicks and giggles (and to tease Gammie with as I finish up the rest)