3 Weeks Old

Another week already gone and I can see changes in her already. Is it just because she is our last that I realize how fast the time flies. I'm trying to notice every little thing...not just with Gracie, but with all of the kids. They all do so many cute and fun things throughout the day, I don't want to miss any of it. Tyler and Zach are already so big, it is bittersweet. I love that they like doing their own thing and don't need my help anymore, but I realize more every day that I can't get back their cute, innocent baby & toddler stage. Alexis is right at the most fun age and is so full of personality it hurts. She says and does the funniest stuff and is always on the move...look out. I love it though. She had a rough week and needed a lot of attention last week (a lot more than normal-I didn't know I could sit in a rocking chair and rock a 2 year old while I nursed a newborn) but has settled back down this week. I'm so glad because I've been able to enjoy my little girls a lot more. We even painted some tiny tootsies hot pink! Gracie is already growing. She was 7 lbs, 2 oz. at her 2 week checkup. She almost gained a whole pound! I swear she is eating straight cream! Her little cheeks are filling out, but they are so cute. She is still so snuggly and sweet. And she is smart. She will sleep in her bouncer all day, but at night she won't have it. She knows I'll come and get her and hold her all night, just how she likes it. I can't help it though, it is so sweet! Plus we have Allie coming in to our bed 10 times a night so what is the difference, right??? She has started grabbing at our fingers and her binkie this week and can focus a lot better. She will even smile when she knows who she is looking at (mostly her dad). We love her so much...here is to another week.

She loves her bath, but hates getting her hair washed.

And she really loved taking a bath with her big sister. Allie thought it was pretty fun too! She even tried to share her bath toys.
Getting ready for school. She loves chillin in her little boppy chair.

Just hanging out waiting for the boys to leave so the girls can rule the house.

She is super funny..any time I take a picture her eyes do this. It doesn't matter what I do. It is so funny, but I still think it is cute!

Basketball

Tyler finally got to start basketball last week. He has been begging to play for over a year now. I've never seen that kid so excited to do something. He was smiling the whole time (and sweating). It was great. He even made 3 baskets.....I was just hoping anyone made at least one. They have so much to learn. It was so fun to watch though. I just hope that maybe by the time he grows up, I learn how to play too. Zach was wishing he was out there with him. It is so hard for him to just watch and wait for his turn. Allie is turning into a little cheerleader. Everytime Ty went in to play she was jumping on the bleachers yelling his name. It was so cute. I can't wait for the next game....he might just be a little "flash" in training. (Sorry about the pic. Everyone we took he has his back turned. Better pics next week).

One week old already

It amazes me how fast time goes by. Our little Gracie is already a week old. It doesn't even seem like it has been 2 days! She is such a good baby and so, so sweet. She loves to snuggle and be held. I'm so glad....I'll admit that I was hoping for a snuggly baby. I just want to enjoy every second with her. I could hold her all day...and so could everyone else. She is definitely loved. She is a sleepy little girl but I know it won't last. I'm just grateful that we have been able to have some quiet days at home after our crazy first few days with her. She is such a blessing... now time just needs to slow down a little. I know how fast she'll grow and I'm not ready for that. Our kids are getting so big already, sometimes I think it would be so nice to be able to freeze time so we can enjoy them even a little bit more. We all love you so much Gracie! You are such a perfect little addition to our family.

Tyler's baptism

I can't believe we have an 8 year old! Tyler has been so excited for his baptism and it was the perfect way to start off the new year. He thinks it is so cool that he got baptized the first day of the year. He looked so grown up in his suit and was smiling from ear to ear all day. I wish I could have taken a picture right when he came out of the water. It's the biggest I've ever seen him smile. He is such a good kid and has tried so hard the last few months to be so grown up and responsible and helpful. We are so blessed to have him in our family and our kids are so lucky to have him as the biggest brother. We love you Tyler and are so proud of you!

She's here!

She's finally here! Little Gracie Nicole was born on the 29th at 4:12 pm. She waited a lot longer to get here than I thought, but I'm so thankful that she waited until after the holidays and can have her own special day. She weighs 6 pounds 3 ounces and is 19 inches long. Such a little thing and so sweet and cuddly already. I don't think the size will last though because this girl is one big eater! She is putting the rest of the kids to shame. She is definitely a little Peña with her dark skin and tons of hair. I think she might be our darkest one yet, but she has her own little look to her. It will be so fun to see what she looks like as she gets a little older. Everything went great and it is so nice to be home and getting back to real life. The kids love her so much. Zach has been waiting and waiting to take care of his little sister. Allie wasn't so sure what to think but once we brought her home all she wants to do is hold her and feed her a binkie. It is so cute. Tyler is so grown up and is going to be awesome. He is such a proud big brother. We all love her so much and so excited to be a family of 6! It is hard to believe and is still sinking in, but it is great. She is a little sweetheart!

All cleaned up

So proud

He even wore his brand new shirt and cologne to look his best for her

Happy parents

She is so sweet and cuddly

All ready to go home.

So cute in pink

Allie finally held her after we brought her home. She thought it was so funny that she was trying to "kiss" her face.

The newest little Peña...Gracie Nicole. We love you so much!

8 years old!

I still can't believe that we have an 8 year old. Tyler's birthday was last Saturday. We packed the day full of friends and family and had tons of fun. It was amazing to watch him with his friends and how grown up they all are...they talk about big boy things, want to play big boy games and pretty much just want to be big boys. I always get worried that people will be busy and not make it to his party, especially since it is the week before Christmas but most of the kids made it to his friend party that morning and all of the family made it that night. He got so many fun things, and some stuff for his baptism. We let him wear his suit Sunday and he was so grown up. He had his chest puffed out and everything like he was a little man. Every comment someone made had him standing a little taller. He has mellowed out so much this last year and has tried so hard to "be responsible" especially over the last month. It is amazing how all of the sudden they start to understand choices and consequences. He has been such a good helper lately...I'm so glad in more ways than one. He still is a little stinker though, something that I'm sure he will be throughout his whole life. But, that's what makes him our Tyler. We love you buddy and are so glad you had an awesome birthday and can't wait until the 1st for your baptism!

Almost all of his birthday pictures look just like this. He got the beenie from his Grandpa Ron and Kathy and wore it all night...silly boy. He is smiling in this one (he is just making crazy faces in the others) so this is what you get...sorry mom, you have the crazy face here.

The party

This year Ty wanted a "minute to win it" party. It was so easy and the boys had so much fun. We were laughing so hard at them. Here are just a few pics...enjoy.