The princess chair

Allie got this little princess chair for Christmas. She loves it and packs it around our house all day long. The other day we were cleaning her room and I sat Gracie in it for a few minutes. I guess she likes it too because she cozied right in and fell asleep. It was so cute. She looked so big. Allie loved it and thought it was so great that she was sitting in her chair. And I guess it's fair, too because I can't count how many times a day I find Allie in Gracie's bouncer or car seat.

She is such a big girl already. She is more fun by the day, I just love it. These two little girls are so much fun.

Chicken Fat

Every Monday morning the kids do an exercise routine at school called "chicken fat". They love it and we play it at home too and they love exercising to it. Even Allie gets in on the fun. It is so funny to watch them march around and do sit ups, push ups, jumping jacks and more around the house. They are big into getting big muscles lately. After they saw the karate kid they went around trying to do push ups on chairs. I guess that got old because I walked into the kitchen the other night only to find this...

I would never try this because I know I'd fall on my face.
Zach got in on the fun too with a little help from his brother.

Don't be fooled by this girlie girl. If the boys can do it, so can she. She knew she wasn't long enough to fit between the counters so she came up with this alternative all on her own...I was dying laughing.

One month old

I'm a little behind but what's new. Little Gracie is a month old already! The past four weeks have flown by but have already been filled with so many fun memories. This little girl is such a sweetheart and such a blessing. Life is calming down and finally feeling more normal. The boys are back into a routine and Allie is back to being her old crazy self. They all love their little sister so much and are so good to help out. The boys aren't so sure anymore about changing diapers and all of that, but they are great to help clean things up around the house. Allie is a second little mommy and makes sure that Gracie has her binkie in her mouth at all times and she loves to be in charge of the wipes when we change her diapers. Gracie is such a sweetie. We love her snuggly little personality. She is such a mellow little girl, and still so sleepy. I'm not complaining though. It is nice to be able to get things done while she is napping because I really just want to hold her all the time. At her check up she weighed in at 8 lbs. 7 oz. Not a big surprise since she loves guzzling down the cream I'm feeding her. She is starting to get little chubby cheeks and thighs...so cute.

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!