The Farm

I think awhile back I mentioned how Casey had taken Reed to the "farm" to be outdoors and ride on the 4-wheeler. This is their "man time" as they like to call it! Reed LOVES this! They have ridden the 4-wheeler, walked in the woods, and thrown rocks in the pond. I just thought these pictures were too cute and I had to post them! Last time they went to the farm it was too funny as the first thing Reed wanted to tell me about their day when he ran into the house....."I pooped in the woods!" he exclaimed very excitedly! All boy!

The stockings were hung.....

This past weekend we had lots of fun! Since Gigi (my mom) was here for a visit we were able to put up our tree (yes, unfortunately it's just an artificial one.....I really do want to start the tradition of a "real" one, but with all our traveling around the holidays I just haven't felt it worth the effort yet to make the switch--but hopefully we will at some time). We also made some fun Christmas crafts, decorated the house, and just had so much fun enjoying this sweet time of the year as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior! It's been so different (and so exciting) this year to really prepare Reed for this season and constantly talk about celebrating Jesus' birth and our need for Him to come. It's amazing how their little minds are such "sponges" and soak in all that you teach them! I so love hearing our sweet children hiding God's word in their heart and talking and explaining to them who Jesus is!

Other fun happenings this past weekend......

sitting up like a big girl in the bumbo

hanging ornaments on the tree

playing beauty salon--so fun to be a girl!

Christmas crafts that Gigi brought--loads of fun as well!

Gobble, gobble!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had Gigi (my mom) come for a visit, and Pops (my stepdad) stopped by briefly before heading to visit with his elderly parents. We all had a blast being together, and it was kinda nice and low-key as well. These are the only actually "turkey day" photos...obviously I didn't take very many. But have several other ones from the weekend to put up later, since we played outside in the leaves lots and put up all the Christmas decorations. Casey and I actually made our "first" Thanksgiving meal together (mom didn't arrive til about lunch) so we are proud to say we took on the cooking! We did create several easy shortcuts but some other "sides" we put more effort into...but all in all it turned out pretty good! We made a turkey breast in the crockpot--so easy and tasted really good (but I think we almost left it in there just a little longer than we needed to, since it had a slightly dry taste). But if that is worst thing that could happen, well, I feel that is pretty good!

Little girls

Love hanging out in laundry baskets......

Love having their "dink" (drink) accessible at ALL times--even figured out it sits perfectly in her shopping cart while she shops!

Love to pose for pictures and say "cheese" every time!

Cry often!

I think I'm beginning to see the differences more lately in boys and girls...well, to some degree. I know some of it is a true toddler trend as well. The biggest is how VERBAL she is! Tonight at dinner we heard "I want more"....Reed never would have said this at 17 months old--he was barely putting together 2 words, much less 3 words together! And not to mention things such as "hairbow", "teapot", "baby", etc. etc. Though don't think there isn't lots of cars and trains play time as well; but what else can one expect with an older brother she adores and wants to do exactly what he is doing!

4 Months already?!

Sweet big brother talking to little Mary Etta

How has it been 4 months ago that this sweet little gal joined our family?! I just want to stop and freeze her right where she is, and yet before I know it we will be celebrating her birthday! She is truly a joy and has the sweetest little smile that lights up her entire face whenever you talk to her, it's just so precious! She is beginning to watch her big sister and big brother more lately. I often see these big, round eyes (which I believe are still a shade of blue--a darker blue than the other 2, but at this point still blue) watching closely as her siblings play around her. We seem to be doing better with nursing, she was getting finicky there for awhile (both of our girls seemed to have been this way, not sure why but they have been)..but she seems to be more on track the past couple of weeks---maybe moving from the 3 to 4 month mark (clearly out of the newborn phase now) has helped her. And taking longer naps and eating more 3-4 hours stretches during the day, and definitely 8-9 hours at night (I still have been waking her up at 10/11ish to feed her before I go to bed; though she'd probably be fine if I didn't, but she is just so sweet and sleepy and it seems to be one of her best feedings of the day, and then she quickly drifts back to sleep). She still sleeps in the pack-n-play, in our bathroom. I know! Poor girl.....well, have to tell her stories about her first few months of life sleeping in her parents bathroom, how lovely!?! Hopefully soon she'll be in her own room, as I think I'm gearing up to move the big 2 in the same room, so praying that transition can work out smoothly. Though I still will have to get "creative" with nap time--which probably means EC will sleep in our bathroom in the pack-n-play (so hope that goes well!!) Lots and lots of cooing and "talking" these days, so, so, so sweet at this age for sure! And I do believe we've heard a few laughs this past month as well, not routinely, but occasionally some for sure--also, very, very sweet! I know we are so blessed with this precious baby girl, and so thankful for her life and the privilege it is to be entrusted with her life!

Soft baby shoes

My sweet friend, Liz, made these shoes for our little Mary Etta! Thanks so much Liz, they are just too cute! Liz has made quite a few pairs of these little shoes and has been selling them the past couple of months. She takes individual orders and has been selling them in a local gift shop as well. If you're interested in having a pair please let me know and I will gladly put you in contact with her!

What we've been up to...

Loving each other......

SEWING! Yes, in all my FREE time with 3 little people, I've been sewing! The above pattern is one mom got me for Christmas last year (along with the cute fabric) and I finally made it for Emery-Claire....I can't believe I did the piping! Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and makes it so cute! I'm thinking I may get it monogrammed too---but just with a "W" of course, so Mary Etta can wear it later as well.

Fun fall pattern ruffle pants and applique shirt! Thanks so much to my dear friend, Emily--who is a fabulous seamstress by the way!, who sent me the coordinating checked fabric to make the ruffle, pockets on the back, and applique...we love this outfit!

These are the applique shirts for the girls to match with more ruffle pants....I'm waiting on more fabric in this pattern to arrive in the mail so I can make them pants to go with their shirts.

One of my friends had one of these "binky bib" (such a great idea for the spitter and attaching the paci to the baby all in one!) So I randomly came home and just thought I'd wing it and try to make my own....considering I had no pattern it turned out pretty well and serves the purpose for our big spitter girl, and keeping her paci close!

Naked girls in diapers!

Making turkey shirts. We made these last year and Reed loved it! A great idea from my friend Rebekah (she was a preschool teacher and always has such cute ideas she does with her 2 girls!) So I thought we'd do it again...was a little messy with the 2 of them (trying to make sure the paint wasn't all over everything, as both were very eager to make their shirt) but I suppose a success since Reed is usually asking to wear this shirt or his Thomas train shirt.

Tummy time!

Hanging out in baby's swing!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!