more of Lainey

Here is some video of Lainey so the grandparents and aunties can see Lainey in action. There's just something about photos that can't quite capture real life.

So this first one is of her trying to chew on her hands but she just can't quite get them to her mouth...which really frustrates her. She's better at it these days (the video is about a week old) but this made me laugh and I thought I would post it anyway...even though it's a little outdated. Babies change so much in these beginning months.

This next one is of her smiling. They weren't the best smiles she's given us but she was very distracted by the camera lens.

happy anniversary

I would post a picture of Jason and I for our 11th wedding anniversary but between my dark circles under my eyes (due to sleeping problems I am having...not Lainey getting up) and Jason's blood shot eyes we're not a very attractive couple. But if you would like to see us smiling and normal you can refer back to last years anniversary get-away...sigh. One day we will be able to be normal again.

Happy Anniversary Honey! I love you and am thankful for my partner and best friend.

comparison

I think I finally have a child that looks like me. What do you think?


Me as a baby...and Lainey.

life with Lainey

Oh, Lainey. You have only been in our lives for 2 months and we can't imagine what life was like without you. Your brothers and sister shower you with kisses every chance they get and they fight over who gets to hold you next. We all talk really funny when we're around you...just hoping you will flash one of those precious smiles. Your daddy and I walk around in a daze most of the time from being up in the middle of the night feeding, burping and putting you back to sleep (although you did prove to us that one day very soon we will be getting better sleep since you slept through the night last night...12 hours).

We have learned to be more quiet when we walk by your door while you are napping...Ansley still hasn't learned that very well yet.

Ansley has learned to "back off" while mommy is trying to feed you and has found other ways to keep herself occupied.

We have learned that going on a walk with daddy in the evening keeps you quiet and gives mommy a break.

You get a bath every night before bed because you love it so much and it seems to calm you down for bedtime.

From the very beginning you have enjoyed laying on the changing table and hanging out.

Just yesterday you had decided to stop breastfeeding. Not sure why. But thankfully you decided to take a bottle 7 hours later. We're thinking you are going to be one particular/opinionated little girl.

We don't take you in the car very much because...well you just don't seem to like it yet.

We can't wait to see what the next two months bring...hopefully a full nights sleep.

head buff and tie-dye

Jude made this cool tie-dye shirt with his buddy Jed and Nyah. I'm not a big tie-dye fan but it's different when you see the process and make it yourself. He was very proud...especially since it's on a Cars t-shirt! He's also sporting the head buff he got at VBS. It cracks me up that he wears it all the time. Jude definitely has his own style and he's not afraid to show it. The other day I asked him if he wanted me to give him another hair cut since it was getting down into his eyes. He told me "no, the neighbor kids like my old fashioned hair cut." Not sure what that means.

2 months old

Our little Lainey-bug is 2 months old! Yeah! Not much new to report on. Some social smiles, naps are a little better, night time sleep stretches have been 7 hours, and this girl likes to move. I'm not sure why we have such active children but all of them have been super strong and when awake constant movement.

So happy 2 month birthday to our little girl. Never again will her double chin and muffin-top over the diaper look so adorable.

summer reading program

This is my attempt to take pictures of my kids and their certificates stating that they completed the summer reading program at the library. The last picture is the closest I could get to everyone smiling and looking at the camera.

The kiddos loved going every week to the library to turn in their book lists and get a prize. I've tried to have a few "normal" things for the kids while we're still in our newborn fog and this was one of them. To be honest I'm glad the pressure of it is over. Having 4 kids has been quite the challenge and doing anything extra outside of feeding, clothing, changing diapers, doing laundry, making meals and keeping the house sort of clean is about all I can handle right now.

splish, splash

What we do to keep cool... a little snorkeling and boogie-boarding...

my two fishies...

yippeee!

photo shoot

My favorite pictures that my friend Sohee took of Lainey...

slip-n-slide fun

different faces of Lainey

This is the "tasting the air" face...people get it confused with "she's hungry because she's sticking her tongue out"...not necessarily true.This is the "get any closer and I'll punch you out" face.This is the "I'm bored" face or the "I'm getting sleepy" face.This is the "serious" or "contemplating" face.And this is the "I'm so done with this photo shoot" face.

snippets

When I was downloading my pictures off my camera I found a bunch of pictures and video clips that Ethan took. So much so that he filled my memory card. Thankfully I have him to record our lives because taking pictures hasn't crossed my mind much lately.

Anyway I thought it was a true representation of my children...and some behavior from a little girl that she would have been disciplined for if I had known about it...she definitely has a bratty side that I can only pray that God will give us the wisdom as parents in molding her little heart. One of these days the boys are going to slug her back and maybe she'll think twice about doing that again.

This video is of Jude...he's our ham.

And this one made me laugh. I can see Ethan as a commentator in his future.

1 month old

I think I've said she is one month old for the past week that I can't help but think "she's only 1 month old?" But here we are. Our little Lainey has been a part of our family for 1 month. She started out as a pretty easy, content little thing and I thought this transition was going to be pretty easy. But as she's gotten past that sleepy newborn stage her naps have seemed to shorten which is followed by fussiness that can only be helped by holding. Ah, I am thankful for this little girl but I will be so glad to be out of the newborn phase.

We're looking forward to the next few weeks as she continues to be more aware (which may contribute to the lack of longer naps) and content. The kiddo's continue to adore her although she usually responds by crying...especially to Ansley who doesn't understand personal space very much. A sort of smile...

...and then we were done.

lemonade stand

The boys and a neighbor friend decided to have a lemonade stand on Saturday. I thought it was a cute idea and had no idea what a hit it would be. They made $16 in a couple of hours.

It's always good to sample the product you are selling...Ansley sampled a little too much.

And you had the option of buying a colored rock with a glass of lemonade...for a small fee of course.

lots of love

Mimi holding Lainey

brother Ethan has got the magic touch

first time brother Jude holding Lainey

Big sis enjoying her baby sister being home

uploading pictures

My time is limited these days so I am just going to download my pictures from my camera and put some captions.

Mother's Day flowers for Grandma and me

Day at the Aquarium with Grandma (before baby Lainey arrived) watching some lizards sunbathing

Ansley kissing the baby (my prego belly)

watching the seals

Jude holding a hermit crab