eloise: 4-month update

posted by mommy

1. nursing - eloise continues to enjoy nursing every 2-3 hours
2. growth - we still love her juicy rolls and lack of wrists and ankles
3. development - we recently caught her actually laughing at her brothers! she also has begun rolling to her side, we know it'll be no time before she makes the full turn. toys are also beginning to interest her as she is now fully grasping them and beginning to shake or chew on them. she also has grown out of laying in the bath sling in her small infant tub and is enjoying stretching out in the big tub (still on her sling of course!).
4. sleeping - eloise is still a fabulous sleeper, most days sleeping as many as 18 hours. most nights she either sleeps through the night (8pm-7am), or wakes once to nurse. as such, she now is in her own crib all night. her schedule during the day has begun to fluctuate some due to longer sleep through the night, as well as having to get up and out of the house one day a week to get owen to school. we still can generally depend, though, on a good 2.5-3hr nap in the afternoon. she is still in a sleep sack and swaddled arms at night, although that might be changing soon.
5. overall demeanor - she continues to be very relaxed and laid back, rarely making much noise unless she is very hungry or really tired. we love her smile which is always how she greets you in the mornings. 
6. favorite things - eloise's most favorite things are her brothers. she loves watching them and laughing at them. she also still loves being in the sleepy wrap and almost always falls asleep within minutes once tucked inside. eloise also likes naked time on the floor before bedtime just like her brothers did. 

sibling giggle time

posted by mommy and daddy

everett's 3-year birthday

posted by everett

i turned 3 years old today and we celebrated it as a family. umma and uppa were in town over the weekend to celebrate with us and brought me lots of clothes and toys. i had a fantastic time opening presents, eating cupcakes, and of course having my birthday outing request - the splash park. we celebrated on saturday so umma and uppa could be a part of it even if my actual birthday was today. the celebration started with our traditional special birthday pancakes (complete with chocolate chips, whipped cream, and sprinkles!) and my special dinner of choice was anything that daddy put on the grill. we had a wonderful day and can't wait until my next birthday.

my birthday shirt made by our neighbor, beth

a great way to start a boy's birthday celebration - full of streamers!

one of my favorite things in the world, monster trucks

my yummy birthday breakfast

instead of a cake, i asked mommy for cupcakes

well look who joined the party in her own comfy chair

drying off after fun at the splashpark

i love my new scooter and pads...and check out my kickin' shoes!

i loved my pads so much i banged my elbows on the ground
just cause i could. i also told owen to hit my knee so i could
enjoy the fact that i'm protected

i had a great birthday!

a girl and her bebe pod

posted by eloise

mommy and daddy got out the bebe pod to have me start sitting up more often. i love it! now i can sit and watch things around me while being out of the way of my rowdy brothers. it is quickly becoming my favorite spot in the house.

happy 4 month birthday eloise!

posted by eloise

we're ready for some football

posted by owen and everett

we're all set for football season.

evie's month has arrived!

posted by mommy and daddy

after the birth of eloise in april and owen's birthday in july, everett's month has finally arrived. he turns three this month and he's got all kinds of ideas for mommy and daddy. stay tuned for all the fun details and of course, lots of cool pics. everett is definitely the ham of the family. he always seems to make us all laugh with his funny actions and hilarious comments. although he can be a bit rough for many, he is also a cuddler. one minute he's banging into you and yelling, the next minute he's hugging you and telling you he loves you. he's one amazing kiddo.

from minnows to sea turtles

posted by owen

i picked up swim lessons again this year and i'm having a blast. i graduated from minnows and now i'm moving up to the sea turtles group.