Big Girl

Brooke is officially four and a half and almost finished with her second year of preschool. Where does the time go? I've mentioned this in previous posts, but in the last few months, she's become ALL girl. Like, 3 outfit changes a day, self-accessorizing, outfit-critiquing girl. She's also super-excited for Paige to grow up so she can be ALL girl with her. Brooke and I spent an afternoon shopping the other day and had fun picking out a couple of things for Paige. Maybe having two girls won't be quite as scary as I'd thought...

Our big challenge right now is the independence balance. She wants to be really independent in some things (playing with friends in the neighborhood) but not at all in others (buckling her seat belt - we've had the new car for about a month and I'm already SO tired of climbing back there to buckle her in). She's getting into picking out her own clothes and is getting good at dressing herself. She's also started to clean her room more independently. She loves to cook and bake and has really gotten into art work and writing letters.

"Mom, do you want to take my picture?"

Ready to go out on a lunch date with Grandpa Brian.

We had her parent-teacher conference at school a couple of weeks ago and the only check mark that she got for "needing improvement" was scissor skills. (Which, as an OT, is embarrassing for me.) They complimented Brooke on her imagination and commented on what good friends she and Kali are. We emphasized to her the importance of including everyone. We've also had to talk to her about not always being the one in control of the play scheme when playing. Maybe that's a common four-year-olds problem? She's definitely a leader and not very shy. She's also into "performances" lately - acting, singing, dancing...she doesn't discriminate.

Speaking of performances, here she is at the Mother's Day celebration at school. It was really fun to go and have some special time with her there.

She's really becoming her own person and it's so fun to see. She makes us laugh, asks good (and sometimes hard!) questions and challenges us as she pushes boundaries. She's incredibly special and we're so thankful she's ours!

My Little Man

Miles has really embraced his role as a big brother. He's constantly checking on Paige and asks to hold her more than Brooke does. He's also quick to run over and check on her if she's crying. I haven't yet seen him be intentionally unkind to her, although he has tried to "give" her his toys and tends to clench his teeth when going in for a cuddle with her. Boys will be boys.

That blue thing under his ear? A stick-on earring. Collateral damage for being surrounded by three females all day, every day. And it's only going to get worse...

He's still all about the selfies. I find dozens of these on my phone anytime he's been playing with it. Miles can differentiate most of the major sports and according to Matt has a pretty good arm. He also likes to sing. We've been listening to a Veggie Tales CD in the car and "His Grace is Enough" is his favorite song.

He and Brooke also seem to be bonding more. He's usually happy to follow her around and go with whatever play scheme she has in mind, which makes for a perfect playmate as far as she's concerned. He really seems to look up to her and wants to do what she does.

Miles is talking quite a bit, but he's still a little hard to understand. Blue is his favorite color, but he also knows green. Two is far and away his favorite number and he actually seems to understand the concept of more than one thing. Sharing isn't his favorite thing to do and he's become a bit of a hitter, although I think it's usually because he's frustrated. He also tends to throw things down in frustration. Miles loves to help me clean and sometimes notices dirt more than me.

Tired after running errands with Daddy.

I'm not sure how much of it is that he's turned two and how much of it is that he has a new little sister, but Miles is definitely pushing boundaries with us more. He's pretty unfazed by time-outs, although threatening to take his treats has been pretty effective. He's a huge snacker and is pretty much always talking about food and eating - except at meals, which I realize is my fault. My dad has given him the nickname "tapeworm" as a result of his appetite.

Jamie took this picture. He was crying from falling a moment before, but put some food in his hand and he's a happy boy! He really does have a fun personality and loves to make people around him laugh. He certainly lights up our lives.

Getting to Know Paige

*Awesome photo courtesy of Michelle. This *might* end up being her announcement pic.

We're (a little more than) three weeks in and I feel like Paige and the rest of us are getting the hang of one another.  Right now, she spends a fair amount of time like this, as she's carted to activities with her older brother and sister. (Disclaimer: brace for a Paige-in-basically-the-same-pose photo dump)

She sleeps pretty soundly most of the morning, which has made errands and the transition back to "regular life" a little easier. Afternoons are hit-or-miss. Sometimes she's asleep, sometimes she's awake. If she's awake, she usually wants to be held for a little while but then is pretty content to hang out on her own, again aiding our transition.

When she's awake, she seems pretty alert, but that's probably just because of her huge eyes.

Evening is definitely her "witching hour". Usually from around 6 pm to 9 or 10, she likes to be held and is awake. This is the time that she's most likely to cry inexplicably, although honestly, so far those times are few and far between.

She seems to be filling out more in her face. She's still wearing mostly newborn stuff, but we're starting to think about breaking out the 0-3 month stuff. I'm not going to lie - I'm pretty excited to have another girl to dress.

She's eating well, between every 2-4 hours, depending on whether or not she's awake. She's getting a bottle every couple of days and is doing well with that so far. Night times haven't been too bad. It took a week or so, but she's settled in to falling asleep around 10 most nights, then giving between 3-5 hour stretches of sleep. then she eats and goes pretty quickly back to sleep.

I've heard from multiple sources that their third babies were pretty laid-back and so far, I would have to agree. Who knows how things will go as she "wakes up", but she's given us a pretty easy first few weeks.

Proof that she cries.

Watching the NFL draft with Daddy put her to sleep.

We're really trying to enjoy every moment with her and are so grateful that God chose us to be her parents. We already love you so much, Paige Audrey!

Grandma Audie's

Paige got her first visit to her namesake's on Saturday evening when we went to wish Grandma Audie Happy Mother's Day.

Paige was very content in Grandma Audie's arms.

 

 

Of course, Miles was happy that there was plenty of food: the usual summer sausage, cheese and ice cream, plus pizza. We also played hide-and-seek. He found a stuffed sheep upstairs and referred to it as "Ozzie".

 

Here's his "cheese!" face:

 She's really hit-or-miss with the posing lately.

 

Our first of many visits with all three kids was a fun one!

Visitors

We've had our fair share of visitors in the last couple weeks as people have come to see/meet Paige and help us out in our adjustment to being a family of 5.

My parents came for a few days the week before last and were incredibly helpful with keeping the two bigger kids on schedule/entertained and also allowing Paige and I a little one-on-one time together. We were sad to see them go!

My cousin Amy also came up for a day with her kids. Brooke and Miles loved having friends to play with.

 

Paige and her cousin, Titus, who's only 5 weeks older than her and weighed an ounce more at birth. He is a hoss!

We've also been lucky to have lots of help from Matt's family. His parents have been so helpful in making sure Brooke and Miles feel special (and that I don't go crazy) and have actually watched all three kids a couple of times already. Here's Paige with Grandma Audie a couple of weeks ago.

 

And of course Aunt Jamie has captured her first "smile" (probably gas)and best selfie to-date!