Grace

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Yes, it has been another year. Grace is 8 years old today. I can't believe she is already 8 and in the same breath can't believe she is only 8!

Grace,
We are so blessed to have you as our daughter. As we watch you grow and mature we are amazed at your beauty...inside and out. You are still our hugger. A day doesn't go by that we don't get at least a hundred hugs from you....please never stop hugging us :). 8 years ago I was laying in a hospital bed in the quiet morning hours after you were born just staring at the miracle in my arms. As you slept in my arms I prayed for you to be happy, blessed and above all I prayed that you would never forget you are true princess, a daughter of our King of Kings. As you grew we watched you become a strong girl with your own ideas. You many times showed Jack who was boss ;). One thing that has remained contant with you is your love of GREEN! I can't believe your favorite color since you were 2 has not changed for even a day. I believe you may wear a green wedding dress someday like you keep telling me.
You are such a blessing to your brothers and sister. Kate and Luke are so very lucky to have you as a big sister to look up to.  Thank you for playing with Kate and making Luke laugh. I am so happy that you and Jack are so close and can have such a great time together. The bond you have with Jack, Kate and Luke is amazing and I pray it only gets stronger as you all grow older.
When you were born we loved to watch you smile and laugh at Jack...you thought he was amazing!

When you were one we couldn't believe you were walking and talking so much before your birthday.

At 2 we thought me may have to lock up or throw away all the yogurt in the house since you were sure it was finger paint (as well as the Desitin, butter, foundation makeup and red ink pads)...let's just say your love of art started early!


When you were 3 we were so happy that you knew what you could and couldn't color on ;). You were growing so fast people were sure you were 5 and going off to school!  You were probably smart enough to go to school but you had a couple more years to stay home with me.

At 4 we got to celebrate your birthday at Disney. I loved sharing my favorite place with my favorite princess. We had a fantastic time and again I was so amazed by your courage. You were going on rides that I was afraid of!

When you turned 5 we were getting ready for 2 big events. Your first day of kindergarten and your baby sisters birth! Who knew it would all happen on the same day. I wish I could have walked you to your classroom that first morning but I was a little busy having Kate that morning. You were so excited to have a sister!


At 6 you loved 1st grade and still loved playing in mud and dirt :). You were always ready to help with Kate and loved teaching her how to say your name "Goose".


When you turned 7 you were so excited to start 2nd grade. I asked you stop growing so tall and you refused...hmmmm...not listening to mommy. Just kidding! You will be tall just like your Aunty Joleen and Daddy. You are a very lucky girl! Your love of horses grew after your birthday party out at a local stable.

8....I can't believe we are already at 8. You still have the nickname Goose. You still love the color green. Horses are still a favorite. I watch you ride during your lessons and wonder how time can go so quickly. You were my little baby just yesterday and now you are confidently sitting on top of a huge horse! You got to be right by my side as we welcomed your baby brother into the world and were such a great helper. Again, I ask that you please stop growing taller...and you just smile and say "NOPE".

Well, my princess, Happy Birthay. May you have many, many more. We love you so much!

 Love, Mommy

Luke

Luke is doing awesome! He is such a happy little guy.  He is most likely our last baby and it makes me a bit sad, but it also makes me excited to take in everything the kids are doing at the stage and age they are.I am reminded how quickly they grow when I look at Luke at 4 months old and then at Jack who is now 11.

We were blessed to have Luke born at home. It was by far the best birth we have had. A bit crazy at times toward the end. He was breech until about week 38 and then my water broke and he wasn't born for 36 hours...but when labor did kick in, he was in my arms within 1 hour! Luke was 10 lbs 6 oz...same size as big brother Jack. I can't tell you how awesome it was to be in my bed with my family there. Grace wanted to be with me to help at the birth. We watched some videos and talked about what she would see and hear. She did great and I am so proud of her. She was calm and so happy when Luke was born. She got to hold him first out of all the other kids.

Grace, future midwife? Luke is about 20 minutes old.

We did wake Jack and Kate up (it was about 1 am) so they could also meet their new baby brother. Then we were all tucked into bed and slept soundly until morning when the kids woke up and couldn't wait to go to school to tell their teachers and friends (I never asked Grace how much information she shared...I am a bit scared to know!).

Jack and his little brother...I think he is a bit happy :). Luke is about 6 hours old.

This is my favorite picture of Luke and Kate...it was the 1st time she really talked to him.

Fast forward 4 months and Luke is now 17 lbs 3 oz and 26 1/2 inches of cuteness.  He has rolled over twice (the first time no one saw him do it and the second time I watched and cheered him on).  He has a wonderful smile for everyone and rarely cries. He thinks the other kids are absolutely hysterical and has the best laugh. As much as I can't wait to see him walking and talking, I won't wish this time away for ANYTHING.  I treasure every snuggle and toothless smile and thank God for all my blessings that are running around making messes in the house.

April 22nd...almost 1 month old

May 15th....6 weeks and Soooo Tired.

June 28th...a couple days shy of 3 months. 1st time in a bumbo chair and a bit confused :).

July 29th....4 months old. My happy happy boy!

Luke's 4 month Packer Picture. I will post the other 3 kids at 4 months old when I get them scanned in!