We took the most excited kindergartner in the world to her class this morning! She barely slept a wink last night from nerves & excitement. Can't believe how fast this incredible kid is growing up!
This year she is starting Kindergarten at West End Elementary with her teacher Ms. O'Gorman. We ordered her brand new big kid back pack with monogram and everything and I can't believe how big she looked trying to carry it! (Poor thing, it is already heavy!)
We're praying this year would be full of excitement and growth for our super inquisitive, observant, and smart girl. She will surely keep her teachers on their toes and hopefully let her light shine for Jesus among her new friends!
Showing posts with label growing up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growing up. Show all posts
Monday, August 25, 2014
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Bouncy Seat
Look who is outgrowing his bouncy seat! Gunnar is one little growing dude, on the move and not a fan of laying back in anything- he doesn't want to miss it!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Cranky Boy.
Cranky Boy. Crabby pickle. Hey you. You earn a lot of nicknames when you are the crankiest baby of your siblings as newborns (that, or we just forgot how much babies cry).
We even took Gunnar to the pediatrician to make sure his crying wasn't something more serious- but really, it's just normal newborn behavior. You cry when you're sleepy. You cry when you're not held. You cry when there's anything whatsoever in your diaper. You cry when you're hungry (every 2 hours). So I guess it just feels like you cry all day.
But to be fair, when he's not crying he's the absolute sweetest thing, bright eyed and alert! Watching his siblings, watching the world, loving to be outside. Snoring so softly.
Sweet milky sleep after nursing so long and a tiny hand holding mine. We love him so.
Snuggled up to Mommy and finally happy- I think this will be a baby-wearing summer! Thank God for the peanut shell!
Labels:
baby,
growing up,
Gunnar,
little brother,
newborn,
parenting
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Keeping it Real with Three Kiddos.
Today I am the classic no-make up mom with spit up on her shirt. Gunnar is 3 weeks old, and we are in between the extremes of such deliciously sweet snuggles and mind-numbing screaming. We've worked out a nighttime system that feels somewhat functional, but Matt and I both rise not feeling rested, and the kids wake with full-on energy. I'm thankful that these same days when the big two were each tiny have taught me that this stage is mercifully short- a few weeks really, in hindsight.
Kenna is emotionally trying- everything eventually causes a break down, every conversation requires tons of patience and explanation, but she's also my diaper-bringer and water cup-refiller and absolutely loves to hold baby brother. Finn is physically trying- so busy and rough-playing and fast-running, but his snuggles are few and far between making them extra sweet. Gunnar is hormonally/all-my-energy trying- I have tons of blog writing I want to catch up on and photos I want to take to remember the details of these foggy, sleep-deprived days, but it always feels better to curl up with him and nap instead when I can. Right now I have to remember I that someday again I will be able to do something besides nurse all day.
At the end of the day we're weary. It's different having Matt working from home- he's such a huge help, but then I feel guilty for needing such a huge help. We're all thankful though because if not for him, I have a feeling we'd be having popcorn and nutragrain bars for dinners most nights. Most days I want to pack us all up and go do something fun, but navigating naptime crankies and keeping everybody happy in the car and everything fun being 30 or more minutes away makes it hard. So we stay home and I let them watch one more Curious George, and when we're comfy in our jammies after dinner and all snuggled on the same couch, nobody really cares that the laundry didn't get folded.
A book I love right now is Fit To Burst by Rachel Jankovic.
Matt picked it up for me after I mentioned it in passing, and I read it in 2 days flat, soaking it in quickly like water on a hot dry rock. I felt so understood reading her metaphor of Mommy's energy and patience being like a milkshake, and each child has a straw and wants to take a long uninterrupted drink. It's delicious to be the thing they want and need so singly, but also exhausting. Each of their needs is my choice to put the the gospel in action. An early wake up call because one disobeyed and woke up the other. A tantrum so surprising and embarrassing you don't know which part to address first. Cleaning blue marker off the window blinds and throw up off the shower curtain. Don't grow weary in doing good. I love Jesus too and I believe God, Kenna tells us. The harvest of righteousness is coming.
Matt picked it up for me after I mentioned it in passing, and I read it in 2 days flat, soaking it in quickly like water on a hot dry rock. I felt so understood reading her metaphor of Mommy's energy and patience being like a milkshake, and each child has a straw and wants to take a long uninterrupted drink. It's delicious to be the thing they want and need so singly, but also exhausting. Each of their needs is my choice to put the the gospel in action. An early wake up call because one disobeyed and woke up the other. A tantrum so surprising and embarrassing you don't know which part to address first. Cleaning blue marker off the window blinds and throw up off the shower curtain. Don't grow weary in doing good. I love Jesus too and I believe God, Kenna tells us. The harvest of righteousness is coming.
My babies are healthy and precious. This time is short and they DO grow up fast. Any complaint I could have about the fullness of their constant care is tempered by the thought that Kenna will go to school next year, and she'll come home to me begging to hear her talk non-stop like she does now about everything she did while away from me for 7 hours. The thought that soon Gunnar will be as big as Finn is now, but I'll actually be able to chase and catch him because I won't have a snuggly newborn in my arms. The thought that soon Finn's incredible eyelashes will draw the attention of every girl for miles. The thought that someday Matt and I can take a date night every night if we want instead of sitting on the couch cracking each other up playing words with friends, but it will be because these three tiny, precious lives no longer sleep in their little beds in our home.
Stay little, little ones. Everything else can wait.
Labels:
faith,
Gospel,
growing up,
motherhood,
newborn
Saturday, February 23, 2013
My Grown Up Girl.
Oh my Kenna bear.
I can't believe how fast you are growing up.
Sassy. Inquisitive. Bright. You never forget anything! You remember every word we say and take it very seriously anytime you feel like we are not keeping our word to you. You still wear your heart on your sleeve and can go from happy to complete breakdown so very quickly. So independent that I relish the times you still need my help or just want my snuggles.
The SWEETEST thing when you want to be.
You are so musical- always singing and making up little songs and you taught your brother to hum which is about the cutest thing ever. You alternate between singing songs you have heard in your T.V. shows and movies with little ones you make up as you go along- it is February and you're still singing Christmas carols. You love painting and often paint crosses- "Jesus dieds" which makes Mommy and Daddy so happy!
Dress up is your favorite game- complete with elaborate stories of what you are dressed as and what adventures you are going on. You are an accessories girl and love to wear a necklace or two to church (like Mommy). Your church shoes are your favorite and you much prefer dresses to shirts and jeans which you say give you "itchy spots."
Your favorite toys are My Little Ponies and your Barbie dolls which you call "dollies." They host elaborate picnics together and all their accessories must be arranged just so. You like to switch them all around from bag to basket to bucket to tote them all around the house- and to keep Finn from touching them.
You're even learning to write your name and other short words (you wrote "Hi" on all your Valentines this year) and I can't believe it's almost time for you to start school! We love you so much, Kenna bear!
I can't believe how fast you are growing up.
Sassy. Inquisitive. Bright. You never forget anything! You remember every word we say and take it very seriously anytime you feel like we are not keeping our word to you. You still wear your heart on your sleeve and can go from happy to complete breakdown so very quickly. So independent that I relish the times you still need my help or just want my snuggles.

You are so musical- always singing and making up little songs and you taught your brother to hum which is about the cutest thing ever. You alternate between singing songs you have heard in your T.V. shows and movies with little ones you make up as you go along- it is February and you're still singing Christmas carols. You love painting and often paint crosses- "Jesus dieds" which makes Mommy and Daddy so happy!
Dress up is your favorite game- complete with elaborate stories of what you are dressed as and what adventures you are going on. You are an accessories girl and love to wear a necklace or two to church (like Mommy). Your church shoes are your favorite and you much prefer dresses to shirts and jeans which you say give you "itchy spots."
Your favorite toys are My Little Ponies and your Barbie dolls which you call "dollies." They host elaborate picnics together and all their accessories must be arranged just so. You like to switch them all around from bag to basket to bucket to tote them all around the house- and to keep Finn from touching them.
You "turned into" 4 years old just after we moved to Eagle Springs, and your Daddy and I have been shocked at how much you grew. Four just seems so much bigger and smarter than three- you still love to paint, love to have books read to you and your special Buttercup stories with Daddy at bedtime. You just started sleeping in your bunk bed that we painted for you, and you just seem so big. You can brush your own teeth and buckle your own car seat and you're such a big helper. I can give you a task and you love to help!

You are brave and independent, but still love Mommy's snuggles and Daddy's attention. You have lots of stories to tell and questions to ask. You love on Finn and always want to help take care of him- washing him in the bath, singing bedtime songs to him, and kissing him goodnight. You do like to remind him that he's littler than you though- that he's not allowed on your bunk bed and that he can only color with the washable markers. You definitely want to be the little mommy of the house.

Labels:
big sister,
birthday,
dress up,
growing up,
Kenna
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Finn at Almost 2
Since I've been such a terrible Mommy about kiddo updates, I thought I'd get a few things written down about Finn at this age, quick before he turns 2! That doesn't even seem possible yet. Where did my little nugget baby man go? I just can't believe now HE is about to be the big brother. Crazy.
He's at the fun stage where he's been mostly non-verbal in his communication (more noises and gestures) but really truly understands the large majority of what we say to him and directions we give him- suddenly, new vocabulary is popping up all over the place.
cookie (he asks for them all day long)
crackie/cracker
that one!
ball
nigh night
shoesh
truck
car
thank you (dee doo)
please (which sounds more like 'boise')
yesh
Even that list just makes me laugh because they're all such boy words. His first sentence: "Want that cracker!" Spoken clear as day and hilarious. Other simple sentences:
"Want that one!"
"I poop."
"'Mere Loola!" (calling the dog, and he tries to snap his fingers!)
Sometimes he will babble a whole paragraph, but one or two words will randomly be recognizable enough to get what he is saying!
Favorite games right now are pushing/pulling anything. Trucks with a ball in them, our wagon outside, the toy shopping cart and stroller, even an empty rolling suitcase. Balls, dogs, and food are his favorite things. He LOVES watching the trains go by right across the street from our new house. He'll come running as soon as he hears the train whistle coming and will sit on the couch to see it out the big living room window.
Like his sister at this age, he loves having a pacifier. We try to keep it only in the crib for sleeping times and sometimes the car on longer trips, but if we let him, he'll hang onto it all day. We have a special basket we keep them in to teach him that they are only for "night night" and he cries so hard when we take it away in the morning to put it in the basket (especially if it is Sister who does the taking away).
He still stomps around like a tiny gorilla and it's so fun to see the differences between him and Kenna- he runs fast and hard with little tiny fists pumping, she runs on her tip toes like a ballerina fairy. Her run is barely audible like a little ninja, and his stomps can be heard across the house. He growls and grunts while playing, she sings and plays picnic with her dolls.
He is the pickiest eater ever. We get really excited when he actually eats a decent amount of what we're eating- otherwise he'd live on milk, bananas, chicken nuggets, and cookies. He doesn't like chocolate milk so far (neitherdid Kenna at first) and seems to be bothered by the coldness of ice cream). Because he's so picky, most of his food ends up getting played with and makes for messy meals. This is why bath time is after dinner and before bed!
Speaking of baths, he loves them and will pull open the shower curtain asking "baf?" at random times during the day. He loves to splash around with big sister and play with the water coming out of the faucet.
A big stinker, but quick to say sorry and give big kisses of apology. Quick to forgive. Learning to obey.
Still comes to us in need of kisses for his owies, fixing something that broke, or to wipe his boogies (which he will hand to us on a tiny extended finger). He is just ALL boy.
His kisses and snuggles are few and far between, making them even more precious to his Momma's heart. When we do get them, usually when he's extra tired, they are extra sweet.
This little big man is a sweet and mischievous mess in every sense of the words. He just might have the sweetest baby cheeks on earth and we love him so much!
He's at the fun stage where he's been mostly non-verbal in his communication (more noises and gestures) but really truly understands the large majority of what we say to him and directions we give him- suddenly, new vocabulary is popping up all over the place.
cookie (he asks for them all day long)
crackie/cracker
that one!
ball
nigh night
shoesh
truck
car
thank you (dee doo)
please (which sounds more like 'boise')
yesh
Even that list just makes me laugh because they're all such boy words. His first sentence: "Want that cracker!" Spoken clear as day and hilarious. Other simple sentences:
"Want that one!"
"I poop."
"'Mere Loola!" (calling the dog, and he tries to snap his fingers!)
Sometimes he will babble a whole paragraph, but one or two words will randomly be recognizable enough to get what he is saying!
His favorite way to wake up is happy growling. He's a good sleeper, super easy to put to bed- just a kiss, his stuffed puppy and a big hug and he's ready to go to bed. No rocking and singing for this manly little man.
Favorite games right now are pushing/pulling anything. Trucks with a ball in them, our wagon outside, the toy shopping cart and stroller, even an empty rolling suitcase. Balls, dogs, and food are his favorite things. He LOVES watching the trains go by right across the street from our new house. He'll come running as soon as he hears the train whistle coming and will sit on the couch to see it out the big living room window.
Like his sister at this age, he loves having a pacifier. We try to keep it only in the crib for sleeping times and sometimes the car on longer trips, but if we let him, he'll hang onto it all day. We have a special basket we keep them in to teach him that they are only for "night night" and he cries so hard when we take it away in the morning to put it in the basket (especially if it is Sister who does the taking away).
He still stomps around like a tiny gorilla and it's so fun to see the differences between him and Kenna- he runs fast and hard with little tiny fists pumping, she runs on her tip toes like a ballerina fairy. Her run is barely audible like a little ninja, and his stomps can be heard across the house. He growls and grunts while playing, she sings and plays picnic with her dolls.
He is the pickiest eater ever. We get really excited when he actually eats a decent amount of what we're eating- otherwise he'd live on milk, bananas, chicken nuggets, and cookies. He doesn't like chocolate milk so far (neitherdid Kenna at first) and seems to be bothered by the coldness of ice cream). Because he's so picky, most of his food ends up getting played with and makes for messy meals. This is why bath time is after dinner and before bed!

Still comes to us in need of kisses for his owies, fixing something that broke, or to wipe his boogies (which he will hand to us on a tiny extended finger). He is just ALL boy.
His kisses and snuggles are few and far between, making them even more precious to his Momma's heart. When we do get them, usually when he's extra tired, they are extra sweet.
This little big man is a sweet and mischievous mess in every sense of the words. He just might have the sweetest baby cheeks on earth and we love him so much!
Labels:
Finn,
Finnegan,
growing up,
little brother
Saturday, September 1, 2012
History Repeating
So I've wrapped up the month of August where I managed to blog one photo each day (almost!) for the whole month! In taking photos and sorting/archiving them on the computer, so many photos I took of Finn were reminding me of older ones of Kenna at his age. I had to laugh when I found this entire post of uncanny photos where almost every one I'd taken of Kenna back in March of 2010 had a current "matching" sibling one of Finn!
I already blogged about the first one here:
And then literally, throughout almost the entire post I wrote about Kenna at least two years ago, I realized I'd taken one just like it of Finn! Here are the rest:
And here's one more that I previously blogged about:
I already blogged about the first one here:
Finn:
Kenna:
And then literally, throughout almost the entire post I wrote about Kenna at least two years ago, I realized I'd taken one just like it of Finn! Here are the rest:
Finn:
Kenna:
Finn:
Kenna:
Finn:
Kenna:
And here's one more that I previously blogged about:
Kenna:
Finn:
How funny is that? I'm not sure what that says about me or my photo taking (is something in my brain stuck on repeat? Hah!) but I'm perfectly happy for history to repeat itself a little bit with how quickly these sweet little ones are growing up. I love how everything is fresh and new and exciting with each baby, but also the younger ones remind you of such happy memories of their sibling at the same age. What a precious gift for God to give mommies in the quickly fleeting baby days!
Labels:
baby,
growing up,
parenting,
sibling love
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