Halloween

A Skeleton joined our Princess Ballerina, Mermaid and Pumpkin for a trunk or treat event at a nearby church

They held hands on the walk :)

They were all so quiet and focused for a good 20 minutes!

Just chillin'

Company

"Mommy, I'm just going to stand here while you nurse Genevieve."

"Ok."

3 months...I mean 4!...er, Make that 5...

At least I got a picture at 3 months!

I totally missed the 3 month post...so on to 4 months!
You've gone from sleeping 8 hrs at night to only 3 max.  My guess is because you have so much chunk to keep feed now.
You are pretty good at rolling back to front...especially when you're swaddled and in the rock'n play...which means we buckle you now!
You HATED being swaddled as an infant, but now it's the only way you'll sleep. Mainly because your hands creeeeeep up to your mouth, trigger your sucking reflex and you're awake within seconds.

You've discovered your toes!
And your voice!  It hurts everyone's ears.  It even makes Samantha jump back and STAY away.  Hilarious, since she's the queen of obnoxious noises!!

Stats!  so much easier to just take a picture with my SMART PHONE!

4 months: Thank you, thank you, for sleeping in cars.

4 months: mmmm...not quite yet.

4 months: Direct quote, "I want one."

5 months: "What?.....Did you need something?"

Um, ok 5 months!

You are quite the kicker now!  Your voice screeches are a thing of the past (thank GOODness) but you are perpetually kicking.  Your sleep routine has become a little obnoxious (swaddled with feet out so we can strap you in to prevent you from flipping out of whatever is elevating you for your reflux, only to tuck a blanket around you to keep you warm).  SO we're trying to transition you to sleeping without being swaddled so we can move you to your pack n play.  

However, you still flip over and then spit up like nobody's business, so I'm not sure how that's going to work!

Kick-kick-kick-kick-kick.  The instant something touches your feet you are puuuuuushing it with your feet and if it's solid you try to bounce.  Even from a horizontal position.  Crazy girl!  We're sure you're going to be our early walker!  

You loved to be held, but do NOT want to be snuggled.  There's just too much to see with your sisters constantly making noises.  You're very content to just watch Daddy cook or the girls eat while lounging in your high chair.

Speaking of eating, we started solids!  I guess it's the new thing to try solids EARLIER due to all the food allergies in kids these days.  So, we started off with sweet potatoes...then avocado...neither was successful (felt like I was torturing you) so on a whim I tried baby oatmeal- BAM.  You loved it!  Yes, it's a grain, but whatever.  God gave us himself in the form of bread, so grain can't be ALL that bad!

We love you Genevieve!!  I'm sorry I'm so behind on your posts.  To be honest, I'm really trying to soak you up.  And then I look at your sisters and realize how fast they grew and try and soak them up. So I've been soaking up rather than documenting.  Please don't hold it against me!

College Reunion

Back in March my former roommate Kate called and said that I didn't have a choice...I would be going to our 10 year reunion in Dallas. 

Kate's a Lawyer.  I didn't argue.

So we road tripped. With Genevieve. 

Who was awesome!

We picked up pregnant Michelle on our way down.

She was also awesome!

We stopped to see our pinky finger.  Who was wearing pink. Beautiful as ever!

We stayed at an apartment through Airbnb.

It was almost awesome.  We had to buy some basics like salt and bowls. The pillows were CHEAP. And the sheets on one bed smelled of things...but it was quiet and we had bedrooms. 

So surreal.  I totally missed this.  I didn't enjoy it while I was there for school!

So many late night walks as a student.  I was way to stressed to enjoy the peace.

Lunch with Mal!!

She was a dream, but did require her swaddle and to be moved while sleeping.  

Nostalgia! 

Easy Baby...she even popped a tooth on the trip!

Meesh and I went to a lecture by....

Dr O!!!!
We would have sat up front but we had the stroller with the sleeping baby.

Addition to campus- Our Lady!! AH!

Me in college,

"Who in their right mind would spend so much money on something just so it has their university name on it?"

Me at the reunion,

"Here's my money.  Give me all the things."

What?

Baby Pose

Three

No, we didn't forget about you!  I'm just behind.

You love.to.paint.  I'd never seen a watercolors set be "used up" before you.  Now, when we break out a new one, colors are GONE within two days.  I used to take pictures of Samantha's art from school and then print it.  I tried this with you.  But even if I squeeze 3 or 4 works of art in a picture, I still would be taking 3 or 4 pictures a DAY.  You paint at school, you paint at home, you paint with Cambria whenever you're with her, you wake up asking to paint. You've just got a lot of talent to share!

Our Little Picasso with her collected work

Trampoline park for your birthday.  You were on cloud nine.

Daddy got bored while watching.

You (finally) discovered Cambria across the street.  Her mommy and I played softball together as kids.  Now you two are CONSTANTLY begging for playdates. You make quite the pair!

Papa came through with another cake-decorating order.  I think he's done half the Disney princesses by now...

Becca has baby Milo the day before your birthday so she said "Hi" on the phone.

Sam's poor eye.  We still don't know what happened- maybe a bug bite?  

Grandad and Yai Yai came for your birthday!!!  You are so lucky.  This is TWO birthdays you've gotten with Yai Yai!

"Ice cream cake" = pint of ice cream with candles.  What can I say, we're tired and it was a weekday!

Oh, baby girl, you are so enjoyed by all!  You dictation is so clear and blows everyone you meet out of the water.  You've discovered what it means to disobey and we try so hard not to let you see us crack up when we find you tip-toeing oh so conspicuously back to your room after sneaking out.  You don't need or want anything, you're just dead set on being a little turkey.

You love to swing.  You will swing on the back swing set alone for 45 minutes non-stop.  You've started needing naps after a summer of no-napping due to the wonderfulness that is your preschool, Dimensions.  You adore and still can't get enough of Genevieve and are always in Samantha's shadow.  You still want to be snuggled by mommy all the time.  Daddy will do if need be, but you definitely prefer my lap.  You are everyone's friend but have also developed a knack for finding someone's button to push.  You are such a character!

Happy (belated) Birthday!!