Newborn/Family Pictures

 I had every intention of getting newborn pictures taken of Rosie right after she was born but sickness was on a revolving door around our house, even she got it poor thing, so they happened when she was little bigger. Tears filled my eyes when I saw these for the first time because there was something so emotional about seeing our completed family in our first picture together. I love them all so much!

A family of five ...

Those sweet little hands reaching out for their sister ....

Can't wait to watch them grow up together!

The best big siblings ever ...

Lyla is in heaven with role of big sister ...

He's the best dad in the whole world ...

Tiny hands and tiny toes ...

Love this sweet sleepy girl ...

Rosie completes us perfectly!

Liam and Lyla Meet Rosie

My mom stayed with the kids while we were in the hospital having Rosie and they had so much fun! She spoiled them with Subway for lunch one day and choosing a toy from the store. I'm not sure we were even missed. ;) We were so glad to have her so close by this time!

We also left them each a gift to open while we were gone. They had treats and new 'big brother'/'big sister' sweatshirts inside for when they met their new baby sister!

One of the most special moments after Rosie was born was bringing her home to meet her big brother and sister! Liam was at school at first but Lyla was on a bike ride with my mom out front when we pulled up and she came running! I had to work hard to keep it together seeing this moment and the joy it brought to her world letting her hold her baby sister for the first time ...

Lyla has adored her from the moment they met! She is so good with her (maybe a little too smothering at times? haha) and incredibly helpful. I know these two girls will be the best of friends and I'm glad they have each other to go through life with. 

She kept giggling and commenting on all the noises and facial expressions Rosie made as she slept. haha 

When Liam got home from school he too came swiftly through the door looking for his baby sister. While he has been more reserved and hesitant to hold her, you can tell how much he loves her from the way he talks about her in his prayers. 

This will forever be my favorite and one that I'll always cherish. All three of my babies... <3

Can't wait to watch them grow up together!

A Magical Birthday Party For Lyla

If you know our Lyla, she sprinkles a little magic wherever she goes! There is something about her that is so electric, fun, silly, contagious, and joyful that a magical birthday party seemed like the perfect fit. I saw that "She is magic that one" banner, knew it would be perfect for her room, and used it as my inspiration for her whole party. We kept it really small last minute due to traveling family and trying to be as safe as possible with Covid exposure right before baby's arrival so it was just my mom and our sweet little neighbor girls that came. 

The thing that was so fun to watch was how special Lyla felt the whole day ... like when I put this "Birthday Girl" banner on her. <3

We surprised her with a bounce house rental and she was in total heaven and LOVED it!! So many adorable giggles happened in there ...

The giant slide was the favorite part!

Her only request was a rainbow cake like her first birthday. So sweet! Who doesn't love a funfetti cake with rainbow chip frosting?!

She both acted shy and soaked in the attention when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her!

I was so happy with how the cake turned out with my little experience in baking them myself. Typically I order cakes for my kids' parties. But really, you can't go wrong with a boxed cake mix ... it was more the leveling, coloring, and frosting part that intimidated me. How fun is the inside though?!

The cake was a BIG hit ...

Opening presents ... she has played with a baking playdo set that she got from her friends all weekend!

We saved most of her presents for this week so she could open them on her actual birthday but something that has been such a fun tradition for me as her mom is gifting her one of my dolls from my childhood each birthday. This year I gave her "Scott". I always loved him because he looks and feels like a real baby so I was hoping it would be special for her right before she has a new sibling come along. The hilarious part for Nic and I was that she kept calling him a baby girl despite the fact that he is in blue ... she is still very much convinced that her sibling is going to be a sister just like this baby girl doll. haha

I made them all magic wands ...

Liam thought they were cool for a minute but then pulled out his true Harry Potter wand. ;)

My mom got her this adorable coat for winter and a pretend princess laptop that she has carted everywhere so she can "do her work just like dad!" ;) So cute!

Also wearing her favorite twirl dress to celebrate!

We loved spoiling this beautiful girl and can't wait to continue the celebration on Wednesday when our baby turns FOUR!