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!

Rosie's First Bath

When I look back at Rosie's first bath pictures, these are the things that I'll remember ...

Beautiful baby blue eyes matching her bathtub and staring back at me. 

The tiniest toes covered in droplets of water and wrinkles.

The peaceful calming feeling that swirled around the room. The way she sucked on her hand.

The serious faces she made as she experienced sensory overload from the warm water and the curls that formed in her hair.

The sweetest big sister who wanted to be a part of every minute of it! She helped wash her baby sister's hair and comb it too.

Everything wrapped up in a bath towel with adorable feet poking through.

The stretches!

So relaxed she fell straight back to sleep.

The cutest belly button all clean and tiny newborn Pampers newborn diapers (their smell will always be my favorite). 

Everything about it was a dream and I loved being able to share it with Lyla girl. 

A freshly clean Rosie!

 

School Pictures 2021

Oh how I love the adorable (and sometimes awkwardness) of school pictures! Line them all up and they show the beautiful journey of growing up. Missing teeth, adult teeth, longer hair, first curls, nervous smiles ... I love all of it! School pictures this year ...

Liam, age 7, first grade 

Lyla, age 4, preschool

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!

Lyla turns FOUR!

 Lyla girl turned FOUR on September 8th! 

I had a bunch of contractions the night before her birthday and prayed so hard the baby would stay in there one more day so I wouldn't miss celebrating Lyla on her special day. So grateful those prayers were heard!

We started her the day with our birthday tradition of a stack of old fashioned donuts and a sparkler candle. I loved watching her reaction shift from shy to beaming over being the center of attention as we all sang "Happy Birthday" to her! I truly think it was one of her favorite parts about her day.

Luckily it was late start Wednesday for Liam so we had enough time to let her open her presents before he had to leave on the bus. Pretty sure this was her second favorite part about her special day. ;)

The thing she wanted most was a pink light up scooter! How cute is her reaction as she opened it?!

Some of my favorite things about 4 year old Lyla ...

She is my best helper and says every day, "I'm going to help mom throw away the stinky diapers." haha

She wraps her arms around my neck at bedtime and squeezes tight.

She loves to ride her bike and her scooter around the neighborhood. 

She is incredibly friendly and says "hi" to anyone she passes.

She knows all of her colors, can count to 20, and can write her name.

She is so independent and wants to do everything herself.

Her smile still lights up her whole face just like it has since she was a baby.

She saves every single piece of mail, receipt, magazine, and paper she can find and calls it "her work". haha (a.k.a. she won't throw anything away, that part is not as endearing for someone like me who is the opposite of a pack rat/hoarder/collector at heart).

She loves filling bags, purses, boxes, and suitcases full of toys and carting them around with her wherever she goes. 

She loves playing house and school just like I did when I was her age.

She loves stuffed animals and playing dress up. 

She's loves to wear pink from head to toe but is a tomboy at heart and is always in a pair of tennis shoes over anything else. 

I couldn't not love this four year old more!!!

My favorite picture from her special day <3

She is so silly and always knows how to make me laugh!

She got to go to her favorite place on her birthday ... preschool! She wore a birthday crown, shared treats with her friends, and invited me to come visit and help her share her VIP poster with her class. 

Then she rode her scooter until the sun went down!

Happy Birthday Lyla! We love you so much!!