Giggling, Rolling and Reaching

There are so many milestones that Rosalie has achieved this week and I had to make a note of her amazing accomplishments!

So right at her 3 month mark, she started giggling, reaching for objects in her play mat and giggling. So many things for such a little girl.

Joe is the only one who has made her giggle, but he has done so three or so times now. She responds when her sings her songs and moves her legs in a way that makes her look as though sh is walking.

She also rolled last week! We thought it might be a fluke, but she has rolled half a dozen times now.

She also loves her play mat. She spends quite a bit of time reaching for her rings, baby owl and bird etc. She can also purposely kick objects. Last night she had us all in stitches when she was kicking Somerset!

Aside from all these accomplishments. Rosalie is such a sweet and east baby. We are still in disbelief that this is our baby! How did we get so lucky? She is chill and relaxed, but determined...what a great addition she has been to our family. She is the best baby we could have hoped for. We love her so much!!

Somerset is 4, Rosalie is 3 Months!

What a wonderful day it has been for our family. Our beautiful daughter turned 4 today! This is the first birthday that she has had where she invited her own friends and was truly excited about this being her special day. For the second year in a row, MLP was her theme. Our sweet girl was blessed with a day filled with friends, pony presents and fun.

I bought dress up clothes so the kids could feel like ponies. They wore tu-tus with tulle tails,fake hair headbands with tulle ears and jewelry. We brought a pony castle and ponies to the park, and the kids had a blast with that. We also had a game of horse-shoes and a treasure hunt.

Leo's friends (the brothers), all had fun playing in the sprinklers and on the play equipment at the park (A.M. Kennedy). We had the park all to ourselves and it was a gorgeous day! Perfect for Somerset's party.

Somerset received so many wonderful pony gifts that I know she will be playing non-stop. She was also blessed to have family with her. Both Grandma Laurel and Grandma Cassandra were around for the fun, along with Aunt Tiff, Uncle Martin and Aria. Maya, Ellie, Lee and Simon were Somerset's guests, but we also had the rest of the Kunz, Kam and Koch family members with us. Somerset really felt like a princess.

We have had so many fun visitors as well. Uncle David and Jen came to visit last week. We went to the Japaneses Gardens, the Rose Garden, the Renaissance Fair and the Zoo. The kids fell in love with Uncle D and Jen. Also, Grandma Laurel came out for Somerset's birthday. We had fun at the Pittock Mansion and just hanging out.

Rosalie is the most amazing baby. Other than gas/tummy issues, she is so easy. She only fusses if there is a good reason. I have been able to take her on adventures because she goes with the flow. She is mellow and sweet and we are completely in love!

She has not been sleeping well at night. We start her off in the bassinet at night and then she transitions to the bed. Joe said it's like cuddling a pot-bellied pig. She makes so much noise and scoots all around. We got her started on Axid about a week ago and are hoping that helps.

Rosalie smiles a ton and has giggled once for Joe...I missed it!!!! She loves her family and is getting more fun every day. Her skin is so soft and she has the prettiest blue eyes.

Leo amazes us with his intelligence. He already has wowed his 1st grade teacher! He loves first grade and I LOVE having him in school all day.

Somerset has really excelled at St. Matt's. Putting her in preschool 3 days a week was the best decision we could have made. She loves her friends and has been learning so much. Her behavior has improved dramatically as well.

We are so lucky to have this wonderful family. I feel so blessed.

What a month it's been!

 

The long summer is finally over and I can relax a bit. School is in session, which is wonderful for everyone.

Leo started first grade and for the first time ever, he is in school for a full day. I have never been away from my son for so long, but I trust he is in good hands with Mrs. Juttelstad, his new teacher. As always, he has a positive attitude and has adjusted well his first week to full time school.

We decided to switch Somerset to St. Matthew's for preschool because they offered a 3 day program for kids who are aged older 3s and 4s....perfect! Plus her friends Maya and Ellie are in class with her, so she feels right at home. Her teacher, Miss Tania, is already very well loved by Somerset. Somerset had no years or apprehension her first day and she was confident and happy about her first 2 days. I am very proud of my big girl!

Our sweet Rosalie has been a dream. She is not a perfect baby, but so sweet and mild mannered in comparison to her feisty siblings. Her sleep seems to be improving with 1-2 wake-ups a night, but that could change. I have even started taken her out on runs with me and she likes the time in the stroller.She has fussy behavior between 5-8 p.m., but it is manageable. She is getting more independent and I can set her down alone for chunks of time while I attend to the house or the big kids.

Joe has been selling my soap at the farmer's markets for me with Leo. They are quite the team and I am so grateful. It has been a great bonding experience for them and Leo has become quite popular at the market for his charismatic personality.

7 Weeks!

This post will be Rosalie-centric. This baby has just stolen my heart and I am completely in love, despite the lack of sleep.

Rosalie may have a mild case of acid reflux. Her disposition is only soured when she feeds and burps, which is causing her discomfort. Other than that, she rarely fusses. She does like to be held a lot, but I am trying to ease her into some sleeping time in the swing (she is sleeping in the swing now!). I love the Ergo and it has been a God send, but I am so tired from the hours of walking around with her in it.

Rosalie had baby acne a few weeks ago, but it seems to have mostly cleared up and she has the softest skin! Even though the kids say she smells cheesey, she it is impossible not to want to kiss her all the time.

The big kids are dong well. I have hired a couple of mother's helpers (Sami and Sydney), to come and occupy Somerset. Somerset loves it and it makes me feel so good to know she is playing instead of whining or watching tv. My biggest challenge with the 3 kids this summer has been trying to limiting the electronics. Leo is obsessed with a game he plays on the phone called Clash of the Clans and would play it all day long if I let him. Somerset still loves nothing more than watching Play-Doh demo videos on You Tube.

I am slowly getting back in to making soap. I am lucky if I make a batch a week. Joe and Leo have been going to the farmer's markets for me. Leo is a fabulous sales person and has done amazingly well. It has been a great bonding experience for Joe and Leo and I am so appreciative of the help.

I am getting excited for the kids to go to school. Somerset will start preschool and Leo will be in full-day 1st grade....Hoooray! I am almost excited for the end of Summer. 

We've got Smiles!!!

Tes Party with Sami, Somerset's friend and Mommy's helper!

Just a quick post to share that Rosalie smiled at 5 weeks! We love that big, goofy grin and it is the happiest moment we have had with her so far.

1 Month Old and 10 Year Anniversary

Anniversary gift from e to Joe

Is there a better way to celebrate a 10 year anniversary than with a new baby? Isn't she the ultimate expression of our love and commitment to one another? Joe and I were able to celebrate for an hour, sans kids, at a new restaurant in downtown Beaverton called Watson Hall. It was great. We then picked up Rosalie and continued our date at the mall. Maybe not the most romantic of anniversaries, but one of the most memorable.

Joe gave me the most beautiful black pearl earrings, which I have work every day. I made him the family sign seen above and bought him beer (in aluminum), and a 10-year aged bourbon. All in all, a very nice anniversary.

Rosalie is growing like a weed! Comparing her 1 week photo to her 1 month photo was startling. She is huge! She is still long and lean, but she is getting chubbier. She is also going through an awkward stage where she is losing her hair and getting baby acne. It's no wonder her skin is affected....she is always in a baby carrier with her face smacked u against me. We are both always sweating and smelling of sour milk.....yuck! She remains a sweet baby, but is a bit more fussy. She is a light sleeper and wakes up ealiy during the day. She seems to prefer sleeping in the carrier during the day. She usually gets up once a night to eat. It is not impossible for me to deal with this, but I do miss sleeping through the night.

Somerset and Leo have been doing well considering how much time we spend at home. Summy still loves play-doh, ponies and "watching kid's cooking shows," which are actually just play-dog demos on You Tube.

Leo loves Legos ans is obsessed with Star Wars Legos and Mini Figures. He also has taking quite the liking to American Ninja Warrior.

I have been lucky to have my mom take the older kids on adventures about once a week, which really helps. Theu have a great time with Grandma.

All in all, life is good. Looking forward to getting back into my normal routie, but trying to savor these newborn days.