GiGi's 90th Birthday Celebration

We travelled to Illinois for Chris's grandmothers 90th birthday party.  We stayed in a large rental house with Chris's brothers and sister and everyone's significant others and kids.  That's a total of 7 adults and 6 kids (Chris's brother James couldn't make it due to a ready to pop pregnant wife).  The house was on a river with plenty of sand to keep the kids intrigued.  It was a great set up. 

 

Just last month we took our first trip as a family of 6, a road trip.  This was our first flight since Audra was born.  Traveling with 4 kids is not for the weak or unorganized.  Though it was stressful for me, the kids did great. 

 

It was the twins first time in seats of their own, and Ryan was more

than pleased to show them how to do their seatbelts.  Over and over again.

 

After a couple hours on the plane, we had another hour in the car. 

Fortunately, 3 of the 4 choose to take a short nap. 

One of the best parts of our trip was the kids getting to play with their cousins. 

And, kids of Chris's cousins, does that make them 2nd cousins? 

 I was afraid the boys were going to love this poor toad to death. 

No worries, he made it out alive.

This awesome boat was a big sandbox behind our house. 

Needless to say, the kids loved it. 

 

Nama and Audra watching the birds. 

The birthday girl herself.

Audra wishing Gigi a happy birthday.

Daddy's girl.

 

Seriously, isn't she delicious?

 

The party was held at our rental house.  Perfect.

The kids also got to catch up with all their aunts and uncles. 

Here Audra gets a taste of Uncle Mike.



The big kids also got to play with all their cousins.



All the fam.

 

Audra wasn't the smallest guest...

 

Mmmm.  Smores. 

 

This was the first time Ryan, wearing a lifejacket, floated in the water without

holding onto one of us.  This was a huge leap in his swimming progress. 

Ethan, on the other hand, is a wild man in the water.

 

Overall, the trip was awesome.  We got to see a lot of family we don't often see and the kids had a great time. 

all things RYAN : 4 years

Four years old!  I can't believe it.  He's still the sweet, loving little boy he's always been, just a bit more, uh, feisty.  He's so smart.  So caring.  Such a great big brother.  So loved. 

Stats
35.5 pounds (30%) | 42.25 inches (90%)
That's a 3 pound and 2.5 inch gain since age 3.

~ He knows what sounds most letters make.  He knows approximately 15 sight words.  He's just starting to sound out words.  He's always been interested in letters and reading, so it's no surprise he's on the path to reading. 

~ He's more cautious than the average 4 year old.  And a bit of a worrier.  And sometimes a planner.  In fact, in the morning he likes to say to me 'Mama, do you have any plans today?"

~ He has an amazing memory.  I mean he memorized all 50 states for crying out loud. 

~ He takes being a big brother very seriously.  He likes to help them with their vocabulary by having them repeat him while he breaks down words or phrases.  It's pretty cute.  Just this morning I heard him say to Ethan, from the potty no less, "what do you need help with?  I will be there in a minute to help you." 

~ This fall he will start pre-k where he will be a 'Pup'.  His teachers will be Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. Hall.

~ His gross motor skills constantly improve.  That's to be expected.  What I didn't see coming was how my once cautious kid would become so daring.  That combined with his improved physical abilities often results in my heart skipping a beat or two. 

~ He loves watching Disney's Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  And then playing pretend Jake with his brothers.

~ He's had his scooter for a year and he still loves it. 

~ He's slowly becoming more comfortable in water.  That's a post of it's own. 

~ He's perfected the art of throwing a fit. 

~ He normally takes a 2 hour nap and sleeps 10 hours at night.  And he always sleeps with 'Glowie' the glow worm. 

~ He finally likes to play in the rain.  All it took was his brothers to show him how fun it could be.  Though, he's still hesitant to play in splash parks.  Go figure. 

~ He's happy. 

~ He's loved. 

all things AUDRA: 4 months

What can I say?  She's absolutely wonderful and wonderfully gorgeous.  Full of smiles and giggles.   And, unless she's overtired, she's absolute perfection! 

 

2 month stats

10 lbs 14 oz  | 22 3/4 inches | 15 in head circ.

 

4 month stats

13 lbs 13 oz (45%) | 24.5 inches (56%) | 15 3/4 in head circ. (35%)

 

 1 month

 

2 months

 

3 months

 

 ~ She still sleeps in our room in a rock n play sleeper.  Or, when we both fall asleep breastfeeding, with me in our bed.  As for the quality of her sleep, well, I'll just say we're working on it. 

 

~ She's rolling!  Back to front.  Trouble is she's not a fan of being on her belly and she's yet to learn to roll back over.  So, rolling over is followed by screams for help.  This is a picture of the first time she rolled....ever!

~ Like all 3 of her brothers, she's a thumb sucker.  I've always loved the fact my kids passed on pacifiers and went to their thumbs.  They can always find them and they help with sleep.  In fact, the boys only suck their thumbs when in bed.  Now, Ryan at age 4 still sucks his at bedtime, so I might be less enthusiastic about this when I'm paying big bucks for 4 mouthfuls of braces!  But isn't she cute with her little thumb in there?

~ She's a serious mamas girl.  And though a bit early, separation anxiety has reared its ugly head.

 

~ Like with the boys, supply issues caused breastfeeding to be slow to get going.  But from the get go she was a great feeder.  So good, in fact, I thought supply wasn't an issue.  But weight loss told us otherwise.  A few appointments with our lactation consultant and several weight checks later we were rolling strong.  And now...well, she eating and growing like a champ.

 

~ Though they sometimes overwhelm her, she loves her brothers.  In fact, their relationship is worthy of a post of its own (coming soon).

~ She has stunning blue eyes!

 ~ She is the most loved little girl in all the world!

HaPPy BiRthDaY BoYs

We celebrated all 3 boys birthdays a month after the twins actual birthday and a month before Ryan's.  It's great to celebrate all 3 boys at the same time.  Not sure how long this combined party will fly, so I must take advantage while I can.

 

The party was at a bounce house, Pump it Up.  It was a fantastically organized party place.  My favorite part was that it was completely private to our party.  And the adults could play too!

 

Audra sittin pretty in her party pants

 Ryan

 Ethan

 Owen

And, yes, I make everyone sing happy birthday three times. 

Ryan with his best buddy from preschool, Harrison.

 Ryan & Ethan

 Owen

All in all it was a great success.  The boys had so much fun!  Happy 4th birthday Ryan Christopher!  Happy 2nd birthday Owen Cabe!  Happy 2nd birthday Ethan James! 

 

Guests: Mom, Dad, Audra, Nonna, Nama, Papa, Alison, Carter, Uncle James, Aunt Kay, Spencer, preschool friends (Harrison & Veronica), Chloe, MJ,  playgroup friends (Spencer, Paige, Bianca, Clara, Kenzie, Colin), Claire, Chloe