9 Months Old!

Zoë Kayte -- what a month it has been! You are 9 months old and changing fast!

Getting in some piano practice! 

Such a sweet picture of you and Daddy! 

Sweet shades for the sunny summer! 

And a sunhat too! Great choice Mimi! 

Reaching for a toy

I just love this picture of all three kiddos! 

- You have been up on your knees and toes rocking and have now begun to army crawl! I think you really enjoy being able to go the places you like so you can get all those toys you see!

- You are eating so well! Not picky at all! You eat green beans like a champ, but also any other vegetable I give you. You also like strawberries, bananas, and applesauce very well and then whatever meat and grains we give you. We started giving you puffs this month too because you were getting aggressive about trying to eat your brothers' cheerios and I didn't think you were quite ready for those. You are trying to feed yourself but can't get the small pieces into your mouth. You do well with mum-mums and toast sticks though! You also enjoy holding your cup and taking drinks. And you think it's funny when you let the water fall out of your mouth and dribble down your chin and neck. It seems to crack you up every time :)

- You have begun to take a slightly shorter morning nap and a longer afternoon nap. You still usually take a brief snooze from 7-7:30 pm if you can. And then bedtime is somewhere between 9:30-10:30 pm. You seem to prefer sleeping on your tummy, especially during the day.

- You went swimming for the first time this month and have now gone 3 times. You really enjoy it! Watching all the kids around you splashing and being in the water. I like to take you in the lazy river and you kick your legs as we go. I'm excited for you to start swim lessons next month.

- You started saying "mama"!!

- You still love Mommy most, but you are warming up to other adults. Daddy is your second favorite, but you've stopped screaming at other adults who want to hold you! Progress!

On Daddy's birthday

- I've finally put away your 3-6 month clothes, you're just too tall! You have your check-up tomorrow so I'm very excited to see how much you've grown over the past 3 months.

- Your hair is coming in fuller and there are some hairs so long that they get in your eyes! I'm excited to start putting more bows in your hair and I know I'll get to try new things with it before much longer!

One evening you started sitting up well, so I thought I'd capture the moment. Now you're doing it a lot! Even in the bathtub.

Zoë Kayte, over these past 9 months you have etched yourself into your family's hearts. We love you more than we can say and you are such a joyful, beautiful, spunky, lovely addition to our family! I am thankful that you are healthy and growing strong. Your personality is emerging more each day and you seem to be a bit more like Levi then Zeke, so we'll see how that plays out in the family dynamic :) Love, Mommy

On the Move!

She's officially moving forward-- army crawl style! 

And still loving the solly wrap after almost 9 months!

We're headed to the pool now to meet some friends on this cold, snowy April day. Have a great weekend! 

 

Happy Friday!

Lots of cuteness happening around here this week :)

Playing piano after bath time 

First family swim time

Soccer and we finally had a sunny, warm practice on Thursday 

At soccer practice, sitting up like a big girl! 

Have a great weekend! 

Zeke's First Soccer Practice

I have been awaiting this day for nearly 5 years! Yes, you read that correctly. As soon as I knew I was having a child, I couldn't wait until they got started in team sports. Sure, I've enjoyed the baby and toddler years -- precious and cute as they are. But this, this is when I get to find out who my child really is! See, it's not so much about the participation in team sports as it is -- "Who is Ezekiel? What will he love to do? What will he be good at? What will he be passionate about?" Have you read that post asking if you're ok with your child being just "average"? Or something along those lines. I have. And I am. I don't really care if any of my children is the MVP for their team. Or the valedictorian. Or gets into school on a music scholarship.

What do I care about? That my kids (with my help and support) can find out what they love to do and go after it with all their hearts! I truly believe that God has given everyone special talents and gifts. Everyone is great at something. Sometimes it can be hard to discover what those things are, especially if a parent has an idea of what they want for their child's life... 'I love playing the piano so my children must love it and do it and excel at it and I won't stop for anything.'

I played sports in high school and it was fun, but I didn't have the drive. I was never on the 'A' team, but I sure had a lot more fun actually getting to play on the 'B' team. I honestly didn't care about winning, and I'm sure that was part of the reason I wasn't always picked. But it was enjoyable for me, just to play. Playing the piano, on the other hand? I could sit and play for hours. It wasn't work or practice for me. It was me. It is me. It's what I love. It's one of the only things in my life that I can do and not think about eating. Oh you know those people that look up at the clock and say, "Oh boy! I forgot to eat lunch!" Nope, that's ridiculous in my book. I ALWAYS remember and make time to eat. But occasionally if I'm playing the piano, I can delay my meal for a bit :)

But back to this next phase of parenting -- as much as I love the snuggles I've been getting from Zoë, how much she and Levi both need and WANT me, I am feeling the independence from Zeke and it's exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. How will he succeed this year? Will he be a natural at soccer? I'm not sure. At the first practice they started off with a jog around the field. Later on in practice they were taking turns kicking the ball and I had just walked up to hear Zeke asking his coach to do something. She couldn't understand what he was saying, so I had him come over to tell me. It took a few times for me to understand, but he was asking to "jog" more! So already I know a little more about something he enjoys! I cannot wait to find out more!

As I asked Zeke to come take a picture, Levi edged his way in :) 

They aren't apart much

Apparently he was still not feeling the greatest before his first practice. 

Rainy and chilly first day out

But he was a trooper and went out there and did it anyway! 

Zeke, I'm proud of you for taking on your first practice even when you didn't feel well and you were shivering and would have been more comfortable at home. Tonight you have your second practice (we skipped last Thursday because you were still sick and went to the doctor) and Daddy gets to come too! I pray that Daddy and I will be able to encourage and support you as you share your heart's desires and discover more about yourself. You are such a wonderful kid and I hope you know we love you for you, not any performance or accomplishment, just being Ezekiel Dekker. 

Zoë's Quilt

Zoë got her baby quilt from great-grandma Stenerson this week! And we love it! It's covered in cute, vintage animals! I'm sure it will be much loved! 

Thank you great-Grandma! 

8 Months Old!

Zoë, today you are 8 months old! This month has brought a lot of change for our family! And sickness too. Here's what you've been up to:

Easter Sunday -- just relaxing, and kicking Mommy in the face

-- You celebrated your first Easter. It wasn't too exciting, because you were sick. But you did look cute and wore one of my dresses! Mimi gave you a new, soft bunny, an egg toy, a light-up chick, sunglasses, a bright pink sun hat, and your very first swimsuit! I can't wait to see you wear it!

Easter Sunday nap

Happy to be in your jumperoo!

-- You got your first bout of sickness. A lung infection. How terrible!

But no one was feeling very good. 

-- You've completed your first move. Welcome to the family. There are lots of them ;)

You had a good time getting to know Mimi

Snuggles and Kisses

We are excited for spring weather! 

St. Patrick's Day 2016

We got out the jumperoo this month, you are loving it! 

-- You like to rub Daddy's beard and give him kisses. He can ask you for them and you'll lean in with a big smile, and many times, tongue out!

-- You are starting to get up on your knees some, especially when I set you down on your tummy, you'll tuck your knees up under you and stay that way for awhile. You are getting around the house via rolling and scooting.

-- You've begun to say "da-da".

-- You continue to twirl your ankles, especially when you have socks on. Constant circles. It's really cute!

Zoë Kayte, you are such a lovely addition to our family! You have become more interactive and I can see your personality coming through a little more. I love listening to you babble! Such a sweet sound. You are laughing more, weigh 13 lbs., and are almost 26 inches long! We love you so very much, Zoë! Happy 8 months! Love, Mommy

Friday Fotos

It's been a long, taxing 2 weeks. Here are just a couple pictures from Easter. No one felt great, so the pictures aren't great. But we press on...

He was literally on his knees, falling asleep at the table. I asked him to give me a smile. He turned, gave me this, turned back around and fell asleep! 

Happy Weekend! Here's to hoping for continued healing and health!