Happy First Birthday!

Naomi Irene, you are 1 year old today! We were so impatient for your arrival last year and now you've been a part of our family for an entire year already. How can it be? 

Freshly born 

Naomi girl, our number four, you've made our family even better. 

You are {mostly} peaceful and calm except when I put on your sweater. 

You drink 2 bottles a day, and nurse, and eat and drink water and crawl. 

You have grown up so much in 12 short months, but I'm thankful for it all. 

The crying, the diapers, and the restless nights, your pinching and sharp fingernails. 

Your clinginess, wanting to be held, loud shouts and the ear-piercing wails! 

December 2017

6 Months Old

I'm convinced I understand a few of your words -- "dog", "more" and "up". 

You like to take baths, eat the bubbles head first, and drink out of the little toy cup. 

{Gross!} 

You like to talk, you know your name, you took your first step this week! 

I love the twinkle in your little blue eyes and I love to kiss your cheek! 

Zoë is such a good helper. She enjoys being with you! And will sometimes hop into the pack -n-play with you to keep you happy while I finish working around the house. 

Looking so grown up with your bottle and headband :) 

Big Brother Zeke enjoys spending time with you! 

Today you're going to wear a dress and hopefully keep a bow in your hair! 

We're dedicating you and Zoë at church and we want you to be aware, 

your brothers and sister and Mom and Dad want to make your home a safe place

to point you to God, read about Jesus, experience love and true grace. 

We promise to always do our best even when times are tough

because we want to be a family that sticks together even when things are rough. 

Sleepy snuggles are some of my favorite! 

 

Halloween 2018

Following big sister across the bridge! 

So on your first birthday, enjoy all the attention, your first donut and chocolate cupcake. 

We hope you love your gifts and cards, balloon, and make no mistake... 

that you were hoped for and you are loved and with each passing day, 

we look forward to knowing who you are and helping you along your way! 

Love, Mommy 

11 Months Old!

Naomi, you are 11 months old today! What a darling you are! Here's what the last month has looked like:

Gorgeous Girl! {Oct. 10} 

 - You have begun {very recently} to take a 3 hr. nap each day. Most of the time it's just barely enough to get you through until bedtime, you could probably still sneak in another 30 min. but I don't usually try to since it would put you to bed pretty late then! You typically sleep from 8 pm - 7 am these days! You like to wake up and have some cheerios with Daddy in the kitchen while he makes coffee and starts breakfast.

- You are a fast, loud crawler! You have begun to stand, without holding on to anything, for a few seconds at a time! Will you be walking at your birthday? You love being in on the action of your siblings. You've begun to hold out your hand, most of the time it means "bye-bye" but sometimes you hold it out to someone new and it's almost like you're beckoning them to come closer, with a big smile on your face! Just precious! 

Taking a ride on the North KC Railroad -- you weren't sure what to think of it! 

- You have a "dog" noise whenever you hear Marshall or another dog bark. You like to watch Marshall and the chickens from the kitchen while you sit in your high chair. When I open the door to let Marshall stick his head in, you always reach out your hand and when he moves toward it you spring it back and crinkle up your face like you're nervous about what's going to happen next. You think it's fun when he licks your toes although you still hold on to me pretty tight while he does it! You are loving your swing (from Pop-Pop) in the backyard! You sit in there for a long time watching the dog and the kids swinging beside you and running around. You love it and so do I!

You're wearing 12 month pjs!

- You have become quite the little bulldozer! Climbing into our laps quickly and in earnest. I keep putting toys out and you tire of them quickly leaving trails of toys around the house. You like to stand in your pack-n-play and toss the toys out. You are in there quite often so I can manage to get school done and other things around the house, otherwise you pull things out of the pantry and the drawers and stick your hand in Dora's water bowl and eat cat food off the floor and find the pieces of dirt by the door to the back yard and pick up the strings from the fringe from the pillows from the couch even though Levi vacuums daily! Whew! This is why you spend so much time in the pack-n-play: sanity and safety! And you do great. Playing in there quite contentedly for 20-30 minutes, and if you can see a family member it can sometimes last longer.

- Your hair has really grown and gotten soft and full and thick. There is a hint of curl that might be more noticeable by your first birthday *gulp* next month! I can sometimes get a bow in your hair, but at the moment it has to be a clip-in. The ribbons that wrap around your hair, you snap into your eyes which sends you into a howling fit and it's just. not. worth. it.

Looking quite comfy during nap time

- I've begun to wear you on my back during hikes and walks. You {mostly} like it. You are a bit of a monkey when I try to get you up there by myself, so I often have Zeke stand behind me because you are unpredictable and I don't dare drop you! You've fallen asleep a few times, so I know you must be fairly comfortable back there. I still am able to wear you on my front to church and you'll occasionally fall asleep, but you've begun to go into the nursery. Although you usually end up being held in one of their carriers and falling asleep anyway, so I might as well have you with me :)

Out at Line Creek Trail for a W+F adventure! 

One month ago, 9/11, was your first ride! 

Naomi, my joyful, peaceful, darling girl I just cannot believe that it is time to start planning your birthday party! Just a year ago we were waiting expectantly, impatiently for you. You have added a beautiful dimension to our family dynamic and I love watching you grow and find your place. You love to be touched or hold my hand or put your leg on me or rub my face. You often reach for me with both (slightly dirty) hands while we are eating our meals. You are doing a great job at feeding yourself and seem to have a slight interest in lights and strings as Zeke did/does. This next month is going to be full of pumpkins and apples and Fall Festivals and your first Halloween and I can't wait to be with you as you experience it! Love, Mommy

10 Months Old!

Naomi, you are 10 months old today! Here's what you've been up to:

- You started waving bye-bye, yesterday! It was very obvious! You stuck out your hand, high in the air, and waved your fingers up and down, bending at your wrist. So cute!

You played in the pool almost an hour this very hot afternoon! 

You pick up these strings (the fringe from the pillows) all the time. Unfortunately, they come off very easily, so they're constantly on the floor! You've stopped trying to eat them as often though! 

Moving up to some 12 month onesies!

- You're getting so close to having your first tooth! At your last check-up the doctor said it looked like you're currently working on 3! I'm expecting one to pop up any day now!

You love to have your feet up (even if it's on sister) when you're sleeping! 

- You're transitioning to 2 naps a day, sometimes sleeping for a 3 hour stretch! You usually go to sleep between 8-9 pm and wake up between 6-7 am.

Playing in the jumper at Mimi's house

- You crawl all over the place these days! And you're pretty loud :) Your hands slap against the floor as you move quickly across to catch up to me. You can get everywhere you need to go and we have to keep a close eye on you so you don't fall down the stairs or put your hands in Dora's water bowl or eat her food or whatever mischief you find! You pull up on the couch and at the glass door and on me and the edge of the bed. I try to keep you seated in the tub, but you love your new trick so much it's hard to keep up! You enjoy bath time, especially when your brothers or sister are in there with you.

Parkville Days Parade -- waiting for Zeke and Daddy to march through! 

- You like to sit in your high chair and watch the dog out the window. This will keep you entertained for 30-45 minutes sometimes, especially if we put some cheerios on your tray. You also watch us go out to check on the chickens and make dinner and all kinds of activities.

Kansas City Zoo with cousin Miriam 

Naomi Irene, you are such a sweet girl. You're practically sprinting through your first year of life! Your personality is shining more each day as you participate with your family. The other evening while we were eating dinner and talking you just let out a big scream and everyone stopped and looked at you. I think that's exactly what you wanted :-) Your hair is starting to get ever-so-slightly curly as it's beginning to grow out a bit. It's much thicker than Zoë's and has stayed dark brown. I'd love to have two curly haired girls with different colors! You like making noises with your tongue as you play and think it's funny when I move my fingers across your lips to make silly noises. You're nursing 4-5 times a day which I am thankful for and eating all your foods very well. I still feed you some, but you seem to prefer doing it yourself, at your own pace. Another independent child. You like to reach up and pull my hair and sometimes my earrings too, the reason I've worn small earrings for the past 6 years! Your family is enamored with you and we look forward to this journey of our lives, all together! Love, Mommy

9 Months Old!

Naomi, you are 9 months old today! We are visiting family in CO this week and I realized that you would be turning 9 months old while we're here, so this might be quick and breezy, but you know I don't like to miss doing the posts on the day-of your milestones!

Hot, humid day at the park near our house! 

- You are crawling! Your legs get up beside you like a frog and you are very flexible, but you are moving right along! You get your knees up under you most of the time. You are also sitting up and when you move from sitting to crawling I often see you doing the splits! It doesn't look very comfortable to me, but you don't seem to mind and just keep inching back and forth until you move to where you want to go! 

 - Most of these pictures you are in your swimsuit! We're having a hot summer in KC! You love the water -- splashing and feeling the water. You have been to the lake, several water/spray parks, and a few days in our backyard kiddie pool. You can sleep amongst all the noise at these places which I really appreciate! You are such a flexible, easy-going baby!

 - You sleep pretty well! Naps are shortening these days, but you are starting to consolidate them into a bigger afternoon nap. And then sleeping from about 8:30 pm - 6:30 am. You've been a bit restless lately, but I think you are growing and changing so much, it's hard for your brain to shut off. You are starting to say the "baa-baa" consonant now. You like to suck on your tongue and talk more when it's just you and me in a quiet room.

Spray park fun with Aunt Teresa 

Naomi, you love your family! And we all love you! I can see why there is such a tendency to spoil the baby of the family because we just want to do everything for you! No one likes to hear you cry so we pick you up and fix it. You get lots of attention and kisses and hugs and toys. You aren't the best traveler, but you're getting better especially now that your seat has been moved over next to Levi. He can hand you things and make you laugh and give you bottles which is a big help! How have you been here already as long as you grew in my tummy? It's going by in a blur and I'm soaking up the moments because I know just how fast it goes now. You are so loved by me! ~Mommy 

Zoë is THREE!

Zoë Kayte, you are 3 years old today! You are such a joy in our lives!

Let's kick off with a birthday interview so we can look back and remember some of your favorite things as you turn 3:

What is your favorite food? "Umm, cake." 
What is your favorite color? Pink
Favorite movie? My Little Pony
Favorite drink? Juice! 
Favorite song? "Trolls ... Jesus loves me..." 
Things to do? "Play with my kitchen stuff. My cake and my birthday." 
{We completed her survey on 7/30/18 after not taking a nap so she didn't have a lot to say. :)}

- You are a lot of fun! You are always up for adventures and doing the things the boys ask you to play with them. Although, you are starting to move off independently and play on your own sometimes, especially creating tea parties as of late.

- You love animals and like to follow Dora around and try to pet her. She lets you sometimes because she knows you can be calmer than the boys, but it doesn't usually last for long. 

- Recently, as I'm talking about the things Naomi does, you like to chime in and say that you did those same things as a baby, ending with "...'member that?" If you're distracted while I'm talking to you, you'll whip your head up all of a sudden and ask, "What you say?" You call Naomi "No-mee" and when she cries you often come to me and say "No-mee need you." 

Look at those beautiful curls! 

Reading books while Zeke takes TaeKwonDo class

I thought you looked so grown up this day so I took a snapshot! 

- When you get dressed, often in skirts and dresses these days, you like to walk in to the boys and show them your pretty outfit for them to comment on. 

Reading with great-Grandma in IA

- You like playing with Naomi and are very aware of her presence or lack thereof. As timid as you were upon first meeting her almost 9 months ago, you have grown into your role of big sister beautifully! You are calm with her, don't get mad when she pulls your hair, like holding her for short bursts, try to be gentle with her, and love giving each other kisses before bed at night. I'm so excited that you have a sister to be friends with in the years to come! 

Mommy's Birthday

- You have begun noticing my earrings and we have chatted about the possibility of getting your ears pierced. You are not quite ready which is ok with me. You like playing with my jewelry and have taken an interest in my rings of late. You have several bracelets that you enjoy wearing and I think it is partly because of the one I'm always wearing. It's fun that we can share an interest in jewelry and things that make us look pretty!

- You know your ABCs pretty well, we just need to work on enunciation. You can count up to 15? I think? You love to sit at the dinner table and paint or color. And you like to carry around a pad of paper with a pencil and draw ALL kinds of squiggles and pictures. Your current notepad is completely filled with your drawings. You look like a little reporter going around adding to your notes.

- You have a daily rest time, but you take less naps these days. I'd say most weeks you nap 3-4 times which was an all-of-a-sudden reduction! You had been napping daily and then all of a sudden it was like you didn't need to anymore, but we persevered and I continued to make you lay there, so now you have circled back around to a few naps a week which I am thankful for! You play hard most days so I can tell you're exhausted about the time dinner rolls around on the days you haven't napped. You've started falling asleep in chairs and sitting at the dinner table on those days of no naps, but it sure makes for a nice evening for me when you go to bed early!

- You are a good runner! You can really pick up your legs and get them moving fast!

- You like to take pictures on my phone, so I have begun to find photos such as these

- You are potty trained and only wear pull-ups at night! You took a little longer than the boys to figure it out, but we also started you just a bit sooner, so I think you did a super job! 

Carousel Ride at the KC Zoo

Zoë Kayte, you smile more than you frown and love chocolate and have recently become really attached to me. I'm excited to take you out for your first movie theater movie and then dinner with Daddy and I and give you some special time. You have been so patient and become very independent with the addition of your baby sister. You like helping me in the kitchen, mostly stirring, and sometimes help us set the table in the evenings. Sometimes you help feed the cat and dog and you adore your cousin Miriam -- who gets to have a sleepover with you tonight!! Zoë I am so thankful for your enthusiasm in getting tasks accomplished and your willingness to help your family. You are a delight and I can't wait to see you grow and blossom into a wonderful girl as your life journey continues! Love, Mommy