"Furbie"

This little peanut has a recent new nickname dubbed -very affectionately of course- by her "Auntie" Brenda. I think it fits her perfectly, especially in these photos.

In case you really wondered how she came by all her hair, may I introduce; "Furbie Sr. and Furbie Jr."

;)

cereal

Legs kicking, squeals of delight & getting so excited for the next bite that she inhales what's in her mouth and chokes/sputters much of it back out. That's how our Oatmeal introduction has gone thus far. We are both enjoying this new phase although she is already following in her sister Syd's footsteps by refusing to have it mixed with anything but water. As much as I've tried to convince her that breastmilk, formula, or even a little sugar (kidding) would taste sooo much better she's not havin' it. Kids!

Oh, and we're starting to master the 'roll all over the living room floor' technique which is fun stuff. I love setting her down and finding her on the other side of the room only minutes later. It's lots of entertainment for all of us (and keeps my floors nice and clean as she is sort of like a human swiffer) ;)

Miss Molly...you're growing up so fast!!

five

My 'baby' is five today. FIVE! As Brad put it best tonight, this seems to be some kind of magical milestone number. We both felt teary-eyed about it. She is no longer a toddler. She no longer fits into size "T" anything. She is now officially my "big girl"and I'm still trying to figure out how that happened. I want her back as a baby. I miss her CHUBBY legs. Ohhh how I loved her thighs. Loved them. And now she is tall, thin, with dancer's legs and I can hardly remember those fatty thighs unless I get out the pictures.

Raegan was also my 'textbook' child. Still kind of is. She did everything by the books and exactly on-time. I still chuckle to think of how overwhelmed I was as a new mom when she was actually so easy. Hindsight is a funny thing; except when you realize how quick the time flies and you long for moments you'd do over or have back. I'm learning so much from her and through her and now more then ever I'm learning to savor more moments. This past year with her really brought that into perspective and I'm so thankful for that.

She has started to snuggle me more and crawls into bed with me every morning. We have "girl time"- which sometimes is simply just when she and I grocery shop together without the other two- and she loves it, thrives on it. She says her favorite color is purple...and sometimes pink. She is particular about her clothes and has been since she was two. She still sucks her two fingers on her left hand when she's tired (and I think it's cute). She is shy and timid in many situations and needs time to warm up to everything. She cannot be rushed. She is my biggest helper, when she's in the mood. She likes things 'just so'. She likes to know what to expect. She is a quintessential first-born child...and alot like me. :)

This past year I have watched Raegan learn to write her name and many many other words. She is constantly asking me how to spell things and sounding things out. She loves her baby sister to death and mothers her constantly. She flies at mach-10 on her scooter and loves to play outside. She runs out the door now and off with her neighborhood friends, sometimes with hardly a backward glance, so different from years past...

Happy Birthday to my big little girl. I love you RG! Now please stop growing!

3 years

Three years ago today our crazy middle kid Sydney Marie entered the world and life has been nothing short of full, funny, loud and interesting ever since.

Syd is my kid that makes me WORK at being a parent almost daily; but for as much as she can bring me to my knees in frustration, she can also turn on a dime and make me laugh right out loud minutes later.

This past year was one of big adjustments for Syd as she went from being the "baby" to the "middle kid" rank in birth order. As expected, she has fought this with all that her little stature could muster and is still proclaiming her defiance by holding tightly to her "Dees" (binkies), refusing any and all interest in potty-training, and being just enough of a pistol with her sleeping habits to assure that she will stay in her crib in the nursery until further notice. (And I won't even begin to mention how often my patience has been tested in dicipline situations!)

However in other areas she has grown immensely and for as much as she clings to her "baby position" she also tries desperately to mimic and follow closely in her big sister's footsteps and she amazes me often.

She still LOVES to dance and sing and we are almost certain that she will have a future in entertainment or theater of some sort. Although at times it can drive me batty because she is NEVER quiet, I do love listening as she wanders around in her own little world singing every praise song she knows as loud as she pleases and with hilarious facial expression. I find myself praying often on Sundays during worship that someday she'll use this love (and all her character) to be up on stage praisin' the Lord! Oh how proud I would be!

My favorite thing about Sydney that I saw develop this year was a very kind heart. Even if she is one minute fighting with her older sister, she will quickly be the first to apologize and offer a hug shortly after. She often randomly says "I love you Mommy" and is very affectionate. She LOVE LOVE LOVES her baby sister and is always making sure she has a "lovie" to hold if she cries. She may be loud and crazy but deep down I see that there is a very special girl just waiting to grow up. I could go on and on but here come the tears.... Love you Sydney!! Happy 3rd Birthday to you.

5 Months- MV

Hi, You're cute.

Beep! Got your belly.

Wow, the months are really starting to fly by now. I can't believe we are only a few short weeks away from the 6 month milestone. She's almost half a year old already! I want another one! HA HA HA. Kidding.

But seriously, I am holding fiercely to each chubby, naked, cooing moment as I know that all too soon Molly will be all grown up like her two sisters- of almost 5 and almost 3 yrs- and I'll be sobbing over her photo albums like I find myself doing every so often with the older ones; especially around birthday time.

In the last month Miss MV has 'graduated' from her bouncy seat into the pack and play. We are close to being done with "the swaddle" before bedtime -but to be honest I'm holding onto that one probably more for me then her-I just love the baby burrito!

She is rolling from back to front constantly, is loving the exersaucer, grabs for EVERYTHING, and is such a Nosy Nelly when it's time to eat. If I'm talking to someone or even if there is just someone else in the room she is constantly pulling away to be in-the-know. We've given baby cereal a few tries but so far she just tolerates a few spoonfuls poured in her mouth before she clamps down and wrinkles her nose at me. I don't blame her.

The bottle attempts are few and far between but the ones we've tried have still had little success. This kid is going to be just like her older sister, I can see it already. She's no dumbie and knows that mama hates hearing her scream and will give in eventually. She's lucky she's the last one AND cute to boot. I'll probably nurse her til she's three if she wants.

Kidding! (sort of)

Quiet Time

A nice comfortable crib complete with blankets and pillows only a mere 3 feet away and yet...these are much better options. Apparently.

Family & Easter & Birthdays, Oh my!

The annual whirlwind Kreider Easter weekend came and went and once again, we packed in the fun (and food)! Easter-egg & basket hunting, tramp-jumping, fishing, ice cream at Housemans, and a dual birthday party to boot. We love that our PA family makes the long car trek to visit us; it makes our Easter & spring birthday celebrations extra special!
Yes, against my better judgement we have now become "that" family; with the monstrosity of a trampoline gracing the once tranquil slopes of our green backyard. This was the b-day gift to our girls from us and Grandma and Grandpa. The girls were beyond thrilled; Mama is still skeptical.

P.S. You'll now have to sign a waiver in order to play in our backyard; just lettin' ya know. ;)

My serious almost-five-year-old; writing out her 'thank you's'. Is she really this big already??