Tender moments

Logan, "My sister is so darn cute!"

Logan, "Ooo, she's got bling!"

Logan, "Hmm, I wonder what's under this thing..."

Kendall, "Logan, get off me!"

Kendall is 5 months

At 5 months, Kendall:
- loves taking baths - she laughs and kicks the whole time
- loves to touch her face or mine while nursing
- busts out laughing when we speak to her in a low voice
- enjoys watching Logan and Taylor play
- loves to talk to us
- loves being outside
- shows interest in toys and attempts playing with some
- has mastered lifting her head up
- loves being in her swing
- loves to take naps with me
- constantly tries to sit up so that she can see better

Billy is not used to having girls around, so he thinks Kendall is very dramatic, but I think she's just being sensitive, like most girls.
She has such a sweet, mellow, and relaxed personality. In the morning, I keep having to check up on her because she's so satisfied just laying there and so happy she doesn't make a peep.
And although her compexion is much lighter than her brohers', people still tell me she looks a lot like Billy... I think she looks like me!

Kendall is 4 months

At 4 months, Kendall:
- smiles and laughs A LOT
- talks A LOT (a.k.a. squeals)
- is a charmer and a flirt
- can hold things in her hands with some assistance
- can hit her playmat toy to get it to play music
- can hold her head up, while on her tummy, for up to 30 seconds
- loves hugs and kisses from Logan and Taylor
- enjoys watching Logan and Taylor play while sitting on my lap
- smiles when she sees her reflection in the mirror

I love having an easy-going, fun, and cute baby girl that sleeps and eats great. She is the perfect baby. How could I be so blessed to have her in my life? Words seriously cannot describe how perfect she is. I love this little girl so much. I cannot believe how fast she is growing. Part of me wants her to stay this way forever. And part of me knows that she is going to get more and more fun. So we take each day as it comes and make the best of it, enjoying each moment that we spend together.

Children are a blessing

My heart is so full right now. I just feel really blessed to have 3 wonderful, beautiful, healthy children. Sometimes I have to make myself stop whatever I am doing to admire them, cuddle with them, and love them. Those moments make me feel like a mommy, not a teacher, not a referee, and not a taxi driver.
I especially enjoy watching them interact with one another. I love to see Logan and Taylor kissing Kendall and stroking her cheeks. I wish I could freeze time in those sweet moments. I also love to see Logan and Taylor cracking each other up. They truly have a special bond during those times.
Logan is really sweet and independent. He loves to cuddle but also enjoys spending time on his own.
Taylor is loving and funny. He loves to sit on my lap and make people laugh.
Kendall is happy and mellow. She smiles and laughs a bunch, and nothing seems to get to her.
I couldn't imagine living a different life. This is the life I chose for myself and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my children with all my heart and I hope the next 18 years will go by very slowly because I want to enjoy every minute.

The Zoo with Bon-Papa and Bonne-Maman

When we first moved out here, we were told that visiting the zoo was one of the best family activity in Columbus. Since we figured we would spend a lot of time out there, we decided to get a membership, and it has totally been worth it. We went quite a few times before this whole heat wave started. This zoo is so huge that we haven't even seen all the animals in it. Maybe it'll take us 1 or 2 more trips.

 That day, I think the polar bears were the coolest!

And that day, the snakes were the coolest!



Kendall is 3 months

Where has time gone? I'm afraid to blink because I feel like every time I do, Kendall has learned something new that makes her grow up right in front of my eyes. Soon she'll be rolling over, then crawling, then walking, then DATING, then GETTING MARRIED, then HAVING KIDS, and everything in-between!
I watched a movie the other day, Cyberbully. It was about teenagers bullying other teenagers over the Internet. In the movie, mean comments led to a girl's lack of confidence in herself, which led to her lack of love for herself, which eventually led to her suicide attempt. That's scary! I feel like parents have to work so much harder nowadays to boost up their kids' confidence in themselves, so that mean comments don't mean anything to them, so that they can stand up for themselves in difficult situations, so that they can make smart decisions that they and their parents can be proud of. That's what we're going to have to do in order for Kendall to be successful in life, in every aspect of her life.

Anyway...

This month, Kendall has been so smiley. I love it! It turns bad days into good ones. Her smile is so contagious and sweet. Just the other day, after I nursed her, I said "Well, Kendall, are you done?" and I swear she laughed. I said it again, and she laughed again. This happened a total of 4 times. Kendall is a very happy baby and I think she will become a very friendly kid.
She continues to grow every day, and she now has extra rolls on her thighs. Billy calls them her "labia majora majora." I think it's pretty funny!
She loves to spend time outdoors and check out the world around her. I love to watch her and can almost see the wheels spinning inside her head. She's taking it all in and learning as much as she can.
When she was in the NICU, Kendall loved her pacifier, but since she's been home, she hasn't been liking it a whole lot. In fact, this month she has started sucking on her fist. I've been trying to addict her to her binkie, because I think the habit will be easier to break than if she becomes a thumb-sucker, but she's pretty stubborn.
She's also kinda of sensitive - a typical girl, I guess. Billy isn't used to girls, so he often rough-houses with her, and she doesn't like it. So she purses her bottom lip, then her bottom lip starts to shiver, and finally she starts crying. I think she'll just have to tough it out, though, because I have a feeling Billy's not going to stop. And let's be honest, she has 2 brothers, so she has to be tough.
I prayed for a good eater and I got her. I prayed for a good sleeper and I got her. This last week, Kendall has been sleeping from 9:30 p.m. to about 6:30 a.m. Not every night, but most. I hope it lasts.
We don't really have a schedule for her during the day. She eats every 2-1/2 to 3 hours, but her sleep schedule varies. She still sleeps a bunch, so I just kinda let her sleep whenever she wants to.
Kendall is such an easy-going, laid-back, and sweet baby. I could have 10 just like her. She makes parenting so easy for me, which I'm sure will change once puberty hits, but for now I am enjoying every minute of it.

Second birthday party!

Well, Logan and Taylor are 2! I wanted to make this birthday very special for them. So I was super happy when my parents told me they would make the trip to spend this birthday weekend with us. I was also super happy that so many people RSVP to the party. We're still getting to know people out here, so I really appreciated their attendance and friendship.

Presents from the family

Discovering the presents in the morning

Logan opening up the presents (but not letting go of his cars)

Logan playing with the train track

Taylor playing with the cash register

Taylor opening up presents

Drinks and candy

Party favors

FOOD FOOD FOOD!

The new table, which we quickly put to use once the kiddos got to the party

Playing with Bon-papa and Bonne-maman

Bon-papa is so fun!

Bonne-maman is super cool

PARTY TIME!!!

It's crazy how a house that seems so BIG can appear so SMALL with so many people in it. 10 adults and 11 kids.

Taylor hitting the pinata. Can you tell he's enjoying this?

Logan hitting the pinata.

This thing was sturdy, so I had to give it a good wack!

Happy birthday, Logan!

Happy birthday, Taylor!

Little sister enjoyed being held by so many people at the party.



Logan and Taylor playing (not fighting) with their new toys!