Happy Thanksgiving

We had a simple Thanksgiving. I have been in charge of hosting birthdays/holidays since my mom passed away 8 years ago. Some gatherings were at my dads old house, but I was still doing the leg work. Now things have transitioned to our house since dad has moved. All of my siblings/in-laws help, but I seem to willingly take on the 'nitty-gritty' of getting things prepared. I love hosting, it's an honor to have my loved ones fill my home. However, for the first time since I was 22 years old...I did NOT take on the hosting role, and I really enjoyed it for a change!

My brother, Chad, had our family over for Thanksgiving. My sister-in-law's family joined too. It was a large group. I was in charge of making the dressing! Nothing simple about making my moms dressing...everything from scratch! Lots of work, but it's always a hit. I felt weird walking into their house with just one dish! I didn't have to straighten the house before the party, set the table, organize the plates, get drinks prepared...nope, I just enjoyed Thanksgiving! I did help clean up even though my brother told me not to. However, I felt bad that I didn't help enough, so I went back over there the next morning with breakfast in hand to help finish cleaning! I just can't help it!

They have a wonderful party house, and we had a great time. Lots of games for the kids and the LSU vs. Aggie football was on for the adults. The adults also played a ping-pong tournament....I WON! I beat out all the men, and I what did I win?? Nothing, other than bragging rights! This means that I beat Scott too! Hear that kiddos?? Your momma will teach you how to serve a mean ping pong ball!

We stayed so late!! The boys were having a blast running around with cousins. They played pool, played dancing games, video games, and so much more! Trent almost killed his cousins fish! Trent walked up to me with a guilty look and handed me the empty food container. Yep, he dumped the entire food jar into the fish bowl. Good thing he told me!! Trent felt awful and hid under his cousins bed then wouldn't leave the bathroom until we were done cleaning the bowl. He knew he did wrong! He learned a lesson on how not to 'play' with a fish. Scott on the other hand, spent 45 min cleaning the fish bowl and trying to save its life! Good news, Elvis (the fish) is fine!

Faith Ann was passed around, looking beautiful! She wore an adorable smocked dress. She made everyone's jaw drop with her baby blues and her sweet, sweet smile! She was admired, to say the least! She started getting sleepy way before the party was over. So, we found a quiet place and tucked her in my nieces tiny pop-up cradle.....in the bathroom!! She was so big in the cradle, but the bathroom was dark and I turned on the vent for noise. She slept like a rock! I woke her up around 11pm, and she transitioned to the car- then to her crib at home just fine! Sweet angel!

 We love having Scott home for 4 whole days!!! The weather is amazing. We have spent majority of our days outside. Cousins have come over and lots of neighbors. Faith Ann even took a nap outside, on the front doormat!! Third child! I laid a blanket down while the boys were playing in the front ditch, and she fell asleep in the sun! Our street is full of children. At one point yesterday, we had about 15 kids playing in our yard! A baseball game was taking place, bubbles being blown, girls pushing Faith Ann in her walker, some helping Scott hang Christmas lights, and others sitting on a skateboard being pulled by a rope into the ditch! Good ole fun!! We had a great Thanksgiving. So much to be thankful for. Faith Ann had a great first Thanksgiving!

Holiday Season is Here

This week was full of activities! Calendars are starting to fill up as the holiday season is here. This week is Thanksgiving week. Hunter's school had a "Tis the Season" party last week. This really got us in the mood for the holidays! Santa was at the party and lots of winter games. As much as we love the season of Christmas...there is something about Thanksgiving that I love so much!!

Thanksgiving is simple. There's not a lot of "hoop-la" involved...no costumes, no gifts...just a day to be thankful!! How wonderful! A day to be thankful and enjoy food, friends, and family!! I love it! I miss my mom so much during this time of year. I feel her presence more than ever as we continue her traditions and recipes. She was something else!! I am thankful for her and all that she taught me. She is continuing to teach me as I reflect back on her life.

We will spend the next few days gearing up for Thanksgiving. We are looking forward to Faith Ann's first Thanksgiving and Christmas. She is such a joy. Talk about thankful....I am SO thankful for my sweet, happy, healthy, loveable, beautiful baby girl. She melts me daily. She softens me!! I have gotten "softer" with each child, and I am pretty much butter in Faith Ann's hands! Love that girl.

Hunter and Trent are INSEPARABLE, they coexist. They are so loyal. Hunter continues to guide and protect. Trent continues to follow and admire. Hunter makes me so proud. He is such a good role model. He is thoughtful, loving, and responsible! Trent is my tender heart that goes with the flow. I am so thankful for my boys. God made them perfectly for each other.

Trent is starting to talk a lot. His words are becoming more clear. Almost daily, he surprises me with his vocabulary! He is learning from Hunter, and let me tell you...Hunter has the vocabulary and knowledge of an adult! Hunter is extremely smart, and he is constantly teaching Trent. So, Trent is getting a great education just listening to and following Hunter!

Someone asked me, "what is life like with 3 kids?" My answer came from my heart. I said, "the first child comes with worry, the second child comes with ease, and the third child comes with fun!!" That has been my experience. Each child has shaped me, and will continue to shape me. The first child...ahhh, you love so much. That new love comes with worry and questions. You just have SO much to learn!! Then, the second comes along and you are in the groove. Then, the third comes and you simply enjoy the ride! That's where I am...enjoying the ride!! And I am thankful for the ride! Trent...well, he is thankful for queso! Licking it off the plate, not wasting one drop!!

6 Months

Weight: 17.8 lb

Height:  27 in

Well, HALF of a year has passed! Our 6 month appointment was action packed.  Faith Ann's appointment was first thing in the morning. Scott just got home from a hunting trip, so we decided to all go together then go get breakfast afterwards...let Hunter skip school for a day! 

All 5 of us crammed in the room. So many kids are sick this time of year, so we waited a long time. We did lots of dancing, singing, and Scott was extra embarrassed by my attempt of constant entertainment! The nurse weighed Faith Ann, and I was shocked...only 17.8 lbs?! Don't get me wrong, that is big but I was expecting bigger because she feels like a center-block of concrete! The nurse said, "74th percentile in weight." Then I said, "wait, that must be wrong because it looks like sister ATE the growth chart!" I am not picking on my plump princess, I am just simply surprised that the she weighs less than Trent did at 6 months.

At 6 months, she is only a few ounces smaller than Trent and a couple ounces bigger than Hunter...but she just looks bigger than both of them! Dr. Brack says that girls hold weight different than boys. The boys were more 'dense' and Faith Ann is so preciously plump, soft and round! They boys were also longer than her, so she looks chubbier. I wouldn't have it any other way...she is perfection!

Speaking of chubby. Dr. Brack noticed that her "fat rolls" didn't match up on her legs. She has an extra roll on her right leg and the crease under her bottom is a different length on each side. This 'can' be a sign of hip dysplasia. Faith Ann shows no other red flags, but Dr. Brack ordered an X-Ray to make sure her hips are okay. I was stressed!!! Dr. Brack almost sounded shocked and said..."wait, what, why haven't I noticed this?" It could be because she is getting more chubby, so her rolls are getting more pronounced? Not sure, but Dr. Brack seemed like it caught her off guard! 4 days of anxious waiting...the X-rays came back NORMAL! Thank God! So, bottom line is that her fat rolls are not symmetrical- and that is it! Cosmetic and they will even out as she looses her baby fat! It is somewhat common that fat rolls "don't line up," but Dr. Brack had to rule out any hip issues. Love Dr. Brack!

While we were so focused on Faith Ann, Dr. Brack looked at Hunter and said, "Hunter looks a little off- let me take a look!" Hunter was sitting there eating his snack, and all of a sudden became the patient! Good thing because he tested positive for strep! Way to go mom for not noticing!! She caught it EXTRA early before any symptoms, and we started medicine immediately. She said he would not be contagious after 3 dosages of medicine, and likely not be contagious anyways because of his lack of symptoms! She just said he had "the look"...again, great doctor!! We laid low for a few days to make sure we were in the clear. Hunter had 6 dosages of medicine before interacting with others- he missed his last soccer game of the season, and the soccer party where they receive trophies! Awe! He felt fine and was full of energy, so pajama days with all 3 makes for long days with simple pleasures!

Hunter never skipped a beat, and Faith Ann did great getting her X-Rays. We are SO thankful for good results, and for a very positive doctor appointment! She said that Faith Ann is the picture of a "healthy and happy baby!!" Here is what Faith Ann is up to:

- Birthmark has 'plateaued', not much change

-  Smiles ALL the time

- Still just breastfeeding, showing little interest in food. So, I haven't started food yet.

- Loves her doorway bouncer!!

- She wakes around 7:30am, and I feed her in my bed- then she falls asleep again and takes a morning nap in my bed until 9:30ish

- Afternoon nap 1:00-4:00ish

- Sleeps 7:30pm-7:30

- Size 3 diaper

- Easy going personality

- Still such a peaceful soul!

- Babbles with a concerned look on her forehead, like she is tattle-telling! Hilarious!

- Obsessed with watching her brothers

- Strong legs and back...I feel like she could just get up and walk!

Baby girl, we LOVE you! We are beyond grateful for you. I say prayers over you every night, and I had tears in my eyes last night as I prayed while we waited for your X-Ray results. Yes, hip dysplasia is treatable, so not so much tears of fear....but more so tears for the fact of how fragile life is. You are such a gift from the Lord. You remind me everyday to "Keep the Faith" in the Lord! It brings me to tears to know that you are named after my mom...the person who taught me to trust and turn over control. At times, like awaiting test results, I am reminded of the strength of my mother! Faith Ann, I love you!

Trio

It is finally cooler outside!! As the seasons change, so do my children! They are blossoming into quiet the TRIO! I have completed the dreaded task of swapping out the kids clothes to get ready for the cool temps. It is so much work to put away the summer clothes and organize the winter clothes. It is MUCH more fun to shop and get Faith Ann's clothes organized. Hanging up those sweater dresses and peacoats is melting my heart!!

We headed to the beach for Uncle Greg's birthday last weekend. We knew it would be too cold to swim, but we went to hang out for the day at our friends beach house. The boys played on the beach and were in the water in no time!! Ice cold water! We rolled up their pants so they could walk in the waves...haha, that lasted 2 minutes! They were soaked and having a blast.

Our weekends seem extra busy these days. The birthday parties are filling our days. Our children are invited to more birthday parties than I have been to in my whole life!! It's so wonderful to be surrounded by a community of friends and loved ones! Hunter always says, "which party is this weekend?" Sweet boy loves a party, and he always looks forward to the next celebration.

Faith Ann goes to all the parties and is admired for her sweet personality and baby blue eyes! She is really looking like Trent and seems to have Hunter's vibrant personality....get ready world! That is a combination for her to take over the world, one smile at a time! She has an easy smile, BIG smile! You can feel the peace exuding from her and see the joy in her eyes. What a wonderful mix of sweet and sassy! I am so excited to watch Faith Ann's personality unfold!!

She is able to sit on her own, but just for a short time. It doesn't really matter because she is held all the time. I hold her because we seem to be on the go more often. I hold her when we are home because I just can't put her down!! She is contagious! Her soft skin, pudgy rolls, the way she reaches for my face and leans her head on my shoulder! Ahhh! I love her TOO much! And when I do put her down...Hunter is right there to hold her! He is her biggest protector and admirer!

Gosh, her brothers LOVE her! I absolutely love the relationship forming between Trent and Faith Ann. He picks out her toy every time we get in the car. It is so sweet. He reaches in the toy basket and waits for me to put her in the carseat. Then he gently places the hand-picked toy on her chest. He is a little more subtle in his love for her. He quietly kisses her when he passes. He holds her hand. He silently plays peek-a-boo with her.  His love is a little more quiet, but it sure is consistent!! He doesn't take his eye of her very often!

Faith Ann is 6 months old tomorrow!! Shocking! I will do a separate post on the best 6 months of our lives!! We have another weekend of festivities ahead. I look forward to bundling up with my cuddly, happy, beautiful 6 month old baby girl!