Laila rolled

I have been so negligent in posting about my super wonderful sweet girl.  She really is a joy, but sadly 4 kids do not leave me with a lot of time.

She is a jabbering girl right now who loves to hear her own squeals.  When I snuggle her, she makes the sound "Ahhh".  So sweet.

She rolled from her belly to her back for the first time.  She was so proud of herself and just smiled.

Also, did I mention we teach the kids chess at a young age around here? Rather, Shane does the teaching.  I am still learning, but Shane is giving Bobby Fisher a run for his money.

Shane and Myann's well checks

Shane 6 1/2 year well check

Weight: 55 lbs. (75%)
Height: 48 inches (70%)
BMI 16.8 (75%)

Climbing the wall at a birthday party - he was super fast.

Myann's 5 year well check
Weight: 42 lbs. (75%)
Height: 43 inches (75%)
BMI: 16 (75%)

Myann was always so small, that it amazes me that she is above average on height and weight now.

Loving on Maddox

Using her Easy Bake oven with her friend.

Meeting Santa 2011

Myann is 5!

My first baby girl is 5 today.  She has been looking forward to 5 since she turned 4.  And today all she has talked about is when she will be 6.  She is in a race to catch up to Shane.  Shane is in no hurry to age and Myann just wants so badly to be the same as Shane in everything.

For her party theme, she wanted Pacman Party.  Sadly, I could find no such theme for plates, napkins etc., and despite her request that I create it all myself, we went through the catalog and she settled on pirates.  So I bought all things pirate.  Then when I asked her what she wanted on her pirate cake, she said she did not want a pirate cake.  She wanted Spiderman. After futile attempts to change her mind, I ordered a Spiderman and Batman cake.  So it was a pirate/superhero party.  So typical of Myann.  Her Popi and Grammy got her a penguin shirt with one penguin separate than the group of penguins.  That's my girl, she goes her own way and does her own thing, except when it comes to Shane - again she wants everything exactly as Shane has it.

We have really been working with Myann to get her to make decisions based on what she likes and not what she thinks Shane will like.  It gives her some pause, but she still often defers to Shane's interests.  Now fashion is all her own. She went through her mismatched sock stage.  Now she is into crazy winter hats.  She likes to layer her clothing, and I mean 3 to 4 layers.  As if I do not have enough laundry to do. She refuses to wear dresses except for very special occasions and we usually have to bribe her.

Myann as she turns 5 has changed so much in this past year.  She looks different, she has grown a lot, and her disposition has changed for the better.  She is not as quick to tantrum like she once was and she is learning a little more self control.  She still likes to antagonize her brothers, but she is learning consequences.  She was about to say something negative about her daddy as he was doing something for her, but not to her satisfaction.  She started by saying to me, "Why is daddy so [long pause].... helpful?"   She smiled midpause as if she got that saying something negative was only going to make her situation worse.  Brian and I had a good laugh as we both knew what she originally meant to say. 

Myann has loved soccer this year and is eager to try basketball, as soon as I am ready to tackle more activities.  She favors her left side in sports, but is writing right handed.  She is proving to be quite athletic and coordinated in sports, even though she is the only person I know to get a black eye by hopping off the toilet so fast that she hit the bathroom counter corner.  If there is a way to injure yourself in a padded room, Myann will figure it out.   That said, she has a mean throw and can dribble a basketball impressively.  She is doing great with her writing and still loves her art.  She is the best big sister and loves Laila.   As much as Myann does not like baby dolls, she loves holding Laila and helping me with her whenever she can.  Myann is still very lovable and does not pass up a time to snuggle.  She still "picks her people".  No matter where we go, at every occasion or event, Myann finds the person that she will cling to for the evening.  It used to be only men, but now she chooses women on occasion too.  On our Thanksgiving trip, it was Uncle Shane and his girl friend Paige.  Poor Paige did not know what she was in store for that week.

Myann still says things beyond her years.  She says she does not want babies because "She does not want to push one out of her tenders or be cut open."  She said she will keep her baby making parts though, because they do other things.  This came from our conversation when she said she did not want baby making parts and wanted them taken out like all her grandmothers.  I explained to her that they had them taken out for different reasons and she still needed her baby making parts for a long time.  She agreed, but insists no babies.  I really hope she changes her mind.

My sweet girl, it has been a bumpy road at times, but you are still our amazing little girl who keeps us on our toes.  You are so lovable, smart, and witty.  You knew how to make the world revolve around you before you were born, when you demanded 4 weeks of my undivided attention in the hospital.  You still insist on your own time with Daddy and I.  We love you and look forward to this next year.

My birthday note from Shane

Typical man:
Here is what I need first and then oh yeah, happy birthday. Okay, so a very sweet birthday note to find on my computer when  I woke up, but love that V8 Splash was listed as what he wanted first.

Recent Shane funnies said to his dad

After arguing and complaining he did not want to go to his last cross-country meet.  We explained to him the importance of finishing a commitment and eventually he agreed to go.  When walking in the door his Dad told him he was very proud of him for finishing his commitment.  Shane's immediate response, "It wasn't my commitment it was mom's, I didn't want to do cross-country in the first place and mom made me.  I would have quit if you would have let me."  Fair enough, valid point.

Driving to practice the week following a practice in which Shane refused to participate because he forgot his ball.  Shane was talking up how good their team is and how they will never lose.  Dad explains to Shane that winning is great, but the most important thing is always trying your best.  Shane, "I thought the most important thing is your relationship with God."  Yet again, technically correct.

Laila's Baptism

Laila was baptized today at our church, Redeemer Lutheran. Pastor Matt did the baptism in the small chapel of our church.  She was quite interested in what was going on and awake for the whole thing. Aunt Danielle will be her Godmother, and as Shane puts it, "Laila has a real Godfather, now that Uncle Alex is in heaven." Uncle Alex will be her Godfather from heaven.

Pastor Matt gave Brian a candle to light every year on the anniversary of her baptism.  We have not had this with the others, but I think we may do this with all the kids now.  What a great yearly reminder of their relationship with Christ.

Shane blowing out the candle.

Our friends and family at the baptism.  Thankfully Uncle Shane and Aunt Sunny could be here, as well as our Spokane family, the Prizemans and Kipps.

Still here

We are still here, I promise. Since I know family wants to see recent pictures, I promise they are coming.  Frankly, I have a to do list that grows daily and I am triaging the things that HAVE to be done and postponing the things I would like to get done, like blogging. Now, I should be sleeping, but since I am not super tired, a good minute to catch up.

The kids did this with our sitter Sierra and I love it. I think I will make stickers out of it. 

Birth announcements are coming.  I should actually be addressing those instead of blogging. Today was one of those days were I thought I would get so much done and in the end accomplished nothing, well nothing in addition to the normal Sunday of church, cooking dinner, laundry, and normal clean up.  I have got to figure out how to do things in 5 minute spurts, because the days of having an entire hour to accomplish an entire task have disappeared. 

However, hoping to catch up on blogging because so much has happened lately.

School Day and New Beds Day 2

On our way home from school today, Shane was telling me about his day and what he did and ate. He was excited that he has music class this year. Then he says, "Did you know I get to go to science class?" Me: "Yes, pretty cool." Shane: "This is a great time in my life. I get to learn science."  I filled with pride. Shane does have some of my DNA!

As for beds, Anders discovered tonight that he does not have to stay in bed. So I have been chasing him back to bed for an hour.  I knew it would happen, the honeymoon is over.  My sweet, wonderful, well-rested Anders is likely going to be replaced with a cranky sleep-deprived kid.  Why can't kids stay in cribs until high school when all they want to do is sleep?  Myann was my sweet girl until she moved out of the crib and did not get as much sleep.

Big Big Day in our household

Shane's 1st day of school - Shane is in the 1st/2nd combo class, so I am curious to see how he does with the older kids.  Drop off was insane, so Brian had to drop Shane and I off and stay in the car with the other 3 kids.  So no pictures at school.  I took this picture when we got home. 

Laila slept through the night!!!  7 1/2 hours and it was awesome.  I know it was a fluke, but I will take it.  Laila is not plumping up like I expected because she eats all the time, but she seems to be getting really long. 

Then, at 9 am, the furniture place called to say they were delivering Myann's bed at 1 pm.  So much for notice, but we were not complaining because we wanted the bed sooner than later.  So Brian and I frantically went into gear trying to get 3 bedrooms switched up. Emptying out the baby room to make room for Myann's enormous bed. Moving baby furniture into the playroom and moving Myann's stuff into her room.  Then changing out the bedding on the respective beds.  It was exhausting.  We were prepared for the worst, being kids miserable in their new sleeping arrangements and Anders getting out of bed.  By a miracle, they were all super excited, but then quickly fell asleep.  Hallelujah!!!  The irony of it all was that Shane loved Myann's bed and was pretty jealous because it is like a fort.  Anders insisted he was still sleeping in the crib in the playroom. (Have I ever mentioned that Anders has NEVER tried to climb out of the crib.)  He did not care that we moved his bed and insisted on sleeping in it until Shane convinced him to sleep with him.  Shane even found his old sports bedding to put on the bed for Anders and helped him to move all his "babies", stuffed animals, into his bed.  Finally Anders was convinced and readily climbed into the bottom bunk.  It even inspired him because he got up on his own and ran to the bathroom to pee.  Woohoo!!

Where's Waldo - Myann style

Eventually a bed will go here

Cubby for her animals

Brothers in their bunkbed

Annual Labor Day Trip to Silverwood

Every year we have been going to Silverwood on Labor Day weekend.  Last year it was chilly and we all wore fleece coats.  This year it was one of the hottest days, where the water rides were actually appealing.  Since Grandpa Jo, Grandma Anne, and Jennifer and Logan were in town, we had a really large group. Lots of fun as always.

Anders on the planes

Connor, James, and Shane on the log ride - they loved it.

Todd rocks and took Anders on this and other rides since I was strapped to a baby most of the day.

Gpa Jo, Myann, Jennifer, and Logan

Bumper Boat war

Jennifer lost the war

Sandra got some baby time and I got a break so I could do a ride.

Logan and Myann

The kid gang

4 of the boys

Anders was messy and his future wife felt the need to clean him - she did this on her own.

Anders does not even seem to notice Bree cleaning him

He paused from eating to let her clean his mouth.  We were all laughing pretty hard at this cleaning episode.

Baby Addiction

My name is Kari and I am addicted to babies and pregnancy for that matter.  It has been a little over 3 weeks, I already miss pregnancy, and already find myself sad that Laila has passed that true newborn stage and has already progressed into an alert infant. I hold Laila A LOT, to the point that I am not getting much else done.  I feel that if I hold her enough, maybe I can freeze time, at least in my mind.  I was holding her the other night when Brian saw me staring at her with that longing gaze and said, "Thank goodness you had your tubes tied, because I can already tell you want more babies."  And he was right.  I do, I did. But, it is done and we are moving on from the baby having stage to the kid raising stage. I have accepted that and know it is right for our family.  So in the meantime, I will hold Laila as much as I can, gaze at her and try to remember everything about her babyness, and love every second of this stage.  So if you come to my house and it is a disaster, you have been warned, I am holding a baby instead of doing household chores.

Laila's Newborn Photos

Check out Laila's newborn photos.  I am late in posting, so you may only have a couple days to view before the slideshow gets pulled.
http://www.jaideanbakerphotography.com/Slideshows/Laila

What Laila's siblings think of her?

We keep getting asked about how the other three are adjusting to Laila. The short version is that they LOVE her.  No jealousy at all so far.  All three are absolutely in love with her and have not said one negative word or acted out in any way.  Anders is insistent on his mommy time and is great about asking for it, but he was like that before, so no real change there. Sadly I can not give him all the time he asks for, but I give him as much as I can and sometimes Laila is in tow.  He does not mind if she is along for the ride, as long as I go, this includes the bathroom.  And if you are not convinced, watch this video.

Aug 5th and 6th

Getting ready for the movie

Laila's first sponge bath - she was not so happy, but found a thumb to soothe her

Great babysitter in the making

Austin, the proud cousin

2nd breakfast out - Chaps with the family

Anders picked this shirt out and had to wear it, even in professional photos.  The Aggies could really use a player like him. 

Beautiful girl, sleeping so nicely.

Photos from the past few days: We ate breakfast at Chaps before my Aunt Kathi and Uncle Mark had to fly home.  Then we went furniture shopping, Myann needs a new bed. Dinner out with Laila, but no other kids.  Grandma volunteered to stay home so the rest of us could go out. The kids did popcorn and movie night. Laila had her first sponge bath to get ready for her photo shoot the next day.  Saturday morning we did photos with Jaidean.  The kids were less than cooperative, but that is how it goes at this age.  Laila cooperated for most of it, so I am hopeful that we will have some good shots to choose from. Saturday afternoon, Papa, Aunt Dani, and Lexi and Austin had to go home.  It was hard to see them go, but we will see them again in a couple of months.