Happiness is...........

Happiness is....

 

hugs from my girl.

7 months

 

How can it be?!  Time seems to be picking up speed.  Wasn't it just yesterday that I was typing up Penny's 6 month post....sniff!

Anywho, Miss Penny has been doing lots of fun stuff this month!
*Charlie was laying next to her and when I asked her where Charlie was she looked at him and smiled.  We did this several times and each time she flashed that ear to ear smile his way.  So precious
*She thinks that the baby in the mirror (herself) is by far the funniest thing around.  She loves for me to hold her up to the mirror that is behind her dresser/changing table and she laughs and kicks and squeals.  She even loves to try and slobber kiss the baby in the mirror.
*When she drops a toy off her excersaucer or one of her binks from her bed, she peers over the side of the excersaucer or through the bars of her bed trying to find them.
*Still taking 2 naps
*Still nursing every 3-4 hours around  the clock, eating solids 2 times a day and wanting REAL food like there is no tomorrow!
*Starting to sit all by her big self, though not 100% sturdy and will topple over after a few minutes.
*Loves to roll around on the floor with her toys and her bestie girlfriend Miss E.
*Snuggles with Tommy in his bed when he wakes up from his nap.  Such precious moments!
*Had her first taste of strawberry ice cream and most likely  her last for a long time.  I think it hurt her tummy :(  but boy did she LOVE it!  But the dairy that I have now reintroduced into my diet does not seem to be bothering her at all.  Thank goodness!! I missed cheese! *update:since having the strawberry ice cream her brothers have both fed her their vanilla frozen yogurt and not only does she LOVE it but it has not bothered in the least!!!
*Loves her Daddy
*I think that she is trying to wave "hi" and "bye"
*People always comment on how beautiful she is and how "cute" her cheeks are.  We think so too, but we are perhaps a bit bias :)
 *Still only 2 teeth
*Loves the bath tub
*Her personality is very much like it was when she was in utero.  She is laid back and doesn't make a lot of fuss.
*She still will not take a bottle but we are working on a sippy cup and will drink about 2oz from that.
*Loves to snuggle in our bed in the morning before the ruffians brothers are up.
*Did I mention she loves her Daddy? :)
* Is starting to look like a big girl to me ;(

Dear Sweet Girl,
  I am so grateful that you are healthy and strong, but seriously, please don't grow up too fast.  Ok?!  And I know that you are completely smitten by your brothers, you can't get enough of them, but be careful.  All that batting of eyelashes and the ear to ear smiles you flash their way, could likely go to their heads! 
  We think you are pretty precious!
Love,
Mommy

The God Mother

Penny and her God Mother, Sharon

Ok, first of all isn't this the cutest picture ever!  Sharon looks so pretty and happy, and well, Miss Penny looks like such a big girl!

Sharon is one of my dearest friends who graciously, along with her husband, agreed to be Penny's God Parents.  We have chosen God Parents for all of our children, people who we admire, love, respect and know will pray for and be a good example to the children.

We love you Miss Sharon!

My 4 Loves

The title says it all.

Just Like Daddy

 Thomas wants to do anything and everything that his Daddy does.  One of his favorite things to help with is mowing the grass.  He asks to do it even when there is 3ft of snow on the ground.  So, you can imagine his delight when he actually got to pull out his lawnmower and get down to business with Dad!  And Trent is so good with his "mini me", letting him help right beside him....or a little behind him :)

Sitting Pretty

 Penny practicing, not 100% yet.

A few weeks later and practice makes perfect.

        

*Penny 6 months 3 weeks

Mother's Day 2011

 For Mother's Day we went to Great Gram's house in NY.  It was the first time that Grams got to meet Miss Penny.  They were so cute together and I could tell that it meant a lot to Grams that we were there.  It meant a lot to us too!

Meeting each other for the first time.

Love this picture!

Love this one even more!!

Trent's mom was in town and we got to spend the day with her too.  It was nice to all be together and she made a delicious meal for all of us to enjoy.  The bread pudding was yummy!! 

Even seemed to be on their best behavior, even cousin Tom.  Tommy, who is usually afraid of cousin Tom because he is a rough around the edges kind of guy, said on the way home that he loves cousin Tom when he is grumpy and when he is happy.  What a cute kid!

First family picture.

 Daddy had the boys decorate a coffee mug for me.  It is so sweet.  They each drew a picture or wrote something on it.  I love it!  The boys made me cards and Trent bought me the most beautiful pink roses.  They are gorgeous and a week later they are still gracing our dining room table!

Tommy loves his colors!!

Even Daddy helped

Charlie's part of the mug, it says "I love Mom"

The thing about Mother's Day or any holiday for that matter is not where you are, or what you are doing, it is who you are with.  I was able to spend a great night out with my mom a few days before.  Spending quality time together, laughing, talking, and eating way to much food. It was the best!  And then I got to spend  a lovely day with my mother in law, and Great Grams, Miss Penny and my 3 favorite guys of all time!

Flowers from my love

This year Mother's Day was bittersweet.  I so cherished being with my children and my husband.  They give me such joy, and so much unconditional love that my heart often feels like it is going to burst.  I don't know what I ever did to deserve these 4 beautiful people, but I am beyond grateful that God choose me to mother and love them!  And I so blessed to have a mother who loves me and my family so much.  She is constantly telling me, and Trent, how much she loves him and how proud she is of him.  She is always eager to spend time the children and even though they might run circles around her, she loves being with them.
But as beautiful as the day was, I missed Janie.  Oh, how I never want to stop celebrating the mother that she was and still is to me!  I dearly love her, I always will.

It was  nice day, a beautiful day.  And I know that I am so blessed.