Baby Girl

How have I not put a single post up here about Naomi? Nothing since her birth story!!! Life of a busy momma, I guess!

It's something else having a girl. I had no idea! She melts my heart in a whole different way than the boys do. Not to mention, it's super fun to dress her up! Although, poor girl, has no where to go and no one to see her in her cute outfits. So, I just take a lot of pictures. :)

In the last month or so, she has really gotten her giggle down pat. The deep, belly laughs are the absolute best!

We all adore her! I'm doing my very best to not take a single minute for granted, since she might be our last.

So much so that she's the only child we've allowed to throw late-night parties. Aka, not make her cry it out when she won't go to sleep. She's a fantastic sleeper (best of the 3), so they don't happen super often, which is maybe why we allow it. (She's trying to throw one right now, as I speak! ha!)

Speaking of sleep, as of now, at 9mos, she still takes 3 long naps. She just dropped her 4th about 2 weeks ago. The girl likes her sleep!

She also still likes to be swaddled, and cuddled up next to a pillow in her bed. (I know, everything "wrong." I blame it on wanting sleep for myself.) We've tried a few different times to unswaddle her, but she doesn't do so well. As soon as we re-wrap her, she sleeps like a rock! I hope to break her of it by the time she turns 1, though, because she's about to outgrow her sleep sack!!

We started feeding her pureed foods around 7mos. It was slow at first, but she has really picked up quantities in the last month! Now, she eats everything I give her--even plain broccoli! Go, girl! And she grabs for all of our food, too. So, because she's so cute, we oblige. ;)

Around 3mos old. So tiny and sweet!

Easter. Getting over a fever. ha!

Smiley. All the time!

About a month ago we had to give her a lil trim. You can see why. I just clipped a little off the top and a smidge off the back. We're not calling it a haircut. I can't go there yet!

Pretty princess!

I could (and often do) stare at her all.day.

LOVE her!

And, just like that, she's 9mos old. I'm so not ready for her to be 1! Slow down, time!!!

Two Birthday Boys

Epic fail. I haven't recorded Josiah OR Malachi's birthdays! So, at last, here they are....

I cannot believe my boy is SIX! He's growing so fast in so many ways.
Physically--tall and thin, just like Daddy. He's also getting the hang of some coordination skills and sports. He'll be a great athlete!
Spiritually--he loves Jesus and is learning how to obey him!
Mentally--the boys is a math whiz. He's been asking to do harder and harder math for a long time now. I keep giving it to him! Why not?! He's now able to do triple digit addition (including carrying), simple subtraction, and simple algebra.
Emotionally--he LOVES his sister so so much! I can count on him to drop everything and go play with her if I'm busy and she's fussy. He always want to hold her, cuddle her, and tickle her. So, of course, she laughs the hardest at him! Those two are quite the pair!
We pray he continues to learn more about how to be a man of God!

Traditional blueberry buckle for breakfast!

He requested a Lego party! Hannah, our teammate, made this Lego man for him. So creative!

My attempt at a Lego cake. Glad he doesn't care much what it looks like. :)

His first sets (he got 3 from us and our teammies!) of Legos. One happy boy!

His dinner requests: all Chinese food. :)

Sweet siblings! Love to see them interact!

A sign made by Keri and Molly (teammies) because, in true Ashley fashion, I ran out of time. I think it turned out *awesome*!

It was a fun night!!!

*****

Malachi turned FOUR at the end of August. He is our fun, outgoing little guy. He's starting to move out of those famous 3's and into a more self-controlled boy. We're thankful for each step he gets closer to that. :) He loves to make silly faces, spit one-liners from out of no where, and have dance parties! He just started Pre-K and is surprising Mommy with staying focused on the tasks she gives him! He also loves Jesus and enjoys listening to the stories about Him. We pray he is able to turn his passion towards the things of Jesus!

He requested a Big Hero 6 party. Well, with Mom's suggestion. Hidden motive: easy cake!!

Baymax by Hannah Banana!

Tacos for dinner! A fave of his!

:)

See? Funny faces. Always.

These two.

How do I have 3 babies!?!

:)

Some Chinese friends came! 

Special present from Josiah: a box of rocks. Ha! I'm sure they were special, hand-picked rocks! ;)

Expressive eyebrows.

The C's gave him this giant sucker...

Thankfully it wasn't literally one, giant sucker!

Oh my cuteness!

Sugar HIGH!

Haha! It took him a while to come down of his party/sugar high!

Quotables

So many to catch up on! I love my kids.

While coloring.
Me: Malachi, you could try to color like Josiah is.
Josiah: I'm just doing art! Stop being so proud of me.

After seeing 2 kids doing karate in a book:
Josiah: Mom, I need to go to ninja school like them.

While chatting with Uncle Eric, he asked Josiah what he had learned lately on BrainPop (an educational app that Josiah is known for memorizing facts, just like said Uncle): 
Josiah: After a clause, you need to put a comma.
Once our laughter subsided, we asked for an example.
Josiah: Like after a name.
Um, wow. Go, kid!

After disobeying once again, I asked what the boys' punishment should be. 
Josiah (head hanging low): 40 years in the desert.

Malachi (after inspecting my newly-painted nails): I want to paint my nails!
Me: It's really only for girls.
Malachi: Ok, when I'm 100 years old I want to paint my nails!
Well, I guess if you make it that long, do what you want, buddy!

Malachi: I asked Jesus into my heart, but he didn't listen to me!
Me: Yes, He heard you. If you asked him, He will come.
Malachi: Yeah, but I can't hear him!

Josiah successfully read my Facebook status. Then he asked what my hashtag said. I told him. 
Josiah: Why did you use a phone number sign with it?
Things you don't explain when your child is learning to read...