Mamazen

39 months

Dear Lucy,

You are now 39 months old. You are a complete delight, and a 3 year old, just as described in the books. Speaking of books, you LOVE books. You love looking at books and being read to, though you seem to want to hear the same books over and over and over. Yeah, I know it's a thing for all kids but really, I'm getting bored. 

 

You are totally a mama's girl. Don't get me wrong, you love your daddy, but you're pretty much my little shadow, and you rarely let me leave the house without you. 

You don't really nap anymore, but when you do, 

It's epic. 

 

You love your sisters, but you also don't let them pull any punches with you. Moments like these can quickly turn into screaming matches, and you know who never wins? MY EARS. 

We've been taking a lot of trips to the zoo, often with Cormac and Flannery and Catherine.

Roar little lions!

Leo, through and through.

This is totally you, 100%.

Anything cormac tries to do, you copy. You learn lots of new skills when hanging out with friends!

 

HALLOWEEN!

You (just like Ruby before you) love decorating.(and wearing pajamas)

We celebrated Halloween with Chloe and her family. Aaron made fancy halloween juice!

You dressed as a dragon, your Nana made you the best costume and you ROARed all over the neighborhood. 

I went as a jellyfish, which was helpful since it was cold and wet and dark. 

 

On non rainy days we go hiking

or running through the parks

Or we look at local wildlife

And look for frogs.

 

We also try to find all the best places to get ice cream that both you and Ruby can eat. We shared your first banana split!

 

You've been doing a lot of play dough, this was making pizza!

 

You have redeveloped a sweetness toward Mabel, which is so nice after some rough times this summer. 

 

One day you announced that you wanted a hammer. I told you where to find the wooden hammer, and you brought it to me with a look of disgust and said " THIS? This is a TOY" … I guess we are going to get you some tools for Christmas. 

 

Taking colored baths is all the rage these days. and using pool toys.

 

Sometimes a girl really needs to snuggle her sister. <3

 

Or her mama.  We still rock to sleep every night after books. Although it's hard to carry your 40 lbs to bed every night, I'll rock you to sleep until you tire of it. Life it too short, and kids grow up too fast to do otherwise. 

 

You LOVE train dates. We try to have a date at least twice a month, and you always want to ride the train somewhere.

Taking you places is so much fun, you are so funny and silly and sweet. 

 

You are so so so funny. Sometime you say things like "I need something to chew on, like chocolate" or "I need some gum, my teeth feel wobbly!"

Mabel had a birthday and you loved wrapping presents for her!

 

You absolutely LOVE preschool. You ask every morning if you get to go to school today. I hope you always have a love of school and learning and play. Your best buddies at school are Jake and Mira, and you love doing the teeter totter with Jake every day. 

 

My sweet Lucy, you are a dream come true. Somedays you are so challenging but you help me to be a more patient and loving mother with your wit and honesty. Your smile lights up a room, and your laughter is contagious. 
Never stop being you. All my love, Mama

 

 

13 months

Dear Mabel,

You are now 13 months old. You are a busy busy busy baby. Your mouth is busy getting teeth, your brain is busy trying to learn words and your body is busy learning new skills.  You are trying to drop down to one nap a day, and some days you can handle it but often you need to take a cat nap before dinner or you are a mess. 

You have started playing games like tossing or rolling a ball back and forth with someone. It's so fun to watch you play with your sisters! You have also mastered climbing the stairs. It's relatively nerve wracking for all the adults around you but you race for the stairs anytime the gate is open. Unfortunately our staircase is really steep so it'll stay locked until you are a little bigger and can manage them up and down safely without a spotter. 

You are learning so many words! They all sound pretty much the same, but you are mimicking every sound you can and trying to categorize everything in the world around you. I can just see your little brain churning. You are also working on some fine motor skills, like feeding yourself with a spoon. If we put food on the spoon, you'll get it into your mouth, but often you are so hungry you just throw the spoon aside and eat with your hands. I feel you sister, I get that hungry too. 

 

You have developed a new habit of shoving your hand in my mouth/eyes/ears while nursing. I am not a fan. 

You are playing with toys and trying to figure them out in new ways

 

You still nurse to sleep every night. 

 

Though some naps you just fall asleep on my (or your dads) back. 

 

We went bowling, you helped me win!

 

You moved into a big kid car seat! You still fit in your infant seat but Lucy was ready for a BIG kid car seat so you get the flowered seat!

 

You are pretty proud of yourself for playing ball!

I was impressed too. 

 

You and Lu don't sleep next to each other every night, but when you do it's pretty cuddly. 

 

We pulled out the pajamas that Nana made all of us last christmas. The big kids still fit theirs because there was a little growing room but you have grown a LOT so yours were… snug. 

Speaking of sleep, you're starting to get a little mullety duck tail in the back. It's divine. 

 

We had a trip to the Children's Museum and you and Lucy had such a great time! Christmas is in full swing!

 

We went to the farm to pick out a tree. It was a perfect Portland day, grey and dreary and it was raining and muddy. But we still had fun!

 

You met Santa! Lucy wasn't as impressed as you were. I don't know what you asked Santa for for Christmas, but I am guessing it's the ability to walk. You are SO ready to be a toddler.  

bad babies go to baby jail. 

Sisters from the circus. 

 

Right after this picture was snapped you fell off the seat and weren't very happy. No worries, you weren't hurt. :)

 

Practicing your spoon skills!

This is often how dinner gets made.

My darling Mabel June, you are SUCH a delight to parent. You are funny and sweet and so so so snuggly. The way you wrap your arms around me and put your head on my chest for a hug is a mama's dream. Your drooly, snotty open mouthed kisses are divinely gross. The way you smile at everyone you love is pure magic. 

I love you deeply, Mama

 

 

12 months. ONE YEAR OLD!

Dear Mabel June, 

This is the last time I will write one of my children a 1 year letter.  You can bet I type that with tears in my eyes, and yet you are the perfect bookend to these crazy sisters of yours. Our family feels pretty complete and amazing with you in it. (Not to say we haven't ruled out fostering or adoption in the distant (((DISTANT))) future, but for sure there will be no more babies coming out of me!)

 

You have spent this month being sweet and funny and cute

You are so so so happy. Did I mention that you are happy? 

Seriously, you bring joy to every dang moment of the day. 

You find the silliest things HILARIOUS.

But some things are no joke. 

 

You are eating more and more solid food, yet your favorite pastime is still boobs, just like your sisters at this age.

You LOVE the bath, and bathing with your sisters.  You like to splash and eat the toys. 

 

You LOVE other babies (tho you aren't always interested in me holding them.)

You are working on your molars, and it's EXHAUSTING… for both of us. (mostly for me, trust me on this)

 

Some times you like to nurse and snuggle with lucy at the same time. 

 

We had a dinner date with Augie. You can't tell from this picture, but you LOVE Augie. Well, we all do, to be honest, but you really love him. 

 

You are babbling a lot, mama, lala, baba, dada. Your sisters are tickled when you 'talk' to them!

Your sisters love you so very much, even when they are being less than gracious to you. :)

 

Lucy loves you so much that sometimes she tries to use you as a pillow. 

 

Your Nana was in the hospital for surgery on your birthday, so we went to visit her. She was pretty happy to see you, and you were instrumental in her getting better faster!

 

When we got home, we had a little belated birthday party for you. Ruby helped decorate your cake. 

You loved the cake. 

LOVED.  Until about 1 am, when you threw up all over the bed. I guess it was too much too fast, eh? 

Lucy and Ruby helped you unwrap your presents.  You weren't that interested in them, but I'm sure you will be with time. 

 

You are a very curious baby. You like to open every box, or bin and see whats inside. You also like to open every drawer and cabinet and empty them all over the room. I am not a huge fan of this but it is kind of cute. At your 12month appointment you were 18.5 lbs, that's FOUR TIMES your birth weight. Way to go, Mighty Mabel, WAY TO GO. 

You are hitting all of your developmental milestones except walking (however Lucy, who was not a preemie didn't walk till 16 months and is now a gross motor skill fiend, so I'm not worried). We have to stop talking about your 'adjusted' age because it no longer matters. Most preemies catch up by 2 years old and you did it by 1. You are truly amazing, kiddo! 

My darling Mighty Mabel, when you were born so tiny and helpless, we worried so much about you and your health. Now here we are a year later and you are defying the odds and knocking every milestone out of the park. You are healthy and strong (yet still on the small side) and you are smart and engaging and perfect.  You fill my days with wonder and appreciation for the miracle that you are. You were so tiny, yet you filled up a room with joy and you filled in the spaces in my heart with your sweetness. I am so grateful you came into our family. 

All my love, Mama

 

 

 

38 months

Dear Lucy Mae, 

You are now 38 months old, and you are SOMETHING ELSE. By this I mean you are beyond cute and funny and ridiculous, you are just something else entirely. 

 

We had a dinner party with Chloe and her mama Jamie. (Ruby was in the other room during this picture), we had a lot of fun and you certainly love your sisters friends as much as she does! (well we all do)

 

You love swinging. Somedays I think you would stay on the swing at the playground the entire day if I would let you. 

You love taking your baby sister down the slide, and I finally captured a picture of you both looking happy. 

 

 

You decided you wanted to learn how to cut with a knife, and now you help make dinner any chance you get.  You're a pretty serious little chef! 

 

 

You tried you hand (or foot?) at 'soccer' with your buddy Kiran.  I thought you were going to be totally into it, but 5 minutes later you were bored and wanted to go to the playground. You're a kid who knows what you like!

 

This series of photographs perfectly sums up our family unit right now. You're bit of a trouble maker. 

 

You are LOVING pre school. One day Arwyn came and taught you all about massage.

Then I came to school and told your class all about being a doctor (and how your body turns food into poop!)

 

 

 

You like to wash your feet in the sink, and one day decided to put your whole body in. You are pretty silly. 

 

The house next door was demolished to make way for a newer (much nicer and less moldy) home. You thought the process was pretty cool. 

You got your dump truck out and decided to try your hand an construction. It was pretty cute. 

Then you decided to teach Mabel how to play ball. She needs some time to practice. 

 

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One night after taco tuesday, you and Cormac put on matching pajamas and it was the most exciting thing all day. You are SO into figuring out how people are the same or different. (you really like it when we are the same, and when it comes down to it, isn't that what life is about? figuring out that we are all just the same but slightly different?)

 

 

We went to the pumpkin patch with your preschool buddies. You did the slides a million times

 

 

And we went on a couple hay rides

 

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The corn maze lost your interest after a few minutes

 

 

Somedays you REALLY need to be close to mama. Those days can be harder than others (especially for my back)

 

You love working in the garden, especially picking vegetables! We grew lots of things but potatoes lasted the longest (and involved the most dirt digging.)

 

Your nana came for a long visit. Believe it or not you had a lot of fun, so much fun you fell asleep while reading books. 

 

 

My darling Lu-Bear, You are my favorite three year old in the whole world. You love singing your way through each day and playing silly games. You love asking silly questions and making up silly answers. You say the MOST ridiculous things like "You're being necessarily!" (and no i have no idea what that means.) You are funny and smart and so very loving. You are fiercely independent and yet such a mama's girl. 

I could not love you more. 

All my heart, Mama

11 months

 

My sweet Mabel June,

You are now 11 months old. How is it even possible that it's almost your birthday? it seems like just yesterday you were barely able to keep your eyes open and couldn't take any food by mouth and now here you are downing an entire half of an avocado without batting an eye. 

 

You love your sisters, but are also not always enthralled with their antics, like when they jump all over you, try to make you laugh or sing really loud in your face. You have also started singing, LALALALA and humming/singing yourself to sleep. Its amazing and adorable. (now go to sleep!)

 

The weather is still fantastic here, so you are taking the opportunity to crawl around naked as much as possible. Your butt is pretty much the cutest butt in all of butt-town. 

 

You LOVE the playground. Well, you love watching big kids and the swing. A LOT.

Lucy loves to take you down the slide. You don't always love it but you tolerate it. 

 

Your smile is this amazing thing that can make any rough day wonderful. You are SUCH a happy kid (unless you are tired, or hungry or your sisters are annoying you), and you share your love freely with many people. If someone smiles at you, you are very likely to smile back. 

 

This series of photos perfectly explains our entire family unit as it exists currently.  Sorry kid, you're the baby of the family and sometimes you get a little smushed. But we love you more than you'll ever know. 

 

Lucy tried to teach you how to play ball.  You were thrilled with the idea but you didn't get it. You have started clapping (and actually getting to make a sound with your hands, not just flail them together) and your sisters are so excited trying to get you to do it!

Your mom is a complete dork. But your eyes in this photo are perfection. 

 

You had your first pumpkin patch trip! You wore the pumpkin hat that I made for Ruby for HER first pumpkin patch trip and it was pretty awesome. 

You sat on some huge tires

 

 

And ate some of a HUGE apple

And saw a huge view of a beautiful valley

And had lots of milk. As per usual. 

 

This month you started standing unassisted for a few seconds at a time. You don't do it often so I suspect that walking is a few months away still but you are slowly testing the waters of what you can do with your body. You've also started using some sign language. "More" and "all done" are the two you have thrown out there, and again you don't use them all the time, but when you do we all get pretty excited!

 

Some days you only want to be held by mama, and so does your sister… so those days we do this. It's as uncomfortable as it looks. 

 

My darling baby, you are the light of my every day. It's hard to remember life without you as part of our family, and yet you haven't' even been here an entire year yet. Every one who knows you can't get enough of you, and I am at the top of that list. 

Thank you for joining our family, all my love, Mama

37 months

My dear Lucy Mae,

You are 37 months old, you're a pretty cool kid, I must say!

  

You've recently taken an interest in your hair, You like to be edgy, the funkier the better.

You also have an interesting take on fashion. 

 

You are quite inventive, here you've come up with a new type of pillow. It didn't go over well. 

 

You like building with legos. It's either a castle or a robot. Either way, it's cool. 

 

 

You are concerned for everyone's safety, just like a good middle child.  You are also really into tormenting your big and little sisters… just like a good middle child. 

 

 

 

School started! Just like last year, you accompanied Ruby to her first day of class. You were (again) bummed that you didn't get to stay but don't worry, your time is coming!

 

You love making your baby sister laugh (or cry, but that's another story) She thinks you are fantastic (or a terror)

 

You and Ruby do lots of 'projects' together. Sometimes you both do the same thing but usually you're both just crafting at the same table. It's incredibly awesome, and messy and perfect. 

 

You love the park, you would go every day if we could! Swings and slides and running and climbing, you love all of it!

You also love being silly. 

Bathtime is another favorite part of your day. We put food coloring in the bath and have pool toys and you guys have a blast. Not sure how clean you actually get but whatever, childhood isn't about being clean. 

 

You're still sleeping with Mabel and I. As much as I wish you were back in bed with Ruby, I know this is where you need to be right now. Most nights you spend half the night smashed up against me, *sluggling" I don't really sleep well, but that's ok, cause you were pretty traumatized when I spent a month in the hospital with your baby sister. I have the rest of my life to sleep alone (ok i probably won't for several years to come) and I know you'll choose to sleep somewhere else when you are good and ready. 

YOU STARTED PRESCHOOL!!! You are going to an amazing school called Runabouts. It's all about the important things you need to learn when you are three… 

feeding chickens with friends, getting dirty, climbing stuff and building stuff

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making tea for friends, singing songs, and navigating new relationships. (I kinda wish I could go there)

 

This month you figured out how to pedal your bike and actually start moving. Then you were instantly uninterested. Go figure. 

 

This picture is entitled "The Rasmussen Kids album cover #1: the coral years"

 

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The most exciting development in your whole life this month was riding the MAX TRAIN. We went out on the trains for the opening of the orange line that goes across the Tilikum bridge. Your mind was BLOWN.  

You sat with Ruby and your Nana and watched everything go by, and you wanted to transfer to every train you saw. 

It was a fantastic adventure.

You even made a new friend, in true Lucy fashion. 

 

We went on a mama date to the Children's Museum. You LOVE this place so much. Your favorite thing is to go to the grocery store and buy groceries and ring them up.  You also love going to the grown up grocery store and doing the same, mostly because you like to push the cart or ride in the car-cart. 

We finally checked out the new outdoor exhibit at the museum

You did exactly what a 3 year old should do there… you jumped in mud puddles. 

My darling Lu, you are a quintessential 3 year old. You are loud and demanding and rigid and whiny. You are delightful and funny and charming and sweet. You are learning how to push and set boundaries. You are equally amazing and exhausting. In one moment you can be hilarious and coy and then next you are screaming to get your way. You are exactly how you should be at 3, and I am trying to be exactly the mother you need right now, flexible and firm, loving and forgiving, creative and reliable. I don't always meet all those needs but I'm learning and trying every day. Since the day you were born you have taught me how to be a different mother than your big sister needed and likely different than your little sister will need. You are your own amazing person and I could not love you more. 

All of my heart, Mama

10 months

 

 

My darling Mabel June, 

How can you possibly be 10 months old? You are 8.5 months adjusted and doing amazingly well. You've also had a busy and exciting month. 

Lucy had a birthday party, she's 3 now and you think she's pretty awesome when she's not trying to kill you. (just kidding, she just want to squish you a lot, not actually kill you.)  

We all wore matching pigeon shirts, it was a pigeon themed party. You didn't get to eat any cake, but you are *just* getting interested in solid food so you'll get your cake on later. 

 

Lately these are one of your favorite toys, you don't stack them up just yet… you mainly just throw them across the room. You're classy like that. 

 

Lucy loves playing in the closet, and often hangs out in there whilst I attempt to get you to sleep. Some times when you don't go to sleep she will try to entice you to follow her in (hasn't happened yet) or she will play peek-a-boo with you from there. You think it's HILARIOUS.

 

You are RIDICULOUSLY cute. 

 

You think your sisters are so awesome (well we all do). They make you laugh big belly laughs and you try to do everything they do. 

 

Shortly after you started crawling in earnest, you decided to start pulling up to a stand. Yikes. 

 

This month you took up drumming. You're not very good. 

 

You like helping with the laundry. Helping to pull it out of the basket and drag it all over the not so clean floor. Thanks kid. 

 

This is your first time in the tunnel. 

You were a bit apprehensive

but your sisters cheered you through. It was pretty much the best moment of the week. 

One of your other favorite things to do with your sisters is go down the slide (I usually hold on to you in case they let go). You are mostly excited to do it, but usually after 2 or 3 slides you're done. 

 

This month you finally REALLY took an interest in solid food. You're not eating much of it at a time, but you certainly are trying. 

 

Some nights things like this happen and I realize my heart is so very full. 

 

Speaking of solid foods… you like beans. You're a good (1/4)Mexican like that. 

 

Rasmussen Kid's album cover #1. The coral years. 

 

You took your first (and not last) Max Train ride. Lucy fell in LOVE with the trains and wants to ride them every day, so you'll get plenty of opportunities to ride more. 

But this time you mostly wanted milk, as per usual. 

And you charmed some people you met, as per usual. 

 

You are such a charming and sweet baby, you sleep well, you eat well and you are (almost) always happy.

You're pretty much a dream come true. 

All my love, Mama

 

THREE!!! 36 months

My sweet Lucy Mae, 

You are THREE years old. How is it possible that you are growing up so fast? 

This month (on 7/17/15) you were a glitter fairy in your cousin Kelcie's wedding. You were so excited to be in a fancy dress and wings!

 

You practiced...

 

And practiced!

On the big day you were spreading the love!

 

You rode the trolley! (just like Daniel Tiger!)

You were a big sister AND a little sister  

 

And you were absolutely beautiful in your outfit, just like your sisters. 

You kissed the bride, and then you were TERRIFIED to walk down the aisle. I had to carry you and toss the glitter for you while you sobbed into my shoulder. Ruby was a glitter tossing machine, and it all worked out just fine. 

But at the reception you were a dancing queen! You danced until it was time to drag all of the crying children home to bed, and a good time was had by all. 

 

We went to the zoo with Grandma and your cousins

 

 

 And then out for dinner (and beer)

 

 We had several heat waves so you spent a lot of time in the water.

 

 You helped Mabel have her first sink bath. 

 

 And shared a shave ice with Ruby at the street fair.

You and Ruby also spent a long time doing an obstacle course at the street fair, it was so much fun! 

 

 

You and Mabel took your first of many baths together with her being able to sit up in the tub. You thought it was the bees knees!

 Even when she splashed your face (which currently you don't like)

 

 You and Ruby love to put on "shows", singing or dancing or telling jokes.

 

Mabel likes to watch.

 

 Sometimes you are a little mean to your baby sister, you will push her over or hit her on the head with toys. We are all trying to work through this, with as little trauma to both you and mabel as possible. 

 

For my birthday you gave me a manicure. It was quite sweet!

 And a card you made with Isaiah. I love you so much, Lulu!

 

Then we went out for sushi and had a great time!

 

For your birthday we had an EPIC Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Party.  

 

 

with face painting by Happy Paints

 

 

 

And Pigeon t-shirts made by Nana for all of us.

 

I made some boxes into a bus... 

 and put on a puppet show! 

 

 I made you a pigeon cake

 

 

 

that you were SO excited to share with your friends

 

 

You were given many thoughtful and awesome gifts, some of which you played with right away!

 The party stretched on till dinner time so we made a second meal and then you took a bath with your remaining friends before crashing HARD for the night. 

 

You slept with your pigeon and your new pigeon blanket (which you have slept with every night since then too)

 

 

It's hard to believe 4 years ago I was recovering from a miscarriage and you were just a box of wishes in the form of paper cranes

 

And now here you are, real and awesome and full of LOVE

 

Lots of love. 

 My sweet sweet Lucy Mae, you are rambunctious and challenging and brilliant. You push my buttons and your boundaries. You stretch my patience and my heartstrings. You can be the kindest sweetest kid, and also the most irrational three year old on the planet.  Your smile could launch a thousand ships and your hugs could melt the biggest glaciers. I can't believe you are my kid, that I am lucky enough to be called mama by someone as outstanding as you.

Happiest birthday my love, Mama

9 months!

 My Darling Mabel June, 

You are NINE months old (7.5 adjusted)! you're only a few months away from being ONE!!! You've had a busy, exciting month.  

Your cousin Kelcie got MARRIED! Ruby and Lucy were the glitter fairies. You were just the cutest baby e 

 Your cousins looked like Disney princesses. 

 

 Mama was channeling Minnie Mouse

 We all looked pretty fabulous. And a good time was had by all. 

 

 We went to the zoo with your cousins and Grandma. It was so fun!

 

 And we ate out at many restaurants. Well, you dined at the all night breastaurant, but you're almost ready for solid food!

 

You've decided that learning to crawl is all the rage. 

 

You've gotten up on all fours and started rocking back and forth. 

Unfortunately you like to do it in the middle of the night. It's cute, to wake up to you screeching and rocking back and forth, but it's also exhausting. sleep baby! there is time to learn in the morning! (but let's make that start after 7 am, okay?

 

You mastered sitting up, and got to sit up in a grocery cart for the first time. YOU WERE SO STOKED. Seeing the world  from a whole new angle!

 

 

It's hard for me to remember how you and Lu were just these paper crane wishes, but now here you are, and you've both made our family so much more awesome. Your smile livens up every day and your laughter is truly healing. 

 

You are SUCH a beautiful baby.

 

 We had another BBQ with Augie and family. 

 He really adores you. 

 

 And we had a very LONG heat wave, so all the kids spent a LOT of time in the pool or in front of the air conditioner. 

 

 After you mastered sitting up, you thought you should try reading. Or eating books, whatevs.

 

 Then you moved on to eating solid food. Lots of interest...

 But not so sure about the peas. 

 

You also had your first kitchen sink bath. Lu wanted to get in with you, silly kid. 

 

 It's all fun and games till you laugh so hard you fall over. 

 

 We went to the neighborhood street fair. it was great! You slept on daddy through most of it.

 

 You love the black swing on the front porch, you also love the blue baby swing, and pretty much any swing, actually. You swing and I sing to you and we all laugh, it's pretty great. 

 

 You are super into trying new foods. You like plums

 And sweet potatoes, and broccoli and chicken, and fish and carrots, and apples, and bananas. 

 

 Swings, it's where it's at for the 9 month crowd. 

 Seriously, your joy is infectious. 

 

 Max and Shoghi turned 7. We all grew mustaches. 

 Hey baby, how YOU doin?

 

 

 Your daddy wins the baby wearing award for carrying the most amazing and adorable kids. 

 

 You also are sitting up well enough to get in the little bath! You think you are the bees knees when you do this. 

 So does Lucy!

 Even when you splash her face. 

 

 Your sisters like to perform for you. You think they are awesome (so do I!)

 

Lucy thinks you are SO great. She likes to wake you up as soon as she wakes up every morning, and snuggles you as much as possible. Sometimes you are not amused by this, but mostly you love her dearly. 

Today you had your 9 month check up. 16.4lb (25th percentile, up from 2nd at your 6 month visit!) and 26.3 inches long (10th percentile). You are meeting EVERY SINGLE ONE of your 9 month milestones. You are absolutely amazing! 

 

 

Oh Mabel, you are SO SO mighty. I am pleased as punch that you have already caught up to where you should be for your age. Having a preemie can be scary, and knowing you're doing so great is such a load off my mind. You are such a delight, you are sweet and funny and bring joy to everyone who meets you. Your smile is just amazing and the way you squeal when your sisters (or anyone, but mostly them) make you laugh is like lemonade on a hot summer day. Thank you for joining our family. You are the perfect surprise ending to our story of making babies. 

All my love, Mama

35 months

My Darling Lucy Mae,

You are 35 months old. 3 is approaching SO FAST (although you are already THREE in so many ways)

 

You so desperately want to be a big kid, you want to do all the things the big kids do, even when it scares you. You'll try to do big things and then change your mind and you get SO disappointed that you can't keep up. "When's MY TURN, mama?" soon enough my sweet!

 

 

Taco Tuesday lived on, alternating between Amy's and our house. Lots of fun was had, and lots of tacos were eaten. 

 

You have become an expert crafter. You love cutting and gluing and coloring and most of all, painting! "I made it for YOU mama!"

 

 

You are such a love. 

And you LOVE grocery shopping, no matter where and no matter with whom, you always want to go!

 

You helped prep lego minifigs for Ruby's epic 9th Lego Birthday Party

 

And you helped prep food and cakes.

Then you enjoyed the spoils, getting a rad arm painting 

 

and rocking out in the back yard

 

 

And generally just loving your sister's party. 

 

Also, the playhouse is completely finished. 

 

It's amazing. 

 

 

You practiced 'floating' in the pool.

 

And explored many things at your favorite park.

 

 

 

You also enjoy wearing your baby like I wear baby Mabel. It's the best. 

 

You are SO funny. You love going on 'dates' with mama or daddy. You make the silliest faces and tell funny jokes. 

 

We went cherry picking. 

 

You were a mess. 

 

 

We went to the river. 

You were a mess. 

 

 

Super Lucy and Emmet and Wyldestyle went to the fireworks. 

 

It was AWESOME. You called out what you were seeing and all the colors and it was the coolest thing ever. Then on the way home all of the children fell apart and we all wished we were sleeping much sooner than we were. 

 

 

We went to OMSI. 

 

 

 

The three of you were very silly trying to fit into lockers. I thought it might be a good babysitting device but then I realized maybe not. 

 

Especially since you are all giant sharks and quite scary. 

 

 

You love going out into the garden to see what's growing and you ask when we can pick it and eat it. 

 

 

You also really love playing IN the playhouse now that we have it set up as a kitchen. 

You'll all play restaurant or grocery store. it's pretty sweet. 

 

 

We went to Auntie Bug and Uncle Jason's for Grandpa's birthday. You practiced your somersaults.

 

You were pretty good at them!

 

You also practiced eating marshmallows. You were also really good at that too.  We went in the hot tub and slept in a  tent and it was a grand adventure. 

 

 

Your outfits for Kelcie's epic wedding arrived, so one day you all tried them on, and danced around in them. 

 

You all looked pretty adorable. 

 

 

Especially when wearing minnie mouse ears and kissing each other. 

 

Lu, you are such a sweet empathetic kiddo. When i get upset and shout at one of the other kids (or you) you get frustrated and say "Don't talk to him like that!" or "can you please ask nicely!?" (you say that even when i DO ask nicely) When someone else is sad, you are always concerned about what is happening. You care how others are treated, and you have a kind heart. 

Your favorite books right now are the Pigeon series by Mo Willems. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Pigeon Finds a Hotdog and Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late. We read them every night before bedtime, and if I make a mistake you quickly correct me. You have some favorite lines that you will often say randomly throughout the day like "I have dreams you know!" (when i won't let you have a popsicle instead of breakfast) or "huh, needs mustard' (which always makes you giggle over and over and over). You are so funny, and so silly. It's absolutely delightful. 

 

My darling Lu Bear,you are almost THREE! You are becoming one heck of a three year old, you are emotional, and demanding and obstinate. You are sarcastic and smart witted and you sometimes scream to get your way. You can have these long and fun conversations with me that can be about everything and nothing all at once. You demand hugs and kisses and give them out freely to those you love. You are truly a delightful kiddo. 

Next up: LET'S PARTY PIGEON STYLE! 

I love you sweet potato, Love mama