So many stuffed animals!...or is that Everly?

So, I have to document this cute picture! When Ana & Charley were here, Ana and I got to shop for a little while after lunch on Saturday. While we were in Pier One, we put her in this chair and Ana snapped the most precious photos! Here is our sweet girl!

Everly is 8 months!

It's hard to believe she is 8 months already! This time last year, we were halfway to meeting our baby, and I was dealing with pregnancy exhaustion and nausea! :) But, as always, it is more than worth it to have our children to raise and love! Here are her 8 month stats:

• Our scale is broken so I have no idea how much she weighs.
• Still sleeping through the night and taking naps.
• She can push herself up to sitting position, roll around the ground, army crawl and get on all fours to crawl, but has not crawled yet. She is so hesitant. She also still sometimes crashes and bumps her little head if she is off balance. I hate to not catch her before she topples over! 
• She likes to play and mostly with the musical table. I have kept it without the legs for now. She also likes to get curious and get into other things if they are close by...my laundry, the kids markers, the christmas tree and presents...
• She is still very observant.
• She ONLY likes to be held by me and Vic. She just immediately cries so if anyone wants to hold her just because, that is fine! But she may not last long. 
• She has 2 teeth on top and 2 on bottom. And the strangest thing she does is grind them! Ugh! It just makes me cringe and makes me worry about those teeth.
• She still likes her paci. She is so easy to please that I generally only give it to her in bed and the car.
• She is now in size 3 diapers and still in 6-9 month clothes.
• She is eating table food and she loves crackers. She has refused most fruit, but will eat sweet potatoes, and any vegetables in a dish or casserole. She likes chicken, ground beef, noodles, soup, bread although I have to make these Everly sized before she eats. 
• She still snuggles up and hides her head if she is in our arms and sees others around, at least until she is comfortable.
•  She is just sweet and funny and we love her!

  

 

 

 

Christmas Card Pictures in Downtown Bryan

So, when we had family pictures made in September, I was thrilled because that meant I already had my Christmas card photos ready to use! But, as time got closer to order them, I decided I really wanted an updated picture of Everly on them since she is 3 months older now. I was just going to take one of her, but that thought eventually turned into us dressing the kids in Christmas outfits and taking our own pictures in downtown Bryan on Saturday morning. Vic was my photographer's assistant and the kids lasted just long enough. Now that our Christmas cards are mailed, I'll share some of these cute pics!

So, this one wasn't great, but I just want to point out how much of a great big brother Atticus is. He can barely hold her, but he loves to try!

 Vic is the most photogenic person I know! Always camera ready! ha!

 I'm not going to lie. We were SO proud to get this one picture of all three kids cooperating at once!

 This girl looks so different than her precious 4 month old photos!

 She is really into posing with one leg up lately. Crazy girl!

 We attempted props, but didn't have much luck. But look at this precious baby below!

So so fun! Hope everyone liked their Christmas card!

Look who I found in the tree! Hint...it's Everly!

I love the many expressions and faces of Everly as she played in the presents and tree one morning this week. We had a regular Monday "girls day" and just played. And then Everly got into the tree and even opened a present! What special memories!

 

And look at this sweet baby right before bed the night before. I just want to cover her in kisses all day long!

Breakfast with Santa

On the day of Grace's dance performance, we also went to Sonshine School for Breakfast with Santa. I help with the PTO at Grace's preschool and this is a big event for them. While I think the rainy cold turned some away, there were 350 people attend the event. It has a hot breakfast, Mrs. Claus reading stories, crafts for the kids, a vendor market, a silent auction and the best part is professional pictures with Santa, all for the $5 per person entry fee. We got in line for Santa first and he was a great Santa Claus! Atticus hasn't really set himself on wanting one thing for Christmas this year. He generally tells us he's not sure what he wants yet and has also gone through a variety of things, but never really getting too excited over any one thing. These have included a bike, an ATAT walker, permanent markers, legos, and gel pens. Grace has also not really settled on one thing but she is the opposite of Atticus. She just names everything including just telling me "girl things". She goes between Roller Skating Minnie to My Little Pony Palace to just whatever she sees in a magazine or commercial. We will have to write our letters to Santa and I am curious what Santa will bring them this year. And Everly, of course, asks for nothing. She is the most humble! :)

So, on this day, Atticus loved seeing Santa and telling him he wanted Legos. Grace was not too sure about sitting on his lap, but when she got down, she told him she wanted Minnie Mouse. And Everly, surprisingly didn't cry right away, when they all got together for a photo! So, here are our photos with Santa!

A Baptism & A Christmas Program

Our Baptism for Everly was this past Sunday, December 11th at our church. We knew the Christmas Program would be that day as well, but the Pastor thought that was fine and so did we. However, it was a little chaotic. During the Baptism, Vic said there was some kid behind us throwing things and it was a little loud and Atticus was having a hard time concentrating, as he was still in his sheep costume and a little distracted. Grace just wanted to be held. I mean, life with 3 kids, right? But, it was very special to have Ana & Charley there and we are glad to baptize our beautiful baby Everly. Also, for the Christmas Program. Atticus was a sheep this year and did just about what he did the last two years. It's tough. They wanted the sheep up at the front the entire time; there were only 3 of them and they really didn't have any part except to hang out and say B-A-A sometimes. So, they lazed around like sheep do. Then, for some reason, they brought out sleeping bags to hide one of the kids (as part of the play) but then the sheep just laid on the sleeping bags. I am not sure Atticus knew anyone was under the sleeping bags but they looked safe, and the program director didn't do anything, so I hoped for the best. I will say, that although I am glad Atticus is comfortable in church, I think we need a re-set of how to be respectful in church. He doesn't do anything on purpose, and even though our Pastor is very kind, he and I disagree on "kids being kids" at church. :) And, I mean for a kid, it's confusing when you do things like this to understand when it is ok and when it is not ok to act a specific way. So, while we love our church family and have loved being a part of Our Saviour's for almost 10 years now, we feel like a change is needed. After Christmas, we are going to try some other church's around town for awhile. This has taken a year for us to truly decide to do, because it is tough to leave people. But, we have to do what we think is best for our family and our family's spiritual lives. So, this was a great Sunday to celebrate Everly's baptism and watch Atticus in the Christmas program one more time.

And then we had our Baptism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I love these sweet bloomers my friend Melissa had made for Everly!

Everly's dress was mine when I was a baby. It is the sweetest little white cotton dress.

It was a great day!