Wednesday, August 14, 2013

bigger & better

Kelley was cuddling Sierra once and whispered: You might get a lot of hand-me-downs but know that you are special because you got us a new car!

The girls going through the car wash in Jasmine (the Honda Civic Hybrid that I drove every day)… before they moved up into the new ride.

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Remember how Sierra came early? Well, I hadn’t taken the time yet to figure out the car seat situation. The plan was to put all three car seats in Kelley’s car (standard Honda Civic). So once we got home and wanted to go somewhere as a family without taking two cars I tried stuffing them in the back seat. I researched online and people had their stories of how they did it. [After thinking about all the things I read, most people did it with Toyotas. They must have flatter seats because Kelley’s car had the cushy contoured seats in the back so none of the car seats sat flat.] With all the different configurations, I figured out I could do it if we didn’t use the infant car seat base. I didn’t love the idea but perhaps it would do until we found a better solution. We even went to Babies R Us and took a lot of their floor models out to the car to try and find the narrowest combinations. New car seat costs far less than a new car, right? Well, no bueno. First trip out to Portland and we almost got rear-ended… ding ding ding! We weren’t properly protecting our children.

So, the car shopping began. Kelley was anti-minivan, and we both liked the Honda Pilot. So here we are…

Good-bye Sharkbait Ooo-Ha-Ha! We love you but we had to move on.

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2008 Honda Pilot with all the features. The fave, of course, is the built in DVD system. Seats 8 so we can take friends and family now!

Don’t mind our creepy eyes… taken on the iPhone at dusk.

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Totally zoning to the movie. You can’t see it in the picture but Seoul was holding both Sydney and Sierra’s hands. Cute! I’ve learned they don’t go to sleep when there is a movie on no matter how tired they are.

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Built in mirror/sunglass holder… fun to see the kids! They love to ask, “See me waving in the mirror??”

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Now I drive the Pilot with the girls. Seoul calls it a minivan. She loves to sit in the 3rd row, which she calls the trunk. She is now in a high-back booster seat and can do the seat belt herself (when she wants to), which is helpful.

Kelley drives Jasmine, which will save us gas money so that is a plus! It is definitely strange to drive a bigger vehicle. Now we play the game: I’m bigger than you so move over! Haha!

We love the Pilot. We don't love the cost of filling the tank. Life goes on.

{April 2013}

oh, April!


Our great friend, Amy, came to visit and meet Sierra!

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This child doesn't do so well skipping naps on Sunday even though she tries so hard! This is the first time one of the kids has actually fallen asleep during a meal!

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This little girl already changed so much in the first couple weeks! Initially people thought she looked like Sydney, then looked more like Seoul, and eventually that she looked more Asian than the other two with her own distinct look. She doesn't mind her tummy time either!

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The girls have their very own horsey! Uncle Evan is a good sport!

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Sydney loves her baby sister! She is {surprisingly} gentle, too.

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I can’t believe Sydney isn't our “baby” anymore… oh, how I love this sassy patience-pushing child!
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Our first family walk. Well, I had to nurse Sierra first so I just joined them at the end of the walk but we were all out of the house at the same time!

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This girl of ours loves babies! Every time she was away from Sierra she missed her, and came to find her as soon as they could be reunited. She held her for amazing amounts of time.

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I had to included these for two reasons. (1) She was intent on getting a picture of the heart on her dress. She kept cutting off her head but she was determined. (2) She has really changed in looks over the last couple months… no longer the toddler look but a big-girl look now.

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{April 2013}

DaDDy LOVE!

Kelley certainly loves his girls, especially the new little one that has stolen his heart!

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Daddy-daughter day so I could sleep in!

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Busted open the sandbox and played with Seoul & Sydney outside for a while so they felt special.

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Let’s not forget our “middle child” ever!

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{April 2013}

love my mom!

We have to give a shout out to my mom for being so helpful after Sierra was born. I admit, after the first two I was pretty independent. This time, however, I really just wanted to hunker down at home and not go anywhere for some reason. It was a solid week before I was alone with all three girls for any extended time. My mom was so great to come and entertain the big girls while sending me to my bedroom for a nap. I rarely napped while the other two girls napped after Sydney’s birth because I felt that get-it-done-while-I-have-any-spare-minutes attitude. Again, this time I was ready to let it all go (and still haven’t picked it all up again!). Plus I was hit with a bit of the flu and mastitis (plus allergic reaction to the medication) within the first week of being home. Lovely.

So, thanks Mom! We love you!

Making cookies is always a fun thing to do! Girls love snacking on beaters… what are we going to do when there are three girls wanting a beater?? Sydney has the cutest messy face! Seoul was introduced to really washing dishes… and now she wants to do it all the time.

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Here is the precious causing us to figure out our “new normal” but boy is she worth it!

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Grandma loving on her newest grandbaby!

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{April 2013}

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Baby Shower for Sierra

My sweet friends threw a joint baby shower for another friend and I. Janeece had her darling baby girl a few weeks before and I was due in a few weeks. The theme was “Once Upon a Time…” and it was fabulous! Each of the games and refreshment item revolved around book titles and themes. So creative! I have the best friends and know the most wonderful ladies from our ward!

Janeece requested children’s books so I got lucky with a few of those as well. I requested diapers and wipes… not as memorable but SO useful! I am amazed at the generosity people showed. It was so neat to visit with people and partake of yummy food!

I don’t love being in the spotlight, and this day I was especially hot and tired. I had been having contractions. To my {somewhat} embarrassment I had to take a break opening gifts because I was dying trying to be perky and keep up with the gift opening. Well, come to find out the shower was just in time because Sierra came just 3 days later!

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Isn’t she the most precious thing ever??
{Hope Janeece doesn’t mind I’m showing off her baby!}

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{April 13, 2013}