Hadleigh is 4 Years Old!!

Our 1st baby is 4! Hadleigh amazes us every day - I love our little conversations we can have now :)

Hadleigh just started Pre-K and she will be going to school Monday through Friday.  So far she’s doing great!  Her teacher says she is an awesome helper.  We get lengthy updates on what she is learning throughout the day, so it makes our afternoon conversations fun. She’s already starting to write more, draw stick figures, and likes to figure out what letter a word starts with.  She will say, “hey mom, what’s baby start with? buhbuhbuh - B!” We love how excited she gets!

Hadleigh loves to negotiate with us to get her way and her teacher has told me she will do it to her as well!  Apparently the other day she tried to tell Ms. Casey that it was OK for her to eat her marshmallows first “because they are different colors just like fruit” Ms. Casey responded with “Nice try.” Ohhh she is a hand full!!

She still loves pink! Most of her clothes are pink, but we have been able to get a few more colors in there for her  fall/winter wardrobe - whew!  She is in ⅘ girls, some 4T & some 5T clothes and then a size 9 shoe. It really just depends on the type of clothing and where its from.  Frozen is still a pretty big hit in our house - Hadleigh & Hayden both!  She’s getting more into Barbie’s, loves playing school, riding her bike, playing store, fixing things with her tools - and still loves to just stuff any bag she can get her hands on.

Eating is getting better - more for me because I know what she won’t eat and I don’t stress myself out on it anymore. I just offer her the things I know she will eat. If it looks weird, chances are she doesn't like it or won’t try it. I can’t really blame her.  Chicken, fries, yogurt, mandarin oranges, grapes, chips, and salad are a few of her favorites.

Hadleigh is a big helper usually when it comes to her little sisters.  More so with Harper as she loves to give her kisses and touch her.  She loves Hayden as well - they are best friends - but Hayden can walk and talk and take toys, so she can get frustrated with her.  

Some funny things Hadleigh has said:

{While she was making a card for someone, she looks up at me} “I love you bitch”

“I want to be a policeman, a teacher, and a mom” {A mom? That’s so exciting! How many kids do you want?} “One, Two, Three. Just like you”

{I asked her what her three kids names were going to be} Chairily, Percules, and some other name I couldn't make out because it sounded like jibberish to me.

{As we were waiting in the long Chick-fil-A drive thru line} “Freakin’ cars not moving away!”

Oh, Hey Friday & A GIVEAWAY!

It’s Friday again - I'm linking up here & here :) Let’s get this started!

1.      Today marks the last day of my first week back at work after maternity leave. I cried 4 times total on Monday. It was rough.  It still is rough! Still hoping to find a more flexible work schedule that makes me happy.

2.      The postpartum hair-loss is back in full swing. I mean, it’s ridiculous how much hair I lose every day.  It is everywhere! And of course, my bald spots have once again appeared. Good thing is I wear my hair down in public so you cannot tell.
3.  Can I talk about how much I *hate* my camera?  The pictures in my posts are always a little blurry and not crisp and clear like they should be.  I'm definitely in the market for a camera - any suggestions??

4.      One more week until our oldest is 4. FOUR! Posts will be happening next week on her birthday party and her actual birthday post, so stay tuned!  We are having her birthday party tomorrow with all her friends at a local inflatable jump place, so she’s really excited! 
5.  Check out the great giveaway I’m a part of. Enter to win the cash & get some great reading material added to your list. It’s a win-win!

soup of the day | beautiful things | p. s. my name is madeline | September FARM
east willow grove | elizabeth loves
harris heart to hearts | a life like mine
blue giraffes + concrete jungles | simply love | the farmer's wife | ribbon in the sky

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Hayden's Birthday Party Re-Cap

Hayden’s party was a pool/crab theme this year.  I didn't indulge too much with decorations since it was going to be outside at the pool.  We kept it simple and only invited a few friends on top of our immediate family.  We ordered pizza and bought some cupcakes for everyone to enjoy.  I did make the cupcake toppers and the goody bags for the kids. 

I loved how the cupcake toppers turned out – nothing outrageous, but they were super cute!  I just used construction paper, scissors, glue, toothpicks, and stickers. It was time consuming making them all, but I had fun doing it!  The kids loved their goody bags filled with water balls, water guns, bubbles, a straw and costume rings.  Like I said, very simple.

Hayden loved swimming around and she really enjoyed all of her gifts she received from our loved ones.  She got a new princess patio set and more baby dolls & accessories. She’s in heaven playing with them all!  It’s still hard to believe she’s 2!

Oh Hey Friday Ramblings!

Oh Hey Friday! I'm linking up with September Farm & The Farmer's Wife again! Here are my random thoughts for today…

1 – I’m not super excited to see Friday 8.15.14 show up.  This is my last day on maternity leave L I start work back up on Monday and I’m less than thrilled about it.  I’ve struggled each time with all the girls, but this time is different.  It’s my last baby and I think I really thought by my 3^rd baby that we could work something out to where I could stay home or at least do something part-time.  Part-time would be ideal.  I’m going to miss hanging out with the girls during the day – playing, watching movies, swimming, drawing, and painting.  Maybe one day (hopefully sooner than later) Daniel and I can figure things out to where I can work less hours. 

2 – Last weekend was really fun around these parts!  Friday night we met up with my best friend at a local winery.  They have Fridays on the Patio – where you sip on some wine, have a picnic, and listen to live music.  It’s family and dog friendly, so the girls had a great time going crazy with each other!

3 – Then Saturday night we had a kid-free night to celebrate my 30^th birthday.  We had dinner and drinks with friends which was so fun and needed!! It’s always nice to get a night out to be fun and not worry about being “mom” & “dad”.

4 – The girls start a new school on Monday.  I’m so excited, but sad for them at the same time.  It will definitely take some getting used to, but I really think this is the better decision for them (and us) in the long run.  Things will be more structured, more educational, and more communication for me.  And a huge plus is that our cousin and photographer who we love dearly is a teacher at their new school! Woohoo!

5 – I’m trying to get lots and lots of things crossed off my list today and this weekend.  Grocery shopping, new bedtime & routines, hitting up a local consignment sale that goes on twice a year, finishing up going through my clothes and bags – and then taking what I don’t want to a local charity, going to a family get together tomorrow for Daniel’s cousin, and spending as much time with our little family of 5!  I’d love to go antique shopping too, but I think that might be on the list for another weekend.

·        What are your plans for the weekend?

·        How did you guys handle going back to work after maternity leave? 

·        Any ideas or advice on what I can do to have more time at home?

Harper 1-3 months

I can't believe we are in month three and I haven't posted about our precious baby girl. Well, other than her birth story. 

The first month was a rough one for me since I had a few medical hurdles. Thankfully, Harper was an angel. She didn't cry the entire first month - she just grunted. She grunted a lot though.  Not sure if she knew her mama was having a rough time or if it had to do with her being a month early or not.  Either way.  She latched immediately in the hospital, so we didn't have any issues with breast feeding. I've been lucky with nursing my girls.  A week after she was born she had to take a bottle one night since I had surgery and had to stay overnight in the hospital again.  I was upset I had to leave her so soon, but she was a champ.  Took the bottle perfectly and it didn't mess up our nursing routine when I got back home.  

By Month 2 she did finally cry for us!  The only times she cries is when she is hungry and I'm not getting her fast enough or if she's tired.  

She loves being talked to and smiles all the time.  Her sisters are always in her face, touching her, and giving her kisses.  She doesn't mind it too much, but we try to give her a break from them a lot of the time.  Harper doesn't enjoy tummy time and will start to get fussy a minute or two after I put her there.  Honestly, I don't give her as much tummy time as she probably should get. Oops!  

She's getting so big! She got weighed a little before her 3 month birthday and she weighed 13 pounds.  She looks like she will be built like Hadleigh is built - which is a little more stocky and muscular than Hayden. 

She looks just like her daddy in this picture!! I just bake the babies and they come out looking like their daddy :) Even though life is crazy with three, we cannot imagine our lives without our baby Harper!!

Our Beach Vacation Re-Cap!

Two weeks ago we were in Corolla, NC at the beach.  Oh how I wish we were back!  It was great weather every day except for our last day there.  We soaked up the beach, the pool, and great food.  It was definitely different going with 3 kids though – not your typical “relaxing vacation”.  Yes, it was relaxing being at the beach and away from our normal activities, but nothing’s truly relaxing when there are kids involved.

Just a few things we did during the week J

1 – We played on the beach and sat at the pool all week long - we even saw some wild horses one day on the beach!

2 – Hadleigh drove her first go-kart with daddy! She loved it!  Hayden was very upset she wasn't old enough to drive one herself, and yelled/whined for daddy the entire time.  Next year we will make sure they both get to go!

3 – The girls flew their first kite too!

4 – We had glow stick parties at night and even rode on a blanket “train” - and an obligatory picture with the pink horse!

5 – We even managed to get a few good pictures throughout the week

This picture reminds me of this hilarious post - "knock knock motha*****"!! Go read it!

It's my birthday!! Woop!

I always thought turning 30 would shake me.  Then I started having babies and I switched that tune to - being done having kids will shake me. Now I've hit both.  I just had my third little girl almost 3 months ago, and today I'm 30.

If I give it a lot of thought it starts to bother me that I'm no longer in my 20's. I know, I know.  It's not really that big of a deal, but the older I get the more aware I am of how precious life and time really is.  Cause let me tell you {since you've probably never heard it before} it goes fast!! 

Even though I know we are done having kids {especially with all the things that happened to me after Harper's delivery} I still find it hard some days.  I won't miss much about being pregnant, but seeing that little life you and your husband created in your hands is just plain amazing.  That makes me feel older than saying I'm 30. 

I was complaining to my parents about how stiff my legs and feet were when I got up in the morning, so I semi-jokingly asked "Is this what 30 feels like?!" They looked at me like I was crazy and my dad chuckled and said "shiiittt". Silly me. But y'all - it's true! I'm so stiff in the morning! If this is a preview to what getting old is like, I’m not sure about this!

If you're new around these parts {and even if not} I've compiled 30 15 little facts about me you may or may not know:

1. I always said I wanted to be done having babies by 30.

2.  I really wanted to be on MTV's The Real World growing up. I wholeheartedly believed if I sent in a video that I would have been picked. 

3.  Daniel and I went on a date when I was in 9th grade, but then didn't start dating until I was a senior.  We've been together ever since – a little over 12 years!

4.  I broke my leg at 4 years old on a tire swing.

5.  I wasn't strong enough to hold my weight on crutches so they gave me a walker to use. Nice!  I’ll try to find a picture a post later – it’s worth showing and a laugh!

6.  I had my tongue pierced from 18-21.  I took it out because of the looks I'd get at work and didn't want to give people the wrong impression of me.  And my dad immediately thought it meant that you liked doing a certain act.   No Dad, No.

7.  I'm going to get my first tattoo this week or next! I'm nervous and excited!

8.  I only have 2 more weeks at home with my babies until I have to go back to work :(

9.  One of my most embarrassing moments is when my bathing suit top fell down after riding a wave at the beach.  It wouldn't have been so bad, but I didn't know and then heard my dad yelling "ERIN! PULL UP YOUR TOP!" It was my first official two-piece bathing suit too.

10. I'm friends with the same girls I've grown up with - from 4 years old and others in elementary school. 

11. I have anxiety and have dealt with it most of my life.  I worry about stupid things, but also worry about my family. Main triggers are anything regarding their safety and/or death. 

12.  Mommy guilt is part of my everyday life.  Am I paying enough attention? Am I letting them do their own thing enough? Am I showing them enough love? Am I teaching them enough? Am I being equal?

13.  I just joined in a book club and I’m pretty excited about it! Meeting new girls, drinking some wine, and talking about “the books” we read once a month!

14.  I am super indecisive.  I’m trying to make plans to go out next weekend for my birthday and it’s so hard to choose something! The struggle is real y’all.

15.  I would love to re-live my wedding over and over! It was the best party – I’d love to get everyone together again down the road sometime and do it all over.

I've been blessed with 30 wonderful years so far and I truly cannot wait to see what 30's has in store for me!!