And then, just like that, you're four.

Sweet Hannah Bear,

I can't believe it's been four years since the day you were born, but here we are.

Somewhere along the way, I blinked,  and you grew from a tiny, little baby, into a lovely, little girl.

(Thanks, Aunt Jess for this lovely collage)

I can't believe how quickly time is passing us by, and some days I wish I could stop the clock.  But mostly, I just loving watching you grow.

You are brave.  You try new things, and mostly are willing to face your fears.  Unless there are bugs in the pool - that is just too much for you.

You are smart.  You pay close attention to new things you are learning and you love to share your new knowledge with us.  You already know most of your letters and sounds, and you love to write.

You are beautiful.  You have big, blue eyes and the curliest, wildest hair I've ever seen.  And I love it.  I don't know what to do with it just yet, but I love it just the same.

You are kind.  You help clean up, you protect your family and friends, and for a baby that didn't like to be snuggled, you are an amazingly good snuggler now.

We love you so very much, Baby Girl.

Happy Birthday.

Wordless Wednesday

          {Gracie, 3 months old}





Happy Birthday, Gracie-Girl.

Today you are 10!

We miss you and love you and think of you often.

We hope you had a lovely birthday!

Silent Sunday

Feet First

We are very lucky to have a pool in our neighborhood.  The kids love it - it's nice and spacious and has three different areas for kids to play and swim and enjoy.

One area that has had lots of appeal, but has also caused some fear and anxiety is the deep end with the diving boards.  A couple of years ago, Jack jumped off the diving board after much pushing, prodding, and, I think I remember, bribing.  It didn't go well, and he hasn't done it since.  And by hasn't done it since, I mean that he didn't even attempt it at all last summer although we talked about it an awful lot.

But every.single.time. we go to the pool, he mentions the diving board and how he might go off.  In five minutes.  After break.  Before we leave.  Maybe next time.

Every.  Single.  Time.

The four of us went to the pool today and about 20 minutes in, Hannah decided she wanted to go off of the diving board.  And, of course, in true sibling fashion, she had to inform Jack that she was about to go off the diving board.  Which, in true sibling fashion, made him climb very quickly out of the pool and speed-walk to the diving board.

And just like that - he found something that he loves.  For the next 2 1/2 hours that's all he did.  Happily.

Hannah went off of the diving board, too.  She just didn't love it as much as Jack.  Yet.

All I can say is, thank goodness for good, old-fashioned sibling rivalry :)

Daddy's Girl

Lately, our tiny peanut is all about Daddy.  I'm not jealous (okay, maybe I'm a little jealous), but really I'm just so excited to get a front seat to the special relationship that they have.

This morning, I was coming down the hallway when Hannah emerged from her bedroom, and with her sleepy eyes and crazy baby hair, she looked up at me and announced, "I miss Daddy."

Not, "Good morning, Mama.  Did you sleep well?  I love you."

Not even, "Hi, Mama!"

But instead, "I miss Daddy."  

It was super sweet, to be honest, and I texted him right away to let him know how I was greeted first thing this morning.  I know it made his morning, and apparently Daddy and Hannah had some snuggle time before he'd headed off to work this morning.

While we were on vacation, every time we went out to eat, I'd be holding her hand and we'd get to our table, and she'd let go of my hand, hop into a booth, and announce, "I want to sit next to you, Daddy!"

If I ask, "Hannah, do you want Mommy or Daddy to help you brush your teeth/take you to the bathroom/go down the slide with you?" the answer is almost always Daddy.  I'd say 99% of the time.

It's actually become a bit of a game between Brad and I now.  We don't say anything, we don't really talk about it, but we wait anxiously for her response, knowing full well what she'll say, and then we just look at each other and smile.  It's cute.  

Definitely makes him feel loved.

And I'm just so lucky she has such a great dad.

The relationship between a daddy and his daughter is a special thing.  

I would definitely know, and I'm just so happy that Brad and Hannah get to have that, too.

Ready for the Big Leagues

After many months of feeling left out and being sad about not having lost a tooth, Jack has finally made some forward progress in the tooth department.

For some reason, I decided to help Jack brush his teeth.  I've been letting him take over most days, but occasionally, I offer to help out just to be sure we get a really good brushing in as much as possible without making him feel babied.  It's a fine line that I'm learning how to walk...

As I was brushing, I glanced down and saw what I thought was a tooth underneath toothpaste bubbles.  But I was thinking, surely he can't have a new tooth and I wouldn't know until now...

Well, guess what?

He definitely has an adult tooth, and I definitely did not know until now.  Had no idea.

And apparently, neither did Jack.

More worrisome is the fact that this tooth is well behind his baby teeth, and his baby tooth is still intact, although after much inspection, slightly wiggly.

I Googled, and I wasn't the first person to Google "permanent tooth coming in behind" either.  I guess it's fairly common, shark teeth is what it's referred to, but either way, we have an appointment with the dentist Monday morning just to be sure all is well.  I certainly can't wait for our six-month appointment on the 20th before addressing this issue and hearing that this is completely normal.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that Jack can wiggle his baby tooth out before then.  He's very eager for a visit from the Tooth Fairy.

Silent Sunday

Happy Easter, friends.  

We hope your day was filled love and happiness.  

And maybe a few chocolate eggs and marshmallow Peeps.