Little Miss Ava Belle

Time is flying with Ava.  It is so fun to see her little personality come out.  She is very sweet.  She loves her family.  She has a different relationship with each of her siblings.  She really loves her mommy and daddy.  When it is play time she definitely prefers Brad but when it is time to eat or sleep all she wants is mommy.

Every day is super busy.  With school, sports, work, and church life is pretty hectic.  I can't believe how fast the days go.

  As the fourth child I feel like I don't get as many pictures.  Some days she doesn't get the naps she needs and there are times when another kid needs me more and she just has to sit there and cry.  Adjusting to four kids is the most difficult thing I have ever done.  It is exhausting and frustrating.  I love each of the kids so much and they bring so much joy into my life but there are days when I am not sure if I am going to make it until Brad gets home or til bedtime.  But somehow I get through it.  It isn't always pretty but the kids are alive and happy.  I just hope I am giving each of them the love and attention they need.  I hope they can see I am doing my best and they know how much I do love them.

Hospital stay and Halloween

I am trying really hard to catch up.  There is always something going on.  I feel like I don't ever have time to write a blog post but there are so many things going on in our life that I want to blog about.  Hopefully one day I will catch up.

At the beginning on September Parker was sick.  I am not a mom who runs to the Dr when my kid has a cold.  It was the normal runny nose and cough.  No fever and he definitely did not act like he was sick.  He was his normal bouncing off the walls and tons of energy self.  I noticed after about a week of being sick he was a little wheezy when he was breathing.  So I took him to the Dr.  Everything checked out fine and they sent us home.  This happened FOUR times until finally in October they admitted him to the hospital.  He had walking pneumonia and he has asthma.  It was very frustrating that it took so long for them to finally take care of him but I felt so blessed that I listened to those promptings to continue to take him to the doctor.  Like I said before I don't just go to the doctor for a cold.  Going to the doctor is something I put off as long as possible.  I was beginning to feel like a crazy paranoid mother.  After going two or three times and them saying he just has a cold and just keep doing what I was doing.  

Another blessing was Brad had just flew home from a work trip and was able to stay in the hospital with him.  Ava was still so little.  So I was able to go home with her at night.  It was a horrible situation but we could not ignore all the blessings in that difficult time.  

Honestly, Parker was amazing through it all.  It could have been a lot worse.  I think I complained more than he did. 

We were so happy to finally get home after a week.  Soon after we got home it was Parkers birthday.  Man was he spoiled.  He was so happy with all of his gifts but the Ginormous bag of chocolate and the Hulk from Dave and Burt was hands down his favorite and mine ( I might have had a few pieces of chocolate)   Once he turned two we decided it was time for a big boy bed.  Of course he wanted avengers bedding.  

Halloween was a lot of fun but we were a little nervous with having a little baby and Parker just getting out of the hospital.  He wanted to run around so bad but would get tired out really fast.  The kids looked awesome.  They had such a great time with friends and had a blast handing out candy when we got home.

Our crazy life

One thing Brad and I have realized lately is our life is crazy.  We are always on the go and there is always something going on! I actually love it! This year Bailey started Jr. Kindergarten.  Since her birthday is in July we had to decide if we wanted her to start kindergarten this year or wait one more year.  We decided to wait and I am so glad we did.  It is so fun to see how much she has grown and matured this year.  I was really unsure if she would be ready for school this year but I know now that she is going to Rock kindergarten.  

Now that Brad's sister Lindsey lives in Plano we get to see them every now and then.  It is so awesome.  I can't wait for Brooklyn and Ava to get older and play and be such great friends! 

This year both the kids played soccer for the first time.  They both did Great! They were aggressive and really good.  Jason scored multiple goals and loved playing goalie.  Bailey scored a goal and did a great job going after the ball.

Parker is as busy as ever.  He has definitely hit the difficult twos stage.  He is a spit fire.  He is also my most lovey and affectionate kid.  It is one extreme to the other with him.  He loves to be outside getting dirty.  He is always asking us to push him on the swing.  Hopefully this summer we will start potty training.

Ava is so sweet.  I love having a little baby to snuggle.  She is still so little.  Since she is our last I am really appreciating that she is still tiny.  The newborn phase feels like it is lasting much longer this time.  She loves her siblings and is definitely a mommy and daddys girl.

Bailey's Birthday and Visitors

After Ava was born we had a few weeks to get ready for Bailey's birthday.  She had some friends over to play and enjoy some cupcakes. I can't believe she is 5! She is smart, spunky, artistic, happy, and loves her family.  

I have really been trying to get Parker into books.  He is my one child who really does not like books.  I guess I shouldn't say he doesn't like books he just really does not like sitting still.  He is one of the most active kids I know.  He is always on the move.  Loves to explore and figure things out.  He can also be very sneaky and mischievous.  

Shortly after Ava was born we had some visitors. My parents and my Granny came down to Texas.  It was so nice to have them here and I know the kids loved the extra attention.  And Ava Loved all the snuggles from Nana and Granny.