Sunshine Lottie turns Seven!

Dear Lottie,

This birthday letter is long overdue. I apologize. You are now seven years old and three months (approximately)! Looking back at your seventh birthday, I think its fair to say that you had a special day. As we made plans, it seemed to me that the most important thing for you was that you spent it with friends. We had chatted about going somewhere like Kangaroo Zoo, but the idea of limiting how many friends you could invite, bothered you. So taking a page from one of Eliza's birthday parties, we decided to have an outside movie night at home. This plan would also save money and allow me to spoil you with a few gifts.

(Did I mention it was a pajama party?!)

I have to acknowledge Eliza as she  was the MVP that day. If my memory is correct, she was the one who made your birthday breakfast of pancakes. Also, she was the one who decorated the bag yard in such a fun way. Before I am overwhelmed with guilt, I will say that for Eliza, decorating is a labor of love and that she offered each of these favors. That evening your friends arrived. We had pizza, opened gifts, made s'mores and watched, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" I should mention that some friends opted to jump on the tramp and run around the yard rather than sit still for the movie. That was fine by you and me. I think everyone had a great time; or at least I hope so!

Oh geez. This photo just reminded me.

Eliza ALSO made the birthday cake! 

She did a beautiful job!

Birthday girl Lottie, all ready for school!

For lunch, Forrest and I brought you a happy meal from McDonalds

Polka Dottie Lottie Lou,

I LOVE YOU! Where do I begin? How about I mention your beautiful smile?!  It is the source of so much joy and light in our home; and so is your laugh. It's the cutest blend of rasp mixed with the most endearing giggle. It's definitely one of my favorite sounds in the world. With a new sister on the way, you are officially the "middle child." From my point of view, I think you were perfectly placed in this spot by our Heavenly Father. You have a sweet friendship with your older sister with whom you share a room. When Eliza is in the mood to doll you up, have you star in one of her videos or spend time with you in general, you are always happy to go along with her ideas. 

You play equally well with your brothers. I often find you and Henry outside playing soccer. Along with Forrest, you guys spend most of your time together outside. Forrest can be demanding at times. I am impressed with how you demonstrate patience with him. You are naturally a peace maker but don't hesitate to voice your opinion if something unfair has transpired. I like both of these qualities. You have strength and a quiet confidence that brings peace to my heart. I hope you cultivate these qualities as you grow into a young woman. 

You are a great friend. Spending time with friends is very important to you. Eliza and Henry are usually happy to be with friends; but it's often at my suggestion. You, on the other hand, initiate the plans. When I pick you up from school, you will often begin our conversation with a playdate request and you don't stop asking until something is solidified. You are persistent. :) 

Last Friday you brought home a perfect report card; identical to the one you brought home first quarter. I think it's fair to say that you are my most organized child. You appreciate tidiness and order and I love that about you; especially when it's your week to put away the dishes. You are doing well in school and are becoming a strong reader. Our family has been trying hard to read the Book of Mormon together. I love listening to you read through your verses. You often ask, "Can we keep reading?" when we finish a chapter together. Soccer and dance are your two favorite activities. You take tumbling, tap and ballet and are the youngest in your class. Your teacher placed you there because of how well you are doing. Soccer will return in the Spring. I don't look forward to you asking to be placed on a competitive soccer team; but I anticipate that you will!

Your Dad loves you a lot. I hope you know that. You are quick witted and don't hesitate in some of your responses when we are bantering. It makes us laugh. You are clever, sassy and sweet. I am thrilled that I get to be your Mom. I can't wait to introduce you to your new sister. You were darling when Forrest arrived, but I think its going to be such a new and special thing now that you are older. 

I love and adore you.

Thank you for being my Sunshine! (you leave darling love notes all over the house for members of our family; please never stop doing that)

Mom

September Daze

September was a magical month. 

Just kidding. I was nauseous and miserable.

However, looking back at these photos I feel grateful that we 

made it through the month with some happy memories. 

I can't remember the occasion. 

Ah. Yes.

Actually I do. 

My little unicorn and I stole away one afternoon to go shopping for "unmentionables." 

We came across this onesie and she was kind enough to try it on and let m take pictures. 

I love when I get one on one time with my kids; added bonus if it involves unicorns.

Last Spring, I agreed to being this year's PTA treasurer. 

Had I known that my pregnancy was right around the corner;

I would have politely decided the position.

It's been a big job. 

I am glad I am contributing and have really come to appreciate

all the parents who donate time and resources to making our school such a great place. 

But it's been a big job. 

My goal right now is to be positive as I finish out the school year.

But when I look back at this picture from our family fun fair;

my primary memory is how crummy I felt that night as I handled the money.

My Mom was an angel and came to supervise my kids while I worked

 because Andrew was away on business.

The kids, I know, had a blast that night. 

Simpler scenes like backyard soccer make me so happy.

Our backyard is my happy place.

Sometimes I feel guilty that I am not exploring new places with my kids. 

But then I watch them play with each other, for hours, outside and find myself asking,

"What more could they need?"

A tender mercy from September included an invitation from our neighbor Jean.

Jean has horses. Andrew loves horses.

And lucky for the two of them; Andrew and Jean have become very fond of each other.

Whenever possible, Andrew will go help her with her horse related chores.

He gets to play cowboy and Jean gets to enjoy his friendship and work ethic.

As a "thank you" to him, she invited us over for dinner and to carve pumpkins. 

The weather was dreamy that night.

In addition to her daughter Janice and son in law Gary, 

our friends the Burleighs were also there.

We had a great time.

They were so kind as they encouraged me to sit and relax 

while all the other grown ups helped my kids carve their pumpkins.

It's the kind of charitable spirit that can make a grown woman cry.

Again, feeling less than the motivated to go that extra mile for my kids,

I counted this experience as a 

wonderful blessing provided to my kids by our kind neighbors and friends.

September also brought with it the return of "soccer Saturday!"

Forrest was thrilled to finally join our soccer crew.

However, 30 seconds into his first game, he returned to my chair and declared,

"That's too hard." 

For the next few weeks, he was reluctant to play.

By the end of the season, however, something shifted.

He embraced the game and began scoring some impressive little goals!

I was very proud of him for changing his attitude.

Lottie is still a soccer scoring maniac. 

She LOVES it.

Henry rocked it too! 

His coach had awesome things to say about him and his work ethic. 

I went with Forrest to Bell farm on a field trip.

It was a significant day for me because we walked there 

and I hadn't walked that far in weeks due to being sick.

Aside from the farm smells, we had the best time together. 

We did our best to visit Lagoon before our season passes expired. 

Frightmares is pretty impressive.

This special girl and I enjoyed women's conference together.

We went to dinner at Corner Bakery Cafe first. 

It won't be long until Miss Lottie joins us!

Daughters are pretty incredible.

And last but not least, 

Lottie's smile has evolved quite a bit.

When I was trying to capture a picture of her true smile,

she said, "Mom, it's easier for me to find my sassy face than it is to find my princess face."

Oh, I love her!

Announcing Another Baby

We told our kids at the beginning of August that we were having another baby. The announcement came sooner than I had originally planned because I have a big mouth. During youth conference, while bearing my testimony, I let it slip (alright, alright. It was an intentional share) that we were expecting again. Coming home, I felt like I better tell my children before they heard it from someone else. 

Without rehashing the obvious difficulties of the first trimester; there are a few moments/milestones that an expectant Mother can look forward to: a positive pregnancy test (or in some cases 17+ positive pregnancy tests), the first ultrasound confirming all is well and then sharing the happy news; whether that comes in a slow trickle or a sudden flood (raising my hand).

I had several ideas floating around my brain as to how I wanted this moment with our kids to go. However, I am here to say that pregnancy fatigue can do a lot to deflate a spectacular plan. Also, I did feel limited knowing I was under a time restraint. So, with that being said, I found the "Big Brother" shirt I gave Henry when we told him that Lottie was on the way. You can see that announcement here (Blogging for the win!). I went to my storage room, found a gift bag and filler and then told the kids we had brought back a a present for them from our trip. Forrest opened up the gift, the older kids read what the shirt said. Hilarity and a lot of emotion ensued. 

I captured it on video.

The photos, I feel like, turned out equally awesome. 

Before anything happened at all, 

Eliza, who CLEARLY knew already, was struggling to maintain composure.

She would be a terrible poker player. 

I can say that because I am wired the exact same way.

I can't keep a straight face.

If I am trying to play a joke on someone, I say the words,

"Just Kidding" before they have a chance to get upset, worried, scared, etc.

Eliza discovered the positive digital pregnancy test the same day I took it.

She was getting ready to take a shower when she spotted it on my bathroom counter.

Rather than confront us immediately; she told me that she decided

to shower first and try to digest the news on her own.

In the upstair hallway, following her shower, we crossed paths.

Dressed, but with her hair wrapped in a towel still, she pointedly asks,

"Are you pregnant?" I froze.

Instead of giving her a direct answer; 

I shuttled her into her Dad's office

 so we could at least share in this moment of being busted together.

"Is Mom pregnant?" 

I can't remember how he confirmed the news; 

but what I do remember is that her was one of JOY! 

My heart has been filled with concern about how a new sibling would impact her.

She is starting junior high next September; 

is rapidly approaching her teenage years

 and continues to change and grow before my eyes.

It's the little reminders that hit the hardest.

As an example, standing behind her to braid her hair...

"You are too tall now on this stool; would you mind moving to that chair?"

As I grow this new sister; I physically feel growing pains.

As her older siblings grow up; I emotionally feel growing pains. 

DEEP ONES!

How did this happen so fast?

Somebody hold me.

Seriously though, 

I want to be there for her for each milestone;

so how, I have wondered, will a baby impact all of this? 

Time will tell. 

Returning to that moment,

Eliza was jumping  up and down. 

Happy tears were in her eyes as she hugged me.

"Really?!" she asked.

Her excitement was the antidote to my anxiety

and it has continued to help propel me through the hardest moments of my pregnancy.

I had originally hoped that she would find out at the same time as the other kids;

but am grateful she didn't.

 It was special, in my opinion, that she got to share this secret with Andrew and me for awhile.

So yes, Eliza already knew.

And then we told the other kids.

Henry's reaction surprised me most.

He didn't downplay his feelings at all. 

It was clear that he was floored by the news.

"I was not expecting another sibling!" He cried.

Having thought about Henry, 

I think that his reaction was unique for a few reasons. 

Aside from Andrew and me, Henry has been

a great nurturer and caretaker to Forrest. 

And I think that for him, he was concerned,

only slightly...I hope,

that he was going to be given even more responsibility

with a new sibling. 

Henry has gone above and beyond

to love and care for Forrest.

He was often there for the sweetest and sourest toddler moments.

It was a big investment that has paid off in a big way because 

my two boys are incredibly close. 

And Forrest often rewards him

more than any other sibling with affection and love.

So I feel like this time around,

I need to be sensitive to not overwhelm Henry

with requests for help; even if he is naturally inclined to say yes.

Instead, I will delegate all of the baby favors to Lottie. 

Ha ha, I am joking.

Hopefully they will all want to help. 

But man, was this cutie pie excited. 

As for Forrest,

This sweet boy wins the award for having the most "long term" enthusiasm

in the sense that he talks about her all the time.

He spends the most time hugging and kissing my belly.

If we forget to pray for our sister, he scolds us.

He was excited when we told him, 

but it took time for it to really register.

Now that it has, he has been incredibly cute and excited.

I think it was over Labor Day weekend that our family took another trip to the cabin.

I was living in a haze of constant nausea.

To be honest, I was not very supportive of traveling. 

I laid in bed a lot;

tried to be cheerful.

But probably failed most of the time.

One of those "milestones" that I looked forward to that weekend

was snapping some pictures to announce to everyone else

(via social media)

that we were expecting one more.

I went all out by making my kids match. 

Moms like matching kids. 

I don't know why I don't do this more.

Oh wait. Yes I do.  

(Eliza).

Just kidding; kind of.

We were going for a boys vs. girls vibe.

The girls and their "game face"

BRING IT BROTHERS!