Happy Memorial Day

So today was picture day...it went better than the last session w/Gabriela & Emalyn! This time I planned ahead and brought skittles to bribe Gabriela between each pose :) It worked for 4 and then she was done. The photographer wanted to do more and I assured her 9-10 pictures was plenty for this group (plus it makes it much easier for me to narrow them down at the end!). Bren wasn't too excited about this "train" idea and it shows :) but we got Ema laughing, so I got it.
Gabriela loved this one because Isa was her horse. She was a little disappointed when she realized that they weren't really going anywhere...

This was our first pose, so everyone was happy and it showed!!

There is nothing wrong with your eyes or the color of the computer-this coloring of this photo is called "vintage" and I like it, however, Danny thinks it's weird. I think this is my favorite one.

Later we headed off to Maple View ice cream in Hillsborough, NC because we've been here 4 years and haven't done it yet! The ice cream was great and the kids had fun.

Bren & Isa stuck w/chocolate & vanilla, but as we were leaving Brendan saw "egg nog" ice cream and decided we're coming back one more time.

While I was finishing up my sundae, the girls ran off and Gabriela climbed the haystack (no surprise) so Isa cautiously joined her for the picture.

4 months old!

A couple of days ago, Danny was doing laundry on our bed, so I left Emalyn in the middle of our bed while I tended to the other kids. Danny had me to come back to watch her crawl! She would tuck up her legs under her belly and then use her toes to launch herself forward. The first tile shows the end of a crawl. She got herself wedged in between the pillows and was giggling. It as so cute! We called her name and she looked up and I said, "peek-a-boo", and we got a good laugh out of her again. I guess it was hard work, because only a minute later, she had fallen asleep between the pillows.

Here is a picture to remember! Our kids have always had one good "blow out" where no stain remover can touch. This may be her "one" :)

I guess it's time to move up a size in diapers again.

At her appointment, she weighed in at 14 lb 9 oz and is 24.5" long.

She's starting to get some rolls on her-we'll see if she ever catches up to the other kids, or if she'll stay little...
Emalyn had her 4 month shots, and of course, cried. After they were done though, she managed to give the nurse a nice big smile :)

Here she is at home showing the kids her "battle wounds".

Emalyn was soothed after her shots with her new swing! Babies R Us had this swing on clearance because someone returned it, but didn't have the box or manual with it, so we got a good deal and it matches her pack 'n play. She swung and listed to classical music and was content. She even fell asleep in it for her evening nap.

Mother's Day Weekend

Because I have a hard time deciding which pictures to post, I'm posting all the ones I like, but in groups, which appears smaller, but by clicking on any picture, you can make it larger...School is officially DONE after so many years of school!! Danny walked on Saturday with his good friend, Matt. They've worked together and gone to school together (and played Halo together) for the last 4 years. That is going to be a very sad day when we have to say goodbye to the Tuttle family.
For mother's day, Danny made all the meals and did cleanup for everyone! We had eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, & toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, and then he grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, & corn on the cob for dinner. Oh! and cheesecake from the Cheescake Factory for desert. It was great not to have to be in the kitchen the whole day except to eat!!

The kids signed me up for a quilting class next month (I'm so excited!) and Danny bought me the supplies for it. I can't wait! In fact I kind of didn't-I got the book home and decided to make a practice quilt so that I didn't ruin my nice class one. This is the quilt I made and it's quite "loud". I learned a lot in the process about color choices and other things.

Emalyn is now 4 months and moving all around. At 3 months she started rolling over both ways and scooting. I can't leave her on a bed or couch anymore or she'd end up on the floor! She loves to be on her tummy and will roll almost immediately to her tummy when she's on her back. (she still has those beautiful blue eyes...)

Yesterday I found brown stuff on Emalyn's chin and so I asked Gabriela what it was. She said, "I'm being nice-I'm sharing!" She was sharing her chocolate chip cookie :) Luckily, she didn't manage to get it in Ema's mouth-she wouldn't open up! When I reminded Gabriela that babies only drink milk, she said, "OK! I'll clean her up!" and ran off and got wadded up toilet paper to take off the chocolate. So cute!!

Cute girls

A couple of weeks ago Gabriela was calling for me and when I walked in the kitchen, I didn't see her right away. I called for her and she laughed and said "I'm right here!" What a monkey!

Gabriela loves to get down and talk to Emalyn during "tummy time". They look like they are having a great conversation and maybe even sharing a shocking secret!! :)

Emalyn has established a bedtime routine for herself. It's so cute! She no longer wants her arms swaddled, so we swaddle her w/her hands free. She sucks her middle 2 fingers, then drapes her other arm over her face and goes to sleep!

Lovies

So I've been making these "lovies" (security blankets) and I've already sold 3! I haven't listed them anywhere yet, and am looking into getting a website up, but need to figure out how to do that as well. Any ideas or anyone that can help me do that would be great!

The photos aren't very flattering, they are much cuter in real-life :) They are 16x16; one side is satin, and the other super soft minky. There is also a button hole w/ribbon & snaps to attach to a stroller, car seat, etc.

Locks of Love

Isa has a good friend that had donated her hair to Locks of Love a few months ago, so she decided that she wanted to contribute also. She's had it cut for 2 weeks now and we love it!! It can curl under, flip out, and then wavy (she has a natural wave/curl to her hair). We're so proud of her, and another thanks to Sarah for doing this for her!