Sweet Smiles

Kaylee has been smiling and "talking" more and more this past week - SO cute! :)  The photos don't do the adorable little grin that turns to a huge open-mouthed smile justice.  I can't believe how quickly she is growing and changing.  I wish I could just push pause and keep her this tiny for a little while longer.

Work & Play

Lily and Eli made some pinecone/peanut butter/popcorn feeders...."for squirrels or birds or whatever else needs food."  The process went something like spread PB, eat PB, stick on popcorn, eat popcorn, eat more PB and maybe a little more popcorn... :)  Per Lily's request, we tied them in the dogwood tree so they can be seen from the kitchen and Lily's bedroom.  Hopefully we can catch some creature enjoying a snack!

Jon has been teaching the kids to rake leaves...Eli enjoys this more than Lily.  On this particular occasion, Jon told the kids they had to eat breakfast and then work in the yard.  Lily declared she wasn't hungry and didn't want breakfast.  What?! - She didn't want breakfast?!  The truth came out, "If I don't eat first, I won't have to go out and rake leaves."  Can you blame her? - It was in the high 20's/low 30s when I took these pictures (and ran back in the house with Kaylee).

Unsolicited advice

This morning all 5 of us were snuggling in our bed (totally should have bought a king size).  Jon left the room and then Lily and Eli pulled the covers off of me.   They were greeted by the not-so-pretty sight of my tummy slightly exposed.  They exclaimed things like, "Eeeeewww WHAT is THAT?  What's wrong with your tummy?!"  Yep, you guessed it...stretch marks.  They carried on, appalled, as though I had decided this would be a great look for me.  When they asked, "WHY?" I pointed at each of the kids and told them they were fairly large babies in my previously fairly small tummy - and stretch was what had to happen.  Lily responded with this advice, "Oh, well, don't let Daddy see...he'll scream!"  Eli piped in a hearty, "YEAH he would!"  Thanks, kiddos.

Commercial dinner

Last night we had the privilege of celebrating Madie's birthday with the fam.  Great restaurant choice, Madie & thank you Mom and Dad for dinner!  After living away from family for most of our married life, we are still especially thankful to be near family and share in special occasions.  We - our family of 5, my parents, 3 of my 4 sisters (Allison, we missed you!), and 2 brother-in-laws - enjoyed talking, laughing and just being together.  As we drove home, Jon commented how fun the evening had been and that it was like a commercial for Macaroni Grill - the large family loving the company and the food. :)  We are blessed!

Kaylee is 1 month old

I can't believe Kaylee is already one month old!  The time has flown...and I can hardly remember our life without her. 

 I wanted to capture Baby KK's smile, but I can't seem to be quick enough.  The next few pictures are right before/after a cute grin. :)

As a side note...she does not have a case of pink eye...the red and goopy eye is from a blocked/undeveloped tear duct!

My baby sister

Happy 14th Birthday, Madeline! We love you!  

(you're making me feel old ;))

Missing

Eli found and promptly lost a ladybug in the house this morning.  He asked me to help in the search mission and said, "You'll know it when you see it...he is red with black dots on his back and his name is Dot-Dot."  Hopefully we can find Dot-Dot while he is still living!

UPDATE:

The good news is we found Dot-Dot under a Lego on the coffee table this afternoon.  Unfortunately, he was no longer living.  Eli was holding back tears as he said, "I must have squeezed him too hard."  I assured Eli he must have just been old, because his body was all still in tact.  His reply was, "No, I just had him one day [or five minutes, but that can be a long time in the life of an almost 3 year old] - he's NOT old."

Jesus knows me this I love

Last night, my mom treated (Thanks, Mom!) Allison and me to an event  at church called, "Reclaiming the Season."  The speaker for the evening reminded us that not only does "Jesus love me this I know," but we can also say, "Jesus knows me this I love."  What a gift to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season - perfect love and acceptance from our perfect Savior!   

Lately I have been especially thankful for family and friends who demonstrate in a tangible way this type of love and acceptance...even when I tell them things no normal person would (or should) say out-loud!  A special and enormous "I love you and thanks for showing me Jesus" to Kate and Danielle - you girls have been sanity savers lately by your listening ears, sweet encouragement, and shared laughs.

Correction

I stand corrected!  Lily asked to see the new photos on the blog and asked me to read her the titles.  I should have written "One princess and one flower fairy - see the flowers on her outfit and she doesn't have a princess dress on" instead of "Little Princesses."  :)

Twinsies...or Matchies

Even before Kaylee was born, Lily has wanted to match her sister.  A few days ago I got Kaylee dressed and didn't remember that Lily had a very similar outfit.  Moments later, Lily came prancing in the room glowing with pride and excitement.  I announced, "Twinsies!"  And Lily (in all seriousness) responded, "Mom, twins are babies who are born at the same time.  Kaylee and I are just matching."  Well then, here are two cute little matchies!

Little princesses

Lils can't wait for Kaylee to be big enough to play dress-up and princesses!!!

Time for a walk

Angry little elf after being bundled for a walk...

Well, maybe this isn't so bad after all...

Kaylee's first bottle

After many "Whoas" and "WOWs" over the breast pump, Lily and Eli fought over who got to feed Baby Sister.  They were quite proud to be such good helpers...and I am excited that she'll take a bottle!  Maybe this means Nana won't have to worry about K. getting hungry when I go get my haircut next week and leave all 3 kids with her. :)  Thanks in advance, Mom!

When I grow up....

"I will be first a baseball player and then a football player when I'm bigger.  Then I'll be an as-as-as-astronaut!!"  ~ Eli  

"I want to be a librarian.  No!  I couldn't, because I wouldn't get ANY work done.  ["Why not?" ~ Jen]  I would find too many books to read, and I wouldn't work!  I could be a nurse, but they are just helpers.  I would be a doctor, because they are in charge.  [Insert conversation about why nurses are important - including the fact that Grandma is a nurse, Nana used to be a nurse, and Aunt Natalie wants to go to nursing school.] Maybe a teacher?  Hmmmm - an artist!  Wait!  I already AM an artist...see [Points to her artwork on the refrigerator.]?!? ~ Lily

Pictures :)

Update on cards for soldiers...

Hi Everyone,

I'm really thankful for the positive response I've gotten concerning helping the soldiers in Mark's brigade receiving Christmas cards. Thanks for your enthusiasm and support!  I don't know how many of you have thought about sending the cards in a box or as "bulk mail," but I was thinking this is what I'd do.  So, I emailed into the website and this is the response I received.  Do what you think is best.    And to any of you that forward the message on, please pass this info. along as well.  Thanks again for your help!!  Much Love, Jana

Jana, thank you for your question. 

 

I think when we started the project, we envisioned a 2nd/25th Stryker trooper opening up a card that was mailed from the USA, from a family he/she did not know, that contained holiday greetings. 

 

I guess, as long as the cards you are sending over 'bulk' are all in single envelopes with unique return addresses, the only difference would be they were not individually 'sent' from a family. 

 

The other concern I would have is that we're pretty sure that 1st class envelopes get to Iraq pretty quick, but not sure about 'bulk' mail.

 

So, bottom line, go ahead...send 'em bulk....only two requests: do it sooner than later, and indicate on the website how many cards you sent in total so we can have kind of an idea of what is happening. 

 

Thanks for your support, and best wishes to you and yours for a happy and safe holiday season.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dave McCaffrey

Christmas cards for soldiers

My good friend Jana sent me this email.  Her husband, Mark, is in this brigade.  Lily, Eli and I are going to make some cards to send to soldiers in Iraq this Christmas.  If you are interested too, please check this out...

Thank you!

Aloha Family and Friends,

We are very anxious for our soldiers to come home but we have to get through the holidays before that will happen.  This year will be the second Christmas for us to spend without our 'soldier' and for some it is their third!  We are trying to get a Christmas Card in the hands of every soldier in Todd's Brigade.  We need about 4300 cards.  Obviously this is a project for many to participate in.  A web site has been created to explain the project and I would love your support for this effort.  There are 2 ways you can help:  agree to send a few cards yourself and the other is to send this message on to your family and friends.  Many have extended the invitation to their churches and kids schools.  Please visit the website for all the details:  http://holidaycardsofcare08.com.  Plan on touching a soldier this year for Christmas!  What better gift!

Thank you so much for your support; when we are all sitting in front of the tree on Christmas morning, our time with our family will take on special meaning knowing we have brightened a soldiers' holiday far from home. 

Love and Warm Wishes to All,

Lisa, Michael, Sara, and A

Veteran's Day

Thank you

I am so grateful for our military and their families - past and present.  I am especially proud of Jon for his service and of Lily and Eli who have also sacrificed much for our country.  I am proud to have so many veterans in our family and friendships with other service members and their sweet families.  Please take time to thank and encourage our military and their families.

11/10 - Kaylee is 3 weeks old

Leaves!

During the hot, humid summer, Lily and I talked a lot about how we missed walking to the beach and feeling warm sand beneath our toes, the fish we saw snorkeling, the beautiful flowers, and the ocean breeze of Hawaii... 

But, with every leaf that turns a brilliant, indescribable color...
and falls to the ground to make a wonderful crrrunch beneath our feet...
and the refreshing smell of cool, crisp air...we fall in love with the seasons Tennessee has to offer.

Attempt at a matchy-matchy picture

I really wanted to get a cute - all kids happy, L and E looking at me AND "for real" smiling, and all in matching clothes - picture of the kids.  It is much harder than it sounds to achieve this cheesiness!  I thought we might succeed, but then Kaylee had an explosive diaper just as I grabbed the camera.  While I hand-washed her little outfit and waited for the dryer to do its job, she got hungry and mad.  The following 3 photos (which clearly don't meet the above expectations) are the ones I snapped before I was fighting back tears...the disappointment that the perfect moment didn't happen mixed with my still wacky hormones was not good.  I said things like, "I'll NEVER get a picture of all the kids."  Jon reminded me how silly this was...I had to clarify...I may NEVER get a picture with the kids this young, in the fall, in matching clothes, etc.  Obviously, he is the sane one.

Enjoying a fall evening - 11/7/2008

Little snuggly baby!

I wonder if Kaylee knows her life is being entrusted to a 4 year old?!?  Lily and Eli both wanted to hold her...L seemed like less of a liability in this case.

Eli and Lily searching for the biggest leaves they could find.

Accomplishments

Yesterday, Lily "didn't have a good day at school...[she] had a GREAT  day!"  In case you haven't spent time with Lily or have never tried to talk to me on the phone and don't know this, Lily LOVES to talk.  The girl has been chatting and sharing her opinion on life since before her first birthday.  NOT talking is probably the hardest thing for Lily.  She has talked to someone or herself (she didn't really get why this was still breaking the "NO talking" rule) during cool down time every Tuesday and Thursday at pre-school since she started in September.  Either a new leaf has been turned, or there was a fluke occurrence...Lily was silent during cool down time yesterday!  I wasn't sure this day would ever come.  Hooray for Quiet Lily!!!

In the last few months, Eli has become fond of coloring.  He always wants me to write his name on his papers when he is finished.  A few days ago he announced that he would write his own name on his paper, he just asked me to tell him how to make each letter.  I had no idea he was even close to writing his name, but now he writes his very own name.  Way to go Eli!!!  If only he would suddenly announce he was ready to use the big boy potty!

Growing up so fast!

Kaylee is perfecting her turtle look.

Big Brother keeps saying he will "betect" (protect) Kaylee.  I am going to have him sign a contract so he never forgets this promise!  I always thought it would be cool to have  big brother to "betect" me...I am glad Kaylee has Eli.

Sisters are the best!  I am so thankful for Allison, Katherine, Natalie, and Madeline...I pray Lily and Kaylee feel the same about each other.   That lip thing K. is doing is so Jon and Lily!