Simms turns 6!

I really can't believe I am doing a post on my first baby turning 6 years old! But she did, and time continues to speed by! Her birthday was on a Friday so she had a celebration at school and her real party the next day. She had a fun birthday party at her dance studio and invited friends from school and her cousins! Her dance instructor did their makeup, and let them have free range into all of her old costumes and dress up clothes, then they did runway shows. It was right up Simms' alley! She smiled from ear to ear that day and it just made my heart so happy! Our sweet Simms is just that, sweet. Her heart is compassionate, sensitive, full of love for others, and pure sweetness. She strives to always do the right thing, has such a quite spirit, and always wants to make those around her happy. I thank the Lord everyday for such a sweet little girl. She is the complete opposite of me as a child..{I was 100% fiesty and had quite the attitude..yikes). She is such a blessing to us and Dru and I are incredibly blessed to call her our daughter.

Party Day at the Studio!

Halloween 2013

Halloween was so much fun this year! Simms went as a mermaid and Cope went as a T-Rex. They were both obsessed with their costumes! The Parhams had their annual Halloween "Souper" Party! We loaded all of the kids (about 20+) on Rangers & trailers and trick or treated along our street. Our little neighborhood is so much fun during all of the holidays and every house goes all out making it fun for the kiddos! It was a great night! Clarke tagged along and slept most of the time on the Ranger!

Clarke's Baptism

Clarke was baptized on September 29, 2013. It was a very special Sunday for our family. She wore the gown that her sister and brother both wore, and was baptized out of the loving cup that was given in honor of her great, great, grandfather Evans, and that my cousins and I were baptized out of as well, and that Dru and I took communion from on our wedding day. Simms and Cope were baptized out of it also. We had a nice luncheon afterwards at our church. Clarke is a blessing in each of our lives, and it was such a special service to commit to raising her in a chrisitan home and in the church. It was very special to me too for our church family to agree to continue praying for her and supporting her throughout her life. I say continue, because they prayed her right through my risky pregnancy, and I am 100% confident that is why she was healed of Parvo, didn't have to be delivered early, and her procedures turned out ok each time. We were blessed to have lots of family join us that day.

Getting Caught Back Up!!!

I am so, so behind on my blog that it is causing me some anxiety. Not really, but I have never been this far behind. Our computer has taken a turn for the worst and the posts just haven't happened. I am on my mom's Mac and have figured this is the only way to get this updated. Here are 4 pictures from 4 of the several posts I am behind on.

Clarke's Baptism

 Clarke turning 4 months!

 Halloween!

 Simms turning 6!

I am devoting a morning next week to getting caught up! Now I feel a little relief :)!!!!

Clarke is 3 months!

Our Sweet Clarke,
You were 3 months old on September 20. Three months have gone by too quickly, but here we are. You are a healthy 3 month old, and after what we went through together during my pregnancy, that is the most important thing to me. We've been able to begin weaning you off of your iron, which is an answered prayer.

You are such a perfect gift from the Lord for this family. We never, ever knew how much we needed you until you came along. We were a perfectly happy family and thought we were complete, but thank goodness the Lord had other plans that included you.

You are a great sleeper. Well, in my opinion. I know some babies make it 12 hours by 3 months, but 6.5-7 hours for a nurser is great to me. And I selfishly don't mind getting up with you to nurse. I love that time with you so much.

You are wearing size 1 diapers, and 0-3 month clothes. You take 4 oz. of formula first thing when you wake up and 4 oz. right before bed. Sometimes you will have a bottle during the day if Minnie is having to keep you because I just can't pump alot! You nurse the rest of the time though.

You had to go to the pediatrician this month for your two month checkup and vaccines and then again because you finally caught Simms and Cope's cold. You weighed 12lbs 12oz at the last visit!

You are so happy. You smile alot. You are beginning to coo. You have Cope's dimples. You look alot like him.

Simms and Cope are obsessed with you. They really are. They love you so much.

You still love the sling. I love having you right there with me.

You went to your first gameday in Auburn and were a complete angel the whole day (12pm-1 am..long day)

You will be baptized on September 29.

We have enjoyed everyday of the past 3 months with you. Each day I was pregnant with you I wondered, "What is this going to be like? 3 kids? Can I do it? Will our family adapt ok?" Well precious baby, it has been everything I had hoped it would be and more.

We love you, Frances Clarke!

Clarke is 2 months!

Clarke was 2 months on August 20! I really cannot believe we are already at this point! The newborn days have flown by. It is funny because when I was pregnant with her, and as my pregnancy became riskier and riskier to her health, I would think to myself, "I'm just ready to be past the newborn stage, at 8 weeks old or so." Now I would give anything to go back to the day she was born and start all over. I can honestly say I've enjoyed this stage more than I did my other two. With Simms it was all so new, and I worried constantly. With Cope, I had a horrible bout of post partum depression. So with Clarke, with none of those other issues, and overcoming the scary last 10 weeks of my pregnancy, and her arriving healthy at 37 weeks and not 28, I just take her in as much as possible. Take in these days that fly by so quickly and that I will never do again! Dear sweet baby Clarke, Thank you for making the past 2 months a joy for our family. We all adore you. We all want to hold you, and kiss you, and talk baby talk to you. You are marvelous. You weigh 11 lbs now, and your anemia from the Parvo has almost gone away! You are in size 1 diapers finally! You are an excellent nurser and you also take a little formula each day too. I thank God for you everyday. I don't even know how many times. My perfect miracle baby. Thank you for being a sister for Simms and being another sister for Cope. And for being our second daughter. We are so blessed. These are in no particular order. Blogger is still giving me fits!

The First Day!

August 13 was a BIG day in our house. A first for Simms and Cope occured. Simms began Kindergarten, where she stays ALL day, and Cope started 3 year old Kindergaretn (3K) where he goes half a day. They are both at Flint River, on the same little hall (which makes my life so much easier) and so far they've both loved it. Cope is still working some kinks out on his personal space (no hitting) but other than that he has adapted very well to a "school" setting, thank the Lord. My days are alot quieter, but thank goodness I have sweet baby Clarke at home with me. And this family does much better on a schedule! Here are the pictures from the first day!

I have a few more pictures from the first day but blogger IS GIVING ME MAJOR PROBLEMS and I cannot get this post finished. Nor can I get Clarke's 2 month post up. Ugh. Hoping it is fixed soon!