Christmas Celebrations

We stayed very busy this Christmas season, but we enjoyed every minute! From Christmas dance recitals, to activities at church & school, we always seemed to be heading to another event. Simms' Christmas recital was precious. Her group did ballet only in this show and they wore their Christmas pajamas. Simms and Cope were both in our church's Christmas play. Simms as an angel and Cope as one of the 3 wise men. They performed it two times, and Simms sang in our church's cantata. That was so special for her to sing alongside her cousins and with her great-grandparents singing in the choir with her as well. All of their performances made me teary. I would tear up, look at Clarke, think back to this time last year, how she was just a tiny thing in my belly, and we had no clue who she'd be, and how our family had changed since last Christmas, or I'd look at Cope, such a big boy, and remember 4 Christmases ago when I was due with him 5 days after Christmas, and think about how much he has added to our life since then, or I would look at Simms, with her sweet angel face and equally sweet heart, and everytime, I would say a silent prayer of thanks to the Lord. Simms and Cope both had such a good understanding of the season and what it means. Of course I expected Simms to, but I was so happy that Cope grasped it this year also. We made our annual Gingerbread house and had fun doing that. Our elf Pixel was out and about in full force.Simms and Cope's classes performed a play together at school {which I got horrible pictures from} and had school parties. And of course we all loved introducing Frances Clarke to Christmas! I am going to just upload all of the pics, and there may be no organization to them, as I am still having fits with our laptop!

 

Frances Clarke~ 4, 5, & 6 months old!

I can't believe I am combining all 3 months into one post, but I have to catch up! It wouldn't matter anyway, because no matter how I organized these posts, I'm going to be gushing and gushing on how much this sweet baby girl means to me. All of my children have changed my life in the best ways that only THEY could, but the thing with Clarke is, I never realized things could change and be such a good change for us. I thought we were "complete", "finished with our family", however you want to put it, and I was ok with that. But then this baby came along. And she has added SO much MORE love into our hearts and our family. It has been an incredible 6 months. I could stare at her and play with her all day, (and somedays I do), and we all feel that way! Simms and Cope love her more than I could have ever imagined or prayed for them to. There has been no jealousy or resentment with either of them towards her. Dru lights up each night when he walks in and how could he not? She bats those beautiful eyes at him and smiles and he loves it. She is still nursing 90% of the time. Most days she will take 8 oz of formula. If I am away from her she will usually have 12 that day. We still haven't started cereal or baby food. Her pediatrician has me interested in "baby led" feeding.We have started "gnawing" on bananas. She seems to like them and not mind the new texture/consistency. So I will just feed her from the table, or mash up fruits and veggies for her. I am going to try to avoid buying any baby food at all. We shall see how that goes. She sleeps great. She wakes up usually around 3:30 AM to eat, after going to bed around 9. Her morning nap is great, but her afternoon nap not so much. She usually falls asleep during that wonderful 5:00 hour, when Simms and Cope are their loudest, I am cooking and it is just utter chaos. Somehow she sleeps. She is incredibly laid back and goes with the flow, but she really has no choice. She has stayed healthy for the most part, despite having a brother and sister in school that stay in her face all of the time. She did have her first ear infection in December. She celebrated her first Thanksgiving and first Christmas and brought so much joy to those holidays. I still call her "Birdie" all of the time. The kids do too. I'm not sure if it'll be a nickname that sticks like Bubby has for Cope, but I do know it is something that I will always call her, because it reminds me of those sweet first weeks together. 4 months!

5 months!

6 months!

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!