Water Baby!

 I can't get enough of her expressions!!

 And she LOVES bathtime!

Look, what Matt earned!!

 I am so proud of my husband!  I always knew that he was one of the hardest working men that I know, and he now has been recognized for it.  He was selected as the Company Grade Officer OF THE YEAR!  So he was chosen from all of the other O-3 and below officers in the J-5 of Global Strike.  I know, it confuses me too.  But this means that he is in the running for Officer of the Year for Global Strike too.

  Cool trophy, right?  Great work, Matthew!!  So proud of you!

Professional Pictures

Here are a few professional photos shots that we have had recently, well, sort of recently!

John Paul's 4 year old pictures

Classic John Paul

Ok, my favorite!

Naomi's 3 month old pictures:

Of course, in Naomi style, we walked into the photography studio and the photographers said, "Aren't you a cutie!" and she breaks into hysterics.  We had to wait a little until she calmed down and then she took these adorable pictures.

All smiles!

Again, my favorite is last!!

Family pictures that were taken in December!!  Yes, I am just getting these on here now!

Well-Baby Checks

I know.  My baby turned 4 years old and I still call it a "well-baby check."  So we took JP in for his 4 year old check and Naomi in for her 4 month check.  And the results are:  HEALTHY!!!  As if I thought it would be anything different!

John Paul is weighing 46 pounds (97%) and is 42 inches tall (85%).  He grew 4 inches this past year and is still a very solid, active kid.  My lovey child for sure!  We hear him say that he loves us quite often and he was to hold our hands or touch our arms for comfort.  He is a friend to all and enjoys playing with other kids.  Great eater, but will not eat broccoli or tomatoes.  Loves drinks.  Seriously, he would be perfectly content to consume all calories by drinking!  He is also our passive-aggressive child. Sometimes hard to motivate to complete something on his own--quite unlike his very independent younger brother.  A huge help to me and a help to his brother and sister.  He gets Ethan a drink of water and Naomi toys to calm her down.

Naomi weighed in at 15 pounds 4 ounces (90%) and 24.75 inches tall (75%) with a head circumference of 42.4 cm (85 %).  Again, I have an over achiever!!  I didn't realize that girls are on a different growth scale at this young of age.  But looking back, JP was 19 lbs (90%) and Ethan was 17.5 lbs (75%) so they have to be on a different scale.  She is cooing and babbling and quite a delight--when things are going her way.  She does a 180 flip into instant hysterics if she is mad or senses a stranger, or is scared.  DRAMA!!!  The pediatrician was laughing as she witnessed one of these mood flips.  Her words, "oh, have fun disciplining that toddler!"  I laughed, but inside, I am terrified because it will probably BE TRUE!!

Cheerio Farming

 They were just driving me crazy!!  I know you know those days!!  And then it popped into my head.  Why not let them scoop, dump, farm, push, and {what ever else they can think of} with Cheerios.

So they scooped....

And hauled...

And loved it!!!

Valentine's Day Special

My newest Valentine on her first Valentine's Day:

 

 

 Playing with her toes:

 My Valentines holding valentines that they made:

 From all four of my Valentines:

For my Valentines:  (bagel with cream cheese and sprinkles, my attempt at a heart-shaped egg, and I am thinking heart cut jiggles for supper too.)

Guess who is 4?

 My baby turned 4!!!  He was so excited for his birthday, that we had to start a countdown on the calendar so he would quit asking me EVERY second of the day if today was his birthday party.  He seriously asked nonstop from about two weeks out!  He even told me how many balloons had to be in each room!

  Another tractor cake, but this time a red one was requested by the birthday boy.  And his father decorated another wonderful cake!!  I'm kind of liking this!

 He received some wonderful presents like this Super Why game.

 ColorWonder Finger Paints!! 

 The Spiderman umbrella was a big hit.

 And the watch that he requested along with Bertie the Bus from Thomas the Tank Engine. (And MANY other gifts like bug hunting gear, some clothes, binoculars, a children's Bible, money, more games, a harmonica, a tractor, Mike Mulligan book, and more!)

 All of his little friends at his party!

Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?

 These boys just love their little sister!  It's a good thing that she tolerates them too.

 I mean, kisses and hugs. all. the. time.

 Ethan was caught "helping" her roll around the room.

John Paul can make Naomi laugh better than anyone else.  This is an all out belly laugh!  I have heard her laugh this way 3 times and it has always been JP making faces at her or laughing with her.

Not to mention that she has a mom who puts crazy, flower hats on her, especially when the flower is just about as big as her face.

 "Anyone for a spot of tea?"

Tootsie Roll!!

 The big news in the house...Naomi is rolling over!  Maybe not every time we put her on her belly, but most of the time.

 Our smiley, happy, lil' chubs!!

BounceU

 With a couple passes left on our Groupon that expires tomorrow, we headed out to meet some friends at BounceU, and indoor inflatable bouncing place.  Terrible description, but it is the best I can think of!

 The boys had a blast!!  There were 4 different inflatable jump houses, an obstacle course,

 a batting practice area where a plastic ball would hover on a stream of air until you hit it away,

 and 2 GIANT slides!!

 That was fun!!!

 Naomi just hung out for most of the time.  She did really well and is getting so much easier to take places.

Paxton and his mom, Erica, playing with the balls in one of the bounce houses!

Ok, You Decide!

 Everyone, I need your opinion.  Does Naomi look more like John Paul or Ethan?  These are all around the 3-4 month old mark.

John Paul:

 Ethan:

 

 Naomi: