Monkey Jackets

There are some things (although not many) that I will buy the same for all 3 girls...like these cute little money jackets. So cute that I had to save one for the new baby...Rowan (keep in mind that the girls are 9 months old in these pictures. Rowan...7 weeks!)

Stella:


Zoe:


Abby:


Rowan:

Keeping it in the family

When the girls were little they removed their umbilical chord stump so that they could access veins through their belly buttons. In turn, Stella and Zoe developed Umbilical Hernias (clown noses as I called them). "No big deal" the doctors told us, they would most likely correct themselves by the time the girls turned 2. Well, they were right, they do have some pretty cute, "normal" belly buttons now. Although Abby never had an umbilical hernia, she did have an inguinal hernia which required surgery to repair when she was 4 months old. Hernias, another common health issue with preemies, but I would never have thought that Rowan too would have hernia issues like his sisters-another umbilical hernia. We will have to see if they will treat his hernia in the same manner as they did the girls.

Stella:

Zoe:

Rowan:

Tank

Yes, that is how I (lovingly) refer to my now 6-week-old. The boy eats like a champ and is growing like a weed. You probably won't believe me when I tell you, but (unofficially-stepping on the scale with him and deducting my weight from that) the boy weighs 17 pounds already and is wearing 3 month clothes!! Overall, he is a very good baby, only crying (well, more like angry screams) when he is hungry. Lately he has been awake more during the day, however, much like his sister Zoe he doesn't want to give in to sleep and gets over tired which does not go over well for him or mommy. However, I did discover that he likes the cartoon Wubbzy just as much as his sisters do and will calm down the second he hears it. He's a very strong boy and has been trying to hold his head up since the day he was born. He loves to be held so that he can see over your shoulder and know what is going on. He has discovered the mezmerizing ability of the ceiling fan, just as the girls did when they were tiny. He knows his name and will respond with a turn of the head when you say it. He's also focusing more on objects. Not much cooing yet although he looks like moves his mouth like he has something say!! My favorite thus far though, is that he starting smiling on Sunday!!

More pictures

I took Rowan into get 1 month pictures done a few weeks ago. I wanted a couple with him and the girls then of him alone. But the photographer decided to do individuals of everyone. Everyone did well and the pictures turned out great, so I decided to count it as the girls' 4 year picture session too!





ZOE:




STELLA:




ABBY:




ROWAN:



The photographer did the pairing on these (for what purpose or how he chose I have no idea):



Zoe snuck in on this one...I think she felt left out (sorry it's so small, not sure why)...



and the show was over once feeding time hit:

We DO love our new brother Rowan

The girls have finally warmed up to having Rowan around and truly are great big sisters, not hesitating to get something for me if I need it or give Rowan his pacifier the moment he starts crying. Okay, so maybe it's more of "well, I guess we are stuck with the guy so we better keep him quiet". Either way, I wouldn't change it for the world!

The other morning I sat Rowan in his bouncy chair while getting the girls ready for school, I entered the living room to find Abby knelt down next to Rowan reading a Dr. Seuss book to him and showing him the pictures...yes it made my heart melt!

Then there's Stella...you can't keep the girl away from the boy!!





Zoe has been the most resistant to having Rowan around, not wanting to hold him, help feed him or take a picture with him unless someone else was in the picture with her...well that's what you saw looking on. But if you weren't paying that close of attention to her (or let her catch you watching) she actually spends the most time by Rowan, touching him and kissing him. I think she's finally given up her game and actually asked to hold him and likes to come and help hold the bottle if he's eating...and will take pictures with him alone! Such big milestones we've crossed!

New Bunk Beds

Grammie and Grandpa Fox gifted the girls a set of bunk beds for christmas. The finally arrived a couple of weeks ago and the girls absolutely love them! The top is a single over a double bed-works out great since their room is not very big. Surprisingly there hasn't been much fighting over who gets to sleep on the top bunk-we rotate. However, I have noticed that Zoe only chooses to take her turn in the top bunk at nap time as she doesn't like to sleep alone in the dark.




I'm sure you noticed the Toy Story sheets...an added bonus to moving into a "big big girl" bed-they were so excited when we put them on the beds!