Together at last, together forever, we’re tying a knot… (pics from last weekend when we got Anna Kate back from Camp P&R and celebrated Rara’s birthday, which is today)

Anna Kate couldn’t wait to hold baby Rose.  SO SWEET!

Anna Kate looks so out of it – she was definitely in heaven, that’s for sure!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RARA!!!  Love that the table has roses for my Rosies!  Noelle licking the cake off her plate.  Sweet girl. 

What a beautiful baby you have there sir… I would kiss her too!!!

Pretty much Noelle’s favorite thing right now is SNAKES!  She had to bring her big party favor snake to scare Rara – so the tradition continues…

Yay!  Brother Man and Fancy Nancy get to meet Rose.  By the way, I don’t think I’ve mentioned on the blog that they are expecting a little girl in July!  We can’t wait to meet her!

My goodness sir, hand her over!  She’s a little doll!

Noelle was pampering Anna Kate.  They missed each other so much!

Noelle asked me to take a picture of her when Brother Man was loving on her – Aww!  And, Brother Man, I thought that purse was a present for Ra!?!  You’re funny!

This family picture is dedicated to Cindy Ziemke per her request for a PondFam5 pic!

Anna Kate got into my hats and was goofing off and getting attention trying them on… pretty soon big sissy heard the laughing and came to join in on the fun!

Anna Kate was done shortly thereafter, but Noelle was just getting started!

Noelle really wants to model, so she “practices” all the time.  She got the idea way back when we went to the fashion show for her friend Kate.  That and Drew is now modeling for magazines in Japan.

I really don’t have time to look into it right now, but if she keeps this up, I may have to! 

And this little bug keeps on melting our hearts over and over… she is so stinkin’ cute!

Rose’s bouncy seat has become her home.  I’m scared to put Rose in it for fear Anna Kate might get upset with her… she’s sort of staked her claim!

My goodness, what a sweet little profile. 

We were just goofing off together while we were waiting on Daddy to brush her teeth – that’s his gig during our nighttime routine, and I’m so thankful for his continual help and involvement with the girls.  They have a super Dad, that’s for sure!

Although we stay right with Noelle, we’ve started letting her hold Rose all by herself.  She is so proud and really takes her big sissy job seriously.

What a relaxing weekend we are having around here!

We had such a fun lunch celebrating my sweet friend Angela, and everyone was so great about letting me roll with my kiddos! 

Kim brought some fun accessories to spice up the birthday girl!

The plates said, “Another year of fabulous!”  Too perfect!

This is how sweet Angela is; she didn’t even want me to take Rose while she blew out her candles.  I think Rose has participated in more birthdays than any other baby her age!  Anna Kate and Colbey had a great lunch playing together!  We had such a fun time!

Sweet Rose after her one month shots today.  She weighs 9lbs. 5 oz.

I wish she could feel this at peace all the time!  She’s a wonderful little baby!

I can’t believe how tiny she is compared to the Boppy pillow.  I should get Noelle in it to see the size difference.  It’s just crazy they are ever this little!

All snuggled up for an afternoon nap!

Mrs. Peggy is the sweetest restaurant owner and story time leader you could ever wish for at our local Chick-fil-A, and today we celebrated her birthday!  She got tears in her eyes when all of the kids sang Happy Birthday to her.  She is the sweetest person you will ever meet! She sent Anna Kate her first birthday card with a free Kid’s Meal coupon this week. 

Today’s lesson was all about puppies – Anna Kate’s favorite!  The doggy bone cookies were SO cute!

Mrs. Peggy always does songs, stories, and snack time with the kids and gives them a goodie bag on their way out.

Of course, Anna Kate and Brylee found each other right off the bat and sat together the whole time.  One time during the story, Brylee pointed at Anna Kate and said, “Be right back” and came to our table to get a drink.  They are precious little girlies!

The Ebert family is okay.  They were home when it happened and felt their house “rock like a boat.”  Please pray for the people of Japan.  I assume Andy will be busy with disaster relief efforts, so keep him in your prayers as well.  Love, Melissa

I’m literally in tears.  Rose officially has colic.  I’m bummed for us because we are not sleeping, but I’m heart sick that she is uncomfortable.  Noelle had colic, and the flashbacks are exhausting.  I remember just holding the paci in her mouth in the middle of the night and praying her painful cries would subside.  I can handle toddler whiny cries, but colic cries sound like they are in excruciating pain… and their little arms pump back and forth so tightly.  It just makes me ache for my innocent little baby.  Thank God it’s not permanent, but it’s no fun in the moment.  We’ve tried gripe water along with all the standard things, but does anyone have any other tips?

This too shall pass!  Pray that our baby Rose finds comfort today. 

Love, Melissa

Isn’t this the most precious monkey you’ve ever laid eyes on!?!

“Ariel’s Daddy doesn’t like humans because he says that they’re dangerous.  He calls them barbarians.  Are we barbarians Mom?”

Is this not the cutest little thing in the whole wide world!?!