5 years.

This boy has been wanting to turn 5 ever since he turned four.  I have a feeling he will want to be bigger for the rest of his life since his "best cousin" Zachary is a year older than him.  In Charlie's mind turning five means: loosing a tooth, riding a bike without training wheels, going to kindergarten, and running faster than he did when he was four.  Life is grand for Charlie Koch.       

(A chocolate donut for the birthday boy)

Everything continues to be Charlie's favorite.  During every show on TV, each playdate with a friend, every meal, each article of clothing, book, or activity, Charlie always remarks: "This is my favorite."  Charlie loves dressing up in various costumes including: a pirate, Peter Pan, Buzz light-year, and Super C.  This kid always has a tune in his heart and sings all day long.  Char has also developed a love for coloring.  If someone told me a year ago that one day Charlie would like to color, I would have not believed them.  He is great at coloring, a bit of a perfectionist actually.  Charlie loves his friends and family, I have seen such a tender side of him talking so sweet to his baby brother and learning to get along with his crazy sister.

Ever since he was a baby Charlie has been humming while eating, he continues to do so.  It is as if after each bite of food he is saying, "Mmmmmm..... Mmmmmm."  I love it.  There are very few things he does now that are "litte-kid-ish" but that is one of them.  He also still says va-nill-na for vanilla and I hope he always does.  Charlie is our prayer-reminder, trampoline-jumer, racetrack-builder, fun-loving, happy-go-lucky kid.  He reminds me each day of all the simple things in life I have to be grateful for.  His smile lights up a room and melts my heart.  We love you Char, hope being 5 is as grand as you are!     

8 months.

  

 I think Nolan might be the smiliest baby alive.  One day he had a difficult time eating because he would not stop smiling to take a bite of food. Each time I brought the food near his mouth he would do a tight-lipped grin so I could not feed him.  What a sweetheart.  Still no teeth for the little guy but I thinking they might be popping in any day now.  Nolan can sit but is still a bit wobbly, he mostly hangs out on his tummy and tries reaching or scooting towards the nearest toy.  He started shaking his head "No" which is another fun game he loves to play.  Nolan puts up with a lot, especially being mauled by his big sister.  I guess he is going to have to get used to it because we all just cannot get enough of this happy baby.

Time out for Women.

Bed Buddies.

It has take nearly 3 years, but these two are showing the beginning stages of getting along... in their sleep!

7 months.

I am in love with this boy.  Nolan is full of smiles and sweetness all day long.  Anytime a human being is anywhere in sight it's all smiles and giggles.  My little buddy hangs out with me and is always up for an adventure.  I drag him everywhere we go, often missing nap time, but he doesn't seem to mind.  He is sleeping like a champ (from 8pm to 6am) and he loves his food.  He started rolling over and also does a very wobbly version of sitting up.  We love our Nollie-pollie more and more with each passing day.

Easter.

Coloring Eggs

 

 

 

  Easter Morning

    Church Outfits

 Egg Hunt (at the Smiths)

   Cousins

Easter babes

 

Happy Easter 2012

For a girl who loves STRAWBERRIES...

you have a StrawBERRY Shortcake Party!

At the Park.

With her friends.

The strawberry pickers are getting their gear on.

Let the "strawberry" picking begin...

The real party people.

Happy Birthday my BERRY special 3 year old.

(A bonus shot of the birthday girl in true Strawberry shortcake style.)

3 years.

June
Junie, June-bug, Bugaboo, Boo-boo, Boo-boo Bear, Sunshine, Stinkerbell

Age: 3

38.5 inches (75%)
33.5 pounds (60%)

Favorite color: Pink
Favorite song: Special To Me
Favorite thing to wear: Pink skirts with ruffles (she has 3 of them)
Favorite food: Cereal
Loves of her life: her pink blanket (nigh-night), chapstick & Nolan

• June wakes up and the first words out of her groggy mouth are: "I want some cereal."
• Poor girl has overeaten two times, to the point of throwing up [the culrpit: (1) tangerines, (2) pasta]
• Mid tantrum she will stop screaming, smile, then talk baby talk to Nolan. She LOVES him.
• Did I mention she has major tantrums?
• She "toots" all. day. long.
• June-bug is very daring and determined. She will try just about anything.
• She hates soggy cereal. Any food that has been out too log she refers to as "soggy."
• My rule-breaker (One Sunday while the sacrament bread was being passed she looked at me and then quickly shoved two pieces in her mouth)
• She has the cutest freckles
• She loves all things sparkly
• Anytime we go to get into the car Junie grabs as many toys as possible to take with her. She also takes a pile of books, toys, babies, to bed with her. The more the merrier.
• She is great at rolling down hills and hopping on one foot
• Walks around the house singing Party in the USA
• June loves baking. She gives a thumbs up to: brown sugar & chocolate chips, thumbs down to: salt & baking soda

When I was pregnant with Nolan I would sit in the rocking chair and hold June as she wrapped her body around my huge belly. I would sing "Special to Me" along with her until she fell asleep. It continues to be "our song" and I love that. I feel like June is my daughter to help teach me to be a better mom. In some ways I feel like I am raising my three-year-old self. I love Junes determination, the hilarious belly laugh she does, her maturity, her big smile, and her adorable freckles. June-bug, you are exactly what I wanted, exactly who you are. I know this is where I am meant to be, I am glad that my baby is you!

Special To Me
(Baby Signing Time)

Today will soon be over
Tomorrow will arrive
Right now I’m going to hold you
Until you close your eyes
Words can’t always sum up
The feelings that I feel
So peaceful when you’re sleeping
I know you’ll hear me still...

Singing "You are very special to me
And I am very special to you
I know that this is where I am meant to be
I’m glad that my baby is you!"

Exactly what I wanted
Exactly who you are
I know we’ll work together
And we will reach the stars
Families stick together
And family lasts forever
Forever, that’s how long
I’ll love you...

Singing "You are very special to me
And I am very special to you
I know that this is where I am meant to be
I’m glad that my baby is you"

I know this is where I am meant to be
I’m glad that my baby is you!

6 months.

Nolan (on left) Charlie (on right)

I bought this little Puma track suit when I was pregnant with Charlie. It was my favorite outfit then and it continues to be my favorite for Nolan now. I love seeing these boys, both at 6 months, wearing the same clothes. Six months old. Wow! Nolan continues to be one happy baby (when getting attention or being held). The picture of him smiling pretty much describes his reaction to people. He loves his pacifier and is not the greatest sleeper because of it, if the paci falls out we have one sad baby. Nolan is also trying to outgrow the swaddle. I keep swaddling him to sleep because when his hands are out he tugs on his pacifier and then never falls asleep. Oh well. Nolan loves chewing on his feet, he especially loves sucking on his big toe. So far rice cereal and every kind of fruit or vegetable to go with it has been a huge hit. Nolan weighs 14.9 lbs (10%) and is 26 in. long (50%). We love our little guy, even though I cannot believe he is 6 months already, I also cannot remember what life was ever like without him in it!