January Favorites

We had quite a few snowy days in January. One warm snowy weekend day, Chris took the girls out to build a snow fort. Addie didn't stay out for long, but enjoyed watching Emily and Dad through the window.

Elizabeth has been watching her sisters play ever since she was born. Now that she's on the move, she is able to get in on their play more and more. It's always fun to watch all three of them playing together.

Being on the move, one of Elizabeth's favorite family room obstacle courses goes under the table and through the woods.

Addie's a big helper around the house, and in January, she became obsessed with "fixing" the chairs after every meal. She would gather her "tools" - a rag, a fork, and a spoon - and work hard fixing all the screws.

Found a piece of food in this one

Proud Helper

This was quite a sweet moment. It had snowed and I put Elizabeth next to the window to look out at the white landscape. Emily and Addison both got so excited to tell Elizabeth all about the snow. They got down on either side of her and told her all about it.

Peek! Love this girl's little tongue. She's showing it off a lot these days.

Emily found that she was able to shimmy herself into Elizabeth's snowsuit and enjoyed sliding around the floor pretending to be a baby.

We got a mini trampoline from the neighbors a few months ago, and the girls have taught themselves to flip over the bar. It's been a great source of indoor exercise on all these cold winter days.

Tunnel play with Dad!

Believe it or not, the girls were almost three years old before they got to experience the messy fun of finger painting.

One of Addie's favorite things to do is play with her box of dress up dolls and My Little Ponies. She likes to line up the dress up dolls after getting them all dressed and ready to go, and then plays pretend with them. Sometimes they're going to a party, sometimes to school. It's pretty cute when it's school, because then Addie's the teacher and she'll read them a book.

I just love the smiles on these gals!

And we'll end with Emily, showing me her injured finger. Ouch!

Protective Big Sis

We like to sit out on the front porch to watch the rain and listen to the thunder during summer storms. Elizabeth came out to join us for one, and Addie was there to comfort her when the lightning flashed and the thunder rumbled.

 

Emily and Elizabeth

While Elizabeth is very loved by both of her big sisters, up until recently Addison has shown a bit more interest. Last month, Emily asked to hold her baby sister and ever since then, she has been having a great time playing with, talking to, and bonding with Elizabeth.

 

So Many Holding Arms

In the month since Elizabeth has been home, she has gotten to snuggle in lots of arms. I haven't had a chance to take a picture of everyone, but here are some...

Auntie Jennica

Kaia (So wild to see her as the "big kid" holding the baby when it was just a year ago that she was the newborn! See pics here.)

Aunt Marsha, Uncle Bob, and cousin Luca

Auntie Allison

Dee Dee

Cee Cee and Pop Pop

Auntie Wendy

Dale - this precious four year old is a ball of energy, but when he holds Elizabeth, he is so very calm and gentle. For more pics from this amazingly fun day, visit Wendy's blog, here.

Aunt Kirstin and Uncle Doug

Uncle Mark

Great Grandma Nicoll "Grandma the Great"

Jyoti

Auntie Christa

BG

Emily and Addie's babysitter, Miss Kenzie

And, of course, Elizabeth has spent lots of time in the arms of her Daddy, Mama, and big sisters!

 

Big Sisters

Two days after she was born, Emily and Addison donned their big sister shirts and came to visit Elizabeth. I was in the hospital room holding Elizabeth and I could hear through the open door as Chris parked the stroller out in the hallway. I was so excited to see my little girls and to introduce them to their baby sister!

I heard Chris talking to Addie and Emily about being gentle and quiet, and then, very quietly and with eyes full of curiosity, they came into the room!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily and Addison had brought gifts for their little sister, and were happy to see that she also had gifts waiting for them.

 

Emily shows Elizabeth her new kitty

Addie hugs her new bunny

The girls present Elizabeth with her gifts - a little sister outfit and a stuffed giraffe

Proud big sisters

I am so proud of how our big girls have adjusted to having a new baby in the house. They are very helpful and very loving, and they are being so flexible with such a big change!