Welcome Jonas Finn!

We have been very busy welcoming our third baby and first baby boy to our growing family! Jonas Finn arrived on 10.06.16 at 7:14 pm after many days of labor and anticipation by us and the kids! Our strong boy weighed in at 7lbs and 8oz. He was the shortest of our three kids in length at 18 inches long.

"Home is Wherever I'm With You" was playing as Jonas entered the world and oh how we are loving having him be a part of our home. He is so sweet and so far, an easy-going baby. He is also very tolerant of all the loud noises and two very excited girls!

Isla and Laylin are like two little mama hens, constantly wanting to touch, kiss and fight over Jonas' time. It's sweet to see their love and bond form for our sweet baby boy. We love you Jonas Finn!

Laylin Jane's TWO!

Our sweet, feisty, tiny, brave, loving, snuggling, strong little girl is TWO! I can hardly believe it's been two years since I first held her in my arms and cried over how beautifully perfect God designed her. It felt like a dream then, and it feels like a dream now that two whole years have gone by. Her budding personality, giggles and kisses keep us smiling every day.

Yesterday, this feisty little thing managed to yell "no" to me probably over 100 times, throw herself in the floor for a good cry at least twice, hit me in frustration and give me 50+ unsolicited kisses before bedtime. She's both sweet and salty, and I love it! We've learned so much from her these past two years and what it takes to be parents to two fun-loving girls.

Every day with our Laylin Jane somehow continues to get sweeter and sweeter as we learn more about her personality and bottle up all the love she so freely gives.

Happy birthday sweet girl! We love you so so much!

Busy bees...

My girls have been keeping me busy lately.

If I could have one wish, I would wish Isla's non-stop energy and bigger than Texas personality was contagious! Being 6 months pregnant and already suffering from lack of sleep due to two little gals who try to climb in our bed every night... I could really use it! Her ongoing energy and enthusiasm seems to be limitless at times. I love this about her.

While Isla is bouncing off the walls, Laylin is following close behind. She tries to keep up with big sister best she can. She wants to do everything Isla does, but at the same time she is searching for her own independence. She may not say much, but she makes up for it in her feistiness.

Both girls are so different and so similar at the same time. I love watching their bond and love for one another grow daily. They are really starting to play together a lot more. Sure this comes with screams, fighting and usually Laylin hitting Isla, but none the less, they love each other. Isla tries to mother Laylin and Laylin rejects it by trying to run away. It's a push pull relationship, but the love these sisters are beginning to share is so sweet to watch grow.

They are both getting overly excited about the arrival of baby #3. As we prepare by getting the baby things out, I think Laylin is beginning to understand the concept of another baby coming.

I can't wait to see the relationship these two form with our third.

24 from my 4 yr old!

I asked Isla these 24 questions just after her 4th birthday and here are her answers... some are hilarious including the fact that she thinks I'm 12 yrs older than Joel! Makes since that she sees him as a big kid :)

1.       How old are you? "Ummm...I am 6. Just kidding, I am 4."

2.       What do you want to be when you grow up? "But every time you tell me not to grow up!? I AM going to grow up. I want to be a nurse."

3.       What makes you happy? "Laylin"

4.       What makes you sad? "Laylin hitting me"

5.       What makes you laugh? "Daddy tickling me"

6.       How old is Mommy? "20" 

7.       How old is Daddy? "8"

8.       What is something mommy always says to you? "Don't you grow up!"

9.       What is your favorite thing to do? "Go to the Y and swim"

10.   Who is your best friend? "My cousins"

11.   What are you really good at? "Doing my princess puzzle"

12.   What is your favorite book? "Princess story book"

13.   What is your favorite food? "Noodles"

14.   What is your favorite song? "Let it Go"

15.   What is your favorite animal? "The Alligator"

16.   What is love? "Mommy snuggling with me"

17.   What does daddy do for work? "He looks on his computer and he does some work on there"

18.   What does mommy do for work? "She spells everything out"

19.   Where do you live? "North Carolina"

20.   Where is your favorite place to go? "To the store with the fishies and the tiny shrimps" (Great Wall of Chinese Restaurant)

21.   What is your favorite thing to do outside? "Throw Bella's ball"

22.   What is your favorite holiday? "Come here, it's a secret...Christmas!"

23.   What do you like to take to bed with you at night? "Baby bunny rabbit"

24.   What are do you thank God for? "My family"

Growing Up...

These two girls are growing up. Neither no longer "babies" all though they will both always be My baby.

Laylin Jane wants to do everything Isla is doing so even though she's small,  I can sense her growing up even quicker. She's starting to talk more, humming songs, dance, run and twirl and is very playful. She's also still very feisty. She has a big temper and is not afraid to show it, but at the same time she is sweet as she can be. I love how she wraps her little arms tight around me now when I'm carrying her or rocking her to sleep at night. I can really feel her love for me and it makes my heart so full. 

Isla thinks she's nearly grown up now. She announces to me everyday... "Mom, when I'm 7 and all grown up..." She tells me about what her wedding will be like. How she will continue living at home with her cousin Lawson and all the fun things she will do. Its so entertaining to hear her tell stories. She is really good at it! She loves to perform, dance, sing and be the spotlight. I, of course, love it too. She keeps my days happy and there is never a dull moment with her.

My blessings, my gifts, my challenges and accomplishments these girls teach me so much about true love, understanding, patience and our Father's love each and every day. 

Sweet blessings!

Little Miss Laylin is In.To.Everything! This full blown toddler is keeping me busy. I never had to child proof this much with Isla. Laylin finds every small thing and every big place to climb.

She LOVES to climb. Up the stairs. Up onto the potty. Up on to tables. Up on her sister. Up on Bella. She can't get enough of climbing.

Big sister, Isla loves to encourage her to climb too and get into a lot of other things she shouldn't. These two are playing very nice together lately, but also getting into lots of trouble together. Its fun to watch their bond growing and see the love and excitement they share for one another each day.

Laylin is starting to talk and communicate with signs a lot more now too. She is signing a lot.
She signs: more, all done, eat, water, bottle, milk, banana, dog, night-night, sleep, bath, clothes, shoes and a few more words.
She says: Momma, Dada, Isla (her favorite word), Bella, Poppa, Mamaw, Papaw, dog, duck, water, bye-bye, hi, night-night, ball, baby and many more.

Isla has been learning to read with Daddy at night. I love to listen to the two of them reading together as I'm rocking Laylin to sleep. I think it's my favorite part of the day. Isla loves to learn. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She is a very quick learner too. She knows many sight words and loves to practice sounding words out bit by bit. She also likes to be the teacher too. Each night she tells Daddy or I that she will read one book to us and then we can read one to her.

I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to be with these sweet girls everyday and watch them growing, learning, changing and developing their own special personalities together.

Isla's thoughts on mom...

Isla 3.5 yrs old... some of her answers are pretty spot on! Her thoughts on my favorite food is very questionable, haha.

Isla answers questions about mom...

1. What is something I always say to you? Nice things like I love your beautiful eyes and everything. 
2. What makes me happy? My smile.
3. What makes me sad? The mean face.
4. How do I make you laugh? You smile and laugh when you play like this, hahaha.
5. What was I like as a child? Me!
6. How old am I? I don't know.
7. How tall am I? Big.
8. What is my favorite thing to do? Wash the table.
9. What do I do when you're not around? Play.
10. What am I really good at? Playing games.
11. What is something I'm not good at? Killing a spider.
12. What do I do for a job? Her wash the table and everything.
13. What is my favorite food? Broccoli
14. What do you enjoy doing with me? Writing a letter to Santa.

I just love this bubbly little girl to pieces!

Feisty Laylin

Oh my sweet and oh so feisty Laylin Jane!

You have really started growing and doing lots of new things lately! You love doing everything big sissy, Isla, does and you want everything she has too! You follow her around like a little shadow. She looks out for you and mothers you now too. I've seen a shift in the way she plays with you, takes care of you and "mothers" you. She calls you her little honey and darling. You are sweet to her too. Giving her hugs and love in the morning, sharing your toys with her and playing together nicely.

You love playing with your babydoll and giving her a bottle. You like to put her in the baby swing to go night-night, but then try to open one of her eyes so she can still see you. You've started exploring everything and are into nearly everything as well. You especially love the pantry and pulling things out of organized places.

You love playing hide n' seek with me and your sister. It's so cute to hear you say, "Rarr" when you find us or when we find you!

You also love to color and do art projects. Usually lots of fun, but very messy.

Speaking of messy, your new favorite thing to do is eat with a spoon. Just like Isla of course, you love to copy cat her at the table. If she has a bowl and spoon, you want one too. Most days, the bowl ends up turned over on your plate or in the floor. Its messy, but its even more fun to watch. I've learned to embrace the mess. Our messy home now embodies our busy and active kids, and that's ok!

You still only have 4 teeth. The cutest little teeth ever...two in front on the top and bottom.
You're still a peanut at only 18lbs, but you are growing at your own pace.

You love to dance and hear music, take baths, give kisses and say BYE!

At 17 months old, you can say....
Isla
Mama
Dada
Bella
Baby
More
All done
Bye
Papa
Mamaw
Ball
Block
Book

Lots of B words, but you are starting to say many other words too! You said your name for the first time this week and it was oh so sweet to hear!

We love your gentle spirit and your sweetness. Can't wait to see what else you are doing in the next month!