Nora Kate is 4 Months!

I know I say it every month, but I can't believe Nora Kate is already 4 months old! It really seems like she should only be about 2 months, tops!  She is an absolute joy and we are so blessed to have her as a part of our family! 

Can't do a photo shoot without a little pic with sis!

 This month has been a month of exciting changes and developments for you!  You have gained some serious strength and head control!  You love being held up so you can look around.  Your little head does this funny little bobble that looks like you are constantly nodding.  We think it is so funny!  You have also started rolling over!  You rolled from your belly to your back a few days after turning 3 months, but last week you went from back to belly!  We are so excited to watch you experience these milestones!  You are cooing and laughing for us now and we love that sound.  You don't give out laughs freely though, we really have to earn them!  You do give out smiles all the time though.  You are very social and don't like to be alone.  A lady in Hobby Lobby was talking to you and when she walked away, you started crying so hard like she hurt your feelings by not talking to you anymore.  You are starting to not love the car and I think it is because you feel alone.  We went to the doctor this week and you weigh 12 pounds 6.5 ounces (13th percentile) and you are 24 inches long (27th percentile).  You are a giant! :)  You have begun putting everything in your mouth and you still love your thumb, but I promise, Mommy will keep fighting that battle!  Your favorite toys have become the rattle socks.  When I put them on you start kicking like crazy, it is so funny to watch!  Ms. Martha gave you the green light to try rice cereal so we will begin that soon.  Your sleeping hasn't been as consistent lately but we are working on it!  You are pleasant even in the middle of the night, which is appreciated.  You are at such a fun age, I can't wait to see what all you begin doing in the next month.  Here are a few highlights from this month:

You have started liking Daddy more!  At first, you preferred Mommy, but lately you look for him and will go to him anytime.  This is very helpful!

 You are constantly smiling which we love!

 Your sister was so excited when you both had "twinkle toe" jammies on and insisted on taking a picture!

 Loving your silly socks!

 You are a super morning person and wake up with a smile every day.  I wish I could do this!

 You became a LalaLoopsy!

 You jumped in your bouncer for the first time and loved it!

 AND you have learned to stick out your tongue!

Happy 4 month birthday Nora Kate!  We love you.

4 year old painting

Every year around her birthday, Olive has done a painting.  She has become quite the little artist these days and has begun paying more attention to details when drawing and painting so I knew this year's painting would be a little different.  We talked for a few days about what she wanted to paint and she insisted on a mermaid.  I was honestly a little concerned because I wasn't sure how it would turn out and since I try not to interject too much on this project, I was worried.  But she worked really hard and it turned out great!

 She picked out all of the colors herself and got to work!

 Here are years 1-3 and this year's! I love how you can see how much she has developed just by looking at the paintings. 

 "Katie The Mermaid" by Olive Link  

August 2013

now proudly displayed on her bedroom wall next to the others.  I love it! 

The BIG day!

She went to bed as a three year old...

 and woke up a 4 year old!  We filled her room with balloons last year and it was so much fun, we had to do it again.  I was anxiously watching the monitor for her to wake up and she rolled over and saw them and whispered "It's my birthday! Hooray!" before jumping out of bed! 

 Even Nora Kate got to be a part of the fun!

 She requested cinnamon toast with pink sprinkles as her birthday breakfast and we sang Happy Birthday, which she loved. 

 We spent a great day together at her favorite place in the world... the Science Museum!  It was a day all about her and I know she felt special and celebrated!

A Berry Sweet Birthday

This BERRY SWEET little lady requested a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party this year and all she wanted to do was dance and decorate cupcakes.

 We were able to hold the party at the Sooners for Christ facility on campus that our church has.  It has a huge kitchen and dining room so it was perfect for decorating the cupcakes. 

 Each little baker got their own apron and box of cupcakes to decorate. 

 We started the day out with a dance game and you can tell how much she loved it.  She would have danced all day if she could have. 

 Then it was time for decorating!  Everyone put on their aprons and got started. 

 Someone was pumped!

 I loved watching all of them working so diligently!

 Our attempt at a group pic!  Not terrible, just missing several friends.  Olive is so blessed to have all of these wonderful friends in her life.  Each one is not only special to her, but special to us because we know how much she loves all of them and what they bring to her life. 

 Happy Birthday to our big FOUR year old girl!

 Digging in!

 We are so thankful for all of the special friends who were able to make her day so fun.  And a very special thank you to my friend Shannon for capturing this day for us.   
We can't believe she is four!  Berry Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Four Year Old Favorites

You are 4!

Olive,
   Today was the day you have been waiting for and counting down to...you turned 4!  I really can't believe it has been four whole years since you entered our lives.  You have made every day better.  I know I have been telling you that I wanted you to stay 3 forever, so much so that you started telling people when we were out and about that you were 3 and your Mommy never wanted you to turn 4.  I have to say that I don't want you to turn 4, I want you to stay little and innocent forever.  But, I can't wait to see all that God has planned for your future.  I know that it is more than I can even dream for you.  You are such a fireball and I know he is going to use you in ways and for jobs that only you can fulfill.  Your spunky attitude, cheerful spirit and love for others are such valuable gifts and we are so proud of these characteristics that you have!  You blow me away daily with the clever things that you say and melt my heart when you give me millions of kisses and tell me that you can't stop because "you love me SO much".  I hope that you always know that I love YOU so much.  More than I can even describe. Thank you for all of the love, laughter and joy you bring into our lives.  I pray everyday that I can be the kind of Mom that you deserve and that God intended for me to be.  I pray that we will be able to guide you in the way that you should go and that you will use all of your wonderful gifts for good.  I love you the most. And I am so proud to call you mine.  Happy 4th Birthday sweet girl!  Love, Mommy    

Inch By Inch, Row By Row...

Pop planted a garden this year and Olive has been so excited to watch the veggies grow! Last week it was finally time to do a little harvesting.  Olive had a great time picking the veggies and told Pop that "this is the best day ever!"  She is yet to eat anything she picked, but maybe eventually! These pictures make the Garden song run through my head!

 Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow...

 all it takes is a rake and a hoe and a piece of fertile ground!

Inch by inch, row by row, someone bless these seeds I sow,

 someone warm them from below 'til the rain comes tumbling down!

 

 What a bountiful harvest!

Side note: This is one of my very favorite songs we used to sing in GME. If you've never had the pleasure of singing it, here is a clip of John Denver singing it.  LOVE!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3FkaN0HQgs