1 month

I can say without a doubt that Kinley's first month has gone by the fastest of all the children.  Makes sense when you are running around with two others already, right?!

Kinley is such a joy!  She started smiling and a little bit of cooing a couple of days before her 1 month milestone and since then brightens up each night feeding and day with lots of smiles.  The boys are just goo goo eyed over making her smile.  Pure joy watching the three of them smile and laugh!  Simply makes all your fears and doubts melt away when you have this beautiful smile and blue eyes staring up at you...

I wouldn't say we have a set schedule but we are getting there slowly.  Regardless of how the night goes (and she is pretty good there), I wake her at 6:30 to feed and we keep on a 3hr feed schedule for the rest of the day.  Her naps are what is throwing our scheduling out the window....she has been quite hit and miss with napping in her crib, prefers my arms, so her naps are full of interruptions and very short.  We'll get there.  I'm not worried.  The boys weren't great nappers either and that all changed after a few months time.

At her 1 month appointment her measurements were:

Weight: 9lbs. 15oz.
Height: 23 1/4"

So, she has gained 3lbs. and grown 3 inches.  As Michael so kindly informed me at her rate of growing she will be taller than me by the age of 2!  Thanks, Honey!! LOL

To a family of 5

It's still amazing to think that we are a family of 5.  Honestly, it blows my mind that Michael and I have completed our family.  It seems like just yesterday that we got married, but that was almost 9 years ago. Guess you could say it's been so much fun that time has just passed quickly.  I wonder if our parents thought the same thing as they stared at those little faces around the dinner table?!

Kinley Kate has been such a blessing of an addition to our family!  The boys have embraced her with open and loving hearts and LOTS and lots of kisses.  I think she will be well protected by her older brothers as she grows up.  They are completely in love with her.

I asked myself and many of my friends with three or more children before we had Kinley what life was like adjusting to with the third child because for some odd reason going to number three scared me more than going to two did.  My mind was set at ease as I grew to really realize that it didn't matter because each milestone this sweet child made it was the last time we would be experiencing it.  So, I chose to just enjoy and remember how quickly time flies and each of those milestones passes.  I want to remember and treasure each and every one of them to the fullest.

And what's not to love about this sweet, beautiful face....

Kinley Kate DeJong

She's here!  And she is absolutely beautiful!

Kinley decided to make a bit of an early entrance on Saturday, April 6th from her scheduled arrival of Friday, April 12th.  It makes me smile thinking about the bit of chaos and scrambling we did that afternoon to get the boys out the door and get us to the hospital before my contractions progressed much more.

Upon our arrival at the hospital and being examined it was determined that I would definitely be having the baby that evening.  Rejoice!!  I was pulled in to the OR room around 9:15pm and our sweet baby girl, Kinley was born at 9:55pm.

We feel tremendously blessed by her presence already and the boys are thrilled to have a baby sister to take care of and love on. They love to spoil her w/ kisses!!

Welcome Kinley Kate DeJong! 8lbs. 6oz., 20in. @ 9:55pm on April 6, 2013.

Me waiting for my c-section.

Meeting Kinley for the first time

Josh and Carter being introduced to their baby sister, Kinley!

Meeting her Auntie Kris

Meeting my good friend, Lisa.

Meeting my good friend, Julie.

Kinley Kate DeJong

My brother and sister in-law surprised us for a visit while they were in Palm Springs

On our way home!!

Two very happy big brothers!

One happy Uncle Vonn!

We have plenty more pictures to download of our beautiful girl.....

Brackets, Baby!

It's that time of year again!  I absolutely love this time of year and for many reasons; Lent, orange blossoms, budding flowers, Mike's coaching basketball, Josh playing baseball, perfect weather, and MARCH MADNESS.  And for those that know Michael know just how passionate he is about March Madness.  He lives for this stuff.  And there for so do I, because really who would I be if I didn't enjoy March Madness....certainly not someone Michael would marry!  Eeesh, I hope he would still marry me anyway! I kid!

We actually almost had tragedy strike this year.  Michael wasn't going to do a wall bracket (I know chin dropping).  Now, don't fret I was on this like white on rice.  I just stood there  and asked, "What?! No, bracket?!  What did you do with my husband?!  What am I supposed to tell Lummen (Michael's best friend)?!  That's it, I'm calling Lummen?!"  I was truly baffled and I think he could see that.  I informed him that I even had a wall picked out for the brackets.  Well, way to go me.  He is now baffled and may I say a tad bit touched that I would go out of my way to make sure he had the right place to put a bracket.  Yes, that is the kind of wife I am! 

So needless to say, the bracket has been completed and I think he is quite happy about it!

Baseball

We are now in full swing of RBY Baseball season for Josh.  Josh is playing in coach pitch this year on the Baltimore Orioles team.  It's been fun to watch as the kids seem to get a bit better with each game.

At this level they don't have set positions for the kids yet, so Josh has had the opportunity to try out different spots.  Right now his favorite position to play is 3rd base or short stop.

And here are two of his three biggest fans!

Go Orioles!

Gender Prediction Poll

Someone asked me the other day if it's been hard knowing the gender of the baby and keeping it from family.  Honestly, the hardest part has been keeping the gender a secret from friends that I see on a daily basis.  I feel like I have done a fairly good job of keeping it a secret, but I have probably slipped a time or two without realizing it.  Good news though, not too much longer will the gender be a secret...only a month away!

Sooooo.....What do you predict the gender of the baby to be? And why?

I am absolutely giddy about hearing your predictions and reasons as to, why?!

Turning 7

Josh is 7, and relishing every single moment of it.  There is something magical about 7 so far and watching Josh really come into being a wonderful role model, big brother, and friend to Carter and others.  He is quite intuitive, asks great questions, and has really enjoyed reading the Bible and discussing the stories.  It has been an absolute joy to watch as a parent.

The week of Josh's birthday was tons of fun!  Treasuring each day leading up to February 21st and even some days after.  Some of the fun included: bringing brownies to share with his class, receiving a surprise Chik Fil A chocolate milkshake for lunch, cinnamon rolls for birthday breakfast,  waking up to a streamer and  balloon filled room, a birthday party w/ our framily, The Layels, and a birthday party with some 1st grade friends.

 Birthday party with his buddies and their dad's at RCS

 The dad's in a game of bombardment...

 Josh and his buddies...

 Cinnamon rolls for breakfast... And who doesn't enjoy breakfast in their underwear?!

 Singing with his 1B class and teacher, Mrs. Wit.

 Josh's new bike...

 Family favorite chocolate cake...

Love you so much, Joshua!  Your father and I are so proud of you.