Maggie 6 months

Maggie is 6 months old! 

Can't believe it!

She's little, 14lbs little.

But oh so cute!

She's going through a very clingy stage,

doesn't like to play alone. 

I figured we'd take advantage of the time we spend together and do a little photo shoot. 

tough

I've been trying hard to stay busy and avoid the almost inevitable let down after the holidays, 

but unfortunately it has hit.

We're fine, just trying to sort out our new life here in Houston and get used to all the new.

I know Layla has been affected the most by all the change and I've been struggling to stay connected with her and figure out her needs.

My four year old is proving to be a challenge.

A very strong willed, opinionated, creative, and imaginative girl.

She's learning more every day.

Testing boundaries and my patience ALL day long.

I know that she thrives while having adequate alone time and one on one time with me. 

She gets easily frustrated when her ideas don't work out as planned or when unexpected challenges present themselves. 

For example.

She LOVES art.

She colors pictures all day long, paints, plays with play doh, you name it. 

BUT if a character she's drawing gets a little off center or she accidentally choses the wrong color, it can be detrimental. 

If we plan to go to the library and then something unexpected arrises (baby blow out, 2 year old tantrum) it will be THE END OF THE WORLD to stay home. 

This last Sunday we were getting the girls all bathed and ready to go and she picked out her outfit, got dressed so nicely and was ready for me to do the hair.

She is very particular when it comes to what she wants.

She very specifically asked for a pretty bun on top, just like a ballerina, and I happily obliged.

JUST as I finished placing the last pin, it was as if a volcano erupted!

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I change my mind!!!!!!!! I actually hate buns and want something very very different!!!!"

Nice.

I know that she must learn that I cannot re-do every uncomfortable situation or always make it all better.

My first instincts of course are to do so and most of the time I can offer a solution that is received well enough, but I'm learning that disappointment is just something she has to experience. 

Anyway, not sure where exactly I'm going with all this, but I know that other moms must be facing similar issues. 

We love our Layla girl and appreciate her unique, lovely look on life. She has so much to offer and I hope that I can help her continue to become the special person she's meant to be. 

And then there's Gwen...

but we'll save all that terrible 2 nonsense for another post.

Look at her pretty blues though, aren't they lovely!

Ovaly head

Just a happy morning.

My sweets hanging out with me, while I pick up around the room. 

I seriously can't get enough of this baby.

We went to Costco last week and were standing in line to get some smoothies. 

A little girl in front of us, no older than 7, was starring at Maggie.

She wouldn't stop!

I'm used to it, having mega cute babies and all, but it was kind of peculiar.

Then, she finally spoke,

"Your baby has SUCH an OVALY head!!!  (pause) But she still is cute."

hahahaha

Made me laugh.

I love her long oval head and pokey ears especially! 

She's perfection.

Oldest and Youngest

I need to make sure I'm staying up to date here, because I don't like falling behind! 

These pics were taken last month, so Mags is about 5 months old here. 

She's so sweet, very quiet, sleeps great during the day, and wakes once or twice during the night.

She's little, 13lbs (in January) with some cute chubby cheeks.

She is still completely taken by her sisters and has such a special relationship with each.

Layla is so nurturing to her.

Layla has been going through a rough phase and will be less than pleasant to me and everyone else, but when it comes to Maggie, she smothers her with love. 

How can you not?

 Layla will often say, "You love your Layla, don't you??" 

She knows Maggie is amazed with her and eats it up.

More Ft. Worth...

Joel and Sarah's family took us to a really fun Children's Museum on the second day we stayed with them. Unfortunately I forgot my camera that day, which may or may not have something to do with the incredibly large tantrums that both Layla and Gwen threw that morning. 

They must have set some sort of record for longest, most drawn out, for no reason, fit ever.

I was so embarrassed.

But after everything was remedied with a pair of kitty boots (thanks Emma)

and another quick reminder that we'd be headed somewhere fun.

On the last day of our stay, we decided to hit the park for some play time, before jumping in the car for the 4 hour ride home.

It was a great idea!

The big girls LOVED it and still talk about the park with the pirate ship (which I'm not sure if I got a picture of...)

Anyway, we had a blast visiting with family and time flew by way too quickly, as it always does when you're having fun.

Next time though, 

It's our turn to have visitors!

Layla said she was making Emma a Birthday cake.

(notice that once again they are semi-matching. One braid, plaid, sneakers)

Gwen has this obsession with finding her favorite slide and executing the quickest, most efficient route to it, and then repeating....

over and over again.

(She takes after Layla and would NOT walk across the bridge, only crawl. Weirdy.)

She loved that slide. 

And went down it at least 25 times.

Here's Tanner trying out Isaac's Ripstick? Is that what it's called?? 

Well whatever it is, it was a hit with the big kids and by that I also mean the Dads.

Maggie was showered with attention.
Which was kind of nice break for my arms.

Thankfully she hasn't fully transitioned into the, "I only want my Mom." phase, so people were able to hold and enjoy my cute baby.

The always gorgeous Sarah and Maggie.

Joel's turn on the ripstick.

Their kids were so cute with the baby.

I'd lay her out on a blanket and they'd instantly be drawn to her, playing, and talking to her so sweetly.

Brothers

The boys

(minus Jordan, whom we're very excited to see sometime this year when we come up to WA!)

We sure do love that Grandma!!

And then Gwen randomly took off sprinting, in rainboots.

We were sure she was asking for a face plant into pavement, but no....

She had spotted something else...

Ducks!

A trip to the park just wouldn't be as entertaining without a good ol' duck or two.

(Thank you random old man who gave the girls his last piece of bread to feed the ducks. So kind of you)

Overall such a fun trip! 

Can't wait to plan something else this summer with our fellow Texanites... 

is that what they call em?