Samuel John: 8 Months

Nothing major to report this month.  Developmentally, you are sitting up better, and you are DYING to crawl. You pivot around on your belly, but you haven't quite figured out how to move forward. I can tell it drives you nuts, because you get cranky real fast when you can't get to where you want to.

This month you were diagnosed with your first ear infection.  Actually, you had a double ear infection and the doctor said that one of them was close to bursting.  I was SO thankful I trusted my gut instinct. To all those moms out there--if you think something is wrong go with it.

This month you have become much better at feeding yourself. It actually gives me another "activity" to do with you to help you not get cranky. You love to sit in your booster, shove food in your mouth, and watch your sisters and I run around you.

You are such a fat baby, and I LOVE it. Your thighs are phenomenal!  You are currently in 12 months clothing (21.6lbs), but I have a feeling you will be in 18 months soon. You aren't as much of a squishy baby as you are a stout baby! I cannot get enough of it.

You just got yourself a second hair cut. It is still your trademark and people comment on it all the time. You will always be "Little Elvis."

Thanks for your killer smile, you little laughs, and your snuggles. 

Happy 5th Birthday, Isabelle Mae!

5 years. How in the world did we get here? Some days I feel like I have always been a mom, and then other days I feel like I was just in the hospital holding you in my arms scared to death and beyond in love. Happy 5th Birthday, sweet girl.

This past year I feel like you have truly grown by leaps and bounds, and everyday you amaze me at the person you are becoming.

1. This year you have become so much more independent.  You like to do so much on your own, and you are GOOD at it. You remind me every day how much less and less you need me to do things for you.
2. My girl, you are an athlete. You picked up the RipStick in Traverse City and haven't stopped. You started soccer a couple weeks ago and you are "that girl" on the team who is scoring all the goals and even elbowing her own teammates to get to the ball.  We will most likely have to discuss what it means to be part of a team, but for now it's fun to watch your competitive side.
3. I never knew how much I would rely on you when Sam was born.  You became an extension of myself in a smaller person form.  Sam was born and you literally became my extra set of hands. You hold his bottle, you bring me diapers, you pick out his clothes, and you entertain him. You have taken the role of "big sister" to an entirely new level. 
   
4. Now, with Evie, it is a different story. I am so sorry about how much abuse you have to tolerate at the hands of your sister.  Evie isn't nice to you.  She is an antagonist, and you are the world's easiest target.  Someday you will understand why I keep telling you to ignore her. 
   
5. Music is still something you absolutely love. Whether you are belting out every lyric to "Let It Go" at Silver Lake Resort & Campground  or making up your own song it's obvious that music has a place in your heart.
6. You love school. I am pretty sure that it's all the crafting, playing, and coloring. 
   
7. A few weeks ago you took your first of many rides on the school bus. You were confident and excited and hopped on without looking back. I, however, was a sobbing mess the entire walk back to the house. To me, riding the bus was such a HUGE reminder to me of how quickly you are growing.
   
8. You still ask me questions about God. We have had to work through the ones where you tell me you want to die so you can go to Heaven, but watching you grow in your faith has helped me grow in mine.
9. You are still the drama queen of the family. I am amazed at your ability to go from 0 to 60 over basically nothing. You are also able to turn the tears off at the drop of a hat. 
10. This year I have loved watching you conquer your fears. You used to be so scared of the water, but after swim lessons with Miss Rita it was hard to get you OUT of the pool. 
11. Although I feel I am learning to give you more independence, I am also learning that your age is still very unpredictable.  One of the scariest moments I have ever had as a parent was a few weeks ago when you and the neighbor girl decided to ride your bikes to Target while I was inside bathing Sam and Evie. Within 10 minutes you and your little buddy had trekked your butts down to the Target parking lot, played around for a bit, before some VERY nice people decided to help escort you home. I will never forget the look on your face and the conflicted feelings I had. I was SO relieved, yet so angry. I am sure there will be many more of moments like that to come, but for now I am keeping a closer eye on you!
12. You are such a sappy kid. You get teary eyed anytime I mention about how big you are getting. It cracks me up that you are able to relate to this emotion (or at least mimic it.)
13. You are already particular with your clothes. We have had many morning arguments about what you are going to wear. I often pick my battles, but sometimes matching your clothing isn't SO bad.
14. I love that you are still convinced that you are going to marry you cousin, Owen.
15. You love going on dates with your dad and it makes me smile. He takes you to get donuts at Marge's, and I am quite impressed with how good you share that time when Dad invites Evie along too.
    
16. I love watching your creative side. You are in that stage of life where everything is make believe, and you love to "pretend." It's hilarious to watch the mob of neighbor girls outside running from one end of the road to the other playing out one scenario after another.
17. You are a yeller.  The minute you are mad about something you let the lungs go and it hurts my ears. You also have a hard time calming down once you are this mad. Needless to say, we don't get along too well when you do this.
18. I love the different ways you talk with Evie. There are moments where you are screaming and yelling at her because she IS your worst enemy. Then there are the moments you talk to her like she is a baby and your voice is sweet and syrupy.  I am pretty sure you do this because it makes you feel like you are the superior older sister.
    
19. This past year we moved your bedroom downstairs and you didn't skip a beat. I was worried that you would be scared and not like it, but in many ways I feel that it is just the personal space you need.  
20. Unfortunately, you have still proven to be so much like your mother with you ability to literally lose everything that comes into contact with you. Fairly certain that we will find lost shoes for years to come.
21. You never remember to grab your back pack. Never. You will leave it in every minivan that drops you off. I am actually rather shocked it makes it off the bus with you.
22. You just got your ears pierced and thoroughly impressed me with how tough you are. I am pretty sure I was more nervous than you. You decided you wanted them done and never looked back. You handled it like a champ and you LOVE showing your "rainbow daisies" off.
    
23. Your favorite iPad games are Minecraft and Scribblenauts. I am fairly certain that it is because of Scribblenauts that you know how to spell a ton of words already.
24. You STILL love the snow even after last year's winter. Thank goodness you were born in Michigan.
25. Your newest thing is to tell me that you can't walk, or bend down, etc when I ask you to complete a chore. Keep trying.
26. This past summer you learned to ride a 2 wheel bike. You then proceeded to wake up each morning and ride that bike up and down the neighborhood for hours and hours. I have never seen you more proud or eager to "show off" your skills.
27. Your favorite color is still purple. I am certain it always will be.
28. I absolutely love one on one time with you. You are getting to the age where we can have some really great conversations and you ask awesome questions. I look forward to how much more fun this will be as you continue to get older.
29. I love that we chose to send you to DK instead of Kindergarten and you never skipped a beat. I thought you might be upset knowing you'd be in Kindergarten next year without Owen and Maia, but you talk about it openly and seem to have no problem with this. It's such a great reminder of the things adults can get worked up over that kids handle with great resilience. 
    
30. You are my heart, sweet girl. These past 5 years you have strengthened me, challenged me, enriched me, and have made me see life from a new perspective. I am so grateful to you for the love you give to me, and I cannot believe that God chose ME to be your mom. You are spectacular and I can only imagine how much more in love with you I will be in another 5 years.
    

I love you!

Mom

Samuel John: 7 Months

7 is Heaven!  7 months is one of my most favorite ages!  For one, you aren't moving quite yet, however, you are starting to sit up, so you are more easily entertained. I love watching you reach for toys, and every once in awhile get stuck because you have fallen backwards or face planted into the carpet.  Sorry, I find it cute :-)

You are consistently sleeping through the night!  Wahoo! You usually go to bed between 6 or 7 and will sleep straight until 5:30. I never thought you'd be sleeping through the night by 6 months, let alone consistently! I feel like a new woman!

You continue to try new foods, and you have started a little self-feeding. Baby Mum Mums have become a staple in this home and they are a great way to distract you when you are getting crabby in the car.  So far, you aren't much of a picky eater. I haven't found a food yet that you do not like. I sure hope this continues!

A few weeks ago you spent your first night away from me. You did great!  Meme took you for the night, so your dad and I could have a date night and hang out with friends. Even though you're my 3rd, I think that first night away is always a little bittersweet.

This past month you got your first haircut! Your hair has always been quite the talking piece, but it was time to clean it up a bit. Parts of the sides were really long, and the front was getting in your eyes. Can't say you were overly thrilled about your new 'do, but you look so handsome!

I love watching you hit new milestones, and I love watching you grow--I will say that I am still VERY content with you having very little movement!  Ha!  I'm not ready to put those baby gates back up quite yet!

My New Business Venture

I have never been someone who was interested in the direct sales route.  To be quite honest, I never really liked the idea of having to be a saleswoman and begging my friends to host parties to help me sell my products.  I know some people who do this very well, but I have also known people who have done this extremely poorly (and yes, I have hidden a few people on Facebook for filling up my newsfeed with their incessant posts).

Welp, I am here to announce that I have recently signed on to be a Younique Independent Presenter.  I am kind of surprised at myself, but the decision to sign up up seemed like a good fit and something I could absolutely do. What is Younique?  Basically, tt is a direct sales cosmetic company.  We are most known for our 3D Lash Fiber Mascara--the stuff is pretty much amazing.  However, we also have blush, eye pigments, concealer, moisturizers, etc.  

Being a stay at home mom is a job I feel very blessed to have, however there are days I wish I could do more to contribute to the family financially. I have a small crochet business that has helped, but it seems that it takes me a good 9-12 months after having a baby for me to get back into the groove of making hats and playing with yarn.  I love to crochet, but at the end of the day my hands just don't want to be busy anymore.

I had been seeing things for 3D Fiber Lash Mascara parties in my Facebook newsfeed, and after being invited to one by a friend I decided to take the plunge and purchase this miracle stuff.  Once on the web page I began to read more about Younique, their mission, and their products.  I LOVED that their sales approach was very social media driven.  As many of you know, I love me some Facebook!  I could TOTALLY get into that. 

Direct sales has never appealed to me before because it required home parties, which meant time away from my family.  Paul and I are already insanely busy and I didn't want to start taking multiple nights away from each other. After speaking with Paul that I was interested in Younique he was encouraging and told me to go for it.  That was all I needed.  I signed on that night after speaking with another presenter about the requirements. The funny thing is that I still hadn't tried a single product!  

I waited anxiously for my presenter kit to arrive. I was a nervous. What if I just spent $99 to sell some stuff that I hated???  I couldn't possibly try to sell products to my friends if I felt like I couldn't stand behind it.  Besides, they'd probably keep wondering why I wasn't using it myself. Thankfully, the kit came and I gave it a whirl. I was more than thrilled with the 3D Fiber Lash Mascara. Thank goodness!  It truly is an amazing product, and the pictures all over the internet really live up to the hype! My next favorite product were the eye pigments. I've always loved to play around with shadows, but for some reason they would always clump in my crease or blend awfully. Not Younique's pigments!  I actually feel like I have some shadow applying skills when I finish my eyes!

This business stuff is all kind of awkward for me, but I am giving it a whirl.  I really like the Younique products and look forward to having my own "thing" to help the family out (as well as the discount!).  I hope to not bog up any one's Facebook newsfeed too much, but you might see a post from me here and there.  I've created this Facebook business page if you want to check it out.

PLEASE don't assume that this is just another salesperson trying to make a buck.  Based off of my experience with the Younique products I am impressed and totally stand behind them. I'm not out looking to hound people.  I am excited about helping add to the family cash flow, but I also think this stuff is pretty awesome.  I hope I can convey that.

If you're interested in purchasing any products, you can do so by shopping here.

If you'd like to earn free product, then I'd LOVE to help you host a Virtual Facebook Party.  It's really easy and you can do so here.  I help you out every step of the way.

In the meantime, let me answer any questions you might have!  And, obviously, this post wouldn't be complete without a lovely tutorial of the 3D Fiber Lash mascara and some before and after pics.  Enjoy!

Samuel John: 5 AND 6 Months

So, I am certain this is the plight of being the 3rd child, but I forgot to write an update at 5 months.  Therefore, this is going to be a combined update!

At 5 months you proved to us that you are a versatile sleeper.  We stayed in a hotel and you slept like a champ!  You also had your first camping experience and slept fairly good for that too!  I am thankful that you are pretty easy going when it comes to where you will fall asleep.  During this month you napped great, but the nights were still rough.

You took your first trip to the annual Huizinga vacation to Traverse City.  Unfortunately, you weren't the happiest baby while we were there (which we have since learned is because you have reflux).

Here we are at 6 months and I am amazed at how much you've changed!  You are constantly rolling over to you belly and have now become a stomach sleeper.  Who knew??  As soon as we put you to bed, you roll to your belly, put your thumb in your mouth and you zonk out.  I love it.  You are sleeping MUCH MUCH MUCH better at night now.  Thank the Lord!!  You have also shown that you do a great job sleeping in the Ergo.  We are able to go on outings during your nap time and you will fall asleep while I'm carrying you.  I love it!

We finally figured out that you have reflux.  We started you on Zantac early this month and you became a new baby.  The mom guilt in me was bad for waiting so long to get you relief, but I am thankful there was a reason for how crabby you have been the past 6 months.  Poor buddy.  You were in pain!

You just weaned a couple of weeks ago.  I think we were both ready to be done.  You were being supplemented more and more by formula.  You were becoming fussy when you nursed (which may be due to the reflux now that I think about it), and there was a part of me ready to have my body back.  I always thinking that ending nursing is bittersweet.  So far you haven't skipped a beat to being solely bottle fed!

This past month we started some solids and you are doing great with them.  You seem to like them and the girls love to try to help feed you.

Speaking of your sisters, they are becoming more and more intrigued by you.  They love that you are becoming more interactive.  You laugh and smile at them often.

At your 6 month well child visit you were 18 lbs, and ended up being 75th percentile for both height and weight.  At your 4 month you were 50th for height and weight so you are getting bigger faster!  Your head size is in the 97th percentile, but that's not surprising at all :-)

Can't believe you have already been here half a year.  It's going so quick!