I didn't think she was that sensitive...

I've always thought that Jaclyn was the more sensitive girl. She was my "touchy" baby, and the one that often tears up. So maybe since Ashlyn didn't cry as often, I thought that maybe she wasn't quite as emotional.

I'm beginning to wonder...

Ashlyn loves the movie Peter Pan, so when Peter Pan: Return to Neverland came on t.v., we recorded it and were excited to watch it. However, I've come to realize that this movie is geared toward more mature audiences (just older kids, I guess), so it's a bit more scary, but also quite sad. There is one part in the movie where Tinkerbell almost dies, and the way they have the scene set up with the music playing, etc., it is very sad. As an adult, I was moved by it. So, here we all are, watching this scene, and all of a sudden Ashlyn lets out this very, very sad cry. And she continued to cry for a long time. It really made her sad that Tinkerbell was dying, and she just couldn't contain it! That was a while back, and now every time she watches that movie, she cries all over again (this picture is from yesterday). Sweet girl.

I think the difference in the two girls is that Jaclyn has a more dramatic cry. She probably cries more often, and it's usually a big uproar and goes on and on (sometimes over-dramatically) for a long time. However, when Ashlyn genuinely cries, it's a softer cry. She'll often put her head down and quietly sob, as if she's trying to hold it all in, but just can't. It breaks my heart, and makes me want to hold her and smother her with kisses.

Our February 14th

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. Ours was mostly uneventful, but special nonetheless. Craig and I were going to have a short date on the Saturday night before, but Kendall didn't quite cooperate, so it just didn't work out. (That kinda sums up how things are going at our house right now...) Anyway, maybe soon we'll be able to leave her for the first time.

Sunday was a pretty normal day, but I did get a few gifts for Valentine's Day. For the last couple of years, Craig has made me chocolate covered strawberries...one of my favorites. It started a while back when he bought me some and they were about $2 per strawberry, so after that, he decided that he could make me a whole bunch for a lot less, so that's what I get now, and I like it. This year, he took it a step further and made them into a bouquet. What a man! :)

Sunday was also special because we had Kendall dedicated at church. There were about 10 babies dedicated in all, but we ended up being the only ones for the first service, so it was more personal than it would've been otherwise. They call it a baby dedication, but really it's a parent dedication. We are committing our baby to the Lord and vowing to raise her (and the others) to love God and serve Him. It's a huge task, and I actually feel right now like I'm failing, but we're pressing on. Thank God He doesn't expect perfection!

A Few Fun Pictures

Just Hangin' Out

She's 6!

Jaclyn turned 6 today! She's getting so grown up, I just can't believe it. She is really growing and learning this year, becoming such a responsible young lady, but yet still so young. She has moments of being so independent and very helpful, and then other moments when she wants to be a baby again, rocked in Mommy's arms. Funny how she is so grown up and so little at the same time. I'm sure this is the beginning of many years of this teeter-tottering, where she's figuring out what it means to grow up, while wanting to be little at the same time.

I was able to take her lunch and visit her at school today. It was fun, and very special for Jaclyn. It worked out that I could take Kendall and put her down for a nap in the church nursery, so I was really happy about that. It allowed me to stay longer in the classroom.
We bought Jaclyn some rainboots and an umbrella this year, and then Aunt Jill got her the matching rain coat, so Jaclyn was very excited to have the matching set. It will be hard for her to wait until Spring!

My mom sent her this costume, so she and Ashlyn had a lot of fun playing tonight, pretending they could fly.

Yesterday, we had her birthday party. It was a pajama party, but with an Ariel cake, so we had multiple themes going. It was so much fun for Jaclyn to have all of her girl classmates and friends there. I think she hardly slept for about 4 nights before the party. We're all a little tired. :)

Jaclyn has really been a big help for me with Kendall. She just LOVES being with her, making her smile, feeding her the bottle, and anything else! I came in the room one day last week to find Jaclyn sweetly reading to Kendall. It's so cute to see them interact. Kendall loves Jaclyn too. She's actually calm and comfortable when Jaclyn holds her and carries her. Pretty sweet.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie.

Another Talker!

Kendall is fitting right into our family! We didn't really need another noise maker, but now that we have her, we wouldn't trade her for anything.

Here's a little video of her new found voice.

Our sweetheart is now 3 months old and is really beginning to be a lot of fun. She's pretty much figured out how to get her hands to her mouth and is still earnestly working on getting a toy in there too. She definitely prefers sitting straight up rather than laying down, so she can watch what her sisters are doing, and she has a ready smile for most anyone that makes eye contact with her (if she's in a good mood).
I am also doing well because Kendall often sleeps through the night and is now more content during the day. This is the beginning of the age span that I love. The time where they learn so much and seem to change and do new things every day.
Wow, she's growing really quickly!

Sweetie!

Here's a little update on our sweet Kendall. She is now very close to 3 months old, and we have made it through the hard, newborn stage! While I can't totally say that she is "easy" (none of my babies could really be called that), we have developed a good little routine, and with the right combination of naps and food, we have ourselves a very pleasant little one. (Mess either of those up and she'll have something to say about it.)

She is now pretty content after she eats to sit in her bouncy seat and watch all the commotion around her. In fact the other day, she started fussing 'cause no one was paying attention to her. So, Jaclyn promptly went over to her, and Kendall flashed her a huge smile!

She fits right into our family, and we are so blessed to have her.

On a side note, I found the older girls watching t.v. the other day with their arms around each other, so I had to take a picture. I love it when they love each other. (It's not always like this.)