FIVE months

At five months you:
-have just started to roll over --> first time was yesterday!
-are sharing your sweet giggles more and more!
-love to grab momma's hair and more recently her earrings!
-figured out how to grab your toes and can be found sucking on them from time to time :)
-have successfully switched to a less sensitive formula, Alimentum - taking 4-5 bottles a day.
-started baby food this week - not a huge fan so far, but you are getting a little in your tummy!
-are still a great night sleeper, typically from 9pm-7am these days.
-aren't liking naps as much --> taking after your big brothers!
-love to kick and usually that's what wakes us up before your chattering!
-absolutely adore your big brothers!


We love you sweet girl!

Grandma LaDonna

We share dark hair, smiles, an odd combination of love for sports, shopping, searching for recipes ((and baking a little too!)) as well as a devotion to God.

Grandma LaDonna passed away on October 11, 1994.  I was thirteen.  My memories of her are pretty limited.  She wasn't very healthy those last few years.  I still cry that she's gone.  I would give about anything just to spend a day with her.  I want her to meet Todd.  My boys.  And especially, sweet Greichaly.  ((From what mom says, she would have swooned over this Lil' Miss))  I would ask her about her childhood.  About falling in love with Grandpa T.  About motherhood.  About her faith.

This is the only photo I can recall ever seeing of Mom & I with Grandma.  I cherish it.  It makes me determined to take pictures of Mom, Greichaly and I often. 

Mom, Myself at 9 mons & Gma LaDonna - Easter 1982 

Mom, Greichaly at 4 mons &  Me -  April 2011

I'm realizing it's perhaps not the memories I have of Grandma I necessarily miss.  Because I wasn't old enough to appreciate her back then.  But it's more the things about her I never got to experience that I long for.  I cling to the stories Mom and Grandpa T tell me.  She was quite the lady.  Someday I will get my wish.  A day with my Grandma.  I trust she's part of God's Kingdom.  I pray my children will one day grow to walk with Him as well.

My Hope.

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 
-Revelation 21:4


"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
-Ephesians 2:4-7


Despite my sadness. I fully trust Grandma's death was part of God's sovereign plan for her life.  And for mine.
I still miss her.  I always will.

A Pink Blankie named Frankie

Greichaly is now the proud owner of a pink blankie, named Frankie.

A tradition that started with Carter, my mom has made mini-quilts for each of the kids in hopes of it becoming a "lovie" for them to sleep with.  ((She was even so thoughtful to make doubles so we could keep them nice and clean!))  So far this has worked like magic for our boys, helping them fall asleep at home and sleep more comfortably in unfamiliar places.  We are hoping Greichaly will like hers just as much.  You can see the blog on Turner's new Frankie here!

In regards to the name, I can't even recall the reason why we started calling Carter's quilt "Frankie" and we figured Turner's would don a new name, but it ended up that he too called his, Frankie (probably because he likes to do everything just like Carter!).  That said, it only makes sense that we shall refer to Greichaly's little quilt as Frankie too!

Thanks Mamie for these precious gifts!
We love you!!

FOUR months

Four months seems to be a time of transition.  You are becoming an active member of our family as you become more and more alert and aware of your surroundings.  We are absolutely loving this new stage.  Momma is currently working on tweaking your "routine" as it seems you are ready for longer awake times &  longer time between your bottles and less willing to miss out on any of the action.  We love the sweet conversations we can now have with you and how you light up when people give you any sort of attention.    When we are out and about you tend to steal the show.  Everyone adores your precious smile and can't seem to take their eyes off of you!! 

At four months you:
-are babbling lots and lots
-are drooling lots and lots and lots
-are very social, you don't like being alone in a room
-measured in the 97th percentile for height (26") & weight (16lb 6oz) at your latest check-up - guess you are trying to keep up with your brothers!
-are getting better at grabbing things and love "playing" with your toys
-usually sleep a good 11 hours at night and take 4 naps of varying lengths during the day
-still take 5 bottles a day, but are beginning to go longer between each of them
-are beginning to try rolling over and tend to get pretty frustrated when you can't quite get over, you'll be on the move in no time - yikes!!


Here's to four wonderful months with you!!

Construction Site LIVE

A few weeks ago a watermain broke on our street.  Crews were out working off and on for an entire week to remedy the problem, providing hours of entertainment for the boys.  I even let them have a picnic by the window one night so they could keep tabs on the progress!  

Over the course of the week we decided the best vantage point was from the Master Bathroom on the 2nd floor - the boys would stand on the outside edge of the bathtub and take in the action.

Here are a few videos of the scene....

Gotta love free entertainment!

Line 'em up!!

Don't you just love kid line up pictures!?  I know I do!

This is picture #3 in the series of the Hohlen kids and the Engel kids :)

Next year we'll have an even number of boys & girls as Greichaly & Maryn will be added to the line!!

2011

2010

2009

They just keep growing....

THREE months

Ok, where is the PAUSE button.  

I am absolutely adoring this three month stage and want to park here for a while longer... if only that were an option.  

At three months you:
-just started to share your laugh with us
-will smile for just about anyone :)
-have consistently slept 10-11 hours at night for a few weeks now
-have transitioned to sleeping in your crib
-are starting to show a little preference toward wanting your Momma (I'm not complaining!)
-eat 5 times a day (typically at 8, 11, 2, 5, 8 - give or take!!)
-are figuring out your hands and have started to grab and "play" with toys a bit
-aren't trying to roll over yet, you seem pretty content just to stay in one place (again, no complaints here!)


Basically, I think you are a dream baby and I am just adoring every minute of your life.  I know there will be rough days ahead (sickness, teething, potty training, tantrums, etc. etc) and I'll be there for you then, but for now I'm praising the Lord for a sweet baby girl who is spoiling me over and over.


Happy day baby girl!!