Zoo Memories

Last Friday we packed up the kiddos and headed over to the Omaha Zoo with the Engel Family.  

Despite being super HOT and super HUMID, we had an amazing day.  All six kids did awesome, I think all of us adults were surprised we were able to last over six hours!  Sure, we skipped a few exhibits, but for the most part covered about every inch of the BIG zoo!!  What a blessing to have such a great attraction nearby!

the Whole Crew

Zebra Watching

Trying to stay cool in the shade!

Penguins

The Engels

Lunch Break

Checking out the waterfall!

In the jungle!

Big ol' Gorilla

Baby G spent most of the day riding in the Baby Bjorn!

Savannah & Carter

Break time in the Dessert Dome

Still smiling after 6 hours at the zoo on a HOT day!!

Fun, fun memories!!!

SIX months

June 29, 2011 

Happy Half-Birthday, Sweet Greichaly!

It's hard to believe you've been here six months already, yet on the other hand it's hard to remember life without you.  We never realized quite what we were missing until you came and added a little bit (or a lot) of sweetness to our lives.  You continue to be a dream baby for Daddy and I and a princess in the eyes of both of your big brothers.  Turner has even declared on several occasions he'd like to marry you someday!  ((I'm hoping he'll stick to this thinking for another 15 years or so!))  Watching you light up at the sight (or sound) of your brothers is one of my favorite things - EVER!

You are just beginning to get mobile and soon will be on the move all the time.  We are excited to see you continue to learn and explore new things and are trying to cherish these baby moments that are passing by oh so very quickly. 

At six months you:

• can roll all over the place and are beginning to make small forward movements on your belly!
• are beginning to sit up in short spurts.
• are eating 2-3 meals of baby food, including pears, peaches, bananas, prunes, green beans, carrots & sweet potatoes in addition to 4 bottles/ day (4-8 oz/ea) - sweet potatoes are your favorite food!
• usually sleep from 9pm to 6 or 7am
• are pretty consistent in taking a few short morning naps while we are out and about and then a longer afternoon nap (1.5-2 hours) and more often than not another short evening nap before bed.
• are starting to get a little more leery of unfamiliar faces!
• dislike lying flat on your back and even when "forced" to do so, will always raise at least your head and neck (Momma must figure out how to get a picture of this!).

We love our baby girl!!

The {Preschool} Graduate

It's official!  Carter is a Preschool Graduate!

August 17th he will start Kindergarten! --->  that's in 2 months!!  

Carter T. Hohlen (with his buddy, Abby)

I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact, that I am old enough to have a child in school.  This parenting journey is about to take a turn, and although it's a bit scary, it's really, extremely exciting.  I look forward to the joys {& challenges} this will bring as my little big guy learns to navigate the world (within the walls of Lincoln Christian School)!!


The graduation ceremony included a few singing numbers as well a walk across the stage to receive their much anticipated "Memory Books"!  Carter was beaming the entire time, it was a proud moment for this Momma.

Sing it, Carter!

Gotta love a little song &  dance!

Waiting to receive his Memory Book!!

Checking out his book!

Posing with Mrs. Siedell & Mrs. Kugel

Congrats to you, Carter!


We are so proud of all you were able to learn and accomplish in Preschool and we can't wait to see you take on Kindergarten!!

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!!