Smile, Baby!

Ilya went to church for the first time when she was just over six weeks old. She wore a yellow dress and a duck hat since I couldn't find her yellow hairpiece. She seems to have a lot of duck items. She's too cute! 

Such a pretty baby. I'm glad she's still pretty little. Hard to believe she's almost 8 weeks old already. 

My sleeping beauties...

Ilya wakes up anywhere from one to four times a night. Most times I have a hard time staying awake for the hour she's up each time, so to make it easier for me I browse Pinterest (and Craigslist, too). I found a recipe for Tuscan Chicken Soup and made it last week. Bob said it was fantastic. That's saying something. Check out my Pinterest page for the recipe. 

My mom watched the kids while we went to Life Group last week. She sent me this picture of Bobby. He's so cute. 

Bellie makes sure Ilya is taken care of. She's such a great helper. She makes sure Ilya has her pacifier or Elmo (or another doll) if she's crying. She'll say "don't cry, Ilya, Iba's right here. Iba's right here."

One night Bobby wouldn't fall asleep so I brought him downstairs for awhile. He grabbed Ilya's hand and held it for a few minutes. He's really liking her. He says "where'd Ilya go, hmm?"

Sunday afternoon football and kid watching. 

Got this costume for $4 at a huge Mom2mom sale at the Ingham County Fairgrounds. I'd been wanting to find one for the kids to have for dress up, etc. 

Ilya first smiled on Friday, October 18th. Bob's dad had stopped by and was holding her and had just asked if she had started smiling yet. I said no and within seconds she smiled widely at him!!!! It just proves that all my kids like him more than me. Haha! I've been trying every day to get her to do it again. I've captured a few good ones but nothing like that first one. I'll keep trying though!

Ilya's Room

It's hard to believe lil Ilya is six weeks old already. Thank God she is still little. I enjoy her so much!

Wearing our MSU gear proudly! They might just be the cutest Spartan fans ever!

Ilya enjoying her bath with Aunt Becky. 

Bellie relaxing with Aunt Rae. 

Sunday afternoons are spent watching football and eating good food with the family. Oh, and napping. 

My girls. I have girls! Plural. Awesome!

I gave my boy a haircut. He looked so big wearing plaid and jeans. 

A lot of this happens during the day-see Bobby's face. 

The leaves are changing colors and it's a beautiful walk down our road. 

After the kids go to bed, we let the dog inside. She usually plays with the kids toys. One night she grabbed Ilya's pacifier. Ugh. 

A present from our church family. 

Finally got Ilya's room put together and moved her in there this week. So far so good. 

Watched the Tigers game at Bob's folks. Bobby talks about Ivo (and Brett) all the time. Thank God for these guys (& James) who will no doubt be great influences on my little buddy. 

Guess who got another bee sting. 

Yet another reason to keep the dog outside. 

October Fun

Emery is getting big! We noticed she's likely practicing for Black Friday here. Atta girl! 

Buddy holding baby sister. 

My sweetie is drumming. Yet another great talent God has given him! The kid is full of so many, it's ridiculous. 

My dad's life group multiplied and he is now a LG shepherd. It really is great to see how God has worked in his life the past few years. 

They just looked so big to me when they stood there, so I had to take a picture. 

Good swaddling!

Love living in the country. 

Buddy pestering both sisters in one photo. Pacifier/potty chair thief!

Teaching Bellie to play hide and seek. Here is her first "hiding" place. 

A baby cousin was born this week. Bellie got to go see her with me. 

McKenna Grace. 

Bellie welcoming her to the world of germs. 

Bellie got to eat Aunt Amanda's ice cream. 

Little buddy got stung by a bee this week. His hand swelled up terribly!

A friend from church came over today with her children (7!) to make lunch and dinner and clean my house. They live an hour away and I'm just amazed at her effort to bless me. We had a lot of fun and it was great to spend time together! 

She gave my bathroom a serious scrubbing! It is so clean I could probably eat in there! Good grief!

Ah, how it sparkles and shines! It was covered in rust, so this is such a pretty sight!

Last thing to mention .... Cloth diapering and potty training are going surprisingly well! Whew!