Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

My dad is the most incredible dad, grandfather, businessman, leader, servant and calm foundation. His absolutely unconditional love, faithful example of a Godly man and support have helped mold me into the person I am today. I am so very proud of my family and my Dad has been at the helm of our family from day one.

I love my memories of stick patrol, swimming in the evenings at the Nottingham Forest pool, Horn Creek and our special Friday night family time, having my dad cheer us on at all types of sporting events, knowing my Dad always brags about us, his crazy business ventures including phones, office furniture, cars, real estate, auctions or whatever else he thought sounded like a good deal, "Resting his eyes" in church, emails with just the right advice when I need it most, crying as he drove away after leaving me at college, telling me "You and I can leave right now if this isn't right" as his last words before he walked me down the isle at my wedding, and knowing that I, my husband, my children and our entire family is covered with love and prayers by my Dad. I love you more than I can express and I am so proud to be your daughter. Thank you for your legacy of steadfast love, work and loyalty.

Swinging

We go outside in the backyard and swing, splash in the water, have picnics and we go back inside and it has been two hours! Time flies when I am hanging with my babies in the warm spring weather.

She said What?

A few conversations over the weekend...

Cadie: "Mom, get up!"
Mom: "Cadie, it is still pretty early. I am going to rest for a little bit longer."
Cadie: "I am looking at your clock and it says awake-oclock. Time to get up."
*****
Cadie: "I asked Dad to get me milk and he isn't doing it."
Mom: "We are about to leave to get dinner so he is probably thinking you will get some milk at the restaurant."
Cadie: "He needs to stop thinking about it and get me milk now."
*****
Dad: "Who painted Jack Ranger's toe nails!?"
Mom: "Cadie did it."
*****
Mom: "Cadie, did you go poo-poo in your panties!"
Cadie: "No, I just have gasoline"
*****
Cadie: "I don't want to eat dinner"
Mom: "What do you want to do?"
Cadie: "Sit on the floor, cry, and watch my beach ball floating in the pool." And that is just what she did.

I can't even keep track of all the crazy things that this little lady says. She is so special in every way and makes me smile every day.

Irish Pride

DD and Big John love being Irish and they make sure the kids have fun with all the St. Patrick's day activities. Last Saturday we went together to the Irish Festival and yesterday they took the kids to the St. Patrick's Day Parade along Greenville. Big John said that he wants to make sure that the kids can say they have never missed an Irish Festival in their whole lives - so far they can both say that!

Jack Ranger First Food

Sitting in the high chair for the first time, gearing up to try some cereal! Hmm, pretty good.

Do I get any more?

Jack Ranger had his first cereal yesterday. He ate it all and didn't have any trouble or reactions to it. He had some again this morning and I think we will feed him about two cereal feedings a day for a week or so and then maybe try some avacado.

The first foods always feel like a big step to me. I felt this way with Cadence as well. I think it is because all of what Jack Ranger has needed for the past 13+ months has all come from me. As he grew inside me and as I have feed him since he was born, everything he needed to grow was connected to me and this feels like a major separation. It is one step of millions along the road to independance, but I have loved feeling so close and able to provide for him. You are so special Jack Ranger and I LOVE being your mother.

Jack Ranger at 4 Months

Jack Ranger went for his 4 month dr. appt. on Feb. 28 and on his report card Dr. Denison wrote, "Great looking baby!" and we definitely agree! Grant took him to his appt. since I was in New York and Grant said he was well behaved and recovered quickly after his shots. His stats:
- Weight: 15 lbs, 51%
- Length: 24 1/4", 25%
- Head: 16 1/4", 25%

Even though I (and almost everyone else) feels like he is a little brick, he apparently is on the average to lower end of height and weight. My arms still hurt after carrying him around all day!

He is sleeping through the night which is wonderful! Every once and awhile we put him to sleep in his crib upstairs, but for the most part he still sleeps in the cradle in our room. He seems to be fine with either location, but I often like him in our room for ease of feeding if he wakes up at night and in the mornings before I leave for work. Jack Ranger on Dad's new sketch app.

Sleeping in his crib upstairs.

Jack Ranger is still having a hard time with me going back to work. I honestly thought it would impact Cadence more, but she is taking it in stride. Jack Ranger often cries during the day and sometimes won't eat his bottle. I pray that he adjusts soon and in the meantime I am giving him as much attention as possible when I am home. He is such a little lover that it is very easy to hold and cuddle him all day.

Splish Splash

Cadie has been a bit of a free-range chicken lately. We have stopped putting the baby monitor and since our rooms are so far away, we open her door at night and she can come downstairs and get us if she needs anything. She is very good at staying in her room and just coming to get us in the morning or if she needs something in the night. However, recently during the snowstorms we had marshmellows in the house to use for hot chocolate. I heard a noise very early one morning and I drowsily wandered out into the kitchen where I found a little jammy-clad munchkin sitting on the kitchen floor eating marshmellows out of the bag.

One more funny story... Sometimes when Cadie is tired I say, "Cadie, you are barely hanging on. Let's go to bed." I came home from work recently and was sitting with what was probably a glazed look on my face and she walked up to me, put her hands on my knees and said, "Mommy, you are barely hanging on!" Oh my amazing daughter, you don't know how right you are.

Things are actually starting to fall into a bit of a rhythm. I still feel like there isn't enough of me to go around, but the kids are doing great, Grant is a huge supporter and help and Mary takes awesome care of us.