3 Months Old

I can hardly believe that my little Sophie is 3 months old! She is the best little baby. She is still so small and still seems like a newborn. She is about 8 pounds and is starting to fit into 0-3 month old clothes. We aren't suppose to take her out so to say the least it has and will be a long winter. Luckly, she has been in perfect health and that is saying a lot considering she has three big germy brothers around her. Sophie we love you and are so glad that you are in our family.

I know, that was a lot of pictures. What can I say I am such a proud mommy. What a journey you have been through and I can't wait for what lies ahead! We love you Sophie!

A trip to the Dentist!

So I took the boys to the dentist last week to have cavities filled and this is what I came home with. Zach could not stop sucking on his lip after they numbed him. This is what happens when your kids does that. Poor little guy! It stayed swollen for 2 days.

This was Jackson attempt to try and look like his big brother.

A Proud Mommy!!

I wanted to give a big thanks to my awesome friend Kami!!! This is a women with so many talents. She constantly amazes me. I don't think that there is anything that she can't do. Two weeks ago she took Sohpie's baby pictures for me...and can I just say CUUUUTTTTEEEE!!!! Thanks Kam for taking time to capture my sweet angel. I am sending baby announcements but I could not resist showing off my baby girl just a little.

Welcome Home Sophie!

I can't believe that a month has gone by so quickly and that we have are sweet Sophie home with us!!! Monday the Dr. said that if she behaved herself, that Sophie could come home on Thursday. Well sure enough, Wed night, I was able to stay at the hospital overnight with her and Thursday she came home. I can't even describe the feeling I had as the nurse unhooked all her wires and turned off her monitor. I felt a huge weight lifting off my shoulders and another weight being set down as I know had the responsibility of taking care of this little miracle.

So Wed we spent the night across the hall from the NICU. It was a sleepless night for me but the best night ever. I felt so blessed to have her with me and felt so scared at the same time. So Thursday, the Dr. came in and released her to Kenny and I and we were on our way. I was so excited to get home and let the boys finally see her in person. It was such a great moment for me as a mom to have my family back together and see how sweet my 3 boys were with her.

I am just so grateful for the trials in our lives. I wish that Sophie didn't have to come to the world this way but I know it was for a purpose. It is truly amazing to see the Saviors love through this little girl. I know that he loves her and that she must have some important work to do. I am so thankful for great friends and family that have all been my personal angels through this. I don't know what I would do without all of you.

Last time in crib!!

This is one happy mom that can't wait to leave the hospital and never set foot in it again!!

Ready to finally go home!!

What a miracle!! And I am sorry it is so much fun dressing little girls!!

James holding her for the first time! He is so excited to have a little sister!

Zach holding her. He can not get enough!

Jackson loves her and is glad he is not the littlest anymore!

Update on Sophie!

It's amazing how time flies by! It has already been over 2 weeks since I had little Sophie! She is doing great. She is now 3 lbs 8 oz. She is getting pumped with lots of fat to make her grow. She is taking a bottle when she will eat it. It is still really hard for her to do every feeding with the bottle. She just wears out so dang fast. She is eating 30 cc which is a little over 1 oz. They give her about a half hour to eat that. It's just so funny how you take eating for granted. With my other boys it was shove the bottle had eat boy. Now, we are just so grateful if she eats her one oz. I am hoping that she will be able to come home in 2 weeks. She has to reach 4 lbs and she has to be able to eat on her own. I can't wait to bring this little peanut home. I love her to death!

Daddy's Little Girl

OK Kenny was feeling bad that I didn't post a picture of him and Sophie so here they are. It is amazing how different it feels to have a little girl verses boys. Not to say that boys aren't precious and that we love them any less but it just different. I love seeing Kenny with his little princess, he is so sweet and tender with her.

Pictures of Sophie!

I not sure why, but it wouldn't let me add pictures to my last post. So here are a few of Sophie! Some of them don't do the size of her justice. If you can imagine, her waste is 7 inches around!

What a Week!!

Have you ever had a week where you felt like it lasted an entire life time. This past week has been that for me. I can't tell you what an emotional ride it has been. I have truly been blessed with the best family and friends. I know that angels have watch over me and my family this week. I just wanted to thank you all for all of your prayers and all your support for me and my sweet Sophie!

Sophie is the most amazing little girl! I know she must have some important work here on this earth! It just amazes me every time I am with her how strong she is and what a miracle she is. She now weights in at a whopping 2 lbs 14 oz. For someone who is so little she is able to do so much. She is no longer on oxygen or in her incubator. She is done with her light therapy and is able to maintain her temperature. She still has her feeding tube but is able to eat a bottle if she is alert. We are hoping that she will be able to come home in a couple of weeks.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

This is a few days late, but given the events of the last week, we haven't had much time around the computer. Jackson's birthday was September 21, he's now the big 3! He's a proud big brother now too. Some of our favorite things about Jackson are

1. His love for his "daddy" and "baby" blankets

2. His big blue eyes

3. His happy attitude

4. His affinity for a good nap

and last and definitely our favorite:

5. His big, cheesy smile!

We love you Jack!

Sweet Baby Girl

This is Melissa's sister Heather. We just wanted to update all of her friends on their new sweet baby Sophie Jane Lower. She was born on September 19th at 6:02pm. She is 2 lbs. 13 oz. and 16 in. long. For how tiny she is, she really is doing so great! The nurses all say she is fiesty! What else would you expect?! Melissa just wanted to thank everyone for helping with the boys, and with dinners, and for all the love and support!

Happy Birthday Zach!

Today is Zach's 5th Birthday! I can't even believe that he can be that old. Here are a few of my favorite things about my little Zach!

• He is our little comedian in the family.



• He loves to sing.
  
• He is the best sharer(if that is even a word)



• He idolizes his big brother.



• He is not scared of anybody. He can go up to a perfect stranger and strike a conversation with them.

There a so many other things about my Zach that bring me joy and of course things I could do without! I love this little man to death! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACH!

Here are a few a my favorite's!

First Day of School!!!

Well Summer is officially over! I have to admit that I am so glad that it is. I am just not a summer person. I love Fall and I love to have a schedule for me and my kids. It was sad to have James leave for 1st grade but he was just so excited that it made the transition a little easier. James loves his teacher and loves to eat school lunch! He came home that other day and said that he got a caught being good ticket from his teacher...he was so proud of himself. How fast they grow up!!!

Zachy starts his first day of preschool today! He is so excited to be starting school like his big brother. He loves his teacher and has had his backpack on since about 10:00. (he doesn't start until 12:00) And of course Jackson has to follow and thinks he is going to school too. Poor little guy is going to be so sad when I drop Zach off and he has to come home with me.

Yellowstone!!!

So last weekend we decided to take a little trip up to Yellowstone! We had quite the crew with us. The Hulls tagged along and were troopers with there 6 kids! We had my 3 and 2 nephews. It was crazy but we had a good time. It was pretty funny to see all the looks we got from people and their heads counting all the kids and then seeing their heads shake in total disbelief. It was a lot of driving and a lot of pit stops for potty breaks ( if you can imagine 11 kids)! We only had one mishap along the way. I am not naming names but poor little Jessica got locked in the car along with the keys! Lucky for her the air was on and a nice ranger came and saved her!

We saw a few animals (buffalo, bear, deer, elk etc!) The kids had fun and I slept great with my double stacked queen size air mattress!!!! Can't leave home without it! Here are some pictures from the big adventure.

Our first stop overlooking a waterfall!

The boys sporting thier new yellowstone tees! What a bunch of handsome boys!

You can't go to Yellowstone without a picture in front of the famous sign! Notice Zachary who is not in the best of moods!