Sweet Adelaide Magnolia

In honor of Adelaide's 4 month birthday today, I decided to take her to the doctor. What a way to celebrate!!

So seriously, she had her 4 month check up today... As if anyone who has looked at her doesn't know, she's a chub-a-chub. The girl doesn't eat as much as she should each day (close to half as much). And yet she weighs 15 1/2 lbs (that's the 90th percentile) and she's just over 26 inches tall (also 90th percentile). So she's a growing machine. She got 2 shots today and was such a trooper. She made me proud.

And now, as I reflect back on these past 4 months and wonder where the time has gone, I look at my beautiful daughter and wonder why me? I still am amazed that God has blessed me with my children. Two beautiful, healthy, sunshine to the darkness children. 4 months ago I labored painfully and brought forth an 8 lb bundle of goop. And now, here she is, 4 months later, one of the most precious things I have experienced. I am a better person because of her.

Happy 4 month birthday sweet girl. Mama loves you.

Siblings

I am amazed how much London seems to love Adelaide. Really, she is the invasion to his perfectly happy, only child life. He has taken to her better than I imagined. When she's not around he asks for her. When she cries he immediately tries to comfort her (either by rocking her or giving her kisses or telling her it's okay). Today Addie was chilling in her bouncy seat, sucking her pacifier. It fell out and London stopped what he was doing and put it back in her mouth. That was sweet. Now I know there will soon come a time when I will hear "Addie stop crying" and "Stop looking at me" and "Stop touching me". And there may even be assaults and wrestling matches. And the sharing... Once Adelaide is mobile and touching London's toys, well, I just don't think he's going to like that. But maybe by that point he'll be a little better at sharing.

Above all, one of our biggest hopes for our children is that they grow up to be the best of friends. And that they are always there for each other, no strings (or judgements) attached. That is one of the things we will teach them. To always love and respect and watch out for each other. Family is the most important thing.

I think they're off to a good start.

FREEDOM

This is the vine, ripped from its lifeline. It can no longer hurt anyone.




I fought the vine... And I won. Though the tree did suffer a loss.




The fallen comrades. A moment of silence, please.

In the beginning

This is a before shot of our front yard. And so the evolution begins.

What once was a picture of beauty

This is the plant that was planning to take over our front yard, back in its glory days of beautiful flowers. They didn't last too long. I should've known better....





Here it is in all its death grip glory. This is actually a combination of 3 things. A tree, the vine and another grass type plant that was also accosted by the vine.