Four

Lexi turned four on September 14th.

I'm sure all parents know what I mean when I say that I can remember the day she was born like it just happened last week. I remember the drive on LSD from Evanston to Prentice hospital in Chicago. I remember calling our parents and our best friends to say we were on our way--that she was on her way. I remember seeing her for the first time and wondering how I could love someone so intensely that I'd hardly known and that I'd really just met. Those first funny weeks when everything was new and an adventure. Changing diapers for the first time, bathing her for the first time. Asking everyone everything because we knew nothing.

And now she's four and we're still on an adventure. For her birthday she asked for a princess cake. Patrick made her a stunning cake! Sam, Jen, and Jess joined us for the festivities (and our Realtor, Rita, too). In school she was the line leader and 20 kids sang happy birthday--probably her proudest moment. She is still talking about it. Happy Birthday Lexi!

The happy birthday girl.

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Lexi helping to create her princess cake



Patrick working on the princess dress



Here's the final princess cake!



Let's not forget her favorite gift - the princess music box.

Starring Heath Bar

Nine times out of ten we call Heath, "Heath Bar". Lexi and Finny probably think that "Heath Bar" is his full name. I also call him "Big Boy" all the time because he literally is a big, big baby boy. I didn't want his milestones and achievements to get overshadowed just because he's not talking or moving about yet. Here are some of Heath's latest:

He's eating homemade solids



He loves to sit and play



He loves to swing



He loves big sis Lex who makes him belly laugh all the time



Here he is after a hot sweaty nap! Dad helped his hair a bit...



He loves to smile and we did finally move him to a big boy car seat. He's nosy, but has a sweet, sweet demeanor. And did you notice he's blond and still has blue eyes?!

Milestones

We finally took the plunge and moved Finn to a big boy bed. He was pretty excited to have his own thrown and figured out way to quickly that he could just get out when he wants to. It took Lexi at least 1/2 year to learn she could just get up and get out of her bed when she wanted to. Finn, on the other hand, shows up standing next to you without notice.

In his first night in his new bed, Lexi decided that she would snuggle with him and got in Finn's bed with him. This was taken on the iPhone. We just were not ready for the moment.

She really is a great big sis and I am certain it eased the transition for him.

BFF

We were lucky enough to have Beatrice and Keri visit us in late August. While we missed Eric and Hattie, we enjoyed every moment of beach going, dress-up, wildlife park adventures, and giggling. The girls (and Finn) picked right back up as though they hadn't been away from each other at all. These photos do not do the visit justice. I only wish we had Gretchen with us to catch these moments with her camera to truly relay the moment.


At the wildlife park.





A good one to save to share at Bebe's wedding!

Dress-up started moments after Bebe arrived at the house.


Pretending they are going on a trip.

We miss them already!