And the oldest turns 12!

Well this birthday may go down in history as the most memorable. Before I get to what made it that way, let's just take a look at the last year and how much this girl has grown right before our eyes.

I can still see her little baby face in that photo below taken early 2017. It makes me so giddy to remember her "birth"-day and to think it was 12 years ago! 

Fifth grade graduation day with some of her besties (whose parents I all adore!), shoving themselves into the wall in the auditorium. 

Her laugh. When she is really having a good time (everyday at the annual cabin trip), her laugh is infectious. I smile just looking at this picture because she was having so much fun preparing herself to jump into the middle of the lake off the pontoon. 

Birthday #12 was a big deal around here. She lit her own birthday candles, on a cake I pre-ordered as part of Sidney's elementary school fundraiser (hey, it was for a good cause!). The cake Regan picked up for me at the elementary school and carried home herself (because she's super responsible like that). So yes, I let her light her own birthday candles :) We had to hurry along the birthday song because we had to eat said cake in between school and softball and dance. But we celebrated together, and that's what is most important.  

                                               And the cake was pretty darn yummy too.

And the part about being a birthday we might never forget?... It was the day that Regan stood up to an adult bully in school; she is being described as the catalyst for finally getting something done about him. I wish I wouldn't even have to associate her birthday to that man who tried calling himself an educator. But luckily my phone has been going non-stop from parents of friends who are proud of Regan for self-advocating and never giving up. And her amazing friends plastered her locker in birthday wishes to help cheer up her otherwise rough day. Sadly there has been a group struggle all year with a single teacher, who seemingly has had it out for Regan and many other classmates. He's now out of the school on what I hope will be a permanent leave. One parent messaged me "you have a great young lady there". We sure do :) 

Happy birthday Regan! We are so proud to be your parents!!

Regan-12th birthday eve

Tonight our Regan goes to bed an 11 year old; and wakes up tomorrow age 12. 

How in the world are we already 12 years into this whole parenting thing?! It's hard to believe that 12 years ago tomorrow, we went from a couple, to a family. 

There's been a lot of talk around my office about babies and pregnancies, seeing as though I currently have two pregnant coworkers. There's been discussion about first time parents, and going from a family of 3 to 4. I have to giggle when I recall how big I was with each of my babies. Let's be real (and Ryan will lovingly tell you the same), I was humongous all over while pregnant with the first two.
Wowzas! 

That sweet Regan kept us on our toes from the beginning when she decided to arrive 4 weeks early. I will never forget my water breaking and my the shock of "oh my goodness already!?". Thankfully she was healthy and ready, and besides the whole dropper feeding, she was a rockstar baby. I could have held her forever and ever, and most days I did. I was a baby-hog to my own child :) 

And now looking back, I can hardly believe she will wake up in the morning and turn 12. I teared up on my drive home the other day as I thought to myself "we're half-way through her school career" (minus college). Half-way! Where did all of those years go? It honestly feels like I blinked and she grew up. I hope I've savored each moment enough; held her close, soaked in each stage, taken enough pictures. 

This sweet babe. She continues to pave the way for her siblings who follow behind. She never ceases to amaze us and she's growing up into a beautiful girl. These teenage years are likely to cause my hair to turn grey and Ryan's to fall out. But we're so excited to watch her grow up, right before our eyes.  

Happy Birthday Eve Regan! 

Little bit of everything

The recent weeks have been a hustle and bustle of a little bit of everything. We chauffer the kids from school to activities to friends to home. Our jobs are increasingly demanding and appropriately challenging. Occasionally, sometimes, rarely we get a little downtime and soak in each other (or if you're Sidney, whine that she's so bored because we have an extra hour or two unscheduled!). 

Here's a little bit of our everything: 

Lincoln cannot be more proud of his Friday morning swimming lessons. He adores them. And who wouldn't when you end the class flying through the air! He has excelled at swimming as well, front crawl, back crawl, it's incredible to watch! 

Regan has no problem with downtime. She has an ongoing obsession with slime, and has moved onto the floor because her giant bubbles are growing too big for the kitchen counters. 

Regan and I went on a shopping date and she convinced me to swing through the cutest little bakery shop and pick up a few custom cupcakes. Apparently they were delicious!

Maybe it's because I'm older wiser, or maybe it's actually something new, but whatever the case, I'm in love with the gorgeous sunsets this winter. If it has to be cold, and I have to be driving before the sun rises, at least it's beautiful. 

And upon arrival to my office, I am greeted daily by the best co-worker around: Baylor! He loves me as much as I love him and it's so fun to have his greetings each day. Most recently, he walked into my office, plopped himself by my feet and promptly fell asleep with his head on the footings of my chair!