Best Surprise

I had the BEST surprise tonight.  John was in on it and got me good.  What a great night.  I will share what it is in a couple of days. SHHH it's a secret.  Much love to my surprise that was so fun! XOXO

Dear Jenna at 12 Months

Today you are one.  Last year at this time I was snuggling you while admiring every perfect inch of your body.  We were bonding and falling in love.  You stole my heart with your first breath and continue to do so a million times every day.  I am so blessed to be your mother.  I am so honored and grateful to God for choosing and trusting me to raise you.  You have changed my life, stole my heart and filled my days with happiness.  I love you Jenna and wish you the happiest 1st birthday.

At 1 year:
Still does not sleep all night and have not since birth
Take 2 naps a day
Still nurses
Loves sandwich meat, grapes, hot dogs, and snack food
Is struggling with and on going ear infection
Can pull your self up
Weighs 22 pounds
Wears 18-24 month cloths
Crawls fast all over the house
Puts EVERYTHING in your mouth
Waves and says bye bye
Can say Mama, Dada, Pa-pa, Maama(grandma) Clyde, Bird, KyKy(kyle), Ah(noah)
Blows kisses and signs for more and all done
Loves to go bye bye

Only a few hours old.  I could not get over how beautiful you were.

Taken on your 1st birthday.
You are so beautiful 

Our Year With The Princess

  We have spent the last 365 days falling in love with a little princess.  As I think about the last year, my heart is full.  How blessed we are to have our perfect little family.  My boys are all smitten with their little sister and she has captured their hearts.  Colton loves his May May and enjoys playing chase with her while she is in her walker.  Noah loves to snuggle with her and would carry her around all day if she would let him.  Kyle comes through the door after school and Jenna is the first one he goes to.  Jenna is equally as smitten with her brothers.  She loves to crawl after Colton and always wants to be near him.  She finds Noah hilarious and the two of them could giggle together all day.  She feels safe with Kyle and she trusts him more than she does most other people.  John and Jenna have an amazing daddy and daughter bond.  I love to watch her light up when he enters the room and I love to watch him melt when she says "Da-Da."  They are perfect dancing partners and she loves to help him play the guitar.  I look forward to watching their relationship grow and change through the years.  Me, I am totally and completely head over heals in love.  I cherish every moment with her and I am so in love with every little thing she does.  We are abundantly blessed to have this precious little soul in our family and I could not be happier than the life I have with my King, 3 prince's and a perfect little princess!

Always interested in what Colton is doing 

Jenna got a dozen roses from her Grandma Stegenga for her birthday 

I love taking close ups of her.  Sheer perfection.

Colton stealing a kiss 

Jenna loves to play guitar with her Daddy 

Her and Noah share a special bond

He loves to carry her around 

A little crabby 

Momma stealing a kiss 

She is Daddy's dancing partner 

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY SWEET JENNA!  

Last Year At This Moment

Last year at this moment I was in the hospital being induced for my Jenna.  We were so excited with anticipation to meet our new little one.  Was baby a boy or a girl?  Who would baby look like?  How much would baby weigh?  What time would baby finally enter this world.  I was at such peace.  The excitement of meeting our new little was finally here.  After 9 long months of anticipation and wonder, our big moment was not far away.  I would LOVE to go back to that moment and enjoy it all over again.    Life has only a few moments that are so sacred and amazing.  This day was one of those.  My husband supporting me and sharing in a memory that only he and I can treasure.  I hold this moment close to my heart and I thank God for blessing us with tender miracles that are beyond words, binding us together for eternity.

Patiently awaiting Jenna's arrival.

A Teenager In The House

Oh My!  We have a teenager in the house!  Kyle celebrated his 13th birthday last week.  John and I took him out for a special dinner just the 3 of us.  We bought him a long board (skate board) and a new pair of "skater" shoes.  I can't believe my eldest baby has entered the teenage years.  It is so bitter sweet.  I sure do miss him as a little tyke yet it is so amazing to watch him turn into a man.  I am proud he is my son.

My sweet Kyle, I could go on and on and list a million things I love about you.  From the day you were born, you changed me.  From your first breath, I lived for you.  I fell so in love with you that I would have and still would do anything in the world to protect you.  I know you are growing and changing and your need for me today is far different from the need you had for me as a baby.  I will love and support you all the days of my life.  My prayer for you is happiness.  You are smart and kind and I am blessed beyond words to be your mother.  I love you my Kyle Bear!

You were the most beautiful person I had ever laid eyes on
(these pictures are pictures of pictures)

I waited for you to get on the bus before I cried 

You loved being a new big brother 

Celebrating your 8th birthday at the Olive Garden

You are a great fisherman 

Colton adores you 

Such a handsome little man 

You love the outdoors 

Silly faces with your brother and cousins at the cabin 

Such a wonderful big brother 

A boy and his dog 

I love to watch you play baseball

Proud big brother of a new baby sister 

Your siblings all adore you 

Celebrating your 13th Birthday



HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY MY KYLE!