bugging out 👀

I unwrapped her from the Solly wrap, not expecting her to go back to sleep.  So then I had to hold her blanket up with my hand and teeth so that the sun didn't touch her, as not to chance her waking up again.

Poor third child ... she already knows that she needs to take care of herself. ;)

When she does her scary eyes, I'm strangely addicted to looking at them.  Reminds me of rubber necking at a car accident. 

S E V E N years

Every special occasion Mike sends me flowers from this place that gets them from a volcano.  (Don't ask me how it works, but it's a legit volcano).  Hands down my favorite part of them is always the card. I can never wait to open and read it.

We celebrated seven years of marriage with a surprise trip.  Mike left me a card with some presents that told me to pack a bag for Adilyn and myself for a night away.  On the way to the surprise destination we stopped for dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  The strawberry daiquiri was huge. And delicious. Mike even held Adilyn the whole dinner, so I could enjoy my meal. :)

Our destination was this adorable bed & breakfast.  It was exactly what we needed and the perfect little celebration with an (almost) kid-less night.  It was my first time going to a bed & breakfast, and as we laid there looking through a book of the best ones around the US, we decided we were going to try and go to a B&B in every state.  Just a neat little way to see the world. 

I love this man so.  I still cannot believe it has been seven years.

She was such a little angel during the trip.  She must have known it was a special occasion. 

So sleepy after we walked to the main house for breakfast. 

heat wave

Declyn told me he had a present for me.  Turns out he had taken his tank top and shoved it into my water bottle.  Great.

This heat was too much for everyone.  Especially these two. 

We were headed out of town at night, but we wanted the kids to be cleaned off (to keep with their bath schedules).  Mike said he would get them started, and this is what I saw when I came upstairs. I mean, I don't think there's anything this man doesn't do.  Sometimes I have troubling getting the two boys washed at one time, let alone three (one of which can't even support her own head!)

only child

Decyln and Adilyn were both sleeping, so Mike and I grabbed Keegan for our Target run.  Having him all to ourselves for an hour or so was the best.  And it was a conversation starter for us that when we're back in Northern Virginia (and have my parents and grandma to babysit) we are going to make a serious effort to take turns just taking one child out at a time.  It was honestly so special ... and it was just to Target. 

But I digress ... I was checking out and Mike called and said "We are in the cafe." And this was the scene that I walked into.

This man makes anything fun. Even a walk to the car in the parking lot. 

professional 📷

A few of our favorites from her professional photos. 

catching rays

What started out as an overcast morning turned into a gorgeous afternoon. 

Always up to something.  At this moment he may have been throwing toys, thinking it's funny.  I just saw the opportunity to catch his sweet smile, even though it looks more like a squint here. 

Lunch is always better in a Radio Flyer. 

Similar sleeping styles. 

sibling ❤️

These were the pajamas someone had given Declyn when he was a baby, and each kid has worn them (even though it freaks me out when she wears them and I think she's a boy).

She knows what Keegan is all about before she's old enough to really interact with him.

But he wanted to hold her hand, nonetheless. He usually shows these signs of affection when he thinks no one is watching. 

Our little ballerina.  Mike claims he's not taking her to any classes when she's old enough to do it ... we'll see.

Crazy hair, don't care. 

Someone else who sleeps with their mouth open. 

These three are my whole heart. 

Any chance he gets, he's there to help.  Life would be a little harder without his assistance. 

Checking out the world. 

fight like a girl

Black and white really defines her missing hair, but I loved how she held onto my shirt while she slept. 

Fresh air does wonders on a kid. 

Adi with her cousin Parker : the Fitzgerald girls. 

Caught a smirk. 

The only other place she'll sleep, besides wrapped to my body. 

Excuse me, I must-ache you a question. 

The view from when she is out. cold. Mike thinks she sleeps like me - mouth wide open.

Sent this to one of my besties on her birthday (she got Adilyn the adorable outfit).  Mike thought adding the dinosaur in the background was a nice touch from the boys. 

It doesn't matter where the pacifier is, just as long as it's touching her face. 

Practicing for all those football games she's going to have to watch, and the flexing that's going to take place for the rest of her life. 

Top left : she has so much hair, just in the back and on the sides. 

Showing off their tattoos for James and Brent to see. 

Mike took this and it cracks me up every time I see it. 

funny faces

At just a few days old the doctor commented on the bags under her eyes. What about the bags under our eyes?

I think she's still pissed that we made her exit her quiet, comfy womb and forced her into the chaos that is our life with two boys. 

The perfect spot for a snack. 

Even though her neck is crooked, this is one of my favorites.  You've got her dimple and smile all in one picture. 

staying cool

Rainy days are finally over and the sunshine has arrived, which means our water toys can be assembled and we can spend our days outside again!

My view for the summer. Adilyn seems pretty impressed. 

The face of pure joy. 

Since Virginia Beach doesn't offer community pools, we splurged on a plastic pool for the kids.  Mike took about 20 minutes to secure it to the roof of the car before leaving the parking lot. On the ride home we were discussing the noise we heard coming from the top of the car.  Mike asked if the pool was on, and as I finished telling him yes, I looked out my side mirror and saw it dangling from the car. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time...