Susanna Rocking the Chicken

Susanna can be as rough and tumble as any of the boys. But she does have some sweet, little mama instinct in there too.

Susanna, Sam and Evelyn Christmas 2018

Cousins make everything more fun. And what could be more fun than a giant cardboard box?!

Susanna Singing Silly Songs

While we wait on her brothers to finish their music lesson, Susanna finds ways to amuse herself. 

Susanna and Grandaddy

Susanna loves to go to Georgia to spend time with Grandaddy and Grandma. All the snuggles, mac n cheese and Peppa Pig she wants. 

Chickens, Round 2

The first round of chickens got picked off one by one. This is round 2. Unfortunately, they didn't last long, but we got some cute video of them before their untimely departure.

Susanna Learning to Ride a Bike

I felt some mixed emotions at this moment. Your last baby learning to ride a bike is a little bit like when the last baby goes to kindergarten. It feels like letting her go a bit. But the sweetness of the boys celebrating with her wins out.

Little Susanna Working Her Karate Moves

This one goes way back to when Susanna was probably two. It still makes us all smile. 

Eli Chasing Susanna

Eli and Susanna have this funny relationship. They're two peas in a pod, really. They have a great sense of humor, they see between the lines of most situations and they always find something to poke fun at. They're like their daddy in that way. But from early on, Eli has adored Susanna, many times showing it by picking on her. She quickly learned how to handle him and hold her own. 

Susanna's Dinner Blessing

This little mouth. 💓

Peach Perfection

While you were not nearly as excited about our little impromptu photo shoot, I think we can both be pleased with the outcome. And really, you looked too beautiful in this second generation, homemade dress to not capture the moment, even if it took a garbage truck and some choking hazards to get you to stay still. 

When Daddy is Left to His Own Devices

One of Kris' main jobs in our house is keeping us in good humor. He can often be heard laughing at himself, making silly noises, making jokes to get a good laugh. He loves practical jokes, and we love him for it. He's almost always in a good mood, and if he ever finds himself in a bad mood, he'll do something to amuse himself and pull himself out of it.

Exhibit A 

(She looks suspiciously proud of her ensemble.)

 "Daddy did it!"

 I'm beginning to suspect Susanna got his sense of humor.

Susanna's First Birthday

If I had known how fast this year would fly, I probably would have wanted to chain myself to the floor and stop all activities so I could sit and not miss a single second of this sweet child's first year. I cannot believe she's already one. I cannot even begin to describe how much joy she has brought our family. From the second her eyes open in the morning to the time I shut her door at night she is receiving kisses, hugs, silly faces...we basically all act like fools just to be rewarded with her smiles. And she gives them freely.

September 19 was celebrated with dinner at Olive Garden and her birthday was celebrated on the 28th at our new home. We warmed the house and ate birthday cake at the same time. 

a little pre-birthday happiness

 The beautiful cake a family friend made

 

 Grandma Clair made it just in time for the party

 family...

 and friends

 Grandma Bonnie

 a sneak peak of the new house

 

 It's cake time! She is not sure about this...

 

 

 Yes, this looks promising.

 Everybody is staring.

 Okay, give me the cake.

 

 Fingers are good.

 Hands are better.

 

 Fistfuls are the best!

 Wait! One more bite!

 

 Pink mascara

 Wink, wink!

Susie Q! I love you!

Susanna's Dedication

On Mother's Day our church had a baby dedication. We put Susanna in the family heirloom dress and had her dedicated. (Which makes me so stinkin' nervous every time since I have babies who spit! She did great and only left a little drool on it.)

The baby daddy

The dress

The whole family

Kris' parents

Susanna at 7 Months

"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." 

I think of this quote from Steele Magnolias every time I just can't help myself and put a bow on Susanna even though she's only wearing her diaper. It just makes me happy.

Her first time in a swing at the park.

Judah adores her as much as her big brothers do. And even when she sneaks up on him and grabs a handful of his hair when he's laying on the floor, he never is rough with her. It blows me away.

 Luke is my "babysitter" often.

Hallelujah! We can put her in a highchair and feed her puffs now. Mealtime is so much easier!

Look at that concentration. This was her first time. We were all rooting for her.

 It always cracks me up when they get stuck to their face.

She and Luke enjoy some good snuggle time.

She's mobile!

And she recognizes a good opportunity when she sees one. She crawled up to Judah while he was sleeping and pulled the kindle out of his hands.

This girl is pure sunshine. She wakes up with a smile and, as long as you give her a bed when she's ready, she smiles all day long. We are loving her to pieces!

Susanna at Three Months

I'm thinking this whole first year of Susanna's life might be a blur. We are truly enjoying every single second with her. I'm even loving the early morning waking and middle of the day chaos moments. But they are happening before I can capture them and write them down. I am really trying, but her updates will just have to be as I can get to them.

I don't know if it's because she's number four and I know now how to relax and enjoy every moment, because she's my last baby or because she's a girl, but I feel such a connection with her already.

 While I am loving the bows and girly stuff, I am amazed at some of the stuff that people put on their baby girls.  I mean, really?

 Luke is such a huge help with her. He was holding her while I got a shower, and they were watching Saturday morning cartoons together.

 It got a little chilly here so she's gotten good use out of the warm blankets people have given her.

 Sweetness!

 Her brothers amuse themselves.

 The only thing I've bought her. She has so many clothes, but I wanted her to have a Christmas outfit.

 This was the morning after she slept almost twelve straight hours. I was getting ready to sneak in her room and check if she was breathing. I am relaxed, but I've never had a three month old sleep twelve hours, so it made me a little nervous. She felt good, and I was pretty darn happy too!

Oh, Susie Q! I love you!