Ruby turns 5!

My Ruby turns 5 today. Especially since Mathilda's arrival, I look at Ruby with amazement at how old and big she is! Today Ruby is having a Hello Kitty party....which she has done most of the the planning for. It will be complete with pin the bow on Hello Kitty, face painting, a Hello Kitty cake, and let's not forget the piñata. Ruby loves throwing a good party! 

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Dear Ruby,

Today you are five. And as her mom, I couldn't be more pleased with the young lady you are growing into. You are my little buddy, and I often ask you if you will always be my buddy. You help me clean the house, you set the table, you are patient with your little brother, and you draw the best pictures which you give freely to all of us. I especially love how you write Ruby VW with a heart at the end on all of your school papers and drawings. You also like to help me in the kitchen and make your own "stews" and other treats. You are even planning your own muffin business called, "Muffins and More", complete with a walk through window for your customers to enjoy. You love pre-school and your teachers always tell me how much the love having you in their class. When you are away at school, Henry always asks, "Where's Rube?" He loves you just as much as I do! I especially love how lately, you ask Henry if he wants to play something and then the two of you go off to your room and close the door. It means a lot to me that you like to include Hank and he couldn't ask for a better sister. Mathilda's sI love watching you dance and listening to you play piano. Your favorite songs to play include, Star Wars Theme, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Peter Piper Pumpkin Eater. 

Ruby, we all love you! Our family wouldn't be the same without your spunky and unique personality. Thanks for making our world a better place! 

Happy Birthday!

Spontaneous Fall Hike.

Nothing better.

Halloween 2013.

I love these pictures of my mom with her grand babies. I also love the scarecrow in the background who has been a part of my Halloween's since my childhood :) 

 Aslan, the lion. Jessie. Cute Tildy. Susan Pevensie.

(Hank and Ruby are from the Chronicles of Narnia.)

It is also important to note that Hank wanted nothing to do with his lion headpiece...hence the pathetic looking lion costume. 

This girl loves a good halloween costume. She planned this Susan costume last December after watching "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" for the first time. I love my Ruby girl to pieces and her love to dress-up and use her imagination. 

And where would our Halloween costumes be without my awesome sister, McCall. Two years in a row now,  she has made Ruby's Halloween dreams come true!

2 Month Tildy.

Just when I think my capacity to love is full, God blesses my life with another little soul and I am reminded once again that a mother's love is endless.

I cherish the brief quiet moments during our crazy days, when I get to stare at Tildy's sweet face and enjoy her smiling face looking back at me. 

Just because she is cute.

And we all love her  so.

Last weekend's happenings.

Tidly's twin cousin was blessed. Aren't they a cute pair? 

William was born 5 days after Tildy.

Ruby ank Hank got bunk beds! And so far, they are a success.

1 month and some thoughts.

Time is gong way too fast. As I'm posting these 1 month pics....sweet Tildy is actually almost 2 months.  She is a little sweetheart and such a welcome addition to our family. I love her bright eyes and how she has a furrowed little brow a lot of the time. It is almost as if she is concerned about what that brother of hers might do next...it concerns me too, Tildy :). Although, he does love you. All day he asks, "Where's Tildy, Mom?" and when you cry, "Tildy sad, Mom. I go get her." So he may be rough around the edges, but he sure loves you...just like the rest of us.

Some days I feel overwhelmed by the thought that I am in charge of these three little human beings. The transition to three kids has been busy and exhausting...but it is pictures like this that remind me it is all worth it. I love these kiddos...and I love this picture of them. Hank is being his silly self, Ruby is being her sweet, helpful self, and Tildy is hoping for a nap. After looking at this picture tonight, I hope to have more patience and less frustration with my kids. Life is going too fast not to slow down and enjoy them. They won't be little forever and one day a clean and orderly house will seem way over-rated compared to the joyful chaos of these three youngsters ruling my world. 

 It's a girl!

Mathilda Rose Van Wagenen

7 lbs 7 oz

19.5 in

6:44 pm

How I loved meeting that little face for the first time. And after much yelling and screaming while pushing her out, it was a much welcome moment to have her on my chest and in my arms. Once again, I feel so blessed she arrived safe and sound...and just perfect. I could (and do) stare at her petite, girly features all day. She was almost a whole pound bigger than my other kids; and yet, she still looks so small. 

Hugh and I were both grateful that Mathilda decided to come during the day...it made for a much less exhausting labor and delivery. Look how bright eyed Hugh is! I hardly recognized him without the hoodie he wore while I birthed our other three children :). I'm so grateful for Hugh and the team we've become, four kids later. 

Mathilda made a certain big sister very happy. I will never forget how sweet Ruby looked as she walked into the hospital room to meet her long awaited for sister. Ruby looked so grown-up in her red dress and little purse...the purse she filled with her own hair bows to give to Mathilda. Ruby proudly pushed Mathilda with Hugh as we moved rooms to the postpartum floor. It warmed my heart. 

Mathilda's doting grandmas.

The joyful chaos that ensued once we were all reunited in my hospital room. Hank did acknowledge his new sister, but he was far more interested in the buttons on my bed. 

 I'm scared about going home too, Tildy. Let's hope we all survive :). 

Henry Scott turned two!

And he was not pleased...at all.

Seriously, he had a blast!

In true Hank form, we had a little Buzz Lightyear swim party to celebrate. Thanks to our great families for coming and spoiling our little man. He really did enjoy himself. For Hank, nothing is better than Buzz, pizza, swimming, a beach ball, and birthday candles.

We sure love this little man...wildness and all! My favorite thing is putting him to bed at night and after telling him "I love you, Henry" having him say through his binky, "I lub you, mommy." Makes all the crazy moments from the day disappear. He wears two well!

Happy "two august" my little Hank!

Who needs gifts when you have Buzz and gang Pez? 

And a special thanks to my assistant party planner. Putting the party together would not have been nearly as much fun without Ruby's help. She was so excited for Hank's party and even more excited to give him her gift. She wanted to get him a dreamlite because Hank likes hers. We went to Walmart together and picked it out. Such a sweetheart.

Ruby.

My little buddy.

This new babe coming has caused me to think about my two kiddos here and how much I love them. Just like her brother, Ruby can drive me crazy. But most of the time, she is the best sidekick around. She still calls me "Meg" most of the time, which I get funny looks from some people when they hear  her do this. But to me, it explains a lot about our relationship. We are buds who spend everyday playing, arguing, laughing, and figuring out life together. 

Hank.

Need I say more?

Me: "Hank, how old are you?

Hank: "two august"

I can hardly believe it! And let's just say, I'm pretty sure we are in for some terrible twos! Love him...but he keeps me going all. day. long. Such a blessing that this kid likes to nap...and sometimes at his request, "binkie, bankie, nap" Also a blessing that he can make me smile and laugh right after driving me mad. On Wednesday, he broke a glass bowl by pushing it off the table. On Thursday, he broke a glass lid to a glass jar (not sure how...I just heard it break from the other room). And when I entered the scene, he scurried onto the corner of the couch with the cutest guilty face I have ever seen. *Sigh* 

Where's Henry?

While Ruby and I sat through our second sacrament meeting last Sunday, Hank found himself a storm drain to play in. Let's just say, I was not surprise in the slightest. (Hank's dad may or may not have been his accomplice in such an act).