Henry Scott (Hank) turns 4!

Can you tell this cute boy was excited to have a birthday?! About the week leading up to his birthday, he kept asking if it was his birthday. The day before, he came down the stairs and said, "Mom, wake-up, it's my birsday!" He was disappointed when I told him one more day. Needless to say, the next morning was a repeat of, "Mom, wake-up, it's my birsday!"

This year I took him to Zuchers Party Store and let him pick the theme for his birthday party. He chose Batman...which surprised me because he seems to prefer Spiderman. He often says, "I love Spiderman, he's hilarious." This is in reference to a superhero cartoon he enjoys watching with Hugh.  But, back to the party. He chose a way over-priced Batman piñata, which when it came time for the piñata at the party, Hank had no interest in doing it. He was more interested in the toys he got from his cousins and friends. We did get him to take a swing at it, but when the candy spilled out, he collected none. I guess this really isn't that surprising since Hank's number one interest these days is toys. Nearly every other day he asks to go to Target to pick out a toy. Toys and presents were the real motivation for his birthday to get here. The day after his party, he was asking to get new toys! This kid! And as much as I want him not to care about toys, it really is the way to his heart right now...that and cuddling with him and watching a show (again, something I'm trying to curb...the show part not the cuddle part). 

It was fun to celebrate Henry and the perfect addition he is to our family. After we said goodbye to Hughie, I was hoping to have a little girl sent to our family thinking that it would ease some of the heartache of losing a son. But the moment Hank was born and placed in my arms, I knew he was just what our family needed. And Henry has proven that ever since. Henry also has a real interest in his brother Hughie. He will often ask about him and "when he's going to get alive again?" Recently, Henry even told me he said a prayer for Hughie. There are even times when he gets sad and tells me he just misses Hughie. I love this tender side of Henry and especially his real connection with his brother. 

Henry, I love you! I love your hugs and kisses that you give me so freely...even after I get mad at you (which somedays is more than I'd like). Thanks for being forgiving of my temper and helping me learn the patience I am always trying to get you to learn. You often tell me, "Mom, you just have to be patient." Your smile is gold, and gets me every time! And I love how much you love to cuddle with me. When you get tired during the day you ask for your blankets and for me to cuddle with you. 

You have the best imagination and will often blame your imagination when you get in trouble, "My imagination told me to do it!" You have also been known to tell me your ears are too small, that is why you couldn't hear what I asked you to do. You love to antagonize your sisters, especially Tildy. But you are also quick to comment how cute she is. And lately, you two have been playing so well together, which makes me happy to see you take care of her. I hope you two are always close friends and fierce protectors of one another.

You love the song "Hourglass" by Mindy Gledhill because I told you it was your song. I know she wrote it for her little boy...and it coins so well how I feel about you. 

Hourglass

Little boy, when you speak
I can’t help but kiss your cheeks
I love the way you grab my hands
And tell me all about your plans

Rocket high, comets fly
You and I could hitch a ride
And fly away to Neverland
And give our best to Peter Pan

When you reach for the stars
Don’t forget who you are
And please don’t turn around and grow up way too fast
See the sand in my grasp
From the first to the last
Every grain becomes a memory of the past
Oh, life’s an hourglass
Life’s an hourglass

Story’s read, prayer is said
Close your eyes sleepyhead
While angels linger in your dreams
And hold you in their feathered wings
Just like you, I was small
Not that long ago at all
I wish you all the happiness
That God gives freely if you ask

Christmas 2013

Christmas Highlights:

Auntie Sarah, Audie, and Zoe were in town

Ruby was an angel in the VW nativity...did a great job memorizing her part 

Santa brought Hank a BIG Buzz Lightyear

Santa brought Ruby Bitty Baby, who is Ruby's most trusted companion these days

We all enjoyed time with all of our family...VW's and Meyer's

Christmas Lowlights:

Meg was miserably sick Christmas Eve

Hank was equally sick with an ear infection

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!

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.

The little babe...

...is safe and sound. Growing just as he/she should. After our 20 week ultrasound yesterday, I can breathe a little easier and feel grateful that all is well with our sweet babe #4. It never gets old seeing your babies on that ultrasound screen. Life is a miracle. This little one was in such a funny position with  his/her hands and feet all up by the face...in the very spot I feel its tiny kicks and jabs all day. The babe even open and closed its little mouth for us. I am looking forward to meeting this little one in September. We all are.

Family Trip to Zion.

This year we decided to head down to Zion over President's Weekend to spend time together as a family and celebrate our little Hughie's 3rd Birthday. Yes, I can hardly believe he would be three this year. Watching my kids get older makes me miss Hughie that much more. I can't help but think about Ruby not having her 3-year-old brother here to play with and boss around. Not to mention, Hank not having his big brother here to show him the ropes. But Hughie is a part of our lives all the same. I love how leading up to our trip Ruby kept talking about it as "our trip for Hughie's birthday". Ruby also talks regularly about his grave and can be heard at the store asking, "should be get this to put at Hughie's grave?" How wonderful it is to know he is and will always be a part of our family. 

Needless to say, we quite enjoyed our little trip to Zion. Hugh was glad we made it into the park all three days we were there. It was rejuvenating to be in the sunshine with clear skies and 60 degree weather. 

Ruby (Mary) enjoyed hiking, mostly the hikes where she had to "climb"...she thought the ones where we just walked got a bit boring. Ruby's hiking experience was especially enhanced by her pioneer outfit she wore pretty much the entire trip (the dress and bonnet was her Valentine gift). We do have a few photos to prove we did get her to wear something different one of the days. (Ruby continues to be on a Little House on the Prairie kick...and insists upon being called Mary.) We even made it to one of Gwen's soccer games...Ruby was pleased to get in some cousin time.

Hank enjoyed himself when he could walk on his own and throw rocks/dirt in the water. He would have been thrilled if we let him get in the water...he was pretty upset by our insistence that he stay dry. Some of the hikes were a bit scary to let him just run free, which led to many a fit from the Hankster on this trip. And man! Can he throw a fit! 

...until next time.