Mathilda Rose turns 2!

Tildy is our ball of spunk and we all had fun celebrating her birthday. Leading up to her birthday she learned to say "two augus" when asked her age. Much the same as Henry did when he was turning two. Tildy loves being part of anything her older siblings are doing and especially likes following Hank's lead in getting into mischief. She watches his every move and the two of them are either loving one another or driving each other crazy. It seems only fitting that Tildy wears both Ruby and Henry hand-me-downs (as shown above). 

Everyone wanted in on the birthday action. 

Tildy loves building with legos, which is the only activity she will sit still for. I love watching her build with her little fingers and listen to her breath heavy as she concentrates. She will say, "I building a house, mom." Mathilda also narrates everything she does and her vocabulary gets bigger by the day. 

Leading up to her birthday, when asked what she wanted she responded, "Hello Kitty cake." She was pleased about blowing out her candles. 

We love you, Mathilda! Thanks for adding so much life and spunk to our family. Our family wouldn't be complete without you keeping us on our toes. 

Mathilda Turns 1!

Peach cake for this peach of a babe! 

{peaches are her favorite}

She was not shy about her cake...also not very smiley about it either. 

Most of the night Tildy was trying to climb our cellar door like the big kids. Explains her to a T...always trying to keep up and be big.

**These gatherings for my kiddos' birthdays always remind me how wonderful family is. My kids are blessed with so much love around them and so many great people to count on. It is a blessing to me, too. I'm also feeling blessed for the little house we now call home. Nothing better than making memories in a place we hope to be for awhile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tildy! 

Your first year of life has gone by too fast and brought more love and joy into our family than I thought possible. It also brought some good lessons on how to be a more patient and loving mother as I'm learning to juggle my time between three kids. It hasn't always been easy (and there have been many rough moments), but one year later, I feel I've grown as a mom and a person. I'm feeling grateful to all three of my little munchkins for helping me be a better person.

Our Tildy. The one-year-old.

My favorite picture from when she was born.

What can I say...she's my best eater and best sleeper. And just like the three who came before, she has stolen my heart. I want to eat her up every. single. day.

No words for her cuteness.

9 month Tildy.

Someone stop time! This girl keeps stealing all our hearts. She's now crawling and there is nothing better then watching her move around and hearing Ruby cheer her on. When I took these photos, Hank was my special helper. We all love you Miss Tildy Wildy. 

She's crawling, pulling up to a stand in her crib, eating everything in sight, clapping, jabbering, drooling (trying to grow some teeth, she still has none), and grinning that cute grin of hers...it never gets old receiving a Tildy smile. 

5 Month Tildy.

Our little Tildy Rose is growing up so fast. We all love this little bug. She is full of smiles, jabbers, and slobber these days. She loves being a part of whatever is going on around her, especially watching her two older siblings. Tildy's face brightens whenever she sees Ruby. I hope they will always have that special sister bond (one of the biggest blessings in my own life...I can't imagine life without my sisters). 

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.

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 :).