Happy 36th Birthday Mark!

Happy Birthday!!  Look how cute you were! 

You were born on your due date.Your grandma drove your mom from Ashland, OR to Medford to the hospital there.  Your dad was at work that day.  When your mom had your brother 3 years earlier the doctor told her that the next time she has a baby to be close by since it would go as fast.  When your mom felt the first "butterflies" (as she described them) they headed to the hospital.  When they got to the hospital there was no room in delivery and your mom's contractions were coming on really fast.  So they gave her a shot to stop her labor until there was more room.  Your grandma and mom waited and waited.  Finally your mom felt the urge to push and your grandma ran to get the nurse.  The nurse came in and told your mom that she didn't know what she was feeling and that she was not ready to push.  But when she check your mom, you were crowning!  The doctor didn't even get his coat on and out you came.    

Your mom told me that when you were 3 months old she was up late and couldn't sleep because at this time your dad had left and you all had been in a homeless shelter and just now into a new apartment.   She put you in the swing to sleep by her in the living room.  She looked over at you and your were limp and blue.  She ran an grabbed you and she shook you and you gasped for air.  She ran to the neighbors and they called 911 and took you to the hospital.  They think you had what could have been SIDS.  Praise God your mom was right there with you.

From the moment your mom brought you home your brother loved you so much.  He would tell your mom "my baby."

One thing I find funny is that your mom had to spank you a lot!  Your brother she only spanked once or twice.  She said you love to test her and would make her so angry sometimes, but yet still just melt her heart. 

The thing I love to hear about you from your teenage years is that you were liked by everyone.  You didn't have a "group" and you weren't part of the "cool" clique or the jocks.  You loved the Lord and was kind to everyone you met. 

 Even today you are so kind to everyone and you have a very caring, compassionate heart.  You love to learn and just tonight you told me you wished you could be in God's word 24/7.  I love seeing who God is molding you to be.  You are my best friend and I love how much fun life is with you! You are an amazing dad and I love watching you with our children.  I can't wait for more with you!

Happy 36th Birthday!  I love you.

Turkey!

 This evening my parents came over so my mom could drop off our new topic to learn about.  Turkeys!

Look how cute this turkey is that my mom made us!

 Then my mom told us inside the turkey was something to snack on. So she carved it and Lulu and Levi were excited with anticipation on what it could be.

 Popcorn!  Our favorite snack.

 Here we all are (Ila May was napping).

 Mark got the turkey leg.

 The kids ended up having a blast (and making a mess) playing with the pop corn. Levi was on the hunt for any un-popped kernels. 

 My dad and Lulu

 Ila May woke up and missed our entire turkey dinner.  Yes, this was our dinner.  Growing up popcorn was an actual dinner we all enjoyed (usually on the weekends when my dad cooked).  How we ate it was with grated Tilamok Sharp Cheddar Cheese on top.  So yummy!  Mark and I have been married almost 7 years and the past 2 years or so he has finally agreed that popcorn and cheese can actually be a dinner.  And recently when we talk about what we should have for dinner, he now says "let's have popcorn and cheese."

Sisterly love.  Lulu and Ila just love eachother. 

Six Months

 I can't believe Ila May is 6 months old.  It feels like I just did her last monthly picture.  I still think of her as a newborn. I think I treat her like one too...lol.  I'm very protective of my babies.  Ila May is starting to sit up on her own.  She can't do it yet completely.  She'll sit for a bit then tip right over, smiling the entire way. She has no teeth yet but is still drooling like one will pop out any moment.  She started drooling at 4 months so for the past two months I keep saying "a tooth must be coming in." She's not a fussy baby at all. Ila May is still sleeping in our room.  Lulu was in her crib when she was 7 months old and Levi was in the crib at 5 months old.  But Ila May will probably be in our room for a LONG time.  I can't even imagine putting her in a crib yet.  Ila May has been moving her mouth like she's talking.  That's her new thing.  I think she thinks she's talking too!    

 Such a happy little girl!

The dress Ila May is wearing is Lulu's old dress.  I just love putting her in Lulu's dresses and outfits.

Here is a picture of Lulu in the same dress at 4 months old.

Sitting Up

 Ila May started sitting on her own today. She's not quite 6 months yet.  All 3 have sat up sometime in their 5th month.  I'm actually surprised she is doing this though.  She's such a baby it seems compared to Lulu or Levi.  She's tiny and loves to be held. 

And this is why we have the pillows behind her.