Long time no see.....

So despite my best intentions, I have not been able to post many updates. I blame it on now having three kids. Life has been busy.  Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then New Year have passed, and now we're into March and it is Spring..... So rather than trying to play catch up with the pictures I didn't get to post from the holidays, I am just starting from current. The holidays were great, we had a nice trip to Kansas to see the family and then the whole week off between holidays at home. Anora was only about 3 months old, so my brain was still pretty foggy and Quinn and I were both pretty sleep deprived. I had a lovely 16 weeks off for maternity leave and returned back to work the middle of January, but only working part time.  It's been great, and a really good balance between work and home and family. 

All three kiddos are doing great. Sam is a very active and busy 1st grader. He joined Cub Scouts this year and goes to weekly Tuesday night meetings with Quinn. They both love it and Quinn lead the latest meeting in knot tying. Riveting, but he loves that kind of stuff. Sam is into his 9 month of piano lessons and asks me all the time how much longer.....I tell him forever, and then he groans and is irritated. He is getting ready to start baseball through the YMCA in April for 6 weeks. It will be a good trial to see if he is interested. 

Isla is 4 years old going on 30 years old sometimes. I love having home days with her and Anora. We stay busy doing who knows what and running errands. She's a danger to go to the store with. "Mom, we really need these mini Twix bars," and then I agree and into the cart they go. She has been taking swimming lessons at the YMCA and had been going to a little gymnastics class there as well up until the holidays. Since she is a late September birthday, she has another year before she can go to kindergarten. Which I am actually ok with. I'm glad to have my Bitty-girl at home another year. 

The littlest chicken is turning 6 months old this month, actually in 2 days!! Insane, and I can't believe time has gone this quickly. She started cereal and veggies and today fruit about 2 weeks ago. She is an eater and wasted no time chowing down. I have no idea how much she weighs, but she is a healthy chunker! She is a little late bloomer and rolled over at 19 weeks from belly to back and then back to belly at 21 weeks. I keep catching Sam and Isla helping her and have to shoo them away so she can have space. She just found her feet, which I love watching how excited she gets to find them.She smiles these giant wide open mouth smiles all the time. And just pretty much goes with the flow of what's already happening with everyone else, typical 3rd child. Everyone in the house is baby crazy and she's pretty much like our mascot. Everyone wants to hold and be around Anora. 

Sam 6 years, Anora 3 months. Sam is giant and Anora has him totally

wrapped around her cute little finger. He adores her. 

"Don't mess with my monkeys, mama."

This is a special picture as Anora is laying on a quilt that her Great-Great Grandma Ratzloff pieced together and then Grandma Marie lovingly quilted it for her and had her name sewn onto the boarder. 

Boy Scouts Camp out at Guadalupe River State Park. They were working on their

Polar Bear Badges and it got down to 24 degrees. Sam ended up inside Dad's sleeping bag together. 

Isla reading Anora nap time books. She's the best big sister. It was an adjustment

not being the baby, but she is doting and mothering. 

Morning cartoons. Our three little crazies :)

Rainy day rock gym fun

McKinnley state park. Exploring and hiking

Brother and sister just hanging out by the river. 

Reo the fat cat dwarfs Anora. 

First time in baby swing being pushed by big sister. 

First train ride on Zilker Zephyer. 

Kiddos sitting in front of train

Morning open gym gymnastics. "Hey mom, I'm a sloth." Too funny!

Her wide mouth smile, it's infectious. Just love this little chicken nugget!

Sister like brother, zoned out watching Wild Kratts.

Sam loves to hold her in the mornings and snuggling. 

Vegging out watchin the Olympics. Crazy to think the next time the Olympics

comes around, Sam will be 10 and Isla will be 8 years old!

 

Spring school pictures, cutie pie! I didn't realize it was picture day and didn't

have him dress a little nicer. Mom failure. 

Sunday morning hike and trying to feed the turtles gold fish crackers. 

First time eating oatmeal/solids. She loved it. No getting used to period, just right down the hatch. 

The benefit of older kids....they love to feed her too. 

Big and little cashed out. This is how I founds them after coming home from working an evening shift. 

Chinese New Year, the year of the Dog. She loved this jumpy thing despite being so little. 

Magnetic wall, harder than it looks. Mama had to get in there and help support his booty and lift legs and arms. 

Class field trip to Austin Science and Nature Center.

Super fun, but he has a crazy class with 15 boys and 4 girls.