Monday, June 30, 2014

#3 3 months




During our 3 month photo shoot I got lots of shots, even some of him smiling, but I chose the above pose because it cracks me up. He looks like he is truly posing.



No doctor appointment this month, but according to mommy measurements you are 11.5 pounds and 23.5 inches.

Some of your highlights from the past month include:

you reach and grab for toys

you started laughing (especially at mommy)

you typically sleep 10 hours (9:30 pm - 7:30 am)

you roll over regularly (from tummy to back)

you typically take a cat nap in the morning and evening, your long nap is from 1-5 pm each day

you spit-up all the time

your wear size 2 diapers and 0-3 month clothes

you still adore looking at the fabric map and lights

you smile all the time

you have gained a few rolls this month

you are still swaddled and sleeping on your back at naps and night

your eyes are still a mystery…they remain a blue/gray color

you are always smothered by one or both of your adoring siblings

your dimple is still adorable!

And I had to share this progression of pictures because the cuteness factor is off the charts.





Friday, June 27, 2014

Working it Out...

in the activity gym!  It's not just for infants :)





Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Camping Essentials: Fishing & S'mores


Daddy teaching his kids to fish




After his first cast Sawyer's reaction: "Ah man, I didn't catch a fish." Guess we'll have to work on the patience :)



This was Nora's 1st fishing experience. She didn't have the patience and it was kind of hard for her because she is left handed and the fishing rod was made for right handers.

And another essential camping experience: S'mores! Nora thoroughly enjoyed her s'more :)






Monday, June 23, 2014

Dedication

On Sunday, May 11th, 2014 we publicly dedicated Kolter to the Lord. I would like to think we dedicated Kolter to the Lord before he was even born, but this was our opportunity to dedicate him publicly in front of our church body.

It's a great reminder that he belongs to the Lord. The Lord has entrusted Kyle and me to raise Kolter (and his siblings) and it is our prayer that he will come to know the Lord and live a life that is full of love, praise, service, and joy for Jesus Christ.




Here are some of the verses I will pray for Kolter now and as he grows (feel free to pray them along with me):

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way... Colossians 1: 9-10

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. 1 Peter 4: 8-11

Friday, June 20, 2014

5 on Friday

1) We got our van back!…enough said :)

2) Father's Day was the day after we returned from camping, so it was a recovery day, but hopefully Kyle felt loved and special. We went to church, out to lunch at a restaurant of his choosing (Penn Station), napped, and visited a bookstore. The kids each drew him a picture in his Father's Day journal. They each wanted to draw him fish, which ended up being very appropriate since they all fished that weekend. We also gave him a ladder. Not very exciting, but something he wanted and really needed.

Kyle is the best Daddy to our kids! He jumps in from the moment they are born. He changes diapers regularly, teaches the kids life lessons, disciplines, loves deeply, reads them God's word, wrestles with them and is such a great example. I can't wait to see how their relationship grows as the kids get older!




this picture cracks me up. Kolter doesn't know if he should be having fun or terrified :)
3) I recently visited an H & M and spotted a dress I knew Nora would love. It was pink, flowery and had butterflies :) Then I saw an advertisement featuring a little girl model in the dress. She was styled so cute and I knew Nora already had all the pieces to complete the look (jeggings and pink converse), so the $5 dress came home to Nora's closet :)

This little girl LOVES clothes and shoes! And I LOVE my little fashionista!

4) Sawyer started swimming lessons this week. I was cautiously optimistic after our difficult swimming lesson experience from last year. He was excited to go, but as we entered the pool area he became anxious and after going with the teacher he started running back to me...Just like last year. I eventually put him in the pool screaming, but the teacher calmed him down and once they started kicking he was happy again. As the week progressed he no longer ran away, but he was still reluctant to do many of the activities. Here's hoping week 2 goes better.

5) This week I was talking to a friend who was having trouble with her kids putting things in their noses. I thought off all the crazy things my kids do they have never put anything in their nose…what a proud mommy moment :) Well Nora humbled me the next day when she said "Mommy, I have a Cheerio in my nose." I quickly ran to her and thankfully it was only half a Cheerio. As I tried to decide how to proceed she sniffed it up and the Cheerio disappeared! As I stood there in shock, unsure what to do she started sneezing. After her sneezing fit she declared the Cheerio was gone :) Thankfully, it didn't turn into a major ordeal…life is never dull in the Schenk house!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

The Great Camping Expedition of 2014

Last weekend we went on the annual church camping trip. I am NOT a camper and this year I had the perfect excuse to stay home (a 2 month old), but it's always so FUN so we took the plunge, packed our van to the max, and made the trip to Salt Fork Lake State Park.

The older kids had a blast running all over with their friends. The nice thing about camping with a church group is the kids can run free and you know someone is always watching. Kolter was a good baby. He mostly slept or sat in my arms, but I'm so thankful he was happy.

Our sleeping situation was probably the most difficult aspect. Kyle, Sawyer and Nora stayed in the tent with their sleeping bags. They did great sleeping even with some chilly temperatures at night. Kolter and I "camped" in the van on an air mattress. He slept okay, but I woke with every noise and wiggle. But we had so much fun during the day the lack of sleep didn't matter :)

Our 2 1/2 days consisted of campfires, food, bike riding, chatting, s'mores, boating, swimming, sun, sand, tubing and fishing.

running to find friends when we arrived

putting up the tent

this cutie tipping his hat at mommy

getting ready for some serious bike riding

so happy to find a leaf…finding joy in the small things

chilling at the beach in his Bumbo

the kids testing the waters

Kolter napping at the beach

Daddy and Nora building a sand castle
riding on the boat
Making s'mores

Hanging out around the campfire

And a big moment…the training wheels came off! Sawyer has been obsessed with this bike recently. He rides super fast and is always asking to go out for a bike ride. Kyle had some free time while camping so he took the training wheels off and gave Sawyer a lesson. It went pretty well, but there were lots of onlookers and advice givers so he didn't last very long. I think a few more sessions and he will have it down.

our camping family of 5
Kolter woke up early and we enjoyed the sunrise together.

I think we all felt like this on the ride home

There is another camping post to come because I think the fishing and s'more pictures deserve a post of their own :)


Monday, June 16, 2014

May Day {Kids Krafts}

I realize May Day was nearly a month ago, but I wanted to document this craft we did with the kids in our community group and for play group.

This was a great craft for little and big kids! We took the baskets to our neighbors and the play group visited a nursing home to deliver some goodies. We included some candy and a note with a Bible verse (John 4:13-14).

Tutorial via: Skip to My Lou

Paper plate basket via: Whimsy Love and Sarah Hearts


I had tons of cute fabric scraps to use for the paper plate basket. I really like the cuteness of factor of this simple craft and you could certainly use it for other occasions such as a basket for a housewarming or a teachers gift.