and for the forgotten fourth

Okay, so I actually haven't forgotten Tabitha. In fact, she makes sure she's not forgotten every day. Oh my, this girls stubbornness makes me laugh (and sometimes cry). Two is right around the corner for this girl!

Since I've posted pictures of her three other sisters, I thought I'd share a couple of my recent favorites of Miss T. And yes, we do call her Miss T a lot of the time. Her sisters, in particular, call her "T" when they're frustrated with her (when she's making a mess of their "plans"). And when "T" is frustrated, mostly with Hannah, she lets her know too.

This girl is a snuggly hair twirler. She loves to be held and carried around, which I try to do as much as possible. Rodney makes a conscious effort to pick her "UP!" when she asks, which is almost all of the time. "Up!" is one of her few words, along with, "Mama, Dada, More, Milk, Please, and No." :) While Hannah tends to walk around the house on her tiptoes, Tabitha plods around flat footed, which is helpful because I can always hear where she's headed!

Here she is bringing me some tea! She really loves playing in our warm and cozy basement, which has been a blessed retreat this cold February. 

February Fun in the Snow

 Abigail has a beautiful smile, and this is about as natural as it gets. So thankful for this girl.

Sometimes when I can't get Hannah to smile, I tell her do something silly. Here she is doing some jumping jacks. My brother thinks she's just like a little hobbit. Doesn't she look like one here?! We'll call her Hobbit Hannah.

 Putting on the finishing touches.

Though I've grown tired of the cold, I never grow tired of looking out my back windows to see the beauty of fresh snow on the trees.

Hi, Handsome! You're a really fabulous daddy. I accidentally stashed your snow pants in a closet (oops), and you still take your girls out for sledding and snowman fun. Rodney received a toboggan for his birthday, a surprise gift from my Grandpa. The toboggan is great because Rodney can sled down the hill with both girls on his lap, and next year, Tabitha might even fit too!

CJ is 4 months

So you're four months now, little one! (actually, you'll be five months tomorrow...life is full). It is full of good things, and it is often full of your smiles and the contented happy noises you make.

You're still sleeping well at night, though most nights you still like to wake up for a middle of the night snack. Occasionally, you do sleep 10-12 hours in a row, which gives your mama hope that someday she will get to sleep. And maybe someday she won't feel so tired. Thank you for being relatively laid back.

Unfortunately, you've had a pesky diaper rash that comes and goes and comes again. It's been a drawn out drama for your mama (good thing you're not a llama!). It's been a month probably now six week saga.... Your pediatrician thinks it's a contact dermatitis issue, so I've been cutting lots of food out of my diet. So for now, we're on a no dairy, soy, tomatoes, citrus or nuts (peanuts, almonds...). I cheat occasionally and eat tomatoes, and sometimes on the weekends, I eat a little bit of cheese. But I am fairly convinced that you're gastrointestinal track is happier when I'm avoiding dairy and acidic foods. I think it's because the Hekel genes run strong in you, little one, and you have reflux and very sensitive skin. Sigh. At least that's what I'm hoping.

You like to reach out and grab toys, hair, clothes, and anything within reach. Your sisters are still your favorite toys, and they're the experts at making you laugh.

Still not rolling. Probably will be sitting soon. You are a strong little girl. And your hair is VERY blond and fuzzy like Hannah's hair was (and is!).

New Year's Fun

My brother and sister in-law are an ocean away, and I don't know when we will get to see them next. So these pictures are extra special. We so enjoyed the extra time we got to spend with them over the holidays.

I think I was rather tired at the end of the holidays, so I don't have as many pictures. But sometimes it's a blessing to have shared memories that our just ours.

Hekel Family Christmas

 It's February, so we're going to speed through the rest of Christmas photos...

We had a lovely time with my parents, but as I type those words, I'm remembering that we were exhausted, and I was a little bit grumpy. Okay, I was a LOT grumpy. Traveling with four kids is hard when you're up all night. And like I've said before, one of the reasons I like taking pictures is that it highlights the joyful, happy memories. 

So here are some joyful memories.

 I think this silly picture is hilarious. First off - Camus is FINALLY perfectly calm and posed for the picture. My dad is pretending to give a "Classic Hannah" grumpy face. Pretty good, dad, pretty good. Dave is pretending to sleep. And the rest of us could catch a fly with our wide open mouths....

 We hadn't all been together since 2011, before Dan and Helen were even engaged. And since Camus is my mother's fourth child, it was only fitting that he join in the sibling photos too.

It was so good to get to see Dan and Helen again this year. Two years in a row was a particular blessing, one that we definitely don't take for granted.

And for good measure, I'll include some of my favorites from the time we spent with my parents.

 

Helen helped Abgail with her first cross-stitch project.

Harms Family Christmas 2014

 We literally took these family photos right before our final farewells.

...and yes, we're a little bit crazy! 

Six grandchildren are a busy blessing!

for the beauty of the Earth

I am thankful for the beauty of the Earth, particularly on a warm winter day! We were all invigorated by the fresh air after being cooped up inside for previous weeks of bitter cold. The brisk breeze accompanied by the warmth of the sun makes for a lovely afternoon, made lovelier by the antics of little ones and the sound of their laughter.

unzipped :)

 

Ellie is fast!

 

a cute little airplane

The highlight of their time outdoors was hunting for corncobs in the field and filling the bucket. Kids don't need toys and homes full of stuff! 

Meanwhile, Hannah was trying to tell Benton what to do. Seriously, more girls to boss me around. Jeepers! Sorry, buddy....

They were eager to drag their bucket full of treasures to the house to show Grandpa and Daddy.