babes in toyland - chikaustin

babes in toyland

January29th

4 Comments

four months old

Posted in: babes in toyland

Already?!? You look a little surprised.

Chloe, this is your signature look. Wide eyed and bushy tailed. Eyebrows raised. I imagine you are looking around at us and saying ‘really???’

Yes Chloe, this is YOUR family. Welcome, we are all a little bit crazy.

You are still a drooling machine (drooly sleeve above), but now you have added rolling to your repetoire. And somehow you scoot all around your crib. I’m still not sure how you are doing that. You share a room with your big sister and immediately stop crying when you hear her talking to herself or reading bedtime stories. Yes, she talks a lot.

This blue gown was made by your great-aunt, worn by your cousins, and also worn by Makena and Keegan. I will be very sad the day you outgrow it.

Happy four month birthday Chloe!

Watch me grow…

Month One

Month Two

Month Three
January25th

9 Comments

craft hope world headquarters

Posted in: babes in toyland

I have a lot to catch you up on. But right now I’m a listing machine in the Craft Hope Etsy shop. And just so you know that I’ve got everything under control, I thought I’d show you a peek behind the scenes. This, my friends, is what goes on while I’m busy working on Craft Hope.

Yep folks, I’ve got it all under control. Nothing to worry about.

See that desk in the corner over there? Craft Hope World Headquarters… just in case you were wondering.
January2nd

5 Comments

what i made in 2009

Posted in: babes in toyland

Happy Three Month Birthday Chloe! This is your pirate face. This month, you drool. A lot. You also fidget like you are going places. And you just started baby talk. You especially like it when you get a bit of saliva in your throat and gurgle. You are your very own sound effects machine.

Watch me grow…

Month One

Month Two

****

Yes, that is Chloe’s rocker and crib moved into another room. Always adapting and changing around here. Will show you the changes very soon.
December24th

10 Comments

we wish you a merry christmas

Posted in: babes in toyland, celebrations

As I sat in church this evening for Christmas Eve candlelight service I realized how truly blessed I am. We got there early to get a good seat, and found the perfect one right next to the fire burning in the fireplace. Holding my 11 week old I moved from position to position to attempt to keep her noises at a minimum. Bounce the baby. Rock the baby. Show the baby the flicker from the fireplace. Plug the baby. Shsh the baby. Shift positions. Bounce the baby. Rock the baby. Walk out into the lobby. Plug the baby. Walk back in. Grab a faux-candle. Smell baby poop. Hand back over the faux-candle. Walk back out.

Makena sat with her daddy and Keegan slept peacefully. Lulled to sleep by the Christmas lullabies in my brother’s lap. The service ended with the congregation singing Silent Night. It took me back to when Makena was a newborn, only a couple of days home from the hospital. She had an extended stay in the NICU. I remember, just like yesterday, holding my first born. Holding her as tight as I possibly could. Singing the same very song to her, home with our new family of three.

Right now we are home, tracking Santa online. He’s in Puerto Rico so it’s about time to hurry the kids along to bed. He’ll be here shortly. Here is a photo, taken only moments ago. Makena precariously holding Chloe, while I’m holding my breath. Keegan, not wanting to take a picture but rather wanting some juice. I love these moments. The frustration from a boy who is tired of his mama taking his picture. The joy of a big sister to have a little one to dress just alike. And the new baby, who we are just beginning to know.

Friends, may you treasure every moment of the season and hold these memories close to your heart. From our family to yours we hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
December11th

6 Comments

sugar bear

Posted in: babes in toyland

It has been unseasonably cold here in Austin. This summer it was unseasonably hot, and now it’s cold. It even snowed this week. Not enough to stick of course, but just enough to make us stop everything we were doing and run outside to play. Then quickly realize that pajama pants are not the best snow frolicking attire. The kids ran and twirled under the snowflakes. Savoring every last bit of it. And then the sunshine came out, not five minutes later, and we all returned to our normal routine.

This week my big girl celebrated her fifth birthday. I can’t quite put into words what she means to me. Being my first born, the thoughts of how my life has changed since becoming a mama gets me all choked up. This weekend is her birthday party and Christmas program at church so maybe after all of that is over I can sit down and write it out. I’ll probably need a box of tissues.

The newest member of our family loves her some Christmas lights. We all do. And I have to say that so far this has been the BEST holiday ever. Our little family of five. For the first time in my life I feel complete.
December8th

12 Comments

two months old

Posted in: babes in toyland

Happy two month (and a few days, but who’s counting) birthday Chloe!

You are alert, squirmy, and attentive. You strain your neck to keep your eyes on your big brother and sister. You want to be held. Still. All. Day. Long. I don’t mind so much. Until we run out of clean underwear. Then it becomes a problem.

You sleep best swaddled, wrapped up in a little cocoon. Or a straight jacket (that was for you Chris!). You are sweet, cuddly, and have the prettiest smile.

We like to call you our little Fraggle. You don’t know about Fraggle Rock just yet, but your eyes make you look like a Fraggle. I’m just sayin’.

You can’t really perform any tricks yet. You are just happy to be here. As long as you are being held. I love you sweet little bit.

********

Watch Me Grow :: Month One
October30th

13 Comments

one month old

Posted in: babes in toyland

Where on earth did the last month go? I blinked and a month has gone by. I’m sorry I haven’t updated this space in a while. I have not had a second to myself. Yesterday, among one of my many baby feeding sessions I began to wonder what I did with all of my free time when I only had two kids. Then I remember having only one kid and thinking ‘oh my God, how on earth will I ever be able to do this.’ Seriously?

Happy one month birthday Chloe. Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the hair bows!

I received the best advice yesterday from another mama of three. I think she could see the desperation in my eyes. The guilt that I feel my other two have felt cast aside. She told me to ‘love the lamb you are with.’ Giving that sweet child every ounce of attention that I possibly can. In whatever amount of time that I have with them.

So today I did just that. Since I spend the nights whole-heartedly with Chloe I made sure to wake up early and make breakfast for everyone. My hubby got up early with me, put on a fire, and made the coffee. We spent time together, reading the paper over our morning coffee, with no interruptions.

While Chloe took her morning nap I made zucchini muffins and pumpkin muffins with the kids. Allowing them to make a mess, to stir however they like. Giving myself permission to make a mess with them.

This afternoon it’s time for Chloe. The kids are outside, enjoying the falling temperatures the change of seasons has brought with it. I’m wearing Chloe, taking time out for cuddles while juggling all of my other mama duties. All the while loving the one I am with. Now mind you, this changes by the minute. Always loving someone different.

I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween weekend! And by all means love the lamb you are with.
October20th

11 Comments

let the wild rumpus start

Posted in: babes in toyland

When I’m pregnant, it feels like time goes sooo slow. But since I’ve had Chloe time is slipping away. It’s moving and it’s moving fast! Today she is already three weeks old and as I look at her I see a sweet newborn plumping up into a big baby. Fortunately a good friend came out to our house when Chloe was a week and a half old to take some pictures for us. I certainly feel blessed to be surrounded with great photographers.

I wish I had more time to chat, but it’s dinner time and Chloe is stirring. I don’t get many moments to myself these days, but that is fine by me. I’m really digging this three kid dynamic.

Let the wild rumpus start! Our new family motto.
October7th

11 Comments

getting our hands dirty

Posted in: babes in toyland, mama life

Today we are playing, loving, nesting, laughing, feeding, changing, burping, and napping. We are exploring, digging, encouraging, and helping.

We all have new roles with the new baby in the house. Each one of us.

I am working on balancing. Balancing being a mama to three. Realizing that everyone needs a bit of mama time. Each one of them in their own way.

Keegan, adjusting to not being the baby. Needing mama time, but not able to find the right words to tell me. Me, learning to recognize and give him the time he needs. Not pressuring him to be the ‘big boy’ I really need him to be, but allowing him to get there on his own.

Makena, realizing that she is the ring leader of this crazy kid circus. Keeping up and playing with Keegan. Settling into her new role, embracing it really. Wanting to help me. Wanting to hold Chloe. Wanting to be a part of it all. Wanting to be more independent than I’m ready for her to be.

And Chloe, well what can I say… sleeping, burping, napping, pooping, crying, swinging, cuddling, loving. The baby smiles when she sleeps, the coos, the baby noises I’m not used to. The late nights watching reruns of Three’s Company and The Cosby Show with her in my arms. The moments we usually complain about, but I’m treasuring. For a night of catnaps, a pumpkin spice latte in the morning makes it all better again.

So friends, you can find us at home. Each one of us settling in to what it means to be a family of five. And never looking too far forward or back.
October3rd

46 Comments

sweet child of mine

Posted in: babes in toyland, celebrations, mama life

Chloe Jeanette Sims :: Born September 29, 2009 :: 12:52 pm :: 8 lbs. 7 oz. :: 20.5 inches :: Austin, Texas

We came home with Chloe yesterday evening. After two summers of drought, we came home to a yard filled with flowers. All of the plants and trees are blooming purple, yellow, white and pink flowers. I like to think that God brought us flowers for the baby’s delivery. Along with the most precious gift he could give us. A sweet baby girl. My heart is full of love and gratitude. My head is hazy from a combination of a lack of sleep and pain killers for the c-section.

Makena and Keegan are adjusting like they should. We are trying to make sure they are getting quality time as well. So far, so good.

Chloe’s heart is perfect. Such a blessing. And we are incredibly grateful.

I’m sitting in the bedroom right now wearing Chloe in a sling so I can type up this post and share her with you. I’ll be on here as much as I can. I’ve got about 500 pictures I took at the hospital to sort out as well.