NMU @ Saginaw

The first weekend in October we headed to Saginaw, MI for another one of my dad's football games. We were up in the UP the weekend before and since we were seeing my family back to back weekends, Rylee got to spend the week at Gramma and Grampa's house. She had a blast with everyone. She got to spend lots of time with Quincy too which was great. The week here with just Sadie seemed so quiet and easy. It was nice though to have some one on one time with Sadie. We also painted Rylee's bedroom (I'll eventually get around to posting pictures of her new room). We sure did miss our big girl but knew she was having such a good time with all the fam.

We left Friday afternoon and the ride was very easy. Sadie slept a lot and enjoyed watching Elmo. As you can see she was watching Elmo very intensely (trying to figure out why her big sis loves Elmo so much).

The game was awesome and I am so glad we were there for it! Saginaw was nationally ranked and we beat them 23-20 in the last few seconds of the game! It was so exciting and so much fun to rush the field after the game and give my dad a huge hug! It was great!

Sadie showing off her pretty blue eyes.

Sadie all smiles after the game. She joined in on the celebration too!

More smiles with mommy.
Rylee put my little cousins helmet on and put on her game face.

Sadie on the other hand was still all smiles.

All the excitement and fresh air eventually led to Quincy crashing in his stroller. The other kids fell asleep shortly after, as soon as we got in the car.

We were so happy the Kreider's were able to make it to the game too. They only live about an hour from Saginaw so they came to the game and then we went to their house after for the night. We always have so much fun when we are all together! The little girls fell asleep pretty early in the night but Rylee and Maddy played together til 11 before we finally put them to bed. They were playing so good together and the 4 of us adults were playing doubles tennis on the Wii that we all kind of lost track of time. What a great Saturday!

I was really bad with my camera and only got this one picture of the older girls together and didn't get any of the babies. When Jaclynn and I get together we are nonstop chatter boxes that I forget to take my camera out. I'll try to be better next time.

First Cereal Feeding

After Sadie's 4 month doctor's visit, we started feeding her cereal. We've now been feeding her for about a month now and its going a lot better. She's now a pretty good little eater. It was a little rough at the beginning but not because she didn't like it, because she would attack it and it went everywhere. She would attack the spoon with both her mouth and her hands. We couldn't stop her from putting her fingers in her mouth. After every bite she would shove her hand in and then half of it would end up on her. She finally doesn't shove her hand in her mouth anymore so the cereal actually stays in her mouth rather than all over her. These are a few pictures from Sadie's first time trying cereal. She wasn't sure about the first few bites but by the end of the bowl she was opening her mouth up and leaning in.

Not to sure about it.

Spitting it back out.

"what is this stuff?!"

"I guess its not too bad."

"I think I'll fill these big cheeks with more."

4 Months

I think it is about time I post Sadie's 4 month post considering she is almost 5 months old now. Like I said, the fall is a busy time for us, but I figure it's better late than never right.

Sadie started rolling over around 3.5 months and by 4 months she had it down. She rolls over a lot now, from back to tummy and tummy to back. She rolls right off of her blanket or activity mat. She is making it harder to change her diaper because she wants to roll while you do it. The above pictures are of her rolling around and playing on the floor.

This past month she also realized she loves to chew on her fist and her finger. She has her one pointer finger in her mouth a lot. Still no teeth but I don't think they'll be to far off.

Sadie is a huge fan of jumping! She prefers the jumperoo over the exersaucer or activity mat. Her favorite is actually jumping in your lap. She'll jump forever! My arms get tired way before her legs and my arms have actually been sore from all her jumping.

She is still getting up once a night. It usually is around 3 or 4 but sometimes even earlier. At her 4 month doctor appointment our doctor told us to start her on cereal. We have started her on it (that will be another post) but it hasn't helped her to sleep through the night yet.

Sadie also just started to giggle around 4 months. She giggles at Rylee more than mom or dad (even though we try harder). I guess Rylee is just funnier than us.

In all the pictures above you can see Sadie's cool hairstyle, a mohawk. Rylee had it to around this age. Her hair is really starting to thicken up in the middle but there's not a whole lot of growth going on on the sides. It's funny but cute.

Here's Sadie's 4 months stats. She's still tall and remains in the 99th %.

Weight: 13 lbs. 11 ozs. (53%)

Height: 26.25 inches (99%)

Head: 41 cm (60%)

Our Trip Home to the U.P.

As you all know, the fall is a busy time for us. It's football season and that means lots of trips to go watch my dad's games. I love it! 3 weeks ago we went home for NMU's homecoming. Not only did we head up to the U.P but our good friend's (and neighbors) the Dippold's joined us. We were so excited that they wanted to come with us. We decided to all pack into our Acadia. So we had 4 adults and 3 kids in 1 car and about 11 hours both ways. I don't know if you'll believe me but it really wasn't bad at all. The girls were all good (only tested us a few times) and we all fit fine. It was the Dippold's first time to the U.P. and it was a great weekend. I have tons of pictures from the weekend (thanks Ness) so I'll get to it.

We left Thursday after work and went as far as Gaylord. Then Friday we only had a few more hours to go. It was nice to split the drive up. When we got there on Friday the weather was absolutely beautiful. We went to my dad's practice and then we headed to the homecoming parade.

Our family watching the parade.

My sister Bailey was in the parade and she was handing out balloons to the kids.

Rylee with Gramma and Grampa (apparently Rylee was awestruck by whatever float was going by)

Kisses from Papa

They threw a lot of candy and we didn't have any bags so Vanessa emptied her purse and let the kids put the candy in that. They got tons of candy! Rylee loved picking it all up, she thought it was great.

Rylee showing Grace all of her candy, she looks so proud.

There are a lot more leaves to play with at home then there are down here in Indy. My dad collected a lot of leaves and the girls loved playing in them. It wasn't quite peak color yet but there was some color change and it was still pretty.

Rylee throwing the leaves at me and giggling the whole time.

The girls throwing the leaves up and still laughing.

Sadie even joined in on the fun.

The homecoming game was Saturday afternoon at 4. We did a little bit of tailgating at my parents and then headed to the dome for the big game. It was an awesome game! We beat Ferris St. 34-0! The second straight shutout at the dome!

The Superior Dome ("Yooper Dome")

Hugs!

Rylee watching Papa's team. It is so cute how she says "Go Cats". It's more like "Do Tats". She likes to look for Papa out on the field. Here she is sitting in the isle, maybe she can see better there.

Gramma trying to watch the game with all the kids hanging all over her.

Sadie slept for the first half and was wide awake for the second half.

Sadie watching the game with my Uncle Gary.

The kids love to run around down on the field (after the game obviously). They were throwing the ball around and tackling each other.

Family pic (I think it's our first since at the hospital with Sadie)

Group shot

Everyone was in such a good mood after the game. My parents had a party at their house after and it was a lot of fun. The weather was still so nice so we were able to be outside all night. On Sunday we had some pictures taken down by the water. I don't have the pictures back yet but when I do I'll be sure to post them too. That afternoon Brad and Ryan went out to deer camp to check it out and Vanessa, Mindi, and I climbed Sugarloaf Mountain while my mom watched all the kids.

Mindi and I on top of Sugarloaf

The three of us on our hike.

We left Monday morning. It was nice that we were able to take 2 days of vacation and make it a longer weekend. That way we got to do everything and not feel rushed. Rylee stayed with my family for the week so it was just Sadie and Grace for the long ride home and they did pretty good. It was such a great weekend...a big NMU victory, great weather, and lots of fun had with family and friends. Thanks for making the trip home with us Dippolds, hope you enjoyed the U.P!

Professional Pics

About a month ago I took the girls in for Sadie's 3 month pics and Rylee's 2 year pics. I knew it was going to be a lot harder with two and I was right. We made it a little easier and quicker by just having one outfit each and just a plain background, but it was still hard. I know it is kind of cheesy that the girls are in matching dresses but I thought it would be cute for their first pictures together. I promise I won't do it everytime. I was very happy with the pictures and I love the pictures of the girls together. So sweet!

This was the same place I took Rylee for her 3 month pictures and I had Precious Parts done for her so I wanted to do the same for Sadie. I still have Rylee's up and I can't wait to put Sadie's up next to hers.

Here's a few of the pictures from the precious parts. How sweet and innocent does she look in this first picture.