She sure is

Today I remembered that Tiny is 4 months old. I want to put an updated picture of her on the blog. She is getting so big and squishy. Some cute things she does are she tilts her head to the side when you talk to her. I don't know why, but it's so adorable. She sleeps from 9-5ish. She loves when Seth sings to her. She will be crying and he will go over to her and sing and she will stop and watch him. She rolls over to her back when I put her on her stomach. She's so much fun! I will update her stats at her 4 month appt. it's on the 20th.

Tiny's updated stats at 4 months. 

12 lbs. 8 oz. she's in the 25%

Length is 25 inches or 75% I'd like to point out that she was 21 inches at birth. 4 inches in 4 months. CRAZY!!!

Her head was 16 inches. She's getting so big and we still dig her!

Short but so sweet!

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite joys of having babies is bath time. All of my babies but one, who shall remain nameless, loved bath time. I just can't resist a baby in a big fluffy towel! Like I said, this post is short, but she is soooo sweet!

Blessing Day

On Sunday September 29, 2013 we blessed Faith. I think she knew it was a special day because she was so good all day long. When she was born I felt like she was just a baby and there weren't many things about her that made her different from my boys besides the physical differences. As I have spent a lot of time with her and I've gotten to know her my opinion has changed...drastically. There is a spirit of peace and humility about her. When I look into her eyes I see the light of Christ shining through her. I feel that all my kids are destined for greatness in different ways, but I am finding this out about Faith much sooner. 

I didn't write any of her blessing down, but I will try and remember as much as I can. There were some really special things that she was blessed with. She was blessed with a strong healthy body. As a mother that's always good to hear. She was blessed to find an eternal companion that will take her to the temple. Another sigh of relief from me. 

She was blessed to have children and experience the joys of motherhood.

Some other things she was blessed with were much more specific. She was blessed to have a wonderful and fulfilling relationship with her mother. She was blessed to be very close to me and we are to teach each other many things. That means I will learn from her as much as she learns from me. She was blessed with the ability and responsibility to teach her brothers how to treat and respect women. In turn they will take good care of, protect, and love her. She was blessed with power to bless the lives of those around her because of her beautiful spirit. Something like that. 

After sacrament the whole family went back to my house. My dad mentioned to me that in the circle he didn't close his eyes through the entire blessing. (Sorry to rat you out Dad) He said he couldn't take his eyes off of Faith. She was staring up at the ceiling and he knew she was looking up into heaven. He could feel that the veil was so thin for her in those few minutes. That was another special moment shared that day.

All in all, it was a very overwhelming, spiritual, and wonderful day. She is our angel and I am feeling so blessed to be entrusted with such a special and beautiful soul in my life. At 12 weeks she is already a perfect addition to our family. I am so excited for her to grow up and see who she will become, but for now I'm just going to cuddle with her.

She is so pretty!

First things first

This week was filled with a lot of firsts that are worthy enough to mention. 

My adorably sweet baby, Faith, slept through the night. She is 8 weeks tomorrow. She is such a rock star baby. 

Josh is at the stage where he just wants to drink all the time. This week he decided that he loves chocolate milk. I had to invest in some Hershey's syrup in order to make him happy. This is noteworthy because none of my other kids drank milk of the chocolate persuasion. 

Seth is having a hard time lately laying off the video games. It has required some adult intervention. I am creating a mandatory cooking class for him. So far, every Tuesday because that's what day it is today. We made Dutch soft pretzels. I thought I'd have to drag him kicking and screaming into the kitchen, but after he finished his level he came willingly. See the issue we have here?

Folding the pretzel shapes

Brushing with egg

Eating the finished product! Yummy!

Adam took on the task of mowing the lawn. He's only 8, and it seemed like a very hard job for him, but he did well.

He even found time to be funny. That's just his style:)

Noah has always struggled with reading. He can do it, and he's really quite good at it, but unfortunately he follows after the likes of his mother and doesn't enjoy it very much. He finally found a book that he enjoys, and has consistently been reading every day without having to pull any hair out or bribing or reading to him. Hopefully when he's finished it, not if, we can find another one he can enjoy.

Me, I've started running again. I can only stand to be the chubby wife for so long before I have to take action. Everyone says I've got a good excuse with the baby and all, but why would I use it? I'd rather lose it.

(Sorry no photo available)

Then there is Ben. You better ask him. He's not around enough for me to know if he's tried something new this week.

You gotta have Faith

I know, I know, I know I totally missed the opportunity to post about the new baby in our family, Faith Elizabeth Horsley. She is a complete miracle, and joy in my life. No one, least of all me, ever thought I'd have a girl. However, here she is.

She is beautiful. She was born July 11, 2013. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 1 oz and was 21 inches long. (The exact measurements of Noah) She has really long feet, toes and fingers. Her toes are my favorite. I don't know how they have nails on them because they are so small. 

Just like Noah she was born with lots of dark hair. Perhaps it will grow out blond and have reverse tips like Noah did.

The boys all love her and are willing to hold her if I need to go to the bathroom or make lunch. Adam is especially in love with her and willing to help. Which is funny because he was the one who was disappointed when I found out she was a girl. Now he's singing a different tune. At the hospital, I had to set a timer so Adam and Noah would take turns holding her. They weren't willing to share her otherwise.

My mom bought her this cute tutu skirt and I put it on her on Sunday. When Josh came home from church he says, "Mom, you put on your babies pretty princess?" Yes son, I put on her princess. 

Josh hasn't grasped a couple of concepts yet. He calls her a him and a brother. He says "your baby" or "that baby" when he refers to her. I don't think he's quite ready to claim her as his sister.

 We are all so excited to have her here. She is a very calm and sweet baby who sleeps pretty well so far and eats like a rock star. She loves to cuddle and be held by anyone who will pick her up. Now that she is a week old I am finally introducing her to you. Faith, we love you and wish you good luck being in the Horsley family.