Happy 4th Birthday, Millie!

My Millie. What a dear, sweet girl. Loves dresses (twirly ones if at all possible). Loves life. I am so thankful for this day four years ago when God gave her to us.

Today we had our traditional birthday donuts and presents (Cinderella dress, Pink and Purple Leapster with Tangled and Princess games, a Sleeping Beauty bath doll and gum from Hunter). The gum is something we have told Millie she could have when she turned four. After she swallowed two pieces today we're thinking we may still need to wait a while. We went to Chuck E Cheese and had the place to ourselves...lots of riding the little rides and getting her picture taken for the little cards they print out.

Millie, I love you soooo much. I am so thankful for the gift of my girl. You bring enthusiasm and laughter to our family. You are sweet in your words. I love when you tell me I am beautiful or that my outfit is beautiful. I love your sweet voice that often says: "I love you, Mommy." Our family would not be the same without you.

Here are a few pics from today. To see the birthday photos from past years, go here.

My little girl is 4. Where is the time going? Lord, may I treasure these days.

Sooooo excited about presents!!!

Birthday Donuts...a Friederichsen family tradition that started with Millie's first birthday

Cinderella playing with her new Leapster

Sister and Brother enjoying the roller coaster simulator at Chuck E Cheese

Chuck E Cheese came out right before we left to wish Millie a happy birthday

The Things They Say...

I have enjoyed putting Will in this sleeper of Hunter's. A few Sunday nights ago after children's choir, a friend of mine saw Will in this sleeper and just knew her 4 year old son would love it since it is in the pattern of his favorite animal. We brought her son over to see Will, and the conversation went a little something like this:

Jenn (holding her son close to Will): Joshua, what does this outfit remind you of?

Joshua: Jesus
Jenn: No, what animal does it remind you of?
Joshua (with a big grin): Oh, a giraffe!

Looks like a giraffe, but he just knew the answer had to be Jesus!

William Oliver - 3 Months Old

April 2, 2011 - Will at 3 months old

3 Months ago I fell in love. William Oliver Friederichsen entered the world and changed my life. I look at so many things differently now that he is here. Now that he is in my arms. In our home. Growing. Changing so much everyday. Will, I am so thankful for you. You are making me a better mama. I love kissing your cheeks and trying to get every little smile and smirk I can out of you.

Here are some thing you are doing at 3 months old:

Smiling...finally! You aren't quite consistent, but you definitely give us a few smiles everyday...which warm your mama's heart.

You are now in 3-6 month clothes. I just washed them all up last week.

You just had your first blow-out diaper today. Had to wash all the bed linens, because it happened when you were laying on my bed. Since I didn't notice right away, I moved you from my sheets to the comforter, so the sheets, comforter, comforter cover, and mattress pad all got washed today.

You had your first babysitter tonight. Beckie and Mark Robb came so that Mommy and Daddy could go out to dinner for Daddy's birthday. We left you for 3 1/2 hours, and you did great! Mrs. Robb said that you slept happily in your stroller as they took Hunter and Millie to the church to ride bikes. You sucked down your bottle and stayed wide awake for a while. Then you went to sleep easily and stayed asleep until we got home at 8:30 p.m.

You are nursing better. You are taking full feedings in the mornings which is fun for Mommy. We are still working on the rest of the day. Hopefully by four months you will be back to nursing 100%. That is my prayer.

Sometimes you look like Hunter, and sometimes you look like Millie....and sometimes you have a look all of your own.

You will be baptized next Sunday. We are looking forward to that day.

You are still getting up once in the night. I am longing for the day I can sleep more than 4 hours at a time, but Daddy is feeding you around 11 or 11:30, and then you are up again between 4-4:30 a.m. and then up for the day between 7:30-8:00 a.m. Eating seven times/day.

Will, I can't believe you are three months already. One quarter of your first year has passed...and I will try to breathe in all the moments I can as you continue to grow into the little man God has made you to be. I love you, sweet boy.

Getting a little Big Bro time with Hunter

We went to Park Avenue and the Farmer's Market this morning.
I love carrying you in the Moby, and you love it too. Soooo snuggly.

CHEESE!!!

Still such little toes

Chillin' with Daddy...still loving your paci but not as much as last month

Gonna try to get more pictures with Mommy in them.
Mommy loves you, little one!