The Cox Corner: April 2013

Where has the winter gone? I am pretty sure I am going to look back on this season of my life, and it’s just going to be one big, foggy memory. Since Hannah has joined our family, the days and weeks seem to be flying by even quicker. I have learned since our family has grown, that laundry is only done for what seems like a brief second. Just as I am feeling a load has lifted off my shoulders, someone has an accident, or spills, or something of that sort. It’s all just part of being a Mommy to little ones. I have learned to try to let some things go, but it’s not easy. I have realized the blog is probably always going to be behind, there will always be cleaning to do, dishes to do, or laundry to fold. I know with just a blink of my eyes I will be missing having someone’s laundry to do, and the craziness that comes with little ones in the house. It’s unbelievable to me that May is just a day away, and summer is around the corner. So, I am well overdue writing about our winter experiences. However, better late than never, right?

Hannah brought us so much joy in our first winter months together, as well as lots of sleepless nights. She is still a very content baby, with the exception of not wanting to go to bed at a decent hour. I have been really working on it, but she is a stubborn little thing.

In January, we started seeing Hannah’s eyes open a lot more. It was then that we realized that her eyes were looking blue. I could not believe it, considering Rod and I both have brown eyes. I know that genetics can bring on some surprises, but I never would have dreamed we would have a blue eyed girl with fair skin and light colored hair. Such a fun blessing! As I have gotten older I have appreciated my dark colored eyes, especially after they appeared on Aubrey. However, seeing Hannah's blue eyes has warmed my heart. In January, we also noticed her eye lashes coming in, and it looks like she got her Daddy’s eye lashes, just like our other girls!

Poor Hannah seems to battle thrush quite a bit, as well as colds and ear infections. I am not going to be surprised if she ends up getting tubes at some point, but it’s not the end of the world. I think it’s somewhat related to being the youngest in the family, since she picks up her siblings germs.

The girls are each such a blessing to me, and seeing Aubrey and Ryleigh as big sisters this year has been so much fun to watch. There are many moments that I wish they would give their little sister her space, but honestly I think Hannah loves it most of the time. I never imagined I would have all girls, but I love the joys that each of them have brought to my life.

There were lots of fun memories created in the month of January, and I hope you enjoy them to. So, here you go…

January in Review....

Celebrating Christmas with Mimi and Papi-January 1, 2013

Mimi and Papi were so patient with celebrating Christmas with our family. All the girls got sick right after Christmas, and so it put a damper in our plans of opening presents together. Poor Aubrey and Ryleigh had been so excited about getting to stay at Mimi and Papi's for a few days, but that has been put on hold for another time. Anytime Aubrey gets sick now she will say, "Now I don't get to go to Mimi and Papi's house."

I love the matching outfits Mimi got the girls for Christmas! The girls looked so cute wearing them on our first Sunday at church.

Thank you for the quarters Great Granny Cox, and Great Granny Johnston!

Hannah was not a happy camper here!

Mimi has the touch....

Mimi and Papi opening their presents. Who doesn't love gift cards?

Papi got put in timeout!

Ahh.....

Hannah is a bobby fan!

Hannah is unahappy again, but we can pretend she is laughing, right?

Hannah's first time in her new swing! Thank you Katherine!

January 4, 2013

First Dinner at the Pruetts with Hannah!

I love this picture Tam took! Ryleigh and her special lovie!

Dress up is a must at the Pruett House!

Hannah was so little here.....

Rod and Zack got to enjoy watching the Aggie game together! Ryleigh joined in the fun too!

Visit from Laura, Edie and Sarah Kate

Sister bonding time!

I love this girl!

Aubrey and Ryleigh pretending to be babies in the crib!

Aubrey and Ryleigh putting all the quarters from Great Granny Johnston in their piggy banks! Thank you!

Thanks for the dress up clothes Great Granny Johnston, and thanks for the Jewelry Aunt Penny!

Aubrey and Kate love playing Mommy!

Hannah and Claire in their matching outfits!

And more matching outfits...

This was my attempt to get Hannah to take a pacifier....it failed!

January 8, 2013

Ryleigh's first time to go on the potty!!

This was Ryleigh's first time to ever go on the potty, and I was so excited! I've tried to be more easy going this time around on the potty training. I didn't push it much, because potty training and having a newborn is a challenge! From this day forward we took the approach of, if you want to go on the potty, great, if you don't, that's okay too. The only time we insisted on her going is before bath. It was not until recently that we gave her the chance of wearing underwear, and it has been a fairly easy process. We are so proud of her!

And Aubrey's first time to give Hannah a bottle! (Why, oh why did we not pratice this more!)

January 10, 2013

First time to take all 3 to preschool!

I was so proud of myself!

Sleep time!

First playdate with Owen and Harper at Frisco Commons!

January 11, 2013

Sweet Sister Pictures....

Aubrey practicing some photography

Great first smiles from Hannah....

Enjoying a fun pizza party to celebrate Luke's 4!

Hannah's first time to use her special towel!

January 14, 2013

Another snowy day- January 15, 2013

Family Day at Frisco Commons-January 21, 2013

Martin Luther King Day

Thank you for Hannah's warm outfit Mimi!

We love this park!

We had such a fun day of spending time together as a family, and enjoying a beautiful day! We ate some yummy Chick-fil-A afterwards, which is one our girls favorite places to eat! (We weren't brave enough to eat it there, but it was just as yummy at home!)

Celebrating Aubrey's Summer Birthday at School (Just a little over her half birthday)

January 24, 2013

Ryleigh was all ready to participate, and went and sat down when the teachers called the kids to the carpet.

Aubrey was in no mood to be the center of attention (Not typically her cup of tea)

Afterwards, Ryleigh, Hannah and I met up with Carly, Claire and Aunt Tam at the Arbor Hills Preserve. Another one of my favorite parks!

I am sad we only got to enjoy this outfit once! Hannah grows so much faster than Ryleigh did!

January 20-26-Started the bad habit of putting Hannah in the car seat to sleep

I have to say, it did help with the reflux and sleeping issues!

January 25, 2013- Night Out at La Hacienda while Nana and Papa Babysat (Celebrating Rod's 34th Birthday)

The girls loved how silly their Papa was being! My turn, my turn!

Thanks for Babysitting Nana and Papa!

Hannah came with us on our date night, and she did great! She slept the entire time! I did some serious chowing on chips and salsa!

Papa wore out the girls!

January 26th-Rod's birthday

I made a homemade cookie cake! (Rod's favorite)

First time for Hannah to go to Aunt KK's House-Elllee's Birthday Celebration

January 27, 2013

Jaydan is always so sweet to the babies!

One of the people in my family, who also has Hannah's blue eyes!

Rod opening his birthday cards from the fam

Happy Birthday Ellee!

Lori and Aunt KK

Hannah and Claire

Aubrey being a sweet cousin to Claire

Will and Hannah

There are plenty of girls to play with at Tate Family get togethers!

First Time to go to Small Group-January 27

Hannah and Owen (Hannah's future boyfriend)

January 28-Playdate at Tami's House

Look at all those awesome little Mommies!

January 31- First trip to Chili's with Hannah (The first of many, as it is one of my favorite restaurants!)

These girls love their chips and queso too! Carly and Ryleigh enjoyed getting to be big sisters all by themselves, while their sisters were in school.