Malaya is Seven Months

Oh this little beauty we like to call Malaya-Taya. She is our sweet, sweet princess and her brothers are beyond over the galaxy for her! Blake will look at a picture of her and start baby talking to it. Parker consistently comes in each morning just to see her smile at him. Isaac can't wait to touch and hold her each day and praises her for learning new things. I still get teary eyed when I realize I have a girl and don't even get me started on Shaun. He is tightly wrapped around each of her precious little fingers!

Malaya is a busy little thing and has great hand-eye coordination for when she quickly wants to put tiny objects in her mouth without getting caught. She is getting better at sleeping but with her tummy figuring out new foods and teeth on the way (I think), there's still no consistency when it comes to her naps and night time. Curious monkey doesn't want to miss anything. She babbles and coos and has had a "mama" and "dada" stage already. However, her favorite is to growl at stuffed animals while attacking them and to squeal in delight when she has a big handful of her brothers' hair.

We thank God for this priceless treasure!  

Perfect sweetness!

 





She is very versatile- One moment she's dainty and the next she's playing ball. But no matter the case, she's always picture perfect! 

Miss M takes on different personalities depending on which brother she is with... It's very interesting to observe. With Isaac, who she is most like (pray for me), she is calm and observant. She also has the same affect on him and he seems to bring his energy level down a notch. They are really good for each other.

 

Quick comparison of my two crazies. Malaya is a cross between Isaac and Parker. More Parker at birth but turning into an Isaac for sure. Here's the comparison of Isaac at 7mos and Malaya at 5mos.

 

 

Malaya is mesmerized by Parker. She watches him closely as he sings to her and seems so secure with the way he protects her from falling.  

 

But then there are times he joins in with her psycho-ness and that's when Isaac steps in and calms her!

 

I don't have many pictures of this duo because together they are just silly and that usually means I have the video camera out. They make each other laugh over the smallest things. She's like a little school girl with a big crush when she's with Blake!

 

Not thinking she'll need any weapons for her first birthday. Well, unless they come in pink or purple.

 

Sadly, she has zero cleaning skills so far. We have a lot to work on!

 

But that face! It gets me every time... even at 5am!

 

This is her 6 month check up. She was 21 pounds

(2 mo = 14 lbs and 4 mo = 18 lbs)

Doctor said she was very advanced for her age. She is predicting her to walk by ten months. Oh wow!

 

 

And today, for the big seven months (and because our family doesn't stop), she got her very own helmet and seat for daddy's bike. Now she can join us on rides AND I can still get Juju Bar whenever I want!

 

We love you Wild Thing!

 

 

 

New born stage, gone! Hello Five months

Five months brought many new adventures and firsts for Malaya. She changed so much and became this new little person! The baby, baby stage began to disappear and Miss Personality showed up.

The cutest five month old I've ever seen!

(since her brothers)

She sat up on her own and even gave us some super sassy poses.

But she is a thinker too and will investigate new situations... Or patterns on her pants!

And can she melt us all with her smile!

She had her first nail appointment... She's got some claws!

She learned to accessorize... You have to find the perfect bow for that adorable outfit!

At five months and one day old she began planking... Yoga instructor is her newest title.

 

She had her first plane ride and did amazing... Especially considering the flights to and from Michigan were pretty much red eyes. YUCK!

She met Great Aunt Cathy at the same age I was when she first held me.

The layover in Phoenix meant Aunt Julie was close and came to see us.

And Uncle Aaron and Uncle Mike finally got to meet her.

She experienced grass for the first time and loved it...

 

She got to tour her first big city and see where she may preform someday. Iso gave her an opera nick name because she's so loud and vocal.

She left the country for the first time, too... Canada, eh!

Malaya Eileen

Malaya Eileen arrived on February 9th.

 

She weighed 8lbs. 9oz and was either 20 or 21 inches

(I have received two measurements from two different sources... Lame)

 

She was absolutely perfect

 

Daddy immediately cried tears of joy
(and disbelief)

 

I was left speechless as the tears rolled down my cheeks 

 

Did God really give us a baby GIRL?

 

The desire of my heart was now fulfilled...

... with a daughter

 

She was the most amazing surprise I have ever received

 

Worth every wondering minute of my long 40 weeks and 4 days of being pregnant

 

Yes, I'd wait for her all over again...

Brothers are still in love with her

They tell her so...

Everyday

All day long
 

 

 But this is my favorite...

Daddy and his little girl

It's amazing how quickly she found her way into his heart

And she's not going anywhere

 

Before I got pregnant, God had been working on my heart. It was always my dream to have a baby girl, but I finally trusted God to give us what we needed... And if that meant another boy, then that is what I would love. However, being pregnant makes you lose your mind at times and definitely plays with your emotions. There were days I pictured having another little boy, but other days I longed for a girl.

 

One day I was reading in Isaiah and chapter 45, verse 3 brought tears to my eyes. It says,

 

"I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."

 

I knew in my heart that this was God telling me that the hidden treasure (this baby) that was stored in a secret place (my womb) was my daughter. But, my faith was weak and my head didn't let me believe.

Well, I saved the verse and today I realize it was actually a promise given to me. Malaya is my rich  treasure that God carefully saved for now. Only He knows the deepest desires of our hearts and will fulfill them at His perfect time. When the doctor held Malaya in front of me, revealing that the life that had been growing inside of me was a girl, it was God's perfect moment fulfilled!

Malaya has brought a tenderness to our home. A sense of peace that is hard to find in a home of so many boys. She is the little bundle of joy that makes my boys talk in high pitch squeaky voices as they so sweetly tell her not to cry.

We love you more than words could ever express, baby girl!

Pink and Blue Baby Shower

On January 9th, my sister and four, super-special friends had a baby shower for me! It was absolutely perfect and I felt so loved. Like to the point of being overwhelmed! You know those lovely "out of whack" preggo hormones make you cry and laugh at the same time! It took a few days, but all the gifts are now organized and ready for this baby to make its grand entrance. And I'm left with wonderful memories from the day!

My girls!

Tori, Jodi, Michelle, and Jamie

Unwrapped and ready to be organized! So much good stuff!

Some of the décor that was sprinkled around Jamie's already pretty house!

Family that was able to come! So glad my mom and sister could come from Arizona!

Fellow boy moms! Between us seven moms we have 17 boys!

Old friends. New friends. Gym friends. Church friends. Neighbor friends.

Taking a break in the new glider (from Ammah and Papa) and showing off the 36 week baby bump!

Pregnancy #4

So we're about three weeks away from meeting our little girl/boy. The anticipation is finally building. I have been so at ease just waiting and not having to collect anything. Seriously, eight months of no prep is relaxing (well, other than the normal chaos of having three boys already)! Choosing names has been a different story but, watching others go insane because they don't know the gender has been worth it! However, the anxiety has heightened and over analyzing the moment Shaun announces boy or girl is getting me all emotional! But, pink and blue is packed and ready for whatever gift God has chosen to give us!

This pregnancy has been so different, yet I have to really dig to figure out how. My tummy grew the same and smells still really got to me but, my nose didn't plug up and I don't have dark spots on my face. This baby is just as crazy as her/his three older brothers were in the womb but, he/she also sleeps at night. Which is a first! The biggest blessing is that all my appointments have been boring... Meaning, the baby and I are healthy! Other than me needing a little extra iron boost!

The boys are thrilled and can't wait to hold their new little sibling. I haven't sensed any jealousy from any of them... Pure joy! Maybe it's because no one's having to give up their room though... Well, except Shaun. With only a three bedroom house, this little one will be with us till who knows when. Parker and Blake share and Isaac got his own room last year, which has been SO good for him. Half the loft was transformed into a nursery, so we'll reevaluate as the baby grows!

Thankful for the modern neutral: grey and white chevron stripes

End of first trimester

20 weeks.

The tech who did the ultrasound didn't even look to see if it was a boy or girl. So, the only one that knows "Quanto's" true identity is the One that created her/him.

24 weeks in Hawaii

 

Beginning of third trimester

Happy Thanksgiving! 30 weeks!

 

36 weeks! Baby's head is down and turned the right way!

 

November and December

The pictures to chose from for these two months were endless. But there is no time to sit and upload photos. Three of my four men had birthdays during these months. While there was lots going, this is what will forever be printed.  

 

November '15

The first week of November is always Homecoming at CBU. So glad Nichole and her kids could come! It's not the same without her there!

The boys and I went on a school fieldtrip to Riley's Farm. They learned how life was lived long ago.

 

 

Finished the first season with all three boys in sports. It was CRAZY! Especially with Shaun gone on two strike teams and me being preggo.

Isaac had a great 8th birthday and had several celebrations. On the 12th we went to the fire station so he could have his annual hot chocolate with dad.

 

 

Parker got to celebrate his 6th birthday at school with all his buddies. He was the Kinder Star of the week and passed out lots of sweets.

 Our annual trip to Glamis was awesome. I may have been 30 weeks pregnant, but I wasn't going to miss out on all the fun. However, by day three, I was ok sitting in the trailer and reading and napping! The boys continued to party on though.

  

We went straight from Glamis to Arizona for Thanksgiving! The weather was finally cool and the cousins played till they dropped each night!

 

December '15

We had our second annual progressive dinner with the Copes, Elliotts, and Firetags x 2. Such a fun celebration with all our 16 1/2 kids!

No this is not a baby reveal party with pink and blue cupcakes. It's Shaun's birthday. Seems that those are the colors of choice though as we sit and wonder what baby #4 is. We celebrated Shaun's birthday early because the boys had a day off school and he was oblivious to the schedule. He was shocked when he got home from work and the boys were sitting on the couch with a birthday sign. Good job boys!

 

 Free LEGOLAND tickets? Yes please!

Thankful to have a picture with something bigger than my belly, the Death Star.

 

 We enjoyed a much needed family get away in Lake Arrowhead at Shaun's captains "cabin." I use that word loosely seeing as how it's over 3,000 square feet. We had a wonderful time playing in the snow and breathing in fresh air! 

 

 More than likely this will be our last Christmas in this house. I want to remember this set up forever. This was the first year I put the tree in the family room and it make the season that much more wonderful!

 

 

 Daddy got held over for a little on Christmas morning so the boys were trying to be so patient. It was very hard to do... Ten o'clock couldn't come soon enough!

 

A few days after Christmas we went camping with Shaun's family. We rang in the New York new year sitting around the camp fire relaxing!

 

Good bye 2015 and hello 2016

This will be the year of our sweet baby boy/girl!