In Case They Ever Wonder

My Precious Lulu,      You turned one! And I have to say it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. In fact, it was really a wonderful day. A small part of me was dreading your first birthday because I know you are my last my baby. I know this is our last first birthday party, our last first bite of cake, our very last year of firsts. But though I leave our last "first" year behind, it's hard to look at it as leaving when really I'm running headlong into more adventures with a baby girl that I know so much more about than I did one year ago. And in addition to the many first birthday gifts you received at your party, I count the many things I've learned about you as God's gifts to me. I know that you, Lucie White Roden are a born communicator. I've known it for a while now. Like I knew Sophie was full of passion and creativity. Like I knew Will was an incredibly deep thinker. Like I knew Lillie was full of kindness and joy. I know that you are a ...

Sophie is hoping and praying to win the new American Girl doll, Caroline Abbott! She really wants Caroline and Marie-Grace, and she knows it is "inappropriate" to ask for two American Girl dolls for Christmas (I actually agree...), so she has her fingers and toes crossed to win Caroline in a contest and then ask for Marie-Grace! So, we've entered a contest at Barnes and Noble, and now we are entering one here: http://www.grandmascookiejar.net/2012/10/im-giving-away-american-girl-doll.html Keep your fingers and toes crossed for Sophie! :)

Oh, sweet Lulu,     You are almost 11 months old! This is the last month I will have a baby who, as Sophie says,  is "zero!" Tonight I put you down in the nursery (that you share with Lillie) for the very first time! You are in your small baby bed, but very soon we are moving you into the pink crib! I have new bedding and everything! All that's left is to find a "big girl" bed for Lillie Pie!      I know you will probably wind up in bed with me before midnight, but I must admit I'm a little sad that you aren't waiting in my room for me. It was awfully sweet though singing to both you and Lillie after I'd rocked her, nursing you while letting her choose lullabies. I loved saying to her, "Lulu is right here with you," and whispering to you, "your big sister is right here." I think you two girlies are going to be great friends and major partners in crime!      Not only are you big buddies with Lillie Pie, but you are also craz...

Lulu,     You have changed so much the past few months! At eight months, you started crawling, but nice and easy, just a little here and a little there. Until you decided to take off. It seemed like you went from slowly winding up on a different side of the living room from where I'd sat you down to truly speed-racing down our long hallway! At the same time, you've gone from happily eating whatever veggie I offer to total frustration that you can't completely feed yourself! You've gone from sitting happily in the middle of the bed with your siblings in the morning to diving for the edge while Daddy and I nearly fall all over ourselves trying to keep you safe! I've whispered in your ear, begging you to slow down, not to grow too fast, but I don't think you are listening. I think the problem may be that your siblings are yelling in your face to follow them, to run and frolic, to get into mischief and mayhem, to grow up alongside them.       ...

Sophie had one of her most perfect days on her 8th birthday, and I loved that we were able to give her a dream-come-true day! She woke up to a birthday breakfast, but without our typical doughnuts because we were headed straight for the Franklin Farmer's Market. We showered her with art supplies and an Ariel birthday sign, and she was thrilled about all of them!  At the Farmer's Market, Sophie roamed around like the gypsy she is, thrilled to have $10 (instead of her usual $5) to spend! You can't imagine how much Sophie can buy with $10 at the Farmer's Market! When honey sticks are going for a quarter, that can make for a long day! It was hotter than blue blazes, and we'd brought Aunt Tori, Uncle Derek, Aunt Hope, and Zoe, so over half our crew had to head inside The Factory before Soph had finished her shopping, but not before we all enjoyed treats and lunch from Biscuit Love!  After the Farmer's Market, we all head to Honey's, a new candy ...

This post is inspired by the book The Birthday Questions  by Jeff Anderson. We may begin the tradition of asking these questions on the first day of school rather than on birthdays because all the kids really want to be asked on the same day, but for now, here are Sophie's answers on her 8th birthday. What is your name: Sophia Paige Roden How old are you?: 8 When is your birthday?: The day I was born. :) July 7, 2004 What is your favorite color?: It changes every year. This year it is turquoise blue. Do you like boys? No Do you have a boyfriend?: No Who do you want to marry when you grow up?: Mr. Nobody Who is your best friend?: Jack McClanahan What do you want to be when you grow up?: a nurse and a teacher What is your favorite sport?: tennis What is your favorite tv show?: Arthur What is your favorite movie?: Brave Who is your favorite singer?: I don't have one. What is your favorite song?: I don't have just one, but one of my favorites is Rol...

One of Will's favorite books when he was a baby is now one of Lillie's favorites, I Love You Through and Through , and I couldn't help but think of it as I looked through Lulu's six month pictures. I love your top side and bottom side Your inside and outside I love your happy side and your sad side Your silly side and your mad side I love your fingers And your toes Your ears and your nose I love your hair  and your eyes Your giggles and your cries I love you running and walking Silent and talking I love you through and through Yesterday, today, and tomorrow too!

Lulu,     You are my fourth baby, and while you have many things in common with your older siblings, there are also many ways you are my one and only! A lot like your big brother, you are tough to make laugh, and when you do laugh, you  snicker, kind of like you are trying not to, but just can't hep it! And you already have a sophisticated sense of humor! Not only does it take a lot to make you laugh, when something does make you snicker, it will only work a couple of times! Much like all your siblings, when you don't find someone funny, you have a way of looking at people like you think they are crazy! Even though I don't hear it that often, when I hear your precious chuckle, it is the sweetest sound in the world! You are my one and only baby who prefers vegetables to fruits! I just love that about you! Right now your favorite food is peas! You also love sweet potatoes and squash, and you aren't really crazy about apples! I love that you know what you like and wha...