And just like that, there is one more day of summer left, our girls officially start school this Tuesday.  I am the first to admit that I was slightly terrified heading into this summer, Delilah is my fourth summer baby + even though I loooove my summer girls, a newborn in the summer heat is not the easiest.  Especially when that newborn has three older sisters who are used to doing all the things, and when you are in the middle of an home addition to make room for that newborn. 😉

I am happy to report that we survived, and even though managing four kids all very different ages had it’s fair share of difficult moments, it was just as full of sweetness.  My four girls together for the first time, a true dream come true.

We are hoping to finish the addition SOON, and are super excited for all the new energy that the fall brings.  Hope you had the best summer! XO

And just like that, our Waverly Maye is in the DOUBLE digits!!!!  The girl who made me a mama is ten whole years, what a joy the last decade has been with her in it.  The older she gets the less I want to share about her here, but I always love to share favorite photos from the past year on each of the girls birthdays + Waverly of all my girls loves photos (especially of her) the most. 🙂

She is my daughter who reminds me the most of myself, both in looks + personality.  She is organized, a planner, always looking forward to the next thing + is a true performer, one of my favorite things as a mama is getting to watch her on stage.  This year she will start fifth grade, her last year before middle school, it’s so crazy how fast it goes but also just so special getting to watch them grow to what they are meant to be.

We celebrated her with a pool party with some of her dance + school friends this weekend, of course she double-checked a thousand times that I had it organized juuuust right. 😉

Happy TEN Waverly Maye, we looooooove you so!!!! XO

Sharing a few photos from the fourth, it was Delilah’s FIRST holiday, always a big deal for us around here!!  We had a really sweet weekend, lots of trips to the pool and grilling out at home — with a newborn + three other kids we are trying to keep it simple these days but also want to make it a special summer for our girls.  I think we managed just that + know it’s one we will remember forever. 🙂

A shout-out to our beloved neighborhood who always does it big for the Fourth, a parade in the morning followed by a day at the pool with games + tons of good food, and fireworks by one of our neighbors that night.  We are so thankful that our girls get to grow up here.

We hope you are having a happy + fun summer your way!! XO

Today our Avi girl turns SEVEN!!!!!  We were so excited to celebrate her this weekend with a brunch + sleepover with two of her sweet friends, a lot to manage with a newborn but worth it to give Avalon some well-deserved attention all of her own! 🙂

Avalon has been looking forward to turning seven for what feels like forever, she wanted a magic mixie, skateboard, new acro outfits, a pretend phone + gum.  Her birthday list is so very her, girly but also athletic and the biggest lover of sweets you have ever met.  She has always been our easiest kid from the day she was born seven years ago, she has definitely come into her own + has a sassy side these days, but also is still so incredibly sweet.  I have a motherhood one line a day book that I write my favorite moment from each day at night before bed, and always find myself writing something sweet that Avalon said, she just has that way about her.

Some favorite photos from the past year, her toothless smile will forever be a fave + those ringlet curls are one of the most special things about her.  She is a gem.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Avalon Elle, we adore you + hope your seventh birthday was just as special as you are! XO

We recently welcomed our fourth daughter, sweet Delilah June was born on May 14th at 9:45am.  We made it to 37 weeks (a major goal for us!), + tried for an induction, labor was very long and ended in a last minute c-section — it was scary at times but of course MORE than worth it to get to her.  She came out healthy, crying, and absolutely precious, looking so much like her big sisters and is a true miracle baby.

We are so incredibly thankful.

Delilah weighed 3 pounds + 12 ounces, she is a tiny little babe who is such a fighter!  She was on oxygen the first day but was completely breathing on her own by the second, and was in the NICU for 11 days pretty much just to grow.  Once she hit four pounds and was able to go in the car seat, we were able to be discharged the next day and it was the beeeeeest day ever!  Keeping it real, NICU life was so hard.  I prepared for the entire second half of my pregnancy for it, but that definitely did not make it any easier, emotionally it was incredibly hard to leave her each day and obviously logistically it was just as tough.  We made it though, and I know it’s part of her story and also feel like it gave me new perspective on truly how much of a miracle these babies are.  Nothing about this pregnancy or birth (or the days following it) was like any of my three before it, but in the end none of that really mattered.  Delilah is here + healthy + the gift of that will never be lost on me.

Some pictures from the NICU and the girls welcoming me home, they made a tough situation so much easier.

Thank you for all the messages + support since we have welcomed Delilah, and mostly for the prayers that I whole-heartedly believe helped get her here.  XO