Lincoln's Moving to Kindergarten

Lincoln had a graduation ceremony at his preschool this morning. I have been super excited for it, to watch their little performance they've been working on for the past month now, but it never even crossed my mind it would be emotional.

Y'all - it hit me like wrecking ball (yes, I just said that).

The minute we sat down they started a slideshow of pictures throughout the whole year, set to super sad music and it all just went "downhill" from there (in the bittersweet way!). The program was just awesome. It was such a treat for us parents, but oh my - the TEARS. :( I don't know what I was thinking, but I was just not expecting to get so emotional. It was all just so overwhelming how fast these little guys grow up and I realized sitting there that my first child is now phasing out of the house as he transitions to public school - 5 days a week.
And I'm tearing up again.

So Lincoln, these past 5 years of having you at home have been an absolute TREASURE. I never thought I would enjoy being a stay-at-home mom until I had you...then having a job just sounded ridiculous in comparison to spending my days with you. You unlocked a world of adventures in my life I never knew existed and I wouldn't trade forgoing my career for ANYTHING. A huge part of me wants to keep you with me and home-school you, but God designed your little personality to be around people - it would crush you to be home-schooled! Ha. We've always prayed prayers of leadership and strong-will over you, so I guess it's only natural how much you love being around large groups of friends and social events. Though it has definitely been challenging at times to parent your strong-will, I know the Lord will continue to develop your character after His heart. I can't wait to see you flourish in the social/school setting! You're my first-born, my helper, my nap partner, my question-asker, my lively entertainer, my perceptive one, my fighter, my adventurer-seeker, my social one, my cuddler, and you have a brazen confidence about you that I pray becomes so tightly grounded in the Lord.
I love you to pieces and am thankful God chose me to be your mommy.

Miss Princess Turns TWO

I'm usually super excited for each new phase the kids go through and never really wish they could "stay" at any certain age...
Except for her.

Maybe it's because she's the only girl...maybe i identify with her on the that part...maybe the clothes are just so stinking cute...maybe it's because she prefers me and likes to snuggle with me...I have tried to pinpoint what makes her different and I'm not really sure, but if i could bottle her up at this age I most certainly would.

I find myself holding her just a tad bit longer, staring at her in awe for just a few more seconds, and literally having tears well in my eyes when I see newborn girl clothes at stores.

While she is a mix of both Jason and I, she definitely takes after my personality which makes her hilarious to me at times; all the stories I've heard from my parents about me when I was a child are unfolding in real time right before my eyes, and I can't help but just sit back and giggle at this little mini-me.

Likes:
the color pink, princesses, Frozen, to sing, going to church and workout class, making friends, asking any and everyone what their name is, to color (oh my she colors for hours every day!), the trampoline, to swing on her belly (no baby swing for her anymore), playing with her brothers, dirt, wiping herself (seriously), putting her shoes on by herself, "stealing" Jason's ipad and secretly playing on it, dressing herself, baths and showers.

Dislikes:
Holding our hand to go places, chicken, waking up in the morning, getting dressed in things without a "princess" association...to name some.

Accomplishments:
Knows most of her colors, talks mostly in short sentances, draws complete circles, can "sing" a few songs (which she does on repeat), can put her own shoes on, started semi-riding her tricycle, knows most people's names - is very intrigued with everyone's name, can get on/off trampoline by herself (which is awesome), knows how to navigate my phone and ipad better than she should!

This little firecracker is strong-willed, verbal, vivacious, social, independent, opinionated, stubborn, sneaky, clever, loud, tough, sweet, smart, hilarious, and an absolute JOY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Princess!!!!!

Josiah Abram McMahan

I pretty much blog only 5 times a year now, so I figured one of those should be dedicated to little Josiah. The posts on pregnancies and my babies first years are basically the only ones i go back read...and i love to go back and read them!

Induction Day!
We went in way earlier than normal...5:00am. Why? Because my dad had to leave town that day at 1:30pm and since all of my kids have been born at the same time of day (because we go to the hospital at the same time with each birth) I figured i could "predict" it to be born around noon-ish if we went in at 5:00 and everything went like it had with my previous 3 experiences.

So we got there at 5:00am and I hadn't progressed any since my previous appointments. Awesome. Maybe this one was going to take longer.

Got the Epi first thing - which was by far the easiest one I've gotten - then started the pitocin and the waiting game. My dad kept asking the nurses if I was progressing and yall, for some reason it seemed much slower this time around!

It was noon and I had only gone from a "2" to a "4". My dad was disheartened because it sure felt like I wasn't going to make it in time before he had to leave. I was also a little bummed.

So that was at noon. Then TWENTY minutes later I started feeling crazy pressure and sure enough I had completely progressed in 20 minutes! and then 20 minutes later, Josiah entered the world! He has the cord wrapped a little but nothing too big of a deal. and he was perfect.

(my dad made it!)

My favorite part of having kids is watching Jason with them right when they are born. He cries every time, is completely speechless, and it is such a beautiful picture I have in my mind that will never be erased with all 4 kids.

Coming Home
The kids stayed at my parents house for a few days and so, of course, Jason and I went on a "date" to Olive Garden the night we came home from the hospital. It's a tradition. :)
I have felt surprisingly good! This recovery was actually easier than Adelynn which was encouraging.

I will say 4 kids under the age of 5 is a lot. Noah and Lincoln are completely independent in the car as far as buckling themselves and such - which helps - but getting places is challenging! I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. Josiah is fairly easy which is a blessing.

Josiah at Home
The little guy has done great at night! He is fussy in the day a lot, but sleeps all night with a feeding at 3:00-ish and another around 6:00. He goes right back to sleep and we generally get up between 8-8:30. Not bad. The other amazing thing is he already takes a long nap when all 3 other kids do! All 4 kids sleep from about 1-4. Josiah has joined this routine consistently for the past 4 days now.
He was already back to his birth weight in the first week (7.6) and his height is in the 50% at 21".
He nurses and I give him bottles when it's more convenient. He was struggling to nurse well but has gotten over that now. I probably won't nurse long. I actually say I'm stopping everyday and go back and forth. But I'm still going as of now.

Kids With Josiah
The boys have been great! And I thought we would have trouble with Adelynn but she has been great too! I think mainly in part because she plays with her brothers all day. Which is also reason #875 I don't want Lincoln to start Kindergarten next year.
It helps a lot that it's nice outside. All 3 kids just play out in the back during the day for hours while I nurse or attend to Josiah - or clean the house - or just get some alone time. I'm so thankful they are close in age and like playing together! But you should see the older 3 at the end of every day. They are total smelly dirtballs - Adelynn being the worst. It actually warms my heart. :)

Upcoming Challenges
Jason leaves for West Africa a month from today...then heads to Kansas team camp right after returning from Africa. June could be rough.
Jason's parents are taking all three big kids to their house for a week of all of that which will be AMAZING. I plan on sleep training Josiah during that time. Fun for all.