already?

 Sweet baby boy...4 months old today

loves the outdoors

daddy's photo shoot with our lil drooler

can't get enough of his fingers and hands

all smiles

he's just super chill, usually with his feet up on the table as well

bear hugs for mommy

yeah, that's from sleeping in his cushy papasan chair...it's like he nestles his head in to get comfy

always smiling, and always moving

trying on daddy's hat

jumps like it's going out of style

Love you buddy!  You bring all of us such joy and we are thankful everyday for you. 

Birdman

hmmm...were they naughty or nice?

cookies and milk for santa.  this is what Lucy was most excited about, and the next morning that Santa actually ate those cookies. 

Theodore's first Christmas

We had to wake Kadence up, not unusual.  Looks like she was on Santa's nice list

Lucy had counted all the presents and looked at all the tags before she woke Jim and I up that morning.  She informed me that Santa did not bring her the dog she wanted.  I told her that we didn't even up the gifts yet, and she said there wasn't a big enough rectangle to be the dog....good thing Grandma's are just as good as santa, knowing what kids want!

Back to it

Note to self, or to anyone else looking for random advice.  Please finish Christmas shopping and other random projects prior to returning to work from maternity leave.  It IS an enormous adjustment...for you, and the rest of the family.  Do NOT pick up extra hours because it sounds good for the paycheck in the first 2 weeks.  Snuggle every chance you get with your kids. 

I could actually keep writing forever.  I feel as sleep deprived as I did the first 2 weeks Theodore was home.  And sleep deprivation leads to a lot of babbling and carrying on from me. 

Needless to say I am cutting myself a break this year with Christmas pressures, outside obligations, and blogging.  Shopping still to do, most of my wrapping, and still some baking.  I am very excited to try and finish it all in the next 2 days....christmas music on full blast...I'm ready!  Merry Christmas to you all!

The Koops family Christmas tree (insert Chevy Chase's voice here)

Theodore is so excited about his first Christmas tree

Awwww, so romantic

Our three little elves

Theodore's first ornament....sorry about the spitup

Jim did a great job picking it out.  I'd like to say what a great time we had parading through the woods finding the perfect tree, but then there is reality.  We were so cold from standing at the Ada Christmas parade (sorry I got the start time wrong), Jim went to flowerland and  picked it out while I stayed home with the 3 kiddos and started lunch :)  This may be our best tree yet!

The annual Koops Christmas party

 Someday he might not like me for making him wear this sweater....but I think it's super cute, and matches his sisters (another reason for him to hate it!)


My 3 precious gifts



waiting for Santa

TJ's turn with Santa, don't worry, he's not crying...the kid doesn't make a peep.  He was just stretching because we had to interrupt naptime so he could get his gift

Lucy was so brave this year, I think Santa even got a hug

They were both so excited to have matching barbies that can make pink streaks in your hair.  I have to say I rocked some pink for the rest of the night

Kady took the gift from Santa....but needed daddy's help to sit and open it by him!

Wow, polly pockets!

Gramps and TJ

We always have such a good time....we only see the whole Koops side two times a year, and it is so fun to eat well, catch up, and have a visit from Santa!

catch up

 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here....so I'm going to try and post these Thanksgiving pictures before I go ahead to Christmas!  Saturday night after Thanksgiving we had the Tucker gathering.  It is so good to see all of Jim's aunts and uncles and cousins.  We were very thankful to have a new baby to introduce. 

 I had to do it, because both of them weren't looking very photogenic

 9 am Sunday morning we went to The River to watch Emma's baptism.  Since there was NO way the Koops family was coming from GR to make the service we spent the night at my parents after the Tucker party.  With so much traveling, late bedtimes, and early mornings the girls did wonderful. 

 Kadence loves sitting in church

 Emma's special day!  What a beautiful baby girl!

 It is so powerful to be a part of not only this day, but to be a support for Emma and Ben and Laurie for our entire lives. 

and if you know Mya and Joseph, this is not where we usually find them.  This was a rare moment of them both sitting together, quietly, reading.  I love all these kids!