Polka dots & cupcakes.

This year we decided on a polka dot theme.  Simple. Colorful. Easy to decorate.  We kept it simple this year with decorations and focused more on having fun with our family and friends.  I had to keep reminding myself that even if I hadn't decorated Teagan would have had a great time surrounded by the people she loves and who love her. 

I'll just let the pictures do the talking on this one.
*side note- Kyra Mae is not in any of these pictures as she slept the ENTIRE party*

A huntin' we will go!

Hunting for our Christmas tree that is!

We started a tradition last year with our amazing friends the Heavner's.  Our families go together and pick out our Christmas trees and take pictures.  This year was so much fun! Teagan and Miles trumped all over the place picking out our Christmas trees.  But of course before we even headed down the road from the farmer's house to the Christmas trees Kyra had her first official blow out.  Let me just tell you, had that happened with Teagan at 1 month I would have freaked out.  This time I just dealt with it and we went on our way.  Mark that up to experience.    
We had a great time.  A few temper tantrums between the three of them (Addie was the only one who didn't have a temper tantrum) and that was it..  We definitely count that as successful! After we picked out our Christmas trees and took a few pictures we headed to a nice little spot on the side of the mountain to have lunch.   and then headed home from there.  Next year we'll probably do like we did last year and head on to Asheville to spend the rest of the day.  Kyra was a little young for that adventure right now and both Teagan and Miles were exhausted after running around after Christmas trees all morning. 

 

And here is the temper tantrum pic...haha.

Hard but worth it.

Has it really been three weeks already?  It actually seems like it's been longer then three weeks as Kyra has settled in quite nicely to make our family of three an even four. 
I do have to admit it seems like it's been a little harder this go-round.  Just readjusting to a newborn compared to a fully functioning-can tell me what she wants-toddler.  Sometimes I have to just breath through the frustration and remember that Kyra is really only 3 weeks old and crying is the only way she can tell me something is not right.  During the day it's not as bad but after the sun goes down my patience level sometimes goes with it.  Thankfully the older she gets the more adjusted I become.  Josh keeps a watchful eye on my feelings and actions as we want to make sure I don't slip into postpartum depression.  Since I've been diagnosed with clinical depression in the past we definitely don't want something like that sneaking up on us.  Thankfully I have a husband who knows what to look for in me.  Right now, I call what I'm feeling "night time baby blues" as it usually comes on when the sun goes down.  Prayerfully that is all it will be and prayerfully it will slowly but surely get better.   
Kyra is such a joyful addition to our family.  She really is quite calm and doesn't cry as often as I sometimes think she does.  She has a gentle spirit about her already.  She seems to love Teagan and tolerates all her kisses and sometimes not gentle enough hugs.  Teagan is purely smitten with Kyra and can't stop talking about her and "lovin'" on her.  Kyra gets more love then Josh & I combined!  Kyra has started staying awake for longer stretches which sometimes means play time and sometimes means crying.  All the walking I do around the house (she's a moving baby) is surely going to help me lose the dreaded baby weight! haha!
We have been so blessed with friends and family and their kindness.  We've barely had to cook since we got home from the hospital because friends from church and friends not from church have brought meals almost 3 nights a week! The kindness we have been shown during this time surpasses anything we could have imagined.