Keira is 7

Pool party with family and friends

Morning of July 27

Celebrate with grandparents

On July 27th, 2005, we welcomed our first blessing, Keira!  My, how our lives changed as we became parents for the first time.  It has been a journey the past 7 yrs as we have tried our best to be the parents God calls us to be. Not only trying to talk, but to walk the walk in front of her. Kids are like sponges, absorbing EVERYTHING, even when we think they are not, they are. Time and time again, I am reminded of this.  Keira is a very intelligent, unique, little girl. She is a natural at many things - loves to sing and dance, loves to perform, loves to play sports, and loves to be a boss, ha ha.  Oh, my first born! She wants to be in charge and thinks she is much older than she is.  She is quiet and shy at first around new people. She has her own style when it comes to fashion, and I have stopped harping about it so much, unless it is necessary for me to intervene.  Keira is very strong-willed and stubborn, not sure who she acquires that trait from.........yes, if, you guessed me, then you are right. I have only learned to handle mine better with the Lord's help and guidance. So, we have many, many battles with this child.  I pray that the Lord will mold her personality for His use. I also pray for wisdom when it comes to training her up. It would be so easy to just throw our hands up and give in to her, but, we know that is not the best choice. As hard as it is, we must be consistent and keep on keeping on. We may not see fruits of our parenting in the present, but we pray we are on the right path and that her future will be bright.  I love this girl of mine and wouldn't trade her for anything in this world.  On the other hand, she can be the sweetest thing and is a great helper. She is a perfectionist and I can't tell you how many times in her school work she erases things because it wasn't perfect in her eyes. Her teacher has told me she went through several erasers. She likes to organize and loves to do lists and loves to check things off her lists.  It has been a great journey watching her the past 7 yrs watching her grow and change. We look forward to continuing this adventure. What a blessing she is!!

July 4th

We spent the 4th at the lake with family.  The hubby and kids went over early and I stayed home with Kylie until later in the afternoon. The kids had a blast swimming, riding jet ski, tubing, and even tried to ski. Neither  child was successful, but, at least they attempted.  I came home with the baby, it was too hot for her.  After naps and once evening came, we all went back over and let kids do some fireworks. 

June fun

June was a very, very hot month. Kylie could not be out in the heat, but that did not stop the fun. We enjoyed family time with the grandparents, celebrated Father's Day, still playing softball, and had friends over  to play. Brock went to a preschool camp. Celebrated friends and family birthdays! My kids love going to birthday parties and just don't understand why adults don't have them.  Had some lake fun and began swimming lessons with Aunt Teresa.

Kylie turned 3 months and the fun is just beginning.  Brock and Keira have had to learn to play together this summer at home, since we just cant be on the go with a little one as much. Some days are good, some are bad. They love each other, but they like to fuss quite a bit. We survived! 

June 11

Every year I decorate the door of the birthday kid when they go to bed, so they wake up with decorations. This year, big sis wanted to help.......she will probably insist on doing her own door for her day.

Brock turned 5 on June 11!!!  He wanted a water party, and Mamaw graciously allowed us to have it at her house. The kids got a new swingset and waterslide and they were put to good use at his party. He had a blast and was so excited his friends and family came. He loves his friends so much!  Brock chose Donkey Kong as a theme and he wanted cupcakes, both kids don't like cake anymore,and then he wanted one large cupcake for him. Of course, it was never touched!  The food was great, the cupcakes delish, but the fellowship of sweet family and friends, even better! 

T-ball / Softball 2012

We had our first experience with 2 kids in sports. First yr for both in this sport. Brock absolutely loves baseball and by the end of the season he was not happy that they don't play by the real rules. His league was 4&5 yr olds and everyone bats, everyone runs the bases to home and no one gets out. Well, he wanted it to be "real".  His Papaw Ronnie was a great baseball player and it looks like he has inherited the love of the game.  He says no to basketball, but wants to play football.  We shall see.  

Keira played fast-pitch softball. At first, I wasn't sure she liked it and then she kept improving and loved it. She was in the 8 and under league!  Her team played in a tournament and she was asked to play in another tournament with a different team. I guess we might as well prepare ourselves for just about every evening and weekend filled with practices and games. Daddy practiced with the kids often and they really enjoyed that time with him. They would even ask to practice.  Kylie made some of the games, but when it got so hot, we didn't take her. The grandparents all took turns keeping her or I would try and stay home, but mostly they insisted I go. Love them! 

1st Photo Shoot of my 3

In early April we had pictures made of all 3 together and some of Kylie alone.  Tyson took them and did a great job. We may be biased, since he is family - nope, he does a great job!! 

May 2012

                                                        Baby Dedication at church

Keira's zoo field trip

Awana award night

Going to Brock's preschool program

I know some of my posts may be out of order - blame it on having half a brain currently.  May was an event filled month.  Kids had tball and softball going on. Keira was still in dance and had to prepare for dance recital. Which she claims that she is finished with dance next fall. I think she is just bored in ballet, and honestly, I would be too. On Mother's Day, we dedicated Kylie to the Lord and signed a pledge saying we will raise her up in the way of the Lord.  Such a special day to me, all 3x we have gotten to do this. The kids had their awana award night. Brock finished up Cubbies and Keira is in Sparks. So proud of them. Keira went trhu 2 books and kept asking for a 3rd one. That is alot of memory verses to say!  

The hubby and I got to go on Keira's zoo field trip. She was thrilled! Usually it is just me that goes, but having daddy go is icing on the cake to the kids. I think they sometimes get enough of me, so to speak, and it just makes it extra special when daddy attends.  Keira also had her end of the year events at school and we all got to attend Brock's preschool program. We have decided not to send him to Kindergarten this fall and give him another year.  Lets just say that he doesn't care fro academics. Not that he can't do it, but he just could care less. I really have to stay on top of him about this. Keira was so easy and loved it! She just took off so early with academics, but Brock is all boy, and could care less. He sees no reason to learn the alphabet, write, or read. He even tells us he will just figure things out...........oh, my!  Watch him turn out to be a 4.0 

Colic - 3 months of crying

By looking at the pictures, one would never guess that this sweet, tiny bundle of love could cry for hrs, would they? Well, truth is......she can and did.  This was our first experience with colic and it wasn't that bad, but bad enough.  It is a terrible feeling as a parent when you cannot console your child. It always began in the late afternoon/early evening and lasted hrs.  Then, to top it off she began having stomach issues. It was painful for her and painful to watch as nothing was helping. I tried gas drops, gripe water, all kinds of positions, bicycle her legs, etc. Nothing helped!  Finally, at her 2 month check-up, the dr determined she had reflux. Well, this is new to us, also. First 2 did not have this either. Kylie does not spit-up and never crossed my mind that reflux could be an issue. I was told they don't have to spit-up to have reflux, which explained alot of her pain.  So, we began zantac and within a few days, a new baby emerged, well, colic was still around, but hey, you just learn to live with it.  Amazingly, Keira and Brock did well and just went with it. Her crying never woke them at night and din't bother them. I guess it helps that we have sound machines going in each kids room.  A must in my parenting book. I started Kylie with one as soon as we came home from hospital.  After hearing others tell their colic stories, I realized ours wasn't as bad. I think me being older and more patience and knowing what to expect with a newborn, it just didn't bother me.
To top colic off, true to form for Leffew babies, she hates the car. Screams as soon as she is put in the carseat. The entire ride is non-stop screaming.  Obviously, I didn't leave the house with her unless it was necessary. Believe it or not, the other 2 kids accepted it and just dealt with it. Love them!  A few car rides I thought the hubby might open the door and jump, but he survived.

Once she went to bed for the night, it was easy. She got up every 2-3 hrs to eat and then before long was sleeping longer stretches.  Then, she started sleeping 8-10 hrs. I will take the screaming during the day, rather then night.  Another Leffew baby trait - she fights naps!  But, crying doens't bother me and I actually began to lay her down and let her cry some.  Most times she went to sleep within 5 minutes. Sometimes, I had to get her and settle her down. But, I won't complain about sleeping, she has done great. By #3 it just doesn't phase you to let them cry or put their self to sleep.  She has slept in her bassinet beside the bed and takes naps in her crib. I refuse to sleep with her, as I made that huge mistake with #1 and still pay for it as I am still in the bed with her. Yes, hubby gets a king bed all to himself.

Also, at her 2 month visit, I compared her stats with the other 2 and she was 3 pounds lighter and almost 3 inches shorter! I could hardly believe it.  Ha.  Brock and Keira weighed exactly the same and were the same length. Maybe she is going to be petite...................

Did the colic end?   Thank you, Lord!  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  After 3 months old, she became a different baby. Happy, smiling girl.  She is pretty easy now and we have our routines down as family of 5. Also, the car rides are wonderful now as crying has ceased and she even goes to sleep.  When can I have baby number 4?  HA HA

Siblings

Funny how Brock cried when we found out another girl was on the way, b/c once she arrived, he couldn't get enough. Kissing her, wanting to hold her, talking sweetly to her.  He is the best big brother! 

Keira, however, had a difficult time adjusting.  Jealously was the big factor. 

She didn't like all the attention the baby was receiving from grandparents and everyone else. She gave me quite the battle. Especially since we had 2 weeks left of tax season and the hubby was never home. Thankfully, we had 2 grandmothers who alternated spending the nights with us as I recovered physically and helped get the kids to school and activities. Don't know what I would have done without them. They are the best! 

Keira did eventually warm up and loves, loves Kylie. She tries to be little mommy to her. 

Newborn pictures of Kylie