Pinkle, Pinkle

It's so cute that I kind of hope she never learns the real words.

Helen Renee

Happy birthday, Little Sweet Pea!  You are a joy in every way and a precious part of our family.  I can't believe you were this tiny just one year ago.  You came into this world in a hurry and it's been non-stop activity and excitement ever since.

You are a delightful, fun-loving, high-spirited, little girl.  We are so blessed!  God was so good to give us you.

Your first year has been wonderful! We are enjoying the wonderful person you are and are becoming.

We love watching you grow and learn. You fill us with gratitude and happiness.

We love you so very much! I hope you have a most wonderful first birthday!

11 months

Teeth: two on bottom and one on top

Walking: almost

Baby signs you can do: dog, more, hello/bye, hug, yay (clapping)

Words you can say: Mama, more, bye-bye (only said it once, but I'm still counting it), hug

Favorite book: Neighborhood Animals by Baby Einstein (this was your sister's favorite, too)

Favorite snack: Cheerios

Favorite games: Jumping on the bed with Caroline, playing boo

Favorite rhyme: Pat-a-cake

Favorite song: Good Morning, Merry Sunshine

10 months

I held a 1-week-old baby last week who is one pound heavier than you were at her age. I don't remember you being that small (smaller, actually) 10 months ago. You've grown so quickly. How have 10 months passed so easily?

You are lovely, bright, spirited, and just all over cute.


You are noisy now - making all kinds of sounds. You even mimic us sometimes. You say "mama" and we are sure you use it correctly. I'm really quite pleased "mama" is your first word. We've also been doing some baby signs. Caroline really gets into that part of your education. We are pretty sure you do "dog" (sticking out tongue and panting). Regardless, you know and love your dog and get so excited when he is patient enough to let you pat his back and tug his ears. It's just a matter of time before all these silly sounds and motions we make start to click in your amazing little brain.

You eat almost everything we eat. You love feeding yourself and get frustrated if I offer you too much from a spoon. Your very favorites are sweet potatoes, saltine crackers, toast, and pineapple.

Playtime is so much fun these days. You love playing hide-and-seek and "boo". You have discovered that splashing in Tigger's water bowl is very exciting. When the refrigerator door opens, you crawl as fast as you can to see what treasures you can grab from the bottom door shelf. Your favorite toy is whatever Caroline is playing with at the moment.

I have a hard time keeping up with you. I've caught you trying to climb onto Caroline's step stool. You love opening drawers and cabinets. You are bold and curious and adventurous.

I've said it one thousand times, but you adore Caroline. You search for her every morning and after every nap. You get so excited when we find her - bouncing in my arms, smiling, reaching out for her. You're very lucky to have such an awesome big sister.


(Winter dresses I made - blue corduroy jumpers with hand-embroidered snowflakes)

You have a shy side. If we are around someone new, you tuck your head into my shoulder and peek out at them. It's very flirty and endearing.

You aren't much of a snuggler. You almost always put yourself to sleep. I lay you down and you grab your lovey and fall asleep with very little fussing. I occasionally get to rock you to sleep at night after your last meal of the day. Rocking you (and your big sister when she was little) is a huge privilege to me. I love coming to get you out of your crib after your naps. You are HAPPY!



I have a hard time finding the right words to praise and thank God for the precious gifts He has given me in you and your sister. I find myself praying, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you." It feels like such an inadequate way to describe how immensely grateful and joyful we are for you both.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
-Psalm 28:7

9 months

Sweet little one, you are growing and changing every day. We delight in you!

8 months

We all agree: You are the busiest baby we have ever seen. Nothing is off-limits or impossible in your eyes. If we allowed it, your favorite toy would be a magazine. You would eat too much of it, though. "No" is just a minor interruption in your never-ending quest. You love to explore and are not easily distracted. Getting you dressed in the morning and at bedtime is an interesting challenge. Determined is one of the words that best describes your personality. After happy, of course.


You love your sister to the moon. And she loves you that far and back. Your smiles are extra-big for Caroline. She loves caring for you - giving you juice in a bottle, showing you how toys work, teaching you sign language. You already have such a special relationship with each other and I pray daily I can foster that as you both grow.


Dancing, singing, and making music are joyful activities for you. If we are dancing together and I stop, you jerk your legs in excitement until the dancing begins again. The piano provides several minutes of entertainment, much to my delight.

Despite all your busyness, there are a few moments of calm in the day and I cherish them. One of my favorite things is to be around when you first wake up from your nap. I take you up and you are happy and cuddly and peaceful. The end of the day is lovely, too. You snuggle your head against my chest as we rock. Your energetic-self gives up for the day and is ready to recharge. You grow warm, soft, heavy in my arms. I hesitate every time I lay you down, remembering that this time in your life is so short. Too short. Your Daddy and I stare at you as you sleep, marveling at the wonder of you.

You remind us that our lives, plain as they feel on some days, are the biggest and most exciting adventures of all. We see that big things really do come in tiny packages.

7 months

Please stop growing so quickly, Sweet Pea!

6 months

Helen is 6 months old! We can hardly believe half of year has passed already. I don't know how we lucked out and got 2 really good babies. Helen keeps us entertained with silly faces and noises. Her favorite "game" is putting her forehead to my forehead and staring into my eyes. We both giggle over that one. Helen loves Eskimo kisses and getting her tummy tickled. Caroline is her favorite person. Caroline can always get her to smile. She is busy and hates to sit still. She gets around quite well on the floor by scooting along on her tummy and rolling. And she's making big progress toward crawling.

13 pounds, 6 ounces; 25 inches long

5 months

Sweet Pea turned 5 months old on August 25. She's still tiny, but growing up so beautifully.


And the big sister is growing up beautifully as well.


I still have to pinch myself. I have daughters. Incredible.

4 months

I just don't have words to express how incredibly blessed the three of us feel to have this little one as a part of our family. She is so amazing and we praise God for her life!

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
Psalm 103:1-2

Stats: 11 pounds, 11 ounces; 23.5 inches long

3 months old

Our littlest one is 3 months old! Time went quickly with Caroline, but it's going by even more quickly with this second child.

She is a delight and we are so proud to take her everywhere with us. She smiles and talks and coos and giggles for Mommy and Daddy - but especially for big sister Caroline. She loves Caroline. I know they will have their differences as they grow up, but I pray their bond will always be a close one and that they will always be friends. Watching Helen love her big sister has given me a completely new understanding and appreciation for my little sister.



Kevin jokes that her favorite family member is the ceiling fan. If there's a fan in the room, she's entertained and happy.

She is busy, busy, busy. I had a dream on night that I put her down on the floor to play and she rolled over and crawled off! I think that's really how it will be. I'm not going to be able to keep up with this one! Helen wiggles all the time, even in her sleep. She won't stay swaddled anymore, but we still try because it makes her feel good. She loves me to help her stand on my lap. Then Caroline and I sing silly songs to her and help her dance and she thinks that is the greatest entertainment ever.

Helen can put herself to sleep most of the time and that's really great. But I know these days of total dependence on Mommy are flying fast. So I still snuggle and cuddle with her as much as she'll let me.

She's still a tiny little peanut. I haven't gotten on the scale with her lately, but I bet she's not much more than 10 pounds.



Our two girls bring us so much joy and happiness! I've said it before, but God is very, very good!

2 months old

Goodness gracious... Where did 2 months go? It's so hard to believe this little smiling beauty is growing up so quickly!

We had her checkup and little Helen is still our little peanut. She's 9 pounds, 4 ounces (25%) and 22.25 inches long (50%). She got her immunizations and was still smiley, even though she felt bad the rest of the day.

How Helen spent her 1-month birthday

Can you guess who's not really dozing?

Helen Renee

She's here! Helen Renee was born Wednesday, March 25 at 1:57pm. She weighs 6lbs-14oz and is 20 inches long. Kevin and I both think that today (Thursday) she looks incredibly like her big sister when she was born. We think she's a beautiful addition to our family. God has blessed us richly!