Reese-a-Roo and More

Poor Reese...she is so the third child. I think both Garrett and Abby each had at least 1000 pictures taken of them by now and I had done at least 20 blog posts by the time they were 2 months old. I'm sorry this isn't the case for this kid. Do we love her any less? Or course not. Life's just a bit crazier now and I can't have my camera out every second. As a third child myself, I feel I was adequately able to overcome the lack of pictures and live a productive life, so I'm hoping she can do the same.

 

Her hair is definitely RED, RED, RED and we think she looks like a mini version of Garrett.

We had a wonderful visit from my mom for 6 weeks. It was pure heaven having her here and she spoiled all of us with love and attention. I am especially missing her and the HUGE help she was to me with the kids. I love this picture of her and the girls all dressed up for the Aggie game. My two sisters-in-law are both expecting baby girls, so that will bring the grandkid count to 7 girls and one Garrett. We love all these girls, but poor Garrett.

Brett and Chelsea sent this darling little dress. It was fun getting her all dolled up to go to Church for the first time.

There are few things sweeter than a sleeping baby.

Ella came over to play one day and they had a lovely time playing princesses. They even sat down on the fireplace and requested this picture, so here it is.

Abby also wanted some pictures taken of her and Reese while we were at it.

 

Then she had to pose like she was the real Sleeping Beauty...

And dance around the room while singing "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream." 

 

Speaking of true love, Greg lined up a couple of mutual friends and you'll never believe it. Yep...signed, sealed, delivered for eternity. Way to go, Greg the Matchmaker! He said he is one for one and has a 100% success rate, so he's getting out of the matchmaking business while the getting is good, so don't ask for lightning to strike twice.

Mallory (Greg's baby sister) got married the day after the above-pictured lovebirds. It was a beautiful day and deserving of its own post, but I do have to post these funny pictures. Mike and Irina brought these fun little straw glasses for the kids and it was absolutely hilarious to watch them drink through them.

We loved the opportunity to have the entire Phillips family together again and the kids were thrilled for a sleepover at Grandma Jan's with everybody. Abby even got Grandpa Willy to read her some bedtime stories.

Another sister picture requested by Abigail. 

 

Willy, Jan, and Mal were so sweet to help us bottle the tomatoes we grew in our garden this year. And by "help," I mean they basically completed the whole project while I watched a football game and held the baby. Best in-laws ever!!! 

 

Mal wowed us all with her fancy sugar cookies. We were teasing her that she had been married just a little over a week and was already baking cookies AND canning tomatoes. Talk about a domestic diva! David is one lucky man. 

 

Both Greg and Sean were out of town for work last week, so we all had a massive slumber party at Grandma's house for a few days. We were trying to soak in every minute with her before she had to leave. The kids were all so excited about sleeping on the air mattress. I think Garrett and Gracie were pretending to be mummies in this picture. I can't remember, but it was funny. 

 

One of my best friends from high school and beyond, Melinda, had a baby girl just two days after I had Reese. She came to visit one day and we got some cute pictures of Reese and Alta. Aren't they just so darling? 

 

Baby swap! It doesn't seem that long ago we were drowning our sorrows with shakes at Charlie's and totally depressed because our high school crushes had passed us up for other girls. Thankfully, we survived that devastation and have even managed to stay close friends over the years. I love that we had babies so close and it will be fun to watch them grow together.   

 

You know what they say...all good things must come to an end. Sadly, Grandma left us last week to go back to China and Grandpa. I think this time was actually harder for me than the first time we said goodbye. I had a rough couple of days and was pretty sad, but life goes on and Grandma Ila would have said, "Life's not fair and it's hard. Buck up." It would be a lot easier to have her gone if she wasn't such a great mom and grandma. We had a wonderful visit with her though, and hopefully made enough memories to get us by for a few months until they come home for Christmas. My dad will be able to come this time and we are beyond excited to see him again. 

 

Reese has started smiling and it just melts my heart every time. She does her best smiles for daddy and Grandma could always get some good ones out of her, too. This isn't the best picture, but you can tell she is thinking about it. 

Reese is already over two months old and the newborn phase is coming to an end. I didn't love the newborn phase with Garrett and Abby--I think I must have been too tired, stressed, and overwhelmed with all the changes one baby brings into my life and then it just got crazier to add a second one to the mix. I was worried about having a third, but I have actually loved every minute with her and treasured this sweet time to have a little one so fresh from heaven. Maybe it's because I know she will eventually learn to sleep through the night and I'll feel like a human again, maybe it's because Garrett started kindergarten and Abby started preschool and I can't believe how quickly they've grown, maybe it's just because I'm used to being a mom now and don't worry quite as much--whatever the reason, these past two months have been precious and I am so grateful for this sweet little girl.