Snuggle Puppy

Caroline made Denny's day the other morning when she ran to him with his favorite book to read, Snuggle Puppy, and asked him to read it to her before he left for work. She melted his heart! She loves her daddy!

Madeline's First Day of Kindergarten!

Ice Cream Social Night

New Hello Kitty jammies from Gramma for the night before

the first day of Kindergarten!
Mommy's "famous pancakes" for breakfast

Fixing hair while eating breakfast!braids!
So sweet!

Caroline really didn't want Madeline to go! This am when I came back, she said

"Why you take my sissy to school?"(with a grumpy face) "I want to play with her!"

It's special that Gramma Judy gets to be here all week!

Ready to go in!

Locker

Mrs. Billups, her wonderful teacher

She warned me she would not keep her eyes open (I tried 4 times!)

Excited to go get Sissy! (notice the crown)

First day over and still smiling!

After school snack-Apple sugar cookies

Home with lots of stories!

Madeline had her first day of Kindergarten yesterday! It was so bittersweet. I am ready for her to go because she is ready for a new adventure, but all could think about was how she wasn't going to be there for all of our daily activities. However, Mrs. Billups made it so easy to let her go by being so welcoming and warm. Madeline was so sure of herself and ready to go. It is going to be great. I can't help remembering when she was Holden's size and I thought this day would never come. She is officially a big kid and a great one at that. She absolutely loved her first day and was totally ready to go back. She loves Mrs. Billups and had a great time with her friends. I can't wait to hear her stories everyday! For those of you that really know Madeline, you'll laugh to know that she reported on all the kids that were not doing the right thing, but she has hope that they can learn before they go to the principal's office. Ha, ha! We are officially the parents of a school-age child!

Introducing...HOLDEN LEE SCHRADER

Here are some pictures from his arrival on Monday!

Ready to go home!

Our THREE kiddos ready to come home!

Big Sister shirts from Holden

Meeting Nana & Papa Schrader

Gramma Judy's first hold

I was so happy to meet him! Tears of pain quickly turned to tears of joy!

Proud Daddy and Holden our first thumb sucker!

Lots of kisses from Little Big Sister, Caroline!

Loving Sister Madeline

Proud Biggest Sister!

Hawkeye hat from Gramma Judy

First Family Picture

Holden Lee Schrader came into the world at 12:47 pm on Monday which was 8-9-10! What a great day for a birthday! He weighed 6 pounds and 15.8 ounces and was 19 and 3/4 inches long. We got to come home a day early because he and I were doing so well. It took us a while to name him, but he is definitely Holden now! As you can all imagine, his sisters adore him and he is the sweetest little addition to our family! Thank you God for this little miracle! We'll post more soon!

Build-A-Bear for Brother

Filling

Hug Testing

Making his heart full of love and sleep!
Hearts are in!

Bathtime

Caroline tried on more things than the bear!

Dressing in his "It's a Boy" shirt and diaper!

He's almost ready!

Naming

Our new bear is named Michael!

We took the girls to BAB today to make a bear for their brother. Madeline of course has been asking so we surprised them today and went. They made a blue baby bear and named him Michael. Not sure why, but that's what they chose! Caroline was more interested in running around the store hugging all the animals and trying out the items, but Madeline was very focused on making just the right bear! It was lots of fun once again. I think Daddy even enjoyed it!