So this is what big families do...

Two years ago I had a little family.  Just me, Matt, & Katie.  So to say life is different now that we've gone from one to three kids would be an understatement!! I've been looking for ways to increase my motherly productivity over the past few months which got me to considering something most moms of one or two kids would find beyond bizarre: scheduling all kids for appointments at the same time!!

So I called my dentist office and asked if they could schedule all three on the same day- even if that meant we would have to wait a month or two to get them in.  They agreed and set us up with an apt for all 3 at 11am.  Perfect! I could even try to fit it in during my lunch hour from work! (Yes- I tend to underestimate how long things will take and I'm definitely a glass half full kind of gal!)

So yesterday me and the three monkeys headed to Malbis Pediatric Dentistry for our appt!

My usually clingy child was absolutely at ease!  Dr. Jones has such an awesome practice and it was no surprise to me that she felt comfortable and happy!

 What did surprise me though, was that all three were happy and good!!  We had Kate in x-Ray while the other two had cleanings together.

 

 

Then once Laila & Chengbin were done- Laila went for x-Rays & Kate got her teeth cleaned.  Laila was awesome & sat still for everything! Chengbin tried his best and got most of his x-Rays done! 😉

 

Hooray for my first success as a mom of three at the dentist!!! Haha!! Maybe one of these days we'll be ready for #4!! 

Way to go Monkeys!! You guys rocked your first appt together!! So proud of you!!

So this is what big families do huh? We are gonna get this figured out yet!! 😎

It happened... We bought a van!!

For months now we've been discussing my current SUV's lack of space & functionality and debating whether we should jump into the deep end and buy a van....

But after the stress, general frustration, & ridiculousness of Matt's car hunt mere months ago, I was in no hurry for round two.

Still, with every trip to the grocery store, having to rearrange the seating- folding back down the 3rd row seats & squishing Katie between 2 car seats in the 2nd row it became more clear that this set up was exhausting.  Add a road trip where we had Kate in half a third row seat, suitcases wobbling in a stack next to her, & a double stroller on the roof and well... I had to admit this was getting ridiculous...

God & I had a chat... I told him that I could keep driving my car that was nearly paid off or if he saw fit to bless us with a van, I needed him to make it easy & stress free.

So I was sitting in the Kia dealer last weekend, getting some warranty work done on my sorrento, when I decided to look up the guaranteed price on the van I'd already test drove months ago, as I waited...  And then I took another look... And then I talked to the salesman... And then I asked what they'd give me for trade... (You know, just cause I was there anyway ;)

The price was CRAZY good...

The offer for my trade was 3k higher than I expected...

And when I decided to apply for a new loan w my bank to see how the rate was, it was the best rate I've ever had...

Hmmm

That does seem easy God.  So after consultation w the hubby & kids and a test drive- we decided to make it ours!!!

 

That's right! I drive a van... Wow!! And there's extra seats now... Hmmmm

 

And it turns out that the dealer made a mistake... A $2400 mistake that they decided to honor rather than going back on the price... Wow!!!  The GM didn't even tell us til we were signing the papers.  I had thought that price was CRAZY!! 

So blessed and still in shock that I drive a van!!! 😛

Looking forward to years of family time in it!!

6 months home! WAIT- Make that 7 or 8??

 

So I was SO GOOD and got that girl out there on the exact day that she hit 6 months of forever...

And getting her to take a picture was a challenge.

 

Toddlers are so easily distracted...

 

And don't follow directions very well...

 

But we still nailed it!!!  And then Mama didn't even put them up on the blog... It's not like three kids is that busy right??

 

So here's my sweet girl, who just turned FOUR, and has now been our daughter Almost EIGHT months!!!

 

She is a joy

and a challenge.

She is very funny, talkative,

and rotten to the core!

She loves her siblings

And going places with Mommy.

She often calls me 'Mom'

Like her big brother & sister

which makes me laugh!

She's still teeny, tiny and 

I have to buy size 18 mo shorts

cause anything larger falls

off her.

She hates wearing dresses 

but has compromised to

a dress every other day 

schedule. 😜

She has rocked our world!!  We love her so much!!

Happy Almost 8 months Laila!!!

We love you more and more every day!!

 

The best things come in twos

No- this is definitely not an announcement of another adoption!!!

But last month we celebrated TWO Birthdays, and it also happened to be their first birthday parties since coming home from China.

They were both unbelievably excited to have a birthday party! And a bounce house.  And presents.  And a cake!! Their smiles said it all...

 

We invited Chengbin's class which worked great.  The girls sat at Laila's table & the boys sat at Chengbin's table.

This is of Laila telling Chengbin 'no!' when he wanted to check out her new girl color Lego set from her grandparents!! Haha!

Even Laila had a sweet friend who can to the party for her! ;) She had been sick for days but powered through the party.  This was toward the end and she was posing in between coughs! 

Yep- our China babies had a blast celebrating their birthdays together! We are all so blessed!!

Thanks for stopping by,

The Crazy Wilks Crew