Yates family

Reiter is 6 months!

2012-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

Can you believe that THIS baby boy

Is now 6 months old?

He is still so amazingly even tempered! He weighs in @ 17.4 pounds and is in the 45th for weight and 60th for height! He is nursing 4 to 5 times a day, takes 2 naps, eats 2 servings of baby food that I have been making myself (and LOVING), he LOVES puffs, sleeps through the night (most nights :). He can sit up unsupported, but isn't yet crawling! He is happy and sweet and we adore him!
He loves his Johnny jumper. His sisters are constant sources of entertainment to him! He is a joy! My heart sings with praises to God every time I hold him, especially in the quiet moments when he is asleep on me, I am so thankful to God for gifting me the opportunity to mother all 3 of my babies. I have sincerely enjoyed everyday of the last 6 months, Reiter could not be a more perfect addition to our family!

Lets talk...

2012-01-30T12:34:00.000-08:00

I have been a mom for 3 1/2 years, if you dont count the time Averi was in utero. It is by far the HARDEST thing I have ever done. I love it. I would not change it. It is what I have wanted to do ever since I was a little girl. Before we welcomed our sweet Averi in to our lives I pictured so much support and love from other moms. I have found that in some women. But in many others, including others who I know are believers I have found a lot of judgement.
I want to say 1st that this is going to be a rant, please just accept that and stop reading now if you want. It all started at the beginning, in the hospital really, when I made the choice to breast feed Averi. It wasn't an easy choice as no one in either Kevins family or mine had really breastfed so there was not always a lot of support. The 1st 2 weeks of her life were spent nursing, pumping and then feeding it to her EVERY 3 hours. It was a lot of work but something Kevin and I had committed to doing. I enjoyed breastfeeding her, and I enjoyed breastfeeding Reiter and Sofie. It makes me sad when the time comes to wean them. BUT this DOES NOT make me a superior mother. This DOES NOT mean I am more bonded to them then those who have chosen formula.
I also work in the Newborn Nursery, and have witnessed countless moms struggle with immense guilt as breastfeeding is not going well and they consider formula. I will always promote breastfeeding, I will always think it is the most ideal option for mom and baby, BUT that is in the most ideal of situation. NO mom should EVER feel she has failed or is being judged because she has chosen to bottle feed her baby.
I hate that we as women LOVE to make others feel rotten. Instead lets extend some grace, especially when it comes to things like breastfeeding. 1. if you bottle feed/fed your babies PLEASE dont act like my breastfeeding is gross or that I am emotionally scarring my 6 month old SON because he still nurses. 2. If you have chosen to breast feed your babies. PLEASE recognize that you are not superior. PLEASE dont make those who for WHATEVER reason feel like rotten moms because they have not made that same choice.

The 2nd trial we faced was when we felt God had led me to work full time for a year so Kevin could finish his degree. This was not an easy choice. This was not what I saw myself doing. And the amount of criticism I took for it was out of this world. I got to the point where I felt like I could not talk about work, or post on our blog /facebook because other moms felt the need to say things like "don't you miss your kids?" Well NO DUH I do, but I worked 3 12s a week which still gave me a lot of flexibility to be with them, and I did what I believed God had called me to do. It was a HUGE sacrifice for me but it also finally allowed kev to finish his degree and it was short lived.
BUT even if it hadn't been short lived and we chose for me to permanently work full time that would be our choice and snide remarks like "well I just cant imagine being away so much" that you know you are saying because you want to feel better about yourself and make someone else feel worse or comments like "well we choose to take the financial cut for me to stay home because it is worth it" because once again you want to feel better about yourself are unnecessary. 1. you do not know any one elses finances, you don't pay their bills or know if they could take the financial cut for that mom to stay home. 2. Some women sincerely love their jobs and can't imagine not working, they can have a ministry there and in their homes, imagine that! 3. Being a stay at home mom is a priveledge that many women don't get, so recognize that, focus on your own babies and stop focusing on what others are doing so "wrong".
The 10 months I spent working full time were hard. But I learned more about myself then I ever had. I fell in love with tiny NICU babies, and it made my passion and appreciation for my own children so much deeper then it ever would have been had I not had that experience. It shaped new goals and new desires in to my heart. For now I love being home with my kids and only working 1 day a week (and I refuse to feel guilt for that 1 day I am gone) but someday I would love to finish my degree and work full time again, I refuse to feel guilt for that too!

The most recent trial we have faced is whether to home school or send Averi to public/private school. We have decided to send her to public school. The schools in our area are highly ranked and we live in a safe community so we feel she will do well. There are 2 sides to this trial... side 1 the home schooling mom who thinks she is doing it all right and loves her kids more because she is making the sacrifice. It is a sacrifice, I recognize that! I applaud those who make this choice and do a good job with it, I truly do! But you are still not a better mom because of it. You are doing what works best for your family and I think that is great but don't make snide remarks about others who choose different venues, just because a child attends public school 8 hours a day does not mean they are not learning about God and that their parents aren't consistantly teaching them Gods word and pointing their young hearts towards our heavenly Father! Side 2... the public school mom who thinks home schooled kids are anti social nerds. Also WRONG, I have friends who home school with excellence. Who work hard to make sure their kids are not only getting solid, God centered educations, but are also getting different outlets that allow them to experience different social situations... some that kids who are in school 8 hours a day do not get!
So what is my point! HAVE SOME GRACE ALREADY! Recognize that you, You aren't perfect. Whether you stay at home, breast feed, and home school. Or whether you work full time, give your baby a bottle and your child attends public school...or you do a combination! You are a mom trying to do your best just like the mom next to you. So the next time you want to make your little comment to pat yourself on the back instead think what you can say to encourage that mom, thats what God wants from us, to lift one another up, to encourage each other in our faith!Not to constantly cut one another down! I pray that is what we, as women and as mothers will start to do!

Growing up!

2012-01-26T08:55:00.000-08:00

I feel like the last month Sofie has grown by leaps and bounds... She is a potty training champ, having VERY few accidents and really "getting it" in a matter of days. She transitioned out of her crib and into a "big girl bed" like a pro. She is talking up a storm and is absoloutly hysterical! She is becoming a better big sister every day and is trying hard to keep up with her big sister! I couldn't be more proud of this girl!

This little girl will be 4 in april! Dont ask me how that happened! Shs is my helper. She loves to play and read to Rei. She is loving preschool and "ballerina school". She thinks everyone she meets is her best friend although she has started to be a little shy some times, with a little encouragment she is usually fine! She is a sweetie and a MAJOR daddys girl!

And I am not even going to tell you all the fun, crazy things this boy is up to... Ill save it for his 6 month post... COMING THIS WEEKEND!!!!

Charlottes baby shower!

2012-01-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

My brother, jon, and his wife, Lauren, are expecting a sweet baby girl in may. Her name is Charlotte and I am BEYOND excited to meet her! They moved to Washington last week so before the big move Laurens friends had a shower for her in Louisville and I got to go! It was a sweet shower and Lauren recieved several lovely gifts! I can not wait to meet this precious girl, she is already loved so much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN!!!

2012-01-26T08:37:00.000-08:00

Jan 8th my love turned 36!!!!

We celebrated with family and friends and had a GREAT night! We ate WAY to much chili and potato soup and garlic cheese biscuits and delicious ice cream cake and cup cakes (courtesy of my awesome mother in law) the kids went wild, i think there were 8 under the age of 8 here! And the adults played cards until way to late! We all celebrated Kevin and his life, he means so much to so many people!

What a tremendous blessing it is to call Kev my husband. We have been married nearly 5 years and with every anniversary and birthday the years just seem to get sweeter. We know each other inside and out. We have been through so much, 3 babies, 3 moves, Kev finishing his degree, me working full time while having 2 babies and one on the way. We have been through things that I truly believe would have broken other couples but instead because of Gods sweet grace we have grown closer.
Let me tell you ladies I am one lucky lady to call Kev my husband. He loves me unconditionaly and never lacks in showing or saying it. When he messes up he is quick to apologize and when I mess up he is quick to forgive. He doesn't shy away from telling me when I am over reacting or being whiney, he truly pushes me to be my best...to be what God desires me to be, but always in a gentle manner! He helps so much with the kids, even when he worked 2 jobs and was in school and I felt like we never saw him he constantly sacrificed sleep to be there helping with our children and supporting me! He is my perfect match and I am blessed to call him my husband and the father of our children! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANDSOME!

merry christmas to all

2012-01-15T19:42:00.000-08:00

We took SO many pictures at Christmas it has taken me a while to sort through and decide how best to post them! Christmas was wonderful this year. The kids were thoroughly spoiled with lots of gifts from Kev and I, his parents and other family members! We did lots of fun Christmas activities this year, we got our first live tree which was a lot of fun! The girls enjoyed picking it out and it was SO much prettier then a fake one! We did lots of baking together, attended a cookie exchange with friends, went to a HUGE light show with Uncle Jon and Aunt Lauren,got to see LIVE reindeer, attended a lovely Christmas Eve service at Kevs parents church, had a nice Christmas morning just the 5 of us and had a great gift exchange and breakfast with all Kevs family at his Grannys!
All of those things were wonderful and made Christmas so special. But what really made this Christmas special was watching the girls really began to understand the meaning of Christmas. As fun as Santa and presents are we always want to instill that Christ is the real meaning behind Christmas! We read the Christmas story at least a hundred times to them, at their request, and had countless conversations about Jesus coming as a baby, about him being Gods son, about how Mary and Joseph raised him, about how God gave Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins and about how Jesus ultimately died on the cross to save us! To watch your children begin to understand these truths means more then watching their excitement as they open ANY gift!
I feel every year my eyes are open even more to what Mary must have felt, holding her precious son, loving him to her very depth and yet knowing all a long that he was her savior! How it must have felt to watch her baby boy die on the cross an excruciating death to save sinners, including those who hung him their and spit in his face! I can't imagine what she must have felt as he grew in her womb knowing He was fully her son but fully her GOD! Wow!Praise the Lord and may we be reminded all year of his amazing love, sacrifice and grace!

Angelina Ballerina school

2012-01-06T18:15:00.000-08:00

Averi and Sofie started Ballet on Monday. We had started to enroll Averi last year and then decided to hold off because of my work schedule (i was still working 3 days a week). They attended their 1st class and haven't stopped talking about it since... they call it "Angelina Ballerina School" because they love the cartoon about the little mouse Angelina who is also a ballerina! They have been wearing their leotards around the house and dancing all week, constantly asking when they get to go back to "Angelina ballerina school".... It is one of those things well worth the money because they are thoroughly enjoying themselves!

happy 5 months STUD!

2012-01-05T15:23:00.001-08:00

Reiter turned 5 months on the 29th and boy oh boy has he REALLY started to show his personality...in a GREAT way! He laughs so hard, especially at his new found best bud and big sister Averi! He rolls consistently from belly to back and from back to belly if he is after something! He still LOVES his paci and his swing, both are usually necessary for nap time! He loves to jump in his johnny jumper and especially enjoys his sister "reading" to him while he jumps! HE still lets me rock him some and I savor those quiet moments while he sleeps on me, he is precious! He nurses 4 to 5 times a day, eats 2 jars of food and sleeps between 8 and 12 hours at night (those 12 hour nights are AMAZING... He is big wearing 6 to 9 months clothes and I think he thoroughly enjoyed his 1st Christmas receiving awesome presents and spending LOTS of time being held and rocked by family members...he is one spoiled boy!

Christmas pictures

2011-12-28T17:44:00.000-08:00

We took Averi, Sofie, Reiter and their cousin Addison to get their pictures done at portrait innovations for Christmas gifts. It was a great experience, they are super inexpensive and try so hard to work with the kids and make it a quick, easy experience! Sofie was being Sofie and hated every minute of it, it was difficult to get any shots of her not on the verge of tears, such is a 2 year old I suppose, it was a memory for sure! Averi and Addison did GREAT and Reiter did surprisingly incredible! Over all the pictures turned out pretty good, when you are dealing with 4 kids if you get all 4 looking you have done well, even if they aren't smiling!

cookie making...

2011-12-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

My friend Kim and her Kids came over to bake cookies and have lunch! It was a blast, we ate pizza and apples. Listened to Christmas music, baked sugar cookies, let the kids cookie cut them and decorate them! The kids were a mess, the kitchen was a mess and yet it was a GREAT day!

cousinly love!

2011-12-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

What a blessing for these kids to grow up with their cousin Addison near by, they love him!

thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-05T20:17:00.001-08:00

We spent thanksgiving with Kevs family, it was a GREAT day! It is so fun to watch the girls really play with their cousins as they get older, and I love being close enough to family for them to spend time with each other! After we ate and spent time with family we went to Bass Pro to shop a little and let the kids see Santa! Averi loved Santa, Sofie was willing to sit on his lap long anough for a picture since she was promised a candy cane, and Rei just rolls with whatever! It was a great day! We are so thankful for our family and the many blessings God has given us!

2011-12-03T20:46:00.001-08:00

Dear Rei Rei,
on November 29th you turned 4 months old! WOW! I can't believe it you are growing up so fast! You continue to remain mellow and sweet, you grin easily at everyone and have the sweetest little giggle! You can roll both from your back to your belly and your belly to your back, you weighed in at a whopping 15.9 lbs and are 25 and a 1/2 inches long, you are quickly coming out of 3 to 6 months clothes and rapidly approaching 6 to 9, lets just say you are a BIG BOY! You love your sisters, you are especially fond of Averi right now, she loves sitting on the floor talking with you and you "talk" right back!
You have just started bouncing in your "johnny jumper" and you LOVE it! You want to be up where you can see whats going on so the jumper is a great solution. You have slept 12 hours a few nights but more typically go an 8 hour stretch then 3 to 4 more after you eat.
I was talking with friends the other day about loving each additional child you add to your family the same way you do your first and I was explaining the feelings I had about you and your sisters from the moment you were born and laid on my chest. Sweet baby boy it is an incredible feeling, to feel you develop and grow in my belly for 9 months and then to labor for hours to finally hold you is a miracle, it is an amazing God given miracle that God has allowed me to experience 3 times (with your sisters then with you)... when I hold each of you I feel like my heart may explode with the love I feel for you all. I pray you and your sisters always know how much I love you and that I show you that daily in both my words and actions because you are a precious gift! I love you sweet baby boy! Happy 4 months!

update:

2011-11-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Life in our house is BUSY BUSY BUSY! So I thought I would give a brief update on us all!
KEVIN...
Kev is still working from home which we love because it allows some flexibility and more family time as he does not have a commute! He graduated seminary last spring and we are praying through what God would have him do with that degree, He is currently serving in our college ministry at church. He helps on Sunday mornings and Tuesday nights and we lead a coed small group on monday nights! Please keep us in prayer as we wait for Gods guidance on Kevin (and our families) next steps in ministry!
Rach (ME!!!) I am still working at Vandy BUT just one night a week! It is a great schedule as the extra money is nice, and I dont have to be away from the kids often! I am loving being home more with our sweet babies and taking care of our home. I know this is where God has called me and I feel like I am filling his plan for me when I am serving my family!
Av is in preschool 2 days a week and LOVES it! Her teachers name is miss Marissa and is the sweetest lady! I went to her fall party last week and loved helping out and watching her with her sweet friends! She is a big time talker and so kind...she literally thinks everyone is her best bud!
Sof well since I just did her 2 yr post theres not much more to say about her except she is WILD! She is funny! And She is SWEET! We plan to start potty training soon and are working on some discipline issues such as biting (so far she only bites her sister but still it is BAD!)...
Rei is a champ! He is always good and easy. He just goes with the flow and as long as we feed him he is a happy fellow! We love making him laugh and are enjoying his rolly polly self!
God has been so good to us the last year. We have found ourselves on our knees deep in prayer over and over the last year and have been in awe of Gods hand working and moving in just the right timing, his timing. We are very blessed!

trick or treat...

2011-11-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

What a fun Halloween we had this year! We had our friends Kim and Dave and their sweet kiddos and our friend Carrie and her son over for dinner and then took the whole crew (9 kids under 7) out to get some serious candy! The kids had a blast and us parents talked until 11pm, so you know we had fun too!
This was just Averi's 2nd time going door to door and Sofies 1st but it took neither or them long to catch on! Sofie stayed with the big kids until she got so tired she gave up (more candy wasn't even worth walking anymore!) and climbed into the double stroller with Rei and just watched the big kids! Reiter slept through most of it!
Here are some pics of the kiddos, Rei was a cowboy Sof and Averi are fairies!

Happy 3 months handsome

2011-11-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

Seriously what a stud!

Could this boy be any cuter? He is so easy, he smiles easily and has even started laughing! He is HUGE at barely 3 months he easily fills out 3 to 6 month clothing! He is sleeping like a champ going to bed between 8 and 9 and sleeping until 5ish then going back to bed until 8 or 9! He can roll from belly to back! We love having him to call little brother, he is a joy and the perfect addition to our crew!

Sofies fall festival...

2011-10-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

For Sofies 2nd birthday we had a Fall Festival. We had it at Kevins family farm, it was a GORGEOUS day outside! We had a great turn out! We painted faces, made foam crowns to wear instead of birthday hats, and we even had a "non hay hay ride" meaning Kev couldn't find hay so we loaded up the trailer with blankets and took a ride! We had an awesome day, Sofie was thoroughly spoiled!

a letter to my birthday girl...

2011-10-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

Sofia,
I sit in bed after a looonnggg day preparing decorations and food for your 2nd birthday party! It blows me away that you have been here, in our arms, for 2 years. You my dear are a gem, I can't fathom a single day without you here with us. You are beautiful and precious and have taught your father and I more about parenting in 2 years then I think many have learned in a lifetime!
I want to remember everything about you at this stage of life so I want to tell you about who you are as a 2 year old. You are a BIG SISTER! Although your little brother has only been here for a couple months you have formed a bond and attachment to him that makes us so happy! You love to give him his binky when he cries and you love to "chat" with him, he loves to give you grins which always result in you giggling! Being a Big Sister has also shown some challenges for you sweet girl. You are a mommas girl, you always have been, you used to be so clingy I could rarely put you down, especially if we were around people you weren't familiar with. You have come a long way and (especially if Avs with you) you are much more willing to venture out on your own. BUT you arent always fond of how much time Reiter spends in my arms. It breaks my heart when he is fussy and has to be held and you cry because you want to be held as well, I try my best to hold you both but it is not always possible and you are learning patience as you wait your turn. Life is busy with you and your siblings Sof but I adore the time I get to hold and snuggle just you baby girl, I hope you know that you are special to me and your daddy.
You are a LITTLE SISTER! Being the little sister is so fun for you. You adore Averi, the 2 days a week that Averi is at school you ask constantly "mommy wheres Averi?" it is so sweet. You love to play with your big sis, you follow her around everywhere and copy everything she says and does. You bicker with one another over toys and books but are slowly learning to share and handle your arguments calmly! Averi adores you sweetie... when you are 15 remember that! I hope you are best friends always!
You are the middle! I used to worry that you will be "lost" between your big sister and little brother but you have enough personality for 15 kids so I find myself worrying about that less and less! A friend of mine told me when I was pregnant with Reiter that the middle is the cheese to a grilled cheese, and it is the truth, we would be no good with out you in the middle keeping it all together little girl. You are precious!
You are a talker! Oh my we get told all the time how shocked people are by the amount you talk. I believe this is another benefit of being the little sister as you imitate your big sister! You speak in full sentences in a tiny raspy voice! You are funny, REALLY funny... you keep your daddy and I laughing! Everyone who meets you instantly falls in LOVE because you are so sweet with your words and actions!
You are STUBBORN... at 2 your stubbornness can be quite a challenge. It often takes several rounds of discipline to get you to stop doing something and many times you do the same thing you have just been disciplined for while looking at us smiling just to see if we will actually discipline you again, which we do. It is an exhausting never ending cycle! But your personality,especially in this regard, has taught me so much on true patience, I pray that I will always discipline you out of love and in a way that points you towards your heavenly Father, not in a way that purely shows you my lack of patience and frustration! I am also learning to pray not that you would not be stubborn, because that is part of who you are, heck you were that way in my belly, you were 3 days LATE! Instead I have started praying that God would use your stubbornness to his glory, that you would learn to be stubborn in your beliefs but also to bend your will to the Lords will for your life, He has big plans for you baby girl this I know is true!
You are gorgeous! You have the biggest blue eyes with KILLER lashes! It has taken two full years for you to finally have some hair but it was worth the wait as your hair has come in in gorgeous blonde curls! Your sweet grin lights up the room.
You are sensitive. You feel so sad for others when they are sad that you cry a long with them. When Averi cries in time out you stand a few feet away saying "it ok Averi it ok" you can see the distress on your face because you hate her being in pain. I love this characteristic about you. God has given you a heart for others and I believe if you allow him to he will use that heart to touch so many others!
You are LOUD! You laugh loudly! You talk LOUDLY! You run around like a wild women... LOUDLY! And I LOVE that about you! I love to chase you, to tickle you and to hear your wild laugh!
You are passionate! You literally do everything with every ounce of your being. When you throw a fit it is a fit that takes a minimum of 30 minutes to get under control. When you hug you do it with all of you, tightly and yet gently, it is so sweet and I cant get enough of them! You do everything to your fullest ability and therefore live every moment to the fullest I wish I was more like you in this regard!
Pearly, we love you. We are honored to be your parents! We knew from the 1st day we held you that you were not going to be an easy baby, and you aren't, you keep us on our toes but in turn you have bound us together as parents, as a family, and you make up for those hard moments with your love, smiles, passion, kisses and hugs! I praise the Father for giving me you to call my daughter!

Dad

2011-10-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

Last week my parents moved to Florida to live with my sister. I had not seen either of them in a while but they were able to stop off in Murfreesboro and visit. My Dad has Crones disease and has been in poor health for a long time, I am used to him needing to go in and out of the hospital and used to him having surgeries... but when they stopped by our house he looked by far the WORSE I have ever seen him. He was pale, his legs looked awful he was out of breath...
For those that know my Dad though he is 1st stubborn and 2nd an incredibly hard worker! I love him, but he will not stop pushing himself until he is so sick he has to go to the hospital! He was bound and determined to make it to Florida despite how bad he looked or felt. They got to Florida and into the hospital he went.
He had been on blood thinners so they had to wait a couple of days to do a heart cath to see what the problem was. On Thursday they were finally able to do it and they found several blockages. They sent him into the ICU immediately to await open heart surgery. My sister called to inform us, and we ultimately decided to load up and drive the 12 hours to Florida.
I don't know the last time I cried so much. To be honest I was convinced I was not going to see my dad alive again. From what we were being told he was in critical condition and they were unsure what the outcome would be. When I talked to him the night before his surgery he admitted he was scared, literally the only time I can remember him saying He was scared. I was scared, my brother and sister were scared.
I kept praying for God to heal my Dad, to protect him through surgery, for him to guide the doctor and surgeons hands and for me to be at peace with whatever outcome God had planned. God was so present on the drive down. Averi and Sofie are notoriously bad in the car. They were so unbelievably well behaved on the ride down and Reiter slept much of the trip. It gave me a lot of time to pray for my Dad.I talked to him at about 530 (we had stopped at a hotel to sleep a little bit) before they took him in to be prepped for surgery,all I could do was cry. I was so scared that this may be the last time we got to talk. I told him I loved him, told him I thought he was a wonderful Dad... He told me not to cry, that I would see him in a few hours.
So we got up and drove the last few hours. Kev prayed with me and held my hand. About 10 minutes before we got there my sister in law called and gave me the news. Dad was out of surgery! PRAISE THE LORD!!! He had done well and was in the ICU still on the Ventilator. The next step would be removing the vent, they thought it would be 8 to 12 hours before they could remove it, they removed it after 2 hours! So many people were praying and our prayers were answered!
Seeing Dad still on the Vent was hard. But the next time I saw him he was off and able to speak. I have never felt so good talking to my Daddy. I have never realized how much I need my Dad, how much I appreciate and love him. I admire his work ethic, I admire how he tries to protect his kids even though we are all adults now. He is my Dad and I can not say thank you enough to God for placing his hand on Dad and giving him another day, because I needed to spend more time with him, I need to talk to him more to hug him more and to watch him hold my babies! Thank you Jesus for one more day with my daddy.

Fall is in the air!

2011-10-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

We are loving the cooler weather, we are spending as much time outside as we can...

We even visited a pumpkin patch on saturday! The kids had a blast picking pumpkins, playing in a corn maze, sliding down a 40ft tube slide, and making sand art! It was a GREAT family day!

... and the days it has been too cold or wet we have taken up tent building! We have camped, had tea parties and put our babies to bed all in our living room tent! I love being their mommy!

2011-10-02T20:08:00.000-07:00

Reiters 2 months!!!! WOW! He is a whopper of a boy weighing in at 13 pounds and 23 inches long! He is Happy and sweet and a joy of a baby! He only gets up once (sometimes twice) at night but my pediatrician was pleased with his sleeping pattern as of now. It is funny by the time you have your 3rd you pretty much give up the idea of scheduling and just go with a lose routine, you give up the idea of sleep and roll with a few hours of sleep at night... infancy is so short lived why not check your attitude and just enjoy that baby for where they are, that is precisely what we are doing! Reiter is smiling and laughing and "talking" up a storm! We are totaly crazy about this boy and can not imagine our home without him!

Nick and Regan get married!

2011-10-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Kevin and I had the opportunity to attend our dear friend Nick and Regans wedding! I grew up with Nick, he has always been more like a 2nd big brother to me and Regan is by far one of the sweetest girls you could ever know, what an honor to share in their big day! While there we were also able to see my sister and her husband and FINALLY introduce them to Reiter! Over all it was a GREAT weekend, short but GREAT!

buffolo chicken fajitas...

2011-09-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

courtesy of my wonderful man...

cream cheese, chicken, cheddar cheese, hot sauce, fajita seasoning all wrapped in tortilla and grilled to cheesy perfection...

because they are so darn cute,,,,

2011-09-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

new football buddy

2011-09-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

Kev and Rei watching Auburn football!

Rei man 6 weeks

2011-09-19T20:07:00.000-07:00

Last week Reiter man hit 6 weeks! Can you believe this sweet boy has been here that long? We cant! He is still so content and sweet, he eats like a champ and is starting to sleep longer stretches at night (woohoo)!!!!

picnic...

2011-09-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

We love being outside, if the weather is nice we are out several hours a day! We ride bikes, we play in the princess pool, we do chalk, we play bubbles, we swing and slide... but the girls FAVORITE thing to do outside is picnic! Here are some favorites from our back yard picnic the other day!

Many Observations of a father...

2011-09-18T21:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend was the first weekend that Rachel worked two nights (last night and tonight), AND the first time that I (daddy) have had all three children alone for an extended period of time. Even though Rachel was here today sleeping, I have pretty much been in charge of all three since around 5:45 PM yesterday (except for when Rach took care of Reiter while I was at church this morning with the girls...and she got up to feed him at 4:00).

Based on the events of this weekend, I have to say (or rather admit) that at times I take what Rachel does to keep this family afloat for granted. It has been probably the hardest two day stretch I have ever experienced as a father. It blows away Sofia's all-nighter of 2010 (which Rachel left work around 5 AM to rescue me from I might add).

My patience has been pushed to the utmost limit. Several times I have just had to lay down a crying Reiter and walk away...or let him scream his head off while attending to pajamas and bedtimes for the girls. It has been full blown survival mode for the past 30 hours or so. And it hasn't just been Reiter's fault. The girls know exactly when to push buttons...its like some innate gift they have.

In the midst of this, I have also gained a brand new appreciation for single mothers. The past 30 hours are not representative of the majority of 30 hour stretches I spend with my family. I do not know how single moms can do this 24/7.

I also, do not know how Rachel handles this when I am gone 2 or 3 days at a time to Louisville.

Thanks Rachel for all that you do around here.

scatter brained...

2011-09-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

Needless to say it has been a busy 7 weeks. We had Rei, traveled to louisville twice, Averi started preschool, Kev has had to travel for work and I started back one day a week at work. Our life is busy, but we like it that way!
I have however been suffering from a mixture of sleep deprivation and a lot of "mommy brain"... specifically mommy brain when it comes to my KEYS! I am constantly losing my keys, this is nothing new in our home. But the last week it has taken on a whole new level. Kev was in louisville last week just after we had gotten back from a trip to his families farm in Dickson so I was on my own. I got up that morning got everyone dressed and ready (by 830 am) to take Averi to preschool when I realized I could not find my keys. I searched frantically ALL OVER and finally called Kev and did what every loving, rational wife does and blamed him, I was confident he had taken them to louisville with him, depsite his promises he did not have them (sorry babe!)...I finally gave up and we spent the day at home. It took Averi about 30 minutes to get over the fact that she couldn't go to school, and Kev decided to cut his trip early and bring me his keys so i wouldnt be stranded the next day!
While Kev was on his way home though I was putting away laundry and what did I find in my closet in a bag I had checked 3 times but...my KEYS!Talk about an apology I felt like an idiot...bless my husband for being so kind and laughing the whole thing off,I love that boy!
Of course the key saga doesn't end there! Yesterday I dropped Averi off at preschool then headed to the park with Rei and Sof. I parked, threw my keys into my diaper bag in the passenger seat, opened the driver side van door got sof out of her car seat but left her standing in the van so i could grab the stroller and get Reiter and her both out the other door...I went to the back to get the stroller out when I realized the door was LOCKED with both babies inside!!!! I freaked out! Called Kev who was 20 minutes away to bring me his keys and tried to calmly talk to Sofie despite Reis screaming! Sofie is such a smart cookie, I managed to talk her up into the passenger seat after much persuasion, got her to get my keys out after her pulling my cell phone out 10xs, and got her to push the unlock button after she nearly hit thepanic button! I couldn't have been more proud,SUPER SOFIE to the rescue!
You would think, or hope, that that was the last of my key mishaps, it wasn't! I got to church last night and did the exact same thing. Luckily Super sof was once again out of her car seat and without me saying anything pulled the keys out of the diaper bag, hit the button and unlocked the door, I wasn't even late to church HAHA! Needless to say I should probably sleep more!

Lindsay and James get married!!!!

2011-09-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

this past weekend we had the honor of being a part of my best friend Lindsay and her fiance (who is also a dear friend) James' wedding! I was the matron of honor, and Sofie and Av were flower girls! The wedding was gorgeous and went off with no problems and Lindsay was the most gorgeous bride! It was a fun day with lots of laughs, smiles and tears of happy joy! I am so humbled that lindsay asked me to stand as her matron of honor I could not be more blessed then to call her my best friend! May God richly bless their marriage!

Happy one month Reiter

2011-08-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

I cant believe you have been here a whole month little man! I feel like I was just begging you to COME OUT and here you have been out and in our arms for a whole month! It seems that with each baby the days go faster and faster so I am trying hard to enjoy your sweet newborn stage, holding, rocking and cuddling you and focusing less on wanting you to grow up a little so we can sleep more!
You are the most content baby,you eat every 3 hours throughout the day, you sleep from about 930-10 until 8am and usually get up twice in that stretch to nurse, you are pretty good about going right back to sleep after you are fed though so it isn't too bad and to be honest I enjoy having you all to myself during those night time feeds. You love your paci and have it in your mouth almost all the time! You have begun to wake up more and more and we are enjoying chatting with you as you have started to coo at us. We are still awaiting a "real" smile from you, you have given us several content grins in your sleep which is just precious!
Your sisters adore you and constantly want to touch and hold you. Sofie especially likes to give you back your paci. Averi runs into our room every morning and finds you immediately and greets you with a loud "GOOD MORNING BABY REITER" she loves when you are awake! Your dad and you have spent a lot of time dozing off in the rocking chair together the few rough nights you have had when you haven't wanted to go back to sleep, your daddy is crazy about you and so excited to take you fishing and hunting as you get older! You are the perfect addition to our family and we already can not envision life without you in it! We love ya REI MAN!

Letter to a wonderful wife and mother:

2011-08-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Rachel,
On your birthday (sorry this is a day or two late :)…as you know I have not really had a chance the past two days to get this loaded) I wanted to surprise you with a post to let you know how much you mean to me. You are a wonderful wife and mother. I am so surprised every time I wake up and realize our life. We have three amazing kids. We have an amazing church. And we have an amazing God.

Our life has had some very crazy moments, but I have to remind you that you knew what you were signing up for with me :). I love you Rach. I am so very blessed to have you as my wife. I could not imagine raising these three precious kids with someone else. Even with as little sleep as we get (sometimes self-induced on my part, but still).

Happy birthday!!

-Kevin

Preschool

2011-08-24T13:55:00.000-07:00

Averi started preschool last week and is loving it! After the 1st day she informed me of 3 things 1. we talked about bugs 2. we drew A and Bs and 3. me an my new friend Ashlynn use the girl potty, Ashlynn went poo poo I just went pee.
Sounds like a successful first day to me!

friends

2011-08-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

The last 6 months we lived in Louisville we lived in the same apartment complex as my dear friend Ashley. Since moving we have both added another baby to our crews and life has become busier and busier, but we still have a special place in our hearts for all the Barretts! We got to spend 2 mornings playing and catching up while we were visiting, it was so wonderful to spend that precious time with my dear friend!

shower weekend

2011-08-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

My very best friend Lindsay is getting married Labor Day Weekend and I am honored to be her maid of honor! This past weekend was spent celebrating Lindsay with a lingerie shower and bridal shower! Thank goodness I had lots of help pulling of both showers and everything turned out beautifully, less then 2 weeks and Lindsay becomes Mrs. James Bodden!!!!!

Have a sip sister

2011-08-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Like mother like daughter... who can resist a route 44 Diet Cherry Limeaide from Sonic, NOT ME!

Reiters new friend Piper

2011-08-16T13:50:00.000-07:00

my friend Kim had her little girl 3 weeks before Reiter was born, we are so excited to watch them grow side by side!

sweet baby

2011-08-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

I fall in love with this little boy a little more every time I breath in his sweet baby smell, cuddle his tiny body and kiss his little chubby cheeks!

lately...

2011-08-16T13:32:00.001-07:00

Adjusting to 3 kiddos 3 and under has not been as bad as I expected. The girls are learning to be gentle and kind to their brother and since the first week home many of the signs of jealousy have seemed to diminish. Kev and I are both working hard to get in some quality one on one with the girls so they do not feel left out. Kev is especially spending extra time playing with them, bathing, feeding,cleaning and as so much of my time is spent nursing...He is a GREAT dad and a huge help and support to me, I could not do this without him! We have even started venturing out... I took all 3 to hobby lobby yesterday and today we spent 2 glorious hours outside at the park, with the weather so nice I could just live outside right now! Rei is a sweet little guy and is starting to spend a lot more time awake, he is a happy fella as long as he has his paci and is eating every 3 hours during the day and sleeps between 3 and 5 hours at night I am adoring those night hours spent nursing him uninterrupted, it is a sweet time!

Averi writes her own name!

2011-08-16T13:27:00.000-07:00

Averi and I have been working on a little preschool stuff the last year, she can count to 20, recognize numbers 1-10, knows all her shapes and colors, knows a few bible verses, and has begun to write several letters and numbers... I was not feeling like I had a ton of success until a few days ago when...

AVERI WROTE HER OWN NAME!!!! She starts preschool tomorrow and I am so excited for what she will learn, I know she will have fun and do well!

happy one week little man...

2011-08-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

I can not believe Rei has been here a week! So far He has been the sweetest little guy, he is still in the sleepy cuddly newborn stage and I am eating it up! When he is awake he is so chilled out and just looks around and only seems to cry when he is hungry! He loves his paci which makes me so happy because neither of the girls were paci takers! He lost 12% of his weight (they dont like babies to lose more then 10%) and battled a little jaundice but between his check up tuesday and wednesday he gained 4 oz and his bili level had gone down so the pediatrician felt he was in the clear and he doesnt have to go back to the doctor until his 2 week visit!
Averi and Sofie are doing pretty well. Averi is more hyper then normal but I think that is just her way of getting our attention, she asks all the time if she can hold "baby Reiter" and is gentle and kind to him. Sofie is also doing pretty well she has had some serious melt downs but we knew since she is so attatched to me the adjustment may be a bit difficult for her, she is also very interested in her brother and learning to be gentle with him! Kevins mom has been here helping this week which has been AWESOME I don't think the transition would be going so smooth without her extra hands! This first week has been a joy, we are so blessed.

Welcome to the world Reiter Michael

2011-07-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

Friday July 29th was a BIG day! After trying the last few weeks to naturally induce labor so as to have Reiter in July nothing seemed to be working, I was discouraged! We had an appointment on Thursday with our midwife where she said I was 4cms dilated still but Rei had dropped a significant amount (GREAT NEWS). She stripped my membranes again in a last effort to naturally induce labor, and we made a final plan to come to Vanderbilt Saturday morning for the induction.
Well PRAISE the LORD no induction was necessary! I cramped on and off from the appointment and on through the night. We took the girls to my in laws house, had dinner, my brother and his lovely wife came in to join in celebrating Reiters birthday with us! We stayed up late with them and by the time we went to bed (around 12) I was definitely having some contractions but was not willing to believe they were legit. I was able to go to sleep and slept on and off until about 430. I finally woke up for good and knew I was having some good contractions although they were still 10 or so minutes apart. At about 530 I jumped in the shower and continued to contract. By 630 my contractions were about 3 to 5 minutes apart and gaining in strength so I called my midwife and she suggested we come on in!
We got to the hospital at 730 and I was 5cms and contracting regularly. After they got us settled in we took a long walk (we being my mother in law, Kevin and my sis in law Lauren...my brother even joined us for a couple laps)... I felt very supported and confident and was really in a good mood between contractions able to laugh and joke with everyone. They had planned to wait 2 hours to check me again but the contractions picked up significantly so they checked me around 930 I was 7cms. I tried to stand in the shower through some contractions and the pressure of Rei moving down got so intense I felt like I was literally going to have to sit on the shower floor so back to the bed we went!
This is where time goes blank for me. I have to say this birthing experience was neat, my contractions tho incredibly strong were always a solid 3 minutes apart and I was really able to breath between them. They had to try some different positions to get Rei to drop and I quickly got to 9cms and was in transition, this was when I really doubted myself and really needed to hear reassurance from Kevin, (who let me say is amazing!He said everything I needed to hear!), my sister in law was also a huge support as her and Kevin shared in encouraging me, my midwife and a student were there the last couple hours and were great at saying all the right things and helping to position me in ways that really sped labor up. My mother in law was also there cheering and supporting, it was the perfect setting to welcome our son into!
My midwife broke my water at 9cms when Rei wasn't seeming to drop despite me feeling an intense urge to push, breaking my water didn't bring me to complete either so she finally had to push the last part of my cervix over his head (LET ME SAY PAINFUL) as soon as she did that I pushed 3 times and out he came at 1124 am (yes 4 hours after getting to the hospital! Gorgeous big boy 8lbs 8 oz 19 and 3/4 inches with a full head of dark hair. I could not be more in love.
I had a few minor complications after including some clotting that was quickly brought under control and a tear that was hard to repair but am doing well now. Reiter is nursing like a champ and is so sweet, his sisters are totally infatuated with him and Kev and I are looking forward to having all our babies home tomorrow! We are praising God for the health of our son and rejoicing in his birth! We know how richly blessed we are to have 3 beautiful children and so many people surrounding us who love us and our children!

happy birthday Nana

2011-07-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

this is over a week late but wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nana Yates! Thank you for all you do for Kevin and I and our children! We could not be more blessed then to have you in our lives! We love you!

little girls...

2011-07-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

Little girls are just magical. They have imaginations like you could never imagine. One minute Averi is the teacher and I am to sit on the floor while She reads Sofie and I a new book...

the next minute I am to sit at the ottoman in the living room while Averi and Sofie dress in their aprons and cook a full meal, including cookies, eggs, and chocolate milk! The meal also included 2 special guest barbie dolls who joined us!

They also love to color, love to help cook, love to help clean, love their baby dolls with such passion, love to paint nails, and love to cuddle!

new rooms...

2011-07-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

Decorating is something I love, I dont know that I am particularly GREAT at it but I certainly enjoy it! I do not however like to spend a lot of money on things, so I spend a lot of time on craigslist, at hobby lobby and making my own things! It takes a while for me to get a room just right but it is worth it if I am getting good deals!

Here is Reis room... the dresser was mine we just painted it, my Dad built the armoire for Averi when she was born, the crib was a clearance buy at walmart, I made the painting over his armoire and ALL THE BEDDING (including quilt, bumper,sheet, trash can, valence, bed skirt, pictures ect) was a craigslist buy for 70 bucks (woohoo) and the rocking chair was a gift from Kevs parents when we were expecting Averi. Kev and some buddies painted while I was out of town with the girls for the weekend, I just adore how it turned out!

Here are some pics of the girls room...
Some family members gave us a new mattress and box for Averi, we bought her head board at a scratch and dent place and thanks to help from my in laws we refinished it, the shelf was a gift, all the bedding including curtains was an ebay find for 50 bucks and all the wall hangings are 1/2 price hobby lobby finds! Once again Kev and friends painted it, I am in love!

change of heart...

2011-07-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

God has done a lot on my heart the last few days, I have prayed and prayed that I would fully rely on him for Reiters arrival whatever that meant. As much as I still do not want an induction I have come to the point where I am not so scared/nervous of it. SO many people have sent us sweet stories and encouragements of inductions that were still successful "natural" deliveries. I know that an induction will make some things more difficult but there are benefits as far as planning and preparation go, I think a planned delivery will be easier for the girls and for that I am thankful! I am still hopeful labor will come on his own this week but either way we get to meet him in 4 days or less and for that I am So thankful and happy! Please continue to pray for us!

Reiter the stubborn baby boy

2011-07-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well I don't know if Reiter is really that stubborn or I'm just impatient or if it is just a combination but there has been some serious frustrations the last few days! After going home from work last weekend sure labor was beginning we have been sitting here playing the waiting game, my body seems in no hurry to evict this boy and he seems totally content to hang out in-utero for the long haul!
I had an appointment yesterday with my AMAZING midwife Lauren, she said I am now four centimeters dilated (woohoo) so apparently the false alarm over the weekend did do some good since last week I was dilated to a 3. Rei seems healthy and strong which is always great to hear, but His head is not engaged which means he has not "dropped".
My midwife kindly scheduled my induction for next Friday morning at 9 am, after she stripped my membranes again (which hasn't done any good yet since today I am still very pregnant) I will go back for a check on Thursday and she will make one more effort to strip my membranes. PLEASE join us in praying for a few things concerning this little boy. 1. That he would come in the next week on his own. 2. if he doesn't that he will drop and his head will be engaged so that if we do indeed have to have an induction they will be able to break my water and I will not have to have a pitocin induction. The fear with breaking your water if babies head is not engaged is a prolapsed cord, meaning the cord could slip out which is VERY dangerous. My number one reason for having them break my water vs pitocin was to keep his birth as natural as possible and so that I would have more freedom to move around, use the tub for pain control ect...these things aren't options with pitocin. 3. That no matter how Reiter enters the world that he would enter it healthy and strong. 4. for my anxieties... I'm incredibly worn out just from worrying about his birth. Please pray that I would be constantly reminded that he is Gods child not mine and God is in control of his birth.
We are thrilled that the end is in sight, one more week (at the most) and we get to meet our 1st son!

39 weeks...

2011-07-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

So at nearly 39 weeks pregnant I am officially miserable! It is so hot I can not cool off, I can barely pull any of my shirts over my enormous belly and I cant sleep! All is worth it tho when I feel this little guy kick or hear his precious heart beat! I am so very anxious about his delivery as we are getting close to his official induction date (the 29th)... I REALLY don't want an induction but the closer we get to the 29th the more it looks like that will be what happens.
I am praying what feels like constantly that God will calm my anxieties and that I will lean on him fully and trust him with both Reiters birth and birthday! Kevin has been so supportive and patient with me, he knows how badly I do not want to be induced and is so helpful in calming my anxieties, he is amazing and I am blessed! We have asked his mom to be in the delivery room this time and I am so excited to share the experience of our 1st sons birth with her...she is a calm and gentle supporter to both Kevin and I and I am so happy she will be in the room for Rei's birthday! I have an appointment with my midwife tomorrow and after a week with a couple false alarms I am anxious to see if I have made any significant changes in the last week, plus tomorrow is the 21st and both girls were born on 21sts so it would be really cool to have Rei on the 21st as well!Please pray for us here, and mostly pray for Rei that he will be born strong and healthy, we are all excited to hold and love on him!

baby update...

2011-07-14T11:30:00.000-07:00

Had a GREAT check up with my midwife this morning! I am 3cms dialated and 50 %effaced, he is much lower then last week, which means he is heading in the right direction! She stripped my membranes which is what put me into labor with Sofie (i was 3cms when they did it with her too) it may or may not work, if it doesnt work I will go back next thursday and she will strip them again. I am scheduled for an induction on the 29th either way. Please pray it doesnt come to that I really want to go into labor on my own! If it does come to an induction she discussed a few options one being cytotec but she felt their was far more succes in that if you arent dialated at all, one is pitocin (this would be my last choice) and the last option would be to just break my water and see what happens... I would prefer to just have my water broken so I can still have freedom to walk and use the tub for pain control but my midwife would prefer me to be 4cms dialated if she breaks my water...please continue to pray this boy comes on his own and that if he doesnt we will trust our midwife in guiding us to the best decision! Cant wait to meet our son!

daddy-daughter date

2011-07-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

Kev is GREAT about taking the girls a long with him when he has to run an errand so they can get some one on one time! He adores them both but since Averi has gotten a little older they have really bonded!He has taken Averi out a few times to get a doughnut or ice cream but they have never had an "official" date... so last night Averi went on her very first date, with her daddy!
We made a BIG deal out of it for several days. And yesterday I let her pick out her own dress, we did mani-pedis, she chose to wear her sparkle shoes, and her white headband (versus her bow), she told me she needed to take a bath and get all clean for her date so I let her take a long bubble bath all by herself while Sofie was napping, and finally I curled all her hair... with purse in hand she was ready to go looking extra sweet holding her daddys hand!
Kevin took her to see Cars 2, which was the 1st time she had ever been to the movie. Averi told me she ate M & Ms, popcorn and red drink... they had a few bathroom breaks during the movie and Kev said she got a little wiggly sitting still that long but over all she did great! They both had a blast, Averi has been telling sofie and I about "watching the cars on the big TV" all day!

a box

2011-07-13T13:38:00.001-07:00

When you are 3 and 1 a box can be so many amazing things...
yesterday this large box became a bus,of which I was the driver... a tent in which my daughters hid and I was the "big bad wolf" (according to Averi) and I had to come blow it down, a baby bed in which we rocked and sang and put about ten babies to bed in it, and an air plane- this time Sofie and I were flying and Averi was the pilot... oh how I love this age so full of imagination and how I love sitting on the floor and playing their silly games I wish time would freeze some times and we could stay in this little world of baby dolls, magical boxes and lots of giggles forever!

the waiting game...

2011-07-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

my dear friend Kim and I have had the opportunity to go through this pregnancy side by side, I have been blessed to have her encouragement the last 9 months,her friendship is precious to me and has certainly made the adjustment to TN easier... she will never understand what a God send she is in my life! She was due a full 2 weeks before me so I've known all along that her precious girl would probably make her appearance before Reiter, but I wont lie going to see her and her new beautiful daughter Piper this week made me pretty anxious to meet my son!
First let me say, Piper is precious! She is healthy and beautiful and you can tell already how spoiled and adored she is by her parents Kim and Dave and her 3 older siblings! PRAISE THE LORD the giver of new life for this precious gift he has granted the Hall family! Holding that precious girl makes my hormones go wild tho, there is just the pure joy you feel when holding a perfect sleeping infant, the adoration you feel towards God for making such a beautiful life, the happiness you feel for your friend and then there is the awful hormonal I don't want to act this way but I can't help it side who wants to cry because you are so tired and ready for your baby to come on out and join the fun!
I hate that side, and I've been dealing with her for a week or so now, and I really really don't like her. I don't like being discontent in the spot God has placed me, especially when he gave me the GIFT to carry my son to term... so today, after a rough couple of nights I am vowing to have a good attitude, to enjoy my daughters to their fullest until things go CRAZY when we add a newborn to the mix! I am bound and determined to enjoy Reiters kicks and wiggles until I can see him wiggle and kick on the outside, it is only a few more weeks anyways and he will be here, I want to be joyful and happy these last few weeks!

So here's to 37 weeks of pregnancy bliss you all!

Reiter update...

2011-07-06T19:04:00.001-07:00

Not much to tell we are in our 36th week of pregnancy, Reiter is growing big and strong!I am 1.5cms dialated 30%effaced and he is head down but super high! We are hopeful he will come one his own this month and if not we will consider an induction on July 29th!

4th of July

2011-07-06T18:58:00.001-07:00

We celebrated the 4th at Kevins family farm with all his family! The kids played hard, they swam, they rode the gator and played outside they were wore out every night! They had so much fun and so did we! They didn't love the fireworks though, Sofie fell asleep on me and Kevin and Averi ended up watching the fireworks inside the truck because she was scared of the noise! Over all it was a GREAT weekend!

Our Anniversary

2011-07-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary June 23rd. It never ceases to amaze me how richly God has blessed our 4 years together. 4 years and soon to be 3 babies! Kevin is he the most amazing man, he loves me so much and makes it known day after day, he loves our children, he supports us, he cares for us, he loves the Lord and leads our family and challenges me and my own walk with the Lord daily! He is funny and sweet...he is my best friend! We praise God for gifting us each other, we love each other more now then we did the day we married! We have faced so many ups and downs and have come out stronger as a couple, we owe that to Gods faithfulness!

2011-07-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

Life has finally slowed down for the Yates family (just in time to add another baby to the mix) I am working one day a week now, Kev is done with school and we are eating up family time! We have started spending our tuesday nights eating dollar scoop Baskin Robins...yum! Sofie has even taken up feeding herself the ice cream,she is miss independant!

BOWLING

2011-07-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

My friend Kim and I took our kiddos to the bowling alley a couple weeks ago for dollar bowling! Averi was so into it and had a total blast! And they bowled, ate pizza, drank fruit punch and played all for a dollar!!!! I love a cheap fun day! It is so incredibly fun to watch Averi interact with her friends these days she talks up a storm with them, they laugh and then she talks about it for days after, it is so fun!

Happy Fathers day Kevin...

2011-06-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Kevin,
It has been an honor to parent along side you the last 3 (plus) years! I have loved watching you grow and develop as a Father, I love watching you snuggle, play and laugh with our daughters. I Love your excitement when we talk about meeting our son. I love the initiative you have taken in leading our family in devotions and prayer time. I love that your greatest desire is to please our heavenly father not yourself, me or our children. It has not always been easy having our children so quickly after our marriage or having them so close together, and I know Reiter will add a lot more love, laughter and fun to our family as well as moments of exhaustion and tension but I would not want to experience any of those things with another man. You are such an example both to me and our children of Christs love for us, I could not ask for better! I love you.
Love,
Rach

Kevin and Averi

Kevin and Sofie

girls night...

2011-06-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest blessings of my job has been the sweet friendships I have been able to make! These four girls Allie, Allison and Allison have become so dear to my heart! We went to dinner the other night and a movie and it was oh so fun! They also gave me a little gift for the girls and baby Reiter that I can not wait to put them in!

33 weeks..

2011-06-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

Here we are @ 33 weeks! Counting down the last few weeks until Mr reiter makes his appearance and looking forward to meeting him! I talked to my midwife at our last check up about having an induction late July if he doesnt choose to come on his own. There are a lot of reasons (listed in a prvious post) we want him to come in july but we just added one more! I am beyond thrilled that I was able to find a one day a week position at work. It is not in the NICU which makes me VERY sad but it is in Newborn Nursery which is our sister unit so I have worked in there a ton as well and am very familiar with both staff and the job requirments! I have to make the switch tho before I leave for my maternity leave so I will switch the begining of July. Because this is a part time position I will no longer recieve benefits through Vanderbilt, which is also not a big deal except we would like to have Reiter on my current insurance because I get a pretty great discount. My benefits will drop August 1st so we desperately need him to come in July! My midwife was not thrilled with the induction idea, and I agree with all her reasons 100% except that I REALLY want him to come in July! the plan as of now is to take it week by week, she has given me a lot of tips to try to get him to come on his own which I will start once we hit 36 weeks and then there are some things she is willing to try (such as membrane stripping)after 37 weeks, if we get to the last week of july and he still hasnt come then she will atleast discuss the induction with us...discuss...she was very non committal! For now we are praying and praying and praying he comes in July, God has been so good to us, he has answered every desire of our heart and need throughout this pregnancy I refuse to doubt he wont take care of Reiters birthday,even if that means he doesnt come until August!

Fifths Disease...

2011-06-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

So last weekend Averi had super red spots on her cheeks, just below her eyes... we had been outside almost non stop tho so I just figured despite the sunscreen maybe it was her first sunburn!Well by monday we realized whatever was on her face was much more then a sunburn so off to the doctor we went!
We learned she has fifths disease which is apparently a VERY common childhood disease and majorely contagous! It starts with achiness and a mild fever which is when it is most contagous but most people dont realize their child even has it because it is typically so mild, then a really red rash develops (typically called slap cheek because their face gets so red, at this point it is no longer contagous! But because it is such a severe rash and spreads all over their bodies you are supposed to avoid the sun!
So we have been on lock down for nearly a week waiting to see if Sofie is going to develop the enfamous rash and since she hasnt we havent been around ANYONE in fear of passing this on to them since she could be contagous and we just may not know it!And we have been locked inside trying to allow poor Averis skin to heal and avoiding the sun! Needless to say we have played and played and played and read SO many books and done puzzles and play dough... as badly as I want to be outside with my babes I can't say inside has been all bad, they are funny and I enjoy playing with them!
Our biggest fear was could I catch fifths disease and how would that impact Reiter. All our pediatrician knew was that it could be really bad for unborn babies (thanks doc!) but he couldnt tell me anything else! Luckily I had an appointment with my midwife after Averi's doctors apppointment. She explained that before 14 weeks of pregnancy it could be really bad for the baby (even Fatal!) but after that it doesnt typically affect the baby and the very worse that could happen to Rei at this point is anemia, so we are just watching him a little closer the chances of anemia are less then 1% so we are probably fine!

Avs new hair cut

2011-06-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

before...

So last year I cut Averi's hair in an "angled"bob, I was not crazy about how it turned out, the guy chopped it WAY to short! So we spent the last year growing Averi's hair out, i hadnt even trimmed it I was so scared it would get messed back up!

After...

so finally after a year of growing it out I took her to get it all evened out... I explained to the girl that it had been cut in an angled bob last year and I didnt like it and that we had spent the last year growing it all back out. I wanted it at her shoulders and all one length... well apparently all she heard was "bob" and before I knew it CHOP there goes a year worth of growth!I gasped when the girl cut and she looks at me and says "you want a bob right!" WHAT that is not what I said at all, but at that point there was nothing that could be done to save all that hair, LUCKILY the hair cut turned out ADORABLE, short but ADORABLE! Her hair looks so much healthier and thick and she is loving showing it off so all in all it turned out ok!

SUMMER...

2011-06-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

We are LOVING summer! We are spending lots of lots of lots of time outside riding bikes, playing in the princess pool, swings, and slip n slide and going to our new favorite find, a FREE splash pad about 15 minutes from our house...it is AWESOME and the kids love it! I am thoroughly enjoying these last few weeks of pregnancy with my sweet babies and husband as a family of 4!

Reiter Micheal...

2011-05-31T19:11:00.000-07:00

So we are getting closer and closeh is to the BIG day! And have been faced with some decisions as far as our little mans birth is concerned. We have a couple months to make the choices and still need to talk it all out with our midwife but I would ask for your prayers as we decide what is best!
I was induced with Averi, I was not at all dialated when the induction began and it was a hard and long process! With Sofie we made the choice to go all natural, I went into labor 4 days after her due date and had an ideal delivery with no drug intervention! Our plan is to go all natural again with Reiter. But we live more then 45 minutes away from both Kevins family and our hospital, I fear going into labor and having plenty of time to get to the hospital and having someone get here to care for Averi and Sofie. My dear friend Lindsay is getting married the first weekend of Sept and I am hosting a shower in Ky for lindsay Aug 21st so we desperately need Reiter to come by his due date July 29th so he and I will be able to travel with kevs help) to louisville both those weekends. I like the idea of an induction for the convenience of planning (i am a major planner) but because Averis induction was so long and difficult and we still plan to use no drugs for pain control it scares me to be induced with Reiter! Our hopes are that I will go into labor on my own by his due date, if not however please pray for us as we decide the best route to bringing our son into this world, also that we will trust in God with Reiters birthday and lean on him for our decision!

i feel like...

2011-05-22T13:35:00.000-07:00

I feel like these two have grown up over night! Averi is such a talker, she is smart and spunky!She is sassy and confident and loads of fun! Sofie is starting to form sentances and getting her own little attitude, she is spunky just like her sister! They are such a joy to us, it is so fun to watch them start to interact and play more as buddies!

kevs graduation

2011-05-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

WOW...can I just say how GOOD our God is! I have so little faith, I worry I stress I over analyze every little thing instead of taking a deep breath and trusting my heavenly Fathers will! When we discovered we were pregnant with Reiter all I could think of was not wanting to leave my infant and go back to work, it is hard enough to leave our older 2 I couldnt imagine leaving my 6 week old! I began to pray for Gods will, I prayed that my desire to stay hime would come true but I also prayed that if that was not in Gods plan for right now my attitude would be one that glorified God. As I've said a million times I LOVE where I work and if I didnt have two (soon to be three) babies at home it would be perfect!
When we discovered we were pregnant we thought Kevin would not graduate until next december. Then God gave us a massive suprise blessing and Kev was told he could actually graduate this may, WOW! So on friday he graduated from Southern Baptist theological seminary!I could not be prouder of his accomplishment, I could not be more relieved that our seminary journey has ended, as bittersweet as it may be to be done! Plus with the relief of his school payments me staying home after Rei comes started to look more like an option!
As I also said in a previous post Kevs job is expanding! He also recieved a raise that covers my portion of our incomes. Once again, how great is our GOD! Like Ive said I love Vanderbilt, I love the NICU I want to stay PRN(as needed) after Reiter comes just because I like it but what a relief that that is not a necessity! We are humbled and praising God for his soveriegnty and blessings!
Please hold us in your prayers as we are close to the arrival of our son, please hold us in our prayers as we wait on God to see what he has in store for us as far as ministry goes! CONGRATULATIONS Kevin we could not be more proud of you, I love you so much and am honored to call you my husband!

a family of four...

2011-05-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

A family of four

Wow 29 weeks pf pregnancy has FLOWN by... this pregnancy has been so busy between me working, Kevin finishing up his masters, serving at our church, Kevin commuting and counseling, and raising two sweet girls! I cant believe somewhere around 11 more weeks and we get to meet our son, we are so blessed!

soon to be a family of five...

jon and lauren get married...

2011-05-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

My brother married the most amazing girl this weekend, Lauren! They have been together for a little over three years and are adorable together! I could nto be more blessed to call Lauren my sister!

first time fishing...

2011-05-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

Averi made her daddy very proud this weekend! She fished for the first time! She got a brand new Dora fishing pole which she loved! She hated the worms but loved casting and reeling it in! She didnt catch anything but made her daddy very proud!

mothers day...

2011-05-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

I am so blessed to be the momma to 2 beautiful girls and to be baking a little boy! Being a momma is the biggest blessing Ive ever experienced!

27 weeks!

2011-05-09T19:10:00.000-07:00

isnt she lovely...

2011-05-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

I know I may be partial but a day doesnt go by that I dont think how cute my kiddos are... especially on Sundays when they are all done up!

happy 3rd birthday Averi!

2011-05-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

We had Averi's luau hawiian themed party today!We had big plans to do it all outside but it stormed all morning so we ended up setting everything up in doors. We had a lot of people so we were a bit crammed until the sun decided to peak through! We then headed outside, the ground was a bit wet but the kids still had a blast, it may have been even more fun as most went home extra dirty! We even had a small marshmellow roasting for the kids, although the kids didnt find that as enjoyable as Averi's new swing set! She recieved many wonderful gifts one of her favorites was a new bike from her Granny Yates! It was a great day full of pizza,cupcakes, lais, grass skirts, dirt, swinging, bubbles, playing, sweating,smores and everything else that makes a party a great third party! We are so incredibly blessed to have great friends and great family to celebrate with!

Happy Easter

2011-04-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

We had the priveledge of celebrating our Christs resurection with family! We spent the morning at church with our church family and then the afternoon at Granny's with all Kevins family! We even got to meet Kevins cousin Daniel's new son Trit from Thailand,they just brought him home last week! Seeing Trit with his new mom and dad was such a beautiful reminder of Christs adoption and love for us, as well as what God gave up to adopt us HIS SON!

Avs birthday

2011-04-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

Averis birthday party is this weekend but her actual birthday was not over looked! she started her morning with a flower from her daddy and a balloon from her mommy. She then went and had breakfast with her daddy at krispie kreme. After lunch her and I had some one on one time at Divas and Dudes, a salon designed specifically for kids, we got mani pedis!She ate up all the attention, she decided she wanted purple glitter for her toes and that her and I both had to have orange finger nails and hers were dotted with white and green and had flowers on her thumb!What fun! We ended the evening at Chick fil A or "chicken lae" as Averi calls it and had chocolate cake with purple icing for dessert!HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL!

26 weeks...

2011-04-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

count believe I am this close to 3rd trimester!!!! We are currently setting up Rei's nursery and working on combining the girls into one room, we are so excited to meet this little fella!

18 months

2011-04-26T01:36:00.000-07:00

Sofia Pearl is officially 18 months old! I literally can not believe my "baby" is that old!I dont know officially how big she is but I know she is on the petite side, although she thinks she is as big as Averi! She is the funniest little thing and has the cutest almost alienesque voice. She is talking up a storm, loves to snuggle, loves to read books, if we leave her in just a diaper she will take it off so pants are a must with her! She is fearless and climbs everything, touches everything (including bugs that totally terrify Averi) and screams with delight the loudest scream you have ever heard! She is a fit thrower, we are working on it but sadly the fits and "bad attitude" have come in full swing! Averi is her best friend, she follows her everywhere... she is a mommas girl for sure but Daddy is finally winning her over a little bit. She is preparing to be a big sister and talks often of "baby" growing in my belly and always has a baby in hand at home, she rocks them, feeds them and takes them for walks in her little stroller!She loves to be rocked and often says "rock please rock please" and points to her rocking chair before we lay her down, she never falls asleep being rocked and after a couple minutes she points to her crib and says "nap please nap please" it is one of the best part of my days to have her cuddled on me and resting so sweetly, even if only for a few minutes! She is quircky and hysterical, she never stops laughing! We adore everything about her!

Averi's 1st joke...

2011-04-26T01:31:00.000-07:00

so we were riding in the mini when averi dropped her sippy cup, strapped in her car seat she could ofcourse not reach it so she said "mom can you get my cup" I looked back, it was out of reach I told her I couldn't reach it, she laughed a little and then said to kev (who was driving) "daddy...you get my cup..." Kevin laughed and said "no baby I'm driving I cant reach it"... this really had Averi giggling, she then turns to Sofie (who is also strapped in her car seat and obviously unable to reach her big sisters sippy) and says " Sofie (uncontrollable giggling) you get my cup...hahaha" I love THREE!

Happy birthday Averi Noe'l

2011-04-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

Averi is officially a three year old! She is such a gift from God, she is the funniest, wildest, sweetest, most compassionate, loving,helpful and beautiful 3 year old I know! She has always been mild tempered... she LOVES her little sister and tries so hard to include her! She is nearly potty trained with the occasional number 2 accident... she loves to have her nails painted, sings about everything, loves "little people", baby dolls, anything that involves going outside, her new best buds are my friend Kims boys Tripp and Ty...she plays so well with them and talks about them often! She knows the fruits of the spirit, she prays for every meal, knows Gen 1:1, several bible stories, her ABCs, she can count to 15, recognizes all shapes and colors, and is learning the day of the weeks! She is a joy. Our greatest prayer is that she will come to know our Lord as her Father at an early age... we know her kind nature and loving spirit could go far in sharing Christs love to the world! She is beautiful, and we are honored to call her our daughter...here is a little video to honor 3 years with our 1st baby!

the desire of my heart...

2011-04-15T23:23:00.000-07:00

So I know fully and without a doubt that God placed me at my job at the time he did for a reason. This job has been the most rewarding job outside of my work in our home that I have EVER had. I love my coworkers dearly, and I LOVE what I do, I feel my job has purpose and I feel it is an honor and priveledge to invest time into ever the smallest, sickest and littlest of Gods children. This job has taught me how much I've taken for granted, having two healthy full term daughters for one, easily concieving my children, the fact that my children are growing in a home with a mom and dad who love them and love the Lord instead of an abusive home or foster care, the fact that when I had my children I had an amazing supportive husband and family and wasn't a terrified teenager, the fact that I've never stood by and watched my child be seriously ill or die when there was literally nothing anyone could do to save them... all these things I took for granted! I am blessed, I am incredibly blessed and God has used this job to show that to me again and again.
In that I feel working is taken my time with my babies so young for granted, I know with confidence that I will never look back at these years and think that having a few extra hundred dollars a month will be worth being away from them. We have a wonderful babysitter, i could not ask for better. But me working has made everything very difficult... here is a week for us in a nutshell... our church has no Sunday night church (well it is the same service as the AM service) So typically I work Sunday Monday and Tuesday from 645pm until 7am...whitney comes monday tuesday and wednesday to let me sleep, she typically has to leave by 2 so if Kev can he will sit with the girls and allow me to catch a little bit more sleep if not I get up at 2 and take over, these days vary but I typically try to work the 1st part of the week when I am on my work stretch I am so incredibly worn out that sleeping showering hugging my babies for a few minutes eating and going back to work is my life... Wednesday nights Kev has had to go to louisville as he has class on thursdays (so we havent seen each other since sunday and he doesnt come home until late thursdays) if we are really lucky we get friday and saturdays together (much of it spent on house work and laundry) then we go to church Sunday mornings I nap and head back into work. During the midst of this I plan playdates for my days off, I meal plan, one of us gets to the grocery, We play and play and play with Av and sof as much as possible, we are each leading a college small group,working in the college group every sunday,me attending a womens bible study, Kev has his own demanding full time job, Im growing another child, laundry is a constant, dishes are a constant, sweeping, mopping, cooking, bathrooms, vaccuuming and dusting must all happen, and at some point we like to have a night just the two of us atleast once a month! Needless to say, this schedule is killing us! It is a tough spot, when you love your job and enjoy making a paycheck to help your family yet you love your family and that time more but worry about the financial end of it...it is REALLY hard to know what to do...
So after us having a 3rd child sank in, I began to pray, and to be honest I began to battle God, I felt me working was a necessity. God told me other wise... I could hear him clearly saying to trust him... so I began too. I relinqueshed controls of our finances to him more then I ever have, I bagan to want to tithe instead of feeling just as if it were another bill. And suddenly Kevin got the news he will ba able to graduate this may instead of next december with only one more jterm vs 3 more classes,GOD IS GOOD! Kev wont have to travel nor will we have the added expense of his school and that is a HUGE financial burden lifted, after I pay for childcare the cost of his schooling is almost equal to what I take home. Kevins company is expanding and growing and their is opportunity for him to hopefully recieve a promotion... and no matter how it works out God has granted me full peace in our decision for me to stay home after Reiter arrives... ideally I will come back one weekend a month because I truly truly truly love what I do but we will see if that is Gods plan or not. I am nervous and excited about the next steps in our life, I am excited to be back with my babies and hopefully after we adjust to Rei get back into our more regular routine!I am excited to do the job that God has given me and that provides me the most joy and fulfillment and that is in my home.

Ohio weekend

2011-04-11T18:25:00.001-07:00

Av, sof and I headed to OH for the weekend to see my best friend their aunt Lala! We shopped, we visited the Childrens Musuem, we ate, had a mini Easter Egg hunt, and decorated cookies!It was a fast weekend but so much fun! Thank you for opening your home to us Aunt Lala!

Swimming...

2011-04-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

Averi has been asking since december when we can get out her princess pool and she can swim, and why we have had some nice days none have been nice enough for that! SO instead we put on the swim suits filled up my big tub and in the girls went for 45 minutes of pure fun! Averi is all about showing Sofie how to lay on her tummy and swim, and Sofie as fearless as ever is all about joining her swimming while she throws her face in the water and laughs!What a joy they are!

meet Reiter...

2011-03-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

the weather outside is frightful...

2011-03-30T19:23:00.001-07:00

Last week was marvelous, i had a 7day stretch off from work and the weather was GORGEOUS! I said to heck with house work and me and the beautiful duo spent every day outside, including two extra long play dates at the park! I didnt take as many pictures as I had planned but here are a few of them playing in the yard with their cousin Addison!

Sadly all our outside fun has come to an abrupt end and now it is cold, it is rainy and it is just YUCKY outside! So once again we are waiting it out indoors for spring...

the big sisters...

2011-03-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

Can someone tell me how to freeze time, just for a little bit... because this nearly one and a half and nearly 3 stage is a BLAST!

the hip...

2011-03-28T20:22:00.001-07:00

Avs new pose is the hand on the hip... she talks with it there, she poses for pictures with it there and on the occasion she cocks an attitude the hand is ofcourse on the hip! 3 is gonna be a fun year!

22 weeks...

2011-03-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

So I think I am already a bit intimidated with having a son! BECAUSE this boy is WILD... he is so much more active then his siters were and his sisters were not particularly inactive! We are only 22 weeks so he isnt particularly huge yet Kevin has already felt some pretty intense flips and flops... he never stops. On a normal day when I am awake I feel him all day and he even wakes me at night, on a day I work night shift I feel him all night and then he wakes me during the day... he is a crazy man! We were playing with the ultrasound machine (one of the benefits to working at a hospital) at work and the nurse could even feel him move! He is our wild man, and I so enjoy his kicks and flips because it gives me peace of mind that he is in there growing like he is supposed too...so here is to a healthy little boy and hopefully another healthy 18 weeks of growth for him!

21 weeks and counting...

2011-03-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

this little boy is WILD! He is flipping and flopping and doing all sorts of crazy things!I am so totaly in love with him already and cant wait to see his handsome face!

Aqurium...

2011-03-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

We took Averi, Addison and Sofie to the aqurium today! It was a great day with a ton of family time that was much needed! Addison said his favorite was the sharks, as was Kevins! Averi was dieing to see the octopus and then decided it was way too scary to even look at! And I was thoroughly entertained by the otter! Sofie didnt even care about the animals she was just so content to walk a long Averi and Addison or ride in her stroller she hardly stopped to look at anything (although she waived and blew kisses at the penguins!)...it was a GREAT day!

the results are in...BOY! Reiter Michael Yates

2011-03-12T18:09:00.000-08:00

We had the big ultrasound Wednesday at 315pm... Kevin, me, Averi, Sofie and Nana Yates all piled into the ultrasound room! The ultrasound Tech was so kind, we all took a guess before she began at what we thought baby Yates number 3 would be, Kev said "girl" Averi said "baby girl" and Nana said "girl"... I said " ill go with "boy". Every time I thought of this baby growing and moving inside my womb I thought of it as a boy... so many people wanted us to experience a son though so I wondered if I only thought that it was a boy because people kept asking if we wanted a boy!
In reality neither Kevin or I cared if it was a boy or girl... our greatest prayer was for a healthy baby! So when the ultrasound tech said "moms right, it is a boy!!!!" it was just icing on the cake! None of us could believe we were having a son after two daughters, we love love love love having daughters and a 3rd daughter would be a joy but we cant hide our excitement to experience a son! We are in a state of baby boy ecstasy! After a little shopping having a son, having Reiter has begun to sink in!
His name is Reiter Michael (pronounced Ryder)... We know it will be pronounced wrong probably his entire life. But this boys name has so much meaning to us! My very best friends last name is Reiter, we have grown up side by side. She has been a constant in my life, and I couldn't ask for better! She adores my daughters and they adore her. She has the most kind and gentle heart... she is always willing to lend a hand and always offers her support and honest opinion. She is a hard worker and devoted to her family and friends. She can be brutally honest but only when the time calls her to be... and she is funny! She loves the Lord and desires strongly to walk with him and serve him , she knows what she believes and why and is not intimidated to admit it. She has so many traits we want to see in our son... I want him to have her loyalty, I want him to work hard and achieve much, I want him to love the Lord and I want his heart to have compassion and show kindness and I know he will always make me smile...like his Aunt LALA!
Really We want Reiter to exhibit so may traits Lindsay's whole family does. I have considered it a privilege to watch her parents devotion and love for each other. Lindsay's mom is very much a second mom to me and Granny to my girls. i admire her love for her children and her husband and look up to her a great deal. I have deep respect for Lindsay's Dad and how much he cares for his family, I love listening to Linz talk of what a great dad he is, how hard he has always worked yet how he has always made a pointed effort to spend quality time with them,I hope some day Reiter is that kind of father, I hope some day Reiter finds a wife who loves him like Lindsay's mom does her dad. Lindsay's family as a whole... Mark, Roberta, Linz and Matthew have played a huge role in my life, they have inspired and helped mold me to be a better mom, wife and women then I thought I could be. There greatest trait is their love for our Lord and their desire to see his name praised and their desire to serve him by serving those around him, My greatest prayer is Reiter will know the Lord at an early age, and that he will desire-as their name sake- to also be a servant of the Lord!
Michael is Kevin's dads middle name (although he goes by Mike) and Kevin's middle name! Kevin admires his dad so much. He admires his love for his family and his strong work ethic, Kevin has inherited those traits from his daddy and I pray Reiter inherits these traits from them both, as well as so many other traits from both his Papa and his daddy. They are both kind hearted and have never met a stranger, I hope Reiter is this way! Kevin is so in love with the Lord and sharing the gospel, I hope Reiter is this way. Kevins dad was the 1st person in Kevins family to hug me, he has always made me feel so welcome, I hope Reiter has this gift! We are so blessed to have such strong people in our life to name our son after.
We love you reiter family,we love you Papa Yates, we love you Reiter Michael!

19 weeks and counting...

2011-03-06T19:04:00.000-08:00

Wednesdays the big day...will baby yates number 3 be a boy or girl!!! Can not wait to find out and catch a peak of this sweet little blessing growing within me!!!!

LALA visits...

2011-03-06T18:50:00.000-08:00

I can not say how hard it is to not see my very best friend on a consistant basis, it is HARD... but I am so blessed that despite distance we have mantained an incredible friendship! We can still finish each others sentance, we still talk almost daily, when we are together it is as if we havent been apart at all and my kiddos are OBSESSED with their Aunt LaLa, we are one blessed family to have her in our lives!
We were especially blessed with a quick visit from her last weekend! We took the girls to the zoo, ate some delicious O charlies, watched a great movie, ate WAY TOO MUCH sweet Cici's, stayed up too late, and went to church Sunday morning! It was a quick visit but so much fun! WE LOVE YOU AUNT LALA!

warm weather

2011-02-18T22:01:00.003-08:00

we have thoroughly enjoyed the warm weather lately, not looking forward to it going away next week at all!

Sofie cant be my best friend...

2011-02-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Sofie,
your sister claims that her daddy is her best friend and that you arent because you "eat her playdough" but in reality you two are two peas in a pod. She is your best bud, you follow her every where and she calls you to follow those rare occasions you dont saying "sofita sofita come on" all while patting her leg like you are her puppy! Oh how I hope your obsession with one another continues, oh how we pray you have a bond that grows and matures and that you will always always always have each others backs!
p.s please stop putting play dough in your mouth, i doubt it is good for you!

Averi favorites

2011-02-18T21:47:00.000-08:00

Averi is all about helping me cook these days. Every time we are in the kitchen she hpulls out her step stool and starts "helping" she loves to stir, crack eggs, add ingredients and pour it into the pan... I love having a little side kick!

Averi is into her "doggies", Kevin got her this toy when they were grocery shopping and she is obsessed! It is this play dough like stuff that u put into the dog house and make doggies, dog dishes and a t bone... she could play this all day!

Her final current FAVORITE right now is "little people" she has several of their play sets and a billion different people. All of them have specific names and tasks and if while playing with her you act as if they are someone different you will be corrected!

17 weeks and counting...

2011-02-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

MARCH 9th is the big day... we find out whether number 3 is another sweet girl or a little boy... Kev and I both think girl, anyone have any opinion?

my valentine

2011-02-14T22:50:00.000-08:00

Kevin,
The day we married I knew that we would have a wonderful life, I knew that the journey would not always be easy but it would be wonderful if I walked that journey with you to hold my hand. I was right, life has been wonderful.
You have patiently allowed me to mature and grow as both wife and mother, you have patiently loved me despite the total hormonal outrageous women I am while pregnant (and since I have been pregnant most of our marriage that is saying a lot)... you held my hand as I labored 18 hours with Averi, scared to death as to what motherhood would be like and wondering if I would be any good at it and you never waivered in your confidance and assurance that I was going to be great...that we would be great... I know now that you too were afraid but your faith in God which I so often envy was what gave you the confidance to comfort me! You pushed me to both my physical and emotional limits while I labored naturally with Sofia, knowing and hating the pain I was in, but also knowing what was best for both her and I and knowing how badly I wanted to deliver without drugs... you pushed me to be my very best, you pushed me to trust that God had given me the strength to deliver her and you pushed me to see that together we could do what so many thought was ridiculous, her birth was incredible, I will never ever forget the gratitude I feel for you for pushing me so hard.
We have struggled with the immense pressure of finances. Financial burdens we could not for see and financial burdens we brought on ourselves. We have paid the price dearly for our mistakes and I watched as you have mourned for those mistakes but also as you have grown into a wiser man and leader because of them. I can not say enough how much I appreciate your work ethic, how much I appreciate you planning financially for our daily needs but also for our future and especially how much I appreciate your desire for me to eventually be able to stay home full time with our precious girls, knowing that that is your desire as well as mine pushes me to work that much harder to get us there!
I often hear people talk of their children as a burden, I love that neither of us see them that way. We both adore them, are we tired?YES. Worn out? Yes. But in reality we love being parents... we love to play with them and spend time with them, I could not ask for a better man to call their faher, really truly I could not. You love your daughters immensly as they do you. You love this baby within me with your whole heart as well, as much as I do, it will be a journey with three under three but we will manage, and if we continue to cling to one another and to God we will come out stronger and more in love.
Kevin you are most assuredly my best friend. You amaze me in a million different ways. You too have grown and matured the last nearly 4 years of marriage and I am honored to call you my valentine.
Love,
Rach

13 weeks

2011-01-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

Heres to the 2nd trimester and waving good bye to constant nausea and vomitting!

I SAID IT IS GREAT TO BE AN AUBURN TIGER...

2011-01-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

I cant believe Kev hasnt hijacked the blog yet and posted this because in this family we bleed orange... the right shade of orange that is! Auburn went undefeated this season and beat Oregon for the National title in an awesome game, final score 19 Oregon 22 Auburn! We couldnt be prouder, WAR EAGLE!

SNOW!!!

2011-01-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

the girls are finally old enough to enjoy playing in the SNOW! And boy did they, Sofie only lasted about 15 minutes before she was far too cold and Averi only lasted about 25 but those few minutes were a blast! We took their slide outside (it has been living in our living room since christmas waiting for warmer weather) and let them slide into the snow which they loved! Sofie tried a few bites of snow which she did not love and Averi learned how to make and throw snowballs courtesy of Daddy, mommy taught her how to make much sweeter snow angels!