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"a portrait of each of my children, once each week, in 2018"

Jaden: I noticed something about you at your second game of tackle football this past weekend. While your team all huddled with coaches and families waiting to take the field before the start of the game, you kept a bit of distance from the rest of the crowd. There you sat on your helmet, eyes focused towards the playing field, a quiet and peacefulness - and serious focus about you. You tuned out the noise, decided not to participate in the antics of the other 10 and 11 year old boys around you, and aimed all of your attention on what you were about to do. I'm learning that one of the most satisfying things about parenting is watching your kids get to live out their passion. I don't know how far or where this sports thing will take you... and watching you take sacks and tackle people isn't always easy on me... but I sure do have so much pride and joy watching you do something you care so deeply about.

Brandon: Last night while Jaden and Daddy were at football practice, and Kaitlyn was taking a long evening nap, you and I had one of the best one-on-one conversations we've had in a long time. And it reminded me that as busy as we are right now, I must make time for one-on-one moments. And at the end of the night, as I was tucking you in bed, you told me you wish for more nights like that, too. I love that you love talking about life with me, bud.

Kaitlyn: You have rocked our world in the best of ways, sweetie. At your two month check-up last week, you weighed in at just over 12 pounds and about 22 inches long. You are now the length Jaden was when he was born! You handled your three shots so well, but unfortunately have come down with a cold this week. I have thanked God numerous times over the last few days for the person that invented the Baby Nose Frida because that thing is a lifesaver! And even through your sniffly nose, you have given us countless smiles and so much joy. We are all just so smitten with you.

Late Summer Happy Things || Part 2

Our temps are going to drop about 20 degrees tomorrow, and I'm so ready. I can't wait to put on a cozy sweater, dress Kaitlyn in warm, cuddly clothes, and start planning things like Halloween costumes (okay - those have already been purchased), put together Christmas lists (already in the works), and hibernate as much as we can inside our cozy home. This entire year has been filled with so many blessings, but truth be told - I'm also very tired!

Before we fill this blog with Fall and football photos, a few final pictures and happy memories of our whirlwind summer.

|| The Sunday night before delivering Kaitlyn, I was feeling incredibly restless and anxious. So Cody coaxed all of us in the car with some swimming suits, sand chairs, floaties and hot dogs... and drove us out to his friend's private pond for a Sunday evening swim and some roasted hot dogs. I watched our boys explore and splash while Cody cooked our meal over sticks and sand... and savored this one final family outing just the four of us. These images are the last ones I would take before our girl became a part of our world...

|| Brandon enjoyed another summer of golf - even more so this year than last! We switched Junior Golf programs from last year and opted for the private course option instead. He received more actual coaching and mentoring, earned some top place finishes in competition, and finished in the top three of his first real tournament - which just happened to take place the day after Kaitlyn was born! We're thinking about signing him up for even more tournaments next summer - he really enjoys it!

|| When Kaitlyn was just over a week old, we ventured out on our first family walk with the stroller to the brand new tennis complex just a few blocks from our house. Kaitlyn and I enjoyed watching our three guys hit the ball back and forth, and it was fun to find a new casual hobby so close to home.

|| At just two weeks old, Kaitlyn attended her first family reunion. We headed to Hampton one Saturday afternoon for food and fishing and to introduce our princess to her extended family.

|| The boys learned how to play chess over the summer, and they often set up a game in our four seasons room on those summer nights that were just too darn hot.

|| Jaden attended his first Cedar Falls Tiger Fit to Hit Camp and his first summer-long Tiger basketball camp. He enjoyed both camps, and these will be staples of our summers to come.

|| Speaking of football, Brandon decided to officially sign up for his first season of flag football, and I enjoyed watching my three guys practice together in the backyard. One of my memories of this summer will always be snuggling my newborn daughter inside while watching my three big guys play catch together through our big picture window...

|| Like most newborns, Kaitlyn went through the usual "witching hour" for a few weeks, and Cody found that walking her around outside before sunset was the trick to keeping her calm before bed.

|| At about three weeks old, Kaitlyn drank her first bottle of mama's milk, and we were so proud of her for taking right to it!

|| Our biggest summer happy thing? Of course, our girl. Late summer brought her first smiles, her first coo's... and being a witness to her big brothers' growing love and adoration for her. These moments have been so special.

|| Our one and only night of sweet corn. I stayed inside more than usual this summer, and it's hard to believe that next summer we'll have a little girl waddling around the yard, learning how to pick grass and kick soccer balls. :)

|| An impromptu Sunday afternoon drive to Waverly for some Dairy Queen and a walk along the small town river.

|| The start of tackle football practice for my husband and oldest son. Much more football to come.

|| One last swimming adventure. The boys fell in love with the Grundy Center pool last year, and I had promised them a trip back this summer before school started. This year, Brandon was actually tall enough for those big water slides, and Kaitlyn tagged along for some fun in the sun. She slept the whole time in her stroller, but next year she'll have a swimming suit of her own. :)