Happy 3rd Birthday Sofia Joy! Part 1

 Sofi J is THREE! She is so full of life and personality! She is very determined and knows what she likes, and what she doesn't like! I wondered a bit today about her birth mother and wishes I could share these pictures with her...to let her know this child is chosen and loved and cherished and celebrated! Our wild child is growing up...and I'm loving watching her slowly unfold into such a beautiful little girl, day by day, bit by bit! 

We had a really special day with the birthday girl :) While Zoya was at school and Uncle Mike was babysitting Mila, we took Sofia out to a special birthday breakfast and then to the lake! 

I love when we get the chance to spend 1-1 time with Sofia! She is so very different when it's just her and us! I am pretty certain all her birthday wishes came true today with some extra special time with Mom and Dad :) 

More birthday pictures to come....

Zoya's ALMOST 6 YEARS OLD!

This little Bee spent her last day as a FIVE YEAR OLD today! Tomorrow she turns SIX! I can't even begin to believe this!!! She is so very excited about her birthday and keeps saying "SIX YEARS OLD!!!!!!!"

This picture captures the essence of my Zoya girl! 

Here's a little interview with Zoya about turning SIX YEARS OLD! 

I have her trying to guess what her gift is....so far she's guessed cake, a card from Gramma Liz, and a "big boat...." Yah wouldn't that be nice??? 

Shawn tried convincing me that Zoya asked for one of these for her birthday:

Yesterday Grandma and Grandpa Bee came to visit to kick off Zoya's birthday celebration!

She is in love with her new hat and....

 her REAL LIFE blood pressure cuff!!!! HA! Seriously this girl REAAAAALLLLLY wanted a real one. 

When Grandma Bee asked what she wanted I told her she REALLY wanted this...but I understood if she didn't think a blood pressure cuff was a fun birthday gift! Zoya, however, thinks it's the most fun gift ever! 

The only girl I know who can pull off a backwards hat with a beautiful dress! 

Of course Sofia and Mila got some consolation birthday gifts as well....Sofia likes her hat! 

 We had this stupid great idea to go out to eat for lunch with all 3 girls :)....It wasn't THAT bad ;)

Mila was the life of the table with her silly antics! 

I didn't get a picture of Zoya's face when we were singing to her, but it was priceless! 

Home for double tickle time! 

 Sofia mid-sneeze

Isn't that just all kinds of gross cute?

Sofia and Grandpa Bee

Staring contest....

We always attempt group shots but almost never get a good one, oh well! If you're wondering who the 4th Little Bee is, that would be the ginormous freaky baby who has lived here for 4 years now! 

Mila trying to make her get-away!

Ahh well THIS one is cute at least!! :)

Goodnight my 5 year old, tomorrow you'll be SIX YEARS OLD! 

Our prayers for you, sweet Zoya girl, are that this year would be your best yet. That you'd keep letting your light shine so bright, freely give your amazing love to others, and that you'd find peace in the deepest crevices of your soul! You are the light of our lives! 

Happy Birthday Mila Part 2

More birthday fun! I had to do so many collages because I couldn't pick my favorite pictures from the many that we took! Mila had a blast on her birthday and she sure knows she's loved! 

Homemade Birthday Pancakes....Mila's favorite! 

There's no other place Mila would have rather spent her birthday than at the dance studio with Miss Erica! We went to a class and then stayed for a little lunch party for Mila! 

As you can see, she had the time of her life! You'd think the girl was in Disney World! 

I realize it's been a while since I did a Mila update, and now that she's 3 and all it seems like she grew up overnight!!! A Mila update is in the works! 

One more little birthday treat :) 

Dear Mila, 

On your 3rd birthday I can't help but remember the moment we locked eyes for the first time. It wasn't on the day you were born, but today we celebrate your tragically beautiful entrance into the world! As I watch you throw your arms up in celebration over and over and over again today I can't help but be reminded that those arms didn't always know a life of love and celebration. I can't help but hold you tighter today and praise the Lord that He redeemed your life and now you KNOW love. From frail, stiff arms that told me you had no idea how to be held or loved or celebrated, to healthy, chubby arms that hug freely, that reach heavenward shouting, "LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL." Happy Birthday beautiful Mila girl!

Love, Mama

P.S. You'll Always Be My Baby! 

Happy 3rd Birthday Mila Bean!

My emotions have been all over the board with Mila's upcoming 3rd birthday. Technically she's already 3 since Ukraine is 7 hours ahead of us...but I have one more hour to pretend my sleeping baby is still 2. Tonight we began her birthday celebration. I let her stay up until almost 10 pm (2 hours past her normal bedtime) because I couldn't stand the thought of putting this sweet 2 year old to sleep for the last time as a 2 year old. She's been though so much in her 3 short years and yet she has come out continuing to rise above, continuing to teach me about TRUE and UNCONDITIONAL love, continuing daily to remind me that I am so very blessed to be loved so greatly in this one and only beautiful life. 

 As we celebrated tonight, I couldn't help but think about what her birth day may have been like 3 years ago. I don't have stories to tell her of the day she was born. I can't tell her that her birth was one of the most beautiful moments I've ever witnessed, because I didn't.  I don't know if she was welcomed with love and excitement, only to find out she wasn't the child her birth parents thought she'd be. I don't know if her birth mother held her and snuggled her, or if she turned and walked away. I can't begin to imagine the pain her birth mother must have gone through when her daughter was born with a disability into a society that has little value or appreciation or room for a child with Down Syndrome. I can't look into my big beautiful 3 year old's eyes and tell her about her first breath in this world. I can't tell her about how beautiful she smelled in her newborn state. I can't show her her beautiful newborn pictures. I can't picture her first moments on this earth. I can't fathom her loss. I can't, without crying, think about her first days, weeks, and months spent alone on this earth. 

 I can, however, tell her that Jesus was with her during those first few breaths in this world and that he smiled down on her because He had big plans for her. I can tell her that He protected her and loved her and KNEW her before the beginning of time. I can tell her she is exactly the child that I never knew I always needed. I can tell her my soul feels as if we've never been apart. I can tell her I believe with all my heart that I was destined to be hers, and she to be mine. I can tell her that from the moment our eyes locked I knew my life would be changed in a way no other soul could ever begin to change me. I can tell her she is loved and cherished and valued today and forever more! 

Mila has accomplished so much in her three years in this world. She has touched so many hearts. She has so many gifts to offer this world. She wears her heart on her sleeve-never letting a day pass where she doesn't show her love in such a deep, unmistakable, all-encompassing way. The way she throws her arms around my neck and squeezes with every ounce of her being...the way she sinks all her weight into me as she lays on my chest...the way she smiles as if it's the best day of her life EVERY.SINGLE.DAY upon waking up....the way she looks into my eyes speaking to my soul without a single word needed....the way her smile lights up even the darkest day....the way she LOVES to LOVE...Mila is such a gift to this world and I'll be forever grateful that I was chosen to be her Mama and be on the receiving end of these gifts! 

Happy 3rd Birthday Mila Hope!! You are a gift! 

(More birthday pictures from tonight and tomorrow to come!) 

Sofia's 2nd Birthday Fun!

We started Sofia's birthday celebration the weekend before her birthday! We had to have TWO cakes to make up for missing her first birthday! Grandma and Grandpa B came to celebrate! She got so very excited when she realized the cake and singing were for HER! It was the sweetest thing ever :) 

 (P.S. See that "2" candle, I bought it for Zoya's THIRD birthday and when I came home with it Shawn told me she was turning 3, which I clearly KNEW, and I cried HAHAHHA....So we used it for Sofia-I guess I forgot we had it for Mila's 2nd!). 

Opening a birthday gift from G & G B. 

We celebrated on Tuesday, her actual birth day, again! 

Sofia started her special day with a gluten free chocolate cookie! 

I had bought her an adorable girly outfit-a jumper I won in an online auction and I was so excited for her to wear it for her birthday. I put it on her and Shawn and I just giggled, it was WAY too frilly for our Sofia girl, and it was too big anyways :( So I quickly changed her into some converse shoes, knee socks, a tutu and her "2" t-shirt! Ahh, much better! 

She was unwrapping her big birthday gift! 

Yes that is Christmas paper and some other random striped paper. For child #3, we're not quite as over the top as we used to be LOL! 

Sofia finally has her own chair just like her sisters! 

Zoya was chomping at the bit to "help" Sofia unwrap her presents! 

Just what every wild 2 year old tom boy needs....a weighted gel medicine ball! HA.HA.! (She also got her very own weighted vest but I just felt wrong wrapping that up and telling her it was a present!)

A present from Aunt Stacey, Uncle Bryan and cousin Ella! 

These awesome stacking blocks were a hit! Sofia has only injured one sibling with them so far! ;)

Uncle Mike and Aunt Carol babysat Mila and Zoya so Shawn and I could have some special time with Sofia on her birthday. It's a tradition in our family now :) Daddy let her drive while we were waiting for the rain to stop (we were sitting in the parking lot, parked...no worries!)

"Don't take your eyes off the road and NO texting while driving" says Daddy.

Checking her mirrors....

Surprised she didn't get a speeding ticket! 

Both adorable and terrifying at the same time! 

We took her out to dinner. She doesn't get to go out to dinner often...with 3 little ones now, those days are far behind us :) We chose a place with a great gluten free menu! 

She was being a little silly with all the attention from mama and daddy! 

I think she might be 16 and still have that binky.....

Sofia is such a little go-getter! She got to the puddle and since we wouldn't let her sit down it in, bust into tears and full out tantrum HAHA! 

Next up was a trip to the toy strore to pick out a birthday present! 

It was so funny to see her zooming so fast through the isles. She was definitely sensory overloaded, but loved it! 

She turned corners at rapid speed! 

It didn't take her long to find her favorite TV star :)  All 3 of the girls have LOVED Elmo at this age! 

Wonder what she's thinking here....

See the big kid in the background playing with toys too? (She pushed this Elmo around for a while but it is not the toy we left with!)

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!" 

She was quickly distracted with the big kid cars! 

Pretty cute, but maybe not the best fit....

Oh, yes, here we go! MUCH better! 

Here is the toy we left with-a pink basketball hoop!! 

Sofia's first ever smash cake :) If you missed the video, it's worth watching! Check it out here!

"For Me!!" 

Zoya is a blur from jumping up and down!

Getting some birthday tickles from big sister! Don't tell her but it was a chocolate zucchini cake...don't think she minded at all! 

After having her other cake with Grandma and Grandpa B, she totally knew what to do and tried to blow out the candles! 

Mmmmmm.....

She kept flinging her hands in excitement and cake was flying everywhere! 

Nom Nom Nom! 

"What happened?" says Zoya! 

Oh.My.Heavens!

Daddy kindly offered to bath her <3 haha="" nbsp="" p="" so="" thankful="">

And just for fun :) 

Fresh and clean and ready for night night :) 

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet girl! I'm happy to say my prediction of at least 2 ER visits before her 2nd birthday was not accurate, but it's only been by the grace of God! HAHA!