Handy Dandy 11 year old

My oldest niece Julianne was born when I was not quite 16.  I was SO excited to be an aunt.  I babysat my little June-bug (and baby Catherine when she came along) often when I was in high school and have LOVED watching them grow up.
Somehow, Julianne turned 11 this summer.  My sister Jamie loaned her to me for the night of July 26 and I decided I could really use a sweet 11 year old ALL the time.  She played and played and played with Brooke and Megan.  She chatted with me and kept me company while Dan was at basketball.  She helped me cut out Candace's blessing dress.  She helped pick up toys and clear tables and I loved having her over.  She even swam with Megan and Brooke during playgroup July 27 (while I supervised from the edge).  Thanks Julianne!

Julianne and Candace, July 26

Third (ish?) bath...(first time someone was available to take a picture!)  Candace LOVES bath time, and like her sisters before her, only complains when it is over and she is cold waiting to get dressed.

Even newer new addition...

Dan and I enjoyed about 5 months without a car payment and planned to wait until 2012 to make the jump to the minivan...but after a mere 2 weeks of cramming all three kids into the back of the malibu (and yelling at the big girls to quit taking the binky/blanket/socks), we found ourselves seriously shopping! 
So again, my sweet little brother Tyler spent the night while Dan and I signed a million papers with our 2 week old in tow on July 25.  And then because the car salesman is crazy (and forgot that you have a grace period to add a new car to your insurance policy), we came home one last time in the Malibu (argh).  But on July 26, after a timely fax from our insurance agent, we picked up our beautiful 2009 Honda Odyssey!  Sigh of joy.  It was so fun to stick all the kids in and know that no one could touch anybody else.  And then hit a button and watch the doors close.   I heart my van.

Farewell 1999 Chevy Malibu, farewell.  You were my parents' first new car.  I learned to drive in your driver's seat with my Mom sitting next to me.  You were witness to my fender bender on the freeway when I was 17.  You survived several trips across the country (including one where someone...my sister Carrie...put on snow chains that wore some grooves around the tires).  You were the first car I had to myself my junior year of college.  And the car my parents gave to Dan and I when we got married.  It's been a good ride!  But I admit I'm looking forward to windows that actually go up and down, AM radio, and defrost.  Just sayin'.

The new ride!  Let's go! (July 26)

Easing in to three...

Dan was off work for a week after Candace was born, but he was back to work on July 18.  He worked from home July 18, my sister Jamie (and her 5 kids) came to spend the day on July 19, so July 20 was my first day all alone with three kids!!  It went so well that I spent July 21 at my parents' house with my sister.
Aah!  Just kidding, actually it was fine.  I was recovering well, Candace was letting me get pretty good sleep (she would go down around 10 pm, eat at 3 am, and not eat again til 6 am), and the big girls were no more busy than usual.  It was amazing to me how quickly having Candace around became normal.  That's not to say things aren't crazy--I think I was just better prepared for the craziness of adding a new child to the family this time around. 
An adorable, blue-eyed two year old (looking so grown up) on July 17

Mommy and three girls, July 17

Tummy time/naps (what a good multi-tasker!) on July 18

Oh, melt my heart.  Look at that doll on July 19

Tiny feet in my hands, July 19

 Crazy Brooke swinging in the heat, July 20

Half smile, July 20

July 22 sporting a bow from Aunt Michelle--ready to head to the doctor...

Gorgeous tan babies--Megan, July 22

Brooke, July 22

Megan and Candace (when did Megan get so big?  pictures like this break my heart a little bit)

Kisses for baby Candace, July 23

Megan and her accessories, July 24 

Winking eye--on her due date! July 24, 2011

My little brother Tyler was nice enough to spend the night on July 21 so that he could watch the big girls while I took Candace to her 2 week (ok, 12 day) checkup on July 22. 
The Stats:
Weight=8 lbs, 3 oz (52%)
Length=20.5 in (67%)

Newborn Photo Shoot

During Brooke's party, Jamie took a few minutes to do a quick photo shoot with Candace. I love how they turned out--it's amazing how quickly they change. I'm so glad we captured her at just 5 days old! Here are some favorites.

Brooke's Party

We had my family over for a dinner and birthday party on Saturday, July 16,2011.  It was a yummy dinner of chicken and rice, green beans, rolls, frog-eye salad and cake and blue bell for dessert!

The cake (of course I did it in Brooke's favorite color of steel blue/gray...or maybe I tried to do purple and it didn't quite work out)

My cake helper...5 days old

Cheesy smile from my 3 year old helper...

COUSINS!  The three musketeers who can squeal like you wouldn't believe--Megan (3), Chloe (3), and Brooke (2)

More cousins!  Adam (4), Madelyn (6), Catherine (9), Hailey (8), and Zach (6)

Uncle Tyler getting his Candace snuggles...

The spread...

Aunt Carrie (fresh off the plane from her scuba trip with corn rows to prove it)--holding Candace for the first time...

She got to open even more presents--thanks everyone!

My favorite present--a cute dress from my Dad.  He said he saw it at Sam's and he thought it looked like something Mom would have bought--so he bought it.  He even "wrapped" it (by stuffing it in a ziploc baggie).  I love my Dad.  I love to see him take on all of these tasks Mom used to do and excel at them.  It's a small thing, but it means a lot because it IS just what Mom would have done.  Hard to believe that she's been gone for almost 3 weeks.