Summer 2014

We are settling into life with 3 kiddos!  We would be lying if we said it was a cakewalk or there weren't days when we wonder, "what the heck are we doing?!?!" but there are definitely more good days than crazy days and we know this time will pass us by quickly.

We had a great summer celebrating birthdays, the arrival of Zita and fun times spent with family!

Vada has matured so much this summer and since turning 4, she thinks she is an adult:)  With the 4 year birthday she believes she should use a glass plate (always); no longer drink from a sippy cup; use a large fork and not wear a diaper/pull up to bed.  Our little girl is getting big...Yesterday she had her 1st Day of Preschool!!!  Although Sully and I both cried when she left us, we know she had a great time and I'm looking forward to spending a little 1-on-1 time with him.  Vada only cried after orientation last week because she wanted to stay at school.  She wakes up each morning asking if she gets to go to school today!  She is attending a church based preschool and only has 5 students.  Her class is taught by women who have been teaching for 35+ years.  I can't wait to see her blossom over the next 9 months as she learns and grows.  Vada takes her role as a big sister very serious; loves to swing; ride her bike; be tickled; help with cooking and is still in love with Veggie Tales and Frozen.  She is looking more and more like me everyday:)

Sullivan is still my BIG kid who has such a good heart.  He adores Vada, whom he calls "Da-De".  He won't accept a snack unless he has one to share with her also.  Speaking of snacks and food, the kid wakes up hungry and eats all day...He is only 2:)  He is talking so much lately and repeating everything.  People still expect much more from him because he looks like he is 4, but at 36 lbs he is still my little guy that needs held, wants mom to kiss his ouch-ies and be tickled and wrestled and loved like a boy does.  We are learning all of the differences between a boy and a girl first hand...People can tell you the differences, but until you live this life, you can't really understand!  Lance and I both look at one another multiple times a day and shake our heads:)  He really likes knock-knock jokes and being funny.  He is going to be our jokester for sure.  Sully loves all things boy related - trucks, fire trucks; airplanes; watching things crash; his water-table (which keeps him busy for 20 plus minutes daily); building with legos and farm animals.

We are coming up on a year in our new house and living in the woods has presented all sorts of fun activities for us.  The kids love catching toads, bugs and other weird stuff.  We did swim lessons and lots of riding 4-wheelers and popsicle eating this summer.

It's a GIRL!!!

We joyfully welcomed Miss Zita Marie Riegle to this CRAZY family on July 2, 2014 at 11:17a.  She weighed 6lb 7oz and was 21".  Born exactly 10 days early, just like the others, it was a great labor and recovery!

This post is coming only 2 months after she was born:)  We are completely smitten...and busy!  God knew exactly what we needed by giving us a very happy, very healthy little lady.  At 2 months she is over 12lbs and is sleeping so well while giving me 5 hour stretches!  Lance calls her "Church Mouse" because she hardly makes a sound and doesn't even cry during a bath.  I joke that she makes me want a fourth!  (But, we will see what God has in store for us:)  It is so amazing to watch her grow; smile and be loved by Vada and Sully.  We are beyond blessed!

Spring 2014

Hello All!

Per usual, I have been planning a new post for the last 2 months without getting it done.  We have been enjoying the spring like weather and gearing up for the arrival for Riegle Baby #3!

Sullivan continues to make us laugh and is ALL boy!  He is talking a lot these days and becoming more adventurous.  He really has no fear or regard for safety.  We did have our first ER visit in February after Sully fell into the hearth and needed glue over this right eye.  He is fully healed now and we are anxious to share all of his daring stories with him as he gets older.  I truly pray each night that God will help protect him for the following day of activities!  I joke, but I wish I could get him to wear a helmet at all times.  Our little boy also still has a love for hats and won't be caught outside without his "HAAA" (Hat)  Sully is starting to grasp the idea of a baby.  If you ask him where the baby is, he instantly pulls up his own shirt to show his belly.  He really enjoys giving mommy's baby bump kisses and pointing to my belly button while yelling "BABY!"  He brings us so much JOY...and anxiety:)

Vada really enjoyed gymnastics this spring and says he favorite sport is soccer.  We aren't sure she has ever seen a soccer game, but we will go with it.  She definitely has the competitive spirit when it comes to EVERYTHING!  If you make getting dressed in the morning a competition or first one in the bath, she will most definitely win and continue to tell you that she has won:)  We would be lying if we said that didn't make her super competitive parents proud, but we realize there is a healthy version we need to be teaching her.  She and Sully continue to have a great, fun relationship until he sits on her not allowing her to get up...we knew that day was coming:)  Her favorite cartoons lately are Sofia the First, Little Einsteins and Veggie Tales.  She will be going to preschool 2 days a week this fall, which is a little sad for mom but Vada is super excited!  We really enjoy watching her learn and grow.

In March and April the kids were able to spend some time with both sets of cousins.  We love watching as they build relationships and create memories with our families.  Lance and I were able to get away with some amazing friends to Vegas for 4 days this spring as a little couples vacation.  It was great to relax and enjoy one another before we welcome our next blessing.