And the score is even...

It is another BOY...we are very excited.  The naming game has begun being Papa and Mama are having a bit more difficulty this time around.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day 2012 maybe wasn't as planned with breakfast served in bed (right dear?), and time with Grandma Dee Dee and Grandma Linda, but instead it was waking up to a leaking refrigerator/freezer which was on its way out the door.  After saving and throwing what was necessary, we headed into Rochester for some fun appliance shopping.  Some might call this crazy with 3 small children but somehow you children were wonderful and had fun running around various appliances.  Papa and Mama rocked too considering we were able to pick out a new refigerator and dishwasher (this had been acting funny lately as well) in a very short amount of time.  Mama decided to let you girls pick where we ate lunch and to no surprise you chose your favorite...WB for nothing other than chicken fingers and french fries.  By no means was the day a wash, being we still were able to do the most important thing of all which is spend time together as a family.

Thanks to the 3 of you for bringing blessings to each day.  Mama cannot imagine life without you nor can I wait for the addition of another one to the bunch!

Love you always! XOXOXO

Happy 13-months to Teddy!

A month has already passed since my first birthday and everyone thinks I just keep changing/growing by the day.  I am very much into using a spoon (preferring non other than those that belong to my sister's such as a Dora or Princess one) and am also working on using a fork.  With my hair a bit longer these days, cleaning me up after mealtime is a treat!  My two bottom teeth are through and I have front top tooth working its way in at the moment.  

I still find moving on my hands and knees to be more efficient and safe but have taken 3-4 steps on numerous occasions, thinking I am pretty big stuff, and then lower myself to the ground to go on my merry way.  Overall my balance is great, and I can frequently be found standing without arm support and bouncing away to music with my sisters. 

I love, love the outdoors.  In fact coming in from outside or not being able to go outside when someone else does causes a bit of a problem in my book.  Thank heavens we have had some very nice weather which has allowed fun outdoor activities such as enjoying my first popsicle and going on a pontoon ride at the cabin. 

Though one would think loving the outdoors would involve not minding rides in a stroller, I am not a fan of long walks while positioned in one.  I prefer either a wagon or my red car at Grandpa and Grandma's, maybe because I don't feel as confined and can better see all the action going on around me.  I also am not a huge fan of this life jacket thing I have to wear while on the lake, but am tolerating it and usually end up falling asleep anyhow.

I am looking forward to a lot of exciting activities this summer!

Much love, Theodore

Theodore's 1st Birthday Party!

We went with an All-Star theme for my first birthday bash and in my opinion I definitely lived up to the role...making it through lunch, cake, and presents before needing a nap.  Only when you are one is it polite to still be sleeping even as your guests are leaving.  The day didn't go off without a few kinks, however, which must be remembered.

My sister, Madelaine, awoke Sunday morning complaining of not feeling well.  Though not running a temperature or really acting that ill, while Papa was out mowing and Mama was up putting me down for my morning nap, Eleanor came running to the bottom of the stairs exclaiming Madelaine had just vomited all over the window/wall (story was we were trying to get Papa's attention at window).  My sisters were complete big helpers, and while Mama immediately came downstairs, they had already gotten out towels and covered the entire area and Eleanor was also in the process of covering Madelaine up on the couch.  Very sweet girls!  Mama was super excited to enter into this mess...yeah.  All guests were called and warned but everyone still came.  Madelaine took a nap and spent some extra time upstairs lounging, but was able to make it down for the main festivities.

Eleanor you were a great helper entertaining me while Papa and Mama got the house all in order...

 Papa and I, the All-Star Birthday Boy!

 My first taste of the frosting....

 Though it took a little while, I eventually warmed-up to the taste and the idea I could make a mess being the guests had cupcakes to enjoy...

 A family shot to remember the special day...

 Though not terribly interested in tearing open the paper, I had plenty of help between sisters and cousins and liked seeing the end result...the present!

 The next morning, I wanted the party to happen all over again being it was such fun...

Thanks to everyone who attended, for spoiling me with fun gifts, and for making my 1st birthday so special!

Love, Theodore

Happy 1st Birthday Theodore!!!

Where in the world has your first year of life gone little man?!?!  It seems like just yesterday you arrived into our family!  Maybe it is because you were welcomed so wonderfully by your big sisters and because you have just been the perfect little boy, but we cannot even fathom life without you. 

You are a true lover boy, giving the best hugs, snuggles with your nose, smooches, and back pats and hair twirling.  Mama could literally eat you up 24 hours of the day!!!  You love to be by the action of your sisters.  You love playing with balls, playing catch or else just throwing and retrieving on your own.  You love to dance, wave your arms, and bounce.  You are a good eater with favorites of bread, avocados, blueberries, and cheese.  You have 2 bottom teeth and what looks like 1 coming through on the top soon.  As a baby you were rather laid back but you have definitely found your voice in this household, either pointing and/screaming, or just going up and taking it is what you so desire.  You love taking baths, and while you are fine with the company of your sisters you also seem to enjoy them on your own once in awhile.  You enjoy looking at and being read books.  You like to bang on things, put tops on/off or put things into containers.  You love to move quickly on the floor with your left knee down and your right foot up...when you use this pattern it means business!  You love the outdoors, though not a big fan of being confined to a stroller (especially when your sisters roam free around you).

For your special day we decided to stick close to home and visit the newly opened Rochester Children's Museum.  Being a weekday it was very quiet and we basically had the entire place to ourselves which was great.  You seemed to enjoy roaming around the activities...

And of course enjoyed the company of your silly, always entertaining sisters...

Papa met up with us for dinner where you thoroughly enjoyed another close favorite, pizza, and then a large birthday sundae (which of course was not entirely eaten by yourself!)...

Much love to you little man!

A special Easter surprise...

On Easter morning, Madelaine, Eleanor, and Theodore were let in on a little secret Papa and Mama had been keeping.  It took some extra hinting but M & E finally caught on and have been quite ecstatic since. 

There was something extra amongst their 3 baskets when they found them...

And then M & E got to help share the secret after lunch by passing out little eggs to family members which contained the following...

Feel free to pick up your jaw, shake your head, or re-read a couple of times.  But yes, there will be 4 under 4 in the Gore household in October 2012!!! 

Easter 2012

Easter Sunday had us awake bright and early, excited to see that the Easter Bunny had indeed visited and was very good to us. 

After a quick indoor Easter egg hunt at home it was time to get ready for church.  Church was full to no surprise and even though we were on time, we still had to sit out back (but that may have been a blessing considering our cousins were there and we were allowed a bit more movement).  All children were overall well-behaved considering the excitement of the day, and the wildest one of them all (ha,ha) fell asleep...and stayed sleeping even for a few pics afterwards.  When looking at this family shot it appears M &E could use a little nap too...

After nap time someone was recharged and ready to go... 

Though not a particularly sunny day, we still were able to make it outside for a another egg hunt at Grandpa and Grandma's house...

making the day an overall success , enjoying our time spent with family, and being thankful for all the wonderful things we have in life.  A huge thanks to the Easter Bunny who seemed to leave things for us everywhere!

Happy Easter 2012!

Love, M, E, and T