The rest of April

 Jon built a deck, with LOTS of help from Kate. They all spent lots of time at the back door looking at what Dad was up to.

 Emily was such a chill baby most of the time, thankfully! Mom sure had a hard time adjusting to 4 girls.

 More progress happened on the deck, Kate even used power tools.

 Mom and Emily spent lots of time doing this. And sisters always asking to help hold their baby sister!

 And because it's funny Jane gave Mom an F for her mothering. And she loves holding hands with Emily or giving her crayons.

Life with 4 Kids

 Coming home from the hospital to life with 4 kids was a bit of a mess. But somehow still just fine. I don't understand how, but somehow things always seem to work out and be just fine. Must be divine intervention, cause I know it's not me. The first few days my Mom was able to be here. But it was not without challenges. After we got Emily's tongue tie fixed, she still had a hard time nursing. I tried for awhile, but ended up pumping for 2 months and feeding her with a bottle. It was so HARD to have enough time for that and taking care of the family. Thankfully my girls stepped up and were super helpful big sisters! I couldn't have handled it without their help.
So here are the fun pictures to prove it. Baby's first bath at home. As per tradition done by grandma.

 And I LOVE her forehead wrinkle. Makes her look so like a serious old man. Despite struggling to latch, she has always been a pro eater with a bottle!

 The awesome big sisters. They are quick with pacifiers, songs, kisses, hugs, and even changing diapers! Such sweet little girls.

 Contemplating this new world. Deep thoughts.

And then her cute little wave. Her hair seems mostly straight, but gets an occasional wave that cracks me up.

 Being this cute gets exhausting.

Please--people stop taking pictures already.

And randomly-- a picture of Abby's after school hair. She goes to school looking alright, and then comes home like this! Kindergarten must be fun.

Emily Mae

Emily Mae decided to be born on March 29th. I started having active labor at 8am. But didn't actually deliver till 10:20pm!! She was a long labor, especially since I didn't get an epidural till around 9pm! But after I got the medicine she was born smoothly with 1 push! She was a beautiful 7lbs 10oz, 19.5 in long. Her hair is straighter and slightly lighter than her sisters at birth, but other than that she is pretty much a carbon copy of the other 3! We will see what color her eyes end up being. One of my favorite things about her is her intense angry forehead wrinkle. Now that she is older it isn't as noticeable, but it still comes out when angry.

Unfortunately she had a pretty bad tongue tie when she was born, so we had to bottle feed her. The pediatrician fixed her tongue, but now at a month old she is still using bottles. We will see how long I keep pumping and feeding her this way. 

Meeting her sisters!! Everyone loved you instantly Emily! Even Jane, who I thought might be jealous was perfectly happy when she met and held you the first time. You got to meet Grandpa and Grandma Jensen within 48 hours of being born! It was great to have them here to help with the transition of bringing you home from the hospital (the day before Easter). Having 4 kids in the house is quite chaotic. You were adorably cute in your pink sheep pajamas to come home from the hospital.

Time MARCHES on

 Jane continues to be a model 2 year old. into some mischief, but cute and funny so we excuse it. This particular incident is what happens when a toddler gets a marker. Luckily it was washable.

 Abby demonstrated impressive resourcefulness. I told her we were not using tape while coloring one day, and a few minutes later I found this: art work created with a band aid.

My girls love to color together. This particular day they all were working on Dog man cartoons. The best part was how encouraging they were to each other. Phrases like "wow thats a great job!" "Great work!" "You are an amazing draw-er!" went on the entire time. I hope they always root for each other this much!



Also, for our last date night before having another baby we went to our lot and staked out our new house. It was fun to get excited about this new adventure.

Fabulous February

 February flew by this year! In a good way. We kept up our family tradition of sending the kids Valentine's cards (almost) daily. They light up with the most simple love note, and I love it.
Chance is the sweetest dog, even takes care of baby dolls. Jane had her first frosty and loved it! And reading stories to Jane has turned into an olympic sport. She hardly ever sits still--the lovely 2.5 year old.

 Kate and Jon had their first Daddy Daughter Dance! They had a great time! Kate said Jon danced with her the whole time, and they even won the game they played against all the other Dad's and Daughters there.

One night at dinner Abby taught Jane how to toast cheers then says "Now we are the best friends you can be--drinking buddies!"

Another fabulous February moment happened when my parents drove down from Ohio completely surprising me to give Jane and Emily's room a makeover. Mom and Grandma worked together to make the decorations and I just adore them. I felt so loved and taken care off, I might have cried a bit! It helped me get more excited and a little less scared/overwhelmed about baby number 4!

Jane transitioned rather well to her new toddler bed! But her sleeping positions crack me up sometimes!!