The End.

I snapped this picture this morning to send to Eric (he's out of town).

This is the VERY last and final bag of breast milk in my possession that we are using today (notice, it was frozen back in May, when I quit pumping!). We've been supplementing some whole milk each day for the last week or so, but tomorrow, he'll be on it, completely. So, Cole made it to 13 months, exclusively breast fed. I know I had a ton frozen and saved with both Carter and Ella too, and I'm sure they both made it at least that long, if not longer, exclusively breastfed. So that's 39 months of breast milk between my 3 kids. I never would have though that would be something I could do for them, especially to that extent. It's crazy to think how many ounces I likely produced (probably around 40,000) and how many extra calories that helped me to burn (probably over 1 million), not to mention losing all of my baby weight, plus some, all 3 times, which equates to over 160 pounds! The female body can do some pretty amazing things. And that's not even touching on the benefits each of my kids received. Anyone who knows us well knows that my kids are ridiculously healthy! Only 1 ever ear infection between the 3 of them, and they've had nothing more than seasonal allergies. Never had strep, never had the flu, pink eye, HFM, or even a tummy bug or any other thing that I know of, other than Cole's 1 ear infection that he had when he was 3 months old. I have to attribute their amazing immune systems to my milk, really because there is no other explanation. They're around germs as much as any other kid, and amazingly, their bodies just flush everything out. I have friends that joke about my super-milk and our super-human immunity at my house, and it seems to really be true! I am so, so thankful for that, and we are all definitely blessed in that way.

So, it's a little sad to see this last bag go, but at the same time, I'm happy that phase of my life is behind me, and that my children get to reap the benefits of all that work as they grow and get older in the years to come. I definitely couldn't have done that without the support of Eric. He was an awesome cheerleader for me when it was tough in the early days. Plus, he put up with having zero extra freezer space for 3+ years! And of course, my breast pump, who saw more ounces and hours and washes than most do, I'm sure! Now, what to do with all that space in our freezer?!

Girls' Trip To Mexico

On Sunday I got back from 4 of the most fun and relaxing days I've had in a while! I took a girls' trip to Cancun with a couple of close girlfriends, thanks to our amazing husbands and other family members that were able to pitch in and help with our 9 total children!! Here are some pictures from our trip. We didn't do much of anything but enjoy the sun and the pool, eat and have some yummy beverages! Oh, and a little shopping our last day there. :)

Not a bad view of the ocean from our room, considering it was a "garden view" room.

Beer in Mexico by the pool is so much yummier!

 The pool waiters dropped us off a fun drink in a real coconut! That thing was heavy! At least 10 pounds! Good arm workout while you're drinking, I guess. ;)

Walking around the pool area (which was amazing, by the way) we had to take some pictures of the place and the view. :)

Blessed by their friendships!

 The one night we got "dressed up" for dinner.

 They had some cool birds around the resort. Photo opt with one....

 Then they brought a few more over. They were so well behaved!

 The last full day we were there, some baby sea turtles (that they had been protecting and maintaining on the beach) hatched and they were going to release them at dusk into the ocean. They invited a few guests down to be a part of it. They kept them in this little crate until it was time. There are 13 total.

I couldn't believe when they offered for us to hold them! How crazy! They were so adorable.

 So we walked down to the beach about dusk and hung out with maybe 20 other guests until it was time. We met some fun people and everyone was so excited to watch this!

 Holding our babies with our resort in the background.

I took a video of the release because we were all a little sad that we got to do this and our kids couldn't be there to see it. What a fun experience! And even though the video isn't great, my kids still got to see what it was like.

That was a great way to finish our trip! The next day we did a little shopping and lunch before catching our flight home. I was happy to see Eric and the kids after a fun getaway!

Happy 4th Birthday to our Ella!

Ella's birthday was last Wednesday, and we had an easy and fun day!! She didn't have school that day, so she wanted to go to the park after we got Carter off to school. We spent an hour or so playing at our neighborhood park and enjoying the cool weather! 

 She's figured out how to pump her legs and swing herself, and she does really good at it!!

Just look at how much fun she's having!

Love it.

Cole got in on the swing action too, still one of his very favorite things to do.

What a cute boy!

Ella dressed herself in a maxi skirt and tank top, I thought she did so good and looked so big, and cute!

The rest of the day we spent running errands for her birthday party, and watching Cinderella in the media room while Cole napped. For dinner we went to the restaurant of her choice..... Mattito's. She loves that you can get an ice cream sandwich after dinner! Then we came home for more dessert....

So big and pretty, and loving every lick of that chocolate cupcake!

We opened gifts after that, and the kids all played with them a while before bedtime.

Right up her alley.... anything with babies involved!

She told me when she went to bed that she had the best day. And I did too, with her!

The next day, we went to Nana & Grandad's for dinner, and she got to "be the birthday girl" again. After dinner, she pretty much demanded us to sing happy birthday to her before having our chocolate pie. HA! And she did get to open some more gifts :)

 
On Saturday, we invited several of her little friends to come play at her gym for her party. Ella was so excited to have a gymnastics party, and show everyone what she loves to do! I think all her friends had a lot of fun! Here are some pictures. 

Ready to go! Looking so grown up.

She got to choose her cake, and she wanted Minnie. I got this from Market Street, and thought it looked awesome and it tasted soooo good!

 Then playtime on the floor for all the kids!

 All kinds of blurry, but still a cool shot!

 Ashlyn, Taylor & Ella on the beams

 The bars.... probably her favorite thing to do!

 

 Strong girl!

 Fun swinging on the rings!

 The boys had races :)

 So cute! All her friends, minus a few that had to leave early.

 Great shot!

 Had to do silly faces!

 Time for "Happy Birthday" and cake!

 I love the sweet smiles all my kids get when their song starts. So proud!

 Love!

  And, when did these boys all get so big and handsome?!

 Cole enjoyed a little cake too!

Ella had a great birthday, and an awesome birthday party! She truly felt so special on both days, due to all the love she received from all the people that love her the most She's one blessed little girl, and I know she felt that!! And she is so, so proud to be FOUR! :) We love you so much, Ella Reesie!!