Six Big Changes

I was looking at a picture of our family from a year ago and from Thanksgiving weekend.

Check out the differences.

First - can I just brag on my husband for a minute? Do you see that he is like half the size he was a year ago?  I'm very impressed when he gets up every morning at 6 am to go work out at the YMCA. I'm not so supportive that I get up and go with him or wake up more than the amount required to say goodbye - but I'm impressed and so very proud of him.

Second - do you see how much Connor has grown over the past year? He used to come to Ben's waist and now he is up in elbow territory. He also just looks so much older now than he did a year ago. I didn't expect him to start looking so much like a kid so fast.

Third - a year ago Sophia looked confused in her picture. Now she just looks mischievous  There's a good reason for that...she is.

Fourth - isn't Elinor a cute butterball of a baby? I think so. She is quite possibly the sweetest and most even tempered baby in the world. (I'll bet a year from now that I will be much less complimentary of her demeanor).

Fifth - Note to self. Don't wear green stripes when you are going to get your picture taken...or, you know, ever.

Sixth - We are going to have our own little firecracker this July. We are due to have another little Ockree on July 2nd, 4th, or 7th (depending on how big little one has measured in the various sonograms I've had).

What this means for our family?

1. We are going to need a bigger car. Five is the most we can safely shove into a sedan. 
2. Dr. Wheeler is going to have to temporarily move his practice to Topeka, Kansas. (I'm sure he won't mind).
3. That 10th anniversary trip Ben and I were planning is going to be replaced with an even more expensive trip to St. Francis hospital.
4. I'll be joining the girls for afternoon nap time. 
5. I'm going to need to make more friends. Preferably the type that like to hold babies in church so that I don't have to sit by myself with a 7 year old, 3 year old, 1 year old, and 1 month old. 
6. I'm not getting away from diapers any time soon. 
7. Life is about to get a little bit rougher and a whole lot more awesome.