Kennedy's Wedding Dress photo shoot - Year 4 (Age 3)

I can't believe I never shared these last summer when we got them taken and got them back from Jenn! Jim does have that first photo as his profile photo on FB so I'm sure many have already seen it but still wanted to share it for memories sake.

My god she is just a gorgeous little creature! When I see these photos I no longer see my little baby girl, I see my little lady in front of me. She is growing up way too fast and I absolutely treasure these photos of her in my wedding dress so much!

It was SO windy at the beach that night and she was literally only in the dress for less than 10 minutes, but it resulted in 3 super cute photos so I was thrilled. This is hands down my favorite photo session of every year and I have all my fingers and toes crossed that she continues to be willing to participate in this yearly tradition because Jenn and I always have fun with this shoot!

Taking it back to the very beginning when it all started when she was just around 10 days old and I don't even think she was back to her birth weight yet. She was not even 6lbs when this photo was taken!

Taken in Jenn's studio when she wasn't quite 1 year old yet. She only lasted in the dress maybe 3 minutes and I was blown away that Jenn captured this photo, cause she was not a happy girl at all!

This was the first year that she was more aware of what was going on and was so excited to wear Mommy's dress, for all of about 5 minutes when she started to say "okay, I all done now"

This was a quick shoot (filled with tons of smartie bribes) but resulted in a gorgeous photo. Her hair was really starting to grow and her little girl facial features were really starting to develop.

Oh to see her grow up in front of my eyes is such a blessing to me, and not one that I take for granted ever. I know how absolutely lucky I am to be her Mama.

Mornings with my little lady

With the change to our daycare not having half days available anymore I am limited to what hours I am able to work in the office these days, which means on Jim's dayshift weeks I am working from home in the mornings with Kennedy. I both love this time and dread it too some days! She is great about playing by herself or like this morning she'll ask to watch something on her tablet. 

This is the tiny little nook under my desk down in the office. She loves to sit under there, both when I'm down there or just when she wants some peace and quiet. Jim and I have both found her down there all alone just chilling out peacefully. I'm surprised she hasn't taken a blanket to hide in there because it's much colder downstairs in our basement. If I was her I would hide in my warm comfy room but for some reason she prefers this little spot.

Yesterday morning we decided to do matching hair styles. Her daddy saw a photo the other day of her hair half up and half down and said he really liked it so we both did our hair that way and sent him a photo of his girls.

New clothes from Ms. Gracie means a whole new adorable outfit for Ms. Kennedy!

I can't believe in only 18 months this little lady will be starting Kindergarten. I am enjoying the extra time I have with her for as long as I can and feel very blessed to be able to work from home for now!

Making memories with sunset swimming

On our recent camping trip we found that one of Kennedy's favorite things to do was head to the beach for a before bed swim...usually in her clothes instead of bothering to change into her swimsuit! This spot at Haywire was absolutely beautiful, especially with the gorgeous sun setting behind her.

Beach time dancing girl

Another day and this time Kennedy and Jordie went in in their clothes! 

And on the way back to camp we jump in the huge mud puddle in the trail! She was so happy and truly living her best life getting dirty and having fun!

This time it was swimsuits and a swim with our girls Hads and Kins!

These are the memories I am trying to soak up now that she is growing so fast. So often we find ourselves alone with her while her brothers are off doing other big kid stuff. I am sad that we don't do as much family stuff, but also grateful to have these moments with Kennedy too. Everything is so different with her, not just because she's a little girl, but also because she is our last baby and these moments will be the last of these kinds we get to share with our kids as toddlers. We are treasuring the moments while we can!!

Throwback Thursday Comparison - the monkey toque

James got this toque from Auntie Ra back when he was 2 or 3  and it's been a favorite in our house ever since. Such a cute memory to have something that all 3 of them have worn!

Now here are their individual photos of each of them! James was almost 3 here.

Here is Kennedy at just about 3

This was on Valentine's Day and he wasn't even quite 2 here yet!

When I see pictures like I realize again how much these two look alike! 

My wishes for my beautiful little girl

Here are my 10 life lessons for my sweet Kennedy Joanna.

(1) You are, and always will be, more than just what you look like on the outside.You are a beautiful human, on the inside and the outside.

(2) You can be tough as nails and soft and vulnerable at the same time. It is so important to be able to be both, in this tough world you are growing up in.

(3) You can be a girlie girl all dressed up in dresses with fancy hair, or rock that awesome pair of jeans and a hoodie, with your hair up in a messy bun, too.

(4) It’s more important to be a good, kind person than anything else in the whole world. Your Daddy and I believe that our biggest job is to raise good people and I hope we are doing that with you.

(5) You are so smart and so capable of doing anything you set your mind to! You are going places in this world my love and I can't wait to see where you end up.

(6) You are sassy and outspoken, but remember always use that in a respectful way to get your point across to those around you. Words can hurt and the pain can last a lifetime. 

(7) Use your words wisely and try to think before you speak. This isn't always easy but it's a very important life lesson to learn.

(8) Remember to work hard for all that you want to achieve and don't expect others to get you to where you want to be. Your work ethic determines who you are and how you are viewed in the world.

(9) Love those that matter unconditionally and let go of those that hurt you. So much easier said than done sometimes but never be afraid to fall in love because you never know when your forever love will appear. 

(10) Always hug your Mama tight and say I love you, no matter how old you get or how much she drives you crazy! I still hug my Mama tight and tell her I love her every chance I get so I think you should too! :) 

Big thanks to Auntie Sheri for this BEAUTIFUL new photo of our little KJ girl. And big props to Daddy for rocking the awesome messy bun hairstyle too! 

Tuesday Twins Day

Maddie came for a playdate on Sunday and when she showed up we giggled that they were matching. Kennedy's dress is on backwards, her skirt is too but the sparkly black tops and jean bottoms still looked so cute together! 

That picture above made me think about this picture from a few years ago of these two matching on another day!

And then this cute picture popped up from the one time they took swimming lessons together too.

And of course this cheesy shot from many years ago now!

Will she always love me like this?

This girl is glued to my hip these days. Wants to sit with me on the couch, wants extra snuggles at night and also whines at me uncontrollably when her brothers come anywhere near me for affection. She’s my last baby and I’m working hard to ensure she isn’t spoiled but man do I ever love how much she loves me. I’ll look back on this post when she’s 15 and hates me. Although I never ever hated my mother for more a half hour at a time so I’m really hoping the same will happen with my girl. I love you Ms Kennedy Joanna!  

Almost 2

Our sweet and crazy and funny and sometimes maddening Kennedy Joanna is less than a month away from turning 2 and I just can’t believe it. Time is flying by me these days and never seems to slow down anymore.

Today her Daddy dressed her for the day and she was just the cutest ever. He always picks the most random and usually adorable mixture of clothing for her, and not ones I would usually ever pair together. And the pigtails were all Daddy too ❤️😃

Major cuteness alert!!

We went swimming yesterday with the Reimer kids and had a blast in an almost empty pool. Swimming is definitely our favourite family activity and all 3 of our kids love the water. I snapped a few photos of Kennedy and one cute one of me and Cassidy with her too.

Her little pigtails and smile just kills me! 

This pretty lady and I are doing swimming lessons on Saturday mornings while her brothers play hockey and I can't wait to spend more time in the pool with her! She's a total little fish :)