The Shaida Family

Recap: Summer Fun

noreply@blogger.com (John and Kelly) — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 22:22:00 +0000

In between road trips, we explored our new city, scoping out the best places to play =) Having new adventures as a family and making fun memories... we played hard, stayed up late and squeezed every bit of summer we could out of these few months!

A favorite park

Not very crabby

Brooke's big girl bed! (Good thing Daddy has these helpers)

Very proud =)

The girl loves her smores

Lots of visits to check on our house (ice cream often followed after)

Playing in the rain!

Family Arcade Night

...and a very funny attempt to get us all into a tiny picture booth

Daddy and his sleepy girls - makes my heart full

Recap: Summer Road Trips

noreply@blogger.com (John and Kelly) — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 22:21:00 +0000

"Enjoying summer" took on a whole new meaning for me this year, knowing Kate would start full time Kindergarten in August. We took advantage and made several trips to Kansas and Indiana... a couple of them with me driving 3 kids, while Daddy stayed behind to work. It's awesome to be so close to Wichita now, it's just 2.5 hours. And even Indiana is a lot closer - 14 hours instead of 20, which makes a one-day trip possible. Our kids are such great travelers too, which helps a lot. (Although don't underestimate the power of fun snacks and movies) =)

At the Fire Department for Grant Jr's birthday party

The kids loved it! Brooke was fine letting Kate spray that crazy hose though...

Smith helping Johnny work the Fire Truck

Grant loves his cousins!

Reading a very funny story...

Sweet girls

Grandpa always stops to play with whatever playset, game or toys are sprawled out on the table

Daddy looks very comfy

Brooke found the Batman mask... and isn't too sure about it

First time for sparklers! Holding them at a careful distance =)

And onto Indiana... Happy Birthday Paul!

Brooke imitating Paul with Johnny =)

PaPaw getting some giggles

Just 3 girls, out for a very important evening with Beauty and the Beast

Enjoying the lake! Kate was all about "driving" the boat this year

And Brooke finally loves the water now!

There's lots of pictures with Gramma swinging her babies here over the years

Plenty of room for everyone!

PaPaw loves his girls

11 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (John and Kelly) — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 15:04:00 +0000

I cannot believe my baby boy will turn a year old tomorrow!!! I've known for awhile the lesson of “take time to soak up the moments, it all goes so fast”... but what do you do when you’ve taken time to soak as much as you can and it still goes so fast?? Sighhhh. And yet, as much as I’m going to miss this baby season, watching them grow into little people is just THE. BEST.

At 11 Months Old, Johnny:

will take 1 step before collapsing to the ground... he’s getting close!
loves “driving” when we’re waiting in the school’s car pickup line
plays peekaboo with his bib to pass the time at the table
loves to laugh! He'll even start a fake chuckle with me that then turns into a fully belly laugh
favorite foods are bananas, peanut butter crackers and strawberry yogurt. and ice cream. and oreos
has 3 bottom teeth now! And you can see 4, 5 & 6 almost popping through - he’s making up for lost time =)
weighs 19.5 lbs and is 29.25 inches long

10 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (John and Kelly) — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 14:58:00 +0000

At 10 Months Old, Johnny:

is walking along furniture... I have a feeling he's going to start walking sooner than his sisters did!
likes lots of foods now - bananas, yogurt and green beans are favorites
loves dancing (aka bouncing up and down) anytime there's music on, which is frequently since his sisters love dancing too
got his first haircut! He did so great - I couldn't believe it. Except now he looks super grown up =(
still has no teeth - poor guy
gives kisses, which mommy loves!! Especially since he's showing less interest in cuddling lately... sighhh

Getting so big!

He loves the water! We've spent lots of time at the pool this HOT summer

Chillin

Sitting very still!

So handsome (and about to fall asleep - it was nap time!)

Compliments of Daddy and his crazy posed pictures

If Johnny finishes his bottle and isn't ready to go to sleep, he'll toss it out of the crib and start fussing (not sure what he thinks that will get him??)... here he is trying to shove it down between the crib & wall

9 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 01:56:00 +0000

At 9 Months Old, Johnny:

has no teeth yet! He's shown signs of teething for probably 6 months... I'm getting pretty anxious to see some pop through
still loves eating, but he hasn't ventured out too much beyond baby food. I think the textures weird him out... we'll just keep trying!
is still doing an army crawl, but is SO fast at it. I'm kinda hoping it will slow him down to crawl on all fours =)
is going to need his first haircut soon... it's hanging over his ears and starting to fall down into his eyes
loves cupboards, the dishwasher, the fridge, the entertainment center... everything we don't want him to play with

A Big Move

noreply@blogger.com (John and Kelly) — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:27:00 +0000

Well most of you know by now, but we have moved from Colorado Springs to Oklahoma City! John took a job with YouVersion (the company that makes the Bible application for smartphones, tablets, etc) and they relocated us to Edmond, OK where their central offices are. So in a very quick and chaotic few months we accepted a job, put our house up for sale (having lots of house showings with 3 young kids keeps you on your toes!), house hunted in Edmond - which led to deciding to build a house and rent an apartment for the summer, sold our CO house, packed up everything - storing half of it (thank you Grant & Addie!) and moving the other half into our 3 bedroom apartment. Needless to say, it's been quite the whirlwind of emotions! It was really hard to leave CO - the close friendships we had developed there, our wonderful church, John's great-grandpa, our neighborhood that we loved... but we know, without a doubt, that this is what God has for our family right now. And knowing that has led to such an excitement about this new journey! We're part of an amazing church here that is doing incredible things for God, we've been welcomed by lots of people eager to get us connected, and John is loving his new job - which is basically to help others engage God's Word more.

So as difficult as change is at times, I'm so thankful God isn't interested leaving us where it's comfortable. Cuz I think He's got some great plans in store for us... HERE WE GO!

Once last run through!

Leaving the empty house - you were so good to us

Here's some pics of various goodbye moments with our precious community in CO...

The Rae Family

Our neighbor Miss Bonnie

The Burch Family

The Guthrie Family

The Cooper Family

The Cox Family

And just one last goodbye hug from Mabry =)

Our small group of four years hosted a wonderful last dinner for us, with these 3 dear families:

The Cartons

The Tisthammers

The Nelsons

And even though we'll get to see John's grandpa plenty... it was awful hard to say goodbye to Hoppy

8 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (John and Kelly) — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:39:00 +0000

At 8 Months Old, Johnny:

is full on crawling EVERYWHERE, and is super fast (how did that evolve so quickly??? it's like he went from scooting around to speed crawling in a few days)
passes up all of his toys, in search of anything that his sisters play with
doesn't really care for bottles much, unless it's time for bed - otherwise he just wants food
thinks Kate is hysterical - she doesn't have to try very hard to get him belly laughing
is getting long! He hasn't had a checkup, so I don't know exactly how tall he is - but his feet are almost hanging out of his car seat

Look at him eyeing those letters =)

He's super fast... unless he gets stuck in this position

Those cute red cheeks! (And the cuties in the background, too)

First time swinging!

A very rare instance of falling asleep in Mommy's arms... and I loved every minute

Birthday Girls

noreply@blogger.com (John and Kelly) — Thu, 25 May 2017 21:02:00 +0000

My sweet girls!! We had lots of fun celebrating Brooke's 2nd birthday in January and Kate's 5th birthday in April. It's pretty great that a fun cake, some balloons and party plates mean so much to kids =)

Brooke's "say cheeeeese" face

She was ecstatic about her Finding Dory party

A Peppa Pig that's as big as she is!

Trying out her Minnie Mouse sleeping bag

And now it's time for bed... she's sucking her thumb, playing with her hair somewhere under her new Peppa

A Trolls birthday party for a very important 5 year old!

Of course, it had to include a dance party...

Add in some Trolls bingo...

and Pin the Hair on the Troll game...

and these little girls had a ball!! They were just too cute =)

7 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 25 May 2017 20:09:00 +0000

At 7 Months Old, Johnny:

sits up all on his own now
is doing more food and less bottles... he's a big fan of eating =)
loves baths and splashes with both hands, full on the ENTIRE time
no longer likes being confined to his car seat or the Boppy chair... unless there's food coming
loves "chasing" his sisters with Daddy - just like Brooke used to do
is finally starting to scoot!

Getting hard to keep those letters away from him

First Masters Golf Tournament with Daddy (& Hoppy)

What a big boy! (With very bendable ears...)

Posing with his "Johnny Tractor" from Aunt Bonnie =)

A scary dinosaur chasing his sisters!

September 2015 - Brooke & Daddy chasing Kate

6 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 10:52:00 +0000

At 6 Months Old, Johnny:

Does lots and lots of squealing and jabbering
Has started solid food and is always trying to help mommy with the spoon
Loves being entertained by his sisters, and even joins in on their dance parties now!
Is still such a happy boy - except when these stubborn teeth that are trying to come through, bother him
Is pushing up on his arms... I know crawling will be right around the corner (probably sooner than Mommy wants)
Weighs 15.5 lbs

Wonder who destroyed this table paper?

Sweet little turtle bib from Aunt Audrey

We came downstairs on a Sunday morning to find the big sisters singing to Johnny

I'll help you, Mommy

Silly boy

Family dance party!

Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 14:37:00 +0000

I just realized I hadn't posted pictures from Christmas in Kansas!! Sooooo here's a little Christmas in April... =)

Watching Christmas movies (on the ENORMOUS stuffed animals from Uncle Robert)

Have you ever seen a cuter cowboy and cowgirl?

Going to see Christmas lights!

Christmastime can be pretty exhausting

Gingerbread houses...

and lots and lots of cookies to make (and eat)

Going to church on Christmas Eve

MorMor reading The Christmas Story

Brooke helping herself to one of Johnny's presents =)

Ready for a rainy day

Christmas Morning present from Santa!

More interested in mommy than his Santa presents =)

5 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 18:03:00 +0000

At 5 Months Old, Johnny:

Sleeps like a big boy! He's in his cradle both at naptime and at night, and falls asleep on his own
Has strawberry blonde hair now - the dark is all gone
Rolls over like a pro, and moves all around
Holds his bottle on his own, occasionally falling asleep =) (see below)
Has such an adorable giggle - he can be fussing in his bed and I come to pick him up and he'll start giggling
Only takes a paci when it's time to sleep, and even then just kinda chews on it

4 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 15:32:00 +0000

At 4 Months Old, Johnny:

Doesn't nap as well in his swing anymore... he used to sleep through anything! Now, if there's fun going on around him he wants to be awake
Is so kissable! I feel like I kiss him alllll day long... and he has this smirk when I do it now that seems to say "oh mom, come on"
Is trying to master rolling over
Does lots of drooling... those teeth must be moving down
Adores his sisters - he loves when they read or sing to him
Weighs 13.3 lbs and is 24 inches long - which is pretty small for his age

December

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:26:00 +0000

As the kids get older, we're trying to build holiday traditions and captures lots of memories... here's some pics of a few of our December moments as a family!

Decorating the tree!

As I rearrange the tree lights, Kate decides to sit down and warm her hands by them (haha)

Just a few of my gifts under the tree...

Holiday craft time, just Daddy & Kate

A yummy Christmas breakfast (and the girls making their silly faces)

Followed by The Grinch, of course!

Off to see Santa!

And even mail his letter from Kate

Seeing Kate's Christmas program at school... (that moment when your kid spots you in the crowd of parents = priceless)

Making Christmas cookies to deliver to the neighbors

November

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:10:00 +0000

We had such a wonderful November filled with lots of family time (and Johnny introductions!)...

My sister Christi came out to visit, and meet Johnny for the first time - I think she had plans to sneak him home in her suitcase =)

The morning of Johnny's dedication at church - which we were able to schedule while Christi and John's family were in town!

Next was a visit to Kansas to introduce Johnny to Smith (Grant and Addie's newest addition)

Smith checking Johnny out... they're only 9 days apart!

Older siblings Kate, Grant & Brooke all taking care of their "babies"

Grandpa story time with Brooke

MorMor cuddles, which apparently is the perfect occasion for a fancy dress-up hat

Then it was onto Indiana for Thanksgiving week! We celebrated being together back in my parents house... thanking God for his safety and faithfulness to us as a family (their house fire took place one year ago and made for a very different kind of Thanksgiving last year)

And everyone there got to meet Johnny! Including these sweet boys who are such good big cousins...

See what I mean?

Sydney loved Baby Johnny too

But it was probably PaPaw who got in the most cuddles =)

Gramma stole him occasionally, and even got some grins!

Anybody else ever spend hours trying to get a stuck drone out of a tree???

Annie & I with the kiddos... I wasn't feeling good, so I spent lots of Thanksgiving Day resting on the couch =(

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Sweet Littles

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 05:24:00 +0000

Happy Halloween! From a beautiful Cinderella, a cozy little elephant and a bundled up bear that you can barely even see =)

Kate showing Brooke how to pray for our day at church

Brooke showing Johnny how to clap

My first time finding Kate reading an actual book to Brooke

Just two gals playing "Target"

My babies... one is just considerably bigger than the other

3 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 04:56:00 +0000

At 3 Months Old, Johnny:

is really such a happy baby. He's always smiling at us, talking and cooing... and my favorite - the occasional belly laugh when he's tickled =)
is very ticklish! Every time I change his clothes and pull his arms out of his shirt, it tickles him
is constantly playing with his hands - mostly putting them in his mouth. For the most part he'd rather have his hands than his pacifier
is no longer staying in the same spot when I lay him down to play... he kicks his legs constantly and scoots around a bit
can sit up supported! He loves being in the Bumbo seat at the dinner table with all of us
is sleeping 7 hrs at night, still in the cradle in our room... although we're going to make the bedroom transition soon!

2 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 14:25:00 +0000

At 2 Months Old, Johnny:

is much more alert now! He sits in his swing or bouncy seat watching his sisters run around, loving every minute
talks and coos like a champ - he and daddy have long conversations each night after the girls go to bed
enjoys bath time a bit more now... only screams at the very beginning and very end =)
does great at tummy time - something his sisters always hated
is such an easy grin! At times he'll be grinning at us while drinking his bottle and we'll have to ignore him so he'll stop leaking milk out of his mouth
weighs 10.5 lbs and is 22.5 inches long

I honestly didn't expect to absolutely adore Johnny like I do. I had only known girls and I just figured a boy was going to be different. But now that I'm a mama of a boy, I get it! It is different than girls, but in a wonderful, special way. This sweet little man has completely stolen my heart!

1 Month Old

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 02:58:00 +0000

At 1 Month Old, Johnny:

is such a laid back baby... he's also very alert and already seems to like watching what's going on around him
loves the swing
hates having his diaper or clothes changed
doesn't mind noise at all... his sisters can squeal right next to him and he's unphased
is a great sleeper - he often gets woken up to eat
weighs 9 lbs and is 21 inches long

Our sweet baby boy!

Johnny's First Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 02:33:00 +0000

This little boy has stolen our hearts!!! He is so easy going and chill. Although if it's time to change his clothes or give him a bath, he will prove to you that he has a good set of lungs.

The girls are adjusting so well to their new baby brother! Kate enjoys being a big helper to mommy, which just makes her seem even more grown up... and Brooke ADORES Johnny. She's super into baby dolls right now, so she thinks this new "doll" mommy brought home from the hospital is pretty fun. =)

It really seems like God has had a spot carved out in our family this whole time for Johnny. He just fits in perfectly...

First night in his cradle

First bath (both big sisters wanted to help!)

First Sunday going to church

First birthday party =) Happy Birthday Daddy!

Great Grandpa & Johnny

Snuggles with MorMor

Having some deep conversations with Gramma

Grandpa (John Jr) helping calm Johnny (the 4th) while John (the 3rd) changes him

Random Catch-up Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 19:29:00 +0000

Kate's first trip to Build-A-Bear... meet Pinky S. Bear!

Cuddles with my girls (and my very pregnant belly)

8+ Months Pregnant (my only belly picture the whole pregnancy... whoops)

Daddy walking his beautiful girls into church

So fancy!

Reading the Bible "with glasses like Hoppy" (Great-Grandpa)

John & I celebrated our 10th anniversary on August 4th... and while we were in South Bend visiting my family, he set up a little surprise for me. He took me on an scavenger hunt to 10 different spots where we had special, significant memories (our first date, where he proposed, my home church we were married in, etc) all with clues to the next location. We ended up in downtown Chicago where he even had a overnight bag packed!! So so adorable and romantic =)

The exact spot where we first met! John was a freshman at Notre Dame and I was helping with the Young Adults group at church. I drove a van to 3 local colleges, picking students up for church. This was the driveway where we picked up the ND students, and where I met John for the very first time =)

Love him to pieces!

So this wasn't one of the 10 locations, but since we were already in Chicago... might as well have breakfast at my favorite Corner Bakery

Summer Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 18:59:00 +0000

I'm super late, but here's some pics from our road trip this summer! We started in Kansas to be with John's family, then drove to Ohio to meet my family at the lake, and finished up in Indiana at my parents house. Right before the trip, we made the BIG switch to a mini van and I'm telling you, it changed my life... at least my life during long road trips =) (And this was with just 2 kids!)

Silliness with Uncle Grant

Kate wanted to watch a show... which means all 3 kids will eventually be watching a show =)

A break from work for important story time

Magician Kate making Grant "re-appear"

Ta-da!

Heart to heart with Uncle Grant

Brooke & Grant wanted to "help" Grandpa get the mail

Skeeball!

Brooke having some road rage

At the lake house... lots of this cuteness was captured

Like this

And this

Kate's very focused on being careful =)

Ready to swim!

Brooke cheering Sydney & Emily on

Crazy girls tackling Emily & Paul to the ground

Pumpkin Time

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 02:59:00 +0000

We went to the pumpkin patch this year with some dear friends, the Tisthammers. The weather was perfectly Fall-y and we all had so much fun! Their oldest girl, Harper is right in between Kate and Brooke and they all play super well together. Baby Hayden and Baby Johnny are 6 months apart but I'm sure they'll jump right in soon enough =)

Kate, Harper & Brooke

The sweet little Tisthammer Family

Bowling! While Baby Hayden looks on

Kate getting a workout

I think Brooke attempted to pick up every pumpkin she walked by

Happy Fall!

Welcome Baby Johnny

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 02:46:00 +0000

As most of you know, John Hamilton Shaida IV is here! Johnny was born on 9/27 at 7:30pm, weighing 8lbs 2.5 oz and measuring 20.25" long. I was induced at 11:15 that morning and after progressing slowly but surely all day, I pushed just one time (crazy!) and he was here - and absolutely perfect...

Heading to the hospital

He's here!

We thought it would take Johnny much longer to arrive, so the girls were already at home in their pjs! But then he came super fast... so Gramma bought them back, excited to meet brother and give them his gifts (stuffed elephant and lion) =)

Grandpa and MorMor Shaida

Gramma Holm

Getting ready to go home!

Waiting for Baby Johnny!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 04:07:00 +0000

We're all ready here for the newest member of our family... John Hamilton Shaida, IV. I'll be induced on 9/27 if he doesn't come on his own before then!

We're so excited to meet this sweet little boy that we've been waiting 9 months for. I'm not sure how much Brooke understands of it all, but Kate can't stop talking about finally getting to bring "Baby Johnny" home! She's become such a big helper to me... getting things ready for baby and helping with Brooke when mommy is tired or just can't bend over for the 83rd time in a day =) We'll wait and move Brooke out of the nursery and into Kate's room, in a few months once Johnny is done sleeping in the cradle in our room. Pictures of that BIG transition will definitely be coming!

But for now, here's two little cuties waiting to meet their baby brother...