Happy 5th Birthday Beatrice Starling!

March 1st

Let me tell you about March 1st. Five years ago today a dark cloud lifted. I started bedrest on Halloween and by Christmas was on bedrest full-time. We fought through the longest, scariest and most trying winter of our lives--thinking we may lose her at every turn. Every day we just hoped for one more day to pass without another incident. (Their were only three little birds, we wouldn't lose a fourth & everything would be alright.) For so long it was just get us through November. Then December. Then just get us through January. Then February. Then one day I looked up and it was March 1st. Winter was over - literally and metaphorically. Spring was coming. She was safe. We all survived. When it was time to name her, Lou had the perfect name. Beatrice Starling - after this song right here. And last night, on the eve of March 1st and just days before she'll turn five, Josh Ritter sang out these words and all the emotions came rushing back. "Hello Blackbird, Hello Starling, Winter's over, Be my Darling. A long time coming but now the snow is gone." It's so easy in the day-to-day to lose perspective, to take things for granted and to forget the miracle that is each and every one of our children. But you can bet March 1st isn't one of those days for us. 💕

A video posted by Carri (@fourschneiders) on Mar 1, 2016 at 7:08pm PST

These Days, February

February was 39 circles around the sun for me and a celebration complete with two cakes and one giant pink and purple unicorn. We had a blast of winter and signs of an early spring. In typical Four Schneiders fashion, the girls spent a good chunk of their time in their typical uniform - a swimsuit for Josie and the costume du jour for Beatrice. Although, Beatrice wasn't the only one playing dress-up. Tiki Pup regularly found herself in the middle of some elaborate staging--and lots of cuddling.

A big moment this month came from Josie in this moment captured here -

This girl. Let me tell you. This girl begged to swim in the Regional Championships at age eight against ten year olds because she knew it was about beating personal bests and not about winning. So this mom had to send a late, pleading email to the coach who said of course and I should've listened the first time when he said she was ready. So all of us spend three days at a swim meet. With the most wonderful kids and families in the world. And we cheer for all our little ones who amaze us with their determination and commitment. And this girl swims her heart out. Goes for it like Olympic Gold is on the line. And shaves over 20 seconds off her 100m IM and several seconds off her 50s. And all the while she skips around with friends and giggles. And smiles. Nonstop. And we smile too. And get choked up and how quickly she's maturing before our eyes. Our hearts swell-to-bursting with pride. And she counts down the days until the next season begins. 💗🏊🏻🏆

A photo posted by Carri (@fourschneiders) on Feb 22, 2016 at 5:21pm PST

and this one - 

They lost their first game by almost 50 points. Today they ended their season with a one point loss in the tournament semi-final! So so proud of these girls!!! Eagles on 3! 1-2-3 EAGLES!!! 👏🏻🏀

A photo posted by Carri (@fourschneiders) on Feb 28, 2016 at 1:44pm PST

Now, on to the rest of February 2016 and all it's sweet, silly, Schneidery goodness. 

A couple more little videos from this month - 

Came downstairs to find "Sister School" underway. It started with Bea asking if she could rip apart the nearly-dead flowers to see inside them. That turned into Josephine offering her a "Botany Lesson" that included a color-coded chalk illustration and a homemade worksheet for Bea to match the words to the flower parts. These two never cease to amaze me. 💕🌱🌼

A video posted by Carri (@fourschneiders) on Feb 15, 2016 at 8:13am PST

Because with this little one, even teeth brushing is a performance. 😂

A video posted by Carri (@fourschneiders) on Feb 12, 2016 at 7:32pm PST