Our Baby is 4...

Loralee turned four April 3rd and it's still sinking in...our baby is four. There were so many exhausting days and nights that first year with Loralee. When she was born Lilly was almost 4.5, Bobby had just turned 3 that January, and Heidi was 17 months old. Besides the physical struggle of moving all four children from place to place, in and out of four car seats, in and out of strollers (oh yes we used to travel with two double strollers!) things did go pretty smoothly. Loralee was my only baby who didn't suffer from acid reflux and require that medication during her first year. She was my latest one to walk at almost 15 months, yet she took off running when she finally decided it was time to catch up with the Pack. She slept through the night the earliest of all my babies at just under 6 weeks. But we knew she completed our family and she was our closure on the whole baby adventure. And now we are in our last year of having a toddler. And it makes me so happy and so sad at the same time...

The best way to describe Loralee at four is spunky and feisty. It must be the red hair and freckles, or the adorable yet mischievous smile. She is a peanut for her age but don't let her small stature fool you. I love her raspy voice, her constant chatter, her contagious giggles. She's full of fire and energy and puts her whole heart into anything she puts her mind to. Loralee is fearless and up for any challenge. She's definitely a leader and not a follower. She has a confidence about her at four that I'm still striving to find at 36. Loralee is such a cheerful, carefree spirit and is super affectionate and cuddly. 

Her biggest accomplishment right after turning four was riding her bike without training wheels like it was no big deal.  She didn't hesitate or look back or wait for anyone to help her once the training wheels were off. This is one of the things I love the most. The fact that she just makes a decision and sticks with it to see it through, completely confidant that she's got this. Loralee is the life of the party and the life of the Lloyd Pack. Thank you baby for letting mommy snuggle you just a little bit more and hold you just a little bit longer than all of the rest.