My Girls

We didn't get a picture of both the girls on their special day, so this was staged at Gran and Opa's house. We'll be staging some more photos of Caroline in her blessing dress later. But here they are - my two gorgeous girls.

Grateful Monday (very early in the morning)

Yesterday was just so busy, and as I am up with a baby, I thought I'd blog. I apologize for no pictures right now. More to come - promise!

Today, even at 3:53 a.m., especially at 3:53 a.m., I am grateful for:

• an amazing family - my husband, my amazing children, my parents, my in-laws
• amazing friends - Adrienne, that's you!
• the priesthood, and watching it work in my life and the lives of my children
• little, tender mercies that continue to remind me that none of us are forgotten, that the righteous desires of our hearts are fulfilled in different ways

We blessed Caroline yesterday during sacrament meeting, and then Laurel's baptism was later that afternoon. To say it was an emotional day would be putting it lightly. Let's just say that these two exceptional, beautiful daughters of our Heavenly Father were each given very special blessings from their father, with the hands of other strong men in their lives standing in the circle. It was wonderful.

And I got my own special moment. Just before sacrament meeting, I was in the mother's room with Caroline, feeding her and getting her in her dress. I got a little sad, looking at this little namesake of my sweet Gran, and wishing she could be there. And then I just knew that she was, that she and Grandad weren't missing out on this moment.

One Month

Sweet baby Caroline is one month old. Okay, I forgot to post this on Sunday. I was wallowing. But I got some pictures yesterday and am posting today.

She is a bit of a princess - quite the high maintenance belle we've got on our hands. Seems this girl knows when she's not being held and will wake up pretty ticked off at us, er, me for having the nerve to put her down.
But she's also sweet as sugar and already has her brothers (especially William) wrapped around those tiny fingers. Henry declares she is "his" baby sister, and James is always telling me that he likes her a lot. Laurel? Laurel is smitten, naturally, and loves being in charge of Caroline's wardrobe.

Love this baby girl!

Grateful Sunday

I can't find a picture for what I'm grateful for today.

How do you envision rest? As in "rest and relaxation?"

I've been needing rest lately. C-sections are complicated, and mine is proving to be above average in that regard. I went to the doctor on Friday and, as it turns out, my incision isn't holding together. I've got a couple few spots where it's come open and it's very painful and now infected.

Sigh.

So back to antibiotics I go. And a doctor who prescribes staying off my feet (but doesn't provide the prescription for a live-in maid/cook for me to make that happen). I've been trying to rest, but it isn't really possible when:

• You have a Henry who likes to climb on counters, get into the fridge, fill the toilet with TP, flood the bathroom, color on walls and floors and furniture, etc. He's two - he's impossible, but so cute.
• You have three other children who've got a little cabin fever and are busy being imaginative and regular kids.
  
• You have a husband in law school who is just trying to get through classes.
  
• And they all need to eat and wear clean clothes.
  

Really, I'm going for bare minimum these days and even that is too much.

Bouncing back this time has been the hardest. I'm a mess emotionally, as always, and throw in the slow physical recovery and set-backs and it's pretty tough.

Wow - I sound so Debbie Downer. Okay, so I'm grateful that I got to rest today. I'm grateful that I didn't have to do too much, that Aaron took the kids to church and I stayed home in the quiet and rested with the baby.

Busy week ahead too - we're being invaded this next weekend for the baptism/blessing on Sunday. I'm so excited to see our families and share the weekend with them.

Have a great week! I'll be sewing on dresses . . .

Happy Crazy Kids

Just some random shots of the fun we've been having.

Check out that sunshine in the background - don't get that this time o' year in Seattle!

The hands on the hips is my favorite part.

One of James' Lego birthday gifts - loved having his first set of "big boy" Legos.

This plane was a lot of work, but William did 90% of it. Aaron was just there for technical support.

The afterburners are just awesome!

Methinks Henry has a identity crisis though - Cookie Monster or Spiderman?

All these pictures are Miss Caroline at 4 in the morning - girl sure is happy to be up so early! Sorry about the awful lighting - she doesn't like the flash, which is also why I could never catch the early half of her smile, when it's wonky and there are early signs of dimples. Oh well - enjoy anyway!

Six

My last birthday week baby. Let me tell you, this boy was so patient this week, watching his sister and brother open their presents and waiting to get his. He was happily rewarded this morning and has been spending the day building Legos with his Papa.

William is the sweetest little man. We called him Sweet William when he was a baby and it's still true. While he can be stubborn and a typical boy, he is more often willing to help, willing to share and always smiling.
This picture is typical William. He loves his baby sister. A lot. He is always asking to give her kisses. He told me tonight that while he loves our family picture on the wall, we need a new one with Caroline in it. He's always saying "Baby sister is so cute!" He's going to be her hero!

He "found" this flower for me.
Loved those chubby little arms and legs, not to mention that belly. He was a moose then and he's still a moose. But now he's got strong muscles and as long as I remember to mention those, I can usually get his help carrying things for me.
My Lego man. Loves his Legos. Loves inventing things. My favorite thing to hear from him (besides "Mommy I love you") is "This is my new invention" followed by an explanation of what it does.


Loved his massages. He was a happy little guy and still is.
A few years back, on the beach in Seattle with Gran and Opa, he found a hammer stick so he could fix things. Well, now, thanks to Gran and Opa, he's got his own tool set and he's pretty excited about it.
Loves the dirt. Loves to be outside.
I know this isn't a picture of William, but he brought me these flowers. He always brings me my favorite yellow flower every time he finds one. See - sweet little man, right?
Caroline isn't his only favorite sister - he and Laurel have been best buds from the beginning. Love the relationship these two are developing. They are good for each other.

Happy birthday, my sweet Will. You are my treasure and life is better with you in it. Mornings are my favorite because I'm just waiting to see your smile. Love you!

Four

Four years ago, James entered our world. This little man, by far my easiest and only home birth, has become a force to be reckoned with. Who knew, when LeeAnn snapped this picture of him holding my finger, that he'd still have such a grip on my heart.

James is fun, fierce and full of energy.

James has an amazing scowl, and has since birth.

See what I mean? The same one!

He is also my best sleeper. He puts himself to bed when he is tired.
He does like to get into things, like red nail polish. Hey, we were just grateful it wasn't blood!
He loves his bicycle and loves being outside.

Loves Lightning McQueen anything, including shoes.
He is a goofball.
And he is oh-so-charming. It's the blue eyes. And those dimples!
Dirt only makes him cuter.

James has had a difficult transition with Caroline's birth. We're making progress, and we are all adjusting well. Best of all, I've got my sweet Jamers back.

One little story about James from just the other day. Aaron and I were talking and, like a normal hormonal, just-had-a-baby woman, I was crying about something. James came up to me, with tears in those gorgeous blue eyes, held my hand and told me everything was okay. Man I love that boy! He is a sensitive little soul and I always have to be mindful of their tender little spirits. And he is so forgiving of everyone.

Love you James!

Eight

Is it even possible this beautiful, amazing girl of mine is eight-years-old? Wasn't she just a little baby yesterday? Probably doesn't help my memory when I sit here holding her baby sister.

Laurel is an amazing girl. She is loving and kind, she is smart and talented.

She loves her brothers, and William is her best friend. They say it all the time.
This girl loves nature - she's more into raptors and snakes these days than butterflies, but she loves discovering facts about everything.
She can roast perfect marshmallows, just like her papa.
Okay, just one of my favorite photos of her. But she is super smart and she loves to learn.
Here with her cousin Gracie - wish we lived closer so these two could be better friends.
Again, with Will on a camping trip.
These last few are just some of my favorites of her when she was really little.






Love you Laurel Bee! You are wonderful and I'm so glad I get to be your mom!