Three weeks

Sometimes when I'm holding Amelia, I hug her close and breathe in her sweet baby smell, and I desperately want to freeze time, why does time have to go so fast? She's such a joy to our family, we all love her dearly, even when she fusses for hours in the evening, I still can't help but smile and wish this precious new baby wouldn't grow so fast. 

 Look at this red hair! Grammy, are you proud?

 She's starting to smile at us, which completely melts our hearts, you'd think we'd never seen a newborn baby smile before!

Sisters...

Happy Halloween

This year Halloween fell at a bad time for me, I had some complications in my recovery from childbirth, and with Maya's baptism and Amelia's blessing coming up, Halloween had to take a back seat. For the kids costumes this year, they just raided the dress up box and we all called it good. We went to a few fun parties and had trick or treat twice! I don't think anyone noticed we had recycled costumes, next year I'll do better, promise!

Loved

 Miss Amelia is such a sweet baby, 2 weeks have passed since she joined our family and we all just fall in love with her more as each day goes by...

She doesn't get to sleep peacefully for very long until someone sneaks in and kisses her!

Thankfully she's learned to sleep through the slobbery kisses, and isn't bothered by Henry, who NEEDS to kiss her at least a dozen times per hour. She's growing like a weed, I took her in for a 2 week checkup yesterday and she gained a pound and grew 3/4 inch!

Amelia Brigh

All the walking and hiking in the forest preserve paid off... Amelia was born Monday morning! We're so happy she's here safe and sound. Never has a baby been more loved by 2 brothers and one sister than this little girl! She's perfect and we are thrilled to have her as a part of our family.

 And... to keep it real...

Yes, this does happen, and yes, she does have that much strawberry blond hair!

Another gorgeous day....

The weather has been so gorgeous here, I really felt it would be a shame not to get out and enjoy it. So, today after church, we loaded the kids up in the car, drove 10 minutes and ended up at the most beautiful forest preserve, and to think, I didn't even know it existed until today!!

 Maya brought along her journal and some crayons and busied herself with leaf rubbings the entire walk.

We found a woodpecker!  

 Henry loved sitting in this tree that looked like a giant hand.

There is a small stream running under this fallen tree, the kids thought they were flirting with danger when they crossed this! 

I love this! The kids had so much fun... 

Yes, I was hiking the entire time and didn't have one contraction! 

Henry's turn to cross the creek! He soon let go of Tadd's hand and kept saying "I can't believe I'm doing this!"

I love these fun, lazy Sunday afternoons to spend time with family!

Finally!! Preschool...

Remember last spring? When Henry was my shaggy haired boy and all he wanted to do was go to preschool? He looked something like this?

He would carry around this back pack and ask about 200 times a day when it would be time for him to go to school? Well, not much has changed (besides his hair!) He still really wants to go to preschool like a big boy.... the day finally arrived when It was time for Henry to go to preschool...

 He let me comb and gel his hair (something Harrison has yet to let me do)

 He got a new backpack just like the big kids...

 And we were off!!

We went to the orientation, the parents sat on one side of the room on little folding chairs listening to orientation, while the students explored the room.  At one point I got up to see how he was doing and he asked me in his most teenager like voice "Mom, could you go back and sit on your chair now?" The next day, when it was the official first day of preschool, Henry made absolutely sure that I wouldn't be coming with him, he's so independent!

Some funny things about Henry...

He insists on wearing his "dude shoes" that he chose online. They're little skate shoes that are similar to ones the "dudes" wear. He has other sneakers, but will only wear the "dude shoes" which are a pain in the rear to get on and off.

He refuses to wear any shirt with a collar, saying it isn't a "dude shirt."

He still only eats 3 basic food groups - chicken nuggets, potatoes (but only french fries or hash browns) and anything sweet, which includes fruit and also CANDY. He'll also occasionally humor me by eating a Nutella sandwich.

Oh Henry, how I love you! You are stubborn and cranky and absolutely adorable.... Our family wouldn't be the same without you!!

A day off...

With my due date quickly approaching, Tadd decided to take the day off so we could spend the day together enjoying the gorgeous summer like temperatures, without the interruptions of soccer games and other Saturday chores. We spent the day getting lots accomplished, and then made a stop at a local nature preserve for a walk.  80 degrees may not sound hot, but when you're in the blazing sun and trying to coax a tired three year old around, a half mile trail is enough to scorch a very pregnant mama!!

 We loved to collect this fuzz from giant seed pods...

 Couldn't resist this gorgeous backlighting...

 Yes, the sun really was this bright (and hot!)

 The "Belly" in all it's glory... 6 more days to until she's due.

 A patch of shade, if I thought I could get back up, I would be sitting on the ground too.

 We saw lots of these little snakes sunning themselves on the trails...

 Every time Tadd pointed the camera at us, Harrison turned his back.... little toad!!

Look at this handsome man I married. I sure love him....