I Really Do Love Having Lalla

It is hectic and we're all still adjusting.

But I really do love having this sweet little girl in my life.

She is very sweet and easy all things considered (namely 2 big brothers that adore her but are nonetheless loud and boyish).

She started smiling at 4 weeks and cooing at 5 weeks.

We've had some long night stretches at 6 weeks - making 5 and 6 hours.

She is very flexible and has begun smiling when she hears her brothers talk.

Her Daddy began saying "Hey Beautiful" this week when he greeted her.

Brighty makes her jump and scares her when he barks.

She started to catch on to the pacifier this week. She spits it out some, but is taking it better.

She took her second bottle this week (1st one, not such a fan, second one - drank is down quick).

Her big brother got sick for the 2nd time since her life began 7 weeks ago. We're trying hard to keep his snot and hands away from her! It's a real challenge! But so far, we've managed to keep them pretty separated.

I smashed my finger in the cardoor yesterday and have been managing to pick her up without the use of it (my right hand index finger). She's been fine with her care minus that finger. :)

Its been lively around here. I've been relying on the strength of my Heavenly Father. My mother came up and lived a very chaotic day with me and at the end of the day called me to say "I'm proud of you. You are doing such a good job. You are a great mother."

I really liked (and needed) hearing those words :)

Kinda Rainy

'Round Here.

But that means puddles.

So Wyatt and Walker aren't too sad.

Feelin' Crafty

the boys have this toy chest in their room (see above). My mom painted ivy on it a long time ago. Its been in many rooms throughout our marriage and in the last year ended up in the boys room. I've been saying for some time now that "I'm going to paint it to match their room someday." Well I was inspired this weekend to take on the project.

Not sure if it is so much time at home

or just my (extreme) need to feel productive

but I achieved the goal of painting it!

this is the boys' bedding and my hope was to paint the chest to match these colors and design. But it was going to be tricky for me to achieve it with the locations of the ivy design (two big ones on top!)

so this is how it turned out!

front view

top view

ivy covered up - check!

(designs random in times, - hence the strange plaid angles

but nonetheless it matches)

My favorite part is that the total cost was under $6!

(for 5 bottles of craft paint from Michaels)

Camping Trip

Wes took the boys on a (Walker's first) camping trip.

They went over to a friend's house and camped out in their backyard.

The boys loved it.

This was Wyatt's third time on a real outdoors camping trip and he enjoyed the time he got to spend on the hike and roasting marshmellows.

Walker, when asked what his favorite part was said

"sleepin' in da tent with daddy"

They had a great time.

My friend Evyn and her daughter Eleanor and Lalla and I all enjoyed a fun dinner at Dean and Deluca.

Everyone enjoyed their evening.

Big Boy Fun

When Lalla came into our life, so did mysterious amounts of energy come into our boys.

We've all been cooped up in our house.

Wes decided it was time for a fun project/adventure.

He took the boys to to buy some wood.

2 blocks (2x4's?)

They cut down and sanded the wood.

(Walker - as long as his interest held)

They nailed the wood together making little boats.

Then painted them.

They found long sticks and carved them, then tied some string from the sticks to the boats.

Then we all went out to a creek and let the boys float their boats.

They enjoyed it!

This is afterwards - on our way back home.

Sans shirts.

And (some) energy.

ps Lalla slept the whole time in her stroller.

Around the house...

I love how peaceful a baby looks when she/he is sleeping :)

I love it when one of her brothers wants to hold her. Wyatt is so sweet and gentle with her. Very relaxed and kind.

First pic of our 3 children :)

can you see which brother is most proud?

the boys began (pre)school today.

Wyatt - 4K and 4 days a week

Walker - 2k and 2 days a week

they were really looking forward to it

outside our new home!

Its been pretty calm and relaxing around here. We're all getting lots of sleep and everyone is getting along beautifully. Not really. But it is nice to write that. One day, those words will be true. Right now, we are doing well - taking each day as it comes. Mostly we're enjoying it - and enduring through the challenges. :) Once Wes and I get more sleep, the challenges will be even more bearable.

I am so thankful for the Lord's grace.

And I am so thankful for my family.

Amen.

Indescribeable

this is the moment I've been waiting for. To watch my sister gaze upon her baby. :) What a sweet and indescribeable moment this was for me. The work that the Lord accomplished in my sister's life is indescribeable. I have had a close up view of her struggle and pain which later became hope and joy. And now, this sweet blessing wrapped up in a blue blanket adorned with blonde hair. Now she holds him in her arms. :)

"Thanks be to God for this indescribeable gift."2 Corinthians 9:15

This was the meeting I've been waiting for.To hold my newborn alongside of my sister holding her newborn. Both, wearing clothes that have been worn by each others' older ones. The joy in my heart is truly impossible to articulate. This moment captured the glory for the Lord for me. His work. His plan. His goodness. I can't describe justly how in awe I was and am that the Lord gave Kayne and I the gift of motherhood at the same time.

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things." Romans 11:36

This is the gift we've been waiting for. Sweet little, soft skinned, rosey cheeked, teeny-tiny, blonde-haired "T". What a gift he is. His cry is precious. I mimicked it the entire time I was there. I love everything about this little guy. His size, his little spit ups, the way he holds his mouth when he cries. He is my first nephew!! And I love him so much!

"He is before all things. And in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17

He looks so much like his big sister, Anna Grace and their daddy, Thomas.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think or even imagine." Ephesians 3:20

(Thomas, my brother in law was about to go to the lake in this pic and will probably not be happy I posted it - but sweet T's face is so clear in this pic.)

This was the uniting that we've been waiting for. 2 little cousins, born 3 weeks apart.

And this pic was hilarious - trying to get them both to stay positioned upward and not slump over - or cry. Their faces were priceless.

not too comfy. :(

Anna Grace holding her baby brother. She became a big sister on the day he was born but he is becoming her little brother more and more in her heart each day. :)

(Lalla) There were a lot of these looks during my time there...

(I am obsessed with this bonnet.)

(T) and these looks...

(Lalla) some rare-eye-opening moments...

My sweet mom loved loving on her grandbaby (T)

sand her other grandbaby (Lalla)

Lalla loved T's soft infant seat.

And we did lots and lots of this. So fun to hold, kiss and love on some babies this past weekend with my sister. My sweet husband cared for our big boys so that I could take off with Lalla down to Florence and ponder all of this in my heart. Thank you sweetie for giving me that!

I will never forget this sweet time. I am so thankful for the path that the Lord has brought us on in order to experience these days - the richness and fullness of His goodness.

"And we know that in all things He works for the good to those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28