Big Sister

I just can't help myself since I've gotten my camera.  I see an opportunity for some cute pictures and I just can't turn it down. This has been amplified by the fact that I am afraid to leave the house with a newborn amongst all the germs out there.   A girl's gotta keep herself busy- even if she should really be napping - and right now this is what I would do all day if I could. 

 I just love the personality that this little girl posesses. I admire her zest for life (except for when it leads her beyond the point of control and she falls and puts her tooth through her lip... which happened once before Isaac was born and then again when he was a week old. Good thing she heals fast too.)  She is such a great little and big sister... a princess and a tom-boy all wrapped up nicely in a Rapunzel dress. (And how I ever got it off of her for these pictures, is still a miracle.  That dress even rides with us in the car when we are going somewhere it isn't allowed.) 

For a long time there were only your footprints and laughter in our dreams, and even from such small things we knew we could not wait to love you forever.

Post edit: a few more finishes... still deciding which is my favorite

Angels

..."if you have a baby, you are going to need help... Fortunately, God has a way of sending just the right help at just the right moment.  A baby comes with angels."

excerpt from 'A baby changes everything' by KK Wiseman

This past Sunday Lucy and Jack had their Primary Program during Sacrament Meeting.  It was the first time ever that they would be reading talks that they had written on gospel topics, on their own.  I really wanted to go however was hesitant to bring Isaac out into the world of germs.  A very sweet lady from our church  overheard my concern and in a heartbeat volunteered to watch Isaac for me for an hour so I could enjoy the program without worrying about him.  This is just one example of love we have been shown recently. Over the past two weeks, we have received countless acts of selfless service on our behalf and have witnessed that indeed the Lord does send angels.  From home cooked meals, to texts and Facebook messages asking if we needed anything from the store, to help with cleaning and making sure I got to the hospital in time.  From caring for the older children and making sure they felt the same amount of love and attention they usually did even though mom and dad were temporarily attending to the needs of a newborn, to helping me capture memories on film, we have been blessed with an almost humbling amount of service.  It brings tears to my eyes as I think about all those individuals- family and friends who have gone above and beyond what anyone would have asked to make sure this family is well cared for.  Angels.  I know my Father in Heaven loves me to have sent these special angels our way... and I am so very grateful that they have chosen to heed his promptings and show such kindness.

In the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 2:17 it reads, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."   I hope that my heart may be open and that I will be able to respond to those in need in a manner of love that I have felt these past few weeks. 

A sincere thank you to all the angels that have blessed our lives.

Sometimes the littlest things

take up the most room in your heart

-Winnie the Pooh

A few more pictures... just because

scrunchie-face

 

which finish?

Cassidy's party

It was a Rapunzel birthday for Cassidy no matter how you looked at it.  She wore her purple Rapunzel dress, ate purple Rapunzel cake and opened Rapunzel gifts left and right... Rapunzel socks, undies, dolls, and movie.  She couldn't stop grinning the entire night.  To top off the evening, we watched the movie before bedtime.  It was so adorable to see her in utter bliss, singing along with the songs, and laughing at the funny parts like it was the funniest thing she ever saw. She sat in the recliner she declared a while ago to be her 'tower', just glowing. We tried really hard to make it 'her' day.  It was Isaac's first day home, and we did not want to detract from the fact that it was her birthday.  It was the perfect party and just how I hoped she would feel amidst all the craziness.

mesmerized

The past few days have been so amazing.  Despite this being our 4th child, I have been able to rest, enjoy and relax the past few days.  My parents have been staying with us for the past week, which has been a wonderful help. I was able to sleep when I needed to, have a little peace and quiet, and attend solely to Isaac... a luxury in itself.   With the quiet time I've had, I have spent some time simply mesmerized by him and the miracle it is to bring a child into the world.  We were able to linger a little longer while nursing, even when I knew he was done and was simply using me as a pacifier. *Bliss.  We have been able to bond so naturally, I could burst with love for him... in a way I didn' t think would be possible with all the hustle and bustle that goes along with spelling words, early bus route schedules, slightly escalated defiance, and all that goes along with a family with three children adjusting to the addition of a fourth. In those quiet moments, I found myself almost under a spell- just adoring him, feeling him melt into my chest as he drifted off, soaking up all the little squeaks and hiccups, admiring his fuzzy cheeks and shoulders and finding myself amazed at his response and recognition when I would simply utter his name. I feel so blessed to be able to experience this one last time.  As I had my second and third children, (after my initial recuperation of a week or two) I often thought to myself 'how is it that as a first time mother, I was so tired, and didn't have time shower in a day, let alone anything else?'  I think I found the answer.  And with the insight that comes with having multiple children I realized that the reason it was so hard to get things like take a shower done, is because with a first child, one's sole responsibility, it is a lot easier to be fully whisked away.  I am so grateful for all the help we have received from both of our families, and our close friends, that have allowed me a little break this first week and enabled me to give Isaac the attention he's gotten and to fully enjoy and appreciate the miracle that the birth of this child is. 

My parents left this afternoon...Now let the madness begin!