11-08-15 Love him!

11-07-15 Pet Store Shenanigans

C had been under the weather for the past few days so we spent a lazy morning watching a movie and then taking a nap. By this evening we were all a bit stir crazy so we decided to take a field trip to Starbucks. Once mommy and daddy were appropriately caffeinated we dropped by the local pet store. Pet stores are a great, fast, free activity for our family. The kids love animals, and the chance to see kitties, birds, fish, and snakes can easily transform an otherwise boring afternoon into a great adventure!

I have to admit that for me it is pretty hard to walk into a place with cats and not bring one home... One of these days... Sigh...

We ended up leaving after Big E managed to try to sit on the bottom of the shopping cart and somehow folded himself in half and got wedged between the metal bars. Yikes! Tim had to pry him out, but by that time all the novelty of the pet store had worn off. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that. He didn't get hurt, but it sure startled him!

11-06-15 Happy Birthday, Dear Son

Much like the day we first met, I held you tonight as you fell asleep. You weigh more now and your arms and legs and chubby body fought for room in my arms. Your head snuggled against my chest, your big blue eyes staring at me. As you drifted off, you got heavier, and your breathing got rhythmic. I watched you sleep, marveling at your perfect face, amazed for the thousandth time that I am your mother.

You had a rough start. For weeks we fought jaundice, your little body tinted yellow. After that you had RSV and the stomach bug at the same time. Then came the flurry of specialists checking your heart murmur and your calcium deposit. For my easiest baby, you kept us on our toes.

But you have been a joy. For all intents and purposes you have been a happy baby. You love your siblings, but are wary of their affection. You
think silly faces are the funniest thing you've ever seen. You love to eat... Constantly! You have an enormous head, which certainly adds to your charm. You love to be held, especially by me and when someone asks you to come to them you bury your head in my neck and smile. The only word you ever use with any consistency is 'no.' Sometimes you say 'mama' and nothing sounds sweeter.

I pray for you, that you grow up to be a man of God, possessing wisdom and integrity. That you have compassion for those you meet, show bravery in the face of danger, and see goodness when others can't. Those are the things I wish for you, my dear son.

I love you,

Mommy

11-05-15 Tomorrow

On this night a year ago, the older kids were with their grandparents and Tim and I sat in the living room of the farm house in the quiet. It had taken us more than a year to get pregnant, and while that doesn't sounds like too long, each passing month had been heartbreaking. Two of my sisters in law had had babies during the time we were trying. It seemed everyone around me was pregnant and I kept telling myself I should just be grateful that I had two kids already. It seemed selfish to want more. But I wanted one so bad. I even talked Tim into buying a minivan long before our family actually needed one.

During that year things had been tough. Beyond not getting pregnant we were dealing with other difficulties. Life in the farmhouse was glorified camping at times, we were stretched financially, and we were exhausted.

And then we learned we were pregnant. And unlike with the other kids, we decided to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. We were having a boy.

Ephraim was a name that I loved from the moment I first read it years ago. As we mulled over the name I went back to its origin. It first shows up in Genesis. Joseph, having been sold into slavery in Egypt eventually found his way to one of the highest positions in the land. He had two sons, the first named Manasseh and the second Ephraim. When he named Ephraim he thanked God saying, "It is because God had made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." I know it sounds overdramatic but God had just brought us through the most difficult year of our marriage, physically and emotionally, and now we were being blessed with a son. This name seemed fitting.

That night I was nervous. With a scheduled C section in the morning, I didn't sleep much. I had had two before but they had been emergencies so the idea that I was actually scheduled for one in the morning was an odd sensation.

We talked about what to expect the next day, how our family dynamic would change. But mostly we just enjoyed each other's company. In less than twelve hours we would be holding our new little guy and our lives would forever be changed.

11-04-15 Two More Days!

In just two days, my little one will be one year old. After three kids I'm still in awe of how fast and slow the first year goes. Really time in general has sped up since having kids. Tim and I often wonder what we did during those two years of marriage before C came along. Seriously, we must have watched a lot of TV and eaten at a lot of restaurants!

If I could do it all over, I would tell the younger version of myself to find Tim sooner, get married sooner, and start a family sooner. When young women tell me that they want to enjoy a career before settling down I wonder if they will regret that later. I know, it sounds old fashioned, but from personal experience, I love my job, but it will never beat snuggling with my babies, playing make believe, or hearing the words, "I love you Mommy!"

11-03-15 An evening home

It isn't often that we are all home for the evening during the week so it was a rare treat for us to all sit down together for dinner tonight!










At aftercare today C made a little container to collect leaves and grass and all things nature. Despite it being dark when we got home I took her for a walk to collect specimens for her jar. When we brought everything inside she took time to sort it all by shape, size, and color.



I have come to the conclusion that Halloween candy does wonders for my culinary skills. All of a sudden at the mention of candy my children gobble down whatever 'disgusting' meal I put in front of them!

11-02-15 Monday Funday

If you were to ask me what my last favorite day of the year is... The day I dread the most... It is today... The first Monday after the autumn time change. It's the first day that my evening commute is done in the dark and it is a commute to be reckoned with.

The beltway is a challenge on a good day, but add an early sunset and voila, chaos. Also I really don't like getting home in the dark. The kids can't play outside and everyone gets tired so much sooner. Overall everyone just gets crankier. And so begins the long, dark winter.

Other than that, my day was actually pretty cool. We did a service project at work today where we packages meals for hungry people in the surrounding communities. I admit I wish I did stuff like that more often!

11-01-15 My Boys

I never pictured myself as a mom of boys. For some reason I thought I was only cut out for girls, probably because I was raised with a sister. I wasn't prepared for what having a son would be like.

I didn't expect the fierce love that a little boy brings, let alone two!

Big E will stop in the middle of his game just to walk over and tell me that he loves me. He will get a shy little look and tell me he has something for me and asks me to come near. When I do, he leans over and plants a gentle kiss on my cheek. He will ask me to pretend to be sad so that he can cheer me up with a kiss. I call him Handsome Pants and My Little Prince.

Each morning he likes to sneak in my bed and cuddle under my covers with me. And when he is scared he clings to my side or wraps his arms around my neck to keep him safe. His sweetness and his smile brighten each of my days.

As for Baby E, his chunky cheeks and his high pitched squeals remind me that babyhood happens so quickly. When I get him out of his crib each morning he giggles and smiles and nestles under my chin. No matter who holds him, when he hears my voice or sees my face he lunges towards me. I am his favorite and I'm definitely okay with that!

When I look at my boys I am constantly reminded of what a lucky mommy I am!

10-31-15 Happy Halloween

Tim and I had the great honor of escorting a ballerina, Spiderman, and a dragon this evening. We were joined by Ironman, another Spiderman, and an elephant!

After spending some time in the neighborhood we headed to the church for a wonderful fall festival. C was very excited about the cake walk and Big E was excited about the bouncy slide. Baby E was pretty happy to be along for the ride!

It was a wonderful evening!