Family pictures -- September 2015

I really wanted to get family pictures done before Caleb's surgery.  It was a last minute search to get something done very soon.  I wanted to remember his tiny head without a scar because for the rest of his days, there will be a big scar on his head -- whether you can see it or not!

A sweet, dear friend of mine takes pictures and offered to take some of us real quick on a Sunday evening.  She knew how important it was to me to have this memory and extended such kindness to our family. What a treasure she is.  Ashley {my photographer friend!} worked so well with what we had to offer -- four kids with differing personalities, right before dinner.  She just had her third baby, so kids are not foreign to her!

I am beyond grateful for these pictures.  They mean so much to me!

Benjamin, 6/Andrew, 4/Elise, 2/Caleb 7 weeks

Look at Caleb!

                              

Boys!

Elise's life is so sad and hard... ;)

Kisses! {and an unfortunate way of standing that still makes me look pregnant!}

Personalities, captured.

  

Daddy's girl.

Tiny smiles!

A quick shot of his fused saggital suture.

P.S. I love you forever and will give you a thousand kisses.

Savoring a moment...

Last night we had a "camp out" in our living room.  We watched The Polar Express, then grabbed sleeping bags and lined them up.  The boys were so excited and didn't calm down easily for bed time {as you can imagine}.

We turned off the lights. I sat on the couch to nurse Elise.  Andrew, Patrick and Benjamin were at my feet -- the smallest ones a bit restless and the big one relaxed and resting.

And then for a few minutes there was quietness and calm -- and in those very short minutes I closed my eyes to savor each little thing that was happening...

Elise was content, belly full, laying on my chest.  I love to feel my baby's head snuggled up in the crook of my neck.  She was breathing softly and sleeping peacefully.

Andrew was trying to get comfortable and would grab my foot, pulling it near each time he moved.  He would sigh and relax, then move again -- always finding my foot as he settled in.

Benjamin was laying still, playing with his dream light dog {a new toy that brings sheer delight to this four year old!}.  Blue, green and yellow stars flashed on the ceiling as he tried to rest.  Then I felt a warm blanket cover my legs.  And slowly the blanket covered one shoulder, carefully avoiding a little sister.  I opened my eyes and Benjamin was quietly caring for me, knowing I was probably cold as I rested on the couch. I smiled a grateful smile at him.

These children.  These tiny little children that have been given to Patrick and I to care for, to raise, to enjoy -- they are incredible. Each one giving love in their own way.  Each one different in personality.  Each one tender and joyful and such a beautiful treasure to us.

Such.beautiful.treasures!

These are the moments I don't want to forget quickly because when I look back on these little years, I want to remember the calms in the storm and the joys that make these days so delightful.

And in a flash, chaos ensued as Andrew stood up and starting dancing and talking and Benjamin just couldn't resist the urge to join in.  Quietness may be short and fleeting, but it can certainly be enjoyed...

The power of a little girl...

After two boys, I wasn't sure what I would do with a baby girl.  Or how I would feel about her.  But - truth be told - she is simply incredible.  Her little eyes and lips melt me and she a snuggle puppy to the fullest.  It's such a different feeling than I had with the boys.  Not better or worse -- just simply, and beautifully, different.

And they are all so different, why did I ever think I could feel the exact same about each of them?  That's something I'll never, ever get over.  Being able to abundantly love three children equally AMAZES me.  The ways and love of God AMAZE me.

Either way.  We took some impromptu family pictures this morning so I could order Christmas cards and here are a few pictures we captured along the way...

Daddy's little girl...

Benjamin wanted to be in all of the pictures... haha.

We just...have something that's unspeakable...

I can't lie -- she smiles for me like no one else!

Real life, folks! Three kids makes you tired like this ;)

She really does enjoy him...just not after 20 minutes of pictures.

36 weeks + maternity pictures

Today, or tomorrow, I am 36 weeks.

Praise Jesus! That's four or five weeks left.  I can do anything for a month, I tell you!  The last two weeks have been hard.  I've lost a lot of motivation and energy.  I've felt rather helpless.  And I really just want to eat salads a lot -- and drink coke zero.

Either way, I am still grateful.  God contunially amazes me with this gift of life. And I think, too often, I forget to stop and relish in this pregnancy and remember.  God has blessed us so much and shown us kindness beyond measure.  I'm too quick to distract myself with the things of the world when I should be praying for this girl more and praising God for what He has done. These are the days I'm thankful for unlimited grace -- in every way possible.

This girl can come whenever she wants because we are ready.  Bags packed {mostly}, nursery is in place, we have plans for the boys -- we just need a baby.  And I realize that adding one more is hard -- people tell us daily that going from two to three is the hardest -- but I just would rather get the show on the road then be pregnant too much longer :)  There is just one thing that needs to happen before she can come: Patrick needs to write a paper for his current seminary class.  He just couldn't do that in the hospital.  And it's due in about 10 days.

I think I've gained 32 pounds.  Give or take, you know? Somedays I eat more than I could ever imagine anyone in the world eating.  Other days, I just want to eat cereal and fruit and yogurt.  I have awful indigestion/heartburn and that makes eating so sad.  I am still going to the Y about three days a week.  But my real workout is keeping up with the boys and cleaning the house, at this point.  I do, however, feel pretty good most of the time.  My back pain is constant and I am tired a good portion of the day.  But I would guess that's just par for the course at 36 weeks and I count myself overly blessed that it's not worse.

The baby is strong and healthy, as far as I know.  She was head down at my last appointment and everything looked good.  I start my weekly appointments this week and look forward, especially, to this weeks appointment.  Mainly because I want my midwife to check me and see if these intense braxton hicks contractions are doing anything in my favor.  I fully anticipate her to say that I'm not dilated at all, just as a fair warning.

So. Here are some pictures we took for "maternity pictures". I told Patrick that maternity pictures loose their appeal by the third time. Maybe it's just because I'm really hot and tired. But I think we get less and less creative each time :)

If you want to see pictures from my pregnancies with Benjamin and Andrew -- those are linked up to their names. :)

Belly.

real life here, folks.

A la senior portraits!

Aaaaaannnddd here I am peeking out from behind a tree!

Laughing really hard at Patrick.

I've calmed down now.

At 35 weeks, after my shower.

The end :)