WOW

It has been too long since I actually posted on here. Do people actually still read blogs? I think I may start to devote time to updating this more often than I have...
Today is another great fall day...The time change of an extra hour is throwing me for a loop, but for the most part, I am embracing the fact that we will all be in the swing of this "extra" hour soon. :)
The kids had a ball dressing up for Halloween (Harvest)...even little Avery was jazzed to climb into her adorable bumblebee costume.

Four Months Old!

My sweet, little Avery-

It is hard to believe you are already 4 months old! I know, 4 months! From the look you gave me in this picture, you couldn't believe it either! Today we celebrate your wonderful arrival into our family. You are so much fun and so cute, it is hard to remember life without you. Your mellow disposition is such a wonderful change of pace, so much so, I often take that for granted. Sometimes in those moments, you give me a quick reminder that you are the one in charge, not me! You've already developed a strong desire to see the world, taking in everything around you at all waking moments. Probably your favorite thing to see is your big sister talking to you whenever she sees you. Alexandra adores everything about you and is such a great helper to you and to me.

In the last month, you've learned to roll over onto your tummy and to grab at all those dangling toys. Pretty soon you'll grasp what to do with them, but for now, it is cute to sit and watch you entertain yourself pawing at things overhead.

You are a pretty predictable girl. You and I have a good gig going on here. You like most things and so enjoy your routine. I cherish that simplicity and enjoy those quiet moments together. You've developed those cute rollie-polie upper thighs, and the baby giggles! Oh, the baby giggles! LOVE that. :)

Your smile lights up my heart. Thank you for who you are and who you are going to become. I am honored to be your momma. You are such a blessing. I love you sweet girl!

Love,
Momma

Captured

As I sit down to type this, I notice that it has been nearly 3 months since my last post. I don't really feel guilty about that, except when I realize that for almost 2 years straight I was consistent about updating this online journal about the daily-isms in my world. The fun little toddler and baby tidbits, that I often look back on and giggle over. I want you to know, they still very much exist, I just have been captured and in love with all my goings-on. I love these little people I am blessed with...I am captured by them every single moment of every day.

I have been trying to figure out the balance of life as a mother of three dear little ones. Three little ones, whom each need me in such a different way at almost always the same time. It is in those moments of craziness, I try to find the humor and blessings. Alexandra, now 5 years old going on 10, is reading and taking in the world around her in a whole new way. She loves school and is eager to begin kindergarten next fall. How has time so quickly fast forwarded to this? It seems like only yesterday we brought her home from the hospital. I cherish those tender moments of questions, curiousity and thoughtfulness. She has such a tender compassionate heart, always wanting to help in any way she can.

My little Cade is also growing up. As we rapidly approach his 3rd birthday (I am still in denial), he just cracks us up with some new phrase or some silly thing each and every day. He is very determined, energetic and full of spunk! He is the polar opposite of big sister in that he is NOT a morning person (like his mother!). He loves the morning cuddles and moments of calmness before his day begins. He has just recently turned into our songbird, humming songs and making up his own at times. He is all about books, trains, dinosaurs and cars...and his G-pa. :)

Sweet little Avery is already 14 weeks old today. She fits right into all the fun, and everyone loves loves loves her. She is a good sleeper, eater and has a mellow disposition. I am trying to treasure these moments of her infancy, for I know how quickly they escape. I am content to rock and hold her in the night, sing and dance and love on her. For I know before too long, I'll be bringing her to preschool and the likes. I am living in the moment and loving each day for what it brings.

What can I say? I am blessed and captured by my sweet, little ones. So, when it seems I have fallen off the blog-o-sphere, just know, I am here but am taken away by love and joy and captured in the day to day.

Little Blessings

Life littlest blessings arrive in their own time and own their own course. Our little pumpkin arrived one week ago yesterday (October 19th) at 10:11pm after a day's long labor. My birth experience was great, plenty of time to get to the hospital, plenty of time for the 2 courses of antibiotics I needed to take and plenty of time for us to anxiously await her arrival. My water started leaking early Sunday morning so I knew that day would be "the" day. Brandon and I had enjoyed a great dinner out the night before (cheesecake factory! yum!) and had time to wander the bookstore as well child-free. Looking back, it was a great time together, our last supper so to speak, and I thoroughly enjoyed the high caloric piece of chocolate peanut butter cheesecake I devoured after my chicken caesar salad...I say it was the cheesecake the forced the labor. :)

We are marveling at this little bundle, noticing her unique features and similarities to her big sister and big brother. She is beautiful, sweet and perfect in every way. It is already hard to remember life without her. I love you sweet Avery.

Avery Hayden
7 pounds, 5 ounces
19.75 inches long
October 19th, 2008

40 weeks today

October 17th. 40 weeks pregnant. Feeling large and ready. Waiting. All these thoughts pretty much sum up how I feel today. Today was "the" day. You know, the targeted due date given to me by my doctor months and months ago. Who would have guessed I would still be waiting around for this little one to make her debut? Who could predict that even though this is baby #3 and both siblings have been early, that this little pumpkin would arrive on her own schedule and in her own time?

I suppose I should relax and wait some more...After all, that is ALL we can do. :) And so, we still wait...

Still

We've been busy these last few weeks. Alex started her second year of preschool, MOPS has started up again, Sunday School has begun, fall football has started (an essential aspect of our home if you know my husband!). Fall is among us! It is hard in these "new" moments of busyness, to find time to be still. Taking an extra moment to enjoy that morning cup of coffee. Cherishing the sweet moments of bedtime stories with the kids. Making those hugs last extra long. Remaining patient when you realize you cannot control time.

The kids can sense the coming transition of our family. We are preparing for a new and precious little life to join our ranks. Clothes are being washed, cradles are being dressed, car seats making their presence. Gifts are arriving with new and beautiful surprises inside. My tummy is ever expanding and the kids now understand my physical limitations and are anxious for the day where I can do all the "kid-like" activities with ease like before.

When will she come? When? That question is asked by my first born every few days. She sees the preparations going on around her and wants to make sure she doesn't miss anything. So, among the busy lives we lead, we take time to enjoy each moment...all the while, waiting patiently for our new little one to be born. And we wait...

Where to start?

Since I am incredibly behind in blogging, lately sleep takes precedence, I am not sure where to start to catch up. These last 2 months have been so busy with various "summer" and various mothering duties. Here is my list of blogging possibilities:

1) How the kids and I were stuck at home for a full 10 days with the stomach flu-- Alex had it for 2 days, I had it for 1 and Cade had it for 8. It was most certainly a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad thing. Still makes my stomach churn to think about.

2)The great truck-rear end story! How a high school girl (whom just graduated mind you) managed to rear-end B's PARKED truck in our front yard and push it uphill 30 feet onto a curb...all the while in a 25 mph neighborhood street. Um, can you say text messaging? Can you also say $9,000 in damage to the truck and completely destroying the front end of the driver's car? We can laugh now...and we are so grateful this kid had insurance. Did I mention it took 6 weeks for his truck to get fixed? Oh, and she is so lucky that B works with youth- he was totally laid back about it. We really should have called the police.

3)Our great week at VBS- Cade LOVED being a big boy and going to his own class everyday. Of course, I am so glad that I don't have to everyone dressed and out the door by 8 am everyday of the week. Man, that is tough! Alexandra thought it was fun to have her daddy do the skits everyday for the preschoolers. She is still talking about how silly he was.

4)Cade's overnight love with Buzz Lightyear. All we hear about is Buzz...So much so, he now has pajamas and a fleece blanket (compliments of me!) that he adores...

5)My fascination with why they even make markers and crayons that are NOT washable. Seriously. That is a great invention. I ONLY buy washable from now on. :)

6)All the great park and beach days, filled with fun and topped off with ice cream cones for everyone.

7) Can my pregnancy really be so close to the end? WOW. 32 weeks this week. Seeings how Cade was born at 37 weeks, I am feeling a little nervous and excited about this little girl making her debut.

8)My days of spontaneous sewing-- I found this great pattern for a nursing shaw (AKA "hooter-hider") that retail for a ridiculous amount, something like $45 bucks or so. I was pretty excited to make my very own for only $8--and in less than an hour. This will most definitely be my new baby shower gift...considering the mother plans to nurse that is...

9) Fun outings with girlfriends-- that most always included food, coffee and dessert!

10) Can summer really almost be over? Where did it go? Preschool starts in 2 weeks? What?