Lucas' Blessing

Luke was blessed on Dec. 30th, 2007. All of the older children were blessed within a month of being born, but Luke was nearly 4 months old. We were hoping to be able to involve most of our family members by waiting until December. Too bad that didn't work the way we had hoped. We did, however, have a small grouping of family present for this extra special day.

Blessing Luke at 4 months meant that he could not fit into any of the previous blessing outfits (not that I minded!) It stood to reason that I would have to find him a special outfit like all the others had too. I know that babies do not have to wear white, but it is just fun. I didn't want to spend an outrageous amount on it, so when I found this cute knitted set at Target I knew it was perfect. He looked so adorable, and he was warm.

The rest of these pictures are ones that I took of our precious baby in his blessing outfit. I took all the other kids to Wal-Mart to get pictures, but I haven't loved their pictures as much lately. I think I was able to capture several nice ones myself.

My Mama and Papa!

Mom forgive me for posting these pictures if you don't like them. I love looking at them. I was fun to have my parents around during the holidays. Their arrival and stay was greatly anticipated by my kids. It was fun for me too. The children loved getting jellybeans from Nana and tickles from Opa. I also took some pictures for my parents with my nifty camera. I have always had an interest in photography. I'm not sure I have any real raw talent, but I do have a great camera (thanks to my husband!) Someday, I would love to take some classes. I took this shot of my parents and I really love how it captures them and their relationship. Thanks, for asking me to do this Mom, and thanks to dad for loving mom enough to take a picture with her though you hate pictures so!

Christmas!

Christmas? I know it's February! I do! It's just that I've been busy, and frankly out of the habit of updating this blog. Christmas was very fun with the kids this year! The three eldest were the perfect ages to enjoy all the festivites and magic that can occur at Christmas. Even despite a mother who wanted to do every magical thing I could think of, but time and physical abilities being limited by a nursing baby and sickness didn't allow too many in the end. Christmas Eve I was so sick and my neck was limited to 2 inches of movement on either side. I was in a great deal of pain. So I was disappointed that the house was a mess and dinner wasn't stunning for my parents arrival that day. Somehow they all loved it anyway, and perfect or not, Christmas came, and as you can see from Laurel's expression, it was still so exciting.
Laurel's gift from Santa was a complete village of Little People. Surprisingly she didn't seem to notice that they
were all the same little people that she liked to play with at her best friend's house. Hmm? Good thing she is still so young! She also loved getting a kitty from Nana! Now the fight over Ethan's kitty has lessened. Thank-you Nana!!!! There has been too much bickering over stuffed cats in this house, and I was going bonkers over it all!

Cameron was extremely excited for Christmas this year! He asked Santa for "crashing cars"
and asked me hundreds of times if he would get the "crashing cars". At times it was cumbersome.


As you can see his expression on Christmas morning upon seeing his "Crashing Cars" set up and waiting by Santa was worth the consistant nagging. It was delightful to hear his giggles every few seconds as his cars (very noisily) revved around the track and crashed into each other. He and Ethan played all day with those cars. They didn't even eat until the afternoon; there was too much excitement.

The only thing Ethan wanted for Christmas was an ambigious train from one of the Thomas and the Tank Engine shows. Something about "the train that the breakdown train comes to get." Unfortunately, he nor I could locate said video to identify the train. So, poor Santa, sent a few others instead. I think Ethan was okay with it. Santa told him that the Elf named "Clumsy" messed up his order, and Santa wanted him to have these to make up for it.


Ethan also recieved this marble run. He has been intriguiged by these for years. Little did I know that a bag with a zillion marbles sat beside it. I quickly had Ethan choose only10 to keep with the toy. Now, I am thinking 10 is still to many!

Random sampling

Just a short update on each of the kids. Laurel is potty training this week. She is doing alright. I think I am a fair weather potty trainer. I don't really like doing it, and would love to just quit. However with all the trouble I had with Cameron potty training, I am not willing to be wishy-washy. She is going do this. Besides I can't have her striping every time she goes in a diaper. It's getting embarassing!
Ethan got his first report card. Kind of funny to get a Kindergarten report card. He is doing well, and his teacher says he is a "joy" and that he "brightens her day." He can be the same at home, but he is not so everyday. Atleast he has one safe place at home to be his crazy self.



What a deceptive picture this is. Cameron has the most charming smile, but beneath it is a busy mind. Cameron is loving Christmas time this year. He is so excited about Santa and the presents.

I am becoming such an experienced mother that sometimes I find joy in a crying baby. Not that I think his distress is funny, but crying is just part of being a baby and it can be cute. Luke is growing! Up to 17 lbs. already! Yikes. I sure grow them big around here. He is just like the older 3, so I am not concerned. He will thin out a lot after he starts walking.

Ode to Luke (3 months)

Luke is now 3 months old. How time flies! He is playing with toys, giggles and laughs, has tickle spots, gets so excited he practically jumps! It is an exciting time as a mother. The first few weeks with a new baby is so special but so challenging. Then all of a sudden they start doing all this amazing developmental stuff, and the sleepless nights, poopy diapers, and spit-up seems to be worth it (well, most days!)
I think having children has turned me into a philosopher. I look at them sometimes and just marvel! There is such great potential. I have such great dreams and hopes for them. I hope that they can find their own true talents. I dream of them growing up being kind and loving. I wish for so much joy and happiness with just a hint of sorrow, so they will recognize and appreciate the joy.

I want all these amazing things for them, now all I have to do is try and help them see all that they are capable of and try not to interfere too much with their greatness. I look at this picture of Luke and there is only love staring back at me. Is all the trouble worth it? I look at this picture and shout YES!

Paging Dr. Cameron Williams

Yesterday, Cameron decided to play doctor with Luke. I thought it was so cute! He was so intent on "taking Luke's blood." I sure he meant blood pressure. Luke didn't seem to mind all the fuss Cameron was going through, because it meant that someone was paying attention to him. Cameron LOVES his baby brother, and you can tell by the picture that Luke adores Cameron. Everyday Cameron is hoovering over him making him giggle, smile, belly laugh, and yes, sometimes cry. Everyday is an adventure in this house! It's funny to see what these kids will come up with next.
We will see if this game continues. Cameron probably would make a good doctor I think. He is truly empathetic and caring and he isn't very squeemish.

YouTube

The mean parents we are. We extort our child at the expense of our sense of humor. If you would like to see a short video of our Luke singing Feliz Navidad check out this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb6uObu08Uc. Merry Christmas.