Busy Picture Weekend...

Whew! What a fast weekend. Got out the photography gear to do a newborn/family session for a friend of mine & just kept the photo ball rolling with my own kids. Here's a peak & links to the rest! Enjoy!

Introducing the gorgeous, teeny tiny Miss Presley Ann...

Click HERE for more of Presley, big brother Mason & their family session!


3 months already? My baby Xabe is growing all too fast...but dang he IS a handsome man!

Click HERE to see the rest of Xavier's pictures!

And my fair, saucy lady...

Click HERE to see the rest of Natalee's pictures!

Natalee - 21 month portraits

 Just a few for fun...because she's changing so quickly and she's cute!

Xavier Is Three Months!

 This handsome devil is ours! Enjoy...

I {heart}

this face!

One of Each

I love my girl and my boy. It's sweet having "one of each." I have a blogger/sister friend who has a boy and girl and she recently blogged about how her family feels complete. I'm glad for her, that they feel full circle, and it's made me think really hard...
I have one of each. When we found out we were having Xabe, I HATED when people would say to me, "Aw, that will give you one of each and you can be done." Boo! What if my 2nd born would have been a girl? Would I have not been allowed to "be done?" And so what that I have one of each?
All this to say...don't be quick to put us in a "one of each"/"normal 4 person family" box. Because between you and me, we're thinking of taking a little break (maybe not be pregnant in 2011 since I was in 2008, 2009 & 2010), getting these 2 out of diapers and then going again! When I think about selling my baby things I feel absolutely devastated. The totes of clothes, the bouncy seat, the highchair, etc. When I think about never nursing again, no more pacis scattered about, never a diaper in my house again, I'm brokenhearted. We've talked about adopting and about having more naturally--both are equally fine avenues for me. And this isn't to say I might not change my mind in a few years...but probably not. And so, I might sell a few things now, and buy new/used later, but I won't be unloading everything...

Just look at them...

wouldn't you want to have more?

Roly Poly Oly

So, I don't know how to spell rollie/roly/rolely. They all come up in the red on my screen. Nonetheless, here he goes....


Who said you could grow up, Little Chimp? We're so proud of you sweetie boy. Good job, Xabe! Love, Mommy & Daddy

On Our Day Off...

On our extra day off we are relaxing, mom is sewing up a storm, and the kids are being silly and sweet!

He's Been Caught!

naughty, naughty!

Reflection

At one time...

we feared these hands would struggle to write...

we prayed for a few scribbles on paper, on the sidewalk, on the floor--anywhere...

we worked and pushed and worked some more.

At one time...
we feared these little legs might never make it to the top...

and that these little feet might struggle to run.

God has been so gracious to us. He has heard our cries, supported our efforts, calmed our fears. We gave this girl back to him and he has kept His arms around her.

My daughter has brain damage. Mild though it is, two words no mother ever wants to hear. There have been times, in the past few months, that I have looked at her and my heart has been broken for fear of how hard her future might be. So I stretched her, pushed her, and made her be tough. And then I rocked her, kissed her, picked her up for the thousandth time, and helped her try again. And I prayed...over her, with her, around her, for her. Her character is being shaped. She knows what it is to persevere. She knows what it means to succeed. She has spunk, vigor, attitude...she also knows what it means to love. To kiss and be kissed, to hug and be hugged. She knows the difference between a firm hand and tender moment. She knows we love her and we'll never give up on her.

And so, as this leg of her life journey comes to an end I realize it's closing much sooner than I had ever anticipated. And while I'm grateful for some of these struggles to be behind us I'll never regret that we went through them.
Because as a mother my character has been shaped. I know what it is to persevere. I know what is means to succeed. My spunk, vigor & attitude have been revived several times over...I have also been reminded what it means to love. To kiss and be kissed, to hug and be hugged. I have learned the difference in parenting between a firm hand and a tender moment. I love my children and will never give up on them.
Praises for a merciful Father who feels the same way.

Big Girl Cup

She's growing up...

...I'm not sure I'm ready.