Life By The Hay

Sunday, May 8, 2011

My Favorite Day

Today is my favorite day of the whole year, even more than my birthday which says a lot. I love celebrating my mom and mother in law, I love celebrating all the woman in my life who have influenced me, and I love feeling celebrated.
I feel so incredibly blessed to be the mother of these three special babies. They bring me so much joy, teach me all about patience, and have taught me how to love more than I ever imagined possible. It is my privilege to be their mom.

I learned how to be a mom from such a great example. I am amazed at her love for others and her capability to selflessly serve. She is amazing.

One of the many reasons I love being a mom is because my husband supports and honors my roll as a wife and mother. I am so grateful for his amazing mom and his upbringing. I feel so blessed that Dave was raised by such a wonderful woman.

Audrey's paper from church

Thursday, May 5, 2011

3 Months

Austin is three months. How did this happen? We love this sweet boy so much. There is something about a child who doesn't talk back, who doesn't tease his siblings, and who just smiles all day that melts a mama's heart.
At three months Austin:
* still loves to be swaddled. But with one arm out. It's been that way since he was 3 days old.
* smiles, smiles, smiles. People comment all the time what a happy baby he is.
* loves to sleep. He is such a good napper, and will sleep between 8 and 11 hours at night. Sorry to brag Jocelyn, but you are in Bora Bora right now, so who has bragging rights?
* coos and makes the cutest noises.
* is a fabulous little traveler. He has flown four times now and each time has just slept the whole way.
* is basically an angel baby.

This boy is so easy to love.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

California

On March 26th, Dave and I took the kids to California to visit our families. We blessed Austin while we were there, but that's a different post.
It was so fun to have Austin meet all his aunties (except one, we missed you Jess & Ryan) and uncles.
Meeting Aunt Ritz

Ritz has made a blanket for each of our kids, and this is Austin's. I love it.

Meeting Andrew & Carrie. Andrew, as in THE Andrew. Austin Andrew.

We were able to just hang out and relax while we were there. Heavenly.

While we were there, we celebrated my Mom's birthday. We went out to lunch and then went and got foot massages. That night we went to Melissa's where she had made an amazing dinner for everyone. So fun.

My parents with their five grandkids

Sugar high

I was able to see some of my high school friends while I was there

Kathy was so nice to come see me at my Mom's house. Austin loved snuggling and sleeping on Grandma Kathy

My Dad has a 1941 Pontiac that we lovingly named Betsy. I loved riding (and then driving) Betsy when I was younger, and it was fun to see my Dad drive my kids in it.

Until next time California!

Audrey

* Joshua had messed up Audrey's barbie house while she was at school yesterday. When she got home, she was pretty devastated. I had Joshua go in and clean it up, and Audrey wanted to help so that everything would be put back where it belonged. I was picking up Joshua's room next door and heard Audrey say the sweetest thing: "Joshua, I am your sister and I will always love you. Even if you mess up my things, a sister's love will never change."

* I was putting Austin to bed last night and he was crying because he was overtired. Audrey was next to me and asked what was wrong. I was snuggling a crying baby and just said, "Oh he is just beyond tired." To which Audrey said, "He is beyond beautiful."

It is the little moments like this that make it all worthwhile.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Life Lately

Life lately has been busy. Having a baby didn't really change much...it just added to the party. My first week without any help (Austin was two weeks old), both Audrey and Joshua got really bad colds and ended up with ear infections. Audrey missed three days of school and it was all I could do to keep them away from Austin. Dave was gone at least 14 hours a day, and went out of town twice before Austin was 8 weeks old. Audrey got the stomach flu and barfed 10 times in one night. My sweet Grandpa died and it was an emotional few days for me. Then I got sick...blah, blah, blah. But we have been blessed with such a sweet baby, and I am so grateful he has joined our family.
I have been such a slacker. I really want to get up to date with my blog. Here are some catch up pictures that I never got around to blogging.

Wednesday 2.9.11
Middle of the week snow day! Hooray! Dave and Audrey both got to stay home. We enjoyed the day together making valentines for Audrey's school Valentines party. Let's be honest, everyone else made the valentines and I slept.

Snuggling Fafa

Tub time, but first a snuggle from Memor

Big brother taking pictures

2.10.11 6 days
Before Bruce and Marianne left, they set up a fun Valentines date for Dave and me. The kids were our servers and we enjoyed first class service and one of my favorite meals.

2.11.11 My sweet friend Kitty Carter sent me this Edible Arrangement. Joshua was obsessed with it. He ate most of it in one day.

Chocolate on his forehead.

2.17.11
My mom came and spoiled everyone rotten. She cooked, and cooked, and cooked. She even brought pans from her house because she knew I didn't have pots big enough. She is one saintly woman. The quickest way to my heart is through my stomach, and my mom knows that.

She brought Joshua this toy and Joshua loved it. I can't remember why he was crying, but I love these pictures. My mom is one beautiful woman.

3.4.11
The night before Joshua's birthday party, we let him stay up with us and stuff the pinata. He found a war head (a very sour candy) and wanted to taste it. Ha.lar.ious.
First taste

"Mmmmmmm"

"I wub it!" (while rubbing his tummy) He ended up chomping that candy like it was no big deal.

3.15.11
5 1/2 weeks. Austin learning to smile. PAYDAY! The first time Austin smiled was on Joshua's birthday.

3.16.11
Brotherly bonding time. Joshua loves sharing his toys with Austin. I am grossed out that I didn't have a burp cloth under Austin's head.

That's better.

3.18.11
Audrey's spring break was pretty lame. She got the stomach flu. Dave went out of town. We did have a picnic outside and Audrey wanted to pick flowers for the "centerpieces". We have been watching "Four Weddings" too much.