A little late

I'm a little late with these pictures. These were taken a bit before we had Jack (4 days to be exact). Man, I love those little boys. Looking at these pictures just make me want to march my tail right up those stairs, wake them up, and hold them, kiss them, and tell them how much I love them. If only they would be happy to have been woken up half way through their unconscious state to a gooey, emotional Mommy...I think I'd best wait until they are at least conscious. Sorry, temporary moment of insanity.

Sweet Love

So everyone has been asking "How are the boys adjusting to the new baby?" Well, here is my answer: surprisingly well. I truly was nervous about Ben. He has always been the baby and now there was a new baby. Of course we have been really playing up the big brother stuff, and he has been great. Now Christian has had some troubles. Don't get me wrong, he loves his little brother dearly, but with his arrival has found a new sense of Big Brotherness, Responsibility, and Authority. It hasn't been going over so well with Ben or myself, but we are working on it. Christian is such a great big brother and as most older siblings are...bossy. He is very responsible for a 4 year old and it has been nice to see him fall into this leadership role. We are just working on the execution of his part as big brother. I think they are enjoying Jack. Both boys still like to hug and kiss him, so no complaints there. That is much better than the alternative. :)

Tricky Stuff

I am overhearing a conversation that Christian is having with Ben. It goes a little something like this;

(The scenario: Ben finds a cool toy to play with and Christian decides he wants to play with it. This is usually followed with Christian trying to take the toy, Ben crying, and Christian desperately trying to calm him down before he gets in trouble for making his brother cry and taking his toy. This time, he used a different tactic, Jesus...clever, but it didn't work.)


I am overhearing this from the other room.

Ben: (crying)

Christian: (desperation in his voice) Ben, Ben, Ben. Ben, listen, Ben. Ben, do you remember what Jesus says. Ben?

Ben: (still crying)

Christian: Ben, Jesus says to share, Ben. Ben?!! Do you remember?!!!

Ben: (still crying)

Christian: (louder) Ben, it's my turn to play with that!! I want to play with that!! Do you remember Jesus!!!! Ben!!! (...and he lost it)

At that point I had to intervene. Christian was getting a little too heated and Ben wasn't listening to anything he had to say.

Hmmm, this is tricky stuff. Yes, we should share. No, you shouldn't take from others. Yes, you can play with that toy. No, you have to wait until your brother is finished. No, you can't pressure him into sharing just because you decided you wanted it. Yes, we should share our possessions. Yes, we should give to others, but.....oh my. Tricky stuff.

Spring Fever

I am getting the fever. These tulips are so pretty. Thanks Haley for bringing them by. It has really got me itching for warmer weather. I am ready to plant flowers, start the garden, go swimming....etc. We have had many discussions about what we are planting in the garden this year. The boys are all about some tomatoes (the big ones) and "squish," and "kinni," They also want to plant some crackers and ice cream...perhaps I need to do a better job explaining what a vegetable is to them.

Sweet Baby Jack

7 Days New

Jack Has Arrived

Mom took this picture of me JUST before I got in my gown and had a baby.

Drugs are an amazing thing.

Fresh baby Jack.

Our first moment together after he was born.

First bath - slept through the entire thing!

Going home from the hospital, always an exciting thing.

Finally, he has arrived - January 26th at 12:13pm. Weighing in at 8lbs. and 5oz. As far as we can tell about his personality at this point he is perfect. The first two nights in the hospital he were a little rough but once Mommy's milk came in he has been as happy as can be.

The boys adore him. Christian more so than Ben, which was to be expected. We are trying to teach them not get so close to his face, but of course all they see is Aaron and I all in his face showering him with kisses. Christian has already learned about his soft spot and knows not to touch it. They have been bringing him toys and pictures that they have drawn to show him and explain their significance. Jack can't really acknowledge any of this but they don't seem to mind that.

He has absolutely no jondus, what a relief. Both of our first two did, and I found it a little stressful, although it's normal. Another concern was his blood sugar. Since I had gestational diabetes we half expected some issues, but he was just perfect. A prayer answered. Everything about him checked out perfectly. (Have you noticed how much i have exhausted the word perfect in describing him?) It was such a different experience than with Ben who came out with complications from the get go. Unfortunately I did have to have a C-Section, but it was much smoother than the last. I was able to have more immediate time with him and got to hold him as soon as I was in recovery. Again, not what I was expecting. I have found the pain from surgery to be more difficult to handle this go around. The nurses told me that that was normal since there was previous scar tissue and a bigger baby to get out of there. All in all everything went smoothly and we are home now trying to find our new groove with three boys. God is so good, and I am incredibly grateful that He continually takes care of us, and partly ashamed that I ever doubted.