Brothers

For the past month or so, family devotions have come from the Big Truths for Little Kids book by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt. The boys have been reviewing their catechism questions that they learn at preschool. I am often feeding/changing Margot during these times, but I am usually somewhere where I can hear the conversations. The boys are really learning such meaningful truths while asking and answering great questions. The other night, Owen was saying that to be a Christian, you have to be really good. Matt and I groaned as we thought "no, you're missing it." Before Matt could even offer the gospel, Micah says "No, Owen, to be a Christian, you have to love and trust Jesus. We can never be good enough to go to Heaven. Jesus was good for us." The most amazing moment as a parent is to hear your child know, understand, and love the gospel. We often pray for Micah as a big brother, that he will help lead his siblings to know the Lord, that he would help teach them the truth of the faith the Lord has blessed him with at such a young age. Oh Lord, may you continue to grow Micah in knowledge and faith in you. May you use him as a light to his siblings that he loves so much so that they will turn and trust in you. We are so thankful for the wonderful relationship between Micah and Owen. They truly love each other more than I ever thought they would. Micah is so patient with Owen and loves to teach him. Owen helps Micah loosen up and be a kid, teaching him how to pretend with his wonderful imagination. We are blessed beyond words to have these boys!

Thankfulness

Our cup runneth over!

Happy Thanksgiving

Oh!

Oh, what did we ever do without you?

One Month

Margot,

Happy one month baby girl! We all love you so much; you have added such a sweetness to our house. Your brothers love you and dote on you any time you are in the room with them. Today, while you were in my arms during their story time, Micah reached over and gently rubbed your back. Owen is always finding a rattle and shaking it for you. They both love to sing the Doxology and Barocha to you. Dada can't wait to get his hands on you when he walks in the door. I am sharing my role as the girl in the house, but I don't mind. You love when I hold you after you eat. You are so peaceful then and have smiled a few times at me. You make little mouse sounds off and on all day. Lately, they are turning into precious coos-music to my ears! You have a fussy time at night when you can't decide if you want to be awake or asleep. Mama and Dada take turns holding you and trying to keep you calm. Sometimes, we give you a bath to quiet you because you love the warm water and the warm washcloth on your tummy. I hate to hear you cry and see you upset. For some reason, it bothers me more than it did with your brothers. You remain very calm and still during the day time. This is why I was so surprised two days ago when I laid you down for a rest on your tummy, turned around, and saw you lying on your back! I am still not quite sure how you pulled that off and think it was probably just a fluke. You have reflux-bad reflux. You spit up all over yourself and me, sometimes soaking an entire burp cloth (and your clothes) after each feeding. I am learning how to help you drink less (hard to do when you can't measure) and keep it down by keeping you upright for 20 minutes after feedings and changing you before, not after, a meal. We go through a lot of laundry around here lately! Thankfully, you are a "happy spitter" and the doctor doesn't think we need to use medicine unless you get increasingly fussy. Despite all the food that comes out, you must be keeping your fair share in. You are growing well. At your check-up you weighed 9lbs 8oz (60%) and were 20.5 in(30%). This is how long you were when you were born, but you shrunk to 19 in. after the cone on top of your head went down. You eat for the last time around 10:30 pm. You wake at 2:22 and then again at 6:22 for a quick snack and go right back to sleep. Unfortunately, mama has to stay up for 20 minutes or so to catch your spit-ups! Mama and Dada laugh at the rigid schedule you keep for yourself. I told Dada, when I was pregnant with you, that you had yourself on a tight schedule. I always knew when to expect your little kicks and when you would be sleeping. So far, it is holding true on the outside. You get that from me; I find comfort in routine too! You are such a blessing, Margot and I love you more than you will ever know. I don't want to take a minute of my time with you for granted because, one thing I have learned from your brothers, is that this time goes by so quickly.

Favorite way to sleep #2. This is the way I find you most mornings. You are still sleeping beside me in the bassinet (on a wedge to help keep your milk down). I know I would be much too cold to go to your room in the middle of the night to get you. It is much easier to feed you in my warm bed!
Bath time-you love it!

Favorite sleeping position #1. You sleep like this most of the day. You really seem to like being on your tummy. I think it helps with the reflux.
Lifting your head so high to look at your brothers! Notice your big bib and burp cloth. Just trying to cut down on laundry!

These Boys

They are funny. They are rowdy. They drive me nearly insane sometimes. They melt my heart with sweet words. They anger me when they throw fits. They are precious, and I love them.

No time for the lengthy post I was contemplating about life these days. Everyone keeps asking. In short: it is great; it is hard; I am tired!

*Do you see the boys swinging in the last picture? They taught themselves how to get started and go "super high" without an initial push from me. This has been a lifesaver the past few weeks.

10 Years!?

This past Sunday was my 30th birthday. 30! 30? I just can't wrap my brain around that number. I certainly don't feel like the college girl I am going to tell you about in this post, but I also certainly don't feel a day over 25. Matt tried so hard to make my birthday special. He knew I would not want a big hullaballoo, lots of people, or lots of attention. He also knew I wanted/needed sleep. He took the boys to get me breakfast, a latte, a card, and balloons. I didn't wake up until 9:00! Margot did her part just by sleeping. We then all got ready and actually made it to church (on time!) On the way, Matt said "I want to do something special for your birthday." My response was "Oh, don't worry about it, it doesn't even feel like my birthday!" I meant it to sound reassuring, like "I don't need anything else, I'm not sad about the way the day is going." He took it as though he wasn't doing enough to make the day special. I immediately pointed out all the nice things he had done the whole week. We went on two dates, ate great food, had the boys spend the night with my in-laws, and loved and stared at our new baby (talk about a great birthday present). Most of all, he had been there to hug me when I felt like I wasn't going to make it, to step in and be super dad when I needed a bath, to come home on any break he had to give me a moments relief so that I could make it through the rest of the day. My husband is my hero! The most special thing about my birthday this year was remembering that it was our 10 year anniversary of our first date. I want to jot down some of the memories I have of the time-I know it will be something fun to show the kids one day.

I met Matt during the second quarter of our freshman year at Auburn. We ran into each other some at his fraternity house, we shared a chemistry class, and I had somehow come to find out that he was a "presbyterian!" I remember inviting him to freshman bible study with RUF (we would later lead that study together) and being so surprised/happy when he showed up and sat in my group. We learned a lot about each other just sitting in those small groups and listening to what the other had to say. We knew we shared common beliefs, and I knew that I had a BIG CRUSH! We ran into each other off and on the rest of the year and once over the summer. Matt somehow found out that I was in a music appreciation class on Tuesday nights that first semester of sophomore year, and he enrolled. I thought he just wanted to be in a class with a nice over-achiever so that he wouldn't have to do much work; he claims he enrolled because he had a bit of a crush too. We met at the library and listened to countless music recordings (way more than we needed to, but hey-we both got A's). He playfully put me down about my lack of knowledge of the instrument,; I loved that he knew something about music. My 20th birthday was quickly approaching, and it happened to be on a Tuesday night that year. I made sure Matt knew that it was my birthday (though I'm not sure how), and he suggested we ditch class during the break and get some dinner (a big deal for this rule keeper). He made it seem like he was just being nice and didn't want me sitting in class on my birthday. I didn't want to get my hopes up that it was a date. I tried to guard my heart from all the thoughts that young girls have when they have a crush on a new guy. I am pretty sure I had already pictured myself standing beside him in white, and having many of his babies! At 8:00 we left class, and I tried to keep my wits about me (and not say anything stupid) as he drove me to Noodles. We sat outside on the second floor over-looking college street by ourselves, the waitress forgot about us but we didn't care, we talked for a long time, enjoyed a dessert, and he gave me a card. The card (I have it somewhere) said something about how he was happy about our relationship. I remember thinking "what? relationship? like our friend relationship, or some other sort of relationship?" Matt would go on to confuse me for a couple of weeks before he told me how he felt. I remember feeling on top of the world the night he told me he wanted to date me. I also remember feeling like I would marry this man some day. The Lord blessed us with two great years of dating before we married in December 2002. They were no doubt some of the best times in our lives. 10 years later: I am still, truly so deeply in love. That part has not changed. Matt, you are my birthday gift from 10 years ago that keeps giving. Thank you for loving me, for all that you do for us, and for 10 years of great birthdays!

"Margot-licious"

Happy two weeks, our Margot-licious baby girl! This is what your Dada likes to say about you, and I think it is hilarious. We are so in love with you, Margot and don't want to forget a minute with you. So... here goes a random stream of consciousness of life these first two weeks.

I have yet to experience real life with you and your brothers as we have had so much help since you were born. However, I am so thankful for all the bonding we have been able to share. You are the sweetest baby we have ever met. You are so calm and peaceful, you sleep all the time, and during your longest stretch of awake time (8-10 am), you try so hard to smile at me. You almost wear a half smile the whole two hours.

You are sleeping well at night-better than Micah did, not as well as Owen did, but we can't complain. You like to eat at 11, wake up at 1 for a snuggle, eat at 4 and again at 8. I often wake up at 4 with you in my arms because I fell asleep and forgot to put you back in your bassinet. I guess the real test will be when we move you to your crib!

You love to eat (sometimes not even waiting 2 hours during the evenings), so we have also given you the nickname "Miss Piggy." I have been advised to take it easy on the common allergens with you as your brothers both had allergies as babies. Because of this (and the fact that you were nearly 8 lbs at birth), I have lost over 20 pounds already! It just isn't as fun to eat when you can't have peanuts, dairy, soy, egg, etc. Of course I have a little of these, just not a big bowl of ice cream like when I was pregnant. We are praying you won't have allergies, and if sacrificing some foods may help- it is well worth it. I have to say that I am going to cheat tonight when your Dada takes me out for a sushi birthday dinner. Hopefully, we just won't pay for it tomorrow with a belly ache! You are our squishiest baby, but maybe that is a difference in boys and girls.

You love your baths, (as long as they are warm enough) and the lotion massage I give you afterwards.

You have a very strong neck and lift it very high when you are on your belly. You love being on your belly and sleep best that way. I am too nervous to let you do this at night, but during the day, you are on the floor on your belly most of the time.

We think you look most like Micah, but have more of an Owen hair style. Your chin is a little pointier than Micah's was, but your nose and lips are almost identical. We can't tell about your eyes yet, but you already sport such long lashes. Maybe your eyes will be like Owen's? So basically, you will probably look just like your Dada with your Mama's nose and hair! We love it that we recognize you and that our children have common features.

I am so looking forward to the coming weeks, months, years with you baby girl. May the Lord bless you and keep you. I can't wait to see how He will shape our family with you as a new addition.

Sweet Baby Girl

Baby Tyler is Here!

Tyler and Jessica

My brother and sister-in-law had their baby on the 10th, and Margot, my mom, and I dropped by for a visit yesterday. We tried to snap a few pictures, but they were having none of it. Once Nana got them all wrapped up and in her arms, they were just fine!

Time with Brother

Owen and Margot watched a movie in our bed the other day. Owen is absolutely smitten with his sister. He asks about her all day, and loves to help get anything I need for Margot. I know they will have a special relationship. He commented to us "when Margot is a little bigger, she can sleep with me in my bunk bed."

So in Love

There are no words.

They Say...

Your other children will look enormous!

Meeting the Family and Coming Home

Margot was born at 1:01. The boys were at the park eating a picnic lunch with Grammy and so were able to come around 2:30 to meet their sister. They were so precious and walked into the room smiling and looking around for Margot. They couldn't wait to hold her. Owen spent the rest of the time looking at all her features and talking about how small she was.

Really glad to be a big brother. I think these two will have a very special bond. Owen has been talking about how he will "take out anyone who tries to hurt Margot."

Margot's first bath. She loved getting her hair washed especially. Matt and I just couldn't stop staring.

Taking a rest after getting all clean.

Going home-finally!

Night night baby girl. She slept great her first night home, waking to eat at 1 and 4. At 4, we had to snuggle for a little while because she was cold, but then we all slept till 7:45. Hopefully, it will continue to got this well.

First thing this morning Micah wanted to hold his sister. We set him up with the boppy and he snuggled her before breakfast.