Little Fingers...


Little Toes...


My baby boy is 4 weeks old...


We love you, precious son! Can't imagine what life was like before you were in it. You are our joy!

Around here...

To say that life has been "busy" lately, would be the understatement of the year. I sometimes long for those days when the kids were young and we had no school obligations or extracurricular activities to race off to. Some days, I'd be so bored I'd just have to schedule us to do something... anything!... to get out of the house.

Now, I look at my calendar and I just about cringe to see everything we have going on in a week. But, of course, it is of my own doing. No one forced me to sign my kids up for 400 activities in one semester. I get that from my Mom who also signed me up for everything under the sun (ahhh... cello at age 3, anyone else?!?)

Even little Ariana has gotten in on the game. She's joined her first activity... gymnastics!

She absolutely loves it and it is just adorable watching her. I can't believe my little 2 year old is "big" enough to be in her own class!

Balance beam!

Besides all of the activities, we are busy with school as well. We are in the full swing of things and have established a pretty good schedule. I can't believe we are in the middle of our 4th week!

Here's my studious little dude with the pencil behind his ear ;)

... and my big girl who's holding up her Science book from our Co-Op (school).

And last, but definitely not least, our sweet little baby boy is growing bigger and bigger every day. We are all just crazy in love our little guy. He's such a sweet baby. He's given us a few smiles already and I've (almost) caught them on camera.

... I know he looks a little more "startled" than smiling in this photo- but it's hard to get good picture! By the time I see him smiling and race to get the camera- his smile has started to turn into that puzzled look! LOL!

Here's a better one of him smiling. Of course, that's cause Daddy was holding him- and around here, Daddy's the funny one and Mom's the.. well- you know... Mom.

And when he's not busy smiling and snuggling with us, he's resting up for the next big playtime... or trying to shield himself from more pictures (please! Mom.... enough already!) ;)

A best friendship is formed...

And on the other end of these precious little hands and fingers are my two darling sons...



If you remember from a few weeks ago, I posted this picture of Alex kissing my pregnant belly. This was not a one time occurance. We just happend to snap a photo of it and I'm so glad we did because the next morning Christian was born. My husband took the picture because we wanted to remember how sweet Alex was, always kissing my belly. Every day. Every night. And he constantly spoke to his little brother growing inside me. "Hey little buddy! How's it going in there? I'm going to teach you how to play cars!"



My oldest son has always been the sweet and sensitive one of the family. He is so tender and loving. And now that his little baby brother is finally born, he is just as sweet with him now that he finally gets to hold him in his arms...



My two sons...



... a best friendship formed.

My little Artiste!

There she sat at the kitchen table,



All by her lonesome, but as happy as can be. Concentrating on making her masterpiece...



She sat for nearly an hour. Painting... painting... and painting some more.



... My little Artiste.

It's hard work being a newborn!



All of that "observation..."


Speculation... (hmmmmmmm...)

and adoration...

What's a little baby boy to do??

Good choice...

First Days

My little sweetheart is one week old today! It always amazes me how when your child is born, though maybe only a few days have gone by, you can't imagine what your life was every like without that precious baby in your life.

We've had a good week! He's been so easy and laid back - but, then again, newborns do sleep away most of the day - and this has been the case with him, as well.

He's a little sweetheart, for sure....



And he's certainly not lacking for any kisses!



He's a strong little guy - loves to hold his head up and peek around!



Getting used to all of the new sights and sounds. This expression cracks me up. It's one I've seen on all our newborn faces - that look of equal parts confusion and wonder.



Mostly, this week, I am being refreshed and reminded of how precious and absolutely miraculous life is. God is incredible in His handiwork. Every single life is precious. And I am so thankful for His blessing.