Pictures of Three

These are all from early on b/c I am so behind on blogging.  And I miss it so much!!  

There is a new computer coming my way (that's been the hold up) but it will probably take me equally as long to learn to use it.

I asked the kids to do the same pose as the baby.

 I walked downstairs at the end of two weeks of being mostly upstairs in my room, plopped the baby down and saw this.  It felt surreal.  Wow, we made it to three.  That was crazy but we have three kids.

 And just because he is so stinkin' perfect.  Sometimes its hard to stop looking at him.

 Peter's first time holding the baby- maybe two weeks in.  I bribed him to watch an episode of Wild Kratts.  He has told us he is still "getting used to the baby".  Its taken some patience but I think he will come around with time.  He is always my wild card and keeps me guessing.  (God is always faithful to give me moments to see His great work in Peter.)  He is already doing better.  We are trying to not draw attention to it.  He is intrigued when he stops thinking about it.

Then three on the couch watching Wild Kratts. 

This girl though thinks he's her baby.

Lily's Preschool Graduation

Lily graduated from preschool!  

It was 6 days after the baby was born.

(You can see Peter's here- always fun to look back!)

Here are the pictures to tell the story...

Getting her diploma from the much loved Mrs. Notley

 her cute class:

Kate, Kevork, Lily, Logan, Luke, Maria, Natalie, Hunter, Hayden, Joel, Grayson, Grace, Asher

 I love this of her waving to her Pete.  This child was made to be a middle child.  She is so thoughtful and loving.  She looks up to, loves her big bro, and is so thoughtful and caring about him.

 one of Lily's favorite pals, Kate

 Petey getting in with the girlies.

Knar, Natalie, Lily, Peter

 Both sets of grandparents joined us... we are blessed!

Meeting our Littlest Man

Labor was long and rough... 14 long hours.

The highlights included two epidurals, shaking for 4+ hours, "spinning the baby" which was killer on the hips and really, the whole body while shaking, and plenty more rough details that I'll leave out.  Mike and my mom were wonderful, patient, and helpful labor coaches.   He finally arrived at the late hour of 8:29 PM, much later that I'd ever expected.  My latest-in-the-day arriving baby shortened our vacation recovery time at the hospital.  ;)

But he is oh so precious and perfect.

All cleaned up and oh my, such a handsome little man!!

 He came out smacking his lips.  PTL!

 I forgot how intense and brutal those first few days and week are.  It's been rough on mama's body in the best of ways but so good on the heart.

Grateful

  presenting our third earthly blessing....

there's not much better than your man with a newborn in his arms...

 he is oh so perfect, every little part of him...

 oh, the joy and thrill of holding a baby in your arms again...

and my most favorite picture...

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of this third little child of ours...

we are thrilled.

Thanks Be To God!!!

Benjamin David

born 5.8.14 @ 8:30pm

7lb 8oz  and  20 inches

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

All my inmost being, praise His holy name!

Psalm 103:1

He's coming!!

He's coming!  Tomorrow is the big day.  It's our due date.  And no signs of labor.  So we are going to do an induction tomorrow.  Come on, baby boy!!  We can't wait to meet you!  

Snuggles with the bigs on the last night of a big belly.  They are so sweet and pretty excited to meet their baby brother.

Finishing Up

We had a work day at the old house over the weekend.  Mike's dad helped us haul off some debris.  Mike mowed and cleaned up the yard.  I pulled nails and touched up paint.  

Such a pretty house but I am so thrilled to go and move on....

The play set is for sure the part I am most sad to leave.  The kids have had such a blast there.  We've gone over several afternoons when getting Peter from the bus stop to play.  Lily has learned to do the monkey bars in the last couple of weeks and is so proud.  I may have to post a video after our main computer is back up and running.  And she's told me several times that she wants a play set at the new house because she "just loves to swing".  I totally grafitti'ed the kids' names inside it before leaving.

One last look at the back yard.  So not sad to leave all those trees.

Driving away for the last time on that era of our life.  I had someone go over and clean today.  She did a great job and the place is looking quite polished!

After the last few years, I want to long for heaven and I couldn't help but think & pray it would be so.... that this is how it would be for heaven.... we think it will be sad, but Heaven is just soooo good that it's impossible to be sad.  

We are pretty excited to walk away!!! :)