Treasured Time

{Spoiler Alert :: You will see these costumes again!}

  Jake the Neverland Pirate

 Jake and Captain Hook

Alekzander and Andrew had some treasured big guy time together 

at a friend's costume-themed 5 year old birthday party. 

It is unclear if the little boys or the big "Bad Daddies" had more fun. 

The birthday boy's mom, and sweet friend of mine, captured these amazing pictures... including the action stance photo booth pics of my "crew" {above}.

Getting instructions about fighting the "Bad Daddies"

who were dressed up and hiding at strategic spots around the park.

 Ready for action.

 Watch out Captain Hook!

  Party Loot :: Pirate Booty

One-on-One

 What a gift to spend time with this little-big guy one-on-one.

In the midst of craziness - little sleep, crying newborn, ridiculous hormonal emotions - it is such a gift to "just be" with Alekzander.  As active and busy as he is, one of his greatest loves is coloring on the driveway with chalk.  Aside from rainy days {there were quite a few this summer}, it was a rarity that our driveway was not adorned with art by Alekzander.  Mixing colors, adding water, blowing chalk dust ... it was calming, quiet, and often put Alekzander in his happy place.  

With a still sleepy newborn, we stole away to the front yard to sit and draw.  Me with no make-up, a painful healing scar, rarely showered.  Alekzander ... just plain content.  And a little bit silly!

{Pictures from 7.29.13}

1 Month and Forever

It's tough work ::

being so cute at just one month old.

 being kissed and hugged by big brother many times a day.

eating.eating.eating.

snuggling with Mommy.

being serenaded by Daddy.

sleeping.

eating.eating.eating.

Our month has flown by.

We are finally 'normalized'... normalizing.

We are learning how we function as a family of 4.

We are practicing patience ... and plenty of love and joy.

It seems that Anderson has been part of our hearts forever.

Alekzander even agrees.

He has a deep love for his little brother

whom he has only known for one month.

Last night when some sweet friends dropped off dinner for us,

Alekzander was playing independently & eavesdropping on our conversation;

he jumped in to share,

"We're going to keep Anderson forever."

{There may have been a qualifying factor of  "even though he cries a lot!"}

We celebrated Anderson's one month birthday all day long.

Aside from some trauma inflicted at the doctor's office {a frenotomy},

we had a successful day - complete with a shower and baths,

a few outfit changes, lunch at Panera,

a walk around the 'doctor's pond' including a 20-duck duck chase,

time at the playground, bedtime books shared,

and even a 4 person family "parade" ...

all in honor of sweet Anderson's one month birthday.

Can't wait to watch this sweet boy grow {even more!}.

1 month stats:

9 lb + 11 oz.

21 3/4 inches.

Brotherly Love

Big brother ... ever watching.

Protected by a circle of "nice" cars defending Anderson against the "mean" guys.

Worship Baby

Sweet boy loves worship music.

{We have an amazing worship mix made by one of my sweet friends ... 

we call it Anderson's magical music 

because some days it is the only thing that helps him sleep!}

On August 4, we watched church together while 

Daddy and Alekzander were actually there.  

Even with the rocking band, Anderson fell asleep peacefully.

"I'd pick Forest Hill Live Stream any day!"

So sweet..

Almost 3 weeks old.

And one week later, he got to experience the live version.

Most of it viewed and heard from the cry room where he ate for the entire service.

Then he decided to cry in the communion line because he was still hungry!

{August 10, 2013 - Almost 4 weeks old :: First time at FH South Park}

For the inaugural church outing, 

Anderson christened Mommy with massive amounts of spit-up,

peed through his outfit, and then sneezed curdled milk all over while 

getting his poopy diaper changed!

So much for modesty and manners at church!

Life Captured

Life isn't always quiet or peaceful. 

Nor calm or even clean.

But our family is caring.

Our love is real.

Our joy is uncontainable.

You are amazing.

Created by God.

Perfect in his image.

You are ours.

And we couldn't imagine 

our life any other way.

Photos by Laura.

August 4, 2013

Big Shoes and a Brother's Love

Sweet Anderson,

You will have some big shoes to fill. And some amazing footprints to follow.

Your daddy and your brother love you so much already.  I never doubted your daddy would love you so much and so well, but your brother has surprised me from the moment you tried to kick your way out on July 15, 2013.  Never have I witnessed such a mature, whole-hearted love from a 3 year old.  He was so ready to be a big brother and accepted you and your tears and your screaming in stride and loved you as soon as he met you. {"He's so coot and little!"} Immediately, he wants me to "fix you" as soon as you make a noise.  He is in a hurry for you to reach milestones :: "Mommy, he said his first word!" is his response to your grunts and noises.  While Alekzander is not so interested in holding you, or ever still enough, he LOVES to kiss you and hold your hand or tickle your feet.  So far you tolerate it.  One day, you will be his biggest fan ... even though you may fight the way brothers apparently do.

Please know you are loved immensely.  I am so lucky to now have three amazing boys to love!

{haha love this 'out-take' ... You can pick your nose, you can pick your brother's nose, 

but you can't pick your brother.  God took care of that one 

and picked a perfect one for both of you!} 

Photos by Laura

August 4, 2013

Twins

Twins?

Anderson :: 3 weeks old & Alekzander :: 2 days old {Framed picture} 

 Anderson with Alekzander's old lovey from mommy's friend

 Anderson with his lovey from mommy's student

Monkey Business

A Sleepy Babe

 "Newborn" Photoshoot with Laura 

{Almost 3 weeks old}