The photo dump

Well, I'd like to claim having a third child as why I've been absent from the ol' blog. While Annabelle has been a huge blessing in our lives and we love her to pieces, she has been pretty fussy the last couple of weeks leaving me unable to do much but hold her all day long. She went to the doctor this morning so we're hoping her mood will start to improve and she won't act like she's in pain any more.

Because of my absence, I'm left with a whole bunch of photos that have yet to be shared. So here comes the photo dump.

One of the kids favorite things to do at home is play store.

The kids LOVE their baby sister and if she is awake, they are by her side or asking to hold her. For some reason every one of my babies has come out tan...and later takes on our family's pale whiteness. Too funny.

Since my mom stayed to help out after A's birth, we were also able to celebrate Nana's birthday. We went downtown to this great shop called Pinkitzel. While we probably could have purchased 100 cupcakes elsewhere for the 5 we purchased there, they were really good and a fun treat.

This birthday was a big one for my mom. Since my brother's family lives fairly close by, they were also able to come, along with my dad, to help us celebrate the big 6-0. It was a fun surprise for my mom followed by a family photo session a sweet friend of mine did for us. I'll have to post those photos when I get them.

Here are the chicklets on our first Sunday going to church as a family of 5. I think we had to start getting shoes and coats on 30 minutes prior to make it out the door on time!

Who says girls can't play Legos? By the way, have you seen the new girls Friends Legos? ADORABLE. I might buy some just for myself.

Yes, I will be "that mom" who dresses her kids alike. How could I not?

Daddy and his girl.

And here she is, all 11 pounds, 12 ounces of her.

Two Weeks

It's been exactly two weeks since our little family of four became a family of five, and we welcomed our dear Annabelle Elizabeth into the world at 8:06a.m., weighing a whopping 8lb 6oz.

We had to wake up bright and early on Dec. 29th to go in for our planned c-section. Here is Lucas getting prepped and ready to meet his baby girl!

Lucas thought it'd be funny if I gave the sign for number 3. I was too tired to disagree.

It's amazing how in an instant, a baby can be brought into your life and you wonder how you ever lived without them?

I loved that one of the nurses stamped Annabelle's footprints on Lucas' scrubs. Because this girl is definitely stamped on his heart.

I'm thankful both my mom and Lucas' parents were able to be there for Annabelle's birthday. What a great day it was to share with family.

It was love at first site for this big brother and big sister.

The first expression from M was to head straight toward Annabelle with her arms out saying, "Me hold her..."

And N's smile was huge the minute he realized he could hold Annabelle all.by.himself.

Going home.

Since being home we've been blessed with meals from friends and just taking it easy as we figure out life with three children under the age of four. It'll be somewhat of a challenge, but we're loving every minute of it (unless you count her fussy hour starting at 10p.m.).

Sweet baby

No, this isn't a glitch. I'm actually doing two posts in one day. I don't know what has come over me! Actually, I thought I'd share our ultrasound photos of our sweet baby girl that we had done yesterday at 22 weeks. She currently weighs 1 lb.

She was quite the photogenic little girl. They were shocked how much she faced forward to get her photos taken. Isn't it amazing what technology can do these days? And isn't God amazing for this precious gift He's given to us?

Yawning.

About to suck her thumb. She did this during our last ultrasound as well. Guess she might take after her sister.

And here she is counting. She looks like she is giving the peace sign here, but during the ultrasound video she was actually counting with her fingers. Here's to girl #2!

It's amazing how much we have already fallen in love with our baby girl. The 4D ultrasound was a fun way for the kids to get to see their baby sister and learn a little bit more about what is to come. What a joy that day will be!

Five.

We are thrilled to recently find out we will be adding another sweet baby GIRL to our family, come the end of this year. I love how God designs what every family will look like and am thankful ours is growing to a family of 5. Big brother and sister couldn't be happier.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3