My Hubby's Birthday

My five favorite people in the world:

 Todd's birthday was really enjoyable yesterday.  I loved watching the kids gather around him while he opened presents and read their handmade cards.  Earlier in the day, I had pulled out his old scrapbooks and the kids enjoyed looking through all the pictures with him.  Um, Todd was such a cute little kid.  Just saying.  It was fun because some pictures looked like Cooper, and some looked like Ethan.  A little of the other kids too.

 We had fun going out to dinner as a family too.

 And of course, eating cake after we sang.  Cooper sang "Happy Birthday to Daddy" all day long, but wouldn't join in when it was the real moment!

 But he gladly helped blow out the candles!

Happy Birthday Todd.  You truly are the best man I know!

Three Months Old on Daddy's Birthday!

Oliver woke up all smiles today.  And I can't believe he's already 3 months old.  I thought it was kind of funny because Cooper was 3 months old exactly on Ethan's 7th birthday and now, today, Oliver is 3 months old on Todd's birthday!  Happy Birthday Todd, I love you so very much! 

 Oliver is quite the little love bug.

 And I'm loving his smiles and coos.  Still waiting on the laughing…that will be fun!

 He's gonna snuggle up to his birthday dad in just a few hours.  And love every minute.

kiss kiss

Oliver's Blessing Day

Oliver was happy and excited to be able to go to church for the first time yesterday, and have his father give him a name and a blessing.

 I thought he was such a cutie and I felt overwhelmed with gratitude that we finally could all go to church again together.  It's been far too long.

 The blessing was very beautiful.  The Spirit was strong.  I'm so grateful Todd is a worthy Priesthood holder.  That he can bless my children and me.  The thing that stood out to me the most was when Todd blessed him to be a peacemaker.  I have always felt he would be, since holding him in the NICU.

 He'll be a mighty missionary too.  I've never had a doubt in my mind that there was a reason he came to this family.  He's supposed to be with us, and he makes us complete.

 Our Bishop shared in his testimony, after Oliver's blessing, how he couldn't help but open his eyes during the blessing and watch Oliver stare up at his Father.  Never did Oliver take his eyes off Todd.  He was awake and calm and seemed to know it was a special moment.

 Oh how I love you, my sweet baby.  My darling boy.

And someday, just maybe, I might get a family picture of all of us that I actually like...

Madeline's Birthday

Madeline's birthday was a really wonderful day.  She was so happy to be able to sleep in, but I knew she wouldn't be able to.  She woke up earlier than normal!  Too exciting!

I could not have been happier when Madeline wanted Blueberry Pie for breakfast.  My total favorite!

 And she requested a snowman cake this year:

 And one of her fun random gifts was a coconut!  It was probably my favorite part of the day when we opened it up and all tried the DISGUSTING coconut water.  Bleh!  I don't know if it was a bad coconut or what, but it was completely terrible.  We laughed about it and had a grand time.

 The little get-together in the evening was fun too.

 She was spoiled with gifts and love

 Happy Birthday my darling girl.

 I love you forever!

Happy Birthday Madeline!

My sweet girl, I love you so much!  And I can't believe you are already 7!

 Happy Birthday to a girl who is ever creative, ever joyful, and always wanting to share her good fortune, fun, and good experiences with others.

 I'm grateful we have each other in our wonderful world full of boys.

Pictures from January

People!  I'm so bad at blogging lately!  But I love these pictures and so I'm posting a bunch.  Time is getting away from me these days . . . I'm trying to enjoy each day for what it really is instead of what I hope it to be.  Because what is really is is just right.

Playing with his toy

 Cooper contemplating if he should knock his tower over or not

 The Digger 500...

 Cooper loved holding Oliver so much.  He cried when it was time to be done.  He loves "Awe-ver Baby!"  I was so worried he'd be a rascal with Oliver, but he's been a sweetie pie.  He always wants me to hold Oliver if he hears him cry even if it's just a little in his sleep.

 Madeline, ever crafting.  This is the cute dress she made out of paper for her Lalaloopsy:

 Cooper and I loved the morning where our neighborhood was covered in flocks of birds.  We watched them swoop and fly and land for a long time.  He kept wanting to go out and catch them!  It was a delightful morning.

 Here is a picture of my four kiddos with their blankets made by their Great Grandma Morris.  LOVE!

 Oliver's first smile was on January 9th.  It melted my heart.  This is the closest to capturing his smile in a picture:

 my oldest and youngest

 Ethan and Madeline recently played in their first piano recital.  They both did such a great job.  I was probably more nervous then them!  They made me proud.  I loved every part of it.

Two Months Old

Oliver is two months old!  It's a little hard to believe.  I feel like I still don't know him.  With three other kids taking up so much of my time and this little guy sleeping so much, we don't spend a whole lot of time together.  Except in the night!  I love him so much though.  And I'm grateful for him in my life.  Developmentally, he right on with his due date.  So I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing a smile from him in this coming month.

This picture is very similar to the two month old pics I took of all the other kids.  You can see a comparison post here if you are interested.  Oliver is now 10 pounds, 11 ounces!  And 22 1/2 inches long.  That's about the 30th percentile for height and weight on the normal baby scale.  If you adjust for being a preemie, then he's a pretty big guy.

 He's a pretty sweet baby.  He loves snuggling up on your chest and will sleep there the best, though he's learning to sleep in his bed at night too.  He still helps me feel calm if I really stop and look at him and I think he'll always be a peaceful addition to our family.  (though when he's three, I might look back and laugh at this sentence…)  I do love his gentle spirit though.

 And Cooper loves him too.  I'm so excited for them to grow up together being buddies.  I'm already glad they'll have each other.