Beach Day.

It's true.  Lucas has never spent a whole day at the ocean.  Well,
actually wait a minute.. he has been to the Atlantic ocean, once.  On a
family holiday we took to the Netherlands.  We spent a day in Katwijk on
Zee when he was just 10 weeks old.  But not that he remembers.  So,
finally after living on the West Coast five whole years, he finally got
his day at the beach.

Carter - 2 months

Seriously.  I can’t believe I’m even typing this.. two months?? How on earth did they fly by so fast?  Sigh… we are enjoying you so much.

In the last month you have:

Sat around your first campfire.
Gone for plenty of walks in our new stroller.
Celebrated your first ever Father’s Day with Daddy.
Kept us awake in the middle of the night cooing and smiling.
Attended your oldest brother Lucas’ preschool graduation.
Went camping for the very first time.
Slept 8 hours straight through the night.

So sometimes when things seem bleak, when we’re all not getting enough sleep, and Daddy has got a fever of 102 and sleeps all day, and Mommy is trying to keep your brothers from destroying the house, (and each other), and it feels like you’re eating non-stop, and it seems the to-do list and work around here just keeps piling up, and for the life of me I cannot figure out what to make for dinner, you look up at me with those eyes, and all those worries fade away.  We love you little guy.  So much.

We talk to him.

We talk to
him.
We tell him how happy we are that he is in our lives.
How we are thankful for him and love him so.
We tell him stories about the places he will go, people he will meet.

And he responds
with sweet innocent stares. 
Pursed lips. 
Wide open mouth grins. 
And sometimes wailing.  (well, he is a
newborn after all).

But the lines
of communication between us are steadily growing, and all the countless hours of
changing, feeding, burping, repeat, seem to finally be responded to in very
welcome & adorable newborn like manner…

even if only in a lopsided, cross-eyed, half grin… I’ll take it.

meet Carter.

Carter was born at 4:45pm on May 15, weighing in at 9lbs 4oz, and 54 cm long.  I'll post more photos from his first week tomorrow.  Right now I should be sleeping!

Christmas

It was a reminder of the ultimate gift to us. 
Jesus born long ago in a stable in Bethlehem.  "That's the reason we give each
other presents", we told the kids.  So thankful for the blessings and magic that
Christmas time brings.  Here are a few photos from our own family gift opening
we celebrated together on Christmas Eve.  One of those times when life seems so full. :) the boys tackling their stocking stuffers :)
more knights & horses for lucas
i love Nathan's expression here.
and here.
Lucas' prized present, the "hot rod" track, as he calls it. ;-)

Still here :)

Wow, it's certainly been awhile now with no update here, sorry to keep you waiting. :)  We're doing well, I had a real kick in the pants from a not-so-dear friend named "morning sickness", and finally seem to be over that.  Thankfully.  I didn't even know it was possible to be that sick with pregnancy.  Let's just say I was very blessed with the boys and did not have that side effect while pregnant with them.  Speculation says that perhaps it's a girl?  We'll have to wait and see, actually we only have to wait until next week.  :)  We have decided to find out if we need blue or pink sleepers to bring to the hospital this time.  With the boys we never found out, and that was great, but truthfully it's purely practical reasons why we're wanting to find out this time.  I'd like to get things ready before baby comes and if it is a girl, gift all my boy stuff to my sister who just recently had a boy, after having three girls.  Having had two boys, we would love to add another sweet little guy to the family, on the other hand a girl would be unique, now wouldn't it?  Not sure yet if we'll be making a public announcement, but if we do, you can be sure it will be here.  This fall has been difficult for me since I've been sick, and photography has taken a back seat due to this.  I will only be taking limited bookings until baby arrives in May, and will also be taking a maternity leave of approximately 4-6 months (maybe longer) after that.  I've already had to say no to a few weddings for next year, although it pains me to do so, but I know that this time with a new little one is precious and an overextended mother won't be any help to my family.  Thanks everyone for your phone-calls, emails and well wishes, we are super excited about this big step to "family of five".  Your prayers and support mean so much to us.

And of course since no post is complete without a few pictures, here a few of the newest member of my family, my niece Meagan Elisabeth, who was born on Nov. 18, and baptized yesterday.  Such a precious bundle, so soft and sweet.

Justin Peter - 09/09/09

Was born to Brad & Rebecca at 2:02 am on 09/09/09.  8lbs 12oz and measured 20 inches long.  (Rebecca is my sister, in case you didn't know that).  After three girls, they now have a handsome little boy in the family.  We are thankful that God made all things go well and that Justin could be delivered safely.  Last night Rebecca called to let us know he does have a chest infection, so they will be staying a little longer in the hospital than anticipated.  Justin will be in an incubator and on IV antibiotics until he recovers.  Please say a prayer for our precious new nephew!