Christmas 2011

With the recent birth of a little one,

this month has been spent mostly at home. 

I have experienced this season with few distractions. 

It has been quiet, peaceful, and warm. 

Christmas Eve 2011

Family, good food, hymn singing, Christmas story retelling, and presents.

It was simple and perfect.

1 Month

This is our little Mike at 1 month.  More than any of my other babies, this one demands likes to be held. all. the. time.  I've done more cradling than ever before.  Which as frustrating as this might seem at 2 o'clock in the morning, it's made me fully embrace and dote on this little one, and for that I am thankful.

Dressed in White

We had a wonderful white weekend.  Our oldest was baptized and our youngest was blessed.

It was almost too much for my hormonal, emotional, 2-week-post-partum self to take in.

The spirit was powerful and I was overwhelmed with gratitude and love.

Gratitude and love for being blessed with these amazing children;

for Raquel's compassion, intelligence, obedience, courage, joyfulness, pleasantness and friendship;

for a healthy baby boy, who is mild-tempered and sweet;

for a loving husband who is an amazing father;

for in-laws whom I get along with and who love and teach my children;

And for goodly parents who at 33+ years of age still take care of me

and made it possible for both of these events to happen so soon after I had given birth.

Newborn Rawness

An encounter with diaper changing (pictures taken in sequence).

Since the arrival of baby, this little girl has become more witty, sassy, and overflowing with personality.  It's been a real treat.  She's handled being booted from the baby-spot rather well.  And besides diaper-changing, she seems to be all about him.