Bath Time Beauty

One of Catherine's very favorite times of the day is her bath. As soon as she hears the water running, she calms down. She loves being in the water! She is totally relaxed the whole time, and loves to feel the water pouring over her skin. I love this time with her! Even though it's only a few minutes, it feels very precious. In a chaotic house where everyone is very busy, always vying for attention, this is Catherine's time just for her. A moment to step back and relax and enjoy the beauty of a baby in the bath.

Big Girl, Big Night

Lizzy's school had their Christmas concert. Lizzy had been learning songs for weeks, and telling us all about getting ready for the show. She was so excited, and so was I! I mean, the "Christmas concert" is almost a cliche, a right of passage, a quintessential moment of school-days. Of course I was excited, but also nervous. I knew Pat would have to work late that night, and I was worried how to handle all the kids at the show. Thank goodness for Grandma and Papa! They came over early, helped get everybody fed, everyone dressed in their Christmas best, and miraculously, at church on time for the big show. Even Catherine put on her Christmas ruffles for the big event, and Peter begrudgingly donned his button down shirt. Lizzy looked adorable in the dress and tights that Pat had picked out for her. We made it through, pretty seamlessly! Maybe I will be able to handle this whole mother-of-three-kids thing after all.

Sleeping Angel

I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching a sleeping baby. It's amazing how mesmerizing it can be to watch someone so still, so peaceful, so angelic. I just want to slip in next to her, smell her sweet baby smell, feel her warmth, and cuddle next to her soft, soft, skin- pure bliss!

Hold Her

One of the best things about having a new baby in the house is getting to hold her. Turns out, it's one of Catherine's favorite things too. She loves being held.......and we all fight over who gets to do it. It's a perfect partnership (in a way). Lizzy and Peter are getting pretty good at holding the baby. Sure, there's still a little bit of squeezing, and sometimes some jostling around, but for the most part, they're pros. Good thing that God made babies pretty sturdy!

First Friend

We have been so lucky to share much of our journey on the path of parenthood with very dear friends. Our kids always seem to "line up" with someone, so that everyone has a built in playmate. As our kids get older, these "first friends" remain some of our kids favorite people. So it was with much pleasure that Amy and I introduced Reagan to Catherine. I'm not sure if they've really it off yet........but I have every confidence they'll become the best of friends.......someday:)

Still Buddies

If I had the time, I would compile a list of the most frequently asked annoying questions/statements that people say to me over and over- "How are you sleeping?" (infrequently since I have a newborn), "Is she a good baby?" (aren't all babies good? what makes a bad baby?) Not to mention the endless comments about my weight! I'm sure they're meant to be complimentary, but enough is enough already, people! Let's move on! But the most common question is, "How are the other kids doing?" Or my favorite variation, "How do the other kids like the baby?" Or the slightly shocked, slightly disgusted, "How is it with three kids?!" What I really want to say is.........it's wonderful. It really is! We have our crazy moments for sure, but they are far outweighed by the joy of having a new baby in the family. What's awesome to see, is that Lizzy and Peter are still the same buddies they've always been. They still love being together, love playing with one another, really just love each other's company. So to be honest, I spend a lot of my time still being their adoring spectator..........now I'm just snuggling a baby at the same time.

So Big!

Peter thinks it is so hilarious to sit in Catherine's car seat. I think it is so unbelievable! It's so weird that not that long ago, he was the tiny baby snuggling into that seat, and Lizzy not too long before him. For some reason when I see his long legs hanging out, and that big smile on his face, it's another reminder of how quickly time passes, and how big these kids get! That will be Catherine before we know it.

Time Moves On

If there's one thing for sure.........it's that time marches on, kids get bigger, and things change. Who was once little is now big, the follower becomes the leader, the "baby" is now the big guy. I have a great picture of Lizzy and Peter outside lying on a blanket. Peter is just a few days old and Lizzy is looking at him, holding his hand. She seems to be peacefully smiling at him, already in sync with her new brother. This picture of Peter and Catherine immediately reminded me of that moment. There's already a connection there, ready to blossom into a friendship. I worried that Peter might have a tough time adjusting to a new baby in the house. I imagined it would immediately be Lizzy and the baby that would become a team, and Peter might be left out. Quite the opposite has happened. Peter has emerged as one of Catherine's biggest fans. He's quick to give her a kiss, loves to snuggle with her, and is often reminding me how adorable she is. So far being stuck in the middle is the perfect fit for Peter.

First Walk

Since we were let out of the hospital the night before Thanksgiving, we had a very simple, very small, very calm celebration with our own little family of five this year. It felt surreal that while we were in the hospital, the world was moving on, and a holiday was taking place. Of course we missed getting to spend time with our extended family, but it felt very cozy to just hunker down and enjoy our own little family this year. Certainly this was the year when we most keenly felt the importance of being thankful on Thanksgiving! How lucky we are to have all of our dear children! While Pat stayed at home to prepare our dinner, I took the kids out for our first walk around the block with Catherine. It felt so wonderful to be out! How invigorating to walk around, to see Lizzy and Peter scootering down the street in front of me, just like we've done hundreds of times, but this time with a tiny one strolling behind. We loved finding beautiful fall leaves, and looking for "winter" trees. Every time Peter found an extra special leaf, he told me it was for Catherine, and placed in on top of her blanket. By the time we got home, she had a gorgeous bouquet of fall leaves. What a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

3!

Hard to believe.......now there are three! Suddenly everything is changed......and nothing has changed. Where our hearts were once full, now they feel overflowing. The kids have taken to Catherine as I hoped (and expected) that they would. They have handled things in the natural and beautiful way that children do- they take things as they come, they live in the moment, they are ready to accept when situations change and their hearts are ever-open for something (or someone) new. Suddenly a big sister is now a really big sister, and a little brother now seems very big. They are exactly who they were supposed to be.

The Sweetest Hello

Good morning, beautiful:) I remember when Lizzy was born, every morning when I would wake up and see her in her little cradle, I felt like I was being handed the very best present, like I won the lottery, like I couldn't believe that this little bundle was really mine. I also felt amazed and proud of myself that I made it through the night! This was my prize for the late night feedings, the endless rockings, working out those burps and blearily changing diapers. I've since felt the same combination of disbelief, pride, wonder, and amazement with each of my children when they are so new. Good morning, dear baby! How can anything be wrong in the world when I'm looking at you:)

She's Here!

At last........she's here! Catherine Grace was born on November 22nd. She is everything I could have imagined.......magical and beautiful, so so soft and lovely........the most precious face.......she is just the most perfect little Catherine. During this whole pregnancy I could hardly believe she was coming. I think I was in a state of denial and disbelief, almost unwilling to believe how lucky I am, barely wanting to speak of it in case it was just a lovely dream that would disappear when I woke up. But now, here she is! We are so thankful she is here, and feel truly blessed beyond measure. I feel almost greedy- how can I be given so much! Not only have I been blessed with Lizzy and Peter, but now Catherine has come into our lives. She is the perfect fit into our family puzzle, the person that was missing, the last little one we were waiting for. We are so thankful she is here!