A memory to hold onto...

Last night I had told C (2.5 months shy of turning 7) that I would wake him for the meteor shower.  I saw about 5 meteors over the course of almost three hours so I was afraid he would be disappointed.  Upon waking this morning he asked me why I didn't wake him up.  When I explained why he said "oh mom, it's okay if I don't see meteors I will just enjoy the stars".  So I told him again that I would wake him.  I waited until 11p.m. with hopes of getting a better show tonight.  I was afraid he'd be hard to wake but he quickly opened his eyes, popped out of bed and I carried him out to our lawn chair, with a pillow and comforter and he laid on his back on top of my lap as we stared up at the star-filled sky.  He chatted about the solar system for a long time, earthquakes, how hot the sun is, his eerily vivid memory of L's first birthday (C would have been 3 1/2 yrs old) in which L made all of us eat his gross chocolate cake off his slimy hands (C even remembered how his cake was decorated) and he kept thanking me for bringing him outside to see the stars.  We only saw 2 meteors but true to his word, that didn't matter.  He said it was 'just as great seeing a meteor as it was not seeing one'.  He talked and talked and talked.  And I listened.  It was perfect!  Motherhood just keeps getting better with time.  Every day I'm finding more ways of appreciating it!  

 

Spring fed creek pics (camping trip)

Life with 4

Life has become even more than I could have ever imagined thanks to my sweet girl.  For a long time I had my guard up and told people that boys were easy and I was scared to be a mother to a daughter.  I think I was trying to convince and prepare myself in case we never had a daughter.  I told myself parenting boys was wonderful, who needs a daughter?  And it was.  And still is.  But our life has been touched in a way I can't put into words.  She is the light of all of our lives and can bring a smile to any of our faces with just one look.  The boys adore her even more than I imagined they would.  And her dad.  Well let me just say that "daddy's girl" is a understatement.  He would go to the moon and back for her.  And it only makes me love him even more.  

You don't know the impact your child is going to have on your life until after they join you.  I can't imagine life without any of my four children and lately I've been so overcome with gratitude to have this job.  My life has slowed down significantly over the past couple years and I've appreciated motherhood more than ever.  My house is messier than ever and my heart fuller than I could have ever hoped.  Today, while at a program at the library, I watched C sit behind B at the library and he had his arms wrapped him.  They sat on the floor together the entire program with C letting him know the entire time he was right there with him.  It was so touching to observe it.  So often, while at the park, library, or playdates my boys walk together hand in hand.  They already have such a strong bond and I hope it only continues to get stronger as the years pass.  

Here are a few pics I just downloaded from my phone tonight.  Time is passing by quicker than I'd like.

Her sweet feet.  Could they be any cuter?

Her 2nd camping trip.  She laid in the pack n play over an hour while we set everything up; staring at the sky and loving the fresh air.  We have spent hours upon hours on our back porch because my girl LOVES the outdoors (and I couldn't be more thrilled about this).  

Yet another picture of one feeding the other.  This has been going on since they were babies and it cracks me up.  

One of many pictures of their multiple costumes.

Sleeping on Gma's lap.

Smiling at her proud cousin (who is thrilled to no longer be the only niece).

Love this face!

Yummy!

What is it about checking on your kids before going to bed and overcome with an overwhelming love for them?

The block tower they built for their uncle.  

The best big brother ever!

My sweet girl is losing all her baby hair.  

                                     

Enjoying a peaceful evening outside. 

Watching this sky!

One of her many faces.

My two look-a-likes.  

She is here!

It's been nearly 8 weeks since our baby girl joined the family and it's been a whirlwind.  Things are starting to feel normal and I'm so grateful for her strength and health.  We had a few scares and sweet Juniper was hospitalized for a few days but she is now thriving and following in the footsteps of her big brothers.  She is quite delicious and is adored by all of us!  Here are a few photos from the past couple months.  

Science Fun

Today the boys & I went to the science museum to meet a dear friend and her 2 children. I honestly love this place! We bought the family pass for a bargain and we've went multiple times in the past year. It's soon to expire so we'll be getting in as many trips as we can over the next month and then we'll renew again in October when they run another half-off special. We walked around for over five hours today. And 5 kids ranging in 2-6 did not get bored. We watched the Science Show and C gladly volunteered to go on stage. C is his father's son in many ways but this is where he differs. He's become more and more outgoing over the years and I think it's wonderful! Maybe he has more of me in him than I thought...

They played in bubbles, got wet, messed around in the gymnastics area, watched a show on Physics, looked at old planes, rode in a space shuttle (my favorite part was watching them on the screen while they were inside) while getting to say "roger that", and so much more. Anyway, I'm terrible at remembering this stuff so today I took tons of pictures and thought I'd blog about it. What a fun day!