Almost not April

For nine months I anxiously awaited the arrival of April, the arrival of Lucky, and now April is almost gone.  The newborn foggy days come and go so quickly that I wanted to record how I've spent much of it -- tenderly nursing a tiny baby.

 All night long.

 Maddie is patient.

 Side note:  Austin took Andy backpacking!

Austin's been building a playset.  Maddie spends hours outside beside him.  He's getting close to completion.  Thank goodness!

 

Birthday Boys!

Nick is #7 and Austin is #38!  My little Nick told me he had the best birthday, ever.  I tried really hard to make sure his day was a success.  Austin was content all day as well, and he loved talking on the phone for over two hours last with his family.  The littles and I delivered a cheese cake to his office and showed off our baby Lucky.

Andy, Meg and I decorated the table last night -- Nick wanted a "Frozen" party.

 The Birthday Boys 2007

The Birthday Boys 2014

 Morning prestn opening

 On his way to school -- he gave boxes of jelly beans and rice cripsy treats to his classmates.

Uniforms.

Nick wanted goldfish for his after-school snack.  Maddie chose four different kinds that were devoured.

Cakes! 

 The family.  I really look good here, don't I?

These boys make our home a gentler, milder, and happier place to thrive.  

Easter Weekend

Austin came up with this grand plan to go to Phoenix overnight and attend the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant.  I think there is something so cozy about sitting in the grass as a little family along with the entire Mormon population in the greater Phoenix area.
Aunt Shelly came to the hotel for swimming and relaxing.

 Lucky #7 slept in his chair all night.

We stopped at the mall.  Dumb decision.

 Austin picked up a bit more food storage.  Good decision.

 We played at this amazing park; the kids climbed a four-story jungle gym.

The Easter Bunny did come to our home, but I didn't get one picture of the baskets and egg hunt, just a picture of our little honey bunny.

Aunt Shelly drove up for the afternoon, and Austin made a decicious feast.

Because of Jesus Christ all these feasters are sealed to me through eternity.  Some moments that seems like a really long time, but I couldn't imagine life any other way.

P.S. My darling friend brought over this Easter basket with NINE little bunnies inside.  Each bunny is complete with individual ribbons and floss and fluffy tails.  What a cute idea, eh?  Even cuter because I didn't have to sew all of them!

The Relatives Came

What a rare treat it has been that both sets of grandparents have spent time in our home.  Meg summed up the last 10 days best when she said, "Our house feels lonely now.  All our family is gone."

SIX TO SEVEN

Reading to my children is still something I've been doing consistently, however, I have no idea where to begin my updated list -- so I won't.  Instead, I stumbled upon these illustrations which sum up my new world perfectly.

Where's My Cat? by Eric Carle.  Count the kittens.

Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood illustrated by Don Wood.  Count the children.

We are now a crowd, and forever crowded. 

General Conference

Best week to have a baby is just before General Conference.  Our entire weekend we listened to our prophet and leaders and held Ryan.

Grandma Kim and Grandpa Ron spent hours letting the kids crawl all over them.  I didn't have it in me, so I was only grateful that they did!

 I think Ryan and Austin are twins.

 Milk!

Baby Ryan

He's here!  Ryan Stewart Babcock was born at 12:33 today and weighed 6 pounds 6 ounces.  My perfect gift from a loving Father in Heaven.

Welcoming party.

 Before.

 Thank you, mother for my ankles.  They were my only consolation during the last two months.

 Dr. Babcock suiting up -- he delivered the baby -- with some coaching from Dr. Reed.

 Our first photo.

 

 Mom, Dad and Meg were apart of Ryan's welcoming party.

 Posting on instagram together!

Happy Visitors.

 Eddie was thrlled to hold his baby.

 Seven!

 Going home.

I live my dream -- seven babies to nurture and teach.