Blurry

Our time with Molly as a newborn is moving so quickly.  Week after week (it's only been three) pass like a blur.

We spend lots of time smashed in my bed, recliner or on the couch.  I rarely feed Molly without a friend to help me nurture our peach.

 Headed to buy flour.

 Our nice friend brought all the fixings for ice cream sundaes.

 Nick participated in his Veteran's Day Program.  I could hear his lovely song voice above the rest of the 4th and 5th graders.  He sings with all the energy of his heart.  I cried a couple times as I felt the spirit of sacrifice present who have served in the armed forces to maintain our freedom.  We do live in a promised land.

 Pretty nighty from Grandma B.  Pretty baby from heaven.

 The beginnings of a Thanksgiving table.

Maddie's snaggle tooth.

 She pulled that tooth by herself.

 Pacakages and presents keep arriving for Molly via USPS.  It feels so good to be loved by our family and friends.

5K Winner

I signed Maddie up for her first 5k.  Andy paced her, and her 26 minutes race won her first place!  She was really excited about her medal and water bottle.  Andy was nice to sacrifice his sure win, and he was so happy watching her recieve her award.

November is Upon Us

It occurred to me that November is already in full swing.  This week was already really busy, so here come the holidays!

Grandma B. came to nuture and love -- we were so lucky she rescued us.  I had so many earrans and appointments, but I went alone, and left her again and again with my three youngest.  She is a dream come true.

Meg received an academic award at Mingus.

These boys beg and beg to hold Molly

 
 Molly had her second appointment -- she weighed 7 lbs. and 4 oz and is 20 inches long.  Although rapidly growing, she still seems teensy in my big bed.

Spending hours and hours feeding our baby is already quite routine -- my two boys know how to smash us perfectly, yet give us enough space that I'm not quite crazy.

 Because Grandma B. also did all the dishes, these naughty kids let her.  I found my whole world chillaxing on the couch Thursday evening.  At least Maisie had sense enough to work on her homework.  Austin fell asleep at 7 and awakened to next morning at 6 -- he did hold the baby so I could make lunches.

 Here are Grandma and Molly.  They were fast friends as I left day after day to simply keep our household functioning.  I think they are both beautiful.

 Meg found an evening to love her Molly -- Nick is never far when Molly is passed around, he always begs for a turn.

 I decided to take a five minute shower, and Eddie decided he needed a haircut.

 I had to buzz him.  Now he won't take off his baseball hat -- he even sleeps with it on!  He needed no consequence, he's already super embarrassed.

Happy Halloween

Halloween morning is a breeze at our charter school  and high school-- no costumes allowed!  Instead the little boys helped me bathe and dress our little pumpkin, taking up most of the morning.

 Lunch time came and they wanted to eat lunch in their costumes.  OK!

I combed Eddie's hair into the most beautiful top curl -- he made me comb it out so that he'd look more like Dash.

 Maisie is Cat Woman.

 Meg as the Pumpkin Holder.

 Eddie as Dash

 Nick in the morph suit.

 Maddie as Super Girl.

 Group photo.

The quarter and gumball machine.

Church carnival and trunk-or-treat.

 The loot.

One of the best years, because I didn't make dinner and I didn't do anything that was stressful.  I fed my baby all day, and spent 30 minutes getting the kids ready.  We were home and in bed at 9 pm.  I'll repeat this year every year.

Saturday Night Football

I bathed the little boys and Austin cuddled our Molly.  She seemed pretty content in his arms, I know that feeling.

I loved this picture of these sisters.  Maddie begged to hold Molly all morning.

Molly's First Bath

Before Grandma Kim left, she continued the tradition of baby's first bath.  She is so good at it.

 They are both so beautiful.

Mom and Emily

Both Emily and Mom have been at our house caring for us all while Molly is brand new.  We spent much of in the basment sewing various projects whilst watching old movies.  Because we had workers in the kitchen, it was the perfect excuse to not work all day, only in the evening when they left.  

 Dearest also gave Molly her first bath.

 Emily was the homework queen -- but always stopped to hold a crying baby or fetch a toy for a bored toddler.

(My phone died completely during these first 10 days of Molly's life, so my pictures really don't add up and capture all that I wanted.  Alas, what I'll remember most from their visit is the peace I felt as my mother tenderly nurtured me and all my household.  She constantly reminded to keep going and continue in love and great care.  I am blessed to be loved my Mother.)

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