Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

I thought you might like to see some of the photos that didn't make the cut for this year's Christmas card... 


















Christmas cards coming soon!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

We have so much to be thankful for! What a year it's been!

We are so happy to have our healthy new baby boy...Liam! He has just started smiling in the past few weeks and it's so precious to see his face light up when he sees us! Unfortunately, he has colic in the evenings, but we're thankful that he sleeps well at night! He's brings us so much joy that it more than makes up for a few tough hours a day.

Max is a wonderful big brother! He loves to help by bringing things for the baby and sharing his toys. He also loves to hold Liam's hand and give him kisses. He is an adventurous, independent boy, which can sometimes be challenging at this age, but we're sure these qualities will serve him well as he gets older. He has made the transition from only child to big brother as smoothly as could be expected.

We're also thankful to have celebrated 7 years of marriage and 10 years since our first date, this year! We thank God that he led us to each other. Each year has brought is set of challenges, but through it all, we've grown as a couple and as individuals.

Although Travis was laid off in June, we are so thankful for the new job he started in August. This major transition allowed us so much family time this year, that we wouldn't have had otherwise. He has just started his second contract, which will run until February 2012. He is enjoying the variety, and being able to work from home in between contracts.

We are very thankful for two very special ladies...my mom and Travis' momma. They have given so much of their time and love, to make our transition, to a family of four, as easy as possible. It's so wonderful to see them with our boys. Words can't describe how blessed we are that they are such a big part of our lives!

We're thankful for the other special people in our lives, too...both family and friends! We are surrounded by love and support...and it's the best feeling in the world! We may not have a lot of money, but our lives are certainly rich in love!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner this year. We missed my mom and John being here, but they were definitely in our hearts. Here are some highlights from the day...

Max, Tristen and Brady

Tristen and Max are best buds!

Amazing how much Max has changed since last Thanksgiving!

Liam getting some love from his beautiful Gramma
 
Max helped me with the centerpiece this year by gathering leaves and acorns and bringing the little pumpkins in from the front stoop.
 
The group this year. Hopefully next year no one will be missing!

Last Thanksgiving, Max was eating baby food. This year we could barely get him to eat anything. Just wanted to get down and play! Daddy, at least, got him to eat a couple bites!


The kids had so much fun together this year! Can't wait to see Liam in the bunch next year! Poor Madeline has to deal with all these boys! She's always a good sport, though...

Full and happy...couldn't tell it by looking at some of them though...especially the three in the background. :)

Maaaaax?! What are you getting in to?

Grampa knows what Liam likes!

Such great grandparents!

Loria, Adam, Tristen and Brady-So glad they could make it this year!

 Love this close-up of them!

It is so difficult to get a good family photo! The exposure was bad on this one but it was the best of the bunch.

Mama and her littlest guy

Pat, Kim and Madeline-Love these three!
 

 Brady is a great tree climber!

Daddy and Gramma with our boys...Max was ready for his nap!

Adam helped Tristen climb a tree

 The group...minus mom and John

 We couldn't make it to Tristen's 4th birthday last weekend, so we decided to celebrate with him after Thanksgiving dinner. Can't believe he's getting so big!

Thanksgiving 2009-19 weeks pregnant with Max
Thanksgiving 2010-Max is 7 months old
Thanksgiving 2011-Max is 19 months old and Liam is 7 weeks old
 I wonder what the coming year will bring!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you will have lots to give thanks for next year!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Max at 18 months

Max loves being outdoors! Today I decided to bring my camera to capture some of the fun!

Peek-a-boo!

 I'm flying!

Funny face

Not too sure about this tree climbing business...

 He loves running...someday mommy won't be able to keep up!

Our big boy!

6 Weeks Postpartum

The last 6 weeks have been a whirlwind. Our precious Liam was born October 8, 2011. I will be posting his birth story at some point, but for now, I thought some pictures might be a faster way to say a thousand words. Life with 2 boys under 18 month is busy, to say the least, and I'm not sure I'll ever have time to catch you up otherwise. So here you go!

Homecoming as a family of four!

Ready to head home!

Not too sure about those whiskers!

In love already!

Max was so intrigued by his new brother!

Exploring his brother's tiny features

By some stroke of luck, Nurse Jenny just happened to be my discharge nurse and we got to see her again! She was an amazing caregiver and breastfeeding coach when I had Max and it was wonderful that she got to meet Liam. She is from South Africa and has a lovely accent. She said that Liam is a bonny boy and I couldn't agree more.

Liam and I with my two pillars of motherly strength!

Didn't think we'd be reunited with Mr. Stork so soon!

 Making their escape!

Home at last!

So sweet!

Brothers!

Handprints and footprints with Gramma and Nana


Doing footprints is such hard work!

He's not spoiled...

 Max loves sharing with Liam!

One week old-wearing the outfit Ms. Roberta gave Max

Love his fur!

First bath! We decided to wait to bathe him until we got home...

 He didn't like it much


First walk outside

Telling him all about the great outdoors...

Wearing the rocket onesie Amy and Chris gave him
 















 First lunch out with the boys and Amy. We were celebrating her 35th birthday!








 Liam with Dr. Murad...he's done with the checkup!


















He took the pacifier and ran and hid under the table so I wouldn't see him sucking on it

 One of our tricks to help with colic