Since I am using one of Blogger’s new templates, I need to see if I can still use Window’s Live Writer to upload text and photos.
I really enjoy the simplicity of Live Writer when it comes to uploading photos, adding hyperlinks, etc. For some reason, my computer or Blogger (not sure which) seems to take forever to upload pictures. ugh! No time for that…especially now! :)
Today I am 41! And while I normally wouldn’t blog about such an insignificant number like 41 (I vowed that I would stop keeping track of the birthday “number” after age 40), I do feel incredibly blessed to have recently given birth to our newest blessing!
Now that is something to celebrate!
Today, Luke Alexander is 4-weeks old and as cute as ever. Following is a week-by-week pictorial of our newest little man. I plan to go to month by month photos from here on out, but couldn’t resist “officially” photographing him each week so that extended friends and family could see his growth.
And while we’re at it…can anyone tell me why 9+ months seems like an eternity to be pregnant and get to hold that babe in your arms, but once he or she arrives the clock begins to sprint ahead at lightning fast speed?!!! The newborn stage is my favorite…even with ‘round the clock nursing sessions… and I can’t believe Luke is almost 1-month old! Please slow down, Father Time! I want to savor every minute of this precious babe’s infancy.
This week, Daddy’s paternity leave officially ended and he returned to the fire department. That means 24-hours shifts…for mama too…but we’re all doing fine adjusting to the new schedule.
The only snafu was that Daddy didn’t plan too well with his return to work. My sweet and thoughtful daughter went into a panic when she realized, last night, that Mommy’s birthday was today and Daddy had not taken her shopping. (She really is extremely thoughtful!)
And while she couldn’t convince her father to take her to the Dollar General or Wal-Mart at 9:00 PM last night, she did go to her room and make me the sweetest beaded necklace.
She even wrapped her gift for me. And placed it on the kitchen table for breakfast time!
Just in case I needed a reminder…that’s a giant, albeit backwards, 41 printed on the package!
The following photos were taken by Mary before school this morning. :)
I couldn’t ask for a better birthday gift this year…
…being surrounded by the love of my three precious kiddos and wonderful husband. I especially love watching my older two express their love for Luke!
What a wonderful life!
Oh…and don’t think I didn’t celebrate this wonderful life of mine even though Daddy is on duty today! I treated myself to a caramel macchiato at Starbucks after driving big brother and big sister to preschool and kindergarten. :) Luke and I enjoyed a caffeine moment together!
This morning our house was quiet. Too quiet.
The only sound to be heard was that of the gentle pitter patter of rain on the porch and rooftop.
Benjamin was out running errands with Daddy. Luke was snuggled in my arms nursing. And Mary was at school.
Yes, our first born started her first day of Kindergarten.
It was bittersweet for me.
Yet for Mary, it was all very exciting. As it should be. No tears. No anxiety. Just a face filled with the joyful anticipation of what’s to come…learning to read; adding and subtracting; forming new friendships.
Yesterday morning, we spent about an hour up at school for Kindergarten Open House. Mary’s teacher, Mrs.. Schlatter, had a scavenger hunt for her to complete.
Later that day, Mary and I decided on her first “Back to School” outfit. I guess if you’re a kindergartener it is really a “Going to School” outfit! We decided on a new shirt that Mary got for her birthday from Mimi paired with a fun, new plaid skort and tennis shoes that Mary and I picked out together.
(Last night Mary modeled her new outfit for Daddy.)
While out shopping, we picked up an apple for her teacher. (I loved when my students brought me an apple on the first day of school!)
We were just about ready to head to school…just one more thing…
…THE backpack! I special ordered this off of the internet and just love it! Now, there should be no confusion for Mary as to who owns which backpack!
Wishing all of you that are parents to school-agers, a successful start to the new school year! May the year ahead bring lots of new opportunities for learning and fostering the unique talents and abilities in our children.
“Yeah, and we'll be swingin, yes, we'll be swinging”
…and so goes the song lyrics by country music artist, John Anderson.
Appropriate for tonight’s blog as this afternoon marked the first time that little Luke got to experience the “swing”. Mary and Benjamin have been waiting for this day. They have become quite proficient at operating this baby mechanism using dolls and stuffed animals for practice.
Luke seemed to really love the swing, which of course, is a good thing! I see a future with lots of clean hardwood floors in it!
Tomorrow is all about Mary Catherine. It is hard for me to believe that my firstborn, in vitro miracle will turn six years old. She is such a delight to her father and me. We aren’t having a big shin dig this year, but we do have a few “Aunties” dropping by for her birthday. Mama promised her a “friends” birthday party this year, so we are going to wait until the school year starts in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait to share photos with you of “big sister”!
Hope your week has gotten off to a great start!
