I Do It

Oh my Genevieve.  She is a firecracker.  She definitely has a mind of her own, and rarely does she keep it to herself.  Often she says these things:

"I do it!"  - as you can see her trying to feed Henry when he would probably like to feed himself.

"I sait (said)..." repeating herself when you don't do what she said.

"No way!"  Mostly joking when we ask her something.

"No...I Gen-Gen!"  When I call her anything but Gen Gen.

"I lub you TOO, Mommy!" 

She talks a lot...not much to others, but at home, it's constant.

Just when I thought she was our quiet one for so long, she's surprised me.

But, what a fun surprise it's been. 

These Girls

Next to my husband and mom, my sister probably knows me best of all.  Growing up we got in our fair share of fights (one time even involving a tube of toothpaste), and we weren't always the nicest to each other.  Being fourteen months apart brought its challenges but even more special things.  

We are each other's best friends.  We know each other better than we sometimes know ourselves.  And, while I would give anything to have her closer, I'm so thankful for facetime, and texts and well, anything that keeps us in touch!

So, when I look at these two little girls, I see my sister and me.  I pray that they become as close as Rozann and I have.  I pray they always take care of each other.  And, I pray the bond they develop now only grows stronger as the years pass.

On this particular day, they decided they wanted it to be summer...

Then, they were little clothes models, and I have a feeling Sophie can't wait to teach her to spin.  I see so much of us in them, and that makes me so excited for what their future holds!

Art

I have mentioned a million times that I'm not a big Pinterest mom.  I prefer things that are easier when it comes to crafting and art.  So, why not just equip the girls with some dry erase markers and let them go to town?  

Sophie draws circle after circle and calls it "Momma".

Gen just wanted to put the cap back on.

I think we may have a Picasso or two on our hands.  Or maybe not, ha!

The Final Days

I know I should learn a thing or two with each pregnancy, but I feel like it's mainly a cycle of repeating for me.  I know that as soon as this little boy enters the world, and I smell the sweetness of his tiny body, I will be so in love and the emotions will pour over me uncontrollably.  If it's anything like the last five times, I'll feel an even greater love for my husband, an intense need to tell my parents how much I love them and how much they mean to me, and a period of equally loving the newness of the little one wrapped in my arms while also dreading each passing second as the tininess slips from my fingers.  

Basically, I'm an emotional wreck for awhile after birth.  I feel everything...extra.  I question everything more than usual.  And, my love for everything is so much deeper.  While I know that, and while I know the emotions will taper and a new normal will arise, I can never avoid it.  I don't really want to, yet being so vulnerable is scary.

Today, a different emotion is present...one that I know has no clout.  But, one that hits me every time a new little one draws near.  I begin to ache for my current baby, and somewhat for the siblings.

I want her to know that even with the life change that is about to happen, my love for her won't change.

I wish I could tell her in a way she would understand that I won't be able to pick her up for awhile.  I wish I could make it clear that even though there will be a new baby in the family (and constantly in my arms), that she (and her siblings) will always all be my babies.  I wish that I could both spend time soaking up the newness of life with the little one while also giving more attention to each individual Carter, Peter, John Paul, Sophie and Genevieve all at the very same time.

Each of these little ones comes, and in a split second our lives are changed in a way we could never imagine, regardless of how many times we've done it.  One look at the little face and tiny details, and we cannot imagine being a family without him or her.  And, all will be well.

For now, though, these sweet little ones are my babies...and if I spend a little more of each day trying to cradle them as if they were still an eight pound bundle of joy, just let me.  I need them to know that our lives are about to change and remind them that it only gets better.


Because while I worry that they won't realize how much I love them when my attention is focused on the new one, I'll be reminded that instead of diminishing love, God will only allow our hearts to grow.

Genevieve Turns One...and Hates Cake

Another year has come and gone, and it never gets any easier to believe.  A year ago, I was looking at this sweet face after a semi-traumatic birth.

Now, here we were getting ready for Gen's first birthday...or cup stacking event.

As always, we had a really small party with family, and as always, I have food still for days.  

The kids helped us decorate the night before and were so very excited for Genevieve's birthday...which might have overwhelmed Genevieve just a tiny bit.

And as I do, about five other times a year, I tried to make the cake myself.  This one was fun.

When I didn't get party favors for Jeremy's birthday, I was made aware that they are what makes the party...so that won't happen again.

We had a little brunch...

...with green chile sausage balls.

And, this little boy who absolutely adores his sweet Gen was dressed for the occasion.  He wanted a "nice shirt" and a little "hair stuff" - then he needed his picture taken.

But, he stopped me! "You think I should brush my teeth for this?"

Genevieve work up from her nap to this, and she remained about as quiet and reserved as I've seen her in a long time.  Maybe she's a bit like her momma?

Lovely...

The kids determined cotton candy is too sweet - I was shocked.

Right before things got bad.

She slipped a bit, and landed on the cake...and her hands were covered.

She then watched as everyone opened her presents.

So, while the party girl may not have loved it, her siblings sure did!  And, at least she can look back and know we tried.  For now, she...

...loves being held, but not much more touching than that.

...screams for attention.

...is a busy body.

...loves to climb.

...doesn't say much.

...is our littlest one.

...smiles with a precious closed-mouth grin.

...is a bit more clingy than the others.

...is not always a big fan of strangers or crowds.

...loves her brothers and sister like you wouldn't believe.

...and has all of us wrapped around her tiny fingers.

Happy Birthday (Saturday), sweet Genevieve!