Coming Home

In my attempt to catch up before school starts and I have all sorts of new and exciting pictures to post, here are some pictures of Violet in her first few days home with us.  The kids spent every available moment kissing and loving her.  I thought that the novelty would wear off but two months later they still can't get enough of her.

Look at that face!!

They insisted she "play" outside with them on warm days.

Reading her a story.

Snuggling with Daddy.

Proud big brother.

Playing Catch Up

Since I took a bit of a hiatus from blogging there are lots of pictures that I haven't posted that I wanted to.  I'll do my best to post my favorites over the next couple of weeks so that I can get caught up.

These pictures are from an evening that we spent with Allan's brother and his family this summer.  Lillian and Jimmer have become very good friends now that they are old enough to play without fighting over toys.  On this night the older kids decided to have a wedding for the two of them.  They spent a long time in the playroom dressing Lillian up and then had a little ceremony outside for them.  It was pretty hilarious. 

It's been so fun to see their little friendship grow.  Jimmer used to cry when he would get to our house and now he cries when he has to leave.  It makes me so happy!

And here's a picture of our pretty baby.  She still hates her baths so much that by the time she's finished all she wants to do is curl up in her towel with her Nuk and fall asleep.

Violet June

On June 14th we welcomed another beautiful baby girl to our family.  Her name is Violet June and she is just as beautiful and perfect as can be.  She was 6 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long and is growing like crazy.  She is the first of our babies to have red hair just like her mama which, although it is probably kind of vain, makes me so very happy.  Her brother and sisters have fallen head over heels in love with her and she fits perfectly into our now rather large family.

Adjusting to being the mother of four certainly hasn't been seamless but I feel like I am slowly figuring things out.  On most days I feel like all I do is laundry and nurse and I don't know that I'll ever get on top of house work again but for now I am just enjoying having a newborn in the house again.  I don't think there's anything more wonderful than bringing a baby home who was with our Heavenly Father such a short time ago.  Everything about her perfect little face and tiny body remind me of the miracle of life and the blessing and privilege of motherhood and family.  

 

I find myself trying to draw out every moment that I have with her as she'll be the last of our babies that I'll change and kiss and nurse and snuggle.  I'm finding it easy to endure the exhaustion that comes with midnight feedings as I try to enjoy these first months that always race by so quickly.  Patience comes easily when she's fussy and unsettled because I know that all too soon these moments will come to an end and she'll be walking and talking and racing to keep up with her older siblings.  Siblings who have taken to calling her "Viley" and holding and kissing and loving her every chance they get.  It has been so exciting to see Emma, Walker and Lillian welcome her into our home and get to know her.  All of them are always sure to know where she is and what she's doing at all times.  I have no doubt that Emma will be her mentor, Walker will be her protector and Lillian will be her best friend.  

My new goal, for only the hundredth time, is to be more consistent in posting and hopefully now I'll be more motivated as our little Violet will grow like a weed in the next several months.  Our talented friend Alyssa from www.studiocampphoto.com was sweet enough to take some new born photos of Violet when she was just two weeks old.  They turned out so beautifully and I can't wait to get them developed and framed throughout the house.

This one is my favorite!!

Could she be any more beautiful!?!