After five years without, we have been trying to adjust to having an infant around again. Naptimes, baby sounds, diaper changes....I don't believe that any meal has been served on time, the house is in a constant state of disarray. The world, for the moment, revolves around this tiny person.

Eavan Grace

I went in early Thursday morning for an induction and came home the next day with this...:)
After 6 and a half hours of labor, Eavan arrived looking, cock-eyed up at me. She was 7 pounds, 15 ounces and 19 inches long. She has a triple chin and big chipmunk cheeks. :)

Eavan rarely cries- though she makes this face all the time. It seems she forgets what she was doing midway.

She (like her sister) sleeps with her arms up by her face and refuses to keep them tucked in her blanket, even when they are purple with cold.

A very rare picture with her eyes actually open. They only are for about five minutes before eating.

And for those of you who are wondering...Eavan means beautiful and is pronounced EE-vuhn.

Joel lost his first tooth today. He is very excited! He has another loose one that will be following soon.

Counting my blessings...

from children who bring me gifts of artwork all throughout my day (even if some of the depictions of me are quite too proportionately realistic for my ego)....


to a healthy pregnancy and being ready for our child and anxiously awaiting her arrival...

to finding good deals and actually being able to take advantage of them...

and yes, I suppose, even blizzards and wind and treacherous weather that remind us that God is God and we are tiny (but significant) pieces to the puzzle.

My days are far from relaxing, my house is never clean and my children are not perfect and though I can feel myself sliding closer and closer to the steps of an institution, there is a peace to my life. And I am quite happy to be right here.

Last night was Roger's birthday. Cate was very excited to make him a cake with her new Easy Bake oven that she had gotten for Christmas. Daddy was properly appreciative of the quarter inch thick cake with packaged chocolate drizzle on top. :)

I have been slacking on my blogging lately- with good reason. :)

My long-lost husband returned home from overseas early this month and we've been busy spending all of his time off with him- he was able to take over a month off!
Here is some of what we've been up to:

* celebrating homecomings and families
* welcoming father and husband, brother and son


* rollercoaster riding (for Roger and the kids at Nickelodeon Universe)

* making snow forts and tunnels on the few days that it hasn't been too cold or too blizzard-y to be outside!

* feeling blessed by our Father for the gifts he has given

Sights, sounds and the excitement of the season....
* the squeals of delight upon seeing the tree all set up
* having a mantle to hang our stockings on
* the anticipation of seeing my husband for the first time in 6 months!
* looking out the window early in the morning to see the dusting of powder snow
* singing along to Baby, It's Cold Outside- my favorite!
* starting the cookie making process with many sticky fingers offering to "help"
* a cozy fire in the fireplace

* the many, many questions- including, "Why did Jesus come as a baby?"

* the reminder of the delight, wonder and innocence of childhood

I hope that you all have as much to look forward to this season as I do!