come on...

Seth 2 months old

"Come on...don't you just want to kiss me?"

beauty salon

If you know Lyza...you know her hair! She is 10% body and 90% hair. She just has this hair that looks like it should be on a teenager. It has been like that for her from the beginning. I actually have a entire post that I want to put together to document her amazing hair for posterity. Because I know that one day she will come home with it cut all the way off and dyed black!

But here was our fun evening out together at our good friend Lezlie's salon. We love Lez and she is a fabulous stylist.

Lyza did a pretty good job of sitting still for Lezlie during the hair cut. Please notice the "Steven Bull Fight Face" she is doing. This is a face we named after my husband. It is a look he does all of the time when he is concentrating. His eye brows are all tight and it looks like he wants to "fight you." Well don't worry it is the dominant gene in our family. Both Lyza and (don't worry) Seth have the look.

Tons of hair!

Great job Lez...we love ya!

a blessing...

Last Sunday was Seth's blessing day. As I thought about the big day and the significance of the event I kept thinking...isn't it funny that today is the day that Seth is given a blessing by his father. But in all reality it is a day that I will celebrate what a "blessing" this boy is in my life.

Ever since the day he was born, when I think about Seth the first word that comes into my mind is peace. He brings peace to our home, he brings peace to my heart., he has a peaceful personality. (Stay tuned for my post in about 2 years when as a toddler he is not so peaceful anymore.) There is just something about him. I know all mothers must feel this way, but he is definitely special.

The blessing day was perfect. The actual blessing was so nice, Steven did a great job. And the lunch afterward at the house was so much fun. Here is a picture of the center piece on he bar.

Some more of the decorations.


pictures of all of the food we had! Thanks everyone for helping out!

My favorite the dessert table!

Lyza, Halle, and Sami waiting for food on the little table stuffed in the corner...so cute.

What a good little boy. He had a fun but crazy day.

Love this picture. He was starving, but I just HAD to get a couple of more pictures. Pretty much he is saying, "I'm done mom!"

Seth, you are the blessing in our lives. Thank you for coming to stay with us for awhile! We couldn't imagine our family without you.

Love you little man!

can't leave dad alone with the baby

I leave "daddy" alone with Seth for a minute and look what happens! "No darling, the baby can't eat red licorice yet!"

Seth new exactly what to do with the "candy" as soon as it was in his hand he headed instantly for his mouth. Good thing mom intervened!

a first

So today was a first....today Seth got his first bottle. As a mother I have mixed feelings about this day. On one side I am always thankful when my child is able to take a bottle. Because I work a couple of days a week, I need my babies to be able to switch back and forth from nursing to a bottle depending on the day. Thankfully both Lyza and Seth have been able to do this with no problem.

On the other side...I feel a bit of sadness when they do take a bottle. Up until this point in their short life...I have provided literally everything for them. This included being the one to feed them. Up until now feeding them was something only I could do. I love that feeling of being needed from my child. And for some reason when they take a bottle it feels like their first step toward not needing me as much. I know that for 75% of the time I am still the one feeding them, but for some reason their first bottle always makes me a bit sad. I guess I just want my babies to stay "needing" me for as long as possible.

this moment

I don't have a picture to post right at this moment. I am so far behind on my blog it is not even funny. But for some reason right now I don't even care....because right now my little blonde beauty is fast asleep, my husband is at the gym (good job babe), and I am listening to music, and staring into the face of the cutest little boy I have ever laid my eyes on. Every feature on his face is perfect, the smell is almost irresistible, and all I know is that he is mine. I am grateful for this moment. I am grateful for my life and family. I am grateful for peace right now because that is what I am feeling. Love you little man...stay little for me!

independence day

Happy 4th of July!! Popsicles all around. Lyza and Braden enjoyed their share of the traditional 4th of July "holiday treat." I love this picture...pure enjoyment of children!

We had a family BBQ at my parents and then did some fireworks. All of the children (and Shalice) were banished to the yard to eat their messy treats!

We had a ton of the "poppers" for the kids to play with.

And a terrific fireworks show thanks to Brandon and Steven.

Nothing like watching fireworks on a blanket. So much fun.

Braden has a front row seat...love you buddy!

Lyza was in heaven. She didn't ever want the fireworks to end.

Holidays are always so much fun. They are a lot of work and by the end of the day everyone is exhausted, but there is nothing like a holiday. Great memories for all.