Water for Christmas

Water for Christmas is a wonderful charity that helps provide people in Africa with clean water. Today they are doing a special campaign. I pray that you will consider donating even just $10 today...it will provide clean water for one person for 10 years! 100% of your donation goes toward these fresh water wells. PLEASE check it out here!!!

one

Silas,

Yesterday you turned ONE! You are such a special part of our family. As I laid you down for your nap I looked down at you and all I could think of is that you are a GIFT. A true and precious gift. God did miraculous things to bring you into our family, and I couldn't be more grateful.

-Your smile can truly make ANYONE smile.

-You're a little comedian already!

-You are my little snuggle bug, and I think you would snuggle all day long if you could. I love it!

-You LOVE to eat and we've hardly found a thing on this Earth that you don't think is tasty.

-You are on the move, crawling faster every day, pulling up onto your knees, and loving to stand! You've come such a long way sweetheart.

I could just keep on bragging on you! But most of all I just want to let you know that you are a JOY. I am so blessed to be your Mama. I hope you had a very happy birthday.

We love you sweet, sweet boy!!!

All of the kids (including Silas!) love Electric Company. They sit just fascinated by the words and music. They have seen this song on a few times and they think it's the best thing ever. And now I'll be singing it the rest of the day...

little tricky treaters

We had such a fun day yesterday. Phil was gone for work all day, and since it's no fun to trick or treat alone, we headed to Brookville, Indiana (my hometown). The kids got to snag candy with their cousins and as Gibson said, "It was awesome!" Silas also had an amazing day and happily let my whole family hold him. It was a nice break for me! He had a ball just hanging out. He also showed off his new skill...calling me mama! He started saying it to me on Thursday but I was still unsure. I'm definitely sure now that he knows. He says it so sweetly and it's music to my ears. Now on to the pictures!

All the little cousins in a row

They were adorable and had such a great time going around the neighborhood.

And then there's this one...

How could he do this to me?!

Goodness gracious.

a new phase

When each of our babies came home, we placed them snugly in the pack n play bassinet beside our bed to sleep each night. There they remained for 6 weeks until they were ready to transition to their crib and not wake so often for feedings. We stayed with the trend, and placed Silas in that same bed when we arrived home. Tonight he slept in his new crib (new to him, even though it's on it's 3rd kid) in the next room over with his big brother. He was ready, he's been sleeping through the night since the 2nd week he was home. I didn't even realize it until I looked at the calendar, but it was exactly 6 weeks from when we first laid eyes on him.

I remember the first nights that Gibson and Maya were across the hall. I didn't sleep well, I stared at the little lines on the monitor when I thought I heard a sound, and all kind of irrational thoughts went through my head about their safety. They were no longer within arms reach. For some reason I thought it wouldn't be that way with Silas. He is almost a year old after all, and they were just tiny newborns. I think I was wrong.

Phil was at a meeting late last night, so there I laid in our bed alone, listening to the silence. No snoring husband (love you babe!) and no little baby breaths and gentle rustling to keep me company. And I was sadder than I thought I'd be. It will be a new phase that is better for all of us, but just made me a little sad to wave goodbye to the old one.

The first night with the boys in the same room was a success, and this morning I walked in to see a very happy baby sitting up in his crib clapping.

I think we can get used to that.

oh my heart

Out of nowhere from Gibson today:

"Mom, when I grow up I'm going to go to Africa someday."

Why Gibson?

"Because I'm going to go adopt a baby. I'm going to grow a boy and a girl, and then I'm going to go adopt a boy and a girl, too."

And then I sat there with tears welling in my eyes.

i love this little threesome...