Note from Noah--No Matter What

Noah has a bedtime story titled, "No Matter What." Basically, the Mommy tells her son that she'll love him no matter what. So tonight, Noah gives me this note. I love YOU no matter what, Noah Michael!!

Fall leaf fun

Michael took a couple pictures of the boys playing in the beautiful fall leaves today. Nothing says fall like jumping in leaf piles!

Annemarie's 1st Thanksgiving

Happy 1st Thanksgiving, Annemarie Grace! What a BLESSING you are to this family! Your daddy, brothers, and I love you so VERY MUCH! We are so grateful to have you and your preciousness this Thanksgiving.  I couldn't love you any more.  We are so thankful for our "darlin'."

Our Thankful Tree

This year, I wanted to get back to the basics in terms of our holidays.  So, rather than spending money on expensive table decorations, I wanted to focus on the reason for the holiday: gratitude.  As a family, we made a "Thankful Tree."  The boys hunted the sticks and then hunted acorns to put in a vase to keep the sticks in place.  Then the boys and I picked up beautiful fall leaves and brought the leaves home.  Each person wrote what they were thankful for on the leaves gathered.  We tied the leaves to the branches, and ta da! The Thankful Tree.  It made my heart SO happy and reinforced to the boys the importance of being thankful for our family and many blessings.  When family visited Thanksgiving and the days that followed, Noah asked family members to write what they were thankful for and add it to the tree.  It was so sweet.  I think this is a tradition that I want to keep! We have so much to be thankful for...especially this Thanksgiving of 2014.  

Thanksgiving in Austin

At the last minute, Susie called me and asked if I wanted to take a road trip to Austin to visit Denise. Susie was off work, Dad is retired, and I'm on maternity leave.  Michael couldn't go because he had to work. I said yes, scared of driving to Austin with a newborn and 2 kids.  But I'm so glad I did! We didn't plan on doing a "Thanksgiving" meal, as all of us had other plans for turkey dinners on Thursday. But at the last minute, Susie & Denise made a mad dash for Central Market, we whipped up some potatoes and voila! A meal fit for a feast.  It was SUCH a nice visit. I can't wait to do it again.  I love these people.  THESE are my people.

Thanksgiving at Oak Hill Montessori

Mommy, Daddy, & Annemarie joined Noah & Jackson for their Thanksgiving feast at Oak Hill Montessori school today.  It was such a GREAT time! The boys were so happy and thankful that we all came...and they loved having their baby sister there to show their friends...it was just special. Love my family!

Annemarie is 6 weeks today

Six weeks ago today, I gave birth to the most precious and amazing baby girl.  There's something different about having a girl.  Maybe it was the almost 2 hours of skin-to-skin contact at birth. Maybe it's because I know that this is the last baby I'll be having. Maybe it's because I feel a little closer to my mom, as she was a mom of girls. Maybe it's the fun ruffles and bows.  Maybe it's because I'm a new mom at forty.  Maybe it's all of the above.  But all I know is that she makes my heart so full...I feel it could literally burst.  I love listening to her, watching her, holding her.  I love that she smiles at her Mommy and that I'm her greatest source of comfort.  There will never be a time that I won't be here for you, my sweet darling. I love you.

Annemarie at 1 month

Just delicious

Nothing sweeter than this candy cane!

Mommy & her Darlin' Annemarie

Look at those big, beautiful, blue eyes! Can you say HEARTBREAKER?!?

Some hair

Gotta laugh at the hair on these 2...



Neither Of my boys had near this much hair this early on. Annemarie has a head full of hair!











Noah said, "Mommy, me & baby both have a Mohawk."








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Annemarie

Annemarie took Christmas pics with the boys tonight. She was an angel. Her brothers? They were epic. We'll leave it at that! Here are a few iPhone pics I snapped of my beautiful baby girl----one month old.















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Kisses from Paw Paw

Annemarie & the boys took Christmas pictures tonight, & Paw Paw came by & stole some sweet baby kisses. Paw Paw is smitten with his granddaughter!














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