In love...

I am not only in love with our new baby girl, but I am also in love with these amazing pictures! Here are some of my favorites from her 12-days-old photo shoot (get comfortable, I really had a hard time picking!):

And a silly one of Ezekiel showing his muscles...

Bekah Jane takes a road trip

This past week my mom and I packed up the kids and headed north to introduce baby Rebekah to my grandparents. My trips to Santa Maria this past year have been so special, and this was no exception. My grandparents get so much joy out of the babies, and it is pure joy for me to watch them together. Sweet, sweet times that I will always treasure.

I especially enjoyed this trip for another reason, too: For 3 days all I had to do was take care of my kids. No other responsibilities or distractions. I LOVED that. I got to play with them, snuggle, and giggle without squeezing in time for dishes, bills, and all the other things at home that steal my time. They are both SO much fun and I love giving them undivided attention.


Arriving at great-grandma and great-grandpa's house... what a good little traveler my boy was!


Great-grandpa was smitten with little Rebekah Jane


I think that is a little smile on Bekah's face as she snuggles with her great-grandma!


My grandma knit this little outfit long before Bekah arrived. We got such a kick out of putting her in it for grandma's birthday dinner. She looked like a little doll!


Ezekiel and his little red wagon. My grandma had this toy for him at her house and he could not get enough of it. He pulled that thing around everywhere!


Going on a date with my handsome boy. We went to a pretty nice restaurant for my grandma's birthday and Ezekiel stepped it up for the occasion. He was such a good boy -- and even put the napkin in his lap. =) It was a great evening that we all enjoyed so much.




Bekah Jane wrapped in the hands that fold in prayer for her each night

Making Friends

Just days after Rebekah Jane made her entrance into the world, two of my dearest friends had babies of their own! Here are a few fun pictures of Rebekah meeting her new friends...


Matthew Avery (in my arms) was born to Trisha on January 2nd. What a little sweetie. And his mama is so in love. =)

The story with Trisha is so cool... our moms were pregnant together and we were born just 6 weeks apart. So we've been friends since day one. Then, we told each other we were pregnant on the same day... when we ran into each other in our doctor's office! We both had our first prenatal visit at the same time, so the secret was out for both of us! Such a fun day! It is so special to now enjoy our babies together, too.


Matthew and Bekah Jane have really similiar hair!

Rebekah Jane meets Everett Wandrey. Everett was born to Heidi and Michael on January 5th (yeah, it was a busy week!). This little tank is all boy! It cracks me up how manly and tough he looks compared to our little delicate flower of a baby girl. I was blessed to be in the room when Everett was born, and he stole my heart with his first cry.

Some silly pictures of Ezekiel and Bekah Jane, Everett and Kate...

Fulfilled

Both kids are asleep and the house is quiet. As I was laying out their little clothes for church tomorrow it hit me. I have a little boy and a little girl. Two children. One sweet boy to dress in jeans and button down shirts and one darling baby girl in frills and bows. It is cliche, but it is a dream come true. When Ezekiel was born, I thought that I could never be happier. He had made me a mom. And that is what I always wanted from the time I was a young girl. I am so content being Ezekiel's mom and, had the Lord chosen to give us just him, I would have been completely fulfilled. But now I know an even greater happiness, a joy that I did not know was even possible, as we welcome our baby girl into our family. And I am in awe of the blessings.

Don't get me wrong. I am tired. I wish my house would magically clean itself. I am overwhelmed by the responsbility of keeping them safe and raising them to love God. But, I have never been happier.

Now, let's just hope all this Saturday-night prep pays off and we actually make it to church on time tomorrow!

Sweet Rebekah Jane

Just a quick picture of our sweet girl at 2 weeks old. Doesn't she look so much older already? She actually reminds me of my sister in this picture.

Happy Birthday Kevan!

Yesterday we celebrated Kevan's 28th birthday. It was the first time he didn't have to work on his birthday since we've been married! We had such a great day as a family... spent the morning at the Santa Ana zoo, then came home and Kevan's friend, Robert, and I surprised him with the gift he's been saving up for... XBox 360! Then Kevan and I had a wonderful dinner at Yves Bistro while my mom watched the kids. What a perfect day. And here is just one of the things I love most about the birthday boy: That this is his idea of a perfect day. Spending the morning with his kids, hanging out at the zoo, enjoying time with his family. I love that Kevan wants to be with us more than anything in the world. Happy Birthday to the best husband and dad! I love you, Babe!

Looking at the monkeys at the zoo...





So, it was a good thing Ezekiel liked the monkeys so much. There wasn't a whole lot more to see. Apparently, some of the animals (like the elephants) are only at the zoo on the weekends. What do they do during the week? Do they have relatives they visit with? Do they have jobs? Where are the elephants on a Thursday?!?


Kevan and Robert loving their new toy!




The birthday boy and his two little ones




Heading out to our super-yummy dinner!

Just a few more...

We can't get enough of our darling little girl... here is what she's been up to!



Spending the day with Aunt Rebekah




Lots of kisses!



Hanging out with her soon-to-be friend in Aunt Heidi's tummy

Looking beautiful

My two sweet babies

First Sunday at church!

Ezekiel trying out Rebekah's moses basket


Snuggling with Aunt Alice

Meeting her cousins

Ezekiel seems to be adjusting well... but moments like these make me wonder!

Bekah Jane and Kate are introduced

AND... Bekah Jane has a new friend that just arrived on Wednesday! Matthew Avery was born to my dear friend Trisha just 6 days after my Rebekah arrived. We can't wait to get together for a play date!

These are fun days. Busy. But fun. Having two babies is a lot easier than I thought in some ways. We already know the drill with a newborn. We are used to sleep deprivation. Car seats and strollers and poopy diapers as we head out the door don't phase us. And, in other ways, it's a bit harder than I imagined. Dividing my time and giving Ezekiel the training he needs while caring for a newborn is the biggest challenge. That, and laundry. Does it ever end?

I thank God that I can honestly report that we are doing great and enjoying these sweet days welcoming our baby girl.