While Luke was at the Natural History Museum or otherwise distracted...

I got some sweet photos of the younger two.





At his doctor's visit on Friday Isaac weighed in at a whopping 11 pounds 6 ounces (that's at a month old). She also told me that his eyes are going to stay blue. Crazy-- three blue eyed boys running around. Who knew that Nat's genes would be so dominant? There are some little Donaldson reminders in these boys though.

The Christmas Rundown

Christmas Eve

This was, far and away, my best Christmas as a mother (possibly my best Christmas ever-- it's way better to be the mom at Christmastime). Luke gets more and more fun. He was really excited about the gifts he gave, the ones he received, Santa's cookies, and all the other fun things that go along with the season. My favorite gift had to be the story that Luke wrote for Nat, Luke and Dad Fight a Giant, put together one afternoon while Noah and Isaac slept. The story and its illustrations should really be a blog post unto itself. Maybe, just maybe, I'll find myself at the computer with two available hands sometime in the near future.

Luke wrapped the book and decorated the paper himself

This year's nativity was cute but I think it might be years before we approach the hilarity and sweetness of the 2006 production. Noah was, I have to say, funny this year, climbing into the manger and commenting on all the scriptures. I again had a newborn babe this season which is an experience I would recommend. Mary's story resonates in a new way when you read it holding your own bundle.

Luke and Noah still adore their baby

Christmas morning

Millennuim Falcon

I used to think that playing with the boxes was just a caricature

By far our best gift this season

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

Throwing

This one has been into all sorts of mischief lately. It mostly happens while I am nursing his little brother. I can watch the wheels turn. He sees me grab the boppy and sit down and he knows that this is his chance. He then surveys the premises for things he can throw. He's undiscriminating about what he throws and where he throws it; off the deck, around the house, down the stairs-- it seems that all are equally satisfying options. His older brother doesn't do the throwing but I think he really enjoying watching. It's almost as good as doing it yourself and there's no risk of time out when you're not the one throwing. Partners in crime.

A little Christmas

I'm holding my sweet little newborn, looking through Christmas photos, listening to the Christmas music that Nat insists play all season long, and smelling the scents of Christmas treats made in my kitchen today (the easiest treats I could think of-- all done one handed). I just finished reading President Monson's Christmas talk. It all has me a little overcome with the wonder of the season. Would that the feelings could last year round.

The Innkeeper

I love, love, love Luke's preschool. He was the innkeeper in yesterday's nativity. Preschool is a magical place isn't it? There is something so endearing about classrooms set up for people less than three feet tall. I love the little tables, chairs, coat hooks, and easels. I also love the yarns he weaves about what happens at school. I can usually get the story about what happened that day at bedtime when he is calm enough to tell a story from start to finish and when Noah isn't trying to tackle him (Noah has been on one lately but that's another story for another post).

I asked him the other night who was going to be Mary in the nativity and he screwed his face up, deep in concentration, and then told me, "Mom, all those black girls confuse me". He then listed off all the "black girls" in his class and I realized that he was talking about hair color, not race. Is there anything better than a four year old's world view?

This is what happened when he spotted me taking pictures.

From Luke

I pulled pictures off of "Luke's" camera today and in addition to some very revealing nursing shots I found these pictures of me taking pictures. I am impressed with what he's captured. He did inform me that "a lot of of those pictures are out of focus" while he was looking through his work. He's already a photo snob at four and a half-- have I created a monster?

Three Weeks

Three weeks have passed since this little man entered our lives and we can't imagine life without him. He is a sweet thing; taking long naps in his crib, smiling, cooing, snuggling, but most of all nursing (see those cheeks).

This one has made me fall in love with being a mother all over again and in a whole new way. I sit there holding him, remembering when I held Luke, and I am conscious of how quickly it changes and how important it is to drink it in. I am also aware of what is to come and how wonderful it will be. Today is beautiful but tomorrow also holds its own magic.

we made it

I have now successfully mothered three boys for three days by myself. We all got dressed every day and even fed all three days. Now my mother is in town and we are enjoying her. It's a good thing that this baby is so cute.

on my own

Nat just went to work and left me all alone with three children ages 4 and under. Luke and Noah seem entertained with each other, I believe there is a game of ring-around-the-rosie underway. Isaac is grunting on my lap and I am wondering what is to become of us. Luke seemed to sense that things were different because he clung to Nat as he left, telling him to "take the day off". Wish me luck!

Two weeks

Brothers

Whenever Isaac is put down I catch one of his brothers going over to admire him. These are just the times when I was fast enough on the draw to get the camera out.

Getting rounder