Three Years

Little I-guy turned three yesterday and in the midst of all the meals, laundry, diapers and nursing I tried to pause and remember these three years and contemplate this little man.  My water broke while I was mid-laugh at book club.  He came quickly and easily and stole my heart.  He was a beautiful newborn and, while resembling his brothers, surprised us with his full head of dark hair and unique characteristics.  He was beloved by his brothers and adored by his parents and the recipient of LOTS of attention.  He was a delightful little newborn. 

 

 

He remained the most popular member of our family throughout that first year as he learned to sleep through the night early, babble and coo at his family members, and delight everyone with his ever-present smile.  He rolled over, crawled and walked right when his brothers had achieved these milestones.  He won over everyone with his sweet, social manner.  I watched his eyes change as he turned into my first brown-eyed boy and felt that, at last, I had one who bore some resemblance to me. 

Two year old Isaac continued to charm.  His independence and sense of self both delighted and frustrated us as we learned to navigate his little personality.  He learned to converse and made us all laugh constantly.  He and Noah formed a deep friendship and lived in a world of their own with LEGOS, dress up and plenty of pretend play.  He wore his Spider Man costume for nearly four months straight.  He learned his letters, what they say and that Isaac is spelled I-S-A-A-C.  His also learned to love his baby brother and what it meant to share the spotlight.  

We can't wait to see what this next year will bring.  He is a delight.

More Halloween

Smitten

I am pretty in love with this little guy.  Each baby boy surprises me with his ability to steal my heart.  Little H is no exception and I might even enjoy him more than I did the others because with each one I know how to love just a little more and stress a little less.  This mothering thing just gets better and better.  (Also, it's harder and harder as it demands more and more from me and allows less and less selfishness-- but that's a good thing too.)  Oh, I love this little one and what he's done for our family already. 
  

Hyrum, one month

Here is little Hyrum, at one month wearing the outfit that Luke came home from the hospital in seven and a half years ago.  It seems about right as he probably weighs as much now as Luke did when he was born. 

One month, really?  It's the old cliche-- the time has gone by so quickly but we can't remember life without him.

Life has been chugging along 'round these parts and I wanted to capture little H at this age before I forget.

He is:

• the most engaged of all my babies.  They were all interested in faces and people but Hyrum will crane his neck around from whatever position he is in to stare at my face.  He looks and looks without blinking.  I love this about him 
• starting to sleep, eat and stay awake in more predictable patterns.  He nurses for the last time around ten p.m. and then usually doesn't wake to eat until about two in the morning.  He then lasts until an early morning feeding and sleeps later than the other boys in the morning.  He is alert in the evening and engaged in our bedtime routine.  
• the center of attention in the neighborhood.  I have a couple of little girl baby holders that come by as often as their moms will allow them.  They will sit and hold Hyrum for long lengths of time, allowing me to get dinner on the table, read to Isaac or pick a few things up around the house. 
• enjoying sleeping with his little blankie up by his face.  Another required baby skill in our house is learning to love your blanket. 
• the loudest sleeper ever.  There are nights when I am sure that I really gave birth to a little goat, judging from the sounds coming from the bassinet.  This distinction has earned him a spot in the walk-in closet-- it makes him easy to get to in the night but the clothes muffle the grunts enough to allow me to sleep through them. 
• loving his swing. 
• learning to love his pacifier.  It is a rule in our house-- all babies must learn to love their binkies.  I learned this lesson the hard way with Luke, who never took one and nearly drove me crazy.  
• loving his miracle blanket.  I love looking in at my little burrito baby, sleeping soundly.  
• gassy.  
• plumping up well.  He is now sporting the beginnings of delightful rolls on his arms and little thighs.  
• a great nurser.  He would stay latched on all day if I let him.  
• interested in his brothers. 
• loving bath time.   
• accustomed to sleeping through a lot of noise like any good fourth child.  Let's hope he keeps this up.   
• almost identical to his brother Noah as a newborn.  It will be fun to see what this little guy looks like in a few months.  

We sure love our little Hyrum.  

Blessing Day

 Our little Hyrum was blessed the Sunday before Halloween.  His uncles, dad and grandfathers gathered around him to give him a name and a blessing.  It was a celebration, to be sure.  Moments like these always make me wish that I were more articulate and somehow able to capture in words the sweetness of these occasions.  It's a beautiful thing to watch your baby boy blessed by his righteous father and male relatives.  I hope that he (and his brothers) will follow the examples of these good, good men who exemplify the priesthood they hold. 


(We had good intentions of inviting more family and friends but October happened to be the busiest month of our lives and we went and had a baby.  It was all I could do to stay afloat with my husband working nearly all the time.)


The men (minus Caleb-- for some reason he didn't make it into the pictures and I didn't notice until I was looking at them on the computer): 

The whole family:

The Fredins:

The Donaldsons:

November 1st

There are more Halloween pictures to sort through and blog but here's a peek at our pack of superheroes, including baby superman-- who has thrown our lives into chaos and created this blogging back log. 

We are all still pretty smitten and I routinely catch his brothers kissing on his velvet little head or just staring at him.

Happy November!