In the blink of an eye

There have been several times in my 35 years that I look back at something and remark using the old adage "wow, that seems like that just happened yesterday" but never has that rung more true these days when I think back to the birth of my two older kids. 

It does seem like just yesterday when Campbelle was born... I can remember everything so clearly.  We were driving to the hospital in the middle of the night after my water broke,  the fact that a baby was soon to make it's entrance into the world was immediate.   I remember resting my forehead onto the side window and looking up into the night's sky and thinking to myself 'My life and my heart are about to change forever.'  And then not too long afterwards, I'm holding our beautiful baby girl in my arms..... so overcome with emotion and overcome with this new, precious little life.

and in the blink of an eye....

I'm getting ready to send her off to kindergarten.  She's become so  independent - and I realize that she doesn't need me quite so much and that she will indeed step onto that school bus the first morning without me - probably flashing a huge smile - to begin her way in this world.  And she'll be just fine. 

Where did those days and nights go?  How did time go so fast?  In just a blink of an eye.

It was yesterday too that Christian was born.  Oh how I worried about that little man.  From his kidneys to his weight gain - my heart ached.  I can remember those days so clearly and remember my prayers for all to be well.  Surly that was just yesterday.

and in the blink of an eye...

There is still worry - but overnight it changed to other reasons:  For stunt man tricks off the retaining wall in the backyard; for his scooter that goes screaming down the sidewalk at crazy fast speeds; for stitches and scrapes; and for his shy, alone times.

When did all that change?  His 3 1/2 years melt into days.  In just a blink of an eye.

Now I sit with my Beckett... my newest sweet babes.  I think for a quick moment about all the things that he'll be, and wonder how he will play, and if he will like this and not that, and on and on .... but stop myself quick because I understand that all too soon I will know all those answers.

And until then.  I'll be here....

...trying so hard not to blink.

   

Haircut

Ok, so I know the kid needed a haircut.  It's just that we've been a little busy.  And to be honest, I kinda like the messy, floppy look on him.  It adds a nice bit of balance to his mostly very serious personality.

But this is what happened when I sent Leif to go get his hair cut.

Before:

After:

This is probably the shortest his hair has ever been.  But it's growing on me over the past few days.  Now that I don't startle wondering who's kid this is every time he walks into a room.  :-)

Blueberries

In our front yard landscape design, we have three small blueberry trees, a bit different than the actual blueberry bush, but still produce edible blueberries.  The kids and Leif went blueberry picking the other day (I was picking weeds ... they seemed to have more fun). 

The three of them gobbled up a small container in a matter of minutes.  I got two. 

While the blueberry 'slamdown' was happening, Leif was able to take these photos.  I love them... because I always tell the kids they have eyes the color of blueberries.

 

Would he scare you?

Yeah, I didn't think so!

Photo and editing courtesy of crazy camera man Philoking.  Check out his flickr site, he takes great photos.

Olympic fever

Ok, so how wrong is this?  I'm a thirty something year old, happily married, mother of three who quite possibly has a crush on this guy.....

Go Michael!!

Free Man

Beckett got off the lights on Monday afternoon and we've been celebrating his freedom with little outings. His first was to Target in which he slept the whole time - much to Campbelle's disappointment - not mine. Last night we even went to our Tuesday picnic to meet the gang. Today the kids have been begging to try him out in all his little "stations".... the swings, bouncy chairs, ect, it's been like circut training around here.

I don't think it would be possible to get more "Beckett Love" from Campbelle or Christian.

Bath time

Did you know that you can now bathe babies even before their umbilical cord has fallen off?  Keeping it dry is not so important as they once thought.

I think poor Beckett kinda wishes the nurses hadn't told me that new bit of info.  He doesn't seem to be enjoying it all that much.

Oh, but afterwards it was so so nice!

Just one of the guys...

He's Home!!

Beckett got home from the NICU yesterday afternoon.  Hurrah!  All is stabilized with his blood sugar but now his billirubin level is elevated.  This is nothing new to us, since both other kids had the same thing - it has to do with blood incompatibility between Leif and I and the baby.  It requires light therapy and luckily we are able to do this from home.

He has to be on the photo copy looking machine for the entire day/night with the exception of feedings.  The more he's soaking in the light, the sooner he'll be off it for good.  But boy it's hard to put him down so quickly after a feeding.  Makes me wish he wasn't such a fast little piggy when it comes to eating!!

This is usually where Campbelle and Christian are located... right beside his 'bed' - singing and talking to him.

Visitors

On Monday evening, my Dad and Marva arrived to meet Beckett and offer a helping hand.  It has been so great having them here.  Maybe I could talk them into staying for about 6 months?!?

Beckett August Brenne is here!!

Our hearts are overflowing once again..... meet our newest little man:

Beckett August Brenne

August 3, 2008 1:16pm

9 lbs 12 ounces 21 inches

He came a few weeks early and has completely stolen our hearts.  Both Campbelle and Christian had chubby, kissable cheeks - but I do believe Mr. Beckett has just taken the grand prize.

I was discharged this afternoon, but due to low blood sugar levels, Beckett will have to spend a few days in the NICU.  It was hard leaving the hospital today without him - but I know he's in great hands and is going to be just fine.  We are headed back to the hospital after a little rest and refreshening.

 

The kids are so excited to have a new brother.  Both of them couldn't stop smiling and actually squealing with joy.

We are truly blessed once again!

I love a Parade

The kids were in Parade camp this week (have I said how much I love summer camp?!??).  All week they worked on decorations, party hats, noise makers and cheers for the Snoqualmie Days parade that was Saturday morning.  The kids had so much fun and really took their roles in the parade very seriously.  Their camp teachers showed them the trophy the Encompass preschool won at last years parade and now they have  such high hopes of being able to bring home the trophy for them again this year.  Campbelle and Christian would practice their parade stuff all week long at home. 

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They shouted "Encompass is the Best.... Better than the Rest"  the whole parade route.  Very cute!

1st Harvest

The first zucchini was ready for picking and grilling this evening.  It truly amazes me that my little garden is doing as well as it is.

And equally amazing what my kids will eat when they've had a hand in growing it.  You should have heard how excited they were to eat zucchini!