True Love and Devotion

is written all over this face!

I know he omitted this picture from his post about Beckett's arrival because of how exhausted he looks...but that is why I LOVE it.

Ty is an incredible man. The exhaustion in his eyes just proves how much he is willing to sacrafice in order to try and make me more comfortable and happy.

I know he would have willing traded places with me, several times, in the past few months...and he has gone through some pretty emotionally and mentally rough times as he has had to sit back and just watch me suffer, wishing that he could do ANYthing to make my pain and struggling go away. And he has done a TON for me and our little family to try and make up for the fact that he isn't allowed to take my place...I feel so blessed to have him in my life. I am a very lucky girl!

WAY too fast

This quick growing, telescope exploring,little squid eating (I couldn't believe they ALL didn't even think twice about eating these!), handsome young man is ready for his brother to get big and play!

SO, when it was his turn to pick out some clothes for baby brother, (Beckett has been wearing PJs everyday since he has been home) instead of grabbing an "outfit" from the 3rd drawer down, he came in with this:

from the 4th and 5th drawer :). Coleson was wearing jeans, so he came with this t-shirt and (huge) jeans for Beckett and said, "boys who wear these blue pants is the coolest." So, I had to put these blue pants on and take a picture...but they fell off as soon as I lifted him up :).

And, on Beckett's first Sunday to church he HAD to wear a shirt and tie! (I REALLY wanted to be there to watch Ty teach his Sunday School lesson this week...which was WONDERFUL! He is an excellent teacher, and now I am even more bummed that I have to spend my church time at the other end of the building every week instead of coming to his class. But it was nice to come at least once!)

He was quite the handsome little man, isn't he so adorable? (And that "jaundice tan" makes him seem even more dapper.) But, he looks so much older when he is all dressed up...

so, I decided that I prefer him dressed like this (in all blankies and pjs and yummy baby smells) and curled up into a squishy little baby ball. I am trying to savor every moment that he is tiny! I don't want him growing up WAY too fast like the others...

Happy Birthday Tyler!

What could I do for the most wonderful man in the world on his Birthday???

I started by putting him to work: painting the "new" base boards (from when we replaced the flooring...about a year ago).Then I let the little ones show him their gift. (This way he spent a few hours keeping them fully entertained.)But, at least he is getting a little bit of playtime, right?Because after lunch, I put him right back to work! Beckett found that watching daddy work from the back porch was extrememly exhausting.And these two would only tag along for the "play" time...they weren't too interested when daddy started pulling weeds and planting seeds, so, they painted his Birthday cards instead!Thank goodness for wonderful church friends who brought chicken enchiladas for dinner!!! (I'm sure that's what he had requested.) I did manage to make some apple crisp so that we could sing Happy Birthday and let him blow out a few candles!Present time! I found this AWESOME airplane in the closet that we bought for him a while back (actually, I think his parents were the ones who paid for it, but it gave him something to open, right?) AND, we bought him a storm door to install all by himself!All this celebrating was beginning to wipe out the little one again...Nana and Papa sent a great book in the mail, so there was at least one "surprise" for him to open.But, honestly, I worked really, REALLY hard to give my FAVORITE man this little snuggler by his Birthday...which should compensate for everything else the day was lacking and make it the BEST Birthday ever!Because by the end of the day, the most wonderful man in the world definitely deserved a really good snuggle!

Purim

Significance: Commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination due to the faith and courage of Esther and the Jewish people. Observances: Public reading of the book of Esther while blotting out (with lots of noise and commotion) the name of the "villian" Haman. Customs: costume parties; eating Hamantaschen (triangular, fruit-filled ookies) For family night last week (it was the day after Purim) the Turvavilles brought their Purim celebration to us! Erika told the story of Esther, and everyone was at the ready with their noise makers to blot out Haman's name. Beckett didn't seem to mind the extra noise too much...he paid close attention to the story-telling as well, obiously. We had several Esthers at our party and one cousin Mordecai. Everyone enjoyed making Hamantaschen...and then REALLY enjoyed eating them. While Beckett enjoyed the wonderful taste of his thumb.

little Beckett

is sooo TINY! He gets engulfed by his car seat. (headed out to see his Dr and he passed all the tests. he was even back to his 7lb 6oz)

Always holding his face and pulling his legs up to his chest (it's no wonder the Dr was so impressed by his tight abs),

this little monkey loves hanging out in the sun and listening to the piano by his crib.

A better view of his beautiful brown locks.

Not only did Ty's work let him use some of his "sick" days to stay home and take care of us, but they also sent beautiful flowers to say congratulations!

ALL are HAPPY

Makinzie lost her other front tooth! We let out all of our energy on the MOUNTAIN of wood chips at the park. Spend lots of time smiling at our new brother. Becoming a pro at PBS kids. Making sure Beckett NEVER cries. Reading LOTS of books to pass the time.
And playing outside with the neighbors (that's the high squeaky voice in the background :)), Coleson discovered that if he twisted until his feet lifted off the ground it would take him on a very fun ride!

still PATHETIC

Apparently I spoke WAY too soon about my incredible recovery. I had to spend one night and morning on THIS bed (that very Saturday night after I blogged)...up and down between my "new towel bed" and the throne. I did the same thing a few days after getting home from the hospital with Coleson. I guess my body likes to FULLY cleanse itself and lose a quick 10lbs right after delivery...if it had asked for my opinion, I would have kept the 10lbs and not spent a few days feeling horrible, but that's just me.

So, the next day, I was incredibly USELESS. But, luckily Beckett is definitely still perfect and he didn't seem to mind...

And luckily Ty is still perfect too and he took control of EVERYTHING!

perfect

We have been spending a lot of time sleeping, eating, sleeping, LOVEing, cuddling, sleeping and soaking in the 80 degree sunshine (usually while sleeping). He is practically PERFECT in every way.

in LOVE

This little man has easliy won his way into my heart.

The last few minutes, hours, okay, even days, weeks (maybe even months) before he came seemed like they might absolutely break me...

especially those final few hours---horrible head cold (meaning I could not breath and was already wiped out)+bad hernia/hip/swollen vessel issues+utter exhaustion+being told he would litterally fall out as soon as labor started, so don't wait long at all to come in, and then still being in labor 12 hours later and thus, water already broken, being in need of some definitely not anticipated, even more pain inducing, pitocin=pretty rough and not ideal delivery.

BUT... Beckett and Heavenly Father must have had a little talk before he entered this world, because he has been so wonderful and sweet!

Life has definitely turned completely up hill for me, I haven't felt this good in a long time!

He has such a peacful demeanor and has allowed me many hours (at a time) of much needed rest (in my very own bed). He is a pro nurser (from the minute he arrived)--which makes a huge difference! Plus, he is just SO beautiful and always snuggling in...I can't get enough!