a thousand words

homemade love

For the past two Christmases, the kids have created homemade gifts for each other.  Usually, the kids are out of school for a few days before the 25th.  So we take advantage of the time off and craft together-- not an everyday occurrence in this home!

Last year a tutu, a decoupaged bucket, and a stenciled apron were made.

This year Charlotte, Berk, & Stella embellished onsies for Isaac.  I had some clean, white Carter's onsies (my fave) in Isaac's drawer.  The kids chose the embellishment shape and color they wanted in Photoshop.  We then printed the designs onto "Print 'n Press" paper and ironed them onto the fabric. 

In Photoshop we prepped the designs by flipping them horizontally.  

Printing.

  

Ironing & peeling.

 

The finished product.

 

We were on a roll, so Charlotte embellished one of Stella's t-shirts. 

 

Stella made Char a bracelet and jazzed up a few magnet clips for Berk's bulletin boards.

 

 

Charlotte, who loves to help in the kitchen, made cookies in a jar for Berk.

 

We cut out one of Berk's old t-shirts for the fabric top.

 

Not pictured is the "Pink Grapefruit" Bubble bath Berk made for Stella and Charlotte.

The kids also helped to decorate kraft boxes and bags which the gifts were wrapped in.  It was such fun Christmas morning as the kids opened from one another.  The giver was FAR more excited than the recipient.  Thanks to Gabrielle for the great inspiration!

xxo

 

B.E.R.K.

A few weeks ago, Berkeley was the star of the week in his 2nd grade class.  On Friday of that week, the teacher invited me to come into his class and talk about why I love him and what makes him special.  Such fun!  I, like most mothers, could talk all day long about my children.  I used the letters of his name to guide my gushing about Berkeley.

B is for Big Brother.  Berk is a GREAT big brother.  He's a great example to his little sisters (even teaching them the finer art of wrestling!) and a huge help to me with Isaac.  Berk will take Isaac from me and hold him for up to an hour.   Someday Isaac will idolize his big brother-- I am sure of it!

E is for energy.  Berk has lots of it.  Most of Berk's energy goes towards sports.  Whether it's soccer, football, baseball, wiffle ball, tennis, hockey, swimming, lacrosse, or basketball-- he loves it all.  

R is for ready.  Berk is ready to turn 8 and be baptized a member of our church.  With his eigth birthday last week, Berk will be baptized tomorrow.  The family is trickling in from out of town and our beloved friends will be there.  We are also blessing Isaac.  Tomorrow will be a banner day!

K is for kind.  Berk is truly a kind, tenderhearted boy.  He is friends with lots of different people and finds the good in all of them.  He wants to do what's right and be good himself.  Berk often makes decisions based on making other people happy.  It's sweet to experience.

 

 

 

I love my boy.  

xxo

mom

10/31: before, during & after

Please pretend it's not the middle of November with Christmas music playing in the stores...  I have yet to post the obligatory Halloween photos (you're welcome, mom)!

Before the sugar rush.  Two cute black cats, a fussy pumpkin and a BYU football player. 

 

 

During (when berk was off with his friends. We were too slow for his serious candy collecting): 

After

 

It was a great night.  We had our 4th annual neighborhood potluck. Isaac snuggled happily in the sling while Morgan & I took the girls trick or treating.  Berk ran the neighborhood with his buddies.  I enjoyed a few too many 100 grand bars.  Isn't that what halloween is all about?  

bits

 

 

 

 

Nursing Isaac allows me much time to study all his little baby parts.  I especially like to play with his dark baby hair.  I hope he doesn't lose it and go lighter (as his siblings have).  His knee wrinkles are pretty great too!

Oh, and I do realize that I have three other children I should blog about.  They have not been forgotten and will reappear here soon!

xxo

 

one month

Today I would have been 40 weeks pregnant.  In fact, I had an induction scheduled for this morning.  It was my back up plan (I was induced with both girls because of hypertension).  A labor and delivery nurse called at 7:45am today.  She was wondering why I didn't show up for my appointment!  I kindly explained that I had a one month lying in the crib down the hall.  

The last month has been joyous with isaac.  While recovery has been difficult and the juggle of 4 kids overwhelming at times, I am so happy mr. i is here.  I've enjoyed my "bonus" month with him being so small and precious.  It pains me to no end (time! freeze!), but he's growing and getting bigger.  I think we've even moved on up from preemie to newborn diapers. :)  Isaac's more and more alert each day.  He takes everything in, calmly looking around with wide eyes. We're still up every 3-4 hours at night, but I don't even mind that.  It's the calmest time of my day!  

I just LOVE this tiny one.  

xo

p.s. all the picture credit goes to my fabulous friend, amy.  She agreed to come over today and take some photos of us together.  It was a great way to celebrate one month of isaac's life & such a treat to be in a photo WITH my kids.  I love you, amy!

a normal morning

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."  -Mary Jean Iron

{Photo snapped Friday, October 9 @ 8:37am.}  

It's the new normal around here.  

I spy a sleepy baby who kept mama up half the night, a nightlight that helps mama see during half the night, a rattle "gift" for Isaac from Char, a drawing for Isaac from Stella, a breast pump & monitor that need to be returned, a leftover (though unused) emesis basin from the hospital,  and a bedside table that needs to be replaced or recovered.  

Yet, I wouldn't change a thing.  

I don't need perfect right now.  

I choose to treasure my today.

xxo

p.s. on a related note, read this by the hilarious (she makes me laugh when I'm alone) and insightful cjane.  First the babies, then the vacuum lines.

photo essay: in the nicu

{days 1-5}

{days 6 & 7.  click to see bigger.}  

Thankfully, Isaac's nicu stay was seemingly routine and short lived.  While he was there he was cared for by our friend Lisa, worked out his breathing problems, went on and off IV fluids, learned to nurse like a champ, snuggled on mommy a LOT, and (most importantly) figured out how to live outside the warm isolette.  I came away from the nicu with an incredible appreciation for modern medicine, a love for patient angel nurses, and awe for parents who are there for complicated and difficult months on end.  Once again, we are so grateful for isaac's health!

{homeward bound}

After 1 week we were very anxious and very happy to bring mr. i home.                                   Can you tell we're in love with him already?

xxo

First Hours

Surprise, Surprise!  On September 28th, baby no. 4 decided to make an early appearance!  At 35 weeks, 4 days my water broke and off to the hospital we went.

After a few hours it became apparent that a c-section (my first) would be necessary.  My emotions ran high.  I cried a lot, feeling overwhelmed with everything.  In the end, it was all worth it.   Introducing...

Isaac Robert Harris

5 pounds 14 ounces

17 1/4 inches

28 September 2009

{Dad took over the "big camera" and did so well}

{My first glimpse at Isaac.  I fell in love in that moment.  Pure Joy.}

{Another first.}

{On to recovery}

{Proud Papa.  Though still completely numb, I couldn't resist holding the camera for a few shots!}

{My perfect view}

{They finally, FINALLY, let me hold him.  Overwhelming.}

Morgan and I feel so blessed that Isaac is here safe and healthy.  He spent the first week of his little life in the NICU (more photos to come!), and is now home in our arms.  We are a little bit tired, but mostly just grateful.

xxo

love made visible

There are kids in my life that I love like my own.  People in my life whom I love like my own blood. The Waites just happen to be people like that.  

We were able to create new Waite family portraits on what could have been a very difficult day, the one year mark since Camille's accident.  Go ahead and read Stephanie's blog for her description and details.

I don't normally share entire galleries or portrait sessions, but I happily followed my sister-in-law's lead on this one.  

I hope the love this family shares with those on earth and in heaven (as well as the love I have for them) is apparent here. 

enjoy.

xxo

(technical note: if the show is skipping... press play, then pause and let it load before watching)

Last night held one of those mothering moments I don't want to forget.  

Yesterday was a long day-- early surf camp, beach time, an evening trip to the grocery store with everyone in tow, fixing dinner, morgan working late, and a bedtime routine alone.  Add a 3rd trimester pregnant belly to the mix and I was wiped out by 8:00pm.  

9:00pm rolled around and I finally collapsed on the floor of the girls shared room.  Berk, Stella and Charlotte all gathered around me with books in hand.  As we 4 snuggled there & read "The Dinosaur Who Lived in My Backyard", I could feel movements of their baby brother within. Without warning, tears filled my eyes as I was overcome with love for my precious gifts.  The depth of my mother love for all four (4!) of them is endless.  After the books were read, each of the kids put their hands on my belly and felt brother flip and turn (he's an active one)!  They were delighted and the late night giggles ensued.  I laughed honestly through my tears.  

I am one happy, lucky woman.

{Stella, Charlotte & Berk.  Malad, Idaho. July '09}

xxo