Up for Sale

Our house is offically up FOR SALE! Thanks to my dear friend, Amanda, for flying all night to get here from Olympia, WA, painting, painting, painting and staging and mostly, for keeping me motivated! Thanks to my friends Debbie, Elyse, Kellie, Linda and our Bishop for watching my kids so we could get this done. Thank you mom for coming back and helping out, again! It wouldn't have come together without all of you! It looks great and I am loving it! (I swear I turned all the pictures the correct way before I downloaded them.)

I just love this little sweater set that was given to Norah by her Great-Aunt Verna Lee.

Aunt Verna Lee bought this set in the 50s.

Little Norah is blessed to be the recipient of such a beautiful hand-made gift.

It is a little treasure. Just like Norah!

5 Years Ago...

...Jackson David joined our family. What a sweet love he has been! He is a bit like his dad in more ways than just his looks. He is reserved, quiet (mostly), determined to do anything he wants to, adored by Cole, loves sports and loves his mommy! He's been waiting to turn 5 since November (Mia's birthday). We are so blessed to have him in our family!

Can't get enough

Every once in a while I get lucky and Norah will smile for me. It just melts my heart.

One Month

I really cannot believe that Norah is one month! Where has the time gone? She hasn't changed much to me but she is gaining weight growing. She is now 6 pounds 6 ounces. She sleeps really well for me at night and I am starting to feel human again. Cole has been so great with her! He often tells her he loves her so much and is very concerned when she cries or grunts. He really is sweet with her and very careful. Norah is such a sweet baby and is spending more time awake and looking around. I am just anxious for her first smiles. She will wake up if I talk to her and track me with her eyes. Even after 4 babies I am amazed with how they know my voice and respond. She is so much fun!

Norah's photo shoot

http://imakephotographs.blogspot.com/

One Week Old

Oh, my little Norah is already a week old in these pictures. I just can't believe it. It seems like she just got here yesterday but has also been here even longer. She is just so sweet and precious, cuddly and beautiful! She is such an angel, hardly cries and when she does it is just squeeky. I have to get it on video! It's been a rough week as far as adjusting to this new little person in our lives goes but we will get there. If only I could stay awake to feed her at night. She is not latching or nursing right now so I am pumping and giving her a bottle. It still takes a good 30 min for her to suck down 1.5-2 ounces. I went and got faster flow nipples today. We have been to lactation twice and are working on the sucking. She just falls asleep so easily! She will go one 5 hour stretch at night and that has been nice. The pumping in the night isn't as nice but I know she really needs my milk at this point. I do get to nap during the day and I am certainly tired enough to sleep hard at night.

I am feeling good. I was a bit skeptical after I got home that I would feel this good this soon. I did the dishes today and did some light vacuuming. Nothing big. I was a bit beat after that. I have a new respect for any woman who has had a c-section and an even greater appreciation for those who have had to have more than one.

I have been so blessed to have my mom to take care of us. Colin has filled in where needed and there has certainly been a need. I am so lucky to have all my needs, as well as my families needs, taken care of. Thank you Mom! Thank you Colin!

Lastly, which is worse - the 2 year old without a nap at 5pm but who goes to bed at 7, or the 2 year old who has napped but won't stay in bed at 8pm?

More hospital pictures of Norah

Norah Jane Croshaw

She's Here and we're home

We made it home from the hospital today. It felt like a long time but 4 days was worth the stay. I ended up with a c-section and am doing okay. Norah is the best baby! She sleeps so much that it is hard to get her to wake to eat. We are working on it though and I suppose in a week or two we will have it down. It just takes practice. Norah weighed in at only 5lbs 14oz. My smallest baby by far. She is 18 1/2 inches. She only lost 6oz and has leveled out. We are just so happy to have her and she is just so sweet. She makes these cute little squeeky noises. It is so relaxing to hold her. She is pretty floppy. Her siblings really adore her, Mia especially. Here are a few pictures. I am really tired and need to head to bed.

11 Years Down

A day late, that's my motto! 11 years and one day ago I married my very best friend. Colin has made my life better than I could have ever hoped for. He understands me, puts up with me and still loves me after all these years. I often marvel at how two people stay in love after learning each other's quirks and short-comings. I have plenty, I know. Colin keeps me going when I am so ready to be done with my day or our kids or whatever. He's understanding of my weaknesses. He lets me "do my own thing" when I want to and doesn't complain about my hobbies, pancakes for dinner, a sink full of dishes or having to fix his own lunches for work. I am one lucky girl and I am thankful every day for Colin and all he does for me and our family. Thanks for all of it babe! The good and the bad have made us stronger and I love you!