Friday, August 2, 2013


Well our computer hasn't been working so well the last couple months and I finally figured out how to post photos.  Hallelujah.

The other day I got the kids bathed and somewhat put together, and thought it would be fun to do some photos.  Of course in my head they were going to be epic, with all the kids smiling and the lighting just right, and every picture in focus.  Ha!
The whole time I sounded like this, "Oakley smile!  Aspen look at me!  Cheese!  Oakley look at me when you're smiling.  Aspen, put your legs down.  Oakley, stop poking Birch!  Aspen, what's that thing in your mouth?  Is it food?  Take it out.  Now smile again!  With your mouth open......" You know the drill.
I couldn't figure out how to get the kids in the same light.  But all things considered, here are some photos of all the kids, all in one place, whether they're looking or not, and I'm giving myself a big pat on the back!
So life the past two months has been crazy, I'm not going to lie.  At the same time I look at my three kids and think, "they're mine.  I have 3 beautiful children that the Lord has given to me!"  It's pretty overwhelming and I feel very blessed.
Birch has this way of reassuring me that I'm doing things right, or at least good enough :)  Sometimes I'll be feeding him and notice he's not eating, and then look down at him and he's just staring up at me, smiling.  I'm telling you that makes all the difference to me.  He eats every 2 hours for 45 minutes, so we get a lot of couch time together, and getting a smile like that goes a long way for me.  Especially because sitting down can be a very hard thing for me to do!
Aspen has been so helpful with Birch, and the moment she hears him crying runs to him calling, "Birchy!  Birchy!  It's okay."  Oakley has this fascination with people's eyes lately (and saying actually after every sentence), and always wants to see Birch's eyes.  He gets upset if they're closed.  He also loves his little brother, which I have to admit I was a little anxious about.
Eric likes to make up songs to sing to the baby (which I find very amusing, hopefully he won't mind that I mentioned it), and has been getting a lot of time alone with Aspen and Oakley while I'm on the couch nursing.  It's been great for Eric and Oakley that Birch came along, because Oakley has always been a mama's boy and now is getting some quality daddy time.




There's that thing that was in Aspen's mouth. She still likes to put stuff in there, regardless of it being identifiable.  "Mom, what is this?" She'll ask me, once it's been in her mouth for 5 minutes already.
As for me, I've been trying to get back to normal as much as possible, which is really good for me.  I've been running and eating right, and it feels amazing!

Aspen starts kindergarten in a couple weeks.  I've been really nervous about it, but I think it'll be good for Oakley to get some one-on-one time with me, and good for Aspen to have some time out of the house.  Okay I'm sorry but Birch's expression in this shot is so funny, I can't stand it.
Anyway, she's nervous about it because she doesn't like change, but is so social and loves to learn so much that I'm sure once she goes she won't want to come home.
Here's a little close-up of Birch.  He looks like Aspen when he cries, otherwise I think he's got his own look.  He does this thing now where he cries like the saddest kitten you've ever heard.



Well that's the end of my musings for now.  :)  Have a great weekend!


5 comments:

Bethany Fegles Photography said...

I LOVED this post! So true and so real. I was laughing at you describing what you were saying to your kids to get them to all look and smile and sit still - soo funny, because boy can I relate!! :) Oh man, not easy! My trick is to either ask them all to laugh (fake laugh is a-ok) or I may even play simon says and eventually simon says to smile big or laugh! And I click fast.

That will be great for Aspen to go to Kindergarten. I bet she'll love it too. And that will be such precious time with your handsome boys.

I can't get over how much Oakley looks like you, by the way!
You're a great mom and doing a great job! Three kids is hard work, but yes, such a blessing!
xoxo
B

Jodi and Jesse said...

I can't believe how old the kids look. They are so cute. What a beautiful family.

Sasha Cornelius Eggli said...

Yay for another post! Cute post. And darn cute kids! I think Aspen looks more like you the older she gets. You guys make really cute kids. You should have more really cute kids...

Demri Kuykendall said...

Chelsi thanks for the pics! So cute! There are sure some great pictures in there!

Petertammenson said...

Oh, congratulations!!! Birch!! I love it!! You have such beautiful children!