. . . her Mother.

She’s got me wrapped around her little finger, and she knows it! I just wish I could catch a few zzzzzzz’s when she does (23 hours a day) . . . but with three other kiddos to love that just doesn’t happen.

. . . and this is some of what I did on Mother’s Day:

{this chair was purchased mostly for DH as a “Sunday Nap Chair.” I love to snuggle with the kids in it- and I would say I use it more than the Papa Bear. Perhaps it is “too soft” for his liking? Anyhow, it is great for a Sunday Snooze, because it is in our sunniest room in the house, and it reclines really far back so you can actually get some rest in it. Baby C. seems to like it too.}

I hope all of you Mothers and Mothers-to-be enjoyed a beautiful, sunny, snuggly Mother’s Day on Sunday. I am so thankful for my own Mom and Mother-in-law who made me feel extra loved on Sunday too.

. . . with our brand new baby girl! We’re so glad to be home now and settling in to a new routine as a family of six. Baby C’s arrival came late Saturday night following a swift and intense labor and delivery. She is 6 lbs. 13 oz. & 19.5″ long. She’s by far our tiniest baby yet she is healthy and robust and her proportions seem perfect. She’s eating like a champ and working hard to add some chub onto her petite frame.

Our sweet babe has won us over with her beautiful eyes, heavenly scent and purely amazing spirit packaged in such a perfect little body. My recovery has been quite remarkable and there’s no doubt we have been blessed to feel the concerns regarding the baby’s growth quickly fade away. Her sisters and brother are smitten with her and I feel spoiled that being the mom I get to hold her the most!

I will post more details and pictures soon, but for now– a quick sneak peak!

We are gearing up for baby in “T minus two months.” I’m due May 7th, but M. arrived a surprising two weeks early, so perhaps we’ll have some baby news in a mere 6 weeks! We’re so excited. . . and so far I’ve been feeling great and am still highly functioning. I haven’t kept up with blogging the way I’d like to, but there’s only so much of me to go around (and around).

I am on a “baby high” right now, as one week ago today I had the amazing privilege of being the birth photographer for my brother and his wife. Documenting the entrance into the world of a gorgeous baby girl (also my niece) was wonderful, and I will post some pictures soon. She was one of the most alert and wide-eyed newborns I’ve ever seen at just minutes old.

Also, I am planning to do hypno-birthing this time around. I am still convincing DH that he’ll do just fine (though I think he should be the one assuring me, right?). With my first two babies I chose to go the natural (unmedicated) route and opted for an epidural with M. who happened to be posterior. For baby #4 I would love to go natural again, but with some implemented relaxation techniques that can help get me through it. So if you can’t reach me, perhaps I am practicing my “deep relaxation” techniques and I am able to tune out the phone and computer.

For those who may be curious, we haven’t settled on a name. Finding the perfect name for another girl is tricky . . . and I’d like her to have a unique letter of the alphabet from our other family initials: M, A, S, K. Any suggestions?