Fall is my favorite season!
Especially in Colorado.
The Aspens are starting to turn colors in Rocky Mountain Nat. Park.
The nights are getting cooler.
I'm frantically trying to organize closets and clean out the kids' clothes.
{changing their closets with the seasons is such a job!}
My mom is still here in town with us- 5 weeks and going!
I am feeling more and more like myself since my recent surgery.
Nursing is getting easier and Hollin is starting to form her own natural schedule.
I've booked the clubhouse for Harbor's 6th birthday.
I have a lot of work to do, but am so happy for him.
This will be his first friend party since he turned two!
His other parties, since we lived away, were celebrated with just us.
{3rd birthday in Detroit on Belle Isle
4th birthday in Chicago on Lake Michigan by Navy Pier
5th birthday in Colorado at Garden of the Gods}
[Click here to see parties 1st-4th!]
and
[Click here to see his 5th party here in Colorado]
He is so excited to have a real party with his friends!
David has been working on a few big projects at work.
Despite that, he has found time to cycle in the mornings when time allows
and take the kids to the park on these first nice days of Fall.
Today, we sadly attended a funeral for a co worker's son.
He was young with a wife and three very small children.
Heart breaking!
While there, I had the opportunity to meet many of David's team,
which was nice to put names and faces together.
Since we were already dressed up for the funeral, my mom kindly snapped a few outside pictures of us.
{Thanks, Mom!}
We happened to hit the time of day just right to catch that beautiful hazy sunshine.
The little boys wanted to explore until a runner
{does everyone in Colorado run and climb and hike and bike? Everyone is in crazy good shape!}
came by to warn us of a bona-fide rattle snake up ahead on the path. Needless to say, we all crept back closer to the trail head and kept a close eye on our feet.
Ha!
{If you know my mom in real life, you know how hilarious that moment was! Poor Mom!}
: )
I feel so overwhelmed when I see these pictures.
My heart is so full it hurts. I feel so blessed.
I would say lucky, but I believe beyond question that these kiddos are from Him.
How and why he chose me to mother them is beyond me, but I'm so thankful He did.
David is pretty great, too!
A wonderful husband who works his tail off to provide
and a loving father who is never, ever too busy to play with his kids.
Yes, blessed.
: )
Hollin is quickly approaching her one month birthday!
Slow down, time!
When she was just three weeks old, I underwent surgery to have my gallbladder removed.
To say I was nervous is an understatement.
I'm not a gal who feels comfortable taking pain medication- or who enjoys needles.
The thought of being put under with a tiny nursing newborn was not all that appealing,
but I knew it was time. Gallbladder attacks aside, I'd not had any red meat, soda, dairy {no cheese at all!}, processed foods {not even a single bite of Ritz cracker!} or high fat anything for five long months.
That means no tacos, lasagna, spaghetti, creamy soups, steak, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, Diet Coke, french fries, chips and salsa, potato salad, cookies, cakes, or casseroles for five long months.
I've basically been eating lots of salads, baked chicken, green beans, and baked potatoes.
{which is probably the way I should continue to eat!}
Surgery went well, though I'm definitely still in the recovery process.
I'm back down to my pre-baby weight and hope to keep up some of these good eating habits, though I miss ground beef and cheese. My husband and kiddos have adopted my eating habits during this pregnancy, so we've all learned a great deal about self control when it comes to processed treats. All that aside, I'm looking forward to eating some of my favorites in moderation again soon.
: )
I celebrated my 33rd birthday in bed with an ice pack and a good book
{I'm reading the Divergent series and on the third book}
and am doing really well post surgery.
I was treated first thing in the morning with gifts from my family, which was a fun treat.
My mom is thankfully still here to help with the kids.
Very blessed to have a mom who can commit to stay and help for a full month.
It was a great birthday!
Hollin is growing and thriving!
She is nursing exclusively and weighs about 8.6 pounds at 4 weeks.
She is a quiet, easy baby which is an answer to prayer.
Very thankful for my little girl.
My brain is already surging ahead to Halloween costumes for our church's Fall festival,
my Christmas cards that will need assembling soon, and the fun winter activities ahead of us.
The changing of the seasons plus being a mom to three little ones sure makes for fun, but busy months ahead!
To celebrate Labor Day, we took to the great outdoors for a quick photo shoot with our tiny one-week old, Hollin. These pictures are so sweet to me. I love that we are finally able to hold her in our arms.
Since my mom is still here in town, I'm also thankful that we didn't have to employ the use of our tripod. One week postpartum plus running around with a self timer could be disastrous. I am thankful, however, for a quick recovery and the ability to spend time with my family out of the house.
{Harbor William {5 yrs.}, Henry Edward {19 months}, & Hollin Leslie {1 full week}
