Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Three Weeks Old



Bright eyed & chubby cheeked, just as it should be!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Experiences

Some cute pictures from the last two weeks:








Last week, ok about 10 long days ago I was at the doctor with Ezra--just for a one week check up. I was asking the doctor about something and he said something that has stuck in my head since, for better or worse. He said, "Well, you are an experienced mother and you know blah, blah..." So he didn't say blah, blah, but he just continued on with his thought.
Here are my thoughts--since when did I graduate from being a "new mom" or even better "young mom" into an experienced mother?! To me, there are implications with this label, some good, some that need a little more acceptance on my part!
The good: I sorta know what I'm doing! I feel more confident in my decisions regarding the daily care of my children. We have five beautiful children to show for all this experience.
The part that needs more personal acceptance: I have way more gray hairs than when Julia was born. I have a wrinkle by left eyebrow that has somehow gotten a lot more apparent in the last four months! I worry more now about the safety and well being of my children than I did when I was a "new mom"--I guess it's true that ignorance is bliss!
I would love to compile a list of my funniest/most embarrassing/most stressful mom moments that have gotten me to this point of titled experience. But, that could be summed up with just what I woke up to this very morning:
Jack singing the Star Spangled Banner 50 times in a row because in his words, he feels like he needs to know it! Adam complaining to Jack that he is giving him a headache, even though Adam is playing with a play hammer at the same time. Julia throwing herself on my bed saying that I don't understand how tired she is. (Really?!, try waking up 3 times a night with new baby!) Luke squealing for me to come get him out of his crib while he throws his blanket, tiger and pillow out of his crib. And Ezra chiming in, to watch all the fun.
So, the list is endless, because something new happens every single day as a mother that is hilarious, stressful, embarrassing, worrysome and heartwarming---a constant cycle, just to make it worthy to get up everyday for more!

*On the pictures, I never know how they are going to look--somehow they don't show up for me on the preview. Anyway, here is Ezra at two weeks old, possibly getting sick of all the pictures! Ezra wearing the darling hat that my sister, Cari, made for him. Luke being cute! Adam all bundled up for Joy School. And yes, I need to take more pictures of Julia and Jack--it's on the list!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

One Week




Ezra is one week old and so darling! We have made it through that blur of time created by the first several days of a baby's life. I love that it is still amazing to look at a brand new baby. I love that he is ours and belongs to our family. He is so handsome with dark hair and blue eyes--I don't know if he'll keep either, but I love them both for now.

When I was about seven months pregnant with Jack, I had an interview with our Stake President in Salt Lake for a temple recommend. He knew that we had Julia and she was about a year and a half. He said, "I know what you're thinking--how can I possibly love another child the way I love this child." I was kind of embarrassed to say that that had crossed my mind. He replied, "Don't worry about that--your heart will grow in ways you can't imagine right now."

At the time, I thought--that's a nice sentiment, but he must not fully understand that I have the most beautiful and amazing daughter in the world! But, sure enough--he was sooo right!

My heart grew with my precious Jack, even after being so nervous about having a boy. My heart ached for another baby between Jack and Adam. And it grew so much with Adam, my little blondie baby. With Luke, I felt a calming love for him instantly. Luke has made my heart grow in ways I certainly could not have imagined, but in ways I am so eternally grateful for. And now with Ezra, the magic is not gone! I have had such an instant love for him.

My heart is full, but the amazing thing is despite the to-do lists, etc. of being a mom, I feel completely in control and empowered by my ability to love each of these children individually. I cannot imagine life without any one of them. So often, mothers don't feel enough--not organized enough, not productive enough, etc. All feelings I have had, but I complete reject any notion that I am not enough to provide the adequate amount of love to these children. I may have stressful days, but I feel at peace that my children know how much they are loved. This takes effort, but the amazing thing is that it's the most natural effort I have to make as a mom. It's not hard, like a lot of those other things on the to-do list!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Our Latest Addition...

I will have to do a catch up post about the month of January, but the first couple of days of February have shaped up to be quite eventful!


Get excited--I am no longer this...(although I may or may not still have the double chin)


The day after this photo, we unexpectedly were headed to the hospital for a long night. Then, early Tuesday morning, a very handsome little boy arrived!

Ezra Ross Chambers was born, weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces and measuring 20 inches. He has lots of dark hair and has quickly stolen our hearts!









Adam isn't too interested in holding Ezra, but still thinks he's cute! Luke is still just pointing at him. As long as I will still cuddle up next to Luke to watch Curious George, his world is complete! I have a feeling there will be a lot of watching Curious George in the next couple of months! And by the way, Luke suddenly looks like a giant to us!

I will post more pictures soon, as soon as I can.