Three Months

Autumn is three months. She is our little sweetheart and is settling in so well as our fourth family member. Most of the time, she is content to hang out with us on the sofa or the floor. She seems to be laid back and tolerant of her brother driving cars on her and giving lots of kisses. Autumn likes to be put in her bed when it is bed time. She will just lay there and stare until she falls asleep. This has been such a gift to me. She still sleeps in Mommy and daddy's room, as we are not ready to put her in the other room with Axel. I really enjoy being next to her at night.

Autumn is right in line with her big brother's growth pattern as she weighs 17 pounds now. She eats well, sleeps well and keeps us changing diapers like a baby should. She spends most of her time holding her little giraffes and chewing on them. It is so fun to see her learn about her hands. We try to do some tummy time (time-time as Axel says it) each day. Her brother likes to lay right there with her and show her his cars, telling her which one he is holding up. Axel also likes to show her how he can eat like a big boy, complete with naming each food he is chewing. He is becoming a really good big brother.

Her smiles, and the addition of laughter this last week, brings such joy to this house. We all love her and are so glad to have her with us. She is ours.

A Handmade Christmas Gift

Thanks to Auntie Sandra, Autumn is the most fashionable girl on the block. She embellished this onesie with some calico fabric, embroidery floss, buttons and the ever so sweet lace wings on the shoulders. And I didn't think Autumn could look any sweeter!

At Home

Axel playing cars on the couch. This is where most of his time is spent.

Usually, each morning as we are having breakfast and getting ready for the day, I am formulating in my head how I can get out of the house. I feel restless and a bit of cabin fever. I struggle to feel content staying at home, doing a few chores and, here's the big one, playing a bit with my kids. I have always known that sitting down with them and giving them my attention as we play cars, blocks or babies would be one of my biggest struggles. I am great at reading stories, but when the script is gone, so is my natural ability.

So, this past month I have been trying to concentrate on being with them. Training them, delighting in them and their company and playing. I still only manage a few minutes at a time, but really, Axel just wants me to drive each car a foot or so and park it in it's new location. I actually find myself more cheerful at the end of the day when we have had a day at home without going out to immerse ourselves in the culture of consuming that we are surrounded by. My babies are so sweet, and they won't be babies for long. Being more deliberate in many areas of my life is the goal for me in the new year. I am starting with focusing on my family to the exclusion of the world outside our walls. Sometimes it is dark and lonely for me in this house, but to appreciate the life God has given me this year is to allow myself to be in this place and appreciate it for what it is. A house full of my most precious companions.

Here is what it usually looks like in our house. No photo shop, no lighting, just us in our mess.

Tummy time on Axel's unmade bed.

I guess you could say we spend most of our day climbing, sitting, cuddling and playing on the couch.