I finally caught her smile on camera. And a few other faces to enjoy.
Saturday, August 28
Sunday, August 22
moments
A couple nights ago, after we put L down for bed, I sat down on the couch with little LE asleep in my arms. The sun was setting, and through our back window the last few glimmers of daylight were coming through right onto her face. The light was a beautiful, soft glow and it honestly created this perfect moment in time. It was a moment when I didn't think about anything else except this precious little baby and all the possibilities that lay before her.
I asked Ry to bring the camera to me, and I tried valiantly to capture that moment. I thought that if I could catch it on the camera, then this picture would include all of my hopes and dreams and wishes for her. Perhaps this "perfect picture" would somehow be able to tell of all the love I feel for her, how my heart is hers forever, how there is nothing I would want more than to see her live a happy and full life. This picture would show how I want to be there every step of the way for her, help her when she falls, teach her how to be strong, show her how to laugh and be happy. Somehow within that frame I could teach her the life lessons I have learned, and the testimony that I have gained over the years that has shaped who I am. Maybe this picture could even help her understand that while being a mom is hard, it is by far the best decision I ever made in my life and I have felt pure joy because of it. Not the surface-level pleasure you get when life is easy; but the deep, eternal joy you feel when the challenges make you grow and progress in a way you never thought possible. Pure joy that results from putting every single bit of energy and life into one purpose, and knowing that by doing so you are doing the best you can. If I could find just the right angle, then this picture could possibly tell her what real love is, and how that love is never ending.
I snapped dozens of pictures that evening, and yet not a single one turned out. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I've never been good with words. That might be why I love to take pictures. But the emotions and feelings I had that night staring at this perfect, beautiful baby were so intricate and profound that there is no way for words or pictures to adequately portray them.
Accepting the fact that these emotions were too strong to confine to a camera lens, I put the camera down and simply held her. My memory will have to suffice for this time, as it did for a similar experience I had with L when he was a newborn. It seems the newness and purity we feel from them as infants rubs off and sparks these eternal thoughts and longings. And it's not something that can be explained through one picture, or one conversation. It's something that needs to be taught over their entire lifetime; pictures and words just catch segments along the way. I love those smaller moments, but it's nice every once in a while to catch a panoramic view of it all.
I asked Ry to bring the camera to me, and I tried valiantly to capture that moment. I thought that if I could catch it on the camera, then this picture would include all of my hopes and dreams and wishes for her. Perhaps this "perfect picture" would somehow be able to tell of all the love I feel for her, how my heart is hers forever, how there is nothing I would want more than to see her live a happy and full life. This picture would show how I want to be there every step of the way for her, help her when she falls, teach her how to be strong, show her how to laugh and be happy. Somehow within that frame I could teach her the life lessons I have learned, and the testimony that I have gained over the years that has shaped who I am. Maybe this picture could even help her understand that while being a mom is hard, it is by far the best decision I ever made in my life and I have felt pure joy because of it. Not the surface-level pleasure you get when life is easy; but the deep, eternal joy you feel when the challenges make you grow and progress in a way you never thought possible. Pure joy that results from putting every single bit of energy and life into one purpose, and knowing that by doing so you are doing the best you can. If I could find just the right angle, then this picture could possibly tell her what real love is, and how that love is never ending.
I snapped dozens of pictures that evening, and yet not a single one turned out. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I've never been good with words. That might be why I love to take pictures. But the emotions and feelings I had that night staring at this perfect, beautiful baby were so intricate and profound that there is no way for words or pictures to adequately portray them.
Accepting the fact that these emotions were too strong to confine to a camera lens, I put the camera down and simply held her. My memory will have to suffice for this time, as it did for a similar experience I had with L when he was a newborn. It seems the newness and purity we feel from them as infants rubs off and sparks these eternal thoughts and longings. And it's not something that can be explained through one picture, or one conversation. It's something that needs to be taught over their entire lifetime; pictures and words just catch segments along the way. I love those smaller moments, but it's nice every once in a while to catch a panoramic view of it all.
Tuesday, August 17
days of summer
Summer is almost over and we are still alive and going strong. Life has been a little slow yet fast, quiet yet loud, and mundane yet fun. A little bit of everything! Here are some pictures of what we've been up to lately.
L continues to be in full swing with the toddler tantrums, but yet is SO incredibly fun to play with. I'll take the bad as long as I get the good! He is a constant riot who loves to be tickled, chased, thrown around, and loved. He is a great big brother and insists very firmly to hold little LE and give her hugs and kisses multiple times a day. Whenever she cries he runs over and hugs her - why? Duh! Because you need hugs when you're sad! It's so tender it melts my heart! He's talking a ton, although still requires an interpreter when we're out in public. But he has a good heart, is sensitive to others, and is full of energy.
Here he is reading a book to his animals. He loves to read and has memorized enough to be able to turn each page and say exactly what is on each one in multiple different books (Pajama Time and Barnyard Dance are his current favorites - currently his deal is to read one out loud while Mom/Dad reads the other one out loud, then we switch).
L continues to be in full swing with the toddler tantrums, but yet is SO incredibly fun to play with. I'll take the bad as long as I get the good! He is a constant riot who loves to be tickled, chased, thrown around, and loved. He is a great big brother and insists very firmly to hold little LE and give her hugs and kisses multiple times a day. Whenever she cries he runs over and hugs her - why? Duh! Because you need hugs when you're sad! It's so tender it melts my heart! He's talking a ton, although still requires an interpreter when we're out in public. But he has a good heart, is sensitive to others, and is full of energy.
Here he is reading a book to his animals. He loves to read and has memorized enough to be able to turn each page and say exactly what is on each one in multiple different books (Pajama Time and Barnyard Dance are his current favorites - currently his deal is to read one out loud while Mom/Dad reads the other one out loud, then we switch).
We've watched Daddy play some sports lately in the park, and we always make time to play ourselves. This kid has some serious skills when it comes to soccer, football, volleyball, and frisbee. Honestly. Skillz.
Making some of our favorite cookies and eating them up way too fast. L is getting really good at stirring and helping mom. I'm always too paranoid to leave him and go grab the camera for the 'action' shots - maybe next time!
We "share the road" here. Don't you worry - there's plenty of room for all of us.
This is what we did last Friday when Ryan was 'post-call' but yet was sent home at 7pm the night before because nothing was going on. Full night's sleep AND the next day off. WOW! We love Anesthesia! :)
I must say that there is nothing better than watching Ry and L have so much fun playing together. It makes life so rewarding and fulfilling to have those wonderful family moments. The top right picture of them walking down to the water together is so sweet to me - they really are best buds together and I couldn't be happier!
Playing in the pool at a friend's apartment complex. He hated those floaty-things and we took them off promptly after we got these cute pictures.
Especially if you take her over to the swings afterwards ...
Wednesday, August 11
one month!
LE is one month old! Hooray!
LE stats:
9 lbs. 4 oz. (50%)
21 in. (45%)
She's growing, but not near as fast as L did at this age, so it's still surprising to fit her into newborn size diapers and to not have any clothes that she's outgrown yet! But I love her tiny-ness and want to hold onto it as long as possible.
A few favorites:
~She loves to watch us and follow us with her eyes
~As of today {8.11.10} she smiled for the first time!!
~L loves to give her lots of hugs and kisses
~She's a decent sleeper but still struggles with the initial going-to-sleep time
~I can't wait to hear her voice when she babbles - we've caught glimpses of it and it is to die for cute!
~Loves the swing and yet does fairly well at laying down on her own so I can do other things
~Still gets fussy and screams, but isn't near as colicky as L was at this age
~She's holding onto her hair!! I think it still might disappear a little bit, but since she had so much to begin with there's still a lot there
~While on the subject of hair, the color is turning this beautiful auburn-red. I absolutely love it.
~Her skin has finally stopped peeling! L's skin didn't peal hardly at all, so this was a new experience for me
~Sadly she has a lot of baby acne which is also new to me as a mom, but I still think she's beautiful. :)
~I'm definitely biased in my affection and adoration for this little girl. She's perfect.
Mommy and LE after a quick bath before church
This is typically how she spends the afternoon/early evening. She hates to have her neck straight and will only sleep when it's all crooked and bent like that. Weirdo.
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