A Visit with Daddy and Grandmama

This past Wednesday Daddy and Grandmama came for the day to see our newest addition and to spend time with the other cuties. It was so nice getting to spend time with them, and of course the cuties loved it (especially the Valentine's Day baskets Grandmama brought and the candy Daddy brought)! I loved the delicious lunch they made for us!

Here are a few pictures from our day:
(I would have taken more, but I was too busy enjoying their company.)

Cute Picture of the Day

I love moments like these, but I love capturing them with my camera even more!

For the Record

I would just like to go on record as saying that I hate it when one of my cuties are sick. I think I would rather have them running around like wild hoodlums.
Who is the latest victim of the dreaded cold (or at least that is what I hope it is)?

My sweet little Braden

Oh how I love this little girl!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I just say that I LOVE this little girl, this little ball of fire, this little mix of sugar and a whole lot of spice?!!!!

She is CONSTANT entertainment for us!

If she is not running around the house sporting a hand towel, dish towel, or a wash cloth on her head (yeah, we are still trying to figure this one out too),

then she is refusing to take off gloves while she eats (mismatched of course, it wouldn't be Emma if they matched),

or chilling in shades while she eats,

or just sporting some cool shades while posing for the camera and attacking her big brother (she is always willing to stop mid-attack to smile for the camera),

or sneaking into her brother's room to ransack and pillage, always leaving with contraband, in this case Valentine's Day candy (as you can see, she is also willing to share her loot),

or doing a number of other Emma like activities, for example: waving hello to everyone she sees, giving out hugs and kisses to those she loves, stripping down to nothing running around the house screaming "nakey, nakey", using my eyeliner to make her doll look pretty, pulling out all of the dental floss, pouring shampoo all over the bathroom floor, throwing random toys in the bath tub, and wreaking general havoc on the Maseda household.

Okay, not everything she does is entertaining, but I still love her! I can't help myself; she is just so stinkin' cute!!!!

Proof

Today was the real test, I was left alone with all 4 kids while Rich went out to do church stuff. How did it go you ask? Well, first I fed all the cuties lunch, cleaned up, read them books and then put

Not 1

Not 2

Not 3

but all 4 children down for a nap,

and then I laid down for a nap.

Proof that

MIRACLES have NOT ceased!

The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth

If you encounter this little girl

be prepared to be told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; this truth will also come often unsolicited (luckily for her, I love her more than words can explain). I should also mention that being that she is only four years old, she has not been schooled in the fine art of tact (something of which we are working on daily).




Well, today this little truth teller informed me that my tummy was getting smaller, but that I was still a little chubby (okay, maybe she has a little tact, because I am more than a little chubby). As you may have guessed, living with this little love has helped me have thick skin, and it has helped me be very aware of all of my faults; I don't want it to come as a shock when she points them out to me, and believe me, she will point them out!

So here I am world in all my "a little chubby" glory. I think if I would have heard this comment right after Braden, I would have been bothered. It is amazing how things change the more children you have. I don't feel the need to put crazy expectations on myself anymore. I know that when I hit about the five week mark, I will feel up to walking and getting back in shape, because I do want to look like this again.

In the meantime though, I am just fine being "a little chubby." I'm too busy enjoying my new little miracle and adjusting to life with four hoodlums. My life right now is about healing, making precious memories, and embracing my role as mother and homemaker goddess.

So one day I will look like this once again,

but for now all I have to give is "a little chubby"; when I think about the miracle that just came into my life: his sweet cheeks, little toes and hands, his sweet innocent spirit, and all that life holds for him, and when I think about how I got to be a co-creator with God, I am okay with "a little chubby".

So I say, BRING IT ON LITTLE GIRL,

What else do you have? Hit me with your best shot!

I can take it!

Colton's First Sponge Bath

Tonight Colton got his first sponge bath, and I am pretty sure he liked it; afterwards, he was very relaxed.

Here is the laid back cutie now, chilling after his first bath of many to come.

A Little Longer than First Expected

Yesterday we took this little cutie to the doctor and discovered that he is a little longer than we first thought.

Colton Edward

Born February 13th

9 lbs. 9 oz.

21 1/2 inches long

Colton?

Could it be Colton?

No, it is just me as a baby.

Life is Good!

Well, the big day finally arrived, Colton Edward made his grand appearance this past Friday at 6:03 p.m., weighing in at a grand total of 9lbs. and 9oz.!

Here are some pictures of our newest cutie patootie:

The little bruiser and I were released Saturday night to come home, thanks to a nurse I had in my corner; she helped plead my case to the doctor, and since Colton and I were both doing great, he agreed. It feels good to be home, and it feels good to be with my other cuties again; they by the way, LOVE their new brother! In fact, we worry that Emma may love him a little too much; we are making it a point to keep an eye on our little resident hugger and baby kisser.

I also am glad to be home because of all of the love and support I have received so far. My mama and sister Elizabeth came yesterday to see the new bundle of chub and cuteness; they came not only bearing gifts but also a lot of love and support.

They bought us supper last night, Mama made pumpkin muffins for this morning, and she and Elizabeth made a big lunch for us this afternoon. Mama also brought us some Valentine's Day decorations, a new red rug for the kitchen, a slipcover for my Boppy, some St. Patrick's day decorations and soap, and some stationery and lipstick just for me; she also brought an adorable outfit and some delicious banana bread from my Aunt Ann and a catch your eye, red, diaper bag from my Aunt Lisa. To add to this love, Elizabeth brought a little treat for each child, two cute outfits for Colton, and a belated birthday present for Brooke. My own dear family also showered me with love and presents, Braden picked out pink roses and a Valentine's Day balloon for me, Rich got me a card, some jelly beans, and a stuffed bear, Brooke picked out a balloon, and both of the oldest cuties made a card for me. Just wait, it gets better; tonight Lorinda and Bev showed up at my house bearing food, delicious food I might add. It sure feels good to feel loved and to be at home, and to not be pregnant anymore but to be holding the miracle in my arms; life is good!

And did I forget to mention, the new nursing cover I ordered was waiting for me in the mailbox when we got home Saturday night; yeah,

life is good!