Miss Brielle

Brielle is three .... and a half months old! I don't know where the last two weeks have gone! I've been wanting to take some pictures and blog about her but it just hasn't happened until now. She is laying beside me watching her little fists move in front of her face. I could just eat her up!

We are loving this little girl. She is full of smiles these days. My mom bought her one of those floor play mats as an early Christmas present and she loves it. She will kick and move her little hands around and make all kinds of adorable baby noises contently under it for a long time. She's not so impressed with the bumbo. She holds herself up pretty well, but it seems she would much rather be laying down.

She loves Natalie. She will strain her little neck to get a glimpse of her whenever she hears her voice. Natalie loves her too. It's so fun to watch this bond grow. Natalie's favorite thing right now is to sing "Jesus loves me" to her and she loves to talk to her. If I interrupt she will say, "I'm talking to Brielle." Please, don't let me intrude :)

She's packing on the pounds too. I don't think she's far behind anymore, maybe not behind at all. I love my chubby cheek babies! What a little miracle - I love this girl.

Sweet Escape

We went away this weekend with some friends from Lancaster. Her parents own a cabin that they graciously let us stay at. This was our fourth time going there. The first time I was just pregnant with Natalie. It is kind of a fun reminder to think back to each time we've been there and see all the changes in our family.

Shaun and Holly were such a blessing to us in Lancaster. Hans worked with Shaun and we attended the same church and eventually were involved in a small group with them. Three years after we've moved back to Chambersburg they are still a blessing to us and we are able to pick up where we left off each time.

I was a little nervous about going overnight with both girls, but it was a fun, relaxing weekend. The girls did great - I think there is something about that cabin that encourages sleep! Natalie went to bed by her request at 7:00 Saturday night and she took a nap on the couch Sunday morning - this is the girl that's been fighting bedtime and naptime for months. I'm a little embarrassed to mention that Hans and I also fell asleep in the living room around 9:00 Saturday night - sorry Shaun and Holly, it was just too relaxing!

Anyway, here are some pictures from the weekend.

To those of you that know Natalie very well - this amazed us! She was so excited to ride this four wheeler, as well as a bigger one, and a dirt bike with her Daddy!

Me with both of my girls sleeping on the couch on a Sunday morning - I love, love, love getting away!

A Mess

I'm sitting here holding sweet baby girl as she sleeps and marveling at the grace and beauty of God. Not much more to say other than every time I find myself becoming overwhelmed by all that's required of me at this stage, I can't help but to see His hand at work. My life's a mess. I don't say that because things are really so hard or bad in my life right now, but because I see these glimpses of who I am outside of who God is and it's not pretty. My prayer this morning was quick and simple, but sometimes with the demands of mothering I overlook this truth. "God, I need you more than these girls need me. Invade my space today." So thankful for a God that sees beyond the mess.

Snow Day!

A snow day in October has actually been refreshing. Natalie and I were sick most of the week, and Hans has been busy with work, so an excuse to stay home was just what we needed to recuperate! Here are some pictures from our day.

This is the beginning of Hans' and Natalie's snowman. It had three more big snowballs on top of this, but I missed the photo op.

Brielle was worn out after her big two minute trip out into the snow.

Natalie was so excited about the snow. She definitely enjoyed it more than last year. She didn't even mind too much when her mittens got wet.


Brielle is starting to smile a lot now. I couldn't quite capture it.

Hans was building a computer for church, and Natalie wanted to help. He set her to work on her keyboard. I think she's a lot like her daddy.

Fall Family Outing

I've started so many posts in the past week, but none of them have been completed. I figured I would just post some pictures, and hope to write more later. These are from our trip to City Park last weekend.

The Park

After my last post I wanted to show the wonderful part of being a Mommy to these little princesses. We have a park within walking distance now, and we have been enjoying a little escape in the afternoons. I love these times and what they have been teaching me about letting things go and enjoying the moments!

Transitions

This has been a tough week for me. It seems like all the newness of being a family of four wore off or settled in and I was just left as a frazzled momma of a toddler and newborn. Which by the way is what I want to be minus that frazzled part, but some days it just seems like I need a big dose of remembering why I want to be that. Because despite all that's wonderful about this stage of life, there's plenty that's just tough.

Natalie is two. I say this not because it's a bad thing, but because sometimes I just need to remind myself. She is not three or four or twelve. She's two - adorably, lovably two. And with all the things I love about this age come some challenges.

Potty training is one of them. I wanted to accomplish that before Brielle came and then the timing just didn't seem right and/or I was feeling a little bit pregnant/lazy. Then as soon as Brielle came Natalie wanted to use the potty all the time. So anyway we are working on it and I'm realizing how very impatient I can be when things do not go as planned (aka there are too many soggy or poopy diapers.)

In general, I think God is showing me how ungracious I can be sometimes. This vibrant little girl pushes my buttons, and I react. So in turn, this vivacious little girl pushes them again. It's a game we are playing and sometime I am going to catch on and remind myself that she is two and that she is overall lovely.

Brielle, my little peanut still wants to sleep most of the time - during the day. She falls asleep most times when I feed her and so it seems like an endless job (yes, quite often I feel like nursing is a job. A job I'm happy I can fulfill, but a job). Then there is night time when she becomes totally restless and very noisy. I love the mornings when I can scoop her up and feel nothing but love for her all over again, but nights are rough. And again, I can be so ungracious (thanks God, I'm working on that!)

Anyway, that's where I'm at. A tired Mommy with two lovely girls who are teaching me a lot about who I do and do not want to be! I'll keep working at it.