Really good pancakes.

I went in for my 6 week checkup-post baby. We have loved these last 6 weeks. Again, i'm learning a thing or two about having a newborn in the house. Our schedule is a bit different than before. Yesterday, we were all up, fed, showered, and out of the house by 845. A true accomplishment.
My parents were here for 3 weeks, Brad had a week off and my mother in law just left. So, I was blessed with some helpers and "fun" for 5 weeks. How lucky we were and oh how we were served so kindly.

I've been thinking about service and what it means. When we lived in Missouri there were so many wonderful people all in our same situation. People were totally willing to help. Sometimes people would post on this website we had "please let me know how I can help you...or call me if you need anything". Once this girl responded by saying, "obviously we are all willing to help so just call the person yourself and offer something.."That is so true. And it is something I think about all the time. Service sometimes needs to be specific. It is so wonderful to just have a friend stop by and say, "i'm here to take your kids. Or we're going to babysit for you guys so you can go out on a date before your baby is born. Or i'm going to bring you a meal which day is best." I've really tried to do this more and to see the recipient so happy is just awesome (but not the reason you do service, right??!!) Sometimes I like to just do things myself...well, most of the time. I kind of (pridefully, which is bad) think of myself as quite an efficient and fast person. I can just get in and get things done and get my kids too and fro efficiently, but I think that's because for the past 5 years it's been me and me doing it by myself. But how I love the help. This pregnancy i needed a lot more help and I saw my self sufficiency going right out the window. I just couldn't take EZ to some of the appointments that i had, Chloe had preschool at some inconvenient times for me so friends took her, and after I had the baby I just couldn't quite carry the car seat or EZ or function properly for a little while. And then I hurt my stomach post delivery and some friends came to my rescue and i'll forever be grateful. I had so much help this pregnancy and can't even begin to thank people and Brad!!
So now 6 weeks out I'm going to begin  anew. Each day I am going to do something that "makes something or someone better." To me..i know what that means and i'm excited for the challenge. I'm ready and raring to go to pay it forward by improving someone else's life for a brief moment or improving my surroundings.

And as for the really good pancakes...we made them this morning and something about that supreme bisquick pancake recipe on the side of the box was just perfect tasting this morning. And...do you ever find yourself finishing up the soggy pancake pieces on your kids plate. Love that sugary pancake paste!
Have a great day friends.

5.

She turned 5 yesterday. But we celebrated all week!!

When she wakes up in the morning she comes in and lays next to me. This morning we talked about the morning she was born and what I was thinking and especially what I thought of her. How we loved her from the first second...but we had already loved her from the moment we found out of her miraculous presence in my tummy at 8 weeks. I told her how I went in the hospital early in the morning and didn't have her till late at night. They had to cut my tummy open and lift her out and give her to us like a present. I told her we cried. And sometimes when I look at her or think about her or imagine what's to come for her I cry a little, too.

 Here is the garden cake. When we were talking about her cake she was sitting in the chair just kind of looking at me and then she says..."are you forgetting who's birthday this is...i thought we got to choose our own cake." Oh man, i laughed. So then she gets a piece of paper and draws the exact same cake we were talking about. So funny.

 The party. I am definitely a more the merrier kind of planner. So we had many friends. It was really fun. There are 2 cute little boys missing from this photo. I love the energy of 5 year olds. When we moved here Chloe was so excited about all the kids in her primary class. We are so lucky to have all these kids so close in age for her to play with.

 Perfect weather for outdoor games. The next day it poured rain.

 Cake for all.

But back to Chloe...She always asks me, "will I always be your little girl?" yes, my sweet girl, you will always be my little girl even if you are 5 now!!

1 month old

Miss Belle is 1 month old. One month!!! For the past month she literally slept. I have seen pictures of some babies that were born right near her and they are all up and alert and she just slept her first month away. Really. I would wake her to eat and sometimes she'd go about 4 plus hours without being able to waken from her deep coma. I love that stage but it's hard cause you want them to be up and awake but with this third baby it was much easier for us to cherish her sleepiness and not worry so much about her eating and sleeping schedule. I LOVE snuggling her.

Pretty blue eyes.

Dreamy look.

This scene pretty much every morning. Sister's secrets.

The momma.

True adoration.

 And Brad has had the last week off for "vacation". It's been a dream. We've been able to just enjoy each other. We didn't go anywhere and didn't do much. We've slept in a couple of days and all cuddled in the bed. A luxury we never do because Brad and I are always so compelled to be up and exercising, but with me down and out and he not working this week he's been able to go during the day for a run or ride. I've LOVED this week and every moment has been a memory.

 And this bright eyed little boy has my heart. He has the greatest sense of humor. Somewhere he  picked up saying "guess what?" and we say "what" and he says, "nevermind" and laughs and laughs. He's a spirited and opinionated little boy and we love him with all our hearts.

A Blessing and our first day

This morning Ez was standing by me while I changed the babe and she squirt (#1 and #2 thanks!) all over the place. I looked down at EZ as he said, "what's on my face, mom? (it was some #2) It started our first day alone with laughter. My parents had to go back home. We already miss them. It's been a pretty good day, though. We went for a walk in the glorious sunshine and painted rocks on the back porch. Ezra woke up asking for "grandpa" which he lovingly called both of his grandparents the whole time they were here. It was too cute. What would we have done without my parents:

They did countless loads of laundry.

Loved the kids. Took them on outing after outing.

Made meals.

Cleaned.

Waited on me hand and foot.

Let me sleep. Oh, glorious sleep.

Played games. We love playing games and love it more when people come and play with us.

Took the kids on a vacation to Nauvoo.

Made me a birthday cake.

Took us out to eat. I love going out to eat.

Had great conversation.

Loved grandbaby number 18 all day long.

And more...

Has it already been 3 weeks?

I will do another post of the "grandparents fun" later.

Little Lola was blessed in church last Sunday. We're really glad we were able to do it with my parents in town and our friends from Bloomington were able to join us. It's such a special day when your baby is blessed. 

 The dad who did a great job.

 The star in her special dress. This dress was worn by my mom's mom. My mom figures the dress is atleast 100 years old. Chloe was blessed in it, also.

 The Chambers girls.

 The star again.

 Our friends. I love this pictures of us and all the kids. What a fun time of life.

 Our little family of 5...5!!

 My sweet parents.

 She is finally waking up after 2 1/2 weeks of total 24 hours a day sleep.

 Every celebration needs a cake.

Lots of Lola

I had a birthday yesterday and I have 3 kids!! Brad took the babe and me out to dinner to celebrate and we followed it off with Serendipity and giant cookie skillets and in bed by 1030. Miss Belle slept 4 hours straight at a time and woke me minimally. The kids are with my parents in Nauvoo. Today, I just get to hold my sweet baby girl in my arms and do absolutely nothing. Love, love, love!

Have a fabulous Saturday.

Hijacked Blog...

"HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELANIE DEAR, HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YOU ALL YEAR, IF I HAD ONE WISH THAN IT WOULD BE. THAT I COULD BE THERE TO WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY PERSONALLY."  on February 24th :)

Melanie Alice (Blue) Chambers,

I want you to know how much I love you and am so grateful you are my sister.  I admire you in so many ways...1. You are such a great mother and wife. 2. You are a SUPER great sister and friend. 3.  You have such a strong testimony.  4.  You have a great excitement for life.  5. You love to exercise, eat healthy and take care of yourself.  6.  You have dealt with your diabetes without complaining. 7.  You are a great artist. 8.  You don't judge others. 9.  You are a good listener. 10.  Most of all YOU are my FAVORITE little sister.  I hope you have a great day of celebrating with Brad, Chloe, Ezra, Lola and Mom and Dad.  Too bad I can't come and surprise you this year.  I Love You!

Love,
Em

Lola Belle Chambers

The day started with this classic shot, those are monitors under Mel's gown, not alien feet.  Below is our little chunk.  Her face is a bit bruised as it was a lot of work for the doctors to her out.  First we saw the big cheeks and everyone said this baby is big! then they wiggled her out to the waist and she was stuck there for about 10 seconds and we were all waiting for the moment of truth..and then out she came.  Later in the day Chloe asked me how we know that it is a girl now?  That led to a puzzled look from me and ended with me saying "she doesn't have a weenie like Ezra." That seemed to satisfy her but I am wondering if I just failed as a dad.

 Isn't she perfect?  9lbs 1oz is the biggest of the 3, born at 8:19am.  She is eating well and is very content to be bundled up tight and held.  She looks a lot like what we remember Chloe looking like as a new born and will have to post some pictures for comparison.

 These two sure are proud of their little sister.  Chloe yelled with excitement when we called her this morning to tell her that it was a girl.  I don't think it set in until I said, you have a new little sister.  She is so happy and can't wait to start playing with her.

We are so happy she is here and healthy.  Mel is doing great, loving not being pregnant anymore and having Lola to hold.  We can't believe that we have 3 kids now and are so grateful for the new addition.  More pictures to come in the next few days.