Falling in Love

Our family has fallen in love! Can you blame us?

We spend a good portion of our days in this delicious blue armchair. Jacob likes to read him books in the chair...he is working on teaching him his ABC's. You can see how absolutely engrossed Little Man is.

This is what Chris and I spend lots of time doing with the baby in the big, comfy blue armchair. He is very nocturnal...sound asleep during the day and ready to party at night.

We have blankets, pillows, music, diapers, a Kindle Fire, a laptop, assorted books and other entertainment at an arms reach.

This is when our baby became a glow worm for 24 hours. He was still darling but really, really mad. Apparently being laid on a bed of lights is not near as fun as snuggling in the big, blue, comfy armchair.

Matthew also loves holding baby in the chair...loves it! He is our baby magnet...very protective, very sweet, and always willing to hold him, feed him, or cuddle with him. It is very sweet!

This baby HATES having his diaper changed and taking baths. He never cries unless you are inflicting one of those 2 activities on him. And then he goes from 0 to 100 in .2 seconds. (Doesn't that look like a scary math problem?)

This baby eats and poops like a champ! I wouldn't normally be so "graphic" but not all of our children have excelled at those 2 things as newborns. He is exceptionally gifted and talented.

This baby has the most delicious cheeks...and they are irresistable. They get kissed and admired many times every day...especially by his adoring big sister.

He is starting to have lots of "awake" time...we find ourselves hypnotized by those big, chocolate eyes.

He is so delightfully charming...and he doesn't even talk yet! We love those big eyes, beautiful lips, and chubby cheeks with a touch of double chin...perfection.

He will sit and stare into your eyes until you find yourself completely hypnotized and unable to do anything else...like dishes or the laundry!

Yes, we are in love. The best Valentine EVER!

Feel free to come over and sit in the comfy blue armchair and hold this bundle of yummy...especially if you happen to be up at 2:00 a.m.

We are loving our new baby!

Baby's First Week in Pictures

Tomorrow it will be exactly one week since we brought Baby home...and it has been an amazing week. We are so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support from kind friends and family. Thank you for coming and meeting Baby. Thank you for the treats and meals and thoughtful, sweet gifts. Thank you for sharing this amazing event with us. We feel so blessed!

A Miracle

Today.

Isn't it amazing how one ordinary day can change your world? Can change the pattern of eternity? Today was that day for me.

 Today Chris and I were at the hospital with a basket filled with goodies for a courageous, determined, selfless birth mother.

 Today I walked in AND out of labor and delivery! When I walked in, I was the mother of 3 beautiful children. When I walked out 3 hours later, I was the mother of 4 beautiful children.

 Today my husband became a father again. He is so good at it. This has been a journey that has led us down paths we never could have anticipated travelling. My husband has shown incredible courage and faith, as he always does, in hearing the Lord's voice and doing His will. Sometimes the journey can be so different than you planned...but he has never shunned the difficult. And today he embraced his son with incredible love and tenderness.

 Today we met our new son for the very first time. And he took our breath away.

 He has a strong spirit...great strength. I could feel it holding him. And I feel honored to be his mother.

 Today I joined hands with another mother as she entrusted us with this most precious and dear of all gifts. We are partners. She has done her part and now it is time for me to do mine. Both of us play critical roles in bringing this new baby to the world and making sure he does all he has been sent to do. He has a great work and purpose...I am beyond grateful to be a part of his journey. 

 Today I marvelled that we have the opportunity to participate in this incredible blessing of adoption. I don't know why we have been blessed with the enormous gift of biological children and adopted children but I feel so blessed.

 Adoption allows you to see miracles in how the Lord brings families together. I testify that it is not an accident, that there is purpose and incredible meaning each person's place in this world. Families are a miracle...I knew that before. That testimony was reaffirmed today.

 Today my children welcomed a new sibling...and they did it with tremendous love.

 Today big brothers became that much bigger and a little sister became a big sister.

 Today Grandpa and Grandma Carr welcomed grandchild #26. We aren't helping the imbalance of girls to boys...last count on the Carr side was 8 girls and 18 boys!

Today I sat in the blue armchair in our living room for hours holding this new baby. I stroked his fingers and his soft hair and just felt overwhelmed. It is overwhelming. My emotions are a roller coaster, changing from one moment to the next. But the overwhelming emotion is of wonder and gratitude.

This has truly been a miraculous journey. I want to share that journey...but not tonight. Tonight I want to snuggle with my new baby and 3 "big" kids and marvel at what a miracle today was.



My Children

I am positively, unabashedly addicted to my children. I think they are cute...so cute. And funny...and smart...and incredibly creative...and imaginative...and so fun to be with...and...and...and...

These pictures prove it is all true.

Can't argue with kids that cute...