Baby Blues

No I don't mean the depression type of blues; I mean Kian's big beautiful blue eyes. They are enough to keep anyone from depression. I absolutely love this little guy's deep blue eyes. They are really big when he's content and just hanging out, and they get really squinty and rainbow shaped when he smiles. So adorable!

He started smiling at 3 weeks old and cooing shortly after that. His cooes are the cutest thing ever because they are so soft and gentle. He works up his whole face and body to get out the tiniest sound-love this stage! As long as his tummy isn't hurting, he is pretty happy, but he's had a couple of rough weeks trying to figure out his sensitive tummy and not going potty regurlarly (any suggestions to help a baby poop?). It makes me so sad to see him in pain, especially cuz he tries to be so tough and smiles right in the middle of cringing. He is definitely a mama's boy and I couldn't be any happier cuz I am pretty whooped myself. Yes, anyone that wants to say "I told you so" has my permission for all the times I said I didn't think I ever wanted a boy. Kian has totally proved me wrong!

And by the way, who says dressing a boy isn't fun? I went a little overboard with the shopping and am having a hard time dressing him in everything before he outgrows it. This kid has as many clothes as his sisters! I forget how fast newborns grow and am so sad he no longer looks newborn. I wish he would stay this small forever so I could always have a doll to play with!

Kian's Blessing

Kian had a beautiful blessing day surrounded by family who adores him. He looked so cute in his little sweater outfit (even though the hat was huge!!) and was a good boy all day (except during the blessing of course!!). Jim gave him a wonderful blessing that I hope will guide his life and at the end, one very proud daddy held him up for all to see just like on Lion King when Mufasa held up Simba on the rock-very funny and touching. I love Kian's kissable cheeks-he looks like he has a small apple in each one and I can't leave them alone!

I am definitely in love with this little guy and am so thankful to all my family and Jim's family that were there to show there love and support. It was great to have Jolea and Calli's family here for the morning (wish it was all day!) and to have all the cousins together.

Happy little family! I'm so sad we didn't get a picture with all of us including the girls. I actually curled all of their hair and they looked so cute in their Christmas dresses. They were too excited that their cousins were at church to pose for a picture, but they are all in love with their brother and proud to show him off.

(I never realize how short I am until I see a picture of me standing by Jim-I even have heels on my boots!)

Farewell Ellie

After much debate and even more thought, we decided to give Ellie to a new family last week. She was turning into such a great dog (training well, very obedient, good natured, not a barker, learning some tricks) so it was a very hard decision. It pretty much came down to us feeling guilty that she spent most of the time in her kennel-mainly in her dog house because of the cold. With a newborn and 3 other kids to take care of, a husband who travels, no fence, and me not wanting a dog in the house, I just couldn't give her the time she deserved out of the kennel. Jim doesn't even get home 'til dark so he did what he could after work but we felt it wasn't enough. A nice family in Victor was really interested in her and fell in love when they met her, so Jim and the girls drove her to Victor last week to her new home. It was a very emotional day for all of us-definitely harder than I thought to let her go. I cried, Jim cried, and Ashtyn sobbed for two days (nothing harder for a mom than to see her child heartbroken). I almost changed my mind at the last minute.

The only reason we felt okay about the decision is that her new family lives on 30 acres right on the way to Jackson. She will be able to run to her little heart's content and interact with another dog, horses, cats, and chickens. They also have 3 older kids who are the perfect age for playing with her and helping take care of her. They are even going to let her sleep in the son's room next to his bed. Much better than being stuck in a kennel and sleeping in a crate in the garage. We can also come visit her whenever we want or whenever we head to Jackson, which we usually do a few times a year. All in all, I think it was the best decision!

We will definitely miss her and it's pictures like these that bring tears to my eyes knowing that Ashtyn had to give her dog up. We will probably never find a cuter dog-her white polka dotted feet and white tummy are adorable! Word to the wise: before getting a pet, make sure and weigh every option/situation before making a decision (especially at the fair). I had a moment of weakness seeing how much Jim and Ashtyn fell in love with her as a puppy and it ended up causing a lot of heartbreak by getting attached and having to give her away. I'm so proud of Ashtyn for making an unselfish decision in giving Ellie a better life and making it through something so hard at her age. She definitely loved her first dog!