Last few weeks of life

So I finally emptied my camera, and b/c of lack of time/energy/caring, here the best ones are, in order of time, not in any other sort of pattern or neatness. Better this than nothing. :p

Gorgeous girl doing her second favourite activity. Although, it may be third if smiling rates second. Hard to know, she hasn't actually told me which she likes more. Feeding is number one, of course!

More sleeping.

Nathan made this. There's a railroad set up. But the blocks are a church. You can see the people on the pews, and the minister on the pulpit. At the back are other rooms, like the nursery.

There he is--contemplating a new project no doubt!

Daniel is contemplating demolishing the next project. (Actually, he's getting much better at leaving things alone--unless someone antagonizes him!)

Chubbyness.




Same clothes, same chair, same activity...different day.

Procrastinating chores

Marvelling at the miracle.

Sort of smiling.

Finally holding his sister! I'd avoided it for a few weeks...hoping to avoid it entirely--for Jennifer's safety!

Daniel thinks "Hmm...how do I stuff this in when her mouth is shut?"

Helping Grandma make my house look presentable.

"Isn't Jennifer a pretty name, Mom?"

Kids helping Grandma make my outdoors look presentable.

Big smiles!

'Nother clean up time.

Nathan playing games with his sister.

Melanie making stuff for her birthday.

"Don't you like the tent Jennifer?" asks Nathan. (If Matthew or Daniel had been upstairs I'd have forbidden this, just 'cause I know they'd try!!)

We love Jennifer.
Daniel: "Jenna, baby!" (He gives Jennifer his baby for a while to share.)
Matthew: "Jennifer can go camping with us next time!"
"Mommy Jennifer is crying, she wants to come out!"
Melanie: "Mommy, I wish there was only you and me and Daddy and Jennifer. And none of the boys were here."
Nathan: "You are so cute. You are SO cute. You are so CUTE." (Jennifer was cooing to him.)

Family Time

I stole these pics from Mom's memory card--as you can see, she likes doing group shots! Of course, she had scads more pics of other things.

2 Weeks

Play today

Daniel dumped out the box of toys.
"Bah"
"Spash"

But since splashing in a bath isn't exciting for long, he took a saw along.
"Cut cut cut!"
His sister sits in the corner, unobtrusive, but company just the same.

Even if she's sleeping.

The bigger kids are occupied outside.
They are splashing too, after all, they discovered that we have a boat! Who would have known there was one here undiscovered for so long!

And if the seas are too calm, there are two wave makers available.

After all, who wants to go on a sea faring adventure when there are no big waves?


Once inside, the terrible three accost their new unsuspecting little sister, showering her with their attentions.

She settles down and accepts the attentions once it is limited to a few gentle caresses and a lot of looking.


"Having three older brothers and one older sister

doesn't make my life very easy!"

First Week

Bits and pieces of the first week.


Grandpa taught the kids to throw airplanes in the living room.
They loved it.


Jennifer's first bath--which didn't happen 'til she was pretty stinky.
She didn't even mind it!


Sunday attire.
Jennifer is a bit dressed down for the occasion though.


Matthew was the first one to ask to hold Jennifer.
He bumped her chair and woke her up carrying something today, and was very apologetic!


Daniel is into his Daddy's slippers. He's very clumsy in them, and knows he really should be leaving them alone, and not dumping them anywhere he likes in the house!

And extras of Jennifer to make up for the lack of older sibling pictures:

More Jennifer

Jennifer has been doing a lot of sleeping since she's been born. So have I!

So far she has been a pretty quiet baby, and the house has not been inundated with newborn cries. But then again, she's been getting a lot of company from her mother, which keeps her pretty content--this will soon change when the house is full again!

When Jennifer is deserted by her mother, she finds her thumb pretty quickly to sooth herself. Just like big brother Daniel.

Tomorrow I hope to have the newborn girl clothes box dug out, and we can celebrate her girlhood in pinky style. Melanie will be sure to appreciate it when she gets home tomorrow!

Jennifer Alina

Born yesterday around 11 pm.
9 pounds 6 ounces.
Mother and baby are doing great.
Praise the Lord!