Overwhelmed

I've been feeling overwhelmed with...

LOVE for these three fabulous kids. Magnolia's arrival has forced me to really slow down. I've gone from crazy busy lady to "just" being a mom, and while in some respects my productivity levels have dropped off the map, it's been a welcome "break" to just love on these guys and keep us all alive! And truthfully, the spit up, the two kids in diapers, the heightened need for my magic kisses on the boo-boo's that happen every thirty seconds around here, and nursing around the clock don't make me feel any less like a crazy busy lady. In fact, come early afternoon I conk into a heavy and deep sleep with Magnolia on my chest because I'm straight exhausted. Those naps are blissful until I wake up and realize how dangerous it is to sleep when my curious and smart two-year-old is very much awake. (I may or may not have recently woken up to find him in the front yard.)

ANXIOUSNESS to finish all the home improvement projects we've started around here. We want to finish painting over all the flat paint in our home, finish painting the chairs that go with our new-to-us dining table, finish painting all the trim in our house...etc., etc., etc. It's killing me that we've started all of these things (and more) but haven't crossed the finish line with any of them--well, except the girls' bedroom makeover.

GRATITUDE for the flowers, babysitting, meals, phone calls, visits, emails, gifts, and comments so many of you have sent our way since Baby Magnolia joined us. I've been so inspired by your thoughtfulness. You make me want to be better. Thank you!!

Magnolia

Here's a peek at what we've been up to! Actually, ALL credit goes to my sweet mom. She sewed all weekend long to make our dreams come true with a complete bedroom makeover for the girls. Isn't it looking perfectly delicate and sweet? I'm in love with it! Click on the link below to where we've been getting our inspiration.

http://www.serenaandlily.com/Rooms/Girls-Isabel

Also, thank you for all the suggestions for what to call our baby girl here on the blog. I was seriously impressed!! In the end it was a big toss up between Magenta (a favorite color of mine) and Magnolia, the beautiful flower below, compliments of Google images.

And Magnolia it is!

Alright, I'm off to finish painting the walls!

Heaven

Today Maggie said to me, "Mommy, I wish heaven was on the globe."

I thought that was pretty darn sweet. And it got me thinking about how having Baby Juliette in our home has truly felt like a touch of heaven in my little world. She is oh-so precious. In one week, her angelic presence has renewed my sense of what's most important. If I can succeed as the mother of these three kiddies that I simply adore, I will have made my mark on this big spinning globe we live on.

PS. Anybody got suggestions for what I should call her on the blog? I'm stumped.

Juliette Claire

Many of you already know this, but Juliette arrived on Monday at 10:58am. She was 7lbs 13oz and her delivery went so well! I was amazed at how "easily" I was able to deliver her naturally! Must have something to do with her being my third kid. She came out fast!

We're thinking she's going to be fair skinned and blue-eyed, but who knows at this stage! I'm sure she'll do an awful lot of changing in the next few months. She's an incredible eater and sleeper, does not like getting her diaper changed, and is bound to be one tough girl with her big brother around.

There's the quick update on us. We all love her so much! ♥