happy 3 months noah samuel!

Sweet Noah Samuel.  I can't believe it has been three months already.

 

it feels like only yesterday that you were welcomed to our world. 

(photo credit; my sister jenny

 I soak up your sweetness each day. Right now you are coo-ing and smiling. I love how you catch sight of one of us and then your smile starts slowly and lights up your entire face. Amid the crazy of our day you remain calm as you soak it all in.  On our trip up north you giggled for the very first time in the car with me; I was bouncing you on my lap. You love watching Caleb in the car (he sits right next to you and takes such good care of you) Last night you were starting to fuss and I looked over and Caleb had quickly come to your aid with a pacifier "here you go bud" he said. Then he pulled on a little toy to make it move for you and watched you to make sure you were okay.

(photo credit, dave's sister Katie)

you are getting chunkier by the day. I'm not sure how much you weigh or how tall you are, but you are starting to outgrow 6month clothing

you love to be held. you calm down for a nap as soon as we swaddle you in your wombie. I love rocking you to dreamland. Our first night in Oregon you slept from 9-6:20 (11 hrs between nursing) It was crazy, that was the longest sleep stretch you have done at night so far. I think you were pretty tired from the drive. Usually you nurse around 6:30pm and are swaddled and sleeping a little after 7. You wake up to nurse around 1 sometimes, but usually 3am. Then again around 5 or sometimes you last till 6 or 6:30. You still nurse about every two hours in the day.  

 

Here are a few more pictures from our trip that Dave's sister Katie captured on camera. (thanks Katie!)

horse rides on grandpa (these boys sure do love following grandpa around everywhere!)

 packing up and heading home (caleb puts his seat belt on himself now; we always do a double check but it sure helps with the car loading!)

 noahs second time getting some of mama's milk in a bottle (date night for dave and I)

 the boys loved helping grandma out! haha

I can't believe it has been three months since we became a family of five. It sure has been an adventure. I wouldn't trade any moment for the world. Despite the craziness and the being pulled in one hundred different directions all through the day; I am able to slow down and feel filled with gratitude for these precious boys God has entrusted us to raise. They have such sweet spirits (when they aren't torturing each other or not listening or living up to their age) And even though by evening time I am spent and pinch myself that I have all boys (daily!) I just feel so blessed to be their mama. These boys of mine; they sure do have my heart.

Our Easter in Oregon

we are home. bags are unpacked and we are settling into life once again just the five of us. but here is what i'll take away from our precious time in Oregon with family....

the boys helping grandpa in the yard, watching little hands with grandma dye easter eggs. the fun they had with aunt Katie. the sweet time spent with their new cousin joseph vincet. the family gathered together on easter sunday. church service on easter, the beautiful music played that brought tears to my eyes as I thought of my nani and poppy and all our easter sundays dressed to the nine in our hats and dresses and little girl gloves and white shoes. I love making new memories with the boys and carrying on old ones. I'm so thankful that we are able to have these moments with both our families. the boys did awesome in the car (all 25 hrs!!) and it was so special to have the great grandparents meet noah and to be able to capture some pictures with everyone (I just laughed when I looked at all of them. getting two babies and a toddler and preschooler to comply with pictures-not an easy task!)

so here is picture overload from our days spent in Oregon!

day one! settling in and enjoying all the toys that grandma and grandpa have at their house.

 it was so fun to spend time with little joseph Vincent (one month younger than noah!)

 

 

 four little boy cousins!

 

 mamas and their babies

 rainy day walk

 caleb wanted to sit beside me and nurse his baby too :)

 rainbows are always so special to me when I see them. The day my poppy passed away a gorgeous rainbow appeared in the sky.

 a walk to see what the beavers have been up to in the neighborhood

the beavers chewed up the tree.

 little ladybug spotting

 middle of the street dance moves

 I love his silly ways

day two. the sun peeked out and we ventured to the concrete jungle. the boys had so much fun climbing and exploring

 what is it with boys and sticks? and these faces...

 helping grandpa sweep

day 3. hanging around, some family time.

 dave and his sister mary and their little guys

 

 auntie Katie is so much fun

 I love this picture. happy grandma and granda. the rockstar dads changing diapers and fun times with aunt Katie :) so much happy!

 dads on diaper duty

 easter egg coloring

easter sunday!

 

sweet noah (almost 3 months!) in his handsome little church outfit (that he pooped out on in church)  

 we just love watching your sweet little personality emerge noah Samuel. lots of coos and smiles for us.

 fun family photo attempts :)

 grandma and all her grandbabies

great- grandpa and great-grandma steinkamp and great- grandma giles with grandma and grandpa.

 this one makes me smile!

 I had to throw this one in there. caleb's mad at this point; he's had enough with the pictures!

 noah and great-grandma giles

 another little cousin (henry david) with great aunt Julie. so many babies!

 the cousins had so much fun doing the easter egg hunt! (scoping out the scene before the hunt began)

 showing lucas the ropes

 easter egg exchange table with great aunt cindy

 I love this picture too. Caleb's little personality is emerging more and more and I love watching him open up with family and friends even more. (easter egg exchange with grandma and great grandma)

 great grandma giles with all her grandboys!

 amid all the crazy fun that was going on I happened to glance over to see dave with lucas working on an easter craft. they were clueless to all that was happening around them. it was such a sweet scene. these are the moments I always want to remember.

 auntie Katie is back from Chile and the boys had so much fun hanging out with her!

 our last night. so bittersweet. we had such a wonderful time as always! the boys had fun watching the dart game being played ;) (love caleb's face in this one)

dave and I had a real date night on Saturday, dinner and a movie. we went out for ice cream one night, we were able to go to holy Thursday and good Friday mass; just the two of us while grandma held down the fort. It was wonderful! We honestly couldn't remember the last time we had dinner alone without three little ones to tend to. We are so thankful for the time we get to spend with our families :)

 

It was a very special Easter indeed!

video of some of our time spent in Oregon :)