Names & Blessings

Last Sunday Baby Drew was blessed. What a wonderful day it was, one that has left me pondering this week as I reflected on my feelings of the day. A few recurring thoughts:

1- How names shape us. Looking back on each of our children, I'm confident we named them correctly. Elizabeth-kind, courteous, "Ms. Manners", Rosie- cheerful, happy, full of life, Max- strong, determined, charming. And now, our Baby Drew. How will his name define him? I love to say his name; I love the special meaning behind it. I think of the sweet boy he was named after and feel honored to raise Drew David's namesake. When I talk with Kelly's Mom Sylvia, it seems that Drew David was a very active, energetic mama's boy who accomplished the baby milestones in a hurray. Perhaps Baby Drew will be the same way?

2- How lucky Kelly and I are to live where we do, surrounded by our family. Many of my extended family not only came to Baby Drew's blessing but helped prepare for it. I feel buoyed up by them. Most of our siblings were there, it's so fun to raise our children together. Kelly blessed our baby to grow close to his siblings and family; I pray he does.

3- How much I really love our backyard!

4- How much I completely adore our Baby Drew. He was perfect the entire day, letting anyone hold him and kiss his chubby cheeks. The day was definitely baby bliss!

Sunny Days

Life is Rosy with the Rosies'


Baby Drew is filling out quite nicely and is getting very use to being
the center of attention.



Rosie can't help but get a little irritated when she has to share
holding time with others, but Great-Grandma's trump.


And, there is a new hotspot to eat around our house,
on the floor....next to the baby.

Life has been full of sunshine this summer both inside and out. Kelly and I were concerned that our kids would be bored this summer because I'm not up to all of our usual activites....wrong....thanfully. It amazes me how our children seem to be satisfied with less, given the opportunity. They have fun playing in our backyard (instead of playing on trips), enjoyed simple walks around the block (instead of hikes) and get totally excited for a library trip which involves new movies to "buy for one week" as Max puts it. As always, I'm trying to keep it simple and enjoy the dog days of summer. Baby Drew is making this summer special, and I'm so grateful for a more relaxed time of year. Happy Summer!

Getting to Know You

Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you, Getting to hope you like me.

Drew has very large feet for a newborn, and it's impossible

to keep any kind of socks or booties on them.

Our most alert baby ever, Drew is awake more than most newborns

and is so engaging with his bright possibly blue (but still early to tell) eyes.

PS- no, he is not laying on rough wood with chipping paint...its a mat!

Baby Drew loves his hands tucked up close to his face when he is falling

to sleep. In fact, his favorite position is to have one hand against his cheek and the

other holding on to mine......melts me every time.

Baby Drew is a mommy's boy through and through

and I couldn't be more pleased as I am a Drew's girl.

Haven't you noticed

Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?

Because of all the beautiful and new

Things I'm learning about you Day by day.

(The King And I)

And now to answer a few of the most frequently asked questions:

1- How are you feeling?

I feel really great, actually. I believe this has been my easiest recovery and I have been blessed with so much help (thank you thank you thank you), I have been able to rest way more than I originally anticipated. Although, I must admit that I haven't gotten into the full swing of housework, cooking, and caring for the 3 older children yet, so we'll see how I fair in the not so distant future.

2- How is Baby Drew doing? Is he a good baby?

Drew is a Dream. He truly is. He still has that sweet sweet spirit about him. He is patient with his adoring siblings but, lets us know when he needs some down time with Mommy. He loves his new stroller (and so do I, thanks to our Family) and being outside. He seems to be most content where we are, which works well since his siblings want to be constantly near him.

3- How are the other children doing adjusting, particularly Max?

They are doing so great, we couldn't be happier. The girls are in heaven, needless to say. Max is so proud and protective of Drew. He hasn't shown signs of jealously, but is wondering when we are going to be able to push Drew in the swing, send him down the water slide, feed him fruit snacks......you get the picture.

4- Were you surprised he was a Boy?

No and Yes. All along Kelly and I both felt like it was "probably a boy", but there were times that I talked myself out of those feelings and thought we were having a girl. But, for the most part, I would have been more surprised if we had had another daughter. We definitely feel lucky to have 2 boys and 2 girls, if feels perfect for our family.

5- Are you getting any sleep?

Drew is a great little sleeper! He usually eats and goes right back to sleep at night, so, no complaints here, but, I still feel so very tired, and at the same time, I'm happy to be near him and hold him during the night.

Special thanks to my new favorite photographer, Wendy Carter who was so kind and patient to Drew and I and got such amazing shots of our newborn.

How Sweet It Is!

How sweet it is to bring home a new baby! This time, for me, it was equally as sweet to be in the hospital, enjoying my new baby. I didn't want to leave! I had my favorite nurse Julie, a window with a view and the baby mostly to myself. Now, being home, I share baby Drew with his very adoring siblings and Daddy. Drew is truly the sweetest baby around, we have never had such a relaxed, yet alert newborn (knock on wood, I know he's only a week old). Enjoying every moment with new baby Drew has been my goal, letting house chores, returning phone calls and other life necessities go for a time. This of course is made possible by my good Mother and other supportive friends and family who have been so generous with their time. Having a baby is the most rewarding experience I have had in my life. I feel fulfilled and blessed. Now, off to sneak a nap in cuddling my little 9 pound bundle.

Welcome, Welcome

Drew Kelly

9 Lbs 13 oz

21 inches

June 4, 2010

10:33 a.m.

We welcome so lovingly Baby Drew. How lucky and blessed we feel to have this sweet new baby boy in our family. His name holds a great significance to Kelly's family as he was named after Kelly's younger brother, Drew David, who died of Spinal Meningitis when he was 14 months old. I'm impressed to think that his name has something to do with the extra special spirit Baby Drew has brought to our family. I'm loving this newborn time, and am truly grateful for a healthy, beautiful, baby boy.

Lady in Waiting

Fresh Mani/Pedi- CHECK
Hospital Bag Packed, Checked, Re-Packed- CHECK
Hair Trimmed- Negative, Ashli, what are you doing Thursday, do you have time for a quick clip?
Baby clothes washed, folded, organized- CHECK (as much as I can not knowing the gender)
Meals in Freezer- CHECK (as many as I had the energy to make and the room to store)
Names- Still working on those, but want to see baby first
Hypno Birth cued on IPOD- CHECK
Clean Sheets on Bed- CHECK
House Cleaned- CHECK (but each day it becomes messy again and I'm running out of steam to continue to clean it)
New P.J.s to lounge in post baby- CHECK
Children Prepared- CHECK CHECK CHECK (they are begging me to have the baby)

Am I missing anything? Because apparently the baby thinks so- why else would I be almost 5 days late? Luckily, my OB has been out of town these past few days and I really didn't want to have the baby without him. So, now, I will begin to entertain advice on how to naturally induce labor. Lets hear it! Otherwise I will be forced to continue my regiment of daily napping and sweets indulgence, which really has been quite relaxing and enjoyable.

Happy Cheers

Each time we prepare to bring a new baby into our family, I go through a period of mourning. Not mourning because I'm sad to have a baby, but mourning because I'll miss my youngest being "my baby". Max has been my little one for 3 1/2 years now, the longest of any of our children. How I've enjoyed him. I've relished in the time we've shared together, just Max and Mommy. He has been my back-seat buddy, my entertainment while running errands, my snuggle pal for afternoon naps, my excuse to buy soft serve ice cream and drinks from McDonald's and my right hand man who helps me with my day to day jobs with his "strong muscles". He has made me love parenting a little boy, I appreciate so much more as I pause to see things from his perspective. I admit that I dote on my little Max, and have done so intentionally. Will it change with baby #4? Perhaps. It will no longer be Max and Mommy, Mommy and Max. We will have a new addition to our club, Max seems completely fine with the idea, excited really. I know this baby will add nothing but love into our home; but just for a moment I want to focus on what was. I want to pause, remember, and feel thankful for the few years of Max and me. May they live forever in my memory.........in the words of our third child...."HAPPY CHEERS" for Mommy and Max!