Fourth Weekend

The main event of the fourth of July was the blessing of Luke, but plenty of other festivities filled our time during the three-day weekend. It was a fun-filled holiday. We started out Saturday morning by going to a birthday party for Addi Andersen, and I got to spend some time with two of my long-time friends - Jamie & Julie.

I don't usually notice how short I am until I see pictures of myself and realize that I am always the shortest one of the bunch! Oh well. Sunday night we had a hot dog roast in my parents back yard, followed by fireworks in the front yard.

Ashlyn loved the fireworks, but they scared Trent to the point of tears and he went inside after just a few minutes. We had a family camp out that night and the kids thought it was the neatest thing to sleep in Grandpa's backyard. I thought it was just as neat to sleep inside!

We had a yummy breakfast outside the next morning - egg casserole, muffins, hash browns, grapes, and chocolate milk. The weather was perfect.

Monday afternoon we headed up to Ann & Joe's cabin for a potluck lunch. The scenery was beautiful, the food delicious, and the company delightful. Trent had a grand time swinging in the tire swing, exploring, and throwing pine cones in the stream.

Ashlyn loved it too.

After the cabin we drove a little further up Provo canyon to Wasatch State Park with the Eyres to do a little fishing...

Funny little story about that. Ashlyn was thrilled with her new pet fish that uncle Marty caught for her and she giggled and petted that fish and almost had it named until Marty wacked it over the head to kill it, which then sent her into hysterics and confusion. Why did uncle Marty kill it? Why can't we keep it in our bathtub? Not long after, another fish was caught, which Marty let Ashlyn reel in. To our shock and amusement, as soon as it came out of the water, Ashlyn shouted, "Kill it! Kill it!" The tables turned quickly. Brian grilled up two of the caught fish the next night and Ashlyn gobbled 'em up.

I had not been to Wasatch State Park since I was a kid and have no recollection of the place. It was beautiful and the kids had a blast. They didn't just get to fish, they threw rocks in the pond, played on the play ground, did summersaults,

did some war painting with mud,

took their pet fish on a walk,

and pushed their little brother into the pond.

Ashlyn was pretty pleased with herself, and luckily Trent didn't seem to mind either. It was such a fun weekend with family and friends and I was sad to see it end.

A Blessing

I am realizing more and more what a blessing it is to be a mother. There is nothing that I would rather be doing with my life right now. I have three beautiful children and I get to stay at home and raise them. I am one lucky and very blessed woman.

Speaking of blessings, we blessed our third born on the fourth of July. He was not yet three weeks old, but I wanted to bless him before Aaron and Monica moved to Missouri so Aaron could stand in the circle. Brian's sister Stacey was also in town that weekend, so everything worked out perfectly and we were able to have all of both our families there. I am just now realizing that I don't know when that will happen again. Why do people have to move away?

Brian gave Luke a beautiful blessing and everyone came to our home afterward for a luncheon. It is nice to now be in a home that can accommodate such a crowd. We had all-American food - BBQ pork sandwiches, potato salad, chips, watermelon, chocolate-chip cookies, and apple pie.

Luke was adorable, even though his blessing outfit was...weird? It's totally my fault. I procrastinated buying his outfit until the day before. The first two stores I went to had closed early for the holiday. The third store only had christening outfits with embroidered crosses. And so I hurried over to the distribution center fifteen minutes before closing and was forced to buy the only one available.

Do you see how big that collar is on his vest? It looks like he could fly away! Plus, the collar on the romper underneath made him look like a little priest. And even though I bought a 2XS, I had to fold under the sleeves because it was huge!

Brian didn't understand why he couldn't have just worn Trent's blessing outfit, but I really want each child to have their own special outfit for their special day. I really do love baby blessings. There is nothing like a fresh from heaven little baby all dressed in white. It is just precious.

It was a great afternoon and we very much appreciated the support and love of our families.

Little Brother

I have been asked several times over the last three weeks how Ashlyn and Trent are adjusting to having a new little brother. Truth be told, Trent was thrilled from the get-go. Since the first time he saw Luke, he has been more than happy with the new addition to the family and does not at all seem to care that he has had less cuddle time with mommy.

Ashlyn, on the other hand, took a little more convincing. Before Luke was born, Ashlyn made it quite clear to everyone that she wanted a little sister, that the baby in mommy's belly was indeed a girl, that she was going to be the best big sister a girl could ask for, and that her little sister's name was going to be "marshmallow heart" or "rainbow diamond". She even made it known that if the baby happened to be a boy, she would be quite mad at mommy and would not be a big helper with the baby. So, when we broke the news to her that the baby was a boy and not a girl, she was a little heart-broken. Upon hearing the news, she turned her pouting face and stared out the hospital room window.

Lucky for all of us, especially little Luke, her sadness was very short lived. Once I told her that she could still be the best big sister, that I still needed her to be a big helper, and that Luke loved her very much, she changed her tune and easily fell in love, right along with the rest of us.

Ashlyn and Trent have both proved to be very good helpers. Ashlyn loves to hold Luke and will do so for a half hour at a time, which allows me to do the dishes or the laundry or whatever needs to be done. And Trent has taken his role of 'diaper disposal' very seriously, leaving no soiled diapers behind after a changing.

Having three children has been a breeze so far, but I have not yet tried to grocery shop by myself with three in tow. We'll see how that one goes. I'm just glad Ashlyn and Trent love their little brother and have adjusted to the change.

I have not yet had to deal with any jealousy or resentment, for which I am very grateful. Both siblings are quite taken with our little guy.

Trent has nicknamed him "Lukey Lukey Pookie," which he says in a very high pitched voice. Both Ashlyn and Trent inform me when they think Luke needs to eat and will give him his binki when he is fussy. And lucky Luke has received a bazillion kisses in his short 23 days here on earth.

Luke is such a good, sweet baby that I already know I want another. Ashlyn might still get a little sister someday. But for now, another little brother isn't so bad.

Two Week Comparison

Ashlyn at two weeks:

Trent at two weeks:

Luke at two weeks:

I'm still not sure who he looks like more, but I am leaning toward Trent. I think he has Trent's nose and mouth and Ashlyn's chin, but it is hard for me to say at two weeks. We'll just have to wait and see as he grows. One thing is for sure, they are definitely all siblings! When Aaron and Monica came to see us in the hospital, one of the first things they said was, "He is definitely a Smiley!" After looking at these pictures, I can see what they meant!

One Week Pics, One Week Late

My little Luke is two weeks old today, but theses pics were taken a week ago. It is amazing how much joy this little guy has brought into our home in just 14 days. He is very much a part of the Smiley family and I couldn't imagine life without him in it. A mother's love knows no bounds and with each new addition to our family my heart has grown beyond what I thought possible. I feel truly blessed to have three adorable and healthy little ones to call my own.

Luke has proved to be a very good baby so far and has only made me wake up twice one night - all the other nights I have only had to get up for one feeding! How awesome is that?! He usually sleeps for a 5 hour stretch and then a 3-4 hour stretch. What a good little boy.

If he looks a little yellow in the pictures, it's because he is. He is my "yellow fellow" - he has breast-milk jaundice, which the pediatrician said should wear off by 4 weeks. I still think he is beautiful even with a yellow hue, but I still can't decide who he looks like. My mom claims that he looks like me as a baby. All I know is that I love this little guy so very, very much.

Family of Five

Newest addition: Luke Brian Smiley
Date: June 15, 2010
Time: 3:50 pm
Weight: 8 lbs. 5 oz.
Length: 19 1/2 inches

He is a miracle and I am in love. He is the sweetest little thing and has hardly made a peep in his 27 hours of life. The labor and delivery went remarkably well. We arrived at the hospital just before noon, my water broke at 1:30, I got an epidural at 2:45, I was dilated to a 10 by 3:15, the doctor arrived in the room at 3:40, I started pushing at 3:45, and Luke entered the world at 3:50 - it was a whirlwind! It is truly amazing how many emotions a mother can feel in such a short period of time. From extreme pain, anger, and frustration to sheer joy and love. I laughed, I cried, I swore a few times, I tried to rip off Brian's thumb nails, and I witnessed a miracle. It was amazing. He is amazing. And yes, it was all worth it.

No Birthday Baby

Today is my official due date, but no baby. I am just happy I didn't have the baby yesterday, my birthday. I had numerous people tell me, "Maybe you'll have the baby on your birthday!" - as if that would have been a good thing. No thank you! Besides the fact that I already share my birthday with my adorable niece Madison, who would really want to be in extreme pain and in the hospital on their birthday? Not me. So, we made it through the 12th of June without adding another birthday to the family and now I am welcoming any sign of full, active labor. But knowing my history, I am not expecting anything today, or even tomorrow. Trent was a week late and so I fully expect to go past my due date. But, hopefully I have this kid before the 23rd, since that is my adorable nephew Payson's birthday. June is a busy month!