Gratitude!

When God placed Ellie in our lives I wondered how we could possibly handle a new baby when our little one was still so small. I wondered how we could handle things financially, emotionally and as a couple with absolutely NO time to ourselves. The decision to take Ellie was a very simple one - the decisions on how best to care for our expanding family was a tougher one. I underestimated the gifts in our lives - mostly family and friends who could not be more supportive in every single way. Just as I start to feel overwhelmed by something a family member or friend shows up at the door with a meal or diapers or a playdate for one of the kids. Just as I start to feel inadequate at caring for three babies a moment of peace washes over the house and I stare into 3 beautiful faces and am amazed at my good fortune. My one worry is that in my fog of diapers and Mommy duty I have not adequately expressed my gratitude for all that we have been given. Someday I will write the many thank you notes that are due but for now Bob and I take 3 minutes each night and call out the names of the people who have touched us in some way that day and hold them all up in prayer - we are so blessed!

Ellie trying out a binky for comfort - still not into it but we try once in a while.
Our little orphan girl swinging in the swing and loving it.

2 days after getting Ellie we realized that nights were going to be a challenge - Ellie cries most of the night but both Bob and I have to be at least somewhat alert during the day - he to work and me to take care of the three babies. Auntie Meg has been wonderful with Lizzie since her birth - taking her at night and showering her in attention and love and than bringing her home sleepy and well cared for. On Wednesday she called and asked if I wanted her to sleep over and take care of Ellie for the night so that Bob and I could get some sleep. I didn't hesitate for one second before saying yes! We slept for hours straight and then Molly woke up with a stomach bug and was up for the rest of the night - uggg!Either way we got a reprieve from taking care of both babies through the night and felt incredibly well rested the next morning!

Molly took this picture because she loved the light on Annie's face - too cute!

Auntie LuAnn came over on her day off to be a baby holder and then she went home for an hour and brought back some dinner!

Babies all bathed and hanging out together!

Annie getting in on the action!

The four girls laying around!

Hugs from Molly!

When all else fails to entertain the kids we spread a blanket on the floor and all pile on. Last night we did this and then told baby stories and made the kids guess which baby went with which story - they loved it. Ie: Which baby went through a phase of taking their diaper off during their nap and then falling asleep - that would be Peter!

Peter and Lizzie bonding.

Daddy giving Annie some TLC!

Ready for bed, Mama!

Since I give the babies most of their tubbies I don't get many pictures of them. Bob was bathing everyone last night so I got a few shots of Lizzie - look at that perfect baby body!

Loving her tubby!

Love those baby piggies! Perfection!

A friend at work gave this outfit to Bob for the baby as a hand me down and I LOVE it - here is Ellie getting her turn in it!

Sweet baby Ellie!

Ellie's half smile for Mama!

The babies hanging out together on the couch!

Would this be considered playing together? What cuties!

As you can tell the blogging only happens when there is a moment of peace during the day or when I give up a few precious moments with Bob at night. Please be patient - I will be updating as often as possible! As of right now Ellie is a pre-adoptive placement. In court today nothing changed and they will be going back to court on March 23rd for the permenancy planning phase so we'll update when we hear something! Thank you to everyone who is helping out in big and small ways and to all of those people who are praying for Ellie, her biological family and us - we are deeply appreciative for you!

GNM - ILY!