The name which he will be known...

Blessing days are glorious days. It's a rare occasion when you have such a large family that everyone gets together to celebrate and even more rare that 50 people cram  into our tiny house.

Mark gave a beautiful blessing and it was awesome to see all those men holding my baby as he was given a name. A few key pieces:

- saved to come forth because of your faithfulness

- blessed to be diligent in your callings

-have a thirst for knowledge

- Seek the Lord's counsel

- be a good missionary and (my favorite part) use your calm demeanor and loving spirit to spread the Gospel

I am so grateful for Mark and all the worthy men in our lives that were able to gather around our baby boy. It was an amazing day and we are so blessed to be able to spend it with our family.

Slept the day away. Wearing the same shirt Kingston wore except we had to undo the top bottom because you were a little too chunky.

Love my boys.

Mark, Enzo and G.

Enzo & Ezra. A mere 20 days apart and it looks like Lorenzo is scoping him out for dinner.

The girl table (and Jake). Good thing baby Enzo came along so Kingston has another boy to pal around with.

Expanding minds

Am I really old enough to have two children in school!?

 Mc headed off first to Heartland Elementary to spend the year with Ms. Lebegue (or Ms. L). I was a little apprehensive about sending her to all day Kindergarten but I think (in the 4 full days she has gone) that she has done pretty well. She loves that I pack her lunch, loves recess and her friend Shelby that compliments her hair every day. Her back to school dinner was supposed to be Texas Roadhouse but we went to Mimi's to swim and ended up staying to have  BBQ with Brynlee which I think was just as successful. It was particularly sweet to watch her sitting cross-legged on the chair as Mark gave her a father's blessing- her arms folded with a cherubic smile on her face. We (Alex, Kingston and I) sure did miss her during the day. She was SO excited to see Lorenzo when she got home ("I just can't stop kissing him") and had plenty of stories about her teacher, her class and how someday she hopes to go on a field trip. She wants to grow to up to be a "Fashion Design" and said that (for now) she is glad that I walk her to school every day. This picture snagged 100 likes on FB and the blue chucks added to the "sass" that seems to ooze from the picture of this beautiful girl.

Kingston started a week later and was equally as excited to head to the Little Blue Schoolhouse like his sissy. He was set on singing and walked right in after giving me a big smooch on the lips. His blessing from Mark was also pretty sweet- this tiny boy going off to Pre-K. That one got me choked up a little. His personality and desire to make friends and make people laugh should suit him well. Mark was glad he chose the Hot Wheels backpack and I was happy that he was so ready to go. He only went one day before we went to Disneyland so it should be fun to have him have another "first day" when he goes back tomorrow.

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TWO MONTHS! 

Sweet Enzo, my baby. How have 60 days already gone by?! 4-5 ounce bottles (you don't waste a drop), 5 hour stretches at night, found your smile with the edible dimples, your laugh and your voice. At your two month appointment, I expected you to weigh 10 lbs and was quite shocked to see the scale shoot to 12 lbs 9 ozs! The shots broke your heart and the Motrin was even more offensive. Everyone comments on what a good natured baby you are and how lucky we are to have you. I couldn't agree more. Mc was so excited to rush home from school to give you a kiss and I love that you definitely know that I am your momma. You are so responsive, so alert and a dream baby that completes our little family.

Telling me a story.

Talking to the fan.

Wearing hand-me-downs from Kingston a month sooner than he was able to fit into them. I think you look particularly like your daddy in this picture.

What a day for a daydream

Today, Mc and I ventured out on a Mommy/Daughter date- one of the last few before I lose my child to the confines of an all day school schedule. We headed to Color Me Mine to paint and of course the ceramic kitty was all that would suffice. Mc was WAY more interested in the sponges and the water bowls once the pink base coat adorned her cat,  but it was heart warming to have her give me a high five as we walked out and say, "We are a great team, Mom".

Lunch at Chic-Fil-A, a quick trip to Target (her favorite and mine) and it was a day that will go down in Kindergarten history. She was quite the showstopper with her braid- so many women came up and wanted to touch her hair (three at lunch, one at Target), asked how long it took, took pictures to figure out how to replicate it later,  and were surprised every time when I had to admit this was outside my realm of expertise (Alex, you're the shiz).

Sure love this little girl!

This is Mc's "waterfall" braid courtesy of the Bob Ross of braids..Alex. 

And later in the day,  mom for the win. Naptime for all the babies and "Unbroken" for me.

eavesdropping

As I wrote in my journal today, I stopped to really think about the fact that I am indeed old enough to have two children in school. It came as a bit of a shock for some reason. Three kids brings those kind of epitomic moments. This month has been a rough one. Call it the tinges of postpartum depression or call it your life as you round the corner to 33, but, I really feel that self assessment bug incessantly buzzing in my ear.

Enzo is almost 7 weeks old, we're looking to buy a new home, Mc is going to all day kindergarten, I have returned to church and responsibilities of a YW President, we are heading to Disneyland with a two month old in two weeks (for real?), K is having accidents almost every day, the ever generous meals have stopped and, the "disconnect" that comes from being out of the groove for almost two months hit me like a freight train.

Wednesday. Mark sits patiently as I complain about how I never get a "say" in where the Lord directs me (based on my calling). I know I meant to serve. I know that I was built up and sustained for that capacity but "when do I get to say when I am done or burned out? where I feel capable of serving? and who can I tell that my life is crazy right now except you?". All that spewed out as I ramped back up to go back to my first week of mutual since having the baby.

Thursday. My six week appointment was taking an eternity so in that moment of solitude, I silently prayed.

Saturday. I get an email from the bishop notifying me of some impending changes and then, a whole paragraph where the topic was centered on how I was feeling with all the changes/adjustments that a 3rd child brings. I felt like a moron. All along, the Lord had been listening. He was not unaware of my struggles. I sat back and thought about my loving Heavenly Father, just listening, like a concerned parent quietly observing and waiting for me to lay it all out. How quickly we forget that he wants nothing more than for us to be happy. Nothing more than to involve him in our struggles so that he can yet again, show us the way and bless us beyond what we deserve.

On our way to orthodontia.

Every morning for months, Mc has woken up and made the rounds to ALL of her teeth looking for the slightest wiggle which would mean she would soon have a visit from the Tooth Fairy. On Sunday morning she ran down and showed us that her "wish had finally come true" and one of her teeth was loose. The MASSIVE adult took was pushing its way up behind- in all its jagged and awkward hugeness. Monday, as eating became more difficult, I asked if she would let me pull it. Handy paper towel ready and the teensie pearly white was out.

The tooth fairy visited (Thanks Aish for the pillow and certificates!) and left $5 (one time only- for the first tooth), an electric toothbrush and a new purse. Mc now has a cute little whistle, along with her lisp, and now is finally ready to go to Kindergarten.

Start praying now that Mc got Mark's teeth ( in regards to no braces) and won't need the extensive Orthodontic work that I did!

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 At one month, Enzo is eating 3-4 ounces and sleeping 2-4 hours. He has come out of the "newborn coma" and is more awake and alert and LOVES to be held and talked to. I think he has found his smile (although they say that isn't possible) and will respond to my voice, Mark or the kids. His cheekies are getting chunky and we are able to fit in some 0-3 month clothes and size one diapers. Still not a fan of the carseat. Bath time at 10 PM means you will give us a good stretch of sleep in the night.

Daddy says you look like a "little bird" and sissy can't get enough of holding you (we are going through soap like it's water because she knows she, and everyone else, should be washing before touching, kissing or looking at you). Your little grunts and squeals are your trademark. Your eyes are blue, your hair is fading to blonde and your Williamson stature is undeniable.

First time meeting your cousin Brynlee- she called you baby "Rorenzo".

Just some sleepies with daddy.