"Yummy"

If I had to pick just one word to describe Luke right now it would have to be "yummy!" He is the yummiest yummy that you can possibly pack into one fat little baby body! I just love his fat little cheeks and chubby thighs. I wish I could make a model of his little body that I could hold onto and squeeze forever. I remember when Jaden felt this way. I tried so hard to memorize how wonderful that felt. I would squeeze him tight, the way I do with Luke, and savor how good he felt.

When my children were first born I marveled at how amazing they were. I couldn't believe just moments before they were inside of me. That just blew my mind! But they seemed so fragile and I worried if they were getting enough to eat, if they were peeing enough, pooping enough - you know. But once they reached a certain "fatness" and were eating well I felt like I could relax a little. To me the fatness was an extra assurance that they were healthy. I love fat babies!

When Luke was about 3 weeks old or so he cried so much. It felt like he was crying all the time. We really thought that maybe he didn't like us. There didn't seem to be anything we could do to make him happy. I'm not sure exactly when that changed but it was long enough ago that it seems like a distant memory. Now he is such a joy. He loves to look at our faces and "talk" to us. He loves cuddling and listening to us singing. He especially loves eating, hence the fatness. :) He doesn't miss much. He likes to be held up so he can see what is going on. I get so tickled when he looks at me and his whole face lights up. It's hard to describe the kind of happiness I feel during those moments.

It's definitely hard at times with three little ones. Every one's needs are of utmost importance and usually at the same time. But the little, special moments I get with each one (a chat with Anna, a kiss from Jaden, smiles from Luke) make me forget the challenging parts. I realize every day how blessed I am to have this time with my children. I get to stay at home and care for them, they are healthy, and I've got a loving husband who is a "hands-on" Dad. These are things that money can't buy. So even if we have less money in our pockets because of the rising gas prices we are rich in the ways that really count!