Snow

It snowed yesterday. Here's how I feel about it snow:

It's very pretty when it is falling.

It's very pretty before anyone has walked on it.

It should stay in the mountains. Really.

But the kids were excited and we bundled them up to play in the back yard for a few minutes.

An inch of snow is very deep when

you're small enough to wear frog rain boots.

Look at the snowflake shadow under Toby's eye.

They were giant snowflakes.

The snow we had was perfect for packing into snowballs.

Really, really, really...

...really BIG snowballs!

Daddy was the intended target of this throw.

Geary said, "When you're in a snowball fight with a seven year old

the safest thing to do is stand still."

It was a fun 10 minutes of playing in the cold.

And I do have to admit that snow really makes it feel like Christmas!

The Middle of Christmas

Last night we got back from our weekend Christmas celebration in Albany. It was super fun to have several days of being together in the same house with everyone. The cousins were hilarious (and loud) and it was pure bliss for me to have all the extra hands ready and waiting for baby holding. I have lots to share but I want to wait. You see, we're still in the middle of Christmas--we have another whole celebration with my side of the family this weekend! So there is a little more gift making and wrapping and baking and finishing touches type stuff to be done here. Plus unpacking and all the regular feeding and cuddling and laughing that goes on around here. Merry Christmas!

Rhetoric

Noah has been practicing his lines for the First Grade Assembly this week. He's had to work hard on projection, speed, and enunciation.

Geary: You're doing a good job. Public Speaking is hard.

Noah: But being nervous is easy.

Aqua Carpenters in Disguise

All morning long Toby has been asking for a "fish hammer". Of course I had no idea what that meant until he climbed up on his toy bin and pulled down a Transformer. Fish Hammer, Transformer...

Now I just have to figure out what "giggle horse" means.

Those Good Lookin' Linhart Boys

Geary and I sure do make cute boys, don't we?

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I'm so happy they have each other. And that we have them.

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They will be buddies for life and have so many great stories to tell their own children.

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Miles doesn't know it yet but he has the best big brothers in the world.

Noah and Toby are completely smitten with their baby.

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Toby wouldn't let Miles go after this photo session.

He kept saying, "No! I like more baby."

Christmas Crime Scene

I was nursing Miles in the kitchen when I noticed the house was strangely quiet. I put Miles in his swing and went to investigate. This is the scene I was met with in the living room:

Our advent calender had been viciously pulled apart, it's contents scattered across the floor.

Empty candy wrappers were everywhere.

Look at those sad, empty cubicles.

Today is the 11th so that's, let's see...FOURTEEN pieces of chocolate!

The perpetrator. Check out those shifty eyes.

I am NOT looking forward to today's diaper changes.

Case in Point

Jeana (to Miles): Are you a happy boy?

Toby: No, that's not a boy. That's a baby.

Jeana: Oh. Are you a boy?

Toby: No.

Jeana: Are you a baby?

Toby: No.

Jeana: Are you a big-boy?

Toby: No.

Jeana: Well what are you?

Toby: Uh...two!

Solo Day Four

We're still doing okay. The sleep deprivation is definitely wearing on me now. Just like with the older boys I felt like Superwoman for two weeks (all those awesome birth hormones) and now my body is recognizing that oh, hey! We just had a baby! Nights are rough because all I want is to be sleeping and all Miles wants is to be eating. We're figuring it out though and I'm trying to keep the attitude of "It won't always be like this" and "It could be worse."

Our church and school families have been so generous with providing meals and babysitting and offers to help with anything. My friends Katy and Rachel even came over and helped me decorate our Christmas tree. Geary, of course, continues to be wonderful. I'm a very blessed woman in the husband department.

Today Miles and Noah have well child visits with our family doctor. It will be my first time out of the house with all three kids (besides school drop offs). Only 6 school days left until Christmas break--praise the Lord!

Solo

Geary went back to work today so it's my first day on my own with all three kids. So far it's going great! Miles has timed his hunger well--I was able to get Noah to school on time with no problems. Of course it helps a ton that Noah is so independent in the mornings. He gets his own breakfast and even makes his own lunch! Right now Miles is sleeping and Toby is playing quietly in his room. Maybe I'll even get to take a shower today. Here's hoping!

Miles' First Days

My biggest baby yet. Noah was 8lbs 6oz,

Toby was 7lbs 8oz, Miles was 8lbs 8oz.

Spreadable Toes!

He figured out how to suck on his fingers right away.

Clearly he's a genius.

Melissa, my incredible doula--love her!

My awesome husband

and the infamous "roll with the pain" balance ball.

There are many pictures that look just like this one.

Mainly because if he wasn't nursing he was swaddled like this

and sleeping all day on Thanksgiving.

Getting ready to leave the hospital.

This was taken seconds before he flopped forward on his face.

I am the best mother ever.

He forgave me pretty quickly, though.

All bundled up in the car seat.

Meeting his biggest brother for the first time.

Toby is still not interested in holding him.

Swaddled in my favorite hedgehog blanket.