Baby's are born without necks...right?

So, the night we brought Bellen home from the hospital the kids were SO excited! They yelled "surprise!" when we walked in the door. We brought Bellen, in  her carseat, and set her on the floor so they could look at her. Jameson, in his sweet and innocent 5 year old voice says, "She doesn't have a neck yet, right?". He was trying to reason why it looked like her baby head was just resting on her tiny shoulders, since she couldn't hold it up yet. We got a BIG kick out of it!

Today, this outfit Bellen is wearing reminded me of Jameson's statement. I purchased it from Gymboree, for a couple reasons...
1. it was dirt cheap and i love a deal!
2. it was something other than pink and the girl has got a LOT of pink in her closet
3. i made this really cute hair accessory to go with it
However, it brings back Jameson's question of the baby with no neck. Why would someone make a "turtleneck" for a baby? Oh well, she looks cute and atleast her chin will be warm! And, no, I don't make her wear a headband to take a nap...I just did it for the picture.:)

Bellen's First Bath...Feb 15th

Nope...she doesn't like her bath at all. Hates being naked, hates being unswaddled, hates being out of mommy's arms! Poor baby...she doesn't know that her mommy makes her kids take a bath every single day! She'll have to learn to like it.

Skate Party

Our school has an annual skate party at the local Skating Rink each year to help raise money for Leukemia Research (Pennies for Patients). Jason went to chaperone and took Jameson along...they had a great time. Jameson wasn't so thrilled with the skating part, but he loved being around everyone (and getting a snack at the snack bar:).

Our 4 Lovebugs...

Another sneak peek of the pictures we had taken last week...can't wait to see the rest!

Happy Valentine's Day

Another Valentine's Day, but my heart has never been more full of love and joy! I am so thankful for all the Lord has blessed us with, so undeservedly! We had a simple celebration at home, after school. My friend brought us dinner, which was a fabulous treat! The kids opened their small gifts and See's Candy. After dinner we had the heart-brownie sundaes that I made and the kids watched "Clifford the Big Red Dog Valentine's Special". Simple. Together. At home. These are my new favorite things...

Thank you Mom!

My Mom spent this past week with us, to help us ease into the new routine of having 4 children! She has done this each time we have a new baby. It is so nice to be able to just focus on the baby. She kept the washer going (we have LOTs of laundry, as you can imagine), made us good food, got the kids ready for school each morning, and much, much more...The older kids loved having her around! On Saturday, the day before she left, Meran held a tea party for her. Meran even let Jameson come, which was mighty gracious of her! He loves to do things with his sister and never gives a care if they seem like "girlie" activities. Thank you so much Mom for helping us out this week, and thanks to Dad for going all week without you, so we could be spoiled by you!

The Final Touch

The day we arrived home from the hospital, my mother-in-law, Linda, had put Bellen's crib bedding in her room. It was a sweet surprise! It is more gorgeous than I even imagined! It is so girlie and fancy....Thank you Linda! We love it!

One Week Old!

I can hardly believe that last week at this time we were at the hospital waiting for her to be born! Miss Bellen (my sweet peanut) is one week old today! Happy Birthday sweet angel!

We had her pictures taken yesterday at the house...thank you Rachael! Can't wait to see the rest!

4 Days Old Already!

Bellen is 4 days old...we are loving loving her!

She has Arrived!

Bellen Noelle Neese arrived Saturday, February 5th at 6:22pm. She weighed 7lbs. 7oz,, 19in long. She looks alot like big sister, Meran, who is holding her right now so I can blog! The kids are loving her...she is a very sweet, petite, baby girl! We praise God for her!

1 Day till D-Day!

We just moved Sutton into a big boy bedroom 6 weeks ago...
I was thinking yesterday how today would be the last full day of Sutton being the "baby" of the family. I feel like this, about the youngest of each of my kids, whenever I am about to have another. I remember feeling almost guilty about it, concerning Meran, when I was about to have Jameson.
You think to yourself, "How can I have enough of myself for each child? How can I love another little person as much as I love this one?"
But, God swells your heart...making room, a new room, for the new child. Nothing changes(in your heart), except the amount of joy you have. God is good! It is a very small glimpse into the way God loves us, each individually, wanting the best for us....parenthood grows your walk with the Lord in many ways and insight is one of them.
So, today, I don't feel quite so sad for Sutton. Might also have something to do about him NOT wanting to be called baby (which i use often as a term of endearment). I will say, "Come on baby, let's go..." and he will reply, "Me no baby, me big boy Sutty!" (in a kinda deep, character-like voice).
Sutty-buddy....with your te-te(cozy blanky) and ah(pacifier)...welcome to the world of being a big brother. So glad you have a super one to look up to!

2 Days till D-Day!

Yeah! Getting closer! Jason scratched his last 2 things off his "honey-do" list tonight. We brought this chandelier over from Meran's room. There is a cute fan/chandelier that we'd like to get for her to replace it, but won't do that until late spring. She really wants it and asks me frequently when she can get it...then she went to a birthday party last weekend and her friend had it in her bedroom! She is counting down til she can get it!

3 Days till D-Day!

Last night we hung some cute word plaques above the crib....but I will post those when i reveal the bedding. These frames are "vintage" (in a way...) they were hanging in Meran's nursery and I have hung onto them these past, almost, 9 years! We use to have 3, but one didn't make it, having gotten stepped on. I found these ceramic rosette picture hangers on clearance (one of my favorite words!) at PBKids. The baby is having her first photo shoot 7 days after she is born, so I will fill them in with those pictures. I can't wait to see what she looks like and which of the kids she resembles, since I think Meran, Jameson and Sutton all look different!

4 Days till D-Day

Okay, okay, okay...so i can't keep a blog every single day (not sure how some of you do it!). But here are a few more pictures of her nursery...the best, the bedding, made by my mother-in-law, is still to come. As soon as it is in the crib I will post a picture! Feeling good-spent the morning with some of my MOPS group delivering Valentine's Day Cards to a Convalescent Home with the boys and then had a play/lunch date at the mall.

Jason and his brother, Than, installed this closet in her room. I love the space for organizing!

 It is fun to do pink again!