My boys

I've been thinking a lot recently about how incredibly blessed I am. I've got my three boys (Chris, Collin and Ethan) and I love them each so much! With this past Monday being Memorial Day, I've felt the ache for Collin to be here with us now, however, at the same time I've felt such peace and happiness knowing that we can be together again. I missed going to visit Collin's grave on Monday and am grateful that both Chris's family and my family were able to go. I am excited to take Ethan there later in June. I love to show Ethan pictures of Collin and tell him all about his big brother. 

I am so grateful to be a mom. I absolutely LOVE everything about it! I LOVE that I can bring a smile to Ethan's face or comfort him when he is sad. I LOVE that he reaches up to touch my neck when I am feeding him. I LOVE that he wants me to talk to him. I LOVE that he sleeps best in my arms. I LOVE to hug and kiss him. Mother's Day this year was different from last year. Last year, I felt so much love for Collin and at the same time so much sadness that my arms were empty. This year, Ethan brought me the greatest gift as he filled my arms with such immense love. I didn't realize that being Ethan's mom would bring me so much joy.

Ethan is now over 3 months old. At 3 months, Ethan:

- has the cutest smile! ...but for some reason doesn't like to smile for the camera...we're working on it

- has found his fists and LOVES to suck/chew on them

- has begun to slobber...a lot

- has started to jibber jabber

- is an awesome night sleeper (goes down around 8 PM, wakes up twice to eat and falls right back to sleep until 8ish AM)

- isn't on any set nap schedule. Some days he naps a lot, other days hardly at all.

- loves to have his head rubbed, especially by his dad. 

- loves to see the world. He is such a curious baby and loves to look around at everything

 

Ethan's Blessing Day plus Family in Town

We had a fun and very busy week! Our family's came into town for Ethan's baby blessing and then Erica, Coleman and Ava stayed to visit for the week. I loved every minute of it! I'll let the pictures do most of the talking - I have lots more pictures I am going to add to facebook as soon as I get the chance. 

Ethan was blessed on Sunday, May 6, 2012 by his dad with all the Priesthood Holders in our immediate family participating. Ethan is so loved by all of his family, everyone from both sides of the our family made the trip so they could be apart of his special day. Chris gave Ethan a wonderful blessing, the spirit was so strong. I reflected back to the day Chris blessed Collin in the NICU the day before he passed away. I felt Collin's presence during Ethan's blessing and I know that he loves his brother and is going to positively impact his life. 

Ethan looks so handsome in his blessing outfit! 

Chris's family minus Steve, Larae, Noah and Logan (they headed back to the hotel before pictures)

My family. 

Erica, Coleman and Ava came all the way from New York. Ava and Ethan are one day apart. Twin Cousins!

Me with my siblings

Ava and Ethan

We were so happy to have my Grandma Lindley join with us for Ethan's blessing!

Ethan was lucky enough to share his blessing day with my baby sister,  Alysa's birthday. She turned  9 and is Ethan's youngest Aunt. 

Ethan was worn out by the end of the day. All the attention is tiring for such a little guy. 

Chris's family came into town on Friday afternoon, along with my mom and two little sisters. We walked around Stanford and ate at Ike's. Then a few of us went into San Francisco that night and experienced the food truck round up. 

Enjoying our food on the side of the road. 

 The rest of my family arrived Friday night and Saturday morning. Saturday we all went Seascape Beach and then to Capitola for dinner and ice cream.

Exchanging babies for a bit. 

We all enjoyed a day at Seascape Beach on Saturday. The weather was perfect!

 My family, except Erica, Colema and Ava, left Sunday night and Chris's family stayed and played with us one more day. We had a fun day on Monday visiting the Marin Headlands, Sausalito, China Town, and Pier 39. 

Lunch at the Fish in Sausalito. It was delicious! 

I love this picture of Steve, Larae, Noah and Logan. Such a cute little family. It was so fun to see Logan! He is getting so big! 

Chris's family left on Monday night and we spent the rest of the week with Erica, Coleman and Ava. Chris had work but we saw him as much as we could. We hiked the Dish, ate at Ike's (twice - it is delicious!), visited Muir Woods, walked some of the Golden Gate Bridge (our walk was cut short because there was a suicide attempt on the bridge - super crazy! Luckily the policemen were able to distract the guy enough to grab him off the ledge). We also shared a delicious sundae at Ghiradelli Square, toured Alcatraz, played at the pool, went for walks, saw the Avengers, and ate lots of delicious food. I loved having them here and was sad when they had to leave. Ava is such a cutie! 

Hiking the Dish

Muir Woods

I don't think the kids enjoyed the water too much.

View of the Golden Gate Bridge

Picnic at the park