5

Brian and I are feeling especially thankful for our sweet little family of 5 of this year.

The number we had always dreamed our family would be since we we began dating almost 15 years ago.

A number that seemed highly unlikely at one point.

Once upon a time, not very long ago, Brian and I became okay with the fact that our family might always be just him + I.

And then came Lincoln + Lila. 

Our game changers.  

They will always be a reminder of our strength, perseverance and determination as a couple.  

They are miracles.  Beautiful miracles.

We ached for these children.

We wanted them so badly.

They made us mama + daddy.  

God's blessings in our lives never felt more abundant then when he gave us our first son + daughter.

I can still hardly believe it.

And then 2013 rocked our little world.

The Colt-man arrived.

He will always be a reminder of the great love Brian + I share.

And God's faithfulness.

And His complete understanding of the desires of our heart.

And His perfect timing.

Life is never perfect friends.  In fact, it's downright messy most of the time.

But I'm feeling so blessed on this Thanksgiving Day.

We celebrated with a 5k and pie.

Weekly Colt

Found his toes!  

He's pretty taken with them.

Siblings

Look at our boys.  

Precious little studs.

As soon as I saw that pic, I immediately thought of this one...

...and Colt looked so similar to one of the twins.  

Can you guess which?

I can see bits of Lila + Lincoln in Colt, but mostly he just looks like him.

And I like that.

But it's also fun to hear who people think he looks like.  

Today I heard Lincoln twice from some friends.

Yesterday it was Lila.

Genetics are a funny, mysterious thing.

Weekly Colt

Well, hot damn sweet Colt is 10 weeks already.  He wasn't feeling the photo this week.  Please enjoy this gem:

He will love me for this someday I'm sure.

Colt had his 2 month check up last week.  He is 12.8lbs and 24 inches...Which means, my guy has gained 5 inches and almost 6 lbs since his birth day.  My!  No wonder he slept the first month of his life away.  He started laughing last week.  Laughing!   coos and chats all the live-long day.  Brian + I have been blessed with extraordinarly happy babies.  All 3 have always been filled with joy, but this dude may be the most chill of the bunch.  The past 2 nights he has slept a 6 hour stretch which has been lovely.  Following his cues, he is down for the night at 7 which is also quite lovely.  Sooooo nice.

This morning.  

Snuggling/smothering.

That Day

For our Son, Colt.

My man, let me tell you about the day you were born.

You took us by surprise when we found out we were expecting you.

(Surprise...probably more like shocked describes it!)

But your birthday was planned.  

You were going to be our 9/9 baby.

(Did you know Daddy loves the number 9?!)

I slept pretty good the night before you were born.  But I was up at the crack of dawn with anticipation.  I showered and woke up Sis + Bud.  They put on their special big bro/big sis shirts we picked out.  Lila was in tears that she couldn't go to the hospital with me.  We kissed and hugged Gram, Pops, Tia and the twins and were off to the hospital by 6:30 AM.

I was excited.

I was nervous.

I was ready.

We didn't know where to check in or what floor to be on.  Some friendly people helped us out,
and before you know it, Dad + I were in our room.

And just like that!, I had an IV in my arm and gown on my body.  

My nerves were a-coming.

They wheeled me back to the room to get the party started, but daddy couldn't come back with me at first.  That was pretty terrible for me.  Because here is what you need to know about Dad + I.  We are tight.  He makes the bad days good, and the good days great for me.  He is my steady and he makes me feel unstoppable.  With him not there for a bit, I had to pull up my big girl panties and pretend to be brave.  I said some prayers for courage + strength
and just kept on focusing on the getting-to-meet you part.

It was just me + you Colt.  

I just knew I had to go through all this for you.

To get you.

They were some pretty terrible moments before Dad got in the room.  But once he was there, I immediately felt more secure.  There are already bits and pieces of your day that I can't remember, but I will never forget the way your Daddy looked at me when you were born.  Man did he make me feel beautiful.  (And you can look at the pics, I was a hot mess!)  And his eyes just reflected the intense love he felt for both you + I.

And then, you came.

And our family was complete.

You came out with a fire in your belly and a ferociousness in your soul.

You let it be known that you were finally here.

We were so glad you were here.

You were perfect.

You were the dream I stopped allowing myself to have.

You were a desire deep within Dad + I that we just couldn't abandon.

Until we did...and then God gave us you when we least expected it.

And we are so glad he did.

There are parts of your birthday that were kinda terrible for me.

But every part was worth you.

I fell in love immediately.

I fell deeper in love with Dad.

When the twins walked in our room to meet you, 

it was probably one of the happiest moments of my life.

Because we were all together for the first time.

Our family was now complete.

Our exclamation point had arrived.

Fact By Karla

The fact of the matter is, for as long as I am living and breathing on planet Earth, 

I will always be most happy when we are all together.

All 5 of us.

The end.

Life

Please enjoy this iPhone photo dump.

Nothing that special. 

Just living our life.

3.

THREE!!!

B + I created another early riser.

That would be 3 for 3 if you're counting.

This boy and his tummy naps.

Also, he likes to bury his face.  

In my arm or in a blanket.

Turd.

Clearly loving our autumn walks.

(Probably bummed because there is no milk involved.)

His favorite napping place. 

Mine too.

Hand dimples.

Oh, yes.

Pretty much thinks monthly pictures are lame sauce.

Matching Swisher stocking.  

Officially part of the family.

Being given the Fruit of the Spirit 'Love' award.

So fitting.  

Would also be an excellent candidate for joy, peace, patience, 

kindness goodness, faithfulness and tattling.

This boy is that precious.

My Colt.

Lil' pumpkins.

Halloween costumes #1 for school.

Could Lila please be a kitty every year?!

She is so cute!

School photographer did a couple extras of the twins together.

Grocery list making.

1st J's.

Cougar family.  

(Haha, gross.)

Woof.

Me + Her

Lila is a force.

A sweet thing.  

Joyful.  

Spirited. 

Hysterical. 

Silly.  

Opinionated.  

Observant.

Sassy.

Smart.  

Helpful.

Loving.

Sneaky.

Beautiful.

Songbird.

Athletic.   [seriously. watch out!]

Bossy.

Hands on.

Teacher.

Compassionate.

Nurturing.

Sensitive.

Man, I love this girl.  She's so easy to love.  She + I have the best times.  I will never forget the moment I found out I was having a girl.  My heart was overjoyed!  I didn't even realize that I wanted one so badly.

She challenges me.  Oh, does she challenge me.  

Girls are weird.  

We just are.  

And just cause we are DOES NOT mean we can explain why.

So I try my best to be patient with her and hope she will be patient with me.

I'm so glad, so very VERY glad that our one + only daughter is Lila Pearl.  

She's the cats meow.

Weekly Colt

Smiling, cooing, watching, chatting and cracking me up every day.  

You are strong, determined and sweeeeeet.  

You slept a 5 1/2 hour stretch last night!  

The transition of welcoming you into our family 9 weeks ago has been easy.  

So very easy.  

You were meant to be with us.  L+ L adore you.  

And daddy and I can't even believe how lucky we are;

that we get to be your parents.  

You are the cherry on top, Colt.

The grand finale.

We are so in love with our boy.

  

Weekly Colt

8 weeks with this dreamboat.

Also, DIMPLES.

*swoon*

Halloween

Every year my friend/photographer Willow takes the twins pictures in their Halloween costumes.  

This was the year of the gladiator + angel.