OH BABY!

The only thing better than having a new baby is being able to enjoy the blessing of another new life brought to this world.

My newest niece,

Leah Mae Nelson,

was born this morning (Halloween) around 9:00 to two WONDERFUL people,

my little sister Amber and her husband Talon.

She's their first little baby and came to the world a couple days early and healthy and gorgeous!

She was born 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 inches long.

And seriously, she's CUTE!

I'll prove it!

Adorable no?

Mommy just can't get enough of her. . .

Proud daddy!

And the whole family together.

I can't even describe how happy and excited I am for you guys and your adorable new addition! Congratulations!

say cheese!

Do you have a hard time getting your kids to allow you to take their pictures, much less sit still or to smile for pictures?

I do too, usually.

Now, whenever I try to take a picture of my baby by herself I end up with pictures like these. . .

They start something like this. . .

Then go to this. . .

And finally this. . .

All of a sudden the older two want to be in the spotlight. See how thrilled little Brynn is with that idea?

And some other attempts. . .

And finally, I got the little one on her own with a smile!

We're all obsessed with our new little baby 'round here as you can tell.

Bawling bash

Mike and I were in the bedroom deep in conversation when a smiling little 4-year old comes and climbs into my lap. . .

double take. . .

"Danna! Tell me you didn't just CUT YOUR HAIR!"

nooooooooooo!!!!

It's true. She did it. . .

I covered my face with my hand and had a mini nervous breakdown right then and there while Mike very calmingly soothed my, now bawling, little hairdresser. . .

I couldn't look at her. . . she had a homemade mullet. . .

every few minutes I was able to say one phrase; "oh Danna, all your beautiful--"

the word hair being replaced by tears welling up in my eyes and a sort of inner panic taking over. . .

I tried to see the broader scheme of things: my daughter was healthy, she didn't hurt herself, hair grows back, all little kids cut their hair at one point or another right?

Then again the welling tears, and the panic. . .

I caught Danna in her room roughly 10 minutes later frantically picking up her toys (so mommy would be happy), and saying things like, "mom how about we throw away this toy. . ." giving herself some self-served punishment.

Break. My. Heart.

I finally was able to give her a hug and tell her that everything was going to be okay (and inwardly chanting that to myself over and over in the process)

So, to help, I grabbed the camera. My security blanket for the insane, and traumatic (to me) things my children do. . . I can find humor in anything (almost), as long as I'm behind the camera.

Mike convinced a smile out of her in this one even though she felt so awful. . .

Mike was finally able to ease my inner turmoil by pointing out a solution. Have my friend Dawn come and fix it. . .

Okay, whew!

Right before the first cut. It's not quite so traumatic to mom the morning after.

she's got bangs now.

And the finished product. This was the only frontal photo I was able to take cause she was a little hyper afterword. I couldn't get her to leave her bangs in front either, we'll work on that.

Side view. This was the worst of it right here. Not bad huh?

BEFORE:

AFTER:

And now, a very relieved and happy mommy. THANK YOU DAWN!

Obviously I need to work on my reactions to trauma. Yikes. . .

Cosby quotes

"You know the only people who are always sure about the proper way to raise children? Those who've never had any."

--Bill Cosby

And more from good ol' Bill. . .

"Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit."

"I guess the real reason that my wife and I had children is the same reason that Napoleon had for invading Russia: it seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Parents are not interested in justice, they're interested in peace and quiet."

"Even though your kids will consistently do the exact opposite of what you're telling them to do, you have to keep loving them just as much."

3 vs 2

So people keep asking me, "How's having 3 kids instead of 2?"

Well, I'll tell you. . .

Thus far it's been pretty much the same, but that may have something to do with the fact that the baby can't really go anywhere and sleeps a good portion of the time anyway.

So yeah, it's really just the same until. . .

we leave the house. Then they all feel like screaming and wetting through diapers and going to the potty like 4 times per outing.

I refuse to go to any store without a cart to shackle buckle my kids into and am very much debating buying those child leashes I've seen around. I also don't dare leave without all appropriate soothers (pacifiers), blankies, treats, etc. which makes shopping in general almost pointless because my cart is then already overflowing with said items and my children and has no more room left for items to actually buy. And I won't even get into the fighting my kids in and out of their car seats at every stop. . .

Needless to say, I'm still figuring it out. And if you see me in tears at the store with one child missing, one trying to climb out of the basket and a screaming baby, don't judge.

Look how big my baby is getting already!