The Beginning

Our first six weeks as a family of four have probably been the best six weeks of my life so far, and that's not the sleep deprivation talking...I don't think!  While I am quite sleep deprived, I can honestly say that I have deeply and greatly enjoyed this new beginning of our lives.  We have had stressful moments--and lots of them--and bad days--more than I care to admit, but there have been so many amazing, fulfilling, special, soul gratifying moments that keep the rough times from taking away from the joyousness of this time.  Cooper asking to hold Baby Jake and always wanting to come to his rescue with a paci or new diaper.  The way he kisses him and holds his hand.  Seeing Jake smile when Karl or Cooper talk to him.  The sound of a newborn's cry.  The innocence in his eyes.  The tiny fingers and toes.  The special father-son time Cooper and Karl have been sharing together.  The way a new baby always tries to scrunch up in the fetal position when you hold him.  The feel of his breath on your chest as you cuddle.  When he falls asleep while nursing and milk drizzles out of his mouth.  The spit up.  The constant changing of diapers.  The endless loads of laundry.  The transition of welcoming a new little one into our family.  I love all of it.  It is glorious and divine, and I am so thankful for this little family of mine.

Here are some pictures from these past six weeks that capture those little special moments of our new beginning as a family of four...

First sponge bath (first day home)

Cuddling-We spend a lot of time cuddling this baby!

Tummy Time and Play Time-Jake will tolerate tummy time for a few minutes, but then gets fussy about it or spits up a lot so that I have to pick him up.  He does enjoy being on his back while Cooper plays around him though.

Sweet Expressions-All those crazy little expressions are so fun to watch!

Ten tiny fingers, ten tiny toes

Is there anything more peaceful than a sleeping baby?

More facial expressions...

Father-Son bonding time-Karl and Cooper have spent a lot of time at the hunting club this fall to give Mommy time to rest with Baby Jake, but Daddy makes sure to get some one-on-one time with the Jakester too!

Sweet little smiles-This baby smiles all the time.  All you have to do is talk to him and his face lights up!

The first real bath (umbilical cord stump finally fell off a few days before his 1 month birthday)-He was a little unsure about it at first, but he never cried, and overall, I think he liked it!

It's not all smiles and happy pictures though!