Newborn Photo's

A few days after Wes was born we had the very wonderful and talented Andrea Warden come to our home to take some pictures of our family and it's newest member. She did an amazing job capturing our boys and all the love between The Smith's. She was patient and so kind and I couldn't be happier with how our photo's turned out. I am so grateful to have these precious memories to keep forever. Thank you Andrea!

Wesley Brian Smith

Our sweet Wesley Brian arrived on his due date, July 9, 2013. He weighed 7lb 4oz and was 20 inches long. It has taken me over a month to get on here and announce his birth. I will just say that this perfect and precious little boy sure has stole our hearts. Especially those of his 2 older brothers who just adore him. This time goes by so fast and we are enjoying each beautiful second of this life of ours.

Momma Love

It is hard to believe this one isn't going to be my littlest baby for much longer.

And Then There Were 3

We sent out this announcement on New Year's Day. It feels so great to not be keeping this secret any longer and to have made it to my second trimester!! I'm not sure why, but this baby and the fact that we are going to have 3 kids has recently become very real!! I seriously can't stop smiling!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Family Tradition

This is the 4th year that we have attended Brian's company kid's holiday party. It is so much fun and there is so much to do with the kids. They have face painting, cookie decorating, crafts, music, balloon animals, and of course Santa! Everything was a huge success minus the Santa part. Cole wanted nothing to do with the jolly old man and didn't make it more than 2 seconds sitting on his lap. I guess I should consider a picture with at least one of them and him a win...

Change of Heart

I mentioned earlier this week that I've been anti Christmas this year. Little by little we've been decorating, baking, caroling, and slowly but surely adding some sparkle to our home. Besides the beauty that comes with this time of year, there is nothing more I love than experiencing it with our sweet little boys. The twinkle in their eyes, the excitement in their voices, and the happiness they get from the magic of this season. I'm beginning to think the closer we get to Christmas there could be a definite change around here, and just like that Grinch, my heart too will grow 3 sizes in one day!

Bah Humbug

Seriously call me The Grinch. I've been really trying hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year but haven't had much luck! Working full time, growing this baby, feeling sick all day/night, and taking care of the boys has left me drained physically and mentally. Brian has been so helpful and I really am so fortunate to have such a wonderful husband. He put up all the lights outside, set up the tree and put most of the decorations on it, and went out shopping and bought the kids their presents. I am really hoping some of my energy and excitement comes back soon because this USUALLY is my favorite time of the year! Till then...bah humbug!

Mother's Intuition

So I was really excited about Thanksgiving this year...like grinning ear to ear, ready to burst excited. Not only will it be our 1st year ever hosting and cooking but we were also going to share the news of our new little addition with our family. I had it envisioned in my head. All of us sitting around the dinner table waiting to say prayers. Everyone with their I am thankful for card in hand ready to open up all at the same time. Everyone was going to read the little note from Baby S #3 saying how thankful he/she was to be joining our family in July. It was going to perfect. Well it was perfect up until yesterday.
I decided to stop by my parents on the way home from the mall. I just wanted to say hi and see what everyone was up to. Of course the Eagles game was on and dad was making a pot of soup. So I grabbed some food and sat down when my mom asked if I wanted a beer. I said no and went back to eating. She then asked again with a little more of a suspicious tone and I looked up at her and said no again. Then out of the blue she asked me if I had something I wanted to tell her. Right then and there I knew, she already knew. So I responded with "well, do you want me to tell you now or do you want to be surprised on Thanksgiving with everyone else"? She was so happy and of course told me that she knew I was pregnant. Not sure how but she had been suspicious for a few weeks. Call it mother's intuition I guess. All that time I thought I was doing a great job at keeping our little secret! Nothing stays secret for long so as soon as my mom asked, my sister who was sitting right there also found out. Then my other sister and her boyfriend walked in and found out, and then she ran and told my dad. 
I am happy they know and they I don't have to keep this secret anymore, though I am thoroughly bummed that my big reveal didn't get to happen. We still have Brian's family to tell and I am trying to come up with a last minute idea for a creative way to tell them. Most likely I am going to get both the boys big brother shirts to wear. I'll let ya know how it goes! 

Fall Family Photo Shoot

I'll be the first to admit these pictures turned out way better than I had expected. I guess I should have had a little more faith in my photographer and in my family. Ericha did an amazing job and they are everything and more I wanted from our first fall family photo shoot. That picture of the boys on the bench...seriously they look so stinking cute!

Flurry

The snow started down around 10:00 this morning and is steadily falling. Fortunately for me it's not sticking because no one likes driving around in this crap. Unfortunately for 2 little boys who want to bundle up, go sledding, and build a snowman, today isn't going to be that day. It seems like just yesterday I was standing at that same door with my sisters, looking out at the falling snow in anticipation of a snow day. Praying school would be closed and we could spend the day in our hats and mittens. Begging our parents to take us out even if there was only a cm of white powder on the ground. 

Aunt Liz sent me this picture from earlier today. It's so amazing to know that a simple snapshot of my children can take me back to my own childhood. Bringing back memories of those feelings and times I spent with the ones I love. I am hoping they remember these times together as brothers. I am hoping that some day in the future one look at a picture will do the same for them as it has done for me.

Picture Perfect

A few weekends ago on a beautiful October morning we had a family photo shoot. The colorful leaves and sun shining through the trees made for the perfect backdrop for our pictures. I pinned for weeks the perfect poses, shots, and coordinating outfits that I wanted our family memories to look like. I haven't seen any of the final results yet but I'm pretty sure it's safe to say we will NOT be looking like any of those happy families skipping through the meadow hand in hand. Little brother was a tough cookie that day and didn't want to cooperate in the least and the only thing big brother was interested in, was finding the playground. At first I was upset and felt like we wasted our money. But, the more I thought about it the less mad I became, and eventually started to laugh about the whole experience. What I came to realize is, we aren't the picture perfect family in the field, matching, and smiling. We are our family...The Smith's...you know the family with one kid throwing a tantrum and the other rolling around in the wet grass. The one with the husband who is gritting his teeth and smiling because he is hating every second of this but loves his wife and is trying to keep her happy. The one with the wife trying to wrangle her family into just 1 more picture because the 1000 before just weren't quite exactly what she wanted. That is us and that is what I should have expected all along. When I do finally get to see how those pictures turned out I know I am going to be so happy and no matter what they are getting hung on the walls of our home!

After the photo shoot we went home and spent the rest of the day playing in the backyard. It amazes me how the little monster that terrorized our morning turned back into his sweet, curious, fun loving self. Who knew all it took was a big pile of leaves?! 

      

10/29

October 29, 2007 was my due date with Braeden. It's funny how these simple little dates remain with us for ever. Even though he arrived a few days early I'll never forget that was the day my 1st baby boy was due. His actual birthday, October 24th just came and went and I can officially say I have a 5 year old! Is that even possible? He is the one that made me a mama and he fills everyday with love, laughter, and happiness. He is so smart, so sweet, and the greatest big brother. 
October 29th, 2012  will mark another of those "never forget" special dates. It was the day that we found out our family once again is growing! Come July 2013, The Smith's will be a family of 5! The only people that know as of right now are Brian and I. We plan on doing things a little different this time around and holding off on telling our relatives and friends until a few months in. We want to save this special time for us and keep this small secret between us. I am figuring we will let our immediate family know on Thanksgiving and the rest of everyone else around Christmas. We are beyond excited to be expecting and are looking forward to the next 9 months and getting to meet our little firecracker!