Pascha

Well, Pascha this year was...different.  First, we had a newborn so I couldn't go to church.  Darryl was completely exhausted when he left for church and I was so fearful he was going to fall asleep at the wheel, I slept on the couch with Juliana frantically waiting for them to come home.  I did end up falling asleep and apparently he did as well(in the garage).  He was too tired to even get out of the car!

He finally woke up and brought the kids in and went to bed but I could tell he was soooo tired from lack of sleep with having a new baby.

The next morning the boys woke to their baskets and then we headed outside for an egg hunt.  It was soooo cold outside it didn't feel like spring at all!  All the boys had such a blast finding all the eggs!

We came back in to start our dinner.  We were making Roast lamb,Greek Potato Salad, Asparagus, Deviled Eggs, Hummus with pita chips and Strawberry Shortcake.
After preparing some of the food, I started to to feel ill.  I knew what was happening-I was coming down with mastitis.  I started getting chills and came down with a fever.  So, I started eating massive amounts of garlic cloves. I also headed to bed.  It wasn't what I expected on such a celebratory day, but that is the way it goes.  After much rest and much more garlic, I felt better by morning. 
Needless to say, the boys had a great day and even baby Juliana got some wonderful gifts!

Oldest and youngest...

Christos Anesti!  Christos Voskrese!  Christ is Risen!

Our first week continued...

Little Peanut loves to talk to and kiss the baby when she's in the swing.  Of course, we have to watch closely-he doesn't realize when he's poking or prodding her too much (-:

Matthew lovin' on his new sister.  He keeps saying how beautiful she is!

We've had some other new babies arrive as well!

First bath at home.

I think Joey is sure the baby must love trains as much as he does.

Our first week at home with Juliana...

 There is always a lot of chaos and adjustment when bringing a new baby home into the family. However, in that chaos is so much joy and excitement. The boys love the baby and are constantly kissing her.  Even Joey loves to kiss and love on her.  He's having some issues with sleeping at naps and nighttime now, but I'm sure that will get worked out once he adjusts a bit better.  Meanwhile, we have been blessed with many meals and gifts from loving friends.  It makes it so much easier to sit and love on the kids (and steal a nap here and there) when I don't have to worry about preparing dinner.

 The boys put together a swing for Juliana.  They are getting so good at that type of thing.

A sweet friend brought over lots of gifts for Juliana, but she also remembered to pack a gift for the boys to play with and also for Joey.  He loves his new bubble maker!

Peanut has a baby too that he loves.  Here he is soothing his baby and putting his baby in the new swing.

Milky mouth!

Having a baby!

So, I had to have another c-section.  I was disappointed, but we all collectively felt it was the best decision at the time.  So, on Monday April 15th, we headed to the hospital to meet our little girl..

Here is the last shot of my belly.

Believe, it or not, I already miss being pregnant(not the first trimester-that is the absolute worst for me) but I enjoyed my second and most of my third.

It never fails.  Once I get in the operating room the tears start flowing and I start shaking.  It's happened every time and if God chooses to bless us again with another baby, it will happen then too.  I don't know why I freak out.  I guess just all the emotions and fears coming flooding in.  This time I was o.k. for a bit longer I just kept praying!

Here she is!

The doctor said I had a ton of scar tissue.  He had a hard time getting in there.  I asked if that meant I couldn't have any more children and he said no, but that it would just take longer to get baby out (-:

I'm so happy she's healthy and big!

Nicholas was smitten immediately!

Joey would coming running into the room and say, "Baby, baby"  He wanted to see his baby.

(Matthew was there too he just wasn't comfortable picking up baby yet.  When we got home he asked constantly to hold her).

Our sweet Juliana Elizabeth.

We are blessed beyond measure.

Children are a heritage of the Lord, blessed is he that has a quiver full of them.

2013 Spring Baseball

 Oh gosh...how I love watching these two play baseball.  Since they were little wee ones playing t-ball, it has always been a joy to watch them play.  They have this twin intuition when they play together that is amazing to watch.  And they sure do look handsome in their uniforms!

Nicholas, my catcher(taking after his Uncle Randy)

 

Matthew loves to pitch.

 

I love this shot!  Matthew pitching, Nicholas catching.

 

Of course, Peanut loves baseball too!

 

The boys switched!  Nicholas is now pitching and Matthew is catching.

 

I want these days to never end.  They fill my heart with such joy!  I am blessed to be their mommy.