I've always wanted one of these...

and now I have one and it makes me smile every time I see it! I was out watering my flowers yesterday morning when a passerby honked and yelled, "Congratulations!" out her car window and it made my heart swell!


I think these "little lambs" may be a "small town" thing. Not that our town is that small {we have a Target, 2 Kmarts, Lowes, Home Depot, etc--- don't you just love that I'm telling you how big our town is based on our retail options!? If I could only count our eating establishments you'd think I lived in Atlanta! People must really like to eat in this town because there are as many restaurants as there are people!} Anyway, most of the local churches put these out when members have babies. Every time I see them in front of a house I can't help but get excited and I tend to let my imagination run wild picturing all that's going on behind closed doors. I'm tickled to have a lamb of my own now! I hope he stays for a couple weeks!

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A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who helped me identify my HIBISCUS {which is in the same family as the Confederate/Cotton Rose}. I believe what we have is the Disco Hibiscus and I'm glad to know what it is. I thought it looked just like a hibiscus, I just didn't know they came in white! Once the flowers fall the pods are behind them and FULL of little seeds so hopefully they'll come back in even a greater abundance next year!

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We're doing well and adjusting to life with 3 little ones. John Martin is a sweet, sweet, sweet boy and has won all of our hearts! He nurses so well and sleeps really well and we are loving life with him outside the womb. I lay down next to him when he's all stretched out and am completely amazed that he came from my body, I seriously believe bearing a child is nothing short of a miracle! And I am forever grateful to have been given the opportunity to "house" him while he grew!

His "Mom" can't resist stealing sugar every time she sees him. I can't blame her, I'm a sugar stealer too! And well, his sisters and dad are all sugar stealers too! We all can't keep our lips off of him. Good thing it's not flu season!

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Speaking of "Mom"... she's still here and has been a tremendous help! I told Justin I may have to hold her hostage and never let her leave. I am repaying her with a little "pool time" all on her own while the girls are at Mother's Morning Out... I know how gracious of me, huh? I wish I could offer her lots more, she most certainly deserves more than money could offer. The washing machine hasn't stopped since she got here. Every time I turn around she's walking through the house with a load of laundry. And if she's not carrying laundry she's loading or unloading the dishwasher, playing dress up or.... jumping rope. Yes, that's right. Morgan got a jump rope from her {Great} Aunt Diana and wanted to know how to use it... you better believe that "Mom's" not too cool to jump rope for her grand daughters. Unfortunately, Morgan's not quite coordinated enough to use it herself. In addition to jumping rope, she has been a huge help and the girls just love her. She takes them where they need to be, picks them up, and does everything else in between.

Thanks, Mom! We're really thankful that you are here. Please don't leave... ever!

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John Martin's nursery is almost done... those curtains that were due to be delivered the day he was delivered were the wrong size! Argh! I was in a hurry and when Mom went to hang them she said, "Did you know you ordered 2 pairs rather than 2 panels!?" Stink-o-la! I cried pretty hard when she told me of my tragic mistake. Might have been a hormone induced reaction, but needless to say, I was pretty disappointed. Even more disappointed to know that the size I need has been discontinued. So, back to square one on the curtains and as soon as I get it all "dolled" up I'll snap some pictures and share!

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I'm already starting to feel better. My c-section went much smoother this go around! (No walk in the park, but not as intense as last go around.) I think it has to do with my wonderful doctor, the sutures rather than staples, and the fact that the nerves were already damaged and scarred so the pain wasn't near as intense. I also have a renewed appreciation for nurses. I have some precious friends who are nurses and a handful who are "labor & delivery" and "mother & baby" and my hats off to y'all. My nurses were caring and compassionate women who I'm certain don't get paid enough for all they have to do. It's a challenging job with some not so fun tasks and all of my nurses handle themselves with such poise, professionalism, and compassion. I never had to beg or ask twice for pain medicine. They were understanding of my pain and I'm so thankful for each of them. So, to all you nurses out there... thank you for all you do!!

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I've put a few more pictures from the last week here...

Week of July 7